Window well cover assembly

Abstract

A window well cover is securely fastened to close a window well from outside the window well but which is easily unlatched from the inside of the window well for exit from the window and out of the window well. The cover includes a panel hinged to a base bracket and a fixing assembly. The panel is sized to substantially cover an open top end of the window well and has a first end edge and a second end edge, and opposite side edges. The fixing assembly is mounted to the base bracket adjacent to the first end edge. The fixing assembly comprises a first bracing bracket mounted to the base bracket adjacent one of the side edges and a second bracing bracket mounted to the base bracket adjacent the opposite side edge. Pressing portions are extendable outwardly from the bracing brackets to press against an inside of the window well to releasably lock the panel to the window well. A third bracing bracket can be provided secured to the panel adjacent to the second end edge of the panel, the third bracing bracket comprising a hand actuated pressing portion selectively extendable from the third bracing bracket to engage the window well.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention is directed to window well covers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Homes, apartment buildings and other buildings sometimes include a below grade basement having basement walls which form part of the building foundation. In order to allow sunlight into the basement, the basement walls can be provided with windows through the basement walls. The windows are typically inward swinging-pane casement type windows. In order to allow light to these windows, a window well is provided adjacent to an outside of the basement wall. These window wells are typically semicircular in shape and are constructed of concrete, brick or metal. The window well includes an open top that allows light down to the casement window.[0003]It is known to provide a transparent or translucent cover placed over the open top of the window well to allow light to reach the basement window and to prevent debris, water, humans or animals from falling or entering directl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]One advantage of the present invention is that the base bracket is L-shaped and includes an upstanding leg and a horizontal leg. The upstanding leg spaces the panel edge from the building wall and the horizontal leg supports the hinges. The panel is pivotable upward from the horizontal leg toward the upright leg when the panel is pivoted from a closed position to an open position. In this way, the panel can be easily pivoted upward without interference with the adjacent building wall.

Problems solved by technology

The present inventor has recognized that such prior known window well covers are not easily installed by a homeowner, especially when retrofitting the window well with a new window well cover.

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