Shutter system

Embodiments of a panel-less shutter assembly comprise a series of parallel louvers mounted within a closed rectangular rail frame. Spring-loaded guides may be mounted between the rail frame and the window frame to self-center the assembly within the opening of the window frame. Carriers mounted on the ends of the louvers glide up and down within channels of the side rails to allow raising and lowering of the louvers. Spring-loaded channel slides may be coupled to the carriers. The channel slides have tabs that extend through slots in the side rails to maintain the positions of the louvers relative to the side rails. The tabs have a diagonal surface that engages the top edge of the slot to disengage the tab from the slot when a user raises the louvers. A method of using a panel-less shutter assembly is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to window treatments and more particularly to a panel-less shutter assembly.

State of the Art

There are several types of window treatments available, most of which require some form of measuring the dimensions of a particular window and seeking a window treatment that fits the window. Windows are generally of common dimensions, with variations in those dimensions or a window that is out-of-square, for reasons such as construction error or settling of the house foundation. These slight variations are of particular concern when installing shutters, shutter blinds or like window treatments. When shutters are installed onto windows, a precise measurement must be made in order to best fit the shutter to the window. The shutters are then made to the precise measurements and installed.

In order to avoid having to make such precise measurements and the related costs, the use of a face mount frame was introduced. This enabled the variations of the window size to be accounted for and corrected by first installing a window frame that would result in the proper size of frame for the shutters to be installed, allowing the shutters to be installed onto the face mount frame. The shutters were installed without the need of precise measurements to account for the small inconsistencies in window opening dimensions.

Conventional frames are able to house conventional shutters that include panels for retaining louvers and a louver bar for rotating the louvers into an open position. Hinges are used to connect the shutter panel to the frame to provide egress or access to the window. Traditional shutter panels reduce the viewable area of the window when the louvers are rotated, reducing the amount of natural light that may enter or restricting the view out of a scenic window.

Additionally, conventional shutters employ what is commonly referred to as panels that are hingedly coupled to a frame. There are typically four panels that surround the louvers of the shutters, the panels forming a type of door-like structure. The louvers are rotated by use of a louver bar coupled to the outside of the louvers, the louver bar allowing a user to grasp the louver bar and move it vertically to change the angle the of the louvers in order to provide various points of opening of the louvers. For egress, the panels are hinged on one side and a user can rotate the panels away from the window for reasons that require access to the window.

These conventional shutters have limitations. The panels are required to retain the louvers and to provide egress to the window. Further, the installation of conventional shutters is a task that requires professional installation, particularly since the dimensions of windows are not exact, making it difficult to self-install shutters. The installation requires pre-measurement of all dimensions of windows to be treated and then custom manufacture of the shutters for the windows. This increases the cost of manufacture dramatically and further increases the time it takes to install the shutters.

Accordingly, there is a need in the window treatment field for a panel-less shutter assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to window treatments and more particularly to a panel-less shutter assembly.

Embodiments of a panel-less shutter assembly, of the present invention, comprise a rectangular rail frame and a plurality of louvers operationally coupled thereto.

The rail frame may be a closed rectangular frame comprising four rail members. Each of the four rail members may have a generally U-shaped cross section, with a channel facing inward, and may have a facing coupled thereto along an inner front edge of an arm thereof, thereby forming a groove, between the inner surface of the facing and the outer surface of the arm, for receiving fascia.

The rail frame may be configured to fit within the opening of a window frame, leaving a gap between each of the four rail members and the inner surfaces of the window frame. The fascia described above conceals the gap. In some embodiments, the rail frame is configured to be self-centering within the opening of the window frame. In a preferred embodiment, the rail frame comprises two spaced spring-loaded upper guides coupled to the top rail thereof and two spaced spring-loaded lower guides coupled to the lower rail thereof. In such embodiments, the springs within the spring-loaded guides operate to bias the guides against the top and bottom inner surfaces of the window frame, respectively, such that the rail frame is self-centered between the top and bottom inner surfaces of the window frame.

In some embodiments, each of the guides is of uniform depth and is disposed such that the rear surfaces thereof engage the inner surface of the window pane or framework thereof.

A panel-less shutter assembly of the present invention further comprises a plurality of louvers operationally mounted horizontally within the rail frame in a parallel configuration. Each end of each of the plurality of louvers may be rotationally coupled to a carrier that is configured to be inserted into the channels of the left and right vertical rails, respectively. Each louver may thereby be rotated with respect to the carriers, about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation coinciding with the line between the carrier coupled to a first end of the louver and the carrier coupled to the second end of the louver. Each carrier is configured to slide up and down within the channels of the left and right vertical rails, respectively, thereby allowing the louvers to be raised and lowered with respect to the rail frame.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of louvers may be connected, in series, by a pair of flexible connecting devices whereby the plurality of louvers may be configured to be rotated between an open configuration and a closed configuration in unison.

Some embodiments may comprise one or more vertical center rails coupled between the bottom rail and the top rail at a position between the left and right side rails. A center rail divides the rail frame into sections and is particularly useful in applications for wide window openings.

In some embodiments, the carriers coupled to each end of each louver may be coupled thereto at a location that is off-center between the top edge and the bottom edge of the louver. Because the axis of rotation is therefore off-center, the louver may tend to fall to an open position in response to the force of gravity acting on the louver.

Some embodiments may comprise a mechanism, such as a detent mechanism, for allowing the louvers to snap into an open position, a closed position, or any of a variety of positions between an open position and a closed position.

In operation, a user may grasp the bottom louver and lift it upward, thereby successively lifting each adjoining louver, until all of the louvers are stacked together, and the stack of louvers engages the top rail of the rail frame.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of each of the vertical side rails has a plurality of slots therethrough, each slot corresponding to the position of each corresponding louver when the louvers are in their original, and not lifted, positions. A carrier slide may be slidingly coupled to each carrier, wherein the carrier slide has an outward tab configured to extend outwardly through the slot while in the engaged position and retract inwardly, such that the outward tab does not extend through the slot, while in the disengaged position. The carrier slide is configured to slide between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

In operation, when a user lifts a first louver, wherein a second louver is disposed directly above the first louver, the carrier slide coupled to the first louver slides inward to a disengaged position in response to a slanted upper surface thereof engaging an upper surface of the slot. As each successive louver is raised, each corresponding carrier slide is biased in a disengaged position by the carrier slide above it, until all of the louvers have been raised to the lifted position.

In some embodiments, a trigger mechanism may be operationally coupled to the bottom carrier slide for engaging the bottom carrier slide and moving it inward to a disengaged position in response to a user pushing the trigger mechanism.

A method of using a panel-less shutter assembly is also disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate generally to window treatments and more particularly to a panel-less shutter assembly.

Embodiments of a panel-less shutter assembly, of the present invention, comprise a rectangular rail frame and a plurality of louvers operationally coupled thereto.

Referring to theFIGS. 1-16, the rail frame12of a panel-less shutter assembly10may be a closed rectangular frame comprising four rail members consisting of a top rail14, a bottom rail16, and left and right side rails18and20, wherein the top and bottom rails14and16are disposed horizontally and parallel to each other and the two side rails18and20are disposed vertically and parallel to each other, as shown inFIGS. 1-4. (The left side rail is not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). As shown inFIG. 5, each of the four rail members14,16,18, and20may have a generally U-shaped cross section and may have a facing22coupled thereto along an inner front edge of an arm thereof, thereby forming a groove24, between the inner surface of the facing22and the outer surface of the arm, for receiving fascia as described in more detail below. In such embodiments, channel28of each of the four rail members having a U-shaped cross section, is inward-facing toward the center of the rectangular frame12.

The rail frame12may be overall smaller than, and configured to fit within, an opening of a window frame, leaving a gap between each of the four rail members14,16,18, and20and the inner surfaces of the window frame, respectively. In some embodiments, the rail frame12is configured to be self-centering within the opening of the window frame. For example, the rail frame12may comprise at least one spring-loaded upper guide30coupled to the top rail14thereof and at least one spring-loaded lower guide32coupled to the lower rail16thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the rail frame12comprises two spaced spring-loaded upper guides30coupled to the top rail14thereof and two spaced spring-loaded lower guides32coupled to the lower rail16thereof. In such embodiments, as shown inFIG. 15, the spring-loaded upper and lower guides30and32are L-shaped members with a vertical portion33and horizontal portion35, wherein springs34of the spring-loaded guides30and32operate to bias the guides30and32against the top and bottom inner surfaces of the window frame, respectively, such that the rail frame12is self-centered between the top and bottom inner surfaces of the window frame. Although the window frame may be slightly out-of-square, and/or the top and bottom inner surfaces of the window frame may not be exactly horizontal or parallel to each other, the spring force of each guide30and32may be independently adjustable, whereby the rail frame12may be rotated with respect to the window frame until the top and bottom rails14and16thereof are horizontal, in response to adjustment of the guides30and32. The horizontal portions of the guides30and32may be coupled to inner portions of the bottom and top window frame respectively with screws through apertures in the horizontal portions33, wherein rear surfaces42thereof engage the inner surface of the window pane or framework thereof to provide proper spacing from the window to allow for rotation of the louvers.

As shown inFIG. 16, the positions of the top and bottom rails14and16, with respect to the guides30and32, may be secured by a quick release skewer122. A quick release skewer122, as shown, comprises a threaded rod22, coupled to each of the top and bottom rails14and16, corresponding to each of the spring-loaded guides30and32, and extending through a slot128formed in a vertical portion35of the L-shaped guide in the guide30,32. The quick release skewer122further comprises a lever-operated cam assembly126. In operation, a user may release the cam assembly126by rotating lever130to a disengaged position, thereby allowing the rail14,16to move freely with respect to the guide30,32. Then the user may secure the cam assembly126by rotating lever130to an engaged position, thereby securing the rail14,16to the guide30,32. The rail frame12may be approximately centered between the left and right inner surfaces of the window frame by a user simply moving the rail frame12left or right, accordingly.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the rail frame12is smaller than the opening of the window frame, and easily centered therein, in that manufacture of the rail frame12can be done without the added cost and time of precise measurements of the window opening. Rail frames12may thus be manufactured en masse to approximate standard window opening sizes without regard to precise fitting of a rail frame12to a particular window opening. A further advantage is that, with only minimal effort and without the need for precise measurements, the rail frame12may be leveled and trued within a window opening that is not level and/or not true.

In such embodiments, gaps remain around the perimeter of the rail frame12between each of the four rail members14,16,18, and20and the inner surfaces of the window opening, respectively. As shown inFIG. 6, The gaps may be covered by fascia26. For example, in a preferred embodiment, each of the top, bottom, left, and right gaps may be covered by a top, bottom, left and right fascia26, respectively. Each of the fascia26may have an L-shaped contour, wherein a first leg36thereof is partially inserted into the groove24, between the inner surface of the facing22and the outer surface of the arm of the rail14,16,18, and20, and the outer surface of the second leg38thereof is biased against the inner surface of the window opening, respectively. The fascia26may remain in place within the groove24by friction, or by other securing means, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one fascia tension spring100may be coupled to the edge106of the first leg36of fascia26, as shown inFIG. 14. Fascia tension spring100may be a U-shaped tension spring, as shown, or any other suitable tension spring, such as a coil spring, or the like. The U-shaped tension spring100, as shown inFIG. 14, has a first end102and an opposed second end104. The first end102is coupled to the edge106, such as by a clip108, or other suitable coupling device. The second end104is free to slide along edge106, in a direction indicated by bidirectional arrow118, in response to a force acting on vertex116of the fascia tension spring100, in a direction indicated by bidirectional arrow120. When the first leg36fascia26is inserted into the groove24, as shown inFIG. 6, the vertex116of tension spring100is biased against the rail14,16,18, or20, accordingly, within the groove24, thereby biasing the second leg38of fascia26against an inner surface of the window frame. Corner fascia40is free to slide with respect to one of rail14,16,18, or20, and with respect to an adjacent rail14,16,18, or20. This allows the corner fascia40to be biased firmly into the inside corner of a window opening in response to rail14,16,18, or20and the adjacent rail14,16,18, or20being biased against the inner walls of the window opening, thereby preventing any gaps between the corner fascia40and the inner walls of the window opening.

Because the first leg36thereof is only partially inserted into the groove24, the fascia26may be oriented parallel to the inner surface of the window opening, rather than parallel to the rail14,16,18or20, in the event the inner surface of the window opening is not level, plumb or, collectively true, so that the gap may be completely covered under any such condition. As shown inFIG. 7, this preferred embodiment may further comprise an L-shaped corner fascia40at each corner thereof, the corner fascia40having an L-shaped cross section, similar to the top, bottom, left and right fascia26described above. The four corner fascia40may similarly be partially inserted into the grooves24of adjoining rail members14,16,18, and20, respectively, to cover the gaps at the corners of the window frame. Each corner fascia40may overlap each adjoining top, bottom, left and right fascia26, respectively, as shown.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some embodiments, each of the guides30and32is of uniform depth and is configured to be disposed such that the rear surfaces42thereof engage the inner surface of the window pane or framework thereof. This feature is advantageous in that it eliminates the need for the time and expense of measuring the depth at which the rail frame12is inserted into the window frame. Furthermore, the rail frame12is thereby assuredly disposed parallel to the window pane at the proper predetermined distance from the window pane.

As shown inFIG. 9, a panel-less shutter assembly10of the present invention further comprises a plurality of louvers44operationally mounted horizontally within the rail frame12in a parallel configuration. Each of the plurality of louvers44may be an elongated plank, of solid or hollow construction. In some embodiments, the louvers44may be hollow and have a substantially flat elliptical cross section, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. Such hollow louvers may have a pair of end caps46coupled thereto at each end thereof, respectively, to enclose the ends thereof. Each end of each of the plurality of louvers44may be rotationally coupled to a carrier48that is configured to be inserted into a channel28of the left and right vertical rails18and20, respectively. Each louver44may thereby be rotated with respect to the carriers48, about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation coinciding with the line between the carrier48coupled to a first end of the louver44and the carrier48coupled to the second end of the louver44. In some embodiments, the louver44is coupled to the carrier48by a ball joint50, wherein a ball52thereof is coupled to a protrusion54extending from the end of the louver44and a ball catch56thereof is coupled to the carrier48for receiving the ball52. Each carrier48is configured to slide up and down within the channels28of the left and right vertical rails18and20, respectively, thereby allowing the louvers44to be raised and lowered with respect to the rail frame12.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of louvers44may be connected, in series, by a pair of flexible connecting devices (not shown), such as a cord, a rope, a string, a ribbon, a chain, or the like, wherein a first connecting device58is coupled to each of the first ends of the louvers44, respectively, at equally-spaced intervals along the first connecting device58, and a second connecting device58is coupled to each of the second ends of the louvers44, respectively, at equally-spaced intervals along the second connecting device58. In some embodiments, the connecting device58is a ball chain, comprising a rope, a string, a cord, a chain, or the like, and a plurality of spherical balls coupled thereto at spaced intervals. In such embodiments, a connecting device ball catch is coupled to each of the ends of each louver44, and configured to receive each spherical ball therein, respectively, for hingedly coupling the louvers44to the connecting device58. The connecting device ball catch coupled to each end of each louver44may be coupled near a bottom edge62thereof, such that, as a user rotates a louver44in a downward direction, all other louvers44below that rotated louver44will rotate downward in unison with the rotated louver. Thus, by rotating the uppermost louver44downward, all the other louvers44will rotate downward in unison. Similarly, as a user rotates a louver44to in an upward direction, all other louvers44above that rotated louver44will rotate upward in unison with the rotated louver. Thus, by rotating the bottommost louver44upward, all the other louvers44will rotate upward in unison.

While the louvers44are in the closed configuration, there remains a first gap between the uppermost louver44and the top rail14and a second gap between the lowermost louver44and the bottom rail16. In some embodiments an upper louver stop102, as shown inFIG. 12, may be coupled to and extend downward from the top rail14to fill the first gap and provide a surface against which the uppermost louver44may rest while in the open position. Furthermore, a lower louver stop104, as shown inFIG. 12, may be coupled to and extend upward from the bottom rail16to fill the second gap and provide a surface against which the lowermost louver44may rest while in the open position.

Some embodiments may comprise one or more vertical center rails coupled between the bottom rail16and the top rail14at a position between the left and right side rails18and20. A center rail divides the rail frame12into sections and is particularly useful in applications for wide window openings. Where a side rail18or20may have a generally U-shaped configuration, a center rail may have a generally H-shaped configuration, the center rail having two channels28on opposing sides thereof, respectively, for accommodating sets of louvers44, with corresponding appurtenances, on either side of the center rail.

The distance between adjoining louvers44may be slightly smaller than the width of each louver44, so that, while in a closed configuration, each louver44necessarily overlaps any adjoining louvers44, thereby completely blocking light from passing between the louvers44while in a closed configuration. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the carriers48coupled to each end of each louver44may be coupled thereto at a location that is off-center between the top edge60and the bottom edge62of the louver44. For example, the end of each louver44may be coupled to a carrier48at a location near the bottom edge62of the louver44. Because the axis of rotation is therefore off-center, the louver44may tend to fall to an open position in response to the force of gravity acting on the louver44. Each of the plurality of louvers44, similarly configured, thereby tends to fall into the open position uniformly. While in the closed position, the angle of rotation of each louver44may be vertical, or nearly vertical, such that the force of gravity acting on the louver44is insufficient to cause the louver to fall into an open position, thereby allowing the louvers44to remain in the closed position.

Some embodiments may comprise a mechanism for allowing the louvers44to snap into an open position, a closed position, or any of a variety of positions between an open position and a closed position. For example, in some embodiments, such a mechanism may be a ball piston64and a plurality of corresponding ball detents66, or any other suitable mechanical arrangement, between the ends of each louver44and the corresponding carriers48to which they are coupled, for temporarily holding the louver44in a fixed rotational position, or various fixed rotational positions, between an open position and a closed position, inclusively. In the embodiment, a ball piston64is coupled to the carrier48and the end cap46of the louver44comprises a series of corresponding ball detents66.

The configuration of the plurality of louvers44, as described above, coupled at the ends thereof to carriers48that slide upward and downward within the channels28of the vertical side rails18and20, enables a user to lift the louvers44upward to a lifted configuration, as shown inFIG. 12. For example, in operation, a user may grasp the bottom louver44and lift it upward, thereby successively lifting each adjoining louver44, until all of the louvers44are stacked together, and the stack of louvers engages the top rail14of the rail frame12. The louvers44may then be allowed to fall back to their original positions by simply lowering the bottom louver44back to its original position.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of each of the vertical side rails18and20has a plurality of apertures70therethrough (or recesses formed therein), each aperture70corresponding to the position of each corresponding louver44when the louvers44are in their original, and not lifted, positions. A carrier slide72may be slidingly coupled to each carrier48, wherein the carrier slide72has an outward tab74configured to extend outwardly through the aperture70while in the engaged position and retract inwardly, such that the outward tab74does not extend through the aperture70, while in the disengaged position. The carrier slide72is configured to slide between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The carrier slide72may be spring-loaded, wherein a spring100is coupled between the carrier slide72and the carrier48such that the carrier slide72is biased in the engaged position, thereby extending the outward tab74thereof through the aperture70, when no other forces act on the carrier slide72to disengage the carrier slide72. When each of the two carrier slides72, one at each end of the louver44, is in the engaged position, the louver44is thereby securely suspended. The outward tab74of the carrier slide72may comprise an upper surface76that is slanted, such that, by a user lifting the louver44upward, the slanted upper surface76of the outward tab74engages the upper surface of the aperture70, thereby overcoming the carrier slide spring100and pushing the carrier slide72inward to a disengaged position, allowing the louver44to be freely raised to a lifted position by the user. As the user lowers the louver44back to the original unlifted position, the spring100forces the carrier slide72outward, such that the outward tab74extends outward through the aperture70again, thereby securely suspending the louver44. It should be understood that carriers48and carrier slides72at both ends of the louver44operate in a similar fashion, simultaneously and in concert, as the user raises and lowers the louver44.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that each carrier slide72may further comprise an upward tab80extending upward therefrom, the upward tab80having an outer slanted surface82, and a lower slot84through the lower surface of the carrier slide72. The carrier48further comprises an inner slanted carrier surface88. In operation, when a user lifts a first louver44, wherein a second louver44is disposed directly above the first louver44, the carrier slide72coupled to the first louver44slides inward to a disengaged position in response to the slanted upper surface76thereof engaging the upper surface of the aperture70. The user may continue to raise the first louver44until the outer slanted surface82of the upward tab80is inserted upwardly through the lower slot84through the lower surface of the carrier slide72coupled to the second louver44until the outer slanted surface82of the first upward tab80engages the inner slanted surface88of the second carrier48such that the first carrier slide72is biased in a disengaged position by the second carrier slide72. As each successive louver44is raised, each corresponding carrier slide72is thereby biased in a disengaged position by the carrier slide72above it, until all of the louvers44have been raised to the lifted position.

An assembly, comprising a carrier, a carrier slide slidingly coupled thereto, and a spring coupled between the carrier and the carrier slide, may be referred to as a carrier assembly.

In some embodiments, a trigger mechanism90may be operationally coupled to the bottom carrier48, one trigger mechanism90being operationally coupled to each of the bottom carriers48at each end of the bottom louver44, such that engagement of the trigger90by a user causes the bottom carrier slide72to slide inward to a disengaged position. For example, the trigger90may be a lever arm hingedly coupled at a middle location thereof to the bottom carrier48, wherein pressing a thumb tab92, on a first end94thereof, in an outward direction, causes the second end96thereof to move in an inward direction, engaging the bottom carrier slide72and moving it inward to a disengaged position.

In operation, in accordance with the above descriptions, a user may configure a panel-less shutter assembly10, of the present invention, in any of a variety of ways. For example, while the louvers44are in the original unlifted position, with the carrier slides72in the engaged position extending through the respective apertures70in the side rails18and20, a user may rotate the uppermost louver44downward, causing all the other louvers44to rotate downward in unison. Similarly, by rotating the bottommost louver44upward, all the other louvers44will rotate upward in unison. As the user rotates a louver, the ball piston64at each carrier48may engage successive ball detents66at each end of the louvers44to maintain the desired rotation angle of the louvers44between fully-open and fully-closed.

In addition, while the louvers44are in the open configuration, a user may lift all the louvers44to a lifted and stacked position by engaging the trigger mechanisms90to disengage the bottom carrier slides72and lifting the bottom louver44, which, in turn causes the other louvers44to be lifted and stacked in succession. Furthermore, in some embodiments, while the louvers44are in the closed configuration, a user may engage the triggers90to disengage the bottom carrier slides72and lift the bottom louver44. As the bottom louver44is lifted by the user, the tension in the connecting device58between the bottom louver44and the adjoining louver44is released, thereby allowing the bottom louver44to rotate into the open position by the force of gravity. Thereafter, as the louvers44are lifted, each successive louver44is freed to rotate into the open position by the force of gravity until all the louvers44are lifted and stacked in succession. In such embodiments, it is therefore not necessary to open the louvers44prior to lifting. Embodiments comprising a ball detent mechanism66for maintaining the rotational position of the louvers44will require the louvers44to be opened by the user prior to lifting because the ball detent mechanism66prevents the louvers44from falling open by the force of gravity. The louvers44may be maintained in the lifted configuration by allowing the bottom carrier slides72to engage (i.e. extend through) a pair of corresponding apertures70near the top of the side rail18or20to suspend the bottom louver44upon which the other louvers44are stacked. By engaging the triggers90again to disengage the bottom carrier slides72, the louvers44may be allowed to fall again to their original unlifted positions.

FIG. 13is a block diagram of steps of a method110of using a panel-less shutter assembly. The method110comprises inserting a panel-less shutter assembly into a window opening (Step112), such that at least one upper guide engages an upper surface of the window opening and at least one lower guide engages a lower surface of the window opening such that the rail frame of the panel-less shutter assembly self-centers between the upper and lower surfaces of the window opening in response to opposing spring forces of the at least one upper guide and the at least one lower guide. The method100may further comprise adjusting the spring force of at least one of the at least one upper guide and the at least one lower guide (Step114).

In addition, the method110, may comprise: lifting the lowermost louver until it engages an adjacent louver above it; further lifting the lowermost louver to disengage the adjacent carrier slide from the adjacent louver above it in response to the upper slanted surface of the adjacent carrier slide engaging the upper surface of the adjacent slot, thereby overcoming the force of the spring between the adjacent carrier slide and the adjacent carrier; continuing to lift the lowermost louver until all of the louvers are successively lifted to a lifted and stacked position and the uppermost louver engages the top rail; and maintaining the louvers in the lifted and stacked position by allowing the lowermost carrier slide to engage a corresponding slot proximate the top rail.

Furthermore, the method110may comprise engaging a trigger to disengage the lowermost carrier slide from the corresponding slot.

The components defining any panel-less shutter assembly may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a panel-less shutter assembly. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as copper, zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any panel-less shutter assembly may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, sewing, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.