Inflatable reflecting screen

United States Patent Application 20020100221

The inflatable heat and sun reflecting screen 10 takes advantage of heat reflecting metallic foil in reducing the overall temperature in conservatories 18 during the summer months.

Two methods are used in order to achieve this:

1. By providing a ceiling in the form of an inflatable reflecting screen 10, the conservatory roof 16 and screen 10 forming a “loft” in the process.

2. By inserting reflecting screens 10 between all roof beams 19.

Williams, Gerald George (Carno, GB)

10/094882

08/01/2002

03/12/2002

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WILLIAMS GERALD GEORGE

52/2.22

52/200, 52/202, 52/18

A01G9/22; E04D13/03; E04F10/02; (IPC1-7): E04B1/34; E04G11/04; E04H15/20; E04B7/12; E04B7/18

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GLESSNER, BRIAN E

GERALD GEORGE WILLIAMS (CARNO.(MID-WALES), GB)

1. An inflatable heat and sun reflecting screen comprising two identical sheets of heat reflecting metallic foil, i.e. square, oblong, triangular or other shape, placed one on top of the other and welded together around the edges to form a sealed container. An air valve is fitted at one end, and, in order to add strength and rigidity, the whole area is spot-welded at various intervals. On inflation, it gives the appearance of a quilted cushion. An alternate form of providing rigidity is to weld a series of spaced parallel lines across the whole area, giving a ribbed appearance on inflation.

2. An inflatable heat and sun reflecting screen, as claimed in claim 1, in which the reflecting screen forms a screen/ceiling in the conservatory.

3. An inflatable heat and sun reflecting screen, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which reflecting screens are inserted between all conservatory roof beams.

[0001] This invention relates to an inflatable heat and sun reflecting screen.

[0002] The object of this invention is to reduce the overall temperature in a conservatory (which can reach over 38° c. (100° f.) during the summer months), by blocking the sun's rays entering via the roof panels.

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved by the use of an inflatable reflecting screen. This comprises two identical sheets of heat reflecting metallic foil, i.e. square, oblong, triangular or other shape, which have the property of reflecting heat but not absorbing it. These are placed one on top of the other and welded together around the edges to form a sealed container. An air valve is fitted at one end and, in order to add strength and rigidity, the whole area is spot-welded at various intervals. On inflation, it gives the appearance of a quilted cushion.

[0004] An alternate form of providing rigidity is to weld a series of spaced parallel lines across the whole area, giving it a ribbed appearance on inflation. An important feature is that helium gas should be used to inflate the reflecting screen(s). Air can be used as an alternative, but, unlike helium gas, the screen's buoyancy would be lost. Support would be needed in the form of Velcro tabs fitted along the screen's edge and secured to the conservatory woodwork.

[0005] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable, heat and sun reflecting screen.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the conservatory showing the reflecting screen employed as a ceiling.

[0008] FIG. 3 shows the reflecting screens inserted between the roof beams.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows the inflatable reflecting screen comprising identical upper and lower sheets of heat reflecting metallic foil 10, welded together around the edges 11.

[0010] The upper and lower sheets are spot-welded 12 together at intervals.

[0011] An air valve 13 is fitted in order to inflate the screen.

[0012] Velcro tabs 14 support the screen when inflated with air, but are not required if helium gas is used.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the reflecting screen 10 forming a ceiling in the conservatory 18.

[0014] The sun's rays 15 and heat, on passing through the roof panels 16, are prevented from entering the conservatory 18 by the screen/ceiling 10.

[0015] Daylight passing through the windows 17 is reflected off the silver metallic foil of the screen/ceiling 10 which helps to compensate for loss of light through the roof panels 16.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows reflecting screens 10 inserted between each roof beam 19.

[0017] Each screen 10 is made the same size and shape as the plastic or glass roof panel 16 that it covers, blocking the sun's rays and heat in the process.