Insulation for Affixing to Surfaces

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removably applying a sheet of insulative material to a surface includes several pieces of a first type of hook/loop material affixed to one side of the sheet of the insulative material by stitching and several heat barriers. Each of the heat barriers is affixed to the surface (e.g., by an adhesive, double-sided tape, fasteners) and each of heat barriers has a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface such that when the first type of the hook/loop material interfaces with the second type of the hook/loop material, the sheet of insulative material is removably attached to cover at least a portion of the surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of sound and/or thermal insulation and more particularly to a system for affixing insulation to surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many surfaces made of metal or surrounded by metal often radiate heat/cold and freely pass sound (noise), for example, vehicle windows, vehicle walls and doors, vehicle roofs, metal garage doors, airplane hanger doors, roll-up doors, metal siding for buildings, etc. Many attempts have been made to affix thermal and/or sound reducing insulation to such surfaces with mixed results, as it is difficult to impossible to use fasteners such as staples with metal surfaces. For example, insulative material with an adhesive backing is often used, but the high temperatures and temperature swings found in vehicles, buildings, and metal garage doors often destroys the adhesive backing and the insulative material falls to the ground, leaving residue from the insulative backing on the surface to which it was affixed.

Since many of the surfaces are made of steel, some have attempted to sew magnets into seams in the insulative material in an attempt to hold the insulation to the metal surfaces by magnetic force. Such a configuration works in some situations, but there are several problems with this solution. The first problem has to do with adherence to the metal surfaces. As the magnets are completely surrounded by the insulative material (the magnets are encapsulated between layers of the material), a higher force magnet must be used since even this small distance attenuates the force exerted by the magnets. A second problem is visual, in that, unless the seams are sewn perfectly and the magnets lay flat within the seams, the ends of the insulative fabric bunch and are not visually pleasing. The third issue is manufacturing such insulative panels. In order to sew the magnets into the insulative material, the insulative material must be wrapped around the magnets and the insulative material be sewn onto itself with a seam. Such stitching works at the periphery of the insulative material where the material can be wrapped around, but when the insulative material is used on larger surfaces such as roll-up doors, adherence is required in central locations where there are no seams making it difficult or impossible to sew.

What is needed is an insulative material that uses hook and loop material to adhere to surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for removably affixing a sheet of insulative material to a surface is disclosed, including several pieces of a first type of hook/loop material that are each affixed to one side of the sheet of the insulative material (e.g., sewn by stitching). There are several heat barriers affixed to the surface that is to be insulated. Each of the heat barriers has a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface. When the first type of the hook/loop material interfaces with the second type of the hook/loop material, the sheet of the insulative material is removably attached to cover and insulate at least a portion of the surface.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for removably applying a sheet of insulative material to a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes several pieces of a first type of hook/loop material affixed to one side of the sheet of the insulative material by stitching and several heat barriers. Each of the heat barriers is affixed to the surface (e.g., by an adhesive, double-sided tape, fasteners) and each of heat barriers has a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface such that when the first type of the hook/loop material interfaces with the second type of the hook/loop material, the sheet of insulative material is removably attached to cover at least a portion of the surface.

In another embodiment, a method of insulating a surface is disclosed. The method includes stitching several sections of a first type of hook/loop material to a sheet of insulative material and installing several heat barriers on the surface, each of the heat barriers has a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface. Next, removably affixing the sheet of the insulative material to the surface by aligning each of the first type of the hook/loop material with the second type of the hook/loop material and applying pressure on the sheet of the insulative material, thereby engaging hooks/loops of the first type of the hook/loop material with the hooks/loops of the second type of the hook/loop material, thereby removably holding the sheet of insulative material to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of magnets affixed to an insulative material.

FIG. 2 illustrates an attachment-side prospective view of the insulative material showing the magnets being attached.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevational view of the insulative material with magnets being attached to a metal surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of the insulative material with magnets attached to a metal surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates the magnetic insulation with insulative material that has an area that is “see-through.”

FIG. 6 illustrates directly affixing magnets to the insulative material.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the insulative material held to a surface using hook and loop material.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away view of the insulative material held to a surface using hook and loop material.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the insulative material held to a surface using hook and loop material and having a heat barrier.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cut-away view of the insulative material held to a surface using hook and loop material, having the heat barrier.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the insulative material showing an exemplary placement of the hook and loop material.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a surface (overhead door) showing placement of the hook and loop material.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the surface (overhead door) having the insulative material installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

For clarity and brevity reasons, the magnetic insulation 100 is described as adhering to metal throughout this description, in particular, a magnetic material or magnetic metal that is attracted by magnetic force. The term insulative material refers to a material that attenuates heat and/or noise.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective exploded view of magnets 130 affixed to a sheet of insulative material 200 is shown. The sheet of insulative material 200 is any material that insulates or provides a barrier to heat and/or sound, for example, rubber, foam rubber, butyl, foil-backed rubber, foil-backed foam, foil-backed butyl, backed fiberglass, Reflectic®, single bubble thermal insulating material, double bubble thermal insulating material, etc. Note that such materials are available with a sticky backing, for example, for automotive use (peel and stick). There are many disadvantages to this sticky backing including: adherence ability (especially on grimy surfaces like oil, sand, grease), degradation of the adhesive due to heat and moisture, ease of removal when needed, and remnants of adhesive after removal. The magnetic insulation 100 uses magnets 130 located anywhere on the sheet of insulative material 200, including, for example, along edges and centrally located on the sheet of insulative material 200.

To secure the magnets 130 to the sheet of insulative material 200, snap fastener sockets 105 are used as the process of attaching the snap fastener sockets 105 to a sheet of material (e.g., canvas) is well known. The snap fastener sockets 105 are typically provided in two pieces, eyelet 110 that press-fits into a socket 120. A shaft 112 of the eyelet is pushed through the sheet of insulative material 200 and into an orifice 122 of the socket 120 by a snap fastener tool. The orifice 122 is size to require force in order to push the shaft 112 into the orifice 122 and, therefore, holds the shaft 112 tightly once fully engaged. The socket 120 of the snap fastener sockets 105 is cup-shaped for accepting the male section of a snap fastener (not shown) that is not used in the magnetic insulation 100. Instead, either before or after the snap fastener sockets 105 are affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200, a magnet 130 is affixed within the cup-shaped area of the socket 120. The cup-shaped area of the socket 120 helps protect the magnet 130 from being scraped from the sheet of insulative material 200. One magnet 130 is secured into the cup-shaped area of each socket 120 by an adhesive, sealant, press-fit, etc. In one embodiment, a sealant such as Dow Corning® 995 is used as such a material is excellent for heat/cool cycles as found in metal garage door and automotive environments.

Referring to FIG. 2, an attachment-side prospective view of the magnetic insulation 100 is shown with the magnets 130 being attached. In this example, the snap fastener sockets 105 have been attached to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the adhesive material 132 applied within the cup-shaped areas of the sockets 120. The magnets 130 are then inserted into cup-shaped areas of the sockets 120 and the adhesive material 132 is allowed to set. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the snap fastener sockets 105 are easily located around edges and within central locations of the sheet of insulative material 200.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 elevational views of the sheet of insulative material 200 with magnets 130 are shown with the magnets 130 being distal from a metal surface in FIG. 3 and with the magnets 130 held to a metal surface in FIG. 4 by way of magnetic force. As vehicles 300 such as delivery vans often have metal walls 310 and metal ceilings 320 that freely conduct heat and noise, it is desirable to cover bare metal surfaces with insulation to help maintain inside temperatures when it is hot or cold externally both for the driver/occupants and for the cargo that is often temperature sensitive (e.g., food, wine, plants). It is also desirable to reduce noise emanating from outside of the vehicle and to provide some protection against blunt forces such as an item within the vehicle hitting the metal wall and deforming the metal wall. The same is desirable for metal garage doors, air conditioning air handlers, airport hanger walls, other steel construction such as sheds and barns, etc.

The portion of a vehicle 300 shown has metal walls 310 (e.g., walls made of magnetic material such as steel), a metal ceilings 320, and a floor. A side view of the magnetic insulation 100 is shown with the eyelets 110 attached to the side of the sheet of insulative material 200 that is away from the metal wall 310 of the vehicle 300 and the socket 120 with magnet 130 affixed therein attached to the side of the sheet of insulative material 200 that is closer to the metal wall 310 of the vehicle 300. In FIG. 3, the magnetic insulation 100 is being moved towards the metal wall 310 of the vehicle 300 while in FIG. 4, the magnetic insulation 100 is held to the metal wall 310 of the vehicle 300 by magnetic force of the magnets 130. Although not shown, the same or similar magnetic insulation 100 is also attached to the metal ceilings 320 of the vehicle 300, and in some embodiments, magnetic insulation 100 is also attached to the floor 330 of the vehicle 300.

In some embodiments, the magnetic insulation 100 is pre-sized to fit spaces of known vehicles 300, for example, a set of magnetic insulation 100 is provided, each magnetic insulation 100 in the set sized/shaped to fit in specific locations and affixed with an appropriate set of magnets for a popular style of minivan.

Referring to FIG. 5, the magnetic insulation 100 is shown with the sheet of insulative material 200 having an area that is “see-through.” In some installations, for example, vehicles 300, metal buildings, metal garage doors, there are windows 340. In some cases, it is desirable to cover the windows 340 with magnetic insulation 100 which is possible with the above embodiments by installing the snap fastener sockets 105 with magnets 130 around the periphery of the window 340 so that the magnets 130 are attracted to and attach to the metal around the window 340. This will help insulate from heat and noise entering/exiting the window 340. In some cases, it is desired to maintain visibility through the window. For such cases, in some embodiments, the sheet of insulative material 200 is or has a window 205 that allows light to pass through, for example, the perforated material used to make bus window advertisements, allowing those within the bus to see outside while those outside the bus see advertisements printed on the perforated material.

Referring to FIG. 6, the magnetic insulation 100A is shown. In this embodiment, the magnets 130 are directly affixed to the sheet of sheet of insulative material 200 by the adhesive material 132, creating a strong bond between the sheet of insulative material 200 and each of the magnets 130.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, views of the sheet of insulative material 200 held to a surface 440 using hook and loop material 510/520 (aka hook/loop material) are shown. For clarity and brevity reasons, in all examples. the hook material 520 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the loop material 510 is affixed to the surface 440, though it is equally anticipated that the loop material 510 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the hook material 520 is affixed to the surface 440. Several pieces of the hook material 520 are affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 by adhesive, double-sided tape, and/or stitching 522. Several pieces of the loop material 510 are affixed to the surface by adhesive or double-sided tape 512, preferably a high-temperature-range adhesive or double-sided tape as many a surface 440 become very hot during summer months and very cold during winter months. Also preferably in positions to mate with the hook material 520.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, views of the sheet of insulative material 200 held to a surface using hook and loop material 510/520 (aka hook/loop material) and having a heat barrier 516 are shown. For clarity and brevity reasons, in all examples, the hook material 520 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the loop material 510 is affixed to the heat barrier 516, though it is equally anticipated that the loop material 510 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the hook material 520 is affixed to the heat barrier 516. Several pieces of the hook material 520 are affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 by adhesive, double-sided tape, and/or stitching 522 (stitching 522 is shown). Several pieces of the loop material 510 a affixed to the heat barrier 516 by adhesive or double-sided tape 512, preferably positioned to align with the hook material 520. In some embodiments, the adhesive or double-sided tape 512 are a high-temperature-range adhesive or double-sided tape. As the surface 440 often become very hot during summer months and very cold during winter months, the heat barrier 516 provides thermal resistance to this heat or cold, maintaining the bond between the loop material 510 and the surface 440. The heat barrier 516 is bonded to the surface 440 by adhesive, double-sided tape 518, and/or any known method of affixing the heat barrier 516 to the surface 440, including using fasteners.

In some embodiments, the heat barrier 516 is a sheet of a plastic material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride) and is selected for strength as well as thermal resistance. Other materials such as wood and rubber are also anticipated, having strength and high thermal resistance. In some embodiments, the heat barrier is a 2″ by 2″ sheet of plastic of a thickness ranging from 1/16 of an inch to ¼ of an inch.

Referring to FIG. 11, a perspective view of the insulative material 200 showing an exemplary placement of the hook material 520 is shown. Again, in this example, the hook material 520 is affixed to the insulative material 200 and the loop material 510 is affixed to the heat barrier 516. It is equally anticipated that the loop material 510 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 and the hook material 520 is affixed to the heat barrier 516. In this example, the hook material 520 is affixed to the sheet of insulative material 200 by stitching 522.

Referring to FIG. 12, a perspective view of a surface 440A (e.g., a corrugated overhead door) showing placement of the heat barrier 516 and the loop material 510. Again, in this example, the hook material 520 is affixed to the insulative material 200 and the loop material 510 is affixed to the heat barrier 516. It is equally anticipated that the loop material 510 is affixed to the insulative material 200 and the hook material 520 is affixed to the heat barrier 516. For completeness, the door frame 442 is shown and it is anticipated that the surface 440A (corrugated overhead door) be configured to open by rolling the surface 440A onto a roller.

In this example, multiple heat barriers 516, each having loop material 510 are affixed to the surface 440A to hold one or two sheets of the insulative material 200. Note that in many applications, the surface 440A is exposed to extreme temperatures from direct sunlight or cold outside temperatures, creating a wide temperature range. The heat barrier 516 reduces conduction of such heat/cold from the surfaces 440A to the adhesives used for adhering the loop material 510 and/or the hook material 520. It should be noted that many adhesives often fail due to extreme temperatures and or changes in temperatures that cause cracking.

Referring to FIG. 13, a perspective view of the surface 440A (corrugated overhead door) is shown having the insulative material 200 removably installed. Only part of the surface 440A is visible as two sheets of the insulative material 200 occlude most of the surface 440A. In this, pressure was exerted onto the insulative material 200, forcing the hook material 520 to engage with the loop material 510 and to hold the insulative material 200 to the surface 440A. To remove the insulative material 200 from the surface 440A, the insulative material 200 is pulled to disengage the hook material 520 to disengage with the loop material 510.

In some embodiments, to prevent the magnets from slipping when the surface on which the sheet of insulative material 200 is affixed, adhesive or sticky pads 209 are included to reduce slippage.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A system for removably affixing a sheet of insulative material to a surface, the system comprising: a plurality of pieces of a first type of hook/loop material affixed to one side of the sheet of the insulative material;a plurality of heat barriers affixed to the surface, each of the plurality of heat barriers having a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface; andwhereas when the first type of the hook/loop material interfaces with the second type of the hook/loop material, the sheet of the insulative material is removably attached to cover at least a portion of the surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first type of the hook/loop material is hook material and the second type of the hook/loop material is loop material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first type of the hook/loop material is loop material and the second type of the hook/loop material is hook material.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the hook material is affixed to the one side of the sheet of the insulative material by stitching.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the loop material is affixed to the one side of the sheet of the insulative material by stitching.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the hook material is affixed to the one side of the sheet of the insulative material by double-sided tape.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the loop material is affixed to the one side of the sheet of the insulative material by double-sided tape.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of heat barriers is a 2″ by 2″ sheet of plastic having a thickness ranging from 1/16 of an inch to ¼ of an inch.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of heat barriers is a 2″ by 2″ sheet of plastic having a thickness ranging from 1/16 of an inch to ¼ of an inch.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the loop material affixed to the planar surface of each of the plurality of heat barriers by double-sided tape.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein the hook material affixed to the planar surface of each of the plurality of heat barriers by double-sided tape.

12. An apparatus for removably applying a sheet of insulative material to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of pieces of a first type of hook/loop material affixed to one side of the sheet of the insulative material by stitching;a plurality of heat barriers, each of the plurality of heat barriers is affixed to the surface and each of the plurality of heat barriers has a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface; andwhereas when the first type of the hook/loop material interfaces with the second type of the hook/loop material, the sheet of insulative material is removably attached to cover at least a portion of the surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first type of the hook/loop material is hook material and second type of the hook/loop material is loop material.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first type of the hook/loop material is loop material and second type of the hook/loop material is hook material.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second type of the hook/loop material is affixed to the planar surface of each of the plurality of heat barriers by double-sided tape.

16. A method of insulating a surface, the method comprising: stitching a plurality of sections of a first type of hook/loop material to a sheet of insulative material;installing a plurality of heat barriers on the surface, each of the plurality of heat barriers having a second type of the hook/loop material affixed to a planar surface that faces away from the surface; andremovably affixing the sheet of the insulative material to the surface by aligning each of the first type of the hook/loop material with the second type of the hook/loop material and applying pressure on the sheet of the insulative material, thereby engaging hooks/loops of the first type of the hook/loop material with the hooks/loops of the second type of the hook/loop material, thereby removably holding the sheet of insulative material to the surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the surface is a corrugated overhead door.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of the heat barriers has the second type of the hook/loop material affixed to the planar surface using double-sided tape.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first type of the hook/loop material is hook material and the second type of the hook/loop material is loop material.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising pulling each of the first type of the hook/loop material away from a corresponding one of each of the second type of the hook/loop material for removing the sheet of insulative material from the surface.