Multi-purpose flexible cover with magnetic attachment
View Patent ↗A flexible cover having magnetic attachment is provided for sealing openings in a structure such as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct, an automobile window, or an automobile door handle or lock. Magnets or another suitable affixing device are attached at the periphery on one side of the cover. Alternatively, the magnets may be attached to one side of the cover by sandwiching the magnets between two opposing flexible covers. Gaps between the magnets permit the flexible cover to attach to objects having a curved or angular conformation. In operation, the cover is placed over the opening preventing the transmission of air, fluid material, or particulate material through the opening.
1. A magnetic sealing cover for a furnace filter slot in a ferro-magnetic return duct of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, said return duct having a generally rectangular configuration with opposite faces and opposite sides, one of said return duct faces including said furnace filter slot, which sealing cover comprises:
inner and outer sheets of flexible, impermeable material;
said sheets being sealed together along their respective side edges and ends, forming a sheet assembly with first and second side edges and first and second opposite ends;
first and second side sets of magnet segments, each side set being sealed between said sheets adjacent to a respective first and second side edge;
each said set of magnets comprising multiple, individual, magnet segments longitudinally aligned and extending between said sheet ends in proximity to a respective sheet side edge;
first and second end magnet segments sealed between said sheets in proximity to said first and second sheet assembly ends respectively;
first and second transverse fold lines each extending between said first and second side edges in proximity to a respective sheet assembly end; and
said sheet assembly having an installed, sealing position with said sheet assembly overlying said furnace filter slot and said first and second side sets of magnets releasably, magnetically attached to said return duct face, said sheet assembly ends being folded over respective return duct side faces along respective fold lines, and said duct assembly ends being releasably, magnetically attached to said return duct side faces by said end magnet sets.
2. The magnetic sealing cover of claim 1 , wherein the return duct section is comprised of galvanized steel or other suitable material.
3. The magnetic sealing cover of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is attached to said flexible sheet inner face by a permanent adhesive.
4. The magnetic sealing cover of claim 2 , further comprising:
a second magnetic sealing cover having the same dimensions as said first magnetic sealing cover;
a plurality of magnets affixed to said second magnetic sealing cover; and
said second magnetic sealing cover overlaps the first magnetic sealing cover, providing an airtight seal to said duct filter slot.
5. A method of sealing over a furnace filter slot in a ferro-magnetic return duct of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, said return duct having a generally rectangular configuration with opposite faces and opposite sides, one of said return duct faces including said furnace filter slot, which sealing method comprises:
providing inner and outer sheets of flexible, impermeable material;
sealing said sheets together along their respective side edges and ends, forming a sheet assembly with first and second side edges and first and second opposite ends;
providing first and second side sets of magnet segments and sealing each said magnet side set between said sheets adjacent to a respective first and second side edge;
providing each said set of magnets with multiple, individual, magnet segments longitudinally aligned and extending between said sheet ends in proximity to a respective sheet side edge;
providing first and second end magnet segments;
sealing said first and second end magnet segments between said sheets in proximity to said first and second sheet assembly ends respectively;
providing first and second transverse fold lines each extending between said first and second side edges in proximity to a respective sheet assembly end;
installing said sheet assembly in an installed, sealing position overlying said furnace filter slot;
magnetically, releasably attaching said first and second side sets of magnets to said return duct face;
folding said sheet assembly ends over respective return duct side faces along respective fold lines; and
releasably, magnetically attaching said duct assembly ends to said return duct side faces by said end magnet sets.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein said furnace filter slot further includes an air filter inserted into said filter slot.
7. The method according to claim 5 , including the steps:
providing a second magnetic sealing cover; and
aligning the second magnetic sealing cover over the furnace filter slot, partially overlapping the first magnetic sealing cover.