US3894369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-08
•
Granted: 1975-07-15
•
Expires: 1994-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A building structure in which most or all of the exterior glass area is exposed to an outdoor area which is enclosed during cold weather and has a transparent roof permitting passage of solar energy therethrough for heating the enclosed area and thereby minimizing the loss of heat through the exterior glass area without sacrifice to natural lighting or outdoor viewing. A fire in the enclosed area is readily visible from virtually every room in the structure and may be used to provide supplemental heat to the enclosed area at night or during poor solar days in cold weather. Sliding glass doors and the like may also provide easy access to the enclosed area from virtually every room in the structure, and because of the solar heating effects on the enclosed area, it may be used for various outdoor patio activities substantially the year around.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F Schmitt
- 👤 Edward A Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:47
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H1/00; E04H1/02; F; F24; F24S; F24S90/00; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A building structure having plural exterior walls providing interior space bounded by said exterior walls, and a separate enclosed area exterior of said interior space bounded by at least two of said exterior walls, said enclosed area having a roof at least portions of which are transparent to permit passage of solar energy therethrough for heating said enclosed area, and said exterior walls bounding said enclosed area having substantial glass areas providing natural lighting and outdoor viewing from said enclosed area to said interior space, said solar heated enclosed area minimizing the heat loss from said interior space through said glass areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A building structure having plural exterior walls providing interior space bounded by said exterior walls, and a separate enclosed area exterior of said interior space bounded by at least two of said exterior walls, said enclosed area having a roof at least portions of which are transparent to permit passage of solar energy therethrough for heating said enclosed area, and said exterior walls bounding said enclosed area having substantial glass areas providing natural lighting and outdoor viewing from said enclosed area to said interior space, said solar heated enclosed area minimizing the heat loss from said interior space through said glass areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the other exterior walls of said structure not bounding said enclosed area are substantially windowless to minimize the heat loss from said interior space through said other exterior walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein substantially all of the interior space of said structure has at least one exterior wall bounding said enclosed area containing substantial glass areas to obtain natural lighting and permit outdoor viewing from substantially anywhere within said interior space while minimizing the heat loss from said interior space through the glass areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said interior space is divided into plural rooms, and said glass areas in said exterior walls bounding said enclosed area include plural glass doors providing ready access to said enclosed area from substantially every room.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising supplemental heating means in said enclosed area for use in heating said enclosed area during poor solar days and at night in cold weather.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said interior space is divided into plural rooms, and there is a fireplace in said enclosed area visible through the glass areas in the exterior walls bounding said enclosed area from substantially every room.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said enclosed area, in addition to minimizing the heat loss from said interior space through the glass areas in said exterior walls bounding said enclosed area, also provides a patio usable substantially the year around, said patio being both visible and accessible from substantially every room.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 1 which is generally U-shape including a central portion and two sides bounded by said exterior walls, said enclosed area being enclosed along three of its sides by said exterior walls of said central portion and two sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said roof for said enclosed area also covers said central portion of said structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure of claim 9 wherein said roof for said enclosed area is a gable roof including opposite sloping sides each having substantial transparent areas overlying said enclosed area, and the ends of said gable roof have vents therein for venting said enclosed area during warm weather.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 9 wherein said roof for said enclosed area is a gable roof including opposite sloping sides each having substantial transparent areas overlying said enclosed area, and at least one of said sloping sides of said gable roof has vents therein for use in removing excess heat from said enclosed area during wArm weather.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein substantially only the exterior walls bounding said enclosed area contain any glass areas to minimize the heat loss from said interior space through said glass areas with little or no sacrifice to natural lighting of said interior space and outdoor viewing from said interior space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said enclosed area has an exterior wall not bounding said interior space containing substantial glass areas which may be opened to vent said enclosed area during warm weather.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising removable insulating panels for covering said transparent portions in said roof to assist in keeping said enclosed area cool during warm weather and minimize the heat loss from said enclosed area through said transparent portions during cold weather when the sun is not shining.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising an interior heating system in said interior space for providing supplemental heat to said interior space when the temperature in said interior space drops below a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3450192A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |