Storm impact protection system
OwnerPaul D. Hemstreet, Gary M. Hemstreetinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A impact protection system for building openings, such as windows and doors, includes a shutter assembly having angled blades extending between frame members in such as manner that access areas are provided when the shutters are closed to permit insertion of a storm bar clip to secure a reinforcing storm bar. The storm bar can be secured to the surrounding wall by removable wall mounts.
Claims23
An impact protection system for building openings, the system comprising:
- a shutter having a shutter frame including two opposing elongated frame members having facing openings;
- shutter blades extending between the two lateral frame members along blade axes and having ends positioned in the facing openings;
- the shutter blades being angled relative to longitudinal axes of the frame members and spaced along the longitudinal axes of the frame members;
- whereby the shutter blades provide a louvered appearance on one side and provide access to the facing openings adjacent the shutter blades on the opposing side for insertion of bracing clips when the shutter is arranged for impact protection;
- and
- a hinge provided along one of the lateral frame members for mounting the shutter to a wall adjacent an opening to be protected, the hinge permitting the shutter to pivot between an open position against the wall, in which a front face of the shutter is exposed outwardly from the wall and a rear face of the shutter faces the wall, and a closed position over the opening, in which the front face faces the opening and the rear face is exposed outwardly from the opening;
- in the closed position, said facing openings including access areas adjacent the shutter blades on the exposed rear face of the shutter.
The system of claim 8, wherein the connection flange and the adjacent blade are removably connected.
The system of claim 9, wherein the connection flange and the adjacent blade are joined by a tongue and groove connection.
The system of claim 10, wherein the connection flange is formed with the adjacent blade over a series of blades.
A shutter for an impact protection system for building openings, comprising:
- a shutter frame including two opposing elongated frame members having facing openings;
- shutter blades extending between the two lateral frame members along blade axes and having ends positioned in the facing openings;
- and
- the shutter blades being angled along the blade axes relative to the longitudinal axes of the frame members and spaced along the frame members;
- whereby the shutter blades provide a louvered appearance on one side and provide access to the facing openings adjacent the shutter blades on the opposing side for insertion of bracing clips when the shutter is arranged for impact protection.
The shutter of claim 12, wherein the openings of the lateral frame members are each defined by a U-shaped cross section of the elongated frame member having two side walls and a terminal wall, and the blades each have end flanges extending from the longitudinal edges of the blade, the flanges engaging the side walls and the blades being angled relative to the flanges and the side walls.
A shutter blade assembly, comprising:
- a first shutter blade and an adjacent shutter blade, each having:
- an elongated blade body;
- at least one side flange extending at an angle from said blade body, said side flange being adapted to engage a shutter frame and position said blade body at an angle relative to the shutter frame;
- a connecting flange extending at an angle from the side flange along its length on a side opposite the blade body;
- said connecting flange of the first shutter blade being adapted to connect to the adjacent shutter blade.
A shutter blade, comprising:
- an elongated blade body;
- at least one side flange extending from a longitudinal edge of the blade body at an angle, whereby when mounted in a shutter frame, the blade body can be positioned at an angle to the shutter frame;
- a connecting flange extending at an angle from the side flange along its length on a side opposite the blade body;
- said connecting flange having connecting structure to connect to another shutter blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.