Storm shutter

The invention is a removable translucent and shatter resistant storm shutter removably secured within upper and lower brackets mounted on a window frame. The lower bracket is adaptable to window sills of varying angles due to an adjustable lower angle member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to removable storm windows and brackets therefor. 
Conventional methods of protecting windows against adverse weather 
conditions include nailing plywood over the window or covering the window 
with permanently attached hinged shutters which are swung together over 
the window when required and are swung apart and decorative in nature when 
not being used. Further, removable protectable panels are found in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 2,568,195; 2,572,764; 2,878,536; 3,745,704; and Canada Pat. No. 
687,915. These patents disclose upper and lower brackets mounted adjacent 
to the window structure and a panel of heavy material held in place 
between the two brackets to protect the window. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is a removable translucent and shatter resistant storm 
shutter. The shutter is removably secured within upper and lower brackets 
mounted on a window frame. The lower bracket is adaptable for use on 
window frame with non-horizontal sills by an adjustable lower angle 
member. The shutter is translucent and shatter resistant. 
The apparatus consists of brackets mounted on a window frame and a shutter 
removably secured therein. One bracket opens downwardly and is mounted on 
the top of the frame and the other bracket opens upwardly and is mounted 
on the bottom of the frame. Both brackets are generally U-shaped with a 
slightly flared outer side to facilitate the installation of the shutter. 
The bottom bracket has a support member attached to its bottom side which 
is compressably adjustable to achieve a horizontal relationship between 
the two brackets regardless of the incline of the sill. When the shutter 
is inserted into the opening of the upper bracket and elevated to its 
maximum, the bottom of the shutter easily slips over the flared outer side 
of the bottom bracket. The shutter is then slid down into the bottom 
bracket and is securely held in place by both brackets. 
The invention has a compressably adjustable support member on the lower 
bracket which allows the brackets to be mounted horizontally parallel to 
each other regardless of the window frame construction. The shutter is 
comprised of a plurality of panels held together in an H-shaped connecting 
bar which is slidably adjustable into a frame. This construction provides 
strength to the shutter as well as flexibility and adaptability to join 
several panels together to protect any size glassed area. Some of the many 
advantages of this invention include: (1) ease of installation, (2) 
simplicity of use, (3) permanency of equipment because there are no rubber 
gaskets or stops to deteriorate, (4) strength of the apparatus, (5) 
adaptability of the apparatus to any size window, (6) effectiveness in 
holding the shutter securely in the brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to 
like or similar parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 
1 a storm shutter apparatus embodying one form of the present invention. 
The storm shutter apparatus includes a translucent and shatter resistant 
shutter 2, an upper bracket 8 and a lower bracket 6. Shutter 2 is composed 
of an upper panel 10 and a lower panel 12 held together by a connecting 
bar 14 and side molding 16. Handle 20 is attached to connecting bar 14 to 
facilitate installation of shutter 2 into upper bracket 8 and lower 
bracket 6. Materials to be used in constructing the storm shutter 
apparatus are only limited by the requirements of strength and flexibility 
and economy for the particular purpose. Plastic, steel, and wood are all 
acceptable materials for the shutter as well as for the frame. Shatter 
resistant shutter 2 if made of plastic, or some translucent material, 
allows light passage, is noncorrosive and is insulating. 
The preferred material for construction of shutter 2 is 1/2" thick 
polycarbonate structure sheet in an aluminum channel frame. The preferred 
structure sheet is a polycarbonate sheet extruded from a grade of 
polycarbonate with high impact resistance, excellent flame retardance and 
high clarity. This type of material is commercially available from Polygal 
U.S.A. Channels run vertically through the sheet aiding the high 
insulation properties. This type of sheet is very economical for 
construction of shutter 2 and desirable because it is lightweight, strong, 
a good insulator, and translucent. 
Test results for differential static air pressure applied to the invented 
storm shutter apparatus are as follows: 
______________________________________ 
Approximate 
Test Load Wind Velocity 
Permanent 
Pounds/Sq.Ft. 
Equivalent, MPH 
Deformation, Inches 
______________________________________ 
10 63 0.000 
20 89 0.002 
30 109 0.004 
40 126 0.005 
50 141 0.009 
60 154 0.018 
70 167 0.021 
80 179 0.147 
80 179 0.151 
** 
90 189 0.152 
*** 
93 193 0.152 
______________________________________ 
The differential static air pressure was applied in 10 psf increments 
acting in a positive inward direction. Each load was maintained for 10 
seconds, removed, and then any permanent deformation recorded. The results 
of this testing indicated only very slight changes in the storm shutter 
apparatus. 
Shutter 2 is contructed of individual panels, upper panel 10 and lower 
panel 12. Upper panel 10 and lower panel 12 are fitted into side molding 
16 and connecting bar 14. Side molding 16 surrounds the perimeter of 
panels 10 and 12. Lower set screw 24 and upper set screw 22 secure panels 
10 and 12, respectively, within side molding 16. Connecting bar 14 is 
H-shaped with an upwardly opening channel 26, a downwardly opening channel 
28, and angle bar insertion aperture 30. Upper panel 10 is fitted into 
upwardly opening channel bar 26 and lower panel 12 is fitted into 
downwardly opening channel bar 28. The structure is held together by angle 
bar 118, which inserts into angle bar insertion aperture 30 and side 
molding 16. This configuration permits use of unequally sized structure 
sheets for upper panel 10 and lower panel 12. It also provides greater 
rigidity and strength. Connecting bar 14 gives increased structural 
support to shutter 2. 
Shutter 2 is held securely in lower bracket 6 at first and second wedge 
points 32 and 34 and in upper bracket 8 by third and fourth wedge points 
36 and 38. The shortest distance between the first and second sides of 
upper bracket 8 and lower bracket 6 form wedge points 32, 34, 36, and 38, 
respectively. Shutter 2 is inserted into upper bracket 8 at a first angle 
rotated to a second angle and slide downward into bottom bracket 6. Upper 
portion 8 of first side 76 of lower bracket 6 and lower portion 48 of 
first side 40 are flared outwardly to facilitate insertion of shutter 2 
into brackets 6, 8. The angle of insertion allows panel 2 to pass over 
first side 76 into upper bracket 8 and slide down into lower bracket 6. 
Shutter 2 will not rattle when held between first and second wedge points 
32 and 34 of lower bracket 6 and first and second wedge points 36 and 38 
of upper bracket 8. It is difficult to perfectly align upper bracket 8 and 
lower bracket 6 in mounting the brackets on the window sills. Because of 
this nonparallel alignment of the brackets, shutter 2 is held slightly 
twisted. As a result, the shutter does not rattle. 
The combination of these methods to hold shutter 2 securely in place 
without gaskets or rubberized points overcomes the deterioration problem 
with use and exposure prevalent in conventional methods. 
Upper bracket 8 has a first side 40 with inner face 42, upper portion 44 
and lower portion 48. Lower portion 48 is slightly flared to facilitate 
installation of shutter 2 and has outer support bead 30. Second side 52 of 
upper bracket 8 has inner face 54 and outer face 56, with upper portion 58 
and lower portion 60. Lower portion 60 has inner support bead 62. Top side 
64 of the upper bracket 8 has outer face 66 with drill groove 68 and inner 
face 70. Extension arm 72 with drill groove 74 is an optional means of 
attachment of upper bracket 8. First side 40 and second side 52 of upper 
bracket 8 are parallel. Lower portions 48 and 60 of first side 40 and 
second side 52 are also parallel but at a different angle than upper 
portions 44 and 58. Wedge points 36 and 38 are formed where lower portion 
48 flares from upper portion 44 and inner support bead 62 flares from 
upper portion 58. This is the shortest distance between first side 40 and 
second side 52 and securely holds shutter 2 when inserted into upper 
bracket 8. 
Lower bracket 6 has first side 76 with inner face 78, outer face 80, upper 
portion 82 and lower portion 84. Upper portion 82 has outer support bead 
86. Second side 88 has inner face 90 and outer face 92. Lower bracket 6 
has support member 94 with bottom leg 96 and upright leg 98. Bottom leg 96 
has inner face 100 and outer face 102. Upright leg 98 has outer face 104 
with support bead member 108 and inner face 106. Bottom side 110 has outer 
face 111 and inner face 112 with drill groove 114. Outer face 111 of 
bottom side 110 forms an angle with inner face 108 of bottom leg 96. The 
size of the angle depends upon the relative positions of lower bracket 6 
and upper bracket 8 when attached to a window sill. 
Lower bracket 6 can be adjustably positioned into a horizontally parallel 
relationship with upper bracket 8 by suport member 94. Support member 94 
is sufficiently flexible to bend from 20.degree. to 0.degree. or vice 
versa, is typically positioned at a 12.degree. angle from the upper 
bracket and is sufficiently rigid to support shutter 2. Screw means 116 is 
used to adjust lower bracket 6 to the desired position relative to upper 
bracket 8 by increasing or decreasing the size angle of support member 94. 
The greater the window sill incline, the greater support member 94 must be 
extended. The angle of support member 94 is formed between outer face 111 
of bottom side 108 and inner face 100 of bottom leg 96. The size of the 
angle depends upon the relative position of upper bracket 8 and lower 
bracket 6 when mounted on the window sill. Drill groove 114 insures proper 
placement of lower bracket 6 by designating the proper positioning for 
screw means 116. 
The proper positioning of lower bracket 6 relative to upper bracket 8 
depending upon the incline configuration of the window frames as 
illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. 5 illustrates a window frame 
configuration in which the upper and lower window sills are horizontally 
parallel. Because of the parallel relationship of the window sills, lower 
bracket 6 and upper bracket 8 when mounted on the sills are also in a 
horizontally parallel relationship. Support member 94 is not used in this 
configuration and outer face 111 of bottom side 108 is flush with inner 
face 100 of bottom leg 96. It is important that lower bracket 6 and upper 
bracket 8 are maintained in a horizontally parallel relationship to 
properly place and secure shutter 2 in upper bracket 6 and lower bracket 
8. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a window frame configuration in which the relationship 
of the window sills is at a slight incline. Support member 94 is shown in 
a position to maintain lower bracket 6 in a horizontal position with upper 
bracket 8. The size angle formed between outer face 111 of bottom side 108 
and inner face 100 of bottom leg 96 depends upon the incline of the window 
sills. The greater the incline, the greater the size of the angle 
necessarily required to position the brackets in a horizontal 
relationship. Screw means 116 is used to make this adjustment by the 
distance the screw is screwed into the sill. 
FIG. 7 illustrates a window frame configuration in which the lower window 
sill is at a great incline relative to that of the upper window sill. When 
upper bracket 8 and lower bracket 6 are mounted on such a window frame 
configuration, the brackets will not be in a proper relationship to permit 
the shutter to fit in both. Screw means 116 is used to adjust bracket 6 
parallel with upper bracket 8. Support member 94 is extended forming a 
large size angle between outer face 111 of bottom side 108 and inner face 
100 of bottom leg 96. Screw means 116 is used to adjust lower bracket 6 
with upper bracket 8 by the distance screw means 116 is driven into the 
lower window sill. This allows for forming a greater size angle between 
inner face 100 of bottom leg 96 and outer face 111 of bottom side 110. 
Angle bar 118 inserts into side molding 16 and connecting bar 14. Angle bar 
118 is comprised of side support 120, center support 122 and center bar 
124. Center bar 124 has a first notch 126 and a second notch 128. Angle 
bar 118 is adjustably slidable into angle bar insertion aperture 30 and 
side molding 16 to secure upper panel 10 and lower panel 12 to side 
molding 16 and thus form shutter 2. First notch 126 and second notch 128 
are sized and shaped to insert side support 120 into side molding 16 and 
to hold angle bar 118 securely within side molding 16 and connecting bar 
14. This configuration provides structural integrity to shutter 2. Since 
angle bar 118 is slidably adjustable, shutter 2 can be composed of two 
separate pieces of structure sheet. This is more economical than using 
large pieces of material and also provides greater structural strength to 
the shutter 2 overall. The slidably adjustable angle bar 118 also allows 
use of irregular or mismatched pieces of material in constructing shutter 
2. 
As illustrated in FIG. 9, angle bar 118 is slidably adjustable into side 
molding 16 and connecting bar 14 by side support 120 inserting into side 
molding 16 and center support 122 inserting into angle bar insertion 
aperture 30 of connecting bar 14. First notch 126 and second notch 128 fit 
closely within side molding 16 to allow side support 120 to be slidably 
adjustable within side molding 16. 
The storm shutter apparatus is securely held to the frame of the window by 
upper and lower brackets being screwed to the window sills. However, for 
extra security, a blot and latch arrangement can be attached to the 
shutter apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a bolt 130 is attached to 
connecting bar 14 and outer side molding 16 and latch 134 is attached to 
the frame of the window. By this means, the storm shutter apparatus can be 
held more securely to the frame of the window. This further prevents 
rattling or any movement of the storm shutter apparatus. Also, the bolt 
and latch can be used to permanently secure the storm shutter apparatus to 
the structure and can be locked. The storm shutter apparatus can be 
secured to the inside or outside of the window frame to provide greater 
security to the structure. 
While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred 
embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular 
form set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such 
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the 
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.