Air conditioning guard

Abstract

Disclosed is a cage created to protect outdoor items, e.g., appliances. The cage has panels that are assembled, and two of the panels are secured to a supporting surface. Upwardly extending pins exist inside of each lateral edge of two opposed panels. Two other side panels are installable by sliding them onto the pins. A back panel includes a hinged top that flips over to complete the cage. The top is also able to be locked to the tops of the panels.

1 . A system for guarding an outdoor item against theft, the system comprising:
 a front panel;   first and second side panels;   a rear panel;   a lockable top cover hingedly attached at the top of the rear panel;   the side panels each having lateral edges configured to be connected onto lateral edges of the front and rear panels;   the top panel, when rotated to rest on top of the front, side, and rear panels completing an enclosing cage; and   a fastening arrangement enabling securement of the front and rear panels onto a supporting surface below the cage, thus securing all of the front, rear, and side panels against removal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the lateral edges of the front and rear panels include upwardly extending pins configured to receive corresponding receiving collars formed on the lateral edges of each of the side panels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the pins extend upward from blocks, the blocks being mounted inside angled upright members at the lateral edges of each of the front and rear panels. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein a clearance between the pins and the inside surfaces of the angled upright members is substantially the same as a thickness of at least a portion of each collar. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the top cover is made to be lockable to the top of the front panel thus containing the side panels against removal without first unlocking the top cover. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein: (i) the top cover has outer edges defined by a horizontally outwardly extending abutment portion and a downwardly extending lip; (ii) the lip is received inside, and the abutment surface rests atop each of the front, side, and rear panels; and (iii) the top cover is made lockable onto the top cover by aligning an outside hole made through the downwardly extending lip, and aligned with an inside hole made the top of the front panel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  comprising a tab extending out and over the outside hole for the purpose of preventing cutting of a lock. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein only the front and rear panels are configured for fastening to the supporting surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the side panels, after installation, are configured to be lifted up and removed when the top cover is opened while the front and rear panels remain fastened. 
     
     
         10 . A cage for the protection of outdoor appliances, the cage comprising:
 first and second end panels opposing one another and configured for securement to a supporting surface;   upwardly extending pins on the inside of each lateral edge of the first and second panels;   first and second side panels having forward and rearward edges adapted to be lowered onto and slid downward on the pins to be secured thereto;   a top being securable onto the tops of the first and second end panels and the first and second side panels to complete the cage;   at least one of the first and second side panels being removable upon the top being removed for maintenance.