US2720236A - Cabinet covers - Google Patents

Description

J. 'J. HOFFMAN CABINET covERs Oct. 11, 1955 Filed March 9, 1954 IN V EN TOR.

JOSEPH J. HOFFMAN ATTORNEY United States Patent O CABINET COVERS Joseph J. Hoffman, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 9, 1954, Serial No. 415,137

Claims. (Cl. 150-52) This invention relates generally to covers for cabinets or casings, and is particularly directed to a cover for a cabinet disposed within a window opening, such as the casing of a room air conditioner.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a box-shaped enclosure fabricated of flexible sheet material and having one end open for receiving the cabinet; and, resilient means are provided for maintaining the enclosure in snug, conforming engagement about the cabinet.

There are, of course, many covers or enclosures on the market adapted for use with window cabinets, but such covers commonly require the use of tie cords or drawstrings for effecting snug engagement with the casing. Obviously, this construction is extremely unsatisfactory, requiring knotting and untying of the drawstring to cover and uncover the casing and the cord and adjacent cover portions being subject to repeated abrasion, and consequent rapid wear and deterioration. Further, the tie cord of prior devices seriously detracted from the neatness and attractiveness of such devices.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a cover of the type described which overcomes the above mentioned difliculties, which permits the quick and easy placement and removal of the cover with respect to the cabinet, and wherein tie cords and drawstrings, together with the time consuming and laborious manipulation thereof, are completely eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window cabinet cover having the characteristics mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, which is simple in construction and durable in use, obviating the rapid wear inherent in prior devices, and which is neat and attractive, and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Figure l is a top perspective view showing a cover constructed in accordance with the present invention in operative assembly with a window cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a partial, bottom perspective view showing the assembly of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a partial, sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment illustrated therein comprises a window, generally designated 10, a cabinet 11, such as the casing of a room air conditioner, disposed within the window opening, and a cover, generally designated 12, enclosing the cabinet.

ICC

Conventional window construction includes a generally horizontal sill 13, a pair of spaced stiles 14, 14 which extend upwardly from the sill, and a lintel (not shown) which spans the upper ends of the stiles and combines with the stiles and sill to define the window opening. A conventional window sash 15 is disposed within the Window opening and mounted for vertical sliding movement in the Stiles 14.

The casing or cabinet 11 is commonly disposed within the Window opening, having its underside seated on the sill 13, its rear or outer end extending outwardly beyond the sill, and its front or inner end extending inwardly beyond the sill.

While the cover 12 of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed in connection with the housings or casings for window mounted air conditioner units, and will be described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the device may also be advantageously employed with other, different types of cabinets. However, as room air conditioning units are usually permanently mounted in window openings, and as it is highly desirable to protect the unit from the harsh winter elements, the invention has found its greatest application as a cover for such units.

The cover 12 is generally rectangular in its distended configuration and preferably fabricated of waterproof, flexible sheet material or fabric, having good weather resistant qualities. The cover includes a generally rectangular bottom wall 17, see Fig. 2, which is laterally coextensive and in underlying engagement with the underside of the cabinet 11 outwardly of the sill 1.3, and has its forward edge 18 adapted to abuttingly engage with the edge of the sill, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Extending upwardly from the rear edge of the bottom Wall 17 and laterally coextensive therewith is a flexible, generally rectangular rear wall 19 in facing engagement with the rear or outer side of the casing 11; and, a generally rectangular top cover Wall 20 is secured to the upper edge of and laterally coextensive with the rear wall 19 and extends forwardly in facing engagement with the upper side of the casing. The bottom, rear and top cover Walls 17, 19, and 20, respectively, are preferably formed of a single sheet of flexible material, but it is appreciated that the walls may be made individually and secured together, or otherwise as desired. For example, the cover Walls may be provided with any selected type of ornamentation or decoration.

Formed on the top wall 20 is an inwardly extending flap or extension 22, also fabricated of flexible sheet material and laterally coextensive with the top wall. The extension or iiap 22 is adapted to overlie and engage with the upper side of the casing 11 and extend inwardly or forwardly beyond the window sash 15. Thus, the sash may be lowered, to the position shown in Fig. l, so as to clamp the top wall extension 22 between the sash andthe casing, for a purpose appearing more fully hereinafter.

On opposite sides of the casing 11, and in facing engagement therewith, are spaced, cover side walls 23, of generally rectangular configuration. As the opposite cover side walls 23 are identical in structure, illustration and description of one is believed suicient. The side walls 23 are also fabricated of flexible, preferably waterproof, sheet material, and have their lower, rearward and upper edges secured to the side edges of the bottom, rear and top cover walls, respectively, as by stitching or other suitable means. lfhus, each of the side cover walls 23 will be in facing engagement with one side of the casing 11, and preferably have its inner or forward edge 24 disposed within the window opening to entirely cover and enclose the exterior cabinet portion. As the inner side wall edge 24 and the lower side wall edge portion 25, which overlies the window sill 13, are free or unsecured, it has been found 3 highly desirable to provide stiffening means for maintaining the side walls 23 in distended condition and prevent flapping or opening movement of the latter, as might be caused by wind or rain. Toward this end, an elongated, relatively rigid member or rod 27 is arranged alongside of and secured to each of the side walls 23 between the cabinet 11 and the associated side wall. More particularly, a flexible, elongated sheet 28 is secured, as by stitching 29 or other suitable means, to the inner face of each of the side walls 23 in a diagonal or rearwardly inclined disposition, and combines with the adjacent side wall to define a pocket 30 for receiving and holding the rod 27. Stated otherwise, the pocket 30 is formed by the sheet 28 on the inner surface of the side wall 23 toreceive and hold the stitfening member or rod 27 in a rearwardly inclined disposition extending substantially diagonally across the side wall from the rear or outer upper corner toward the forward, unsecured lower corner. Thus, the side walls 23 are held in distended condition and thereby substantially prevented from apping, curling, bending or the like.

Arranged outwardly of and along each of the cover side walls 23 is an elastic band or other suitable resilient means 32. The band 32 has its upper end 33 secured to the top and side cover walls at the juncture thereof, adjacent to the top wall extension 22, and extends rearwardly and downwardly, terminating in a snap hook 34, or other suitable separable connector, adjacent to and spaced above the lower edge of the side wall. A tab 35 is secured at one end between the side wall 23 and bottom wall 17 adjacent to the forward edge 18 of the latter, and is `provided at its other end with an eyelet 36 for reception of the hook 34.

In placing the cover 12 over the casing 11, it is only necessary to disconnect the hooks and eyelets 34 and 36, and slip the cover over the rear end of the casing. Due to manufacturing tolerances, it is necessary that the cover loosely fit over the casing. The hooks and eyes 34 and 36 may then be connected, thereby placing the resilient bands 32 in tension, so as to draw the top and bottom cover walls 2@ and 17, respectively, tightly across and in engagement with their adjacent casing sides. The top wall extension 22 Ais then pulled inwardly or forwardly through the window opening, which action, through the elastic members 32, will effect forward movement of the bottom wall edge 18 into engagement with the sill 13. Continued inward drawing of the extension 22 will pull the rear cover wall 19 upwardly and conformably against the rear casing wall, so that the bottom, rear and top cover walls are all in smooth, taut, distended condition, and in facing engagement with their adjacent cabinet sides. Further, elongation or tensioning of the resilient member 32, in the above described manner, serves to resiliently maintain the side wall 23, and its stiifening member 27 in facing engagement with the adjacent casing side.

While the cover 12 will substantially maintain itself in the above described, tightly enclosing relation with respect to the casing, the window sash may, if desired, be lowered to clamp the top wall extension 22 against the casing, so as to positively hold the cover in position. In this condition, the resilient members serve to draw the bottom wall upwardly against and forwardly along the cabinet underside; and, the bottom wall in turn draws the rear and top cover walls downwardly and rearwardly, respectively, tightly across their adjacent cabinet sides.

In order to remove the cover 12 from the casing 11, it is only necessary to reverse the above described procedure; or, the cover may be removed without disconnecting the hooks and eyes 34, 36 by raising the window sash 15 and forcibly drawing the cover outwardly so as to slip off of the casing.

While the cover of the present invention has been illustrated and described as employing elastic bands each having a single hook or other detachable connector, it is, of course, appreciated that a greater number of hooks could also be employed, as where it is desired to completely .A detach the resilient member. Or, the hooks may be dispensed with entirely, where it is not objectionable to tension the elastic members prior to slipping the cover on the casing. Further, any suitable resilient means, such as a spring or the like, may be substituted for the elastic band 32 without departing from the scope of this invention.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a cover for a cabinet disposed within a window opening, which fully accomplishes its intended objects and which is well adapted to meet practical conditions of use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A cover for a cabinet disposed within a window opening, said cover being fabricated of flexible sheet material and comprising a bottom wall for engagement with the underside of said cabinet, a rear wall secured to said bottom wall and engageable with the rear of said cabinet, a pair of spaced side walls secured to said rear and bottom walls and engageable with opposite sides of said cabinet, a top wall secured to said rear and side walls and engageable with the upper side of said cabinet, a forward extension on said top wall adapted to underlie the window sash and be clamped thereby against the upper side of said cabinet to tix said top wall in position, a resilient tension member secured exteriorly on each of said side walls and extending forwardly and upwardly toward said forward extension for drawing said bottom wall upwardly against and forwardly along said cabinet underside, whereby said rear and top walls will be drawn downwardly and rearwardly, respectively, tightly across their adjacent cabinet sides against the clamping action of said window sash.

2. A cover according to claim l, in combination with stiffening means arranged transversely of said resilient tension members and secured to said side walls inwards of said tension members, whereby said side walls are held in flat distended condition firmly against their adjacent cabinet sides.

3. A cover according to claim 2, in combination with a separable connector in each of said tension members permitting the loosening of said cover on said cabinet to thereby facilitate placement and removal of said cover with respect to said cabinet.

4. A cover for a cabinet disposed within a window opening on the window sill, said cover being fabricated of flexible sheet material and comprising a bottom wall for engagement with the underside of said cabinet exteriorly of said sill, a rear wall secured to said bottom wall and engageable with the rear of said cabinet, a pair of spaced side walls secured to said rear and bottom walls and extending forwardly beyond said bottom wall for covering engagement with the opposite side portions of said cabinet disposed exteriorly of said window, the lower forward regions of said side walls remaining unsecured, a top wall secured to said rear and side walls and engageable with the upper side of said cabinet, a flap on said top wall extending forwardly beyond said side walls for underlying the window sash to be clamped thereby against the upper side of said cabinet for fixing said top wall in position, a resilient tension member disclosed exteriorly of each side wall having one end secured to the upper forward region of the associated side wall and having its other end secured to the associated side wall adjacent to the forward edge of said bottom wall, whereby said bottom wall will be drawn by said tension members forwardly toward said sill and upwardly tightly across the underside of said cabinet, and `said top and rear walls will be drawn downwardly and rearwardly, respectively, tightly across their adjacent cabinet sides against the clamping action of said window sash.

5. A covering according to claim 4, in combination with an elongated stitening member secured to each of said side walls inwardly of the adjacent tension member, each of said stiffening members extending transversely across the adjacent tension member between the upper rearward and lower forward regions of the associated side wall to maintain the latter distended and prevent apping motion of the unsecured lower forward regions of said side walls, said tension members serving to urge said side walls and stifening members toward said cabinet sides, whereby said side Walls are maintained in their distended, non-flapping condition in engagement with said cabinet sides.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kraemer Feb. 26, 1884 Fernbach Feb. 19, 1918 Randolph Feb. l0, 1920 Aaron Mar. 1, 1927 Downes-Martin Apr. 17, 1928 Finkelstein Aug. 6, 1935 Dotten Apr. 5, 1938 Elliott Oct. 9, 1951 Hall et a1. Oct. 2l, 1952

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