Window well cover assembly

Abstract

A window well cover is securely fastened to close a window well from outside the window well but which is easily unlatched from the inside of the window well for exit from the window and out of the window well. The cover includes a panel hinged to a base bracket and a fixing assembly. The panel is sized to substantially cover an open top end of the window well and has a first end edge and a second end edge, and opposite side edges. The fixing assembly is mounted to the base bracket adjacent to the first end edge. The fixing assembly comprises a first bracing bracket mounted to the base bracket adjacent one of the side edges and a second bracing bracket mounted to the base bracket adjacent the opposite side edge. Pressing portions are extendable outwardly from the bracing brackets to press against an inside of the window well to releasably lock the panel to the window well. A third bracing bracket can be provided secured to the panel adjacent to the second end edge of the panel, the third bracing bracket comprising a hand actuated pressing portion selectively extendable from the third bracing bracket to engage the window well.

1 . A window well cover comprising:
 a panel sized to substantially cover an open end of the window well and having a first end edge and a second end edge, and opposite side edges;   a fixing assembly mounted to said panel adjacent to said first end edge, said fixing assembly comprising a first bracing bracket mounted to said panel adjacent one of said side edges and a second bracing bracket mounted to said panel adjacent said opposite side edge, and a first pressing portion extendable from one of said bracing brackets, said pressing portion being selectively extendable from said bracing bracket to press against an inside of said window well to releasably lock said panel to said window well, and a second pressing portion extending from said other bracing bracket to press against said window well.   
   
   
       2 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , comprising a base bracket and a hinge, said hinge secured to said panel, said base bracket secured to said hinge, said bracing bracket secured to said base bracket. 
   
   
       3 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , comprising a third bracing bracket secured to said panel adjacent to said second end edge of said panel, said bracing bracket comprising a pressing member selectively extendable from said third bracing bracket to engage said window well. 
   
   
       4 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said third bracket comprises a threaded hole and said third pressing member comprises a threaded member threaded through said threaded hole. 
   
   
       5 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said second pressing member is also selectively extendable. 
   
   
       6 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , comprising a support bracket extending from adjacent said first edge to adjacent said second edge, said third bracing bracket mounted on said support bracket. 
   
   
       7 . The window well cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said one bracing bracket comprises an L-shaped member having a threaded hole, and said pressing member comprises a threaded member, threaded through said threaded hole. 
   
   
       8 . A method of installing a cover on a window well comprising the steps of:
 providing a panel to cover the top open end of a window well;   providing a pair of protrusions mounted to an underside of said panel, said protrusions extending in an outward direction;   providing that at least one of said protrusions is selectively extendable and retractable;   placing said cover over said top open end of said window well with said protrusions inside said window well;   extending said one protrusion to press against an inside surface of said window well to brace said protrusions against said inside surface of said window well.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , comprising the further step of extending both said protrusions to brace against said inside surface of said window well. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , comprising the further step of providing said protrusions are mounted to a first member of a hinge structure and said panel is mounted to a second member of the hinge structure, said second member hingedly movable with respect to said first member, wherein said panel can be pivoted about said window well after said protrusions are braced against said inside surface of said window well. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 7 , comprising the further step of providing a latch on a bottom side of said panel, said latch having a pressing member that can be selectively braced against an inside surface of said window well to prevent pivotal movement of said panel with respect to said window well. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , comprising the further step of providing that both said protrusions are adjustably extendable pressing an inside surface of said window well by adjusting both said protrusions. 
   
   
       13 . A window well cover comprising:
 a panel sized to substantially cover an open end of the window well and having a first end edge and an opposite second end edge, and opposing side edges;   a base bracket securable to the window well and a hinge, said hinge secured to said panel along said first edge, said base bracket having an L-shape, said hinge secured to a horizontal leg of said base bracket, said base bracket oriented such that said panel is pivotable upward from said horizontal leg toward said upright leg.   
   
   
       14 . The window well cover according to  claim 13 , comprising a fixing assembly mounted to said base bracket adjacent to said first end edge, said fixing assembly comprising a first bracing bracket mounted to said base bracket adjacent one of said side edges and a second bracing bracket mounted to said base bracket adjacent said opposite side edge, and a first pressing portion extendable from one of said bracing brackets, said pressing portion being selectively extendable from said bracing bracket to press against an inside of said window well to releasably lock said base bracket to said window well, and a second pressing portion extending from said other bracing bracket to press against said window well. 
   
   
       15 . The window well cover according to  claim 14 , wherein said second pressing member is also selectively extendable. 
   
   
       16 . The window well cover according to  claim 14 , comprising a third bracing bracket secured to said panel adjacent to said first edge of said panel, said bracing bracket comprising a pressing member selectively extendable from said third bracing bracket to engage said window well. 
   
   
       17 . The window well cover according to  claim 16 , comprising a support bracket extending from adjacent said first edge to adjacent said second edge, said third bracing bracket mounted on said support bracket. 
   
   
       18 . The window well cover according to  claim 16 , wherein said third bracing bracket comprises a threaded hole and said third pressing member comprises a threaded member threaded through said threaded hole. 
   
   
       19 . The window well cover according to  claim 13 , wherein said one bracing bracket comprises an L-shaped member having a threaded hole, and said pressing member comprises a threaded member, threaded through said threaded hole.