Insulation cap for disappearing stairwells

Claim 1

An insulating cap for attic openings which receive disappearing staircases of the type in which a casement mounted in the attic opening supports a folddown staircase with the ladder portion of the staircase extending up into the attic area above the opening when said staircase is in the folded position, said cap comprising: (a) a stationary rectangular frame formed substantially in its entirety of rigid insulative material having length and width dimensions greater than the corresponding dimensions of the opening in the attic floor; said frame including a pair of spaced sidewalls and a pair of spaced end walls secured together to form said rectangular frame, said side walls and said end walls being separate from said folddown staircase and when assembled surround said attic opening to form a recess for receiving, but not supporting said staircase in the folded position; (b) a cover member formed substantially in its entirety having length and width dimensions greater than said attic floor opening and removably supported by the upper surface of said rectangular frame; (c) said rigid insulative material from which said frame and cover are formed having an R value of at least 19 through the thickness thereof; (d) said cover being so positioned with respect to said rectangular frame that said cover is movable between a first normally closed position to a second open position providing access through said opening by a person standing on said staircase while said frame remains stationary.