Modular insulation apparatus

Abstract

Modular insulation apparatus (10) providing a standalone insulation unit comprises a plurality of frame components including side members (20), and corner members (60), the frame components arranged to be releasably connectable to one another so as to form a frame, wherein each frame component includes at least two channels (30, 32, 34, 36, 38), the at least two channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least two continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material (15).

Description

Modular insulation apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a modular insulation apparatus and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in enabling selectably sized insulation units to be formed for use with existing windows or other surfaces.

[0002] Secondary glazing involving the addition of a sheet of transparent material to an existing window is known. However, if the sheet is arranged more than approximately 25mm from the existing glazing then the thermal insulation properties are substantially reduced due to localised heating and consequent air movement. It is not always possible to arrange an additional sheet of material as close as 25mm to the existing glazing. For instance, this may be because of the structure of the window, such as sash windows.

[0003] Accordingly, it is desirable to have apparatus which may be retro-fitted to existing windows and other surfaces that create relatively good thermal insulation properties.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides modular insulation apparatus, comprising a plurality of frame components including side members, and corner members, the frame components arranged to be releasably connectable to one another so as to form a frame, wherein each frame component includes at least two channels, the at least two channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least two continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.

[0005] The side members may be cut to the desired length, and then joined together using the corner members, to form a frame to fit the existing window, or other surface.

[0006] The frame components may also include connecting members for releasably connecting adjacent side members to one another. In this way, if the side members are too short for the desired sized panel, side members may be joined together.

[0007] The side members, corner members and connecting members may comprise sockets and / or corresponding pins for releasably connecting members to one another. Other means for connecting the various frame components to one another are contemplated such as screws and the use of adhesive.

[0008] The apparatus may be arranged such that with a side member releasably connected to a corner member, or connecting member, at least one of the at least two channels may be reduced in width to thereby grip a sheet of material accepted therein, in use. This may be because a friction fit between the sockets and pins is provided such that the pins provide a force onto the sides of the sockets. The at least two channels may be arranged between the sockets, such that as a socket is expanded by a pin, it narrows the adjacent channel.

[0009] The at least two continuous channels may be arranged such that the distance between outside surfaces of adjacent sheets of material, arranged in the continuous channels in use, lies in the range of 3 to 25mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the frame lies. This is the optimum gap between adjacent sheets of material to provide relatively good thermal insulation.

[0010] Other distance ranges, such as 3 to 20mm, and 3 to 6mm are contemplated.

[0011] The apparatus may further comprise a sheet of material arranged in each of the at least two continuous channels so as to form, in use, a substantially air-tight enclosure between the sheets and bounded by the frame components. In this regard, the sheets of material may be cut to the appropriate size so that each of their sides is inserted into the respective continuous channel. To install them in this way, one side of the frame may have to be disconnected from the frame and then reconnected.

[0012] For relatively good thermal insulation to be provided, the air within the formed enclosure should be still with minimal, or no, movement thereof.

[0013] The sheets of material may have a thickness in the range of 1mm to 6mm, however, for non-transparent materials, greater thicknesses are contemplated such as 10 to 20mm.

[0014] This could be used to create a standalone double-gazed unit to be used with an existing window or other surface to thereby insulate it. The gap between the double-gazed unit and the existing window is then less important for providing thermal insulation properties because relatively good thermal insulation is provided by the double-glazed unit itself.

[0015] Each frame component may include at least three channels, the at least three channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least three continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.

[0016] In this way, three sheets of material may be arranged, one in each continuous channel. This could be used to create a standalone triple-gazed unit to be used with an existing window or other surface to thereby insulate it. A substantially air-tight enclosure may be formed between each pair of adjacent sheets and bounded by the frame components.

[0017] Alternatively, these at least three continuous channels also provide the possibility of only using two sheets of material, to form a standalone double-glazed unit, but allow their arrangement in two or more positions relative to one another to thereby create a substantially air-tight enclosure between the sheets and bounded by the frame components, having different distances between the outside surfaces of the adjacent sheets of material.

[0018] Moreover, having more channels than is required to form a standalone double-glazed, or triple-glazed, unit allows other sheets of material to be placed within the frame for purposes other than providing thermal insulation. For instance, sheets of material having polarised properties to reduce glare may be employed. These other sheets of material may be cut to an appropriate size to fit within the frame. However, they may be cut to a size such that only two opposing sides fit within opposing sides of the frame such that they may be inserted after the frame has been completed. This may be effected by these sheets of material being slightly flexible so that they may be slightly bent to be inserted. In this way, these sheets may be removed, or rotated as required, to alter the overall properties of the apparatus.

[0019] Each frame component may include at least four channels, the at least four channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least four continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.

[0020] Each frame component may include at least five channels, the at least five channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least five continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.

[0021] At least some of the side members may include a sealant attachment means on a side opposite to the location of the at least two channels. The sealant attachment means may be a channel. In use, a sealant member, such as a strip of foam, may be arranged around the outer surface of the frame. This sealant member may be arranged within the sealant attachment means. The strip of foam may provide a seal between the frame and the existing window frame, or other surface, so as to prevent airflow around the outside of the frame.

[0022] The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

[0023] is a plan view of a modular insulation apparatus;

[0024] is an end view of a frame component;

[0025] is a side view of another frame component;

[0026] is an end view of the frame component of;

[0027] is a perspective view of a further frame component; and

[0028] is a partial plan view of a modular insulation apparatus fitted to an existing window.

[0029] The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence.

[0031] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0032] It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0033] Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

[0034] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0035] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0036] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0037] In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0038] The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and / or “each” in certain circumstances.

[0039] The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0040] A plan view of a completed frame forming a modular insulation apparatus 10 is depicted in. It comprises a rectangular structure wherein the two shorter sides each comprise a single side member 20, and the two longer sides each comprise two side members joined together with a connection member 70. At each of the four corners, a corner member 60 is provided connecting the four sides together. A sheet of material 15, in this case transparent, is arranged within the frame. The inside surface of the frame is referenced “50”.

[0041] An end-on view of an unconnected side member 20 is shown in. It comprises a base 22 from which eight ribs project. They all project in the same direction towards the inside surface 50 of the side member 20.

[0042] The four inner ribs 28 are arranged in two pairs. Each rib of each pair curves in towards one another at their ends distal from the base 22, forming an approximately oval socket 40. A channel 34 is arranged between the two sockets 40.

[0043] Two ribs 24, 26 are arranged on each side of the four inner ribs 28. In this way, channels 30, 38 are formed between the two outermost ribs 24, 26 on each side of the four inner ribs. Also, another pair of channels 32, 36 are formed between the four inner ribs 28 and the closest ribs 26 of the two outermost ribs 24, 26. A total of five channels 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 are thus provided. It is to be understood that the total number of channels may be at least two, or more than two by the addition or removal of ribs.

[0044] On the opposite side of the base 22 from the ribs two projections 42 are arranged between which a gap 44 is created. This may receive a sealing member, in use. The two projections 42 are shown to incline towards one another as they extend away from the base 22.

[0045] In use, sheets of material may be arranged within any or all of the channels.

[0046] A corner member 60 is shown inand 4. It comprises a corner block 62 from which pins 640 project. There are two sets of pins 640, extending away from the corner block at right angles to one another.

[0047] As shown in, each set of pins comprises two pins 640. The pins have an approximately oval cross-sectional shape such that they effect a friction fit with the approximately oval sockets 40 provided on the side members 20. Furthermore, two sets of two short ribs 624, 626 are provided either side of each of the two sets of pins 640. These ribs define two sets of two short channels 630, 632, 636, 638 on either side of the pins 640. In this way, with a corner member 60 connecting two side members 20, these ribs 624, 626 align with the ribs 24, 26 on the side members 20, such that the short channels 630, 632, 636, 638 align with the channels 30, 32, 36, 38 in the side members. Furthermore, central channels 634 are arranged between the two sets of pins 640 such that with a corner member 60 connecting two side members 20, a continuous channel 34, 634 is formed.

[0048] A channel 44 is shown formed in the base 622 of the corner block 60. This may receive a sealing member, in use.

[0049] In use, a sheet of material 15 may be place in any of the continuous channels.

[0050] A connecting member is shown in. It comprises a central block 72 from which pins 740 project. There are two sets of pins 740, extending away from the central block on either side thereof, in opposite directions. Each set of pins comprises two pins 740. The pins have an approximately oval cross-sectional shape such that they effect a friction fit with the approximately oval sockets 40 provided on the side members 20. Furthermore, two sets of two short ribs 724, 726 are provided either side of each of the two sets of pins 740. These ribs define two sets of short channels 730, 732, 736, 738 on either side of the pins 740. In this way, with a connecting member 70 connecting two side members 20, these ribs 724, 726 align with the ribs 24, 26 on the side members 20, such that the short channels 730, 732, 736, 738 align with the channels 30, 32, 36, 38 in the side members. Furthermore, a central channel 734 is arranged between the two sets of pins 740 such that with a connecting member 70 connecting two side members 20, a continuous channel 34, 734 is formed.

[0051] A view 800 of part of a modular insulation apparatus 10 is shown in. Part of two side members 20 connected together by a corner member 60 are shown forming an L shape. Part of an existing window frame 810 is shown in the form of a corresponding L shape. A seal has been placed in the channels 44 on the bases of the frame components. With the modular insulation apparatus 10 in place inside the existing window frame 810 the seal rests against the inside of the window frame. The seal may comprise a resilient material such as foam (e.g. draft excluder). This may resiliently deform a little, with the modular insulation apparatus 10 wedged inside the window frame 810, so as to form a substantially airtight seal.

[0052] It is to be understood that the gap between the modular insulation apparatus and the existing window is not necessarily acting to provide improved thermal insulation as the gap may be too great. However, the modular insulation apparatus having at least two sheets of material located in the continuous channels with a defined separation therebetween will provide improved thermal insulation properties.

[0053] It is also to be understood that the modular insulation apparatus may be placed against walls and other structures which are not necessarily transparent and if sealed against them with appropriate means, such as by the use of draft excluder, may also provide improved thermal insulation properties. In this regard, the sheets of material may not be transparent. Also, the channels may be relatively large (for example 10 to 20mm wide) to accept construction materials such as plasterboard and / or timber sheets. However, the gaps between the adjacent sheets of material may be maintained within the ranges stated above (e.g. 3 to 25mm).

Claims

Modular insulation apparatus, comprising a plurality of frame components including side members, and corner members, the frame components arranged to be releasably connectable to one another so as to form a frame, wherein each frame component includes at least two channels, the at least two channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least two continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame components also include connecting members for releasably connecting adjacent side members to one another.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the side members, corner members and connecting members comprise sockets and / or corresponding pins for releasably connecting members to one another.The apparatus of claim 3, being arranged such that with a side member releasably connected to a corner member, or connecting member, at least one of the at least two channels is reduced in width to thereby grip a sheet of material accepted therein, in use.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least two continuous channels are arranged such that the distance between outside surfaces of adjacent sheets of material, arranged in the continuous channels in use, lies in the range of 3 to 25mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the frame lies.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least two continuous channels are arranged such that the distance between outside surfaces of adjacent sheets of material, arranged in the continuous channels in use, lies in the range of 3 to 20mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the frame lies.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least two continuous channels are arranged such that the distance between outside surfaces of adjacent sheets of material, arranged in the continuous channels in use, lies in the range of 3 to 6mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the frame lies.The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a sheet of material arranged in each of the at least two continuous channels so as to form, in use, a substantially air-tight enclosure between the sheets and bounded by the frame components.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each frame component includes at least three channels, the at least three channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least three continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a sheet of material arranged in each of the at least three continuous channels so as to form, in use, a substantially air-tight enclosure between each pair of adjacent sheets and bounded by the frame components.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each frame component includes at least four channels, the at least four channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least four continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each frame component includes at least five channels, the at least five channels in each frame component being arranged to be coterminous with the channels in each other adjacent frame component so as to form at least five continuous channels in the frame, each continuous channel for accepting a sheet of material.The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the side members include a sealant attachment means on a side opposite to the location of the at least two channels.The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a sheet of polarised material arranged in at least one of the continuous channels.

Images