Abstract:
A device is provided for protecting a window or door during severe storms. A panel, cut to fit in a window frame, is held in place by the action of the locking assemblies described herein. A rubber gasket can be used along on e side of the panel in place of some of the locking assemblies. Different embodiments of the assembly are described for mounting along the sides of the panel. A “clip-on” assembly is also described.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     The disclosure is related to co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/568,487, which was filed on May 10, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for protecting windows and doors from breakage and damage during severe storms, including hurricanes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Presently, home and business owners who seek to minimize the damage caused by severe storms have few options for protecting windows and doors. Two of these options are very expensive and require time-consuming installation. One such option requires the removal of the pre-existing window and frame and replacement with a storm window having a frame with a slot for the insertion of a properly-sized piece of plywood. Another such option requires the installation of a storm shutter for each window, either a hinged shutter or a metal shield which is unrolled to cover the window. Many of the other devices for protecting windows require making holes in the window frame for insertion of braces or anchors. Some are cumbersome or difficult to install. 
     The least expensive option is buying and cutting pieces of plywood and nailing a piece of plywood over each window. However, after the storm has passed, the removal of the plywood leaves nail holes behind. Finally, some people simply apply tape to windows so that glass shards are not blown everywhere if the windows break during a storm. Needless to say, tape offers little or no protection from the storm itself. 
     A need presently exists for an inexpensive device which can be installed on short notice, without pre-installation, nailing, or screwing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of existing options for protecting windows and doors during violent storms. The window covering devices herein disclosed can be easily installed, on short notice. They can be used over and over again, leaving no nail or screw holes in window frames. 
     The locking assemblies can be sold in hardware stores. The plywood or other material is sold separately. (Plywood can be used from previous storm alerts). The panels that will cover the windows do not need to be cut precisely to size; they need only fit within one-half inch of the sill, head and sides of the window frame. Alternative embodiments of the locking assemblies are disclosed: one can be fastened to the wood with a wrench or pliers; another can be slipped over the edge of the panel, requiring no drilling or fastening. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which may be easily installed and removed. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be assembled and installed by ordinary homeowners. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be installed in metal or brick frames, where nailing or screwing is not possible. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which can be used on non-standard sized and shaped windows, as well as doors. 
     One more object of the present invention is to provide a window covering device which leaves no nail holes or screw holes in a window frame. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an effective window covering device at a substantially lower cost than storm windows or shutters. 
     Several embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the window covering device installed in a window frame, with a pair of locking assemblies, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a single locking assembly, in an engaged position. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a single locking assembly installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 4 is a horizontal section view of the gasket positioned on a side of a wood panel. 
     FIGS. 5A-C show views of the locking assembly as the arms are moved from a disengaged to an engaged position. 
     FIG. 6 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device, which someone outside a dwelling has installed in the window frame on the exterior-facing side of the window. 
     FIG. 7 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device which someone inside a dwelling has installed in the window frame on the exterior-facing side of the window. 
     FIG. 8 is a horizontal section view of the window covering device which has been installed in the window frame on the interior-facing side of a window which has pre-existing burglar bars. 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a preferred mounting configuration of the window covering device, with the locking assemblies installed on the left side of the window. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an alternate mounting configuration of the window covering device, with the locking assemblies installed on the bottom of the window. 
     FIGS. 11,  12  and  13  are plan views showing alternate mounting configurations for a window covering device which is installed without a rubber gasket. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from metal for installation in a diamond-shaped window. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from expanded metal for installation in a round-shaped window. 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a window covering device constructed from plexiglass for installation in an octagonal-shaped window. 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view showing four window covering devices installed side by side in the frame of a large picture window. 
     FIG. 18 is a top view of a single clip-on locking assembly. 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of a single clip-on locking assembly installed on a wood panel. 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the locking assembly with a metal slide and a guide on a base plate. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the alternate locking assembly installed on a wood panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In FIG. 1, a window covering device  10  has been installed inside a window frame  11  on the exterior-facing side of a window (not shown). The panel  12  has been precut (with up to one-half inch allowance on all sides) to fit inside the window frame  11 , without forcing. The panel  12  can be formed from wood or another material that is rigid with some give, such as plexiglass, aluminum, or expanded metal grating. Leftover plywood which had been nailed over windows in previous storms can be used. A pair of locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  attached to the panel  12  hold it firmly in place within the window frame  11 . The cutaway portion on the left shows the position of the gasket  14 . Optionally, a small round hole  16  (approximately one-half inch in diameter) can be cut through the wood panel  12  to act as a finger grab for positioning the wood panel  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the locking assembly  13  comprises a metal base plate  20  with fastener holes  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c ,  21   d ; a metal lever arm  22  pivotally mounted on the base plate  20  at lever arm pivot point  23  with a fastener  24 ; a lever arm stop  25  positioned to keep the lever arm  22  from pivoting past a desired point; and an angled metal locking arm  26  pivotally mounted on the base plate  20  at locking arm pivot point  27  with a fastener  28 . Attached to the curved end  29  of locking arm  26  is a rubber stopper  30 . One end of a spring  31  is attached to a first bracket  32 . The opposite end of the spring  31  is attached to the locking arm  26  at attachment point  33 . A metal catch  34  is pivotally mounted onto a second bracket  35 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a locking assembly  13  has been fastened to a wood panel  12  with fasteners  32   a ,  32   b , which have been inserted through fastener holes  21   a ,  21   b . The fasteners  32   a ,  32   b  are typically bolts, but can be rivets or pins. Typically, two locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  are attached to one side of a wood panel  12  in a parallel relationship, as shown in FIG.  1 . When engaged, the rubber stopper  30  of each locking assembly  13   a ,  13   b  extends over the side of the wood panel  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a length of rubber edge gasket  14  is affixed to the edge of the wood panel  12  opposite that upon which the locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  are fastened. The rubber edge gasket  14  can be made from rubber or any rubberlike material, such as cork or foam. Typically, the gasket  14  is slid over the edge of the wood panel  12  and adhesive  36  is used to bond the gasket  14  to the wood panel  12 . 
     FIGS. 5A-5C show the operation of a locking assembly  13 . In its unlocked position, shown in  5 A, one end of the lever arm  22  abuts an end of locking arm  26 . The pivoting of lever arm  22  has caused the locking arm  26  to pivot, stretching the spring  31 . The opposite end of lever arm  22  has been inserted into catch  34 , preventing further movement of either the lever arm  22  or the locking arm  26 . The curved end  29  of the locking arm  26  and the rubber stopper  30  do not extend past the side of the base plate  20 . In order to complete installation of the wood covering device  10  in a window frame  11 , as shown in FIG. 1, the edge of the wood panel  12  having the gasket  14  is positioned on the left side of the window frame  11 . The side of the wood panel  12  having the locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  is then pushed into place along the right side of the window frame  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5B, the end of the lever arm  22  has been released from the catch  34 , allowing it to pivot in the direction of the arrows about lever arm pivot point  23 . As the lever arm  22  pivots, the contraction of spring  31  causes the locking arm  26  to pivot in the direction of the arrows about locking arm pivot point  27 . The pivoting movement of the locking arm  26  causes the curved end  29  of the locking arm  26  to extend past the side of the base plate and contact the window frame  11 . 
     FIG. 5C shows the locking assembly  13  in its final locked position. The lever arm  22  and the locking arm  26  are in parallel alignment, prevented from further spring-induced pivotal movement by stop  25 . The rubber stopper  30  covering the curved end  29  presses firmly against window frame  11 , and spring tension holds the window covering device  10  in place. 
     Removal of the panel  12  after a storm is quick and easy: the lever arm  22  of each locking assembly  13  is pivoted, causing the locking arm  26  to pivot, and causing the curved end  29  of the locking arm  26  to move away from the window frame  11 ; the rubber stopper  30  will no longer press against the window frame  11 , and the panel  12  can be pulled out. The metal catch  34  holds the lever arm  22  in an unlocked position. 
     FIGS. 6,  7 , and  8  show alternate choices for installation. 
     In FIG. 6, the window covering device  10  has been installed in the window frame  11  on the exterior-facing side of a window  40 . Each locking assembly  13  pushes against the right side  41  of the frame  11 , while the rubber gasket  14  pushes against the left side  42  of the frame  11 . 
     To accomplish the installation shown in FIG. 7, the window must first be opened. Someone inside a dwelling can slip the window covering device  10  through the window  40  and rest the gasket  14  against the outer window frame  43  on the exterior side of the window  40 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the window covering device  10  can also be installed on the inner window frame  44  on the interior side of a window  40  if, for instance, burglar bars  45  are present, the window  40  does not open, or the exterior side of the outer window frame  43  is inadequate to hold the window covering device  10  in place. While this installation choice does not protect the window glass, it affords protection from flying debris&#39; entering the dwelling, and from theft or looting. 
     As FIG. 9 shows, the window covering device  10  can be installed within the window frame  11  with the rubber gasket  14  pushed against the right side  41  of the frame and the rubber stoppers  30   a ,  30   b  of the locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the left side  42  of the frame. 
     As FIG. 10 shows, the window covering device  10  can also be installed with the rubber gasket  14  pushed against the head  46  of the frame, and the rubber stoppers  30   a ,  30   b  of locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the sill  47  of the frame. 
     In FIGS. 11,  12 , and  13 , the window covering device is installed without using a gasket  14 . Instead, two pairs of locking assemblies  13  are used. 
     In FIG. 11, locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  have been attached parallel to each other on the left side of wood panel  12 , and locking assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened parallel to each other on the right side of wood panel  12 . The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , and the rubber stoppers  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c ,  30   d  of the locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d  are pushed against the window frame  11 , holding the window covering device  10  firmly in place. 
     In FIG. 12, locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  have been attached parallel to each other on the top portion of wood panel  12  and locking assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened parallel to each other on the bottom portion of the wood panel  12 . The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , with the rubber stoppers  30   a ,  30   b  of locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b  pushed against the head  46  of the frame, and the rubber stoppers  30   c ,  30   d  of locking assemblies  13   c ,  13   d  pushed against the sill  47  of the frame. 
     In FIG. 13, locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d  have been fastened to wood panel  12 , one at the midpoint of each side. The window covering device  10  is arranged inside window frame  11 , and first rubber stoppers  30   a  and  30   c , then rubber stoppers  30   b  and  30   d  hold it in place. 
     FIGS. 14,  15  and  16  show the wood covering device  10  constructed of different materials and used on odd-shaped windows. FIG. 13 shows a window covering device  50  constructed from a metal such as steel or aluminum for installation in a diamond-shaped window frame  51 , using locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d . FIG. 14 shows a window covering device  52  constructed of expanded metal (grating) for installation in a round-shaped window frame  53 , using locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d . FIG. 15 shows a window covering device  54  constructed of plexiglass (or urethane, or a similar material) for installation in an octagonal window frame  55 , using locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d.    
     Large picture windows or French doors present a large surface area to cover. To avoid the need to use a single, unwieldy piece of wood, several separate window covering devices can be installed adjacent to each other to completely cover the window. In FIG. 17, four window covering devices  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  have been arranged and installed adjacent to each other in a large window frame  56 . Each has four locking assemblies arranged in parallel pairs of two on opposite sides of the wood panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d , for a total of sixteen locking assemblies  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d ,  13   e ,  13   f ,  13   g ,  13   h ,  13   i ,  13   j ,  13   k ,  13   l ,  13   m ,  13   n ,  13   o ,  13   p . Installation of each window covering device  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  is done individually, as described in FIG. 12 supra. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 show a clip-on locking assembly  60 , which may be used in place of the locking assembly  13  shown in FIGS. 9 through 17. 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the clip-on locking assembly  60  comprises a metal base plate/bracket  61 ; a pivoting metal lever arm  62  mounted on the base plate  61  at lever arm pivot point  63  with a fastener  64 ; a lever arm stop  65  positioned to keep the lever arm  62  from pivoting past a desired point; and an angled metal locking arm  66  mounted on the base plate  61  at locking arm pivot point  67  with a fastener  68 . Attached to the curved end  69  of locking arm  66  is a rubber stopper  70 . One end of a spring  71  is attached to a first bracket  72 . Alternate first bracket  73  provides a second attachment position for the end of the spring  71  if more spring-induced tension is needed. The opposite end of the spring  71  is attached to the locking arm  66  at attachment point  74 . A metal catch  75  is pivotally mounted onto a second bracket  76 . 
     As shown in FIG. 19, the u-shaped bracket end  77  of the metal base plate/bracket  61  has been pulled over the edge  75  of wood panel  12 ; no fasteners are used. Typically, two clip-on locking assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  are attached to one side of a wood panel  12  in a parallel relationship, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Prior to installation, the end of the rubber stopper  70  is arranged to be even with the side of the u-shaped bracket end  77 . 
     In FIGS. 20 and 21, an alternate embodiment of the locking assembly  80  is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 20, the locking assembly  80  has a metal base plate  81  onto which a metal slide arm guide  82  has been welded. Inserted into the slide arm guide  82  is a flat, u-shaped metal slide arm  83  with an upturned handle  84  attached to the open ends of the “u”, and a rubber stop  85  attached to a backing plate  86  on the opposite end of the “u”, by means of strong adhesive or a rivet. An end of each of the two metal springs  87 ,  88 , has been attached to one of the attachment points  89 ,  90  on the metal slide arm  83 . (As shown in the figure, the attachment points  89 ,  90  can be small openings for insertion of a curved end of each spring  87 ,  88 ). The opposite end of each spring  87 ,  88  is attached to a metal bracket  91 , which is welded onto the base plate  81 . As shown in the figure, springs  87 ,  88  are stretched, and the handle  84  is held in a stationary position by a pivotable metal catch  92 . A stop bracket  93  prevents movement of the slide arm  83  which might over-extend the springs  87 ,  88 . 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the locking assembly  80 , with the base plate  81  bolted to a wood panel  12 . In operation, the window covering device  10  is inserted within a window frame  11 . The catch  92  is pivoted, releasing the handle  84  and allowing spring-induced movement of the slide arm  83  through the slide arm guide  82 . The rubber stop  85  will press against the window frame  11 , and the window covering device  10  is held in place by spring tension.