Patent Publication Number: US-6658793-B2

Title: External window shutter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a Continuation-In-Part (C.I.P.) application of patent application Ser. No. 10/020,246 filed on Dec. 18, 2001, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an external window shutter, and more particularly to a shutter having a driving mechanism allowing for simultaneous displacement, in opposite direction, of both panels of the window shutter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Window shutter units to hide and unhide a window opening by simultaneously displacement of flat panels have been known a long time. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,301,568 issued to F. J. Moss on Nov. 10, 1942, disclose shutter panels moving along tracks between an opened position at the side of a window and a closed position in front of the window and that are manipulated by means of cables extending through the building wall to be accessible inside the building. The panels of the window shutter are not designed for tight mutual engagement in the closed position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,666 issued to James D. Davidson on May 19, 1981 describes a shutter system which cannot be activated by users from inside the building. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,242 issued to Perron on Apr. 13, 1999 describes thermally insulating external window shutter, in which only one panel of the shutter is activated at a time, thus requiring one bore through the wall of the house for driving each panel of the shutter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,073 issued to Meddick on Feb. 10, 1970 discloses a frame having front and rear channels on which window shutters move. Also disclosed are two separate off-frame guides on which the shutters move once they have cleared the window opening. When the shutters are in their closed configuration, the off-frame guides will be exposed on the wall. This increases the overall size of the frame and is aesthetically disfavoured. In addition, since both the off-frame guides and the channels are exposed during opening and closing, particulate matter such as snow, ice or dirt may interfere with the operation of the shutters. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an external window shutter that obviates the above mentioned disadvantages. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter secures the panels of the shutter against each other for efficient hiding of the window opening with the shutter in closed configuration. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter has a driving mechanism easily activated from inside the building and simultaneously driving both panels. 
     Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter is easily and entirely assembled (or preassembled) on a frame that mounts on the external wall in front of a window opening. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter is a self-contained, unitary construction that requires only minimal adaptation of the wall during installation. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter can be custom made to fit windows of any dimension, thereby reducing the need for adjustments after installation. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter has a novel guide system, mounted on opposing frame and panel surfaces, which is protected from the elements such that interference by particulate matter such as snow, ice or dirt is substantially reduced or essentially eliminated. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter includes a closed frame without any outwardly extending frame pieces, thereby increasing the aesthetic appearance of the window shutter, especially when closed. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter, which is installed with minimum bore through the wall. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that the external window shutter includes a retaining mechanism that constantly retains the panels in a vertically oriented position, especially when in the opened configuration. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external window shutter for disposing in front of an exterior window opening, the shutter having a frame surrounding the window opening and attached to an exterior wall surface, the shutter having two panels movably mounted on the frame, the panels being mounted generally parallel to the wall surface and to the frame, the panels being actuatable along a path of travel between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the shutter comprising: first guide member attached to respective upper and lower portions of a window facing surface of each panel and extending substantially along the entire length of each panel; second guide member attached to respective upper and lower portions of an outwardly disposed surface of the frame and extending substantially along the entire length of the upper and lower portions of the outwardly disposed surface of the frame; the first and second guide members each having complementary first and second engager parts shaped to slidably engage each other for moving the panels along the path of travel, said first and second guide members being located on the a same side of said frame; the panels, when positioned together in said closed configuration, substantially enclose the frame. 
     Typically, the window shutter further including a driving mechanism carried by the frame and connecting to the panels to simultaneously displace the panels in opposite directions along each of the guide members, either toward or away from each other into the closed or opened configuration of the shutter, respectively, the mechanism including: a transmission shaft extending through the wall, the shaft having first and second ends internally and externally protruding from the wall, respectively; a power device connected to the first end of the shaft to rotate the shaft; a first wheel connected to the second end of the shaft; a second wheel externally and rotatably mounted on the frame; and a transmission wire engaging the first and second wheels to rotatably connect the second wheel to the first wheel, the wire forming an elongated closed loop defining two substantially linear portions between the first and second wheels, each one of the panels connecting to a respective one of the linear portions of the wire. 
     Typically, the wire includes a tensioning means longitudinally integrated into at least one of the linear portions, thereby ensuring tension in the transmission wire. 
     Typically, the transmission wire is a belt meshing with the wheels. Typically, the wheels are cogwheels and the belt has corrugations meshing with the cogwheels. 
     Typically, the power device is made of a manually operable crank adjustably connected to the first end of the transmission shaft. 
     Typically, the driving mechanism includes a locking device preventing rotation of the transmission shaft, thereby blocking the transmission wire and the panels from moving relative to the frame. 
     Typically, the transmission shaft is longitudinally adjustable for fitting different thickness of walls. 
     Alternatively, the transmission shaft includes a universal joint connecting the first and second ends together, the universal joint being located internally the wall to allow the power device to move laterally relative to the wall. 
     In one embodiment, the shutter further includes a retaining mechanism for constantly retaining in a vertically oriented position a pair of opposed sliding panels of a window shutter installed in front of a window opening, the window shutter including a frame slidably carrying the opposed panels, the panels being generally planar and parallel to each other, the retaining mechanism comprises: 
     at least four coplanar supports positioned for enclosing the window opening, each of the supports mounting on the frame and including two coaxial pulleys independently freely rotating from each other and two cables meshing with a respective one of the two coaxial pulleys of each support to form first and second enclosures around the window opening, each of the enclosures being generally parallel to each other and defining upper and lower generally linear horizontal segments and two generally linear vertical side segments, one of the panels connecting to the upper and lower portions of the first and second enclosures, respectively, with the other one of the panels connecting to the upper and lower portions of the second and first enclosures, respectively. 
     Typically, at least one of the enclosures includes a second tensioning means longitudinally integrated into at least one of the segments, thereby ensuring tension in the cables. 
     Alternatively, the driving mechanism connects indirectly to the panels through the cables to simultaneously displace the panels in opposite directions along each of the guide members, either toward or away from each other into the closed or opened configuration of the shutter, respectively. 
     Typically, the driving mechanism includes: 
     a transmission shaft extending through the wall, the shaft having first and second ends internally and externally protruding from the wall, respectively; 
     a power device connected to the first end of the shaft to rotate the shaft; 
     a first wheel connected to the second end of the shaft; 
     a second wheel externally and rotatably mounted on the frame; and 
     a transmission wire engaging the first and second wheels to rotatably connect the second wheel to the first wheel, the wire forming an elongated closed loop defining two substantially linear portions between the first and second wheels, each one of the linear portions of the wire connecting to one of the segments of a respective one of the cables. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the annexed drawings, like reference characters indicate like elements throughout. 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an external window shutter of the invention in opened configuration being install in front of a window opening; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view on the external window shutter; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a partial view similar to FIG. 2, showing the connection of the panels to the cables of the retaining mechanism of a second embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a section view taken from the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2 showing a universal joint located in a bore of a wall; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a section view taken along the line  3   a — 3   a  of FIG. 2 a;    
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along line  4  of FIG. 2 with sections taken away; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2, showing the connection of the panels to the cables of the retaining mechanism; and 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken section view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 3 of the universal joint. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of the present invention will herein be described for indicative purposes and by no means as of limitation. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown an external building wall W (for instance with a brick finish) with a window unit inserted within a window opening O and that may be of any standard construction. An embodiment  10  of an external window shutter in accordance with the present invention is installed in front of the window opening O. 
     The shutter  10  comprises a frame  15  enclosing the window opening O and externally secured to the surface of the wall W. A pair of coplanar panels  20 ,  20 ′ are movably mounted on the frame  15  via a pair of elongated guide members  30 ,  30 ′. Each of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ are mounted generally parallel to the wall surface and the frame  15 . Each of the guide member  30 ,  30 ′ includes first  17  and second  22  complementary engager parts carried by the frame  15  and a respective one of the panels  20 ,  20 ′, respectively. The first  17  and second  22  parts slidably engages to each other for lateral or in-plane displacement of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ relative to the frame  15  between opened (see FIG. 1) and closed (not shown) configurations of the shutter  10 . Typically, a pulley  17  mounted on the frame  15  slidably receives a corresponding guide rail  22  mounted on the panel  20 . Such a guide  30  is typically mounted to both upper and lower ends of the window facing surface of the panels  20  and the outwardly disposed surface of the frame  15 . Moreover, for improved stability of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ on the frame  15 , a reversed guide  30   a ,  30   a ′ is also installed for each one of the guides  30 ,  30 ′. The reversed guides  30   a  are simply a pulley  22   a  of the panel engaging a corresponding guide rail  17   a  of the frame  15 . Obviously, different types of guides  30 ,  30 ′,  30   a,    30   a ′ using roller bearings and the like could be considered, especially for the one adjacent the top end of the panels  20 ,  20 ′. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3 a , the guide rails  17   a  and  30   a  may be removed to allow the bracket  24  to directly engage the transmission belt  90  (described below). 
     The pair of panels  20 ,  20 ′ (see FIGS. 1,  2 , and  2   a ) are simultaneously displaced in opposite directions along the guides  30 , either toward or away from each other (indicated by arrow A) into the closed or opened configuration of the shutter  10 , respectively, by a driving mechanism  40  (see FIGS. 2 to  4 ) carried by the frame  15  and connected to panels  20 ,  20 ′. One skilled in the art will recognize that the driving mechanism  40  may be located on any part of the frame  15  depending upon requirements of the user and of the space available on the interior of the building, i.e. above, below or on either side of the window opening O. 
     The driving mechanism  40  includes a transmission shaft  50  extending through the wall W. The shaft  50  has first  52  and second  54  ends internally and externally protruding from the building wall W, respectively. 
     A power device, typically a manual crank  60 , is connected to the first end  52  of the shaft  50  to rotate the same  50 . 
     A first driving wheel  70  is connected to the second end  54  of the shaft  50  and a second driven wheel  80  is rotatably mounted on the frame  15 . The driving  70  and driven  80  wheels are rotatably interconnected by a transmission wire or belt  90  that engages both of them. This belt  90  forms an elongated closed loop that defines two substantially horizontal and linear portions  91 ,  93  between the wheels  70 ,  80 . 
     The transmission movement of the portions  91 ,  93  is illustrated by arrows B of FIGS. 2 and 4. There are two brackets  24 , each connecting one of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ to a respective one of the linear portions  91 ,  93  of the belt  90 . The brackets  24  are mounted on the panels  20 ,  20 ′ by a screw fastener  25  or the like. Obviously, the length of both linear portions  91 ,  93  is substantially equal to the travel distance of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ between the closed and open configurations of the shutter  10  so as to allow their full travel. 
     The belt  90  includes a tensioning means  92 , typically a tension spring (as shown in FIG.  4 ), longitudinally integrated into at least one of the linear portions  91 ,  93  in order to ensure a certain tension in the transmission belt  90 . As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission belt  90  is a corrugated belt meshing with the two cogwheels  70 ,  80 . 
     The manually operable crank  60  includes a locking device  12  to prevent activation of the crank  60  and the rotation of the shaft  50  and to lock the panels  20 ,  20 ′ in place. The locking device  12  is typically a receptacle  14  internally secured to the wall W and adapted to receive a free end  62  of the crank  60  that can pivot therein, as illustrated in dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 3 a.    
     It is therefore easy to unlock and to activate the crank  60  and the driving mechanism  40  from inside the building while impossible to do the same from the outside. Alternatively, the power device  60  could be an electric motor or the like connected either to the first end  52  of the shaft  50  or directly to the driving wheel  70 , and located inside or outside the wall W, respectively, with the controls always inside. 
     The transmission shaft  50  is longitudinally adjustable (see FIGS. 3 and 3 a ) to fit different external walls W i.e. different wall thicknesses. Accordingly, the transmission shaft  50  is adjustably inserted into a tube  51  secured to the building wall W. 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a universal joint  200  connects together the two ends of the transmission shaft  50 . The universal joint  200  includes two shafts  202  and  203  each having a pin  204  extending radially outwardly therefrom. The shafts  202  and  203  are supported and rotatable in a sleeve  206 . The sleeve  206  includes a number of elongated slots  208 , which in this embodiment are orthogonally disposed, but which may also be axially disposed, into which the pins engage as the crank  60  is rotated. The pins  204  are able to axially slide back and forth in the elongated slots  208 . The two shafts  202  and  203  are able to pivot about their respective pins  204  to allow the crank  60  to move laterally relative to the wall. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2,  2   a ,  3 ,  3   a  and  5 , the shutter  10  includes a retaining mechanism  100  carried by the frame  15  and connected to the panels  20 ,  20 ′ to constantly retain them in a vertically oriented position, especially when in opened configuration when they protrude laterally out from the frame  15 . 
     The retaining mechanism  100  includes at least four coplanar supports  110  enclosing the window opening O. Each of the supports  110  is mounted on the frame  15  (externally of the same) and includes two coaxial pulleys  112 ,  114  independently freely rotating from each other. Two cables  113 ,  115  mesh with a respective one of the two coaxial pulleys  112 ,  114  of each support  110  to enclose the window opening O to form first  120  and second  130  enclosures that are generally parallel to each other. 
     Enclosure  120  has upper  122  and lower  124  generally linear horizontal segments interconnected by two generally linear vertical side segments  127 ,  129 , that all extend along the window opening O. Similarly, the enclosure  130  also has upper  132  and lower  134  generally linear horizontal segments interconnected by two generally linear vertical side and segments  137 ,  139 , also all extending along the window opening O. 
     One  20  of the panels is connected to the upper  122  and to the lower  134  portions of the first  120  and second  130  enclosures, respectively, with the other one  20 ′ of the panels connected to the upper  132  and lower  124  portions of the second  130  and first  120  enclosures, respectively. The panels  20 ,  20 ′ are connected to the cables  113 ,  115  in a similar fashion they are connected to the transmission belt  90 , using brackets  116 ,  116 ′, respectively, that are similar to brackets  24 . Typically, each one of the cables  113  (or  115 ) includes a respective tensioning means  118  longitudinally integrated into at least one of the segments  122 ,  124 ,  127 ,  129  (or  132 ,  134 ,  137 ,  139 ) to ensure a certain tension in the cable  113  (or  115 ). Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  and  3   a , the brackets  24 ′ connected to the transmission belt  90  may directly connect to the cables  113 ,  115  instead of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ in order to allow the driving mechanism  40  to be located on any part of the frame  15 . 
     In order to protect most of the parts within the frame  15  of the shutter  10  against wind, snow, rain and ice, shields such as the top one identified by reference  16  in FIGS. 1 to  3   a  are releasably secured either to the external sides of the frame  15  (or eventually to the wall W), all around the frame  15 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2,  2   a,    3  and  3   a , for additional insulation and protection against cold temperatures, the shutter  10  is equipped with flexible sealing devices of any existing type, such as elongated brushes  19 , located between the frame  15  and the sliding panels  20 ,  20 ′, and rigid insulation foam  19 ″ all around the frame  15 . The external edges  26   a,    26   a ′ of the panels  20 ,  20 ′ carry a flexible flap  19   a ″, typically made out of rubber type material, incurved inwardly to close off any gap between them and the sides of the frame  15  when in closed configuration. Additionally, a similar flexible sealing device  19 ′ such as a rubber flap is installed on the internal edge  26  of one of the panels  20 ′ and adapted to abut the internal edge  26 ′ of the other panel  20  to seal off the gap between the two when in closed configuration. 
     The shutter  10  of the present invention can easily be manufactured and pre-assembled prior to installation on the wall W, in front of a window opening O with the insertion of the first end  52  of the transmission shaft  50  into a bore properly made in the wall W. The frame  15  is then simply secured to the wall W, typically using right angle brackets  18  (or bars), and the crank  60  connected to the first end  52  of the shaft  50 , inside the building wall W. 
     The window shutter  10  could also be made out with the panels  20 ,  20 ′ being of the folding type (not shown). 
     Because the wall W could have a non-planar slightly curved shape, the shutter  10  could also be non-planar, and have an arc shape or the like to assume the shape of such a window opening (not shown). 
     For operation of the shutter  10 , the user needs only to activate the crank  60  from inside the building to slide the panels  20 ,  20 ′ in the required position relative to the window opening O. 
     Although the external window shutter has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.