Protective roofing shield and method of use

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the protection of central air conditioning systems during roof demolition and replacement, and more specifically, to a protective roofing shield for an outdoor air conditioning unit and method of use. One aspect of the protective roofing shield includes a framework and canopy that partially encloses the outdoor air conditioning unit to guard against falling debris while not obstructing air flow to the outdoor air conditioning unit to prevent damage to the unit. The protective roofing shield may be adjustable in height and length to be compatible with different sizes, manufacturers and locations of outdoor air conditioning units. The protective roofing shield and method of use is designed to be easily assembled, disassembled, and conveniently transported from one roofing job site to another by a single user to improve efficiency for a roofing contractor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective roofing shield, comprising:
 a canopy configured to cover an outdoor air conditioner unit;   a framework having three sides, comprising:
 a) a first vertical side support; 
 b) a second vertical side support; 
 c) the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support configured to be on opposite sides of the outdoor air conditioner unit; and 
 d) a horizontal front panel connecting the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support; 
 e) the framework configured to partially enclose the outdoor air conditioner unit on three sides; 
   the horizontal front panel comprising:
 a) a right section comprising a top horizontal column, a bottom horizontal column running parallel to the top horizontal column, and a vertical column fixedly connected perpendicular to the top horizontal column and the bottom horizontal column; 
 b) a left section comprising a top horizontal column, a bottom horizontal column running parallel to the top horizontal column, and a vertical column fixedly connected perpendicular to the top horizontal column and the bottom horizontal column; 
 c) the left section configured to be detachable from the right section; 
 d) the vertical columns of both the left and right sections of the horizontal front panel each comprising at least one connection bracket configured to removably attach the horizontal front panel to the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support using an attachment member to form the framework; 
 e) the top horizontal column of the right section configured to slide inside the top horizontal column of the left section; 
 f) the bottom horizontal column of the right section configured to slide inside the bottom horizontal column of the left section; 
 g) the overall length of the horizontal front panel configured to be adjustable by extending the left section from inside the right section; 
 h) the adjustability of the overall length of the horizontal front panel configured to adjust spacing between the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support of the framework; 
 i) wherein adjustability in spacing between the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support permits the framework to be adjustable in length to partially enclose varying sizes of outside air conditioner units within the three sides of the framework; 
   the canopy removably attached to the framework using at least one attachment member;   the canopy and the framework of the protective roofing shield configured to protect the outdoor air conditioner unit from falling debris during roof demolition and replacement while not obstructing air flow to the outdoor air conditioner unit.   
     
     
         2 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the protective roofing shield is freestanding. 
     
     
         3 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the overall length of the horizontal front panel is adjustable between a standard position to protect a single outdoor air conditioner unit and an expanded position to protect two adjacent outdoor air conditioner units. 
     
     
         4 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal front panel further comprises a plurality of gussets to improve stability of the protective roofing shield. 
     
     
         5 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal front panel, canopy, or combinations thereof include advertising space. 
     
     
         6 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support of the framework each comprise:
 a plurality of legs; and   at least one horizontal column.   
     
     
         7 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 6 , wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is fixed in height. 
     
     
         8 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 7 , wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a telescoping portion configured to be adjustable in height to permit the protective roofing shield to be utilized with varying sizes of outside air conditioner units. 
     
     
         9 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 8 , wherein the telescoping portion of each leg of the plurality of legs is independently height adjustable to permit the protective roofing shield to be utilized on uneven or sloped terrain. 
     
     
         10 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) a deployed configuration configured to protect an outdoor air conditioner unit; and   b) a flat, folded configuration designed for convenient storage and transport.   
     
     
         11 . A protective roofing shield, comprising:
 a canopy configured to cover an outdoor air conditioner unit;   a framework having three sides, comprising:
 a) a first vertical side support; 
 b) a second vertical side support; 
 c) a horizontal front panel connecting the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support; 
 d) the framework configured to partially enclose the outdoor air conditioner unit on three sides; 
   the horizontal front panel comprising:
 a) a right section; 
 b) a left section; 
 c) the left or right section extendable from the other section to adjust an overall length of the horizontal front panel; 
 d) the adjustability of the overall length of the horizontal front panel configured to adjust spacing between the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support; 
 i) wherein adjustability in spacing between the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support permits the framework to be adjustable in length to partially enclose varying sizes of outside air conditioner units within the three sides of the framework; 
   the canopy attached to the framework;   the canopy and the framework configured to protect the outdoor air conditioner unit from falling debris during roof demolition and replacement while not obstructing air flow to the outdoor air conditioner unit.  10   15     
     
     
         12 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the overall length of the horizontal front panel is adjustable between a standard position configured to protect a single outdoor air conditioner unit and an expanded position configured to protect two adjacent outdoor air conditioner units. 
     
     
         13 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal front panel, canopy, or combinations thereof include advertising space. 
     
     
         14 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support of the framework each comprise:
 a plurality of legs; and   at least one horizontal column.   
     
     
         15 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a telescoping portion configured to be adjustable in height to permit the protective roofing shield to be utilized with varying sizes of outside air conditioner units. 
     
     
         16 . The protective roofing shield of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) a deployed configuration configured to protect an outdoor air conditioner unit; and   b) a flat, folded configuration designed for convenient storage and transport.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using a protective roofing shield, comprising:
 transporting a protective roofing shield in a flat, folded configuration to a first location;   assembling the protective roofing shield from the flat, folded configuration into the deployed configuration, the protective roofing shield comprising:
 a) a canopy; 
 b) a framework having three sides, comprising:
 i. a first vertical side support; 
 ii. a second vertical side support; 
 iii. the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support configured to be on opposite sides of the framework; and 
 iv. a horizontal front panel connecting the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support; 
 
 c) the horizontal front panel comprising:
 i. a right section; 
 ii. a left section; 
 iii. the left or right section extendable from the other section to adjust an overall length of the horizontal front panel; 
 
   adjusting the overall length of the horizontal front panel to adjust spacing between the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support to partially enclose an object within the three sides of the framework and canopy of the protective roofing shield;   protecting an object at the first location using the protective roofing shield;   disassembling the protective roofing shield from the deployed configuration into the flat, folded configuration;   transporting the protective roofing shield to a second location.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 adjusting the overall length of the horizontal front panel between a standard position and an expanded configuration;   the standard position configured to protect a single outdoor air conditioner unit; and   the expanded position configured to protect two adjacent outdoor air conditioner units.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first vertical side support and the second vertical side support of the framework each comprise:
 a plurality of legs; and   at least one horizontal column.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 including a telescoping portion with each leg of the plurality of legs; and   adjusting the height of each telescoping portion to permit the protective roofing shield to be utilized with varying sizes of outside air conditioner units.