Abstract:
Systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching transparent rigid plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, that can include generally uniform thickness flange brackets which are attached to both the panels and both sides of the openings.

Description:
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/583,400 filed Dec. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,217,276, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/921,213 filed Dec. 27, 2013. The entire disclosure of each of the applications listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to securing openings, and in particular to systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching transparent plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, with flange brackets which are attached to both the panels and adjacent frames and casings about lower corners of the openings. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of buildings and houses, where the property owner has left the property due to property owners defaulting on loans that exceed the actual value of the property, and/or leaving properties that have been damaged by storms, or vandalism, and the like. As such, lenders and mortgage companies have the need for property preservation to secure the empty and vacant buildings and houses. 
     Vacant structures occasionally have broken windows, which can be an attractive nuisance for vagrants, criminals and children and can result in thefts and destruction of interiors of the structures, as well as be unsafe and dangerous to persons entering the property 
     Boarding up openings with plywood and traditional shutters, can be both expensive, and time consuming. Additionally, using fasteners, such as nails, screws, and/or bolts to directly attach boards and shutters can cause further damage to the property. 
     Additionally, boards and shutters are generally opaque and do not allow light therethrough. As such, the interiors of the structures are darkened which can result in further problems by having darkened interiors at all times. 
     Furthermore, the use of boards and shutters gives an immediate indication to a passerby that the property is vacant, which further attracts vagrants, criminals and children that can cause undesirable problems such as damage to the property. 
     Still furthermore, the appearance of boarded up windows and opaque shutters are both unsightly and can lower the property values for the buildings and houses. 
     As such, there exists a need to allow for simple and easy securing of the buildings and houses for property preservation. Additionally, there is a need for securing openings to the property with panels that are transparent and let light into the structures, and can give the appearance of the property not being vacant. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching transparent plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, with flange brackets which are attached to both the panels and adjacent frames about the openings. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods for securing openings such as windows and doors of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses that can be easily attached without causing permanent damage to the openings. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods for securing openings such as windows and doors of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses that are easily and inexpensively attached to the openings. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods for securing openings such as windows and doors of vacant and/or damaged buildings and housings, using transparent panels to allow light inside. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods for securing openings such as windows and doors of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, that give the appearance of the openings not being vacant nor boarded up or closed with shutters. 
     A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods for securing openings such as windows and doors of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, that are not unsightly and do not result in lowering of the property value of the buildings and houses. 
     A securing system for covering openings to buildings and housings, can include a rigid plastic panel sized to cover at least one exterior opening through a frame casing to a structure, at least one pair of rigid flange brackets sized to cover a lower left corner and a lower right corner of the plastic panel, and fasteners for attaching the plastic panel to the exterior of the structure opening so that the plastic panel is on an exterior side of the structure opening and the rigid flange brackets are on an interior side of the structure opening. 
     The plastic panel can be selected from at least one of a solid transparent acrylic material, a solid transparent resinous material, or a transparent polycarbonate material. 
     The rigid flange brackets can include a generally triangular shape. Each of the rigid flange brackets can include a long generally flat vertical side perpendicular to a shorter generally flat base, a flat top, and angled side which angles from the flat top angling downward at an angle to second flat vertical side which is shorter than the long flat side. The long flat side can have a length of approximately 5″ to approximately 7″, and the base can have a length of approximately 5″ to approximately 7″, the second side can have a length of approximately 2″ to approximately 3″, the flat top can have a length of approximately 2″ to approximately 3″, and an angled side of approximately 4 and ½″ to approximately 5 and ½″. Each rigid flange bracket can include a central through-hole of approximately ½″ diameter. Each rigid flange bracket can have a thickness of approximately ¼″ to approximately ⅛″ to approximately 3/16″. 
     The rigid flange brackets can include materials selected from stainless steel, galvanized metal and aluminum. Each of the rigid flange brackets can be formed from transparent rigid plastic material identical to the transparent rigid plastic panel. 
     The structure opening can include a window with glass attached. 
     A method of securing openings on structures, can include the steps of sizing a rigid plastic panel to fit over an opening to a structure, providing at least a pair of rigid flange brackets, positioning the rigid transparent plastic panel over the exterior of the structure opening, positioning one of the rigid flange brackets to overlap over a lower left corner portion of an interior to the structure opening and over a portion of a lower left corner of a frame casing about the structure opening, positioning another one of the rigid flange brackets to overlap over a lower right corner portion of an interior to the structure opening and over a portion of a lower right corner of a frame casing about the structure opening, attaching the rigid flange brackets to the sized rigid plastic panel with fasteners, so that the structure opening is securely covered and protected by the rigid plastic panel. 
     A kit for covering openings to buildings and housings, can include a rigid plastic panel sized to cover at least one exterior opening through a frame casing to a structure, at least one pair of rigid generally triangular flange brackets sized to cover a lower left corner and a lower right corner of the plastic panel, and fasteners for attaching the plastic panel to the exterior of the structure opening so that the plastic panel is on an exterior side of the structure opening and the rigid flange brackets are on an interior side of the structure opening. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the novel triangular flanges with fasteners and plastic sheet for use with protecting window openings to a building or house. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged front view of one the novel triangular flanges of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the triangular flange of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the triangular flange of  FIG. 2  along arrow  4 X. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective interior view of a window opening to a building or house with the triangular flanges on the interior lower corners over the window casing with the sheet panel on the exterior with the fasteners attaching the flanges to the sheet panel. 
         FIG. 6  is an interior view of the window opening with flanges and panel shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exterior view of the window opening with flanges and panel shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the installation steps to install a plastic panel over an opening shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , using the novel triangular flange brackets of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     A list of components will now be described.
       10  fasteners, such as bolts and screws     12  enlarged head of fastener(s)     14  threads     16  washer(s)     18  nut(s)     20  plastic sheet/panel     100  triangular flange(s)/bracket(s)     110  long side     120  short side     130  base     142  flat top     144  angled edge     150  through-hole     210  interior window frame/casing     220  exterior window opening     225 . existing glass in window opening   

       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  with fasteners  10  and plastic panel/sheet  20  for use with protecting window openings to a building or house.  FIG. 2  is an enlarged front view of one the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a rear view of the triangular flange/bracket  100  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a side view of the triangular flange/bracket  100  of  FIG. 2  along arrow  4 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a kit can include a pair of fasteners  10 , can be bolts with enlarged heads  12 , threads  14 , washer(s)  16  and nut(s), a pair of triangular flanges/brackets  100 , and a rigid plastic sheet/panel  20 . 
     The panel/sheet  20  can be formed from a rigid material, such as polycarbonate. The panel/sheet  20  can be formed from a rigid transparent plastic, such as but not limited to a solid transparent acrylic material, a solid transparent resinous material, or a transparent polycarbonate material, such as those sold under the trade names of LEXAN®, PLEXIGLASS® and the like, can be used. 
     Each of the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  can be generally right angled with long sides  110  of approximately 5″ to approximately 7″, and a base  130  having a length of approximately 5″ to approximately 7″, a short side  120  length of approximately 2″ to approximately 3″, a flat top  142  length of approximately 2″ to approximately 3″, and an angled side  144  of approximately 4 and ½″ to approximately 5 and ½″(an angle of approximately 45 degrees) and a central through-hole  150  of approximately ½″ diameter. Each of the flanges/brackets  100  can have a thickness of approximately ¼″ to approximately ⅛″ to approximately 3/16″. 
     The term approximately can include +/− ten percent of the value referenced. Other dimensions can be sized as needed. 
     The flanges/brackets  100  can be formed from rigid metal materials, such as but not limited to plastic, and metal such as but not limited to stainless steel, galvanized metal, aluminum, and the like. Additionally, the flange brackets can be formed from transparent material such as the same material used for the transparent rigid panels. The flange brackets can be solid materials, or honeycomb inside or hollow. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective interior view of a window opening  220  to a building or house with the triangular flanges/brackets  100  on the interior lower corners over the window casing  210  with the sheet panel  20  on the exterior with the fasteners  10  attaching the flanges/brackets  100  to the sheet panel  20 .  FIG. 6  is an interior view of the window opening  220  with flanges/brackets  100  and panel  20  shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is an exterior view of the window opening  220  with flanges/brackets  100  and panel  20  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the installation steps to install a plastic panel over an opening shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , using the novel triangular flange brackets of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , an opening  220 , such as a window opening in a building structure or house structure having broken glass  225 , needs to be secured. The novel invention can install rigid transparent plastic panels  20  over the exterior of window openings  220  using the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100 . 
     The installer measures the window opening  220  to determine the size of the rigid transparent plastic panel  20  that is needed. The correct size can be cut to cover part or the entire glass area  225  of the window opening  220 . Next, the installer places the cut panel  20  over the exterior of the glass area  225  of the window opening  220 . 
     Next, the installer places the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  on the bottom left and bottom right of the interior of the window opening, so that the triangular brackets overlap the frame or casing  210  of the window opening  220 . 
     Next, the installer can drill holes  150  using a drill through the triangular flanges/brackets  100  and through the transparent plastic panels  20 . A hole size  150  can be approximately ½ inch. Alternatively, the flanges/brackets  100  can have existing hole(s) therethrough. Next, fasteners  10  such as bolts with nuts and washers can be used to secure and sandwich portions of the frame/casing  210  of the window by the exterior positioned transparent plastic panel  20  using the triangular flanges/brackets  100  on the inside of the window opening  220 . For example, the heads  12  of the bolts  10  can be on the exterior of the window opening  220  and the nuts  18  on the inside, where the nuts  18  are screwable and attach to the threads  14  of the fasteners  10 . Alternatively, the bolt heads  12  can be on the inside and the nuts  18  on the outside. A locking washer(s)  16  can also be used with the fasteners  10 . Additionally, other types of fasteners  10  can be used, such as but not limited to carriage bolts, and screws, and the like. 
     In the preferred embodiment, other generic types of fasteners  10 , such as but not limited to bolts, screws and the like, can also be used on the top edge(s) of the transparent plastic panel  20  to attach the panel to the frame/casing  210 , without using the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100 . Additionally, the novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  can also be placed over the top right and top left upper casings  210  of the window opening  220  fastened to the transparent plastic panels  20  and similarly attached. The transparent rigid plastic panels  20  can be easily removed from the openings by reversing the installation steps referenced above. 
     The novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  are an extension to the inside from a corner(s) (flange) casing  210  of an opening  220  to a window or other object. The flange/bracket  100 , of suitable size, shape, material and strength, placed over the corners of something to be covered, is intended to accept a threaded or unthreaded fastener in order to secure a cover over an opening. The novel triangular flanges/brackets  100  can utilize holes  150  of suitable size, in line with holes drilled through the covering, to insert the above mentioned fastener. 
     The fastener will be passed through the primary surface, the covering, to be secured. A hole of suitable size is drilled through the primary surface to allow the fastener to pass through. A suitable stop is on, or must be placed on, the fastener to prevent it from going through the primary surface. The number of holes drilled, the position of the holes and the number of the novel triangular flange brackets used depends on the size of the opening to be covered and the type of covering material used. If the novel triangular flange brackets material is the same as the covering material, the flange is virtually invisible. This is especially true if clear material is used. 
     Although a triangular shape is described, the novel flanges/brackets  100  can have other shapes such as but not limited to other geometrical shapes and the like. A flat or other shaped object placed inside the opening where there is a stopping point such as a window with a frame/casing around glass. The object can be a large washer, and have sufficient strength and size for a hole to be drilled therethrough to accept the threaded end of a bolt or screw. Washers and/or nuts can also be used to tighten and secure the outside covering against the flange brackets, thereby making the opposite sides covering virtually immovable except by loosening the nuts from the flange side. The novel flanges/brackets can be made from metal as described above or from the same material as the transparent rigid plastic panels. 
     Although the openings described in the preferred embodiment in relation to the Figures show window openings, the invention can be used with other openings, such as but not limited to openings for doors and the like. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.