Abstract:
An apparatus for securing a protective panel over a window includes at least one telescoping retainer bar that is tightly fixed within a window frame, adjacent the panel. Spring-biased locking buttons removably seat within one or more longitudinally-disposed apertures to fix the retainer bar at a desired length. At each end of the bar is a resilient pad that firmly engages one of two opposing sides of a window or door frame. One of the pads is movable relative to the bar to further tighten the bar within the frame once the telescoping bar has been extended as far as possible. The pad at the opposing end includes a biasing means for further anchoring the bar within the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/077,447 filed on Mar. 10, 2005, and application Ser. No. 11/973,803 filed on Oct. 10, 2007, both entitled “Apparatus for Wind Protection of Building Openings,” the full disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein and priority of which are hereby claimed. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the prevention of wind damage to windows and doors that can occur during hurricanes and other major storms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for securing protective panels within window and door frames to protect glass from projectiles and wind damage during hurricanes, tornadoes and other major storms. 
         [0003]    Many buildings in certain areas of the country are damaged by violent storms when wind-blown objects impact windows and glass doors. To prepare for a major storm, building occupants often install protective panels over windows and other glass surfaces to prevent breakage. Typically, the occupant must drive piercing fasteners, such as screws or nails, through both the panel and the window frame. However, installing the fasteners is laborious and time-consuming; the fasteners also create unsightly holes through which moisture intrudes thereby damaging both the building interior and the frame. Additionally, many window manufacturers will dishonor a warranty if a fastener hole is formed in the frame. 
         [0004]    The present invention overcomes the above-described disadvantages associated with conventional methods of installing protective coverings over a window by providing a panel retainer that is securable within a window opening without the need for penetrating fasteners. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining a protective panel within a door or window frame. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining a protective panel within a window or door frame that requires minimal labor or equipment. 
         [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining a protective panel within a window or door frame that includes resilient end pads to prevent slipping. 
         [0008]    These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing an apparatus including at least one telescoping retainer bar that is tightly fixed within a window frame, adjacent a protective panel. Spring-biased locking buttons removably seat within one or more longitudinally-disposed apertures to fix the retainer bar at a desired length. 
         [0009]    At each end of the bar is a resilient pad that firmly engages one of two opposing sides of a window or door frame. One of the pads is movable relative to the bar to further tighten the bar within the frame once the telescoping bar has been extended as far as possible. The pad at the opposing end includes a biasing means for further anchoring the bar within the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts the retainer according to the present invention installed within a window frame. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the second mounting assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is detailed view of the first mounting assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is detailed, partially-cutaway view of the spring-biased button mechanism for fixing the bar at a desired length. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a detailed, partially-cutaway view of the second mounting assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the retainer. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the washer assembly of the first mounting assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an isolated view of the first pad. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an isolated view of the second pad. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an isolated view of the first end cap. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an isolated view of the second end cap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Referring now specifically to the drawings, reference numeral  10  designates a retaining bar in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , one or more retaining bars  10  may be provided for each building opening, depending on the height of the opening and the size of the protective panel. A window or door frame  12  surrounds a fragile panel  14 , such as a glass window. In preparation for a storm, a user constructs a protective panel  16  using plywood, metal, plastic or any other similar, shatterproof material. The panel  16  is sized to tightly fit within the frame opening  12  as defined by vertical frame members  18 ,  20  and horizontal frame members  22 ,  24 . The retaining bars  10  may be positioned between the vertical panel members  18  and  20 , or between horizon al frame members  22 ,  24 , as desired. 
         [0022]    The retaining bar  10  is formed of a first, elongated, tubular bar member  30  and a second, elongated, bar member  32  telescopically received therein. A first mounting assembly  34  is secured on a free end of the first bar member  30  while a second mounting assembly  36  is secured on the free end of the second bar member  32 . A plurality of openings  40  are longitudinally disposed on an outside wall  42  of the first bar member  30  that are aligned with corresponding openings formed on an inside wall  46 . A locking means is releasably inserted through the aligned openings to fix the bar at a select length. 
         [0023]    The locking means of the present invention comprises one or more snap buttons  48  and  50 , which extend through the openings  40  and the opposing openings, when released. The snap buttons  48  and  50  are secured on a V-shaped tension member  52  having the snap buttons  48  and  50  on respective legs  54  and  56 . The tension member  52  normally urges the locking buttons  48 ,  50  into the openings in the inside wall  46  and the outside wall  42 . When depressed, the snap buttons  48  and  50  recede into a channel  60  defined by the second bar member  32  ( FIG. 4 ), allowing telescopic, slidable movement of the second bar member  32  in relation to the first bar member  30 . When released, the snap buttons  48  and  50  are forced into the aligned openings in the walls  42 ,  46 , thereby fixing the length of the retainer bar  10  at a select length within the frame opening  12 . 
         [0024]    The first mounting assembly  34  comprises a first contact pad  70  having an inner surface  74 , and an outer surface  72  for contacting the frame member  22 . The contact pad is formed from a resilient but sightly compressible material to firmly engage the frame  12 . Extending from the contact pad  70  is a shaft  76  having a transverse plate  77  on an inner end thereof that prevents the plate  77  and pad  70  from disengaging. At a distal end of the shaft  76  is a peripheral groove  78  for receiving a split snap ring  80  therein. 
         [0025]    The first mounting assembly further comprises a first end cap  82  that includes a central opening  83  surrounded by a larger-diameter counter bore  84 . A flat, ring-shaped washer  86  is mounted on the shaft  76  and contacts the first pad  70 . A plurality of stacked, Belleville washers  88  are mounted on the shaft  76  between the flat washer  86  and the first end cap  82  to provide a biasing means between the end cap  82  and the pad  70 . The stacked Belleville washers bias the first pad outwardly when the bar member  10  is rotated to tighten the device within the frame  12 . The number of Belleville washers may be varied to modify the biasing force; stacking washers in the same direction will provide a stronger biasing force with minimal movement of the pad while stacking in alternating directions will provide a weaker biasing force but greater movement of the pad  70 . Stacking any combinations of oppositely-directed and similarly-facing washers will allow a manufacturer to create a desired biasing force and displacement range. 
         [0026]    A securing pin (not shown) can be inserted through openings  90 ,  92  formed in the first retaining bar member  30  and/or through aligned openings  94 ,  96  of the second retaining bar member  32 . The first end cap is sized and configured to at least partially fit within the channel defined by the first retaining bar member  30 . 
         [0027]    A second mounting assembly  36  is mounted on a free end  102  of the second bar member  32 . The second mounting assembly  36  comprises a second contact pad  104  having a threaded bolt  105  extending from an inner surface thereof. The bolt is threadedly received within a threaded opening formed on a second end cap  106  fastened to the free end  102  of the bar member  32 . The end cap  106  is sized and configured to at least partially fit within the channel  60  defined by the second bar member  32 . A tightening member  108 , such as a wing nut or similar device, is adjustably mounted on the bolt  105  for tightening against a lock washer  110  to fix the second pad  104  at a select distance from the second end cap  106 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the threaded bolt  105  includes a transverse plate  107  on a proximal end that is embedded within the pad  104  to prevent disengagement. 
         [0028]    The contact pads  70  and  104  can be made from a hardened material, such as neoprene, or any other similar material that provides a certain degree of resilience while not damaging the frame  13 . However, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components may be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0029]    To install the device, a user places the protective panel  16  over the glass sheet  14  and positions at least one retainer bar  10  between the vertical frame members  18  and  20 (or the horizon al members  22 , 24 ). The first mounting assembly  34  is placed against the inner surface of frame member  18  and the snap buttons  48  and  50  are depressed to allow the bar  10  to be extended. The second bar member is extended outwardly relative to the first bar member until the second pad  104  engages, or nearly engages vertical frame member  20 . The snap buttons  48 ,  50  are then released and seated within a nearest one of the openings  40  to fix the bar  10  at a substantially-extended orientation. The second pad  104  is rotated until it firmly engages the frame member  20  thereby tenuously fixing the bar  10  between frame members  18 , 20 . Because the pads  72 ,  104  engage respective frame members  18 , 20 , the bar  10  is rotatable while the pads  72 ,  104  remain fixed. The entire bar  10  is then rotated in a direction that causes the bolt  105  to extend the pad  104  relative to the second bar member  32  until the bar is firmly anchored between the frame members  18 , 20 . A tightening rod  102  may be inserted into openings  90 , 92  to provide additional leverage to further tighten the bar  10 . A washer  110  prevents over-tightening of the bar. The wing nut  108  is then tightened against the second end cap to further secure the components in a fixed orientation. To remove the device, the above-described process is reversed. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the length of the bar members  30 ,  32  are such that the entire device is adjustable to fit within a 3-foot to a 4½-foot window frame; however, the length can be varied to accommodate larger or smaller window frames as well. 
         [0031]    The retainer bar  10  can be ins ailed in a relatively short period of time following notification from the National Weather Service that a hurricane, tornado or other windstorm is approaching. The protective panel  16  can be precut to fit into a desired opening and one or two retaining bars  10  are secured over the panel  16  without the need for penetrating fasteners. Once the storm subsides, the retainer bars  10  can be removed by simply retracting the bar members  30 ,  32  and storing the protective panel  16  and bar  10  for future use. 
         [0032]    The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. The retaining bar  10  can be made from a lightweight, corrosive-resistant material such as aluminum. However, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied. 
         [0033]    Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.