Abstract:
A device is provided for protecting a window or door during severe storms. A panel, cut to fit in a window frame, is held in place by the action of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies described herein. A rubber gasket can be used along one side of the panel in place of some of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies. Different embodiments of the assembly are described for mounting along the sides or at the corners of the panel. A “clip-on” assembly is also described. Wind resistance is enhanced by tightening the assemblies until the panel bows outward. Optional security features are disclosed to prevent unauthorized removal of the panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for protecting windows and doors from breakage and damage during severe storms, including hurricanes. 
     Presently, home and business owners who seek to minimize the damage caused by severe storms have few options for protecting windows and doors. Two of these options are very expensive and require time-consuming installation. One such option requires the removal of the pre-existing window and frame and replacement with a storm window having a frame with a slot for the insertion of a properly-sized piece of plywood. Another such option requires the installation of a storm shutter for each window, either a hinged shutter or a metal shield which is unrolled to cover the window. Many of the other devices for protecting windows require making holes in the window frame for insertion of braces or anchors. Some are cumbersome or difficult to install. 
     The least expensive option is buying and cutting pieces of plywood and nailing a piece of plywood over each window. However, after the storm has passed, the removal of the plywood leaves nail holes behind. Finally, some people simply apply tape to windows so that glass shards are not blown everywhere if the windows break during a storm. Needless to say, tape offers little or no protection from the storm itself. 
     A need presently exists for an inexpensive device which can be installed on short notice, without pre-installation, nailing, or screwing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of existing options for protecting windows and doors during violent storms. The window covering devices herein disclosed can be easily installed, on short notice. They can be used over and over again, leaving no nail or screw holes in window frames. 
     The slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies can be sold in hardware stores. The plywood or other material is sold separately. (Plywood can be used from previous storm alerts). The panels that will cover the windows do not need to be cut precisely to size; they need only fit within one-half inch of the sill, head and sides of the window frame. Several alternative embodiments of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies are disclosed: one can be fastened to the wood; another can be slipped over the edge of the panel, requiring no drilling or fastening. Each device is installed with a wrench or pliers. Security features are also provided for the present invention. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which may be easily installed and removed. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be assembled and installed by ordinary homeowners. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be installed in metal or brick frames, where nailing or screwing is not possible. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be used on non-standard sized and shaped windows, as well as doors. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which provides security from looting after a storm. 
     One more object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which leaves no nail holes or screw holes in a window frame. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which has increased holding power as the wind forces against it rise. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an effective window covering device at a substantially lower cost than storm windows or shutters. 
     Several embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the window covering device installed in a window frame, with a pair of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a single slide-arm-and-bolt assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a single slide-arm-and-bolt assembly installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 4 is a horizontal section view of the gasket positioned on a side of a wood panel. 
     FIG. 5 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device, which someone outside a dwelling has installed in the window frame on the exterior-facing side of the window. 
     FIG. 6 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device which someone inside a dwelling has installed in the window frame on the exterior-facing side of the window. 
     FIG. 7 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device which has been installed in the window frame on the interior-facing side of a window which has pre-existing burglar bars. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a preferred mounting configuration of the window covering device, with the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies installed on the left side of the window. 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an alternate mounting configuration of the window covering device, with the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies installed on the bottom of the window. 
     FIGS. 10,  11  and  12  are plan views showing alternate mounting configurations for a window covering device which is installed without a rubber gasket. 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from metal for installation in a diamond-shaped window. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from expanded metal for installation in a round-shaped window. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from plexiglass for installation in an octagonal-shaped window. 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view showing four window covering devices installed side by side in the frame of a large picture window. 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the window covering device installed in a window frame with clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a top view of a single clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly. 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of a single clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of a single clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly with a bolt-head security bracket and a screw-thread shield. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of a single clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly with a bolt-head security bracket and a screw-thread shield installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a tamperproof lock installed on the bolt-head security bracket. 
     FIG. 23 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of the window covering device installed in a window frame with corner-mounted bolt assemblies, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 24 is a top view of a single corner-mounted bolt assembly. 
     FIG. 25 is a side view of a single corner-mounted bolt assembly installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 26 is a plan view of the corner-mounted bolt assembly after pivoting. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In FIG. 1, a window covering device  10  has been installed inside a window frame  11  on the exterior-facing side of a window (not shown). The panel  12  has been precut (with up to one-half inch allowance on all sides) to fit inside the window frame  11 , without forcing. The panel  12  can be formed from wood or another material that is rigid with some give, such as plexiglass, aluminum, or expanded metal grating. Leftover plywood which had been nailed over windows in previous storms can be used. A pair of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  attached to the panel  12  hold it firmly in place within the window frame  11 . The cutaway portion on the left shows the position of the gasket  14 . The cutaway portion on the top shows the slight outward bowing  15  of the window covering device  10 . Optionally, a small round hole  16  (approximately one-half inch in diameter) can be cut through the wood panel  12  to act as a finger grab for ensuring the bowing  15  occurs in the correct direction. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13  comprises a metal base plate  20  with fastener holes  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c ,  21   d ; a metal slide arm guide  22  welded to the base plate  20 ; an ell-shaped metal slide arm  23  inserted into the slide arm guide  22 ; a rubber stopper  24  attached to the end of the slide arm  23  with a rivet  25 ; an angle bolt bracket  26  with a threaded bolt hole  27  welded to the base plate  20  in a spaced-apart relationship to the upturned portion  28  of the slide arm  23 ; and a bolt  29  inserted through the bolt hole  27  with its threaded end  30  resting in a recess  33  in the upturned portion  28  of the slide arm  23 . The bolt  29  is advanced by turning the bolt head  31  with a wrench or pliers. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13  has been fastened to a wood panel  12  with fasteners  32   a ,  32   b , which have been inserted through fastener holes  21   a ,  21   b . The fasteners  32   a ,  32   b  are typically bolts, but can be rivets or pins. Typically, two slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  are attached to one side of a wood panel  12  in a parallel relationship, as shown in FIG.  1 . Prior to installation, the end of the rubber stopper  24  of each slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13   a ,  13   b  is arranged to be even with the edge of the wood panel  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a length of rubber edge gasket  14  is affixed to the edge of the wood panel  12  opposite that upon which the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  are fastened. The rubber edge gasket  14  can be made from rubber or any rubberlike material, such as cork or foam. Typically, the gasket  14  is slid over the edge of the wood panel  12  and adhesive  35  is used to bond the gasket  14  to the wood panel  12 . 
     In order to complete installation of the wood covering device  10  in a window frame  11 , as shown in FIG. 1, the edge of the wood panel  12  having the gasket  14  is positioned on the left side of the window frame  11 . The side of the wood panel  12  having the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  is then pushed into place along the right side of the window frame  12 . The bolt head  31  of each slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13   a ,  13   b  is turned so that the threaded end  30  of each bolt  29  causes the slide arm  23  of each slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13   a ,  13   b  to advance, pushing the rubber stopper  24  firmly against the window frame  11 . Further advancing of the slide arm  23  results in the bowing  15  of the window covering device  10 . Optimally, the bowing  15  is in an outward direction, resulting in increased holding power against strong winds. Removal of the panel  12  after the storm is quick and easy: the bolt head  31  of each slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13   a ,  13   b  is turned in the opposite direction so that the threaded end  30  of each bolt  29  retracts from the slide arm  23 ; the rubber stopper  24  will no longer press against the window frame  11 , and the panel  12  can be pulled out. 
     FIGS. 5,  6 , and  7  show alternate choices for installation. 
     In FIG. 5, the window covering device  10  has been installed in the window frame  11  on the exterior-facing side of a window  40 . Slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13  push against the right side  41  of the frame  11 , while the rubber gasket  14  pushes against the left side  42  of the frame  11 . The wood panel  12  has been bowed outward by forcing the slide arms  23  out. 
     To accomplish the installation shown in FIG. 6, the window must first be opened. Someone inside a dwelling can slip the window covering device  10  through the window  40  and rest the gasket  14  against the outer window frame  43  on the exterior side of the window  40 . Once again, the window covering device  10  has been forced to bow in an outward direction. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the window covering device  10  can also be installed on the inner window frame  44  on the interior side of a window  40  if, for instance, burglar bars  45  are present, the window  40  does not open, or the exterior side of the outer window frame  43  is inadequate to hold the window covering device  10  in place. While this installation choice does not protect the window glass, it affords protection from flying debris&#39; entering the dwelling, and from theft or looting. As in the other types of installation, the window covering device  10  should be bowed outward for maximum resistance to wind. 
     As FIG. 8 shows, the window covering device  10  can be installed within the window frame  11  with the rubber gasket  14  pushed against the right side  41  of the frame and the rubber stoppers  24   a ,  24   b  of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the left side  42  of the frame. 
     As FIG. 9 shows, the window covering device  10  can also be installed with the rubber gasket  14  pushed against the head  46  of the frame and the rubber stoppers  24   a ,  24   b  of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the sill  47  of the frame. 
     In FIGS. 10,  11 , and  12 , the window covering device is installed without using a gasket  14 . Instead, two pairs of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13  are used. 
     In FIG. 10, slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  have been attached parallel to each other on the left side of wood panel  12 , and slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened parallel to each other on the right side of wood panel  12 . The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , and the slide arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  are alternately advanced until the window covering device  10  is held firmly in place. Finally one pair of slide arms ( 23   a ,  23   b  or  23   c ,  23   d ) are advanced further until the wood covering device  10  bows slightly. 
     In FIG. 11, slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  have been attached parallel to each other on the top portion of wood panel  12  and slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened parallel to each other on the bottom portion of the wood panel  12 . The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , with the rubber stoppers  24   a ,  24   b  of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the head  46  of the frame, and the rubber stoppers  24   c ,  24   d  of slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  pushed against the sill  47  of the frame. The slide arms  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  are alternately advanced until the window covering device  10  is held firmly in place. Finally one pair of slide arms ( 23   a ,  23   b , or  23   c ,  23   d ) are advanced until the wood covering device  10  bows slightly. 
     In FIG. 12, slide arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened to wood panel  12 , one at the midpoint of each side. The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , and slide arms  23   a  and  23   c  are advanced to hold it in place. Slide arms  23   b  and  23   d  are then tightened until the wood covering device  10  bows. Then slide arms  23   a  and  23   c  are loosened, then retightened to maintain the bowing. 
     FIGS. 13,  14  and  15  show the wood covering device  10  constructed of different materials and used on odd-shaped windows. FIG. 13 shows a window covering device  50  constructed from a metal such as steel or aluminum for installation in a diamond-shaped window frame  51 , using slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d . FIG. 14 shows a window covering device  52  constructed of expanded metal (grating) for installation in a round-shaped window frame  53 , using slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d . FIG. 15 shows a window covering device  54  constructed of plexiglass (or urethane, or a similar material) for installation in an octagonal window frame  55 , using slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d.    
     Large picture windows or French doors present a large surface area to cover. To avoid the need to use a single, unwieldy piece of wood, several separate window covering devices can be installed adjacent to each other to completely cover the window. In FIG. 16, four window covering devices  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  have been arranged and installed adjacent to each other in a large window frame  56 . Each has four slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies arranged in parallel pairs of two on opposite sides of the wood panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d , for a total of sixteen slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d ,  13   e ,  13   f ,  13   g ,  13   h ,  13   i ,  13   j ,  13   k ,  13   l ,  13   m ,  13   n ,  13   o ,  13   p . Installation of each window covering device  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  is done individually, as described in FIG. 11 supra. 
     FIG. 17 shows a wood covering device  60  which has been installed inside a window frame  11  using a pair of clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  61   a ,  61   b  and a gasket  14  to hold the panel  12  firmly in place. (The clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  60  may also be used in place of the slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  13  as shown in FIGS. 10 through 16.) 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  61  comprises a metal base plate/bracket  62 ; a metal slide arm guide  63  welded to the base plate/bracket  62 ; an ell-shaped metal slide arm  64  inserted into the slide arm guide  63 ; a rubber stopper  65  attached to the end of the metal slide arm  64  with a rivet  66 ; an angle bolt bracket  67  with a threaded bolt hole  68  welded to the base plate/bracket  62  in a spaced-apart relationship to the upturned portion  69  of the slide arm  64 ; and a bolt  70  inserted through the threaded bolt hole  68  with its threaded end  71  resting in a recess  97  in the upturned portion  69  of the slide arm  64 . The bolt  70  is advanced by turning the bolt head  72  with a wrench or pliers. 
     As shown in FIG. 19, the u-shaped bracket end  73  of the metal base plate/bracket  62  has been pulled over the edge  74  of wood panel  12 ; no fasteners are used. Typically, two clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  61   a ,  61   b  are attached to one side of a wood panel  12  in a parallel relationship as shown in FIG.  17 . Prior to installation, the end of the rubber stopper  65  is arranged to be even with the edge of the u-shaped bracket end  73 . 
     In FIGS. 20 and 21, a tamper-proof embodiment of the clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  61  is shown. A bolt head security bracket  75 , or shackle, has been threaded onto the bolt  70 , and screw thread shield  76  has been installed to cover the threaded end  71  of the bolt  70 . The bolt head security bracket  75  prevents a thief from using a wrench on the bolt head  72  to loosen the clip-on slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  61 . In FIG. 22, the pivoting arm  77  of a lock  78  has been inserted through holes  79   a ,  79   b  of bolt head security bracket  75  to prevent the bolt head security bracket  75  from being moved back away from the bolt head  72 . 
     The bolt head security bracket  75 , the lock  78 , and the screw thread shield  76  can also be installed on the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  13  disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     In FIG. 23, a window covering device  80  utilizes four corner-mounted slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  81   a ,  81   b ,  81   c ,  81   d , to hold a panel  12  in place. 
     As shown in FIG. 24, the corner-mounted slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  81  comprises a metal base plate  82  with a fastener hole  83 ; a metal slide arm guide  84  welded to the base plate  82 ; an ell-shaped metal slide arm  85  inserted into the slide arm guide  84 ; a tapered, pivoting rubber stopper  86  attached to the end of the slide arm  85  with a rivet  87 ; an angle bolt bracket  88  with a threaded bolt hole  89  welded to the base plate  82  in a spaced-apart relationship to the upturned portion  90  of the slide arm  85 ; and a bolt  91  inserted through the threaded bolt hole  89  with its threaded end  92  resting in a recess  98  in the upturned portion  90  of the slide arm  85 . The bolt  91  is advanced by turning the bolt head  93  with a wrench or pliers. 
     As shown in FIG. 25, the corner-mounted slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  81  has been fastened to a wood panel  12  with a single fastener  94 , which has been inserted through fastener hole  83 . The fastener  94  is typically a bolt, but can be a rivet or a pin. Prior to mounting, the base plate  82  has been arranged so that the pivoting rubber stopper  86  extends over the end  95  of the base plate  82 . Each side of the rubber stopper  86  is open to accommodate pivoting. Typically, each of the slide-arm-and-bolt assemblies  81   a ,  81   b ,  81   c ,  81   d  is fastened to a corner of a panel  12 , as shown in FIG.  23 . (Prior to installation, the end of each rubber stopper  86  of each corner-mounted slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  81   a ,  81   b ,  81   c ,  81   d  has been arranged to be even with the corner of the panel  12 .) The window covering device  80  is arranged inside window frame  11  (see FIG. 23) with each rubber stopper  86  pushed into one corner of the frame  11 . Each slide arm  85  is alternately advanced until the window covering device  80  is held firmly in place. Finally, one slide arm  85  is advanced until the wood covering device  80  bows slightly. 
     As shown in FIG. 26, during severe weather, the corner-mounted slide-arm-and-bolt assembly  81  stays in place, even if the wood-panel  12  begins to rotate.