Storm shutter integrated into a window or door

A method of installing and operating a storm shutter system in a window or door frame, comprising:

• (a) providing a shutter frame, comprising:
• (i) a vertical aluminum tube frame having a top end, a bottom end, and a frame surface extending between the top and bottom ends;
• and
• (ii) one or more shutter tracks, each comprising a first end, a second end, and a shutter track surface extending between the first and second ends, wherein the shutter track surface is connected to the frame surface of the vertical aluminum tube frame, and the one or more shutter tracks are configured to guide the movement of a storm shutter;
• (b) attaching an aluminum box to the top end of the vertical aluminum tube frame, the aluminum box comprising:
• (i) a hood defining an interior space and including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a bottom end, and a top end opposite the bottom end, wherein the first sidewall and second sidewall connect the front end and rear end, wherein each of the front end, rear end, first sidewall, and second sidewall are connected to the bottom end and top end to enclose the interior space, and wherein the bottom end includes an opening adapted to provide the storm shutter with access to the interior space;
• (ii) a slat anti-shock tube integrally with the hood and positioning it beneath the hood, the slat anti-shock tube comprising three edges arranged at right angles and one rounded edge corner, wherein the rounded edge corner defines a transition region where the storm shutter enters the hood when rolled upward, the rounded edge corner being configured to reduce vibration and noise during operation and to inhibit the entry of debris or water into the hood;
• and
• (iii) positioning a rod within the interior space of the hood, the rod configured to roll and store the storm shutter;
• (c) positioning the storm shutter within the aluminum box so that the storm shutter is configured to roll up onto the rod and unroll downward between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• (d) operating a roll-up mechanism positioned within the aluminum box and operably connected to the rod to rotate the rod and thereby drive movement of the storm shutter between the open and closed positions.

A storm shutter system for integration into a window or door frame, comprising:

• (a) a shutter frame comprising:
• (i) a vertical aluminum tube frame having a top end, a bottom end, and a frame surface extending between the top and bottom ends;
• and
• (ii) a horizontal aluminum tube frame having a first end, a second end, and a frame surface extending between the first and second ends, wherein the horizontal aluminum tube frame is connected to the top end of the vertical aluminum tube frame;
• (b) an aluminum box connected to the top end of the vertical aluminum tube frame, the aluminum box comprising:
• (i) a hood defining an interior space and including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a bottom end, and a top end opposite the bottom end, wherein the first sidewall and second sidewall connect the front end and rear end to each other, wherein each of the front end, rear end, first sidewall, and second sidewall are connected to top end to enclose the interior space, and wherein the bottom end includes an opening adapted to provide a storm shutter with access to the interior space;
• (ii) wherein the aluminum box or hood is recessed within a window or door opening and protrudes inward toward a building interior, such that the aluminum box or hood is concealed within a substrate and hidden from exterior view, thereby maintaining a flat and visually uniform exterior surface;
• and
• (iii) a rod positioned within the interior space of the hood, the rod configured to roll and store the storm shutter;
• (c) wherein the storm shutter is positioned within the aluminum box and configured to roll up onto the rod and unroll downward along one or more shutter tracks between an open position and a closed position;
• (d) one or more shutter tracks, each comprising a first end, a second end, and a shutter track surface extending between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of the one or more shutter tracks is connected to the bottom end of the hood, and the shutter track surface is connected to the frame surface of the vertical aluminum tube frame, the one or more shutter tracks configured to guide movement of the storm shutter;
• and
• (e) a roll-up mechanism positioned within the aluminum box and operably connected to the rod, the roll-up mechanism being configured to rotate the rod and thereby drive movement of the storm shutter between the open and closed positions.