초록 ▼

An insulating cover for an attic or other opening is provided which mounts on top of a stair frame or framed opening or the like without the necessity of attic flooring, characterized by economical construction, economical shipping, ease of assembly, ease of installation above the opening, and a foo

An insulating cover for an attic or other opening is provided which mounts on top of a stair frame or framed opening or the like without the necessity of attic flooring, characterized by economical construction, economical shipping, ease of assembly, ease of installation above the opening, and a footprint substantially similar to the frame of the folding stair or the empty opening. The present invention further provides an insulating cover that is rugged enough for continued use yet light enough and supported in such as way as to have an ease of opening, staying open and closing as the consumer needs. In a further embodiment, the invention components may be substantially flat packed for ease of shipping and handling. In a further embodiment, the invention provides a multifunction insulating cover that may be fitted with a ventilation means, such as a louver or powered fan to enable ventilation through the framed opening even though the attic cover would be closed. This embodiment provides a multipurpose function to the cover, thus eliminating the need for a separate roof or ceiling installed ventilation fan. In a still further embodiment, the present invention may be provided with a protective outer layer to better resist impact or weather.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An insulating cover for a folding stair assembly comprising: a. a support frame with inner perimeter dimensions corresponding to the inner perimeter dimensions of the stair frame and outer perimeter dimensions corresponding to the outer perimeter dimensions of the stair frame

What is claimed is: 1. An insulating cover for a folding stair assembly comprising: a. a support frame with inner perimeter dimensions corresponding to the inner perimeter dimensions of the stair frame and outer perimeter dimensions corresponding to the outer perimeter dimensions of the stair frame, said support frame comprising a first end element, a second end element, a first side element, a second side element, b. a cover assembly having corresponding inner and outer dimensions of said support frame comprising a first end element, a second end element, a first side element, a second side element, a top element comprising an outer layer and an inner insulating layer, and a ventilation apparatus disposed in the top element to allow air flow through said cover, c. a hinge apparatus connected to the end element of said support frame and to the corresponding end element of said cover assembly, said cover assembly movable between a first closed position in alignment and in contact with said frame, and a second open position to provide through access, d. an air transfer barrier interposed between said stair frame and said support frame, and e. said support frame substantially aligned and securedly attached to said stair frame. 2. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein said hinge apparatus is connected to the side element of said support frame and secondly to the corresponding side element of said cover assembly, said cover assembly movable between a first closed position in alignment and in contact with said frame, and a second open position to provide through access. 3. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the support frame first end element, second end element, first side element and second side element comprise an outer protective layer and an inner insulating layer. 4. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the cover assembly first end element, second end element, first side element and second side element comprise an outer protective layer and an inner insulating layer. 5. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the frame elements and the cover assembly elements comprise a wood fiber material. 6. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the insulation comprises fiberglass batting. 7. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the insulation comprises foam insulation. 8. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein the insulation comprises foam insulation comprising an attached foil layer. 9. The hinge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hinge apparatus comprises one or more butt-style hinges. 10. The hinge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hinge apparatus comprises a piano hinge. 11. The insulating cover of claim 1 wherein a cover assembly support apparatus is operative to enable the second open position of said cover assembly. 12. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 11 comprising a center length portion, a first end and a second end, said cover assembly support apparatus first end positioned to engage the underside of the cover assembly top element and the second end positioned to engage said support frame, said apparatus operative to enable the second open position of said cover assembly. 13. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 11 wherein said cover assembly support apparatus is hydraulically assisted. 14. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 11 wherein said cover assembly support apparatus is spring assisted. 15. An insulating cover for a folding stair assembly comprising: a. a support frame with dimensions that may be modified to correspond to a plurality of dimensions of a stair frame, comprising a first end element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a second end element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a first side element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, and a second side element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, b. a cover assembly having corresponding dimensions modifiable to correspond to a plurality of dimensions of said support frame, comprising a first end element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a second end element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a first side element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a second side element marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths, a top element comprising an outer protective layer and an inner insulating layer marked for cutting at a plurality of predetermined lengths and widths, and a ventilation apparatus disposed in the top element to allow air flow through said cover assembly, and c. a hinge apparatus connected to the end element of said support frame and to the corresponding end element of said cover assembly, said cover assembly movable between a first closed position in alignment and in contact with said support frame, and a second open position to provide through access. 16. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein the support frame elements and the cover assembly elements comprise an outer protective layer and an inner insulating layer. 17. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein the inner insulating layer is fiberglass. 18. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein the inner insulating layer is foam insulation. 19. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein the inner insulating layer is foam insulation with a foil layer attached thereon. 20. The hinge apparatus of claim 15 wherein said hinge comprises one or more butt-style hinges. 21. The hinge apparatus of claim 15 wherein said hinge comprises a piano hinge. 22. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein a cover assembly support apparatus is operative to enable the second open position of said cover assembly. 23. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 22 wherein said cover assembly support apparatus comprises a center length portion, a first end and a second end, the cover assembly support apparatus first end positioned to engage the underside of the cover assembly top element and the second end positioned to engage the said support frame, said apparatus operative to enable the second open position of said cover assembly. 24. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 22 wherein said cover assembly support apparatus is hydraulically assisted. 25. The cover assembly support apparatus of claim 22 wherein said cover assembly support apparatus is spring assisted. 26. The insulating cover of claim 15 wherein said cover assembly comprises a protective member attached to the exterior of the end, side and top elements. 27. The cover assembly of claim 26 wherein the protective member comprises sheet metal.