Shutter assembly

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to shutter assemblies.

#2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

#FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a shutter assembly according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the louver in FIG. 4;

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the shutter assembly including a preferred stile and louver pin;

#The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

#In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a shutter assembly is illustrated and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The shutter assembly, or simply shutter, 10 comprises at least one preferred elongate stile 20. In the preferred embodiment, the stile 20 comprises a solid core 22 and an outer thin cover, or stile body, 24. The elongate stile 20 defines a longitudinal, or vertical, axis 26. The core 22 is preferably composed of wood or wood composites, but may also be composed of any natural or synthetic material of substantial weight and density to provide the stile 20 with the weight and feel of a natural wood stile. Hereafter, the term “wood” shall include both natural wood and wood composites. The stile core materials may include, without limitation, any other material of sufficient density so as to provide the weight, and thus the feel and impression, of an all wood stile.

#The outer cover 24 is preferably preformed separately from the core 22, and is preferably composed of a plastic material, such polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC). Since the outer cover 24 is configured to cover the elongate stile core 20, the outer cover 24 is also elongate and generally shaped as a tube. The outer cover 24 is preferably composed of a material that can be extruded in the manufacturing process.