Abstract:
Telescoping hurricane shutters protect a window during a storm but eliminate the need for pre-sized storm shutters. The interchangeable storm shutters are made up of individual panels slidably connected to one another. The panels may be extended to cover an exposed area of window. The storm shutters may be interlocked together in order to fit a particular window and may be held in place by brackets, quick tapping screws, or threaded rods and nuts that allow for quick installation and removal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to removable hurricane storm shutters, to protect a window during a storm from wind and flying debris.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    The use of storm shutters to protect a window during a storm is well known in the prior art. Typically, these shutters may consist of a precut portion of material such as plywood, attached to the outer frame of a window. These panels may be attached to the outer window frame by hinges, nails or screws, or by use of a bracket assembly mounted to the outer window frame allowing the storm shutter to be slid into place.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    Hurricane storm shutters must be precut to fit individual windows. This requires that each window on a house be measured and a storm shutter cut to fit that particular window. Thus, these storm shutters are not interchangeable between windows of different sizes.  
           [0006]    In addition, the process of cutting and measuring storm shutters to fit a window can take a considerable amount of time. This may be of particular concern to a home owner with little or no advanced warning of an approaching storm. In the case of plywood storm shutters that are attached by means of nails or screws, there is also the problem of damage to the outer window frame from repeatedly nailing or screwing the storm shutters into place. One method of expediting the process of putting storm shutters in place is the use of corrugated plastic shutters that are precut for each individual window. These shutters are held in place by means of brackets on the upper and lower portion of the window frame. This type of system facilitates the quick placement and removal of each shutter.  
           [0007]    These plastic shutters are lightweight and easily stored. However, each shutter must be precut to match the dimensions of the particular window it is to cover. In the case where there is a limited amount of time to prepare a house for a storm, the time necessary to precut each shutter for each window may create a problem. Further, when each shutter has been precut for an individual window, the shutters must be sorted and matched to each window on the house prior to installation, thus consuming additional time that may be critical during the period prior to a storm.  
           [0008]    This invention provides an apparatus and method for protecting a window during a storm using interchangeable storm shutters. The shutters used to protect a particular window are made up of a series of interlocking panel sections of a predetermined width. A first panel section would be placed in a window and a second panel section, slidably connected to the first panel section by a telescopic connection, would be extended along a longitudinal axis to the appropriate window height to cover an exposed area of the window. The next storm shutter also comprised of the first and second telescoping panel sections would be extended to the window height, put in place, and interlocked with the previously installed storm shutter. This process would continue until the entire exposed area of the window has been covered. Thus, the apparatus and method of this invention allows for the placement of interchangeable storm shutters in the windows of a house prior to a storm. Further, the apparatus and method of this invention reduce the time necessary to prepare a house for a storm, in that these shutters may be obtained and put in place without having to be precut for each individual window.  
           [0009]    In addition, the storm shutters of the prior art typically do not allow light to pass through the window into the house. Thus, in the event of a power outage the occupants of the house may be in total darkness during a daytime storm. The apparatus and method of the current invention takes advantage of a translucent plastic material that would allow light to pass through the shutters and thus maintain illumination in the house during daylight hours in the event of a power outage. Lastly, the apparatus and method of this invention allow for easier removal and storage because the panel sections can be removed and stacked in a pile of a uniform dimension and without regard to the order or location of the windows from which they were removed.  
           [0010]    These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled with like numbers and in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a typical window which may be protected with storm shutters according to this invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the storm shutters as fully assembled and prepared for installation on a window;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is another exemplary embodiment of the storm shutters having the second panel partially extended;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is another exemplary embodiment of the storm shutters of this invention fully assembled and installed on a window;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a fastener for locking the second panel in place in relation to the first panel;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is another exemplary embodiment of a fastener for locking the second panel in place in relation to the first panel;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is an embodiment of an interlocking mechanism for interlocking a first storm shutter with a second storm shutter;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a slidable connection between the first panel and second panel of the storm shutters of this invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is an exemplary embodiment of a threaded rod with a wing nut for securing the storm shutters of this invention to a typical window frame; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a self tapping screw which may be used to secure the storm shutters of this invention to a typical window frame. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 shows a typical window  10  that may be protected by the storm shutters of the present invention. The storm shutter is designed to protect the entire area of the window. The window  10  has a height  12  and a width  14  which can be divided into three window pane widths  16 ,  18  and  20 . While one particular type of window is illustrated, the invention is applicable to any window of any size, shape and orientation.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of three storm shutters interlocked together. The first panel  120  is slidably connected to the second panel  110  to form the removable storm shutter  100 . Each storm shutter  100  has two longitudinal edges. The first and second panels  120 ,  110  preferably are telescopically interconnected to allow extension of the second panel relative to the first panel to adjust the length of the storm shutter to the window height  12 . The first and second panels  120 ,  110 , preferably have a width that matches the window pane width  20 . Those skilled in the art recognize that the width of the storm shutter may vary and is not limited to the window pane width. In addition, those skilled in the art recognize that the telescopic interconnection of the first and second panels results in an overlap of the first panel over the second panel (or vice versa), thus defining an overlap edge  105  between the first and second panels. While the invention has been described in terms of extending the length of the panels to cover the window vertical length  12 , those skilled in the art appreciate that the panels can be extended horizontally to cover the width  14  of the window.  
         [0024]    The first panel  120  and second panel  110  may be corrugated and may be of a translucent or transparent material such as a clear structural plastic. One such material is sold under the tradename Lexan™. Other structural materials, such as metal or wood, could be substituted. However, these may not achieve the advantage of allowing light through the shutters.  
         [0025]    The first panel has a longitudinal axis and transverse axis. The second panel also has a longitudinal axis and transverse axis and is slidably connected to the first panel by a slidable connection for relative movement along one of the longitudinal axis and transverse axis. The second panel  110  may be fixed in relation to the first panel  120  at a predetermined interval by a retainer. The predetermined interval corresponds to an area of the window to be protected by the storm shutter.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the storm shutters of this invention having the second panel  110  slidably retracted in relation to the first panel  120 . The second panel  110  may be slidably retracted or extended in relation to the first panel  120  to facilitate installation and removal in a window to be protected. The retraction or extension of the first panel relative to the second panel also allows the storm shutter to be adjusted to the height of a differently sized window. In addition, the first panel  110  may be extended to cover the top or bottom portion of a window. When the first and second panels are fully retracted such that the first and second panels completely overlap, they form a storm shutter of uniform size that can be easily stacked and stored. When needed for the next storm, any storm shutter can be extracted from the stock and adjusted in size to cover any window. Therefore, storm shutters of the invention need not be designated for a particular window.  
         [0027]    In this embodiment, three storm shutters are interlocked together to form an integral unit to cover the area of one window. Each storm shutter  100  has two longitudinal edges  115 . One edge or both edges  115  may interlock with an edge of an adjacent storm shutter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple storm shutters may be interlocked together to cover a window having any window width  14 . In addition, those skilled in the art recognize that the first and second panels can be formed of a predetermined uniform size, and then assembled together to form a shutter, with adjacent shutters interlocked at their edges. to cover a window of any size.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 shows the exemplary storm shutters according to this invention installed in a typical window. Brackets  130  and  140  in the upper and lower window sills retain the interlocking storm shutters  100  in the window at the top and bottom portions. Other embodiments may utilize brackets to retain the shutters on the vertical sides of the windows. Still other embodiments may utilize brackets to retain the shutter on all four sides of the window. In addition to retaining the shutters in the window, brackets  130  and  140  facilitate the installation and removal of the individual shutters in the window by creating a tract for each shutter to slide into and out of place. The brackets  130  and  140  may be removably installed in the upper and lower portions of the outer frame of the window, or they may be permanently affixed in a manner that retains the aesthetic appearance of the window frame. The first and second panels  120  and  110  may be placed in the window brackets and extended slidably in relation to one another to fit in the window height, or they may be extended prior to placement in the window brackets  130  and  140 . Other embodiments may use quick tapping screws, bolts, or threaded rods with wing nuts in lieu of brackets  130  and  140  to retain the inner locking storm shutters  100  in the window at the top and bottom portions, or on all four sides.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a retainer for fixing the second panel  110  in relation to the first panel  120 . The retainer has a plug  150  that is slidably mounted in a hole in the first panel  120 . The panel  120  also contains a recess  155  in the vicinity of the hole for housing the end of the plug when the first panel  120  is moved laterally in relation to the second panel  110 . The plug  150  engages a recess  155  in the second panel  110  at the location that corresponds to the overall length of the shutter as it is to be installed in the window. The plug  150  engages the recess  155  in the second panel  110  due to the force exerted by an urging member  160 . This urging member  160  may be a helical spring or other such member capable of urging the plug  150  into the recess  155  of the second panel  110 . To disengage the retainer, the plug  150  is moved in the opposite direction out of the recess  155  of the second panel  110 , thus freeing the second panel  110  to move in relation to the first panel  120 . While only one recess  155  is shown, several recesses may be aligned in a column and spaced at predetermined intervals to allow the first and second panels to be extended to any one of a plurality of lengths.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a retainer to affix the second panel  110  in relation to the first panel  120 . A bolt  170  inserts through a corresponding hole in the second panel  110  and the first panel  120 . The bolt  170  is retained in place by a circular nut  180  that is threaded on to the bolt from the opposite side. The circular nut  180  has ridges on the outside peripheral edge to facilitate hand tightening and removal. The bolt  170  also has ridges to facilitate hand tightening and removal. When assembling the storm shutter, the first panel  120  and the second panel  110  would be adjusted to the proper height for placement in the window. The bolt  170  would then be placed through the corresponding hole in the first panel  120  and the second panel  110  exposing the threaded portion of the bolt  170  on the opposite end. The circular washer  180  would then be threaded on to the bolt, thus fixing the first panel  120  in relation to the second panel  110 . This process would be reversed to disassemble the storm shutter. Several holes can be aligned in a column and spaced at predetermined intervals. Other embodiments may use wing nuts in place of the circular nut  180 .  
         [0031]    Other retainers are available for use in the invention. For example, one panel may include an integral projecting and flexible ratchet arm, which engages one of a plurality of recesses in the other panel. When the panels slide in the extension direction under a relatively weak pulling force, the ratchet arm bends to enter and exit each recess. However, in the retroaction direction, the ratchet arm abuts a wall of the recess thereby maintaining the extended length of the shutter. A relatively strong compressive force would be necessary to force the arm to bend and exit the recess, thereby allowing the shutter to retract in size.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is an embodiment of an interlocking mechanism for joining two sections of a storm shutter together. A retaining channel  200  runs longitudinally on both the first panel  120  and the second panel  110 . The channel  200  is an integral part of both the first panel  120  and the second panel  110 . On the opposite end of the panels from the retaining channel  200  is a male connector  190  which also runs longitudinally on both the first panel  120  and the second panel  110 . The male connector  190  is inserted in the retaining channel  200  to interlock two storm shutters together. The male connector  190  is retained in the retaining channel  200  with the assistance of an interference fit between the outer portion of the male connector  190  and the inner portion of the retaining channel  200 . Other embodiments may utilize bolts and wing nuts fitted in corresponding holes in the male connector  190  and retaining channel  200  to retain two storm shutters in the interlocked position. The panel sections  110  and  120  may be interlocked together prior to being installed in the window or may be interlocked during installation by sliding successive storm shutters  100  into the retaining brackets and applying force to the opposite ends of the storm shutters  100 . The storm shutters  100  may be taken apart by applying force in the opposite direction thus removing the male connector  190  from the retaining channel  200 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a slidable connection between the first panel  120  and the second panel  110 . The slidable connection has a male connector  210  that is an integral part of the second panel  110  which fits into a retaining cavity  220  which is an integral part of the first panel  120 . The male connector  210  runs longitudinally the full length of the second panel  110 . The retaining cavity  220  also runs the full length of the first panel  120 . The slidable connection operates such that the second panel  110  may be extended or retracted in relation to the first panel  120  while maintaining the structural integrity of the entire storm shutter  100 . The slidable connection operates such that the second panel  110  may move freely longitudinally in relation to the first panel  120 . In other embodiments this connection may be used repeatedly for additional panel sections such that they may extend telescopically to cover a designated window area. Further, the male connector  210  and the retaining cavity  220  may be placed at varying longitudinal locations on the panels  110  and  120 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a threaded rod  240  that is installed in a window frame  250 . The threaded rod  240  is maintained in the window frame  250  by an interference fit in the corresponding window frame hole  260 . The threaded rod  240  may be permanently or removably affixed to the window frame  250 . Once the threaded rod  240  is in place, the second panel  110  of the storm shutter of this invention is mounted on the threaded rod  240  through a retaining hole  280 . The second panel  110  is then retained on the threaded rod  240  by a wing nut  230 . This arrangement allows for the quick installation of the storm shutters of this invention without the use of brackets. When the storm shutters are to be removed the wing nut  230  is removed from the threaded rod  240  allowing the panel  110  to slide out of place. The threaded rod  240  may be removed or may be left in place in the window frame  250  for future use. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this embodiment may be used to retain the storm shutters of this invention at various locations on a window frame to facilitate a tight and secure fit over the entire window.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a self tapping screw  270  used to retain the shutters of this invention on a window frame  250 . The self tapping screw  270  is mounted through a retaining hole  280  and the panel  110  into the retaining hole  260  in the window frame  250 . In this embodiment, the self tapping screw  270  must be removed completely from the window frame  250  in order to remove the storm shutters of this invention. The screw head  270  may be adapted for a common or Philips type screwdriver. In addition, the screw head  270  may be replaced by a hexagonal bolt head to facilitate installation with a wrench. One skilled in the art will recognize that this arrangement may be used to secure the storm shutters of this invention to a window frame at various locations to facilitate a tight and secure fit.  
         [0036]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.