Reinforced storm shutter

A storm shutter assembly for protecting windows, doors and the like of a building during severe weather storms comprising:

• a rigid outer frame forming an enclosed opening including:
• spaced rigid top and bottom members;
• spaced rigid tubular side members, each side member being divided along its length into an outer part and a mating inner part facing the inner part of the other side member, each of said inner parts of said side members having spaced, slotted openings along the length thereof, the respective openings in one inner part being laterally-aligned with the openings in the other inner part thereby providing laterally-aligned pairs of openings;
• a plurality of aligned, rigid flatbars extending between said side members, each one of said flatbars being positioned to extend through each of said openings in one of said aligned pairs;
• means sealingly securing the ends of each of said flatbars to the inner surface of each of said inner parts around said openings thereby sealing each opening;
• means sealingly securing together the mating inner and outer parts of said tubular side members along the length thereof;
• and means sealingly securing the ends of said top and bottom rigid members to the adjacent mating ends of said rigid tubular side members;
• whereby said tubular side members are hermetically sealed and said securing means for said flatbars are protected from direct engagement with deteriorating weather conditions.