Abstract:
An adjustable length bracing device can be installed in a window frame or door frame to secure a sheet of covering material that is positioned to protect the window or door from flying debris resulting from a hurricane, tornado, or other storm. The brace device consists of two independent and moveable bars, which can be adjusted to fit the inside of a window or door opening. The adjustment is made by the use of a metal clip attached to one bar and inserted into a notch on the other bar. The ends of each bar have rubber pads to help prevent marring the window or door opening or frame and to prevent any slipping of the bracing device assembly. Once the assembly is in position, a locking metal ring holds both independent bars together to prevent movement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/213,683, filed Jun. 23, 2000, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
         [0003]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    The present invention relates to the protection of windows and doors from wind damage. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices that protect windows from high velocity winds and flying objects that are hurled about during high velocity wind storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and like storms.  
           [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention  
           [0007]    In areas of the country that are hit by violent wind storms, it is common to fasten (e.g. with nails, bolts, sheet metal screws, wood screws) sheets of protective material over windows in an attempt to prevent glass breakage. The glass in windows can be broken by high velocity winds. The glass in windows can also be broken by projectiles that are launched by these high velocity winds. Tree branches, gravel, trash cans and many other objects are hurled through the air during violent wind storms such as hurricanes, tornadoes and the like.  
           [0008]    One of the most common preventative measures for protecting windows is to cover the window with a sheet of protective sheet material such as plywood. Fastening sheets of plywood to a window that is to be protected can be a time-consuming and often difficult job. Many of the windows in question are aluminum frame windows. It is difficult to attach a plywood sheet to an aluminum frame window using nails, screws or other fasteners without causing collateral damage. Wood screws generate unsightly holes in wood windows and can crack the wood and/or glass portions of the window if improperly or hastily installed.  
           [0009]    Many patents have issued that disclose devices for protecting windows during wind storms. Some of these patented devices include a bracing arrangement for protecting the window and/or for holding a sheet of protective material in place.  
           [0010]    One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 2,794,217 entitled “Hurricane Brace for Windows”, issued to L. T. Croft. The &#39;217 patent discloses a hurricane brace for a window that comprises a support formed rigid from end to end and comprising a pair of tubular sections and axial alignment with their adjacent ends spaced from each other. A socket is provided connecting the adjacent ends and provided there between with a solid portion. Means at the remote ends of the tubular sections is provided for clamping engagement against opposite parallel stationary surfaces adjacent the window, the solid portion of the socket being provided with a diametrical opening therethrough. A stem is axially movable in such opening, and a glass engaging plate is carried by the stem and engageable against the inner surface of the window.  
           [0011]    The Baran U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,607 discloses an apparatus for use on a window for counteracting the stress on the window pane when subjected to high wind pressure. The apparatus has a bracket extending from one side of the window frame to the other and spaced from the window pane. A pressure plate is positioned against the window pane and a connector arm extends from the bracket to the pressure plate to retain the pressure plate against the window pane.  
           [0012]    A reinforcing means for a closure having a slatted articulated shutter for openings in a wall of a building is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,788 entitled “Reinforcing Means for Roll-up Shutter”.  
           [0013]    A tool for installing a pane to an existing glazing to provide an insulating sealed air space there between is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,911.  
           [0014]    A protective device for panes of windows and glass doors is disclosed in the Plowman U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,706. The &#39;706 patent discloses a device for protecting panes of windows and glass doors that consists of a beam which may be removably engaged in mounting brackets at the sides of, or above and below the pane. The beam is parallel to and spaced from the pane and one or more pressure pads is mounted on the beam for movement to an operative position against and applying pressure to the inside face of the pane to counteract vibration or flutter of the pane. The beam may have a pelmet fascia fixed to it and when not in use, may be supported inconspicuously above the window or door.  
           [0015]    A security barrier is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,012 that is adapted to bar an opening such a window or door of a house.  
           [0016]    A kit for door reinforcement, for use with a building having a sectional overhead door and at least one vertically disposed strut for reinforcing the door against wind damage is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,509 issued to Gaffney et al.  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,118 discloses a window guard provided for a window which may be removably mounted in a window frame to protect the window from storms. The window includes a window frame having frame members, two of which have holes formed on inwardly facing surfaces. The window guard includes a board sized to fit within the window frame and a brace or mounting mechanism pivotally mounted on the board which cooperates with the window frame holes to mount the window guard in the frame. The mounting mechanism includes a cross-member pivotally secured to the board and rods telescopingly received in the cross-member. The cross-member is made of two elongate pieces which are pivotally connected and which have blind bores formed in their ends which telescopingly receive the rods. The rods can thus telescope to a position in which they extend from the cross-member into the holes formed in the window frame and be retracted to a position in which they do not extend beyond the edges of the board. A screw is provided for each rod to be screwed against the rod to secure the rod in a desired position in the cross-member. Guide brackets are positioned near the edges of the board to provide a guide through which the rods extend.  
           [0018]    The Figueroa, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,883 discloses a bar device which can be installed in a window opening to which a sheet of covering material can be secured to protect the window from flying debris resulting from a storm such as a hurricane, tornado, etc. The bar device includes a turnbuckle which is threaded on its opposite ends. Threaded rods are threaded into the turnbuckle. A threaded bolt is secured in some manner to each of the threaded rods to extend perpendicular thereto. A supporting pad is secured at the ends of the threaded rods and the supporting pads are forced against a wall elements defining a window opening in order to secure the bar device in the window opening and a protective cushion is provided on the supporting pads to prevent marring the window opening. Once the bar device is secured in the window opening, the covering sheet such as plywood is secured in place by passing the threaded bolts through suitable holes in the covering sheet and then securing the covering sheet in place by a washer and nut applied onto the threaded bolts.  
           [0019]    A window brace is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,054 that includes a vertically disposed pole to which is coupled one or more braces, each of which includes a pad bearing against a portion of a surface of unsupported glass. Each pad defines an internal chamber connected to ambient atmosphere by a check valve such that when the glass bows inwardly toward the pad, air is forced out of the chamber via the check valve that prevents air from returning into the chamber. Evacuation of the chamber, in this way, enhances adherence of the pad to the window glass and thus, enhances effectiveness of the inventive device. For large pieces of window glass, a plurality of pads may suitably be employed. Alternatively, a valved port in the pad may be connected to a source of vacuum to evacuate the chamber.  
           [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,081 discloses a universal hanger placed between opposed surfaces within a motor vehicle and provides a temporary support of articles of clothing.  
           [0021]    The White U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,593 discloses a security closure adapted to be secured over windows or other openings in a wall of a building. The security closures are fixed to the building in a manner to substantially prevent removal of the closure from the exterior of the building. On the other hand, the security closures provide ways to secure the security closures from the interior of the building while minimizing any obstruction to work being done inside the building.  
           [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,832 discloses a flood or storm resistant barrier for a doorway or window opening. The barrier formed of a frame having two parts with one part in telescopic engagement with the other frame part. A manually operable jack in the form of four links pivotally connected to form a parallelogram linkage is inserted between the two frame parts. The jack being operable to move the frame parts relative to one another so as to vary the external dimension of the frame and thereby enable the frame to be secured in a doorway or window opening by expansion of the frame into engagement with opposed surfaces of the doorway or window opening. A waterproof barrier member is carried by the frame for blocking at least a portion of the doorway or window opening.  
           [0023]    An adjustable child fence is manufactured by Gerry Corp. of Suring, Wis., model no. 201/202. This fence uses wood bar members that are connectable together in an overlapping fashion.  
           [0024]    The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,943,832; 5,937,593; 5,833,081; 5,709,054; 5,673,883; 5,507,118; 5,383,509; 4,671,012; 4,590,706; 4,118,911; 4,085,788; 3,968,607; and 2,794,217.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0025]    The present invention provides an improved window protection apparatus and method for protecting glass portions of a window or door that is mounted in a recess of a surrounding wall of a building.  
           [0026]    The method includes the use of an expanse of sheet panel material for covering the window or door, the panel material being sized and shaped to fit over the window or door and to occupy the wall recess.  
           [0027]    The apparatus includes an adjustable retaining brace that secures a selected panel in the recess. The brace includes a first bar member having first and second end portions, the first end portion having a first connector.  
           [0028]    A second bar member has first and second end portions and a plurality of notches spaced at intervals along at least a portion of the length of the second bar member.  
           [0029]    The notches of the second bar member define recess portions that enable a connection to be formed between the first connector and the second bar member at a selected position defined by a selected notch.  
           [0030]    A second connector is removable from both bar sections and enables a connection to be formed between the first bar member and a second bar member at a position spaced away from the first connector and at a location defined by a selected notch.  
           [0031]    The bars can be preliminarily connected together using the first connector. Once connected, the bars are of a combined length that can be selectively chosen to be slightly larger than the distance between one side of the recess (or window frame) and an opposing side. In order to fit the recess, the connected bars can be angled relative to one another to assume an angled position. In the angled position, both bars can occupy the recess or the window frame. The angled bars can then be rotated from the angled position to a generally aligned, interference fit position that generates an interference fit between the aligned bars and window frame or the window frame or building wall at the recess. The interference fit position of the bars enable the bars to tightly connect with the surrounding building wall or window frame, discouraging removal of the so-connected bars and the retained panel.  
           [0032]    In the preferred embodiment, the bars are of about the same size and length. In the preferred embodiment, the bars are about equal in transverse cross-section.  
           [0033]    The first bar member preferably provides an upper surface, a lower surface, front and rear surfaces.  
           [0034]    In the preferred embodiment, the second bar member has an upper surface, a lower surface and front and rear surfaces. Notches on the second bar member communicate with at least the upper surface and the front and rear surfaces.  
           [0035]    In the preferred embodiment, the first connector is pivotally connected to the first bar member.  
           [0036]    The second connector can preferably provide an open center that is sized and shaped to receive both of the bar members when they are aligned and placed together.  
           [0037]    Thus, the second connector has an open center, the open center being sized and shaped to enable each bar member to fit inside the open center when the two bar members are in either the angled or in the aligned, interference fit position.  
           [0038]    At least one end of each bar member preferably provides a pliable bumper such as a rubber bumper.  
           [0039]    The apparatus of the present invention is thus an adjustable bar assembly which can be sized and installed in a window or door frame or wall opening to secure a sheet of covering material that protects the glass of the window or door. The protective sheet is positioned in between glass portions of the window or door and the bracing devices. Flying debris resulting from a hurricane, tornado, or like other storm, strikes the protective sheet rather than the glass.  
           [0040]    Each of the bracing devices comprises first and second independent and moveably connected bar members that can be selectively connected together and sized to fit the inside of a window or door opening. The adjustment can be made by the use of a hinge-like connector attached to the first bar and inserted into a notch on the second bar. Each bar can have an end with a rubber pad thereon to prevent marring the window or door opening and to prevent any slipping of the bar assembly.  
           [0041]    A second connector can be in the form of a clip or locking ring for holding the first and second bars together to prevent movement once the bar assembly is in the selected, interference fit position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0042]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 is a partial front view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 1;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 2;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 2;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 2;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 1;  
         [0050]    FIGS.  8 A- 8 C are frontal views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing installation of the bracing device;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention installed in a window opening;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention installed in a door opening; and  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention which includes spacers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0054]    FIGS.  1 - 10  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10  in FIGS.  9 - 10 . Window protection apparatus  10  can be used to protect the glass portion of a window or a door that is mounted in a wall  11  of a building. Such a wall  11  typically provides a recess  12  into which the window or door is mounted. The building recess  12  is typically rectangular but can be another shape. In the drawings FIGS. 8A, 8B,  8 C and  9 - 10 , the recess  12  can be fitted with a window frame  47  or a door frame  48 . Frames  47  and  48  are each provided with opposed, generally parallel vertical surfaces  13 ,  14 , and opposed, generally parallel and horizontal surfaces  15 ,  16 .  
         [0055]    In the drawings, examples of a window frame  47  having window  43  (FIG. 9) and of a door frame  48  having door  44  (FIG. 10) are shown. In either case, such a window  43  or door  44  can have one or more glass panels  17  that occupy a vertical plane  19 . The vertical plane  19  occupied by the glass panel  17  of the window  43  or door  44  can be generally parallel to and spaced from the vertical plane  18  defined by the wall  11  of the building.  
         [0056]    In order to protect the glass panel or panels  17  of the window  43  or door  44 , a protective rectangular (or selected shape) panel  20  can be fashioned of metal, plastic, wood, plywood or other structurally sound and protective material. The panel  20  is secured in place using one (See FIG. 9) or more (See FIG. 10) bracing devices  10 A. Each bracing device  10 A can include a first bar member  21 , a second bar member  28  and connectors for assembling the bars  21 ,  28  together. Bar members  21  and  28  can be made of, for example, wood, but could also be made of plastic or other suitable material.  
         [0057]    The first bar member  21  has end portions  22 ,  23 , one of which is equipped with connector  24 . The connector  24  can be pivotally attached at pivot  25  (e.g. bolt, rivet, shaft) to the first bar member  21 . A bumper  26  such as a rubber bumper can be provided at end portion  22  of first bar member  21  that is opposite pivot  25  and connector  24 . Connector  24  has an open center  27  that receives the bar members  21  and  28  when they are aligned together as shown in the drawings.  
         [0058]    Second bar member  28  has end portions  29 ,  30 . A bumper  31  can be attached to end portion  30 . First bar member  21  has top surface  32 , bottom surface  33 , and front and rear surfaces  34 ,  35 . The second bar member  28  provides a top surface  36 , bottom surface  37 , and front and rear surfaces  38 ,  39  respectively. A second connector  40  that is preferably in the shape of a rectangle or square d-ring provides an open center  41 .  
         [0059]    The second bar member  28  is provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches  42 . The first connector  24  and the second connector  40  each form attachments to the second bar member at a selected one of the notches  42 .  
         [0060]    Operation of the apparatus  10  of the present invention can best be seen by viewing FIGS. 8A, 8B,  8 C and  9 - 10 .  
         [0061]    In FIGS. 9 and 10, a window  43  or door  44  to be protected is first covered with a protective panel  20  of material such as plywood. The panel  20  is cut to fit within a window frame  47  or door frame  48 . Once the panel  20  is placed within window frame  47  or door frame  48  as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively, a bracing device  10 A is used to hold panel  20  in a position that covers the glass panels  17  of either the window  43  or the door  44 .  
         [0062]    In FIG. 9, a single bracing device  10 A secures a panel  20  to protectively cover window  43 . In FIG. 10, two bracing devices  10 A are positioned at vertically spaced apart positions to secure panel  20  in a protective position over door  44 .  
         [0063]    In order to secure a bracing device  10 A, the two bar members  21 ,  28  are preliminarily connected together using first connector  24  to engage a selected notch  42  as shown in FIG. 8A. The two bar members  21 ,  28  are angled with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 8 so that the overall length of the connected bar members  21 ,  28  is greater than the horizontal distance between the opposed surfaces  13 ,  14  of the window frame, or door frame  48 . After the bar members  21 ,  28  are preliminarily connected together using connector  24 , the user angles one of the bars  21 ,  28  with respect to the other. In FIG. 8A, the bar  28  is shown after placement at an angle of about 20 degrees with horizontal and also connected to the bar  21  using first connector  24 . The bar member  21  is generally horizontally positioned in FIG. 8A. Because of this preliminary angular orientation of bar member  28  (see FIG. 8A), an interference fit can be achieved by rotating the end portion  29  of bar member  28  toward the bar member  21 . In FIG. 8B, rotation in the direction of arrow  45  has been completed so that end portion  29  of bar member  28  is positioned next to the upper surface  32  of bar member  21 . In this position of FIG. 8B, the bar members  21 ,  28  are aligned and at generally the same horizontal elevational position.  
         [0064]    To perfect the interference fit, the first connector  24  is selectively placed in one of the notches  42  that enables the overall combined bar member length to slightly exceed the door frame width “d” (see FIG. 8C) when the two bar members  21 ,  28  are aligned. The rubber bumpers  26 ,  31  compress slightly to generate an interference or jam fit when the bar members  21 ,  28  are aligned. The connected bar members  21 ,  28  press tightly against the selected window frame  47  or door frame  48 , wedging against the surfaces  13 ,  14  (see FIGS. 8B, 8C). As an example, in FIGS.  8 A- 8 C, the horizontal distance between window or door frame surfaces  13  and  14  might equal 32″, though in typical houses this distance might be 2 feet to 3 feet, and in some commercial buildings and some houses much longer (such as 4 feet to 10 feet). A notch  42  is selected for receiving connector  24  so that when the connected bar members  21 ,  28  are aligned (see FIGS. 8A, 8B), the combined length of the aligned (see FIG. 8B) bar members  21 ,  28  (without the bumpers  26 ,  31 ) is about 31½ inches. The bumpers  26 ,  31  can each extend a distance  49  (see FIG. 7 of about ½″ beyond an end  23  or  29  of a bar member  21  or  28 . With the bumpers, overall combined length of the brace device  10 A is 32½″. Thus, each bumper  26 ,  31  must compress ¼″ generating an interference fit.  
         [0065]    Bar members  21 ,  28  can each typically be about ¾″ by about ¾″ by about 22½″ long for standard openings of about 2-3 feet, and larger when used in larger openings so that an adequate stiffness will be achieved. For example, in a 6 foot opening, bar members  21 ,  28  can each typically be about 1.5″ by about 1.5″ by about 40″ long.  
         [0066]    In FIG. 8C, second connector  40  has been positioned in a selected notch  42  that is next to end portion  29  of bar member  28 . By so positioning the second connector  40 , the bar members  21 ,  28  are maintained in the generally aligned position of FIGS. 8B and 8C.  
         [0067]    The apparatus  10  of the present invention thus provides a protection for any window or door by securing a protective panel  20  over the glass panels  17  of the window  43  or door  44 . By using the bracing devices  10 A of the present invention, the panel  20  can be quickly secured in a protective position without a need for nails, wood screws, machine screws, or other fasteners that might damage the window  43 , door  44  or their respective frames  47 ,  48 .  
         [0068]    Connectors other than connectors  40  (such as the locking rings shown in the provisional patent application whose priority is claimed herein) could be used to connect together bar members  21 ,  28 .  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 shows an embodiment  10 B of the invention which includes spacers  50  to space protective panel  20  (made of, for example, ½″ or ¾″ thick plywood) away from the glass panel  17  to prevent panel  20  from striking glass panel  17  during a strong wind when impacted by a flying member. Spacers  50  can be made, for example, of 1 inch cubes polystyrene plastic with double-stick tape  51  attached to them to allow them to easily attach to the window sash  54  and/or to the protective panel  20 . Suitable means other than double-stick tape  51  could be used to attach the spacers  50  to the window sash  54 , the window frame, and/or the protective panel  20 , and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0070]    The panels  20  are preferably sized to completely cover the windows and doors that they are designed to protect, though even panels which do not completely cover the windows and doors that they are designed to protect are better than no panels at all.  
         [0071]    The following is a list of parts and exemplary materials suitable for use in the present invention:  
                                             PARTS LIST:                                    10   window protection apparatus           10A   bracing device           11   wall           12   recess           13   vertical surface           14   vertical surface           15   horizontal surface           16   horizontal surface           17   glass panel           18   vertical plane           19   vertical plane           20   protective panel           21   first bar member           22   end           23   end           24   connector           25   pivot           26   bumper           27   connector open center           28   second bar member           29   end           30   end           31   bumper           32   top surface           33   bottom surface           34   front surface           35   rear surface           36   top surface           37   bottom surface           38   front surface           39   rear surface           40   second connector           41   open center           42   notch           43   window           44   door           45   arrow           46   arrow           47   window frame           48   door frame           50   spacers (such as polystyrene)           51   double-stick tape           54   window sash                      
 
         [0072]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.  
         [0073]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.