Protective canopy

Abstract

A protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure has two symmetrical side portions seamlessly defining a pitched portion between them to form a protective canopy over an opening. A flange portion is integrally formed at a right angle to the side and pitched portions and adapted to provide an attachment means for the canopy. The canopy may be applied before applying siding or applied to an existing wall using a gasket. Side and pitched portions include a plurality of decorative ridges. The canopy is made of a weather-resistant material like plastic that may be added to the pigment during manufacture or applied as paint by the user on site.

1 . A protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure comprising:
 a first side portion being symmetrically aligned with a second side portion seamlessly defining a pitched portion therebetween; and   a flange portion integrally formed at a right angle to said first and second side portion and pitched portion;   said flange portion being adapted to fit against a portion of said structure.   
     
     
         2 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 1  further comprising a gasket adapted to fit between said flange portion and said structure. 
     
     
         3 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of holes disposed in said flange portion and said gasket and a fastening means for attaching said canopy to said structure. 
     
     
         4 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 1  whereby said flange portion is adapted to fit underneath a siding portion of said structure. 
     
     
         5 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of grooves adapted to channel rain therein. 
     
     
         6 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 3  whereby said fastening means are screws. 
     
     
         7 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 3  whereby said fastening means are nails. 
     
     
         8 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 2  whereby said gasket is pre-attached to an exposed surface of said flange portion. 
     
     
         9 . The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 8  whereby said gasket has a self sticking side that is covered with a removable protective sheet that is user removed during installation. 
     
     
         10 . A method of protecting an opening in a structure comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a protective canopy;
 said protective canopy comprising a first side portion being symmetrically aligned with a second side portion seamlessly defining a pitched portion therebetween; and a flange portion integrally formed at a right angle to said first and second side portion and pitched portion; and said flange portion being adapted to fit against a portion of said structure; 
   positioning said canopy over said opening; and   attaching said canopy to said structure using a fastening means.   
     
     
         11 . The method of protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 10  further comprising the step of placing a gasket between said canopy and said structure before the step of attaching said canopy to said structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of protecting an opening in a structure according to  claim 10  further comprising the step of attaching a siding material over said flange portion after the step of attaching said canopy to said structure.