US3392486A - Storm shutter for awning windows - Google Patents

Description

July 16, 1968 M. LUKE STORM SHUTTER FOR AWNING WINDOWS.

Filed May 4, 1966 INVENTOR.

M/V' 0K5 BY NM1 .TTR/VEY United States Patent() 3,392,486 STORM SHUTTER FOR AWNING WINDOWS Manuel Luke, 1466 NE. 53rd Court, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33308 Filed May 4, 1966, Ser. No. 547,552 1 Claim. (Cl. 49-62) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to protective means for windows. In particular, the invention relates to that class of article known as storm shutters for awning-type windows.

Storm shutters are used in those geographic locations that are frequently subject to hurricanes, heavy driving rains, or t-he like. Shutters of this type are also installed where a dwelling is to be closed for a considerable length of time such as during an oit-season in a resort area. The shutters are intended -to protect the glass windows from damage that would normally result from a heavy rain or windstorm. In addition, they block out the suns rays to prevent fading of interior furnishings.

The prior art in this eld does provide shutter means for protecting glass windows. However, it is frequently necessary to drill into the masonry Walls of the building in order to provide mounting means to attach the shutter. Alternatively, the frame of the movable portion of the window is drilled tout, studs are installed and nuts are used to secure the shutter to the window frame. Several shortcomings of the prior art systems just described are immediately apparent.

In addition to the hazards involved in installing the prior art devices in multistory buildings, the cost is prohibitive. A crew which is usually comprised of two men must enter each individual dwelling in order to aix the mounting hardware for the shutter. Where the mounting means are applied to the movable portion of awningtype windows, at least four studs and nuts are required for each window. Even for a single story dwelling, it can be seen that this requires a tremendous amount of labor time. The hardware that is used with the prior art devices could easily be dropped and lost while the shutters are rapidly being put in place. In addition, each shutter, `because of this type of construction, must be custom fitted to each window and must be marked suitably in relation to the particular window. Accordingly, the shutters are not interchangeable with each other.

The prior art shutters are very often difficult to install. The holes in the shutter must be matched to the mounting hardware. Where the shutter is to be installed in a tall building, this could present a problem because the work must be done from inside the building. The shutters could easily be dropped when they are being manipulated into place. Even though certa-in geographical areas such as .the southeastern portion of the United States, and particularly the coastal states, are given advance warnings of an impending hurricane, it is still necessary to install the shutters quickly. Time kis an important factor and because of constructional characteristics of the prior art devices, there could conceivably be a time lag before all the shutters were installed.

A specific example of a prior device is disclosed in 3,392,435 Patented July 16, 1968 ICC U.S. Patent No. 2,631,698 issued to R. R. Buckwalter on Mar. 17, 1963. While this device does cure some `of the difficulties mentioned above, it still retains other shortcomings. For example, one flange used -to secure the shutter to the -window must be preassembled at the factory at some additional cost. The opposite flange is secured to the shutter by means of studs and wing nuts. While this second flange is included to provide a measure of adjustability, there is also the likelihood that the hardware can become lost during an emergency such as the approach of'a hurricane. It is obviously undesirable to have to start hunting for suitable hardware at that time.

The present invention is particularly characterized by the complete absence of any mounting hardware. Consequently, no drilling, tapping, or factory assembly of any type is required. The invention is comprised of a substantially flat panel member that covers the movable portion of the window in question and is retained thereon by separate and removable clip members. The panel which may be provided with stiiening ribs is a simple stamping and the clips may be eXtrusions. Not only is the manufacturing simplied, but the packaging and distribution of the product are simplified.

The instant storm shutter is very simple to install primarily because no hardware is required. While this feature is evident for all installations, it is particularly advantageous in conjunction with tall buildings. Using ladders is impractical and leaning out of the windows to match mounting holes or affix fasteners is dangerous. The present invention can easily and very quickly be installed frorn inside the window without hard-ware or special skills of any kind. Of particular importance is the fact that the panels need not be marked for installation with a particular window. The panels can be made in various stock sizes and are completely interchangeable. Sulicient dimensional tolerances are included to overcome manufacturing variances in the window frame. While plastic may be used for the product, it is presently preferred to use either stainless steel, aluminum or other noncorrosive metal.

Another striking difference between the present invention and the prior art currently available is the fact that the storm shutters to be described hereinafter may be produced at an exceptionally low cost, with no installation cost, whereas the prior art device now being used costs several dollars per window to install. The savings to the consumer are quite evident when it is realized that a single four-bay, six panel window installation requires 24 shutters. In contras-t to this invention, the high unit cost discouraged widespread acceptance of prior devices.

'Several optional features may be included in the construction of the present invention. In the side areas of Athe panel, there may be provided a rib and one of the legs of the U-shaped retaining clips may be provided with a mating detent. Thus, in addition to the clamping action usually provided when the clip and panel are captured, the ilange of the closed window, the rib and the detent will also serve to lock the clips and panel together. It is also contemplated to provide an outwardly projecting It is another object to provide a low cost storm shutter.

Still another object is to provide a storm shutter that may be installed without resorting to the use of hardware.

A further important object is to provide a storm shutter that does not require marking and mating with a particular window.

Yet another object is to provide a storm shutter that does not require customized installation and which is interchangeable with outer shutters.

An additional object is to provide po-sitive locking means on the storm shutter of the type described.

Another feature of this invention is the inclusion of integral rain-delleetmg means.

Still another feature of this invention is the inclusion of integral sealing means coacting with an adjacent storm shutter.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing an improved storm shutter, installed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, horizontal, sectional view taken along line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of the several components comprising this invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional, plan view illustrating an optional locking feature of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a different optional feature directed to the deection of rain water;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational view of another optional feature that provides sealing with respect to another storm shutter;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another optional feature that assures the association of a storm panel and two clips at all times; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a form of safety wiring that may Ibe used with the embodiment of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a storm shutter 10 is shown installed over an awning-type window A provided with a flange F extending on at least two opposed sides thereof. While the present invention may be adapted to other windows such as easement types, the present discussion will be directed to windows that are hinged at the top and which pivot outwardly from the building. It is to be understood that the awning-type window illustrated is used by way of example only and that the environment of the present invention is in no way limited thereto.

The storm shutter 10 is comprised of a panel member 12 dimensioned to cover the glass por-tion G of the window and extend approximately to the edge of the window flanges. Preferably, the panel is between 0.04() to 0.051 inch thick aluminum and may include several stitfening ribs 14. A typical standard window to which the storm shutter may be applied is 36 inches long by 12. inches wide. The panel member would have substantially the same dimensions.

The retaining clips may best be seen in FIG. 3. Two clip members 16 are used, one on each vertical edge of the panel and frame. Clip member 16 is substantially U- shaped in cross section and is comprised of a first inside leg 1S, a second outside leg 20, and an arcuate connecting section 22. Legs 18 and 20, which are typically 3A inch and 1 inch long, respectively, converge at the end opposite the connection section. The dimension between the converging ends of the clip member is somewhat less than the total thickness of the window flange and the storm panel in order to provide a good interference ilt.

To install the window shutter, all that is required is to hold the panel against the window with one hand and slide a clip member over the side window flange and the edge of the panel. After the rst dip is in place, the same procedure is applied to th'e opposing vertical edge of the window frame. When the window is closed and locked by conventional latching means, the retaining clip will securely hold the panel over the window glass. The clips are captured between the window flange and the stationary window frame thus precluding the possibility of the panel falling out. It is apparent then that without the use of any hardware, the present invention may be easily and quickly installed. Further, it will be seen that since no mounting holes are needed, the panels need not be married to any particular window.

In FIG. 4, additional locking means are illustrated. Panel l0 is provided with a vertical rib 30 during the stamping operation. In one leg of clip member 16', a mating detent 34 is provided. When the clip member is placed over the window flange and the panel, the rib and detent will engage to provide secondary holding means. While this construction is most practical from a manufacturing point of view, the scope of this invention also includes placing the rib on either leg of the clip with the mating detent being placed on the panel.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate additional, optional features that may be employed with this invention. Panel 36 (FIG. 5) is provided on its lower, transverse edge with an outwardly extending flange 38. The purpose of the ange is to deflect any rain water that hits the face of the panel whereby the water is prevented from running down `behind the next lower panel. In FIG. 6, panel member 40 is also provided with an outwardly extending flange 42 and in addition has a second downwardly depending llange 44 extending along substantially the entire lower transverse edge of the panel. Flange 44 covers the top transverse edge of the window directly below. This construction, in addition to deilecting rain as described above, provides a measure of sealing.

Throughout the specification, emphasis has been placed on the fact that the present invention requires no mounting hardware at all. While this is true and is a very important feature of the invention, an alternative structure will now be described that provides means to connect a panel member with two clip members.

Referring now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, panel 50 is provided with a small aperture 52 proximate two opposed sides thereof. Clip members 54 are also provided with an aperture 56. A safety wire 58 is secured in the apertures so that prior to installation, a clip member is loosely connected to two opposed sides of the panel member. It should also be noted that preferably aperture 52 is on a raised boss that is on a portion of the panel tha-t is clear of the clip when assembled and that aperture 56 is on the outwardly turned lip of the clip member leg. This assures that the panel will lay flat on the window and precludes the possibility of a hurricane force wind from lifting the panel.

The term safety wire is used herein only in its broadest sense. As shown in the greatly enlarged view of FIG. 8, the safety wire may be a polypropylene member having a central body portion 60 of say, 1/16 inch thick, and two enlarged ends 62. Apertures 56 and 56 would be slightly larger than the safety wire body portion but smaller than the end portions thereof. Thus the yieldable ends of the safety wire could be forced into the apertures and thereby connect a panel to the two clip members. Of course the body portion would be long enough to permit the free manipulation of the clip members onto the window flange and panel, as previouslydescribed.

It should be clearly understood that the connection means just described cannot be equated with fastening means. This invention does not require the use of fastening means such as nuts, bolts, rivets, etc., to attach the panel to the movable portion of the window frame. The connection means are provided `only as a convenience to assure that each panel member has a pair of clip members associated therewith. This minor assembly need not be done at the factory since it .is well within the skill of any homeowner.

From the foregoing, it will be qui-te evident that the present invention is far simpler to manufacture and install than the prior art presently available. Without using any hardware whatsoever, the panels may be installed very quickly in the barest minimum of time. Of particular importance to the homeowner is the fact that the storm shutters need not be custom installed. Stated another way, the storm shutters do not have to be marked for installation with a particular window. The construction of this invention simplifies manufacture of the storm shutter and thereby substantially reduces the cost of the item to the homeowner or ultimate user. The present invention provides as an optional feature, secondary locking means without additional structure and also includes means to deflect rain wa-ter. Sealing means may also be included as an optional feature.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated and it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may `be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A storm shutter for a glass window of the type hav- (a) a panel member having length and width dimensions not greater than comparable dimensions of the window flange, said panel member when installed being adapted to overlay and cover the glass in the window;

(b) at least two separate retaining members each adapted to grasp and releasably clamp an edge of said panel member and a window ange whereby the window glass is protected by said panel member; and

(c) connection means loosely joining a said panel member to two of said clip members, wherein said connection means comprises an elongated member having enlarged, resilient, end portions received and retained in apertures in said panel member and said clip members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 255,480 3/1882 Webb.

768,565 9/ 1902 Linderman et al. 2,244,432 6/ 1941 Schwab 49-62 2,491,574 12/ 1949 Morgan 160-102 2,598,610 5/1952 Satz et al. 49--61 X 2,627,95 1 2/ 1953 Mitchell 49-62 2,648,410 8/1953 Bedford 24-259 X 2,742,679 4/ 1956 Young 49-61 X 2,976,593 3/1961 Exton 24-137 3,172,419 3/1965 Lewis.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

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