Folding storm shutters

A folding storm shutter for covering a window, comprising:

• an upper shutter panel having an upper edge adapted for pivotal attachment to a window frame above the window, and a lower edge;
• a lower shutter panel pivotally attached to the lower edge of the upper shutter panel, the lower shutter panel being pivotal between an extended position co-planar with the upper shutter panel and a folded configuration parallel to the upper shutter panel for providing shade, the upper shutter panel being pivotal so that the upper and lower panels cover the window in the extended position;
• a latching mechanism attached to the upper and lower shutter panels for selectively retaining the lower shutter panel in the folded configuration;
• and
• means for supporting the shutter in the folded configuration away from the window to provide shade for a portion of the window, wherein the supporting means comprises:
• a pair of brackets adapted to be mounted laterally across from each other to a window frame, each of the brackets including an eyelet;
• and
• an elongate, laterally extending rod removably suspended at each end thereof within the eyelet of each of the brackets, wherein the lower shutter panel when in the folded configuration rests against the rod and when the rod is removed from the eyelet of each of the brackets, the lower shutter panel is converted to the extended position.