Abstract:
A method for manufacturing protective shutters is provided. The method may include: shaping metal to form shutter components, the shutter components comprising at least a top guide piece and a bottom guide piece, a plurality of shutter blades, and side supports; cutting the shutter components to predetermined dimensions; drilling screw holes into the shutter components at predetermined locations; providing a plurality of guide wheels for guiding the shutter blades along a hollow portion in the top guide piece; providing a plurality of protruding pieces for protruding from joints where two shutter blades attach and for guiding the shutter blades along the top and bottom guide pieces; and providing mounting hardware for attaching the protective shutters to a fixed structure and for attaching the shutter components together. The shutter components, guide wheels, protruding pieces, and mounting hardware are for being packaged together for delivery to a recipient.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to 61/006,964 filed Feb. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to accordion hurricane shutters. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-contained shutter assembly system utilizing pre-assembled components. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Shutters are used for decoration, security, and weather protection. Recent powerful hurricanes in the southeastern United States have raised building protection as a serious issue. Shutters are often used in these and other regions to provide protection during hurricanes and other strong storms. Shutters provide light and air during a storm, while protecting the building and the occupants from airborne objects. Many southeastern portions of the United States require that homes and businesses have metal storm shutters over windows to protect the interior of the buildings during extreme weather, which is common to this part of the country. 
         [0006]    A popular hurricane shutter is the “accordion” shutter in which several shutter blades rotatably interconnect. Conventionally, accordion folded hurricane shutters are made from extruded aluminum with blade assemblies of set dimensions and angular orientation. A blade assembly usually includes two blades joined with an intermediate longitudinal knuckle joint, and knuckle elements on each longitudinal free edge. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,458,179 and 5,097,883 show examples of such systems. Due to the rotation, the blade assemblies can be placed in (1) a retracted position in which the blades are substantially horizontal and recessed from the opening (e.g., window, door) they are designed to protect, and (2) a deployed position in which the blade assemblies extend from the opposing edges of the opening until the set angular orientation between blades is reached by rotational limit of the knuckle joints. 
         [0007]    The bulk of the components for an accordion shutter system are made from extruded aluminum. In this process, an appropriate die is designed based on the desired cross section of the component. Heated aluminum is extruded through the die and cooled into its final form. The extruded aluminum panels are generally about 16 feet long, which is longer than would ever be used as a single component of the accordion shutter. These bulk panels are sold to installers, distributors, and retailers for installation in local homes and businesses. 
         [0008]    The above methodology has several drawbacks, particularly for a homeowner or business who would like to install an accordion shutter system. One drawback is that, because each piece of aluminum is typically longer than the opening over which it will be used, each piece needs to be individually cut to the appropriate size of the opening. Similarly, certain mounting components (e.g. headers) need to be customer-drilled to make holes for mounting screws. As a result, the uniformity and quality of the resulting installation—from both aesthetic and safety viewpoints—depends considerably on the skill level of the installer. Since the majority of the public does not have the necessary tools to properly cut aluminum, an independent installer is usually required, with associated expenses and difficulties. 
         [0009]    Another drawback of the conventional system is that excess aluminum is wasted. The cutting process typically produces scrap pieces of aluminum which are too small for practical use. Since the recycle value of the metal is high, manufacturers typically keep this scrap aluminum, and store it in a secure location to prevent theft pending recycling. However, the volume of scrap from a home installation is small, so that a home purchaser does not have the same incentive to recycle the metal. Thus, the homeowner will typically throw it away. Even if a third-party installer is used, they must still collect the material and transport it to recycle locations. 
         [0010]    Another drawback is the presence of counterfeit and/or substandard components on the market. Third party installers may be using some or all of these components along with legitimate or high-quality components. If the system fails due to the counterfeit and/or substandard components, the homeowners may unfairly sue the legitimate manufacturer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for manufacturing protective shutters is provided. The method may include: shaping metal to form shutter components, the shutter components comprising at least a top guide piece and a bottom guide piece, a plurality of shutter blades, and side supports; cutting the shutter components to predetermined dimensions; drilling screw holes into the shutter components at predetermined locations; providing a plurality of guide wheels for guiding the shutter blades along a hollow portion in the top guide piece; providing a plurality of protruding pieces for protruding from joints where two shutter blades attach and for guiding the shutter blades along the top and bottom guide pieces; and providing mounting hardware for attaching the protective shutters to a fixed structure and for attaching the shutter components together, wherein all of the shutter components, guide wheels, protruding pieces, and mounting hardware are for being packaged together for delivery to a recipient. 
         [0012]    The above embodiment may have various optional features. For example, the method may include pre-inserting the guide wheels into joints where the shutter blades meet, before delivery to a recipient. The method may include pre-inserting the protruding pieces into joints where the shutter blades meet, before delivery to a recipient. The method may include pre-attaching the shutter blades to one another to form at least one shutter door, before delivery to a recipient. The method may include pre-attaching a side support to an end of the shutter door, before delivery to a recipient. The shutter components may include at least one locking blade. The method may include attaching the one locking blade to an end of the shutter door opposite the side support end. The shutter components may include a shutter hold-back device. The protruding pieces may be made of nylon or plastic. The shutter components may be made of aluminum. The shutter components may be formed in an aluminum-extrusion process. The shutter hold-back device may be made of either nylon or plastic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the present invention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of a shutter curtain assembly. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are schematics of a side cutaway view of a shutter curtain assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of a cross section view of an individual blade portion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of a close-up view of the shutter curtain assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of a self-contained kit containing shutter curtain assembly components. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are schematics of a top view of a top guide. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of a top guide fixed to a metal brace by a bolt. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a schematic of a pre-assembled left-door. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are schematics of a shutter hold-back device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a schematic of a bottom guide assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , embodiments of the invention are directed to a self contained collection of components to create an accordion shutter for an opening. The components are preferably all pre-cut to predetermined lengths, such that the individual installer will not have to cut any parts. The various components that need to be secured to a structure via screws or bolts are also preferably pre-drilled at uniform distances to avoid any need for the installer to drill holes. The various components are pre-assembled into workable modules for each installation. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a shutter curtain assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0026]    The shutter curtain assembly  10  is used to cover, for example, a garage, doorway, window or any similar opening which is defined by a rectangular or square frame  12  forming an interior aperture. The shutter curtain assembly is made up of a plurality of individual blade portions  14  that are interlockingly connected. The connected blade portions  14  form a substantially accordion shape when they are drawn across the framed opening into a deployed position. The blade portions  14  each have a substantially equal length, and when connected together extend across the width of the opening. The blade portions  14  are preferably constructed of a high-strength tempered aluminum alloy, however they can also be constructed of any other desirable metal, polymer, or combination thereof exhibiting the necessary characteristics of strength and durability. Individual blades may also be made of transparent material, or have holes therein to allow for light and air passage. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an individual blade portion  14  is shown in cross section. The blade portion  14  includes a flat central portion  16  to which is attached a first interlocking portion  18  and a second interlocking portion  20 . The first interlocking portion  18 , the second interlocking portion  20  and the flat central portion  16  extend the entire length of the shutter blade from the top of the framed opening  12  to the bottom as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    The first interlocking portion  18  is defined by a substantially partial-cylindrical-shaped portion which extends from the flat central portion the length of the blade. The first portion  18  encompasses an angle that is slightly greater than 180 degrees of a cylinder. The partial cylinder forms a hollow interior between opposing edges with a given inner diameter. A first inwardly-directed tang  22  projects from one of the edges of the semi-cylinder and a second inwardly-directed tang  24  projects from the other edge of the semi-cylinder. The inwardly-directed tangs  22  and  24  extend the entire length of the blade and create opposite and abutting surfaces within the partial cylindrical opening of the first interlocking portion. The tang  22  is a pointed, inwardly-directed portion while the tang  24  forms a more pronounced and inwardly-directed dog leg. 
         [0029]    The second interlocking portion  20  is defined by a partial cylindrical shaped portion, preferably substantially semi cylindrical-shaped, which extends from the flat central portion opposite the first interlocking portion and the length of the blade. The second interlocking portion  20  has a smaller diameter to allow for insertion into the first interlocking portion. Similarly to the first interlocking portion, the second interlocking portion forms an angle that is slightly greater than a semi-cylinder and has a hollow interior between opposing edges. 
         [0030]    A first tang  26  projects outwardly from one of the edges of the semi-cylinder  20  and a second tang  28  projects outwardly along the other edge of the semi-cylinder. The outwardly-directed tang  26  is pointed similar to the inwardly-directed tang  22 , while the outwardly-directed tang  28  forms a dog leg similar to the inwardly-directed tang  24 . 
         [0031]    The second interlocking portion  20  includes a leg  30  which is angled relative to the flat central portion  16  of the blade and which offsets the second interlocking portion  20  from the axis of the central portion  16 . A reinforcing portion or flange  32  can be provided that extends from the connection between the leg  30  and the flat central portion  16  on a side opposite the leg. Such a flange  32  may strengthen the connection between the second interlocking portion and the blade, either by touching in the deployed position or under severe impact (causing additional flex in the shutter which is not present under normal conditions). This contact is best seen in  FIG. 4 , in which the flange  32  is in abutting contact with the tang  22 ″ of the first interlocking portion  18  when the shutter blades  14  are pivoted to the expanded position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the connection between the blade portion  14  and succeeding blade portions  14 ′ and  14 ″ is shown. A plurality of blade portions are interlockingly connected to form a substantially accordion-shaped shutter assembly. A first subsequent blade portion  14 ′ is shown in phantom and includes a second interlocking portion  20 ′ having outwardly-directed tangs  26 ′ and  28 ′. The second interlocking portion  20 ′ is slidingly inserted within corresponding first interlocking portion  18  of blade portion  14  the length of the blade portion  14 . The smaller diameter semi-cylinder and the outwardly-directed tangs of the second interlocking portion  20 ′ are coaxially encapsulated within the hollow interior of the first interlocking portion  18 . A predetermined range of pivotal movement is permitted between the blade  14 ′ and the blade  14  until one of the inwardly-directed tangs  22  and  24  of the first interlocking portion  18  engage the outwardly-directed tangs  26 ′ and  28 ′ of the second interlocking portion  20 , at which point the blade  14 ′ is at a maximum pivotal position relative to the blade  14 . 
         [0033]    Similarly, the opposite second interlocking portion  20  of blade  14  is slidably inserted within a corresponding first interlocking portion  18 ″ of blade  14 ″, indicated in phantom. The inwardly-directed tangs  22 ″ and  24 ″ of the interlocking portion  18 ″ encircle the outwardly-directed tangs  26  and  28  of the interlocking portion  20 . The pivotal travel of the blade  14 ″ relative to the blade  14  is limited to the same degree as that of the blade  14 ′ relative to the blade  14 . The oppositely-facing pairs of tangs of the respective first interlocking portions and second interlocking portions maintain the blades in interlocking engagement and allow the necessary range of pivotal motion to open and close the shutter curtain assembly. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a cutaway view of the shutter curtain assembly is displayed which shows the interlocking blade portions as previously described in  FIG. 4 . The shutter curtain is shown in a preferred embodiment in which it extends to cover an opening from opposite sides of the frame  12  that defines the opening. It should also be understood that a single shutter curtain can extend all the way across an opening to cover the opening. 
         [0035]    A mounting bracket  34  is attached to side  35  of the frame  12  by any means known in the art. Specifically, a mounting screw  36  for piercing wood or concrete masonry can be employed to mount the bracket  34 . The bracket includes a first, or outer, interlocking portion  38  identical in all respects to the first interlocking portion  18  described in  FIG. 4 . The second, or inner, interlocking portion of a blade  14  is slidably engaged within the interlocking portion  18  of the bracket  34 . A succeeding blade  14 ′ is mounted to the end of the first blade  14  as previously described. 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , and further to  FIG. 5 , an elongated member  40  extends the height of the framed aperture at a point midway between the opposite sides of the aperture. The member  40  is separated into a first engaging portion  42  and a second engaging portion  44 . The first engaging portion  42  is substantially rectangular in shape and terminates in an outwardly flared first edge  46  and an outwardly flared second edge  48 . The second engaging portion  44  is much smaller in size than the first engaging portion  42  and terminates in an edge  50  and an edge  52 . The edges  50  and  52  are inwardly pointed and abut against inwardly-directed portions  54  and  56  extending from the edges  46  and  48  of the first engaging portion  42  when the second engaging portion is slidingly locked into place within the first engaging portion. 
         [0037]    A blade portion  58  similar in all respects to the blade portions previously described is formed as one piece at  60 , with the first engaging portion  42 . Similarly, a blade portion  62  is likewise attached to an opposing end of the second engaging portion  44 , at  64 . A normal blade portion  14 ″ attaches to a second, or inner, interlocking portion of the blade  58  and a likewise normal blade portion  14 ′ attaches to a second interlocking portion of the blade  62  as previously described. 
         [0038]    A key and lock assembly  64  may be positioned at the overlapping first and second engaging portions of the elongated member and enables the user to lock the shutter assembly in place in an unfolded position. 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a pair of upper-locking pins  66  are provided and are inserted within the semi-cylindrical channels of the first interlocking portions of blade portions  58  and  62  at their connection to the engaging portions  42  and  44 . The locking pins  66  each include a perpendicular and threadably engaged screw portion which is rotatable within the pins and fixes the pins in position with respect to the cylindrical channels of the first connecting portions. Apertures  68  are formed into the surrounding frame  12 , shown in  FIG. 1 , and receive the pins  66  to lock the engaging portions  42  and  44  in position to the frame once they are snapped together. An identical pair of pins  66  is preferably provided at the bottom of the engaging portions  42  and  44  and locks them into place along the lower surface of the framed aperture by engaging within another pair of apertures  70  formed within the bottom of the frame. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side cutaway view of the shutter curtain assembly is shown. A guide assembly  72  defining a channel  74  extends from one side of the aperture to the other side of the aperture. The guide assembly  72  permits the opposing halves of the shutter curtain to be drawn back to the sides of the frame when it is desired to open the shutter. 
         [0041]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a connection  76  and a connection  78  between respective first and second blade interlocking portions is shown. Specifically, connection  76  interlocks blades  14 ′ and  62  and connection  78  interlocks blades  14  and  58 . These connections are the same as described in interlocking blade portions of  FIG. 4  and allow the blades to pivot relative to each other for a given degree until opposing tangs of the first and second interlocking portions come into abutting contact. 
         [0042]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , a mounting portion  80  extends from the connection  76  upwardly past the upper edge of the respective blades  14 ′ and  62 . A bracket  82  is attached by a bolt  84  across the top of the mounting portion  80 . A first roller  86  and a second roller  88  extend from opposite sides of the bracket  82  and are restrained to travel within grooves formed within the guide assembly  72 . The first roller  86  and second roller  88  are preferably attached to the bracket  82  by screws, rivets or welding as is commonly known in the art. An outer connection  90  is shown between the blades  14  and  14 ′ and is guided during travel of the shutter curtain along a forward portion  92  of the guide assembly  72  by a flange  94  which supports the forward portion  92 . 
         [0043]    The weight of the shutter curtain is entirely supported by the upper guide assembly  72  and a lower guide plate  96  is attached along the lower edge of the frame to guide the lower edges of the shutter assembly. Specifically, the lower guide plate  96  is shaped as an interior channel at  98  to guide a corresponding lower portion  100  of the connection  78  between the blades  14  and  14 ′. A similar extending portion  102  of the connection  90  is guided along the front of the lower guide plate  96 . The side view of  FIG. 3  only shows the mounting of connection  76  within the guide assembly, however connection  78  is identically mounted within the guide assembly. 
         [0044]    In operation, the shutter curtain assembly is normally in an unfolded and covered position as shown in  FIG. 1 . In order to open the shutter assembly, the upper and lower pairs of locking pins  66  secured within the engaging portions  42  and  44  are loosened and slid out of the apertures  68  and  70  formed in the upper and lower edges of the frame and extending the height of the frame at its most central point. The key lock assembly  64  is then unlocked so that the engaging portion  42  can be separated from the engaging portion  44 . The half of the shutter curtain extending from the engaging portion  42  is drawn back toward one side of the frame while the half of the shutter curtain extending from the engaging portion  44  is drawn back toward the other side of the frame. 
         [0045]    The guide assembly extending along the top of the frame enables the shutter curtain halves to be easily separated and moved to the opposite sides of the frame. The blade portions pivot at their respective interlocking connections to the degree allowed by the oppositely facing tangs until the blade portions are substantially folded against each other. Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a representation  104  is shown in phantom of the folded blades  14 ,  14 ′ and  62 . A lower aperture  106  similar to the lower apertures  70  is formed near the edge of the bottom of the frame and receives the lower pin  66  to secure the folded shutter to the side of the frame. A similar aperture is formed along each edge at the top and bottom of the frame to secure the retracted shutters in place. 
         [0046]    In this fashion, a shutter curtain assembly constructed of a plurality of individual shutter blade portions may be used to cover a framed aperture even in the face of heavy winds and inevitable impact of objects hurtled at high velocities by such winds. Specifically, the construction of the blade portions with the pivotal and interlocking outer and inner portions can withstand impact forces greatly in excess of previous shutter constructions. Also, the accordion-like shape of the shutter construction causes the impact forces of objects to be partially deflected and more evenly distributed across the length of the construction. 
         [0047]    When each opposing blade set  90  is at the extended limit, the center mates  16  and  17  are preferably in contact. Each of the center mates carries a fastener  18  and  19  which cooperate to releasably connect the opposing shutter sets in a continuous barrier spanning the opening  10 . 
         [0048]    The size of each blade with attached knuckle components and the set angle determines the deployed size of the blade assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . The size of the particular window, or the dimensions of the particular supporting components, determine the number of blades (including center connections, as discussed below) necessary to cover a particular sized window. The distance between two adjacent blades in the deployed position D and the stacked position S is preferably about 6 inches. To fit a shutter to a window, the number of blade assemblies is determined that will cover the horizontal span of the window. Adjusting the shutters to fit different-sized windows merely requires adding or subtracting the number of blade assemblies to be used. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment of the invention, the above components are cut and partially assembled for sale as a self-contained kit  600 . The kit includes a top upper guide assembly  602  a bottom guide assembly  604 , a left door  606 , a right door  608 , and mounting hardware  610 . 
         [0050]    The top guide assembly has a guide opening  612  into which shutter wheels  614  are inserted to allow the shutter doors  606 ,  608  to slide between their deployed position and their stacked position. The top guide also has mounting holes  616  pre-drilled along its length for mounting the top guide  602  to a fixed structure such as a wall. 
         [0051]    A spacing lip  617  extends from the guide portion so that it is positioned between the wheels  614  of the shutter doors  606 ,  608  and nylon protrusions  618  which extend from the joints  620  between the blades  622  of the shutter doors  606 ,  608 . 
         [0052]    The bottom guide assembly  604  is preferably identical to the upper guide assembly. This reduces manufacturing costs and makes installation easier, since a homeowner or business cannot mistakenly install a bottom guide assembly  604  in place of an upper guide assembly  602 . However, the invention is not so limited. For example, when the kit is intended to extend to the floor (e.g., to protect a door), a bottom guide assembly  1100  as shown in  FIG. 11  could be used. 
         [0053]    The shutter doors  606 ,  608  have guide wheels  614  fixed to the joints  620  closest to the fixed structure against which the shutter is being installed. Preferably, the joints  620  alternate between having a guide wheel  614  and a nylon protrusion  618 , which reduces manufacturing costs and makes installation easier, since less guide wheels  614  have to be aligned to the guide portion  612  of the upper guide assembly  602 . However, the invention is not so limited, and other configurations of wheels and bushings (including all wheels and no bushings) could be used. 
         [0054]    The shutter joints  620  farthest from the fixed structure preferably have nylon protrusions  614  attached. The spacing lip  617  of the upper guide assembly  602  keeps these protrusions  614  in a generally fixed position with respect to the joints  620  closest to the fixed structure. 
         [0055]    An outer support  624  is attached to the outermost blade  622  of the door  606 ,  608 . The support  624  has holes  626  for attaching the outer support  624  to the upper and lower guide assemblies  602 ,  604 . 
         [0056]    The inner-most blades of the shutter doors  606 ,  608  are locking blades  628 ,  630 . They have a locking mechanism  632  towards the vertical center of the shutter doors  606 ,  608 . The locking mechanism  632  (not shown in its entirely) is preferably outward-facing so it can be locked and unlocked from outside a building. However, it can also be inward-facing so it can be unlocked from inside an opening in the building. Alternatively, the locking blades  628 ,  630  can have multiple locking mechanisms  632  spaced apart in a vertical direction. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show views of top guide  602 . Top guide  602  has a predetermined length L 2 , that is preferably pre-cut to accommodate common opening widths, such as standard door or window widths. Top guide  602  has mounting holes  616  pre-drilled along the length thereof, preferably spaced at equal lengths of a predetermined distance L 1 . One of the holes  616 C is preferably located substantially at the center of top guide  802 . This substantially central location will facilitate installation as discussed below. The top guide may be fixed, preferably by screws or bolts  610  to a fixed structure  700 . Screw holes  702  are for securing the side support  624  of the shutter doors  606 ,  608  to the top guide assembly  602 . 
         [0058]    Spacing lip  617  ends in a flange  704  against which nylon projections  618  abut, particularly when the shutter doors  606 ,  608  are in their closed position. When the shutter doors  606 ,  608  are open, the nylon protrusions  618  farthest from the fixed structure  700  generally are positioned away from the flange  704  because the blades  622  are wider than the distance from the guide  612  to the flange  704 . 
         [0059]    Although  FIG. 7A  shows a vertical fixed structure  700 , the fixed structure may be horizontal or angular. Also, although  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a top guide  602  affixed directly to the fixed structure  700 , a top guide may alternatively be fixed to a second structure, such as a metal brace, which is fixed to the fixed structure.  FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a top guide  802  fixed to a metal brace  804  by a bolt  808 . The metal brace  804  is fixed to fixed structure  800  by a second bolt or screw  810 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  shows a pre-assembled left door  906 . It includes a left support of an outer support  924 , a plurality of plane blades  922 , and a locking blade  928  with a locking mechanism  932 . The individual plane blades  922  are the same as blade portion  14  above, and engage with each other by coaxial alignment and insertion of the first interlocking portion  18  and second interlocking portion  20 . The outer support has a protrusion identical to second interlocking portion  20  to receive and connect with the first interlocking portion  18  of the adjacent (leftmost) plane blade. The lock blade  928  has a protrusion identical to first interlocking portion  18  to receive and connect with the second interlocking portion  20  of the adjacent (rightmost) plane blade. 
         [0061]    The accordion components are held together by accordion pins inserted into the shaft of portion at the joint  920  of two adjoining blades  922 . 
         [0062]    To install, the user identifies the center of the opening that is to be covered. Top guide  602  is then placed with its center hole  616 C substantially in alignment with the center of the window, although several inches above the opening to provide clearance. A screw or bolt  610  is inserted through the hole  616 C to support top guide  602  on the structure. A level is preferably used to ensure the top rail  602  is horizontal before the remaining mounting hardware is installed to securely attach top rail  602  to the building. 
         [0063]    The pre-assembled left door  606  is then attached to the top guide  602  by inserting the wheels  614  into the guide  612  so that the metal spacer lip  617  is between the nylon projections  618  farthest from the window and the wheels  614  of the corresponding blades  622 . The left support  624  which is pre-attached to the accordion door  606  is then fixed to the top guide  602  with mounting hardware  634 , such as screws or bolts. 
         [0064]    Next, the right door  608  is attached to the top guide  602  in the same manner. First, the wheels  614  are inserted into the top guide  602  so that the metal spacing lip  617  is between the nylon projections  618  farthest from the window and the wheels  614  of the corresponding blades  622 . The right support  636 , which is pre-attached to the right accordion door  608 , is then fixed to the top guide  602  with mounting hardware  634 , such as screws or bolts. 
         [0065]    With both doors  606 ,  608  in an open position, the bottom guide  604  is attached. This is done by holding the bottom guide  604  so that the nylon projections  618  closest to the fixed structure, such as a wall, are inside the guide  612 , and the nylon projections  618  farthest from the wall are on the opposite side of the metal lip  617  than the wall-side nylon projections  618 . The left support  624  is then secured to the bottom guide  604  by mounting hardware  634 . Preferably, one side of the shutter system is then plumbed, and mounting hardware  610  is inserted into the screw hole  616  of the bottom guide  604  closest to the plumbed side of the shutter system to fix the bottom guide  604  against the fixed structure, and to fix the shutter system in a vertically plumbed position. Next, the right support  636  is secured to the bottom guide  604  by mounting hardware  634 . Finally, the bottom guide  604  is secured to the fixed structure, such as a wall, by mounting hardware  610 . 
         [0066]    To lock the shutter doors  606 ,  608 , the doors are closed, and the locking mechanism  632 , preferably a key lock, is activated. 
         [0067]    A shutter hold-back device  1000 , as shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , may be used to keep the shutter doors  606 ,  608  open. The shutter hold-back device  1000  is preferably plastic and flexible enough to be inserted into and removed from the guide portion  612  of the top and bottom guide assemblies  602 ,  604 . It has two prongs  1002  for being inserted into the hollow bottom guide portion  612  of the bottom guide  604 . Surface  1004  rests on the top surface of bottom guide  604 . The hold-back device&#39;s side edge  1006  rests against the locking blade  630 , and a tab  1008  allows for easy insertion and removal of the hold-back device  1000  into and from the bottom guide  604 . When inserted, the outward force of prongs  1002  against the inner walls of guide portion creates a pressure lock which prevents movement of the shutter blades toward the deployed position. 
         [0068]    It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.