Insulating panel for thermal openings

Claim 1

In combination, a wall, a thermal opening formed in said wall, said thermal opening having a closure member mounted therein and surrounded by a closure member frame, a covering element such as a curtain hung over said closure member, and a panel for insulating said thermal opening, said panel comprising: a single sheet of opaque insulating material having height and width dimensions greater than the height and width dimensions of said thermal opening such that said sheet completely covers said thermal opening and overlaps the edges of said thermal opening; a covering material connected to said sheet at least along a major surface of said sheet to provide structural rigidity to said panel and to enhance the appearance of said panel; a peripheral framework connected to the edges of said sheet and completely surrounding said sheet, said framework having a width substantially greater than the thickness of said sheet such that said framework extends beyond said sheet in a direction toward said thermal opening for providing space between said sheet and said thermal opening to accommodate said covering element; and connector means attached between said panel and said wall for removably hanging said panel over said thermal opening such that said framework contacts said wall completely around said thermal opening and holds said sheet at a distance spaced from said closure member by a sufficient distance to accommodate said covering element.