Patent Publication Number: US-8528254-B1

Title: Bahama awning hurricane shutter

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/879,930, filed Jul. 19, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,298, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/616,186, filed Jul. 9, 2003, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather and test standards relating to and including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user friendly, easy-opening mechanism of a jalousie, which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison. This functional louvered Bahama awning-type shutter has the strength to resist hurricane force winds while still allowing the louvers to function. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Tropical window coverings, known as Bahama shutters or awnings, are frequently used to provide shade, security and protection from storm damage for windows in homes. Bahama awnings are made up of a framework with a plurality of horizontal louvers or slats, which are usually fixed at a certain angle. The awning attaches to the top of the window frame horizontally by a hinge. The Bahama awning can rotate about the hinge so that the lower portion of the awning can move away from the window. The lower portion of the awning can be held in the open position by telescoping arms. During a storm, the Bahama awning can be lowered to a closed position such that the awning is completely parallel to the window. However, conventional Bahama awnings do not provide adequate protection in a strong tropical event because the protection is structurally limited by the strength of the individual louvers. For hurricane protection, the Bahama awnings must incorporate either a lexan sheet or solid sheet of aluminum to reinforce them for impact resistance. 
     Jalousie . . . window and door treatments are also well known in tropical climates. Jalousies are typically made up of louvers that extend across and are pivoted in a window frame. To open the louvers, the user actuates an operating mechanism to rotate the louvers outwardly around a horizontal axis. The operating mechanism moves all louvers in unison in the same direction. The louvers are parallel and horizontal when fully open, thereby opening vertical spaces between the louvers for airflow. When closed, the louvers either abut each other or overlap slightly such that upper louvers lap over lower louvers on the outside of the window. Jalousies are used in a variety of locations that may require different needs for ventilation, light transmission, security and appearance. Most often jalousies are used in tropical climates to allow for maximum airflow through the building. 
     Jalousie window and door treatments generally use a winding crank mechanism to open and close the louvers. The winding crank mechanism uses worm and pinion gears, or the like, whereby the rotation is transformed into translational displacement of a window bar coupled to the louvers. By using the winding crank mechanism, the user can adjust the jalousie&#39;s louvers to maintain any desired louver angle. Jalousies may also use a simple bar mechanism which is attached to all the louvers vertically. The bar mechanism is manually operated by a user to move the louvers to any desired position. 
     It is desirous for Jalousie doors and windows to resist both positive and negative pressures from both inward and outward wind loads. Generally, inward wind loads or positive pressures cause the louvers of the jalousie to close tighter and thus resist inward wind pressure. However, outward wind loads or negative pressures can cause the louvers to open outwardly, resisted only by the frictional resistance of the operating mechanism, which is typically minimal so that the user can easily open the louvers. Thus, the ease with which the louvers open by outward pressure may be a problem during tropical storms or forced entry. 
     Hurricane winds are the biggest potential problem facing homeowners in tropical climates. Many homeowners use some sort of hurricane shutter to protect their home&#39;s windows. Some of the most common hurricane protection products are: hurricane panels, accordion shutters, Bahama awning shutters, colonial hinged hurricane shutters, and roll down hurricane shutters. Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) certification and the Miami-Dade County Building Code product certification are some of the impact certifications that are currently accepted by the Florida Building Code, one of the strongest building codes for wind in the nation. Impact testing standards, such as South Florida Building Code TA 201, 202, 203; SSTDI2; ASTM 1996 and 1886, are used to determine a product&#39;s effectiveness against hurricane winds. The “large missile” test is performed by shooting an approximately nine foot long, nine pound 2×4 from an air cannon at 34 mph. This simulates 150 mph wind carrying large debris. Ratings are then given to specify the test load or wind force that the product successfully withstood. These ratings assist the public in making informed decisions about which hurricane protection products they choose for their home. 
     There is a need to make a Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather, including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user-friendly, easy-opening mechanism of a jalousie, which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison. 
     A reinforced storm shutter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,174 to Foster et al. (&#39;174 patent) is an awning-type shutter that contains louvers that are welded at three distinct locations to increase the strength of the shutter. The louvers are rigidly secured to the side members of the frame. This shutter does not allow for all louvers to move simultaneously with each other. 
     A reinforced shutter structure as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,188 to Poma et al. (&#39;188 patent) is an awning-type shutter that contains louvers. To enable the shutter to withstand hurricane force winds, the user must insert a rigid support plate into the shutter at the time of the storm. Similarly, the reinforced shutter structure as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,929 to Poma et al. (&#39;929 patent) is also an awning-type shutter that contains louvers and a removable rigid support plate. Both of these shutters do not provide a unitary Bahama awning-type shutter that protects against hurricane force winds without the need to insert a support member. 
     An exterior louvered hurricane window shutter as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/909,571 to Horn et al. describes a shutter that contains functional louvers, however, an impact resistant member is permanently affixed to the shutter&#39;s framework in order for the shutter to be hurricane resistant. Therefore, this shutter does not provide a Bahama awning-type shutter that protects against hurricane force winds without the need for an additional member to protect the louvers. 
     The operating assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,926 to Sosa (&#39;926 patent) enables relatively heavy jalousie window louvers and associated moving components to be actuated over a tolerable range of actuating forces. Brakes permit the louvers to be held frictionally at any fixed orientation. Additionally, the operating assembly as described in the continuation-in-part U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,962 to Sosa (&#39;962 patent) includes a secondary lock that acts primarily to prevent opening of the louvers in response to negative or outward pressure such as from a heavy storm or force applied by a burglar. However, these operating mechanisms are not designed to be incorporated into hurricane resistant Bahama awning-type shutters. 
     A jalousie as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,248 to Jordal (&#39;248 patent) provides for dual panels with independent panel movement. This jalousie allows for the front panels to be made of an opaque material, so as to reflect the sun when needed, and the rear panels to be made of transparent glass. Even though such dual pane jalousie panels provide increased strength and protection, the jalousie is not designed to withstand hurricane force winds. 
     Further, the jalousie as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,183 to Jordal (&#39;183 patent) provides for a dual louver blade jalousie that provides a window which forms a sealed air chamber when the louver blades are closed which is highly resistant to air and water infiltration and which has a high insulation value. Although this jalousie is designed to be resistant to air and water during adverse weather conditions, the jalousie is not designed to be resistant to strong hurricane force winds. 
     A jalousie as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,339 to Rivera et al. (&#39;339) provides for a reinforced jalousie window with spaced wall side jambs for pivot support. This jalousie construction allows for improved air sealing and improved security from unwanted entry. Even though this jalousie offers greater structural strength, the jalousie is not designed to be resistant to hurricane force winds. 
     Consequently, there is a need in the art for a Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather, including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user-friendly, easy-opening mechanism of a jalousie, which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves significant problems in the art by providing a Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather, including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user-friendly, easy-opening mechanism of a jalousie, which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison and locking them in a closed position. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter for protecting external openings in a structure from hurricane force winds. The shutter has an outer frame formed by a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal members connected to each other and defining an interior area. The shutter has at least one hinge, which connects the outer frame of the shutter to a location on the structure adjacent an external opening in the structure. A plurality of functional louvers are movably connected to the outer frame and fill the interior area of the shutter. The outer frame and louvers are made out of materials that are resistant to hurricane force winds. The louvers of the shutter function by a user-actuated operating mechanism, similar to that found in a jalousie, which is, preferably, a L-angle bracket but can be a bar, winding crank, or a simple mechanism found on the backside of the frame. When the L-angle is employed, the user simply pulls the L-angle outward or pushes the L-angle inward which thereby opens or closes, respectively, all the louvers in unison. The shutter includes means to lock the shutter against the structure, protecting the window from hurricane force winds or intruders. The L-angle provides a means for locking the louvers in the closed position during a storm when the shutter is locked against the structure, thereby preventing the L-angle from moving outward and the louvers from opening. The shutter is movable about the hinge that connects the shutter to the structure and includes a telescoping arm to hold the shutter apart from the structure. 
     An advantage of the invention is that the Bahama awning-type shutter contains louvers that remain completely functional, while providing protection from hurricane force winds. Additionally, the louvers function in unison with an easy opening mechanism, similar to the mechanisms used on jalousie windows. This allows the user of the shutter to be able to easily open the louvers to vary the amount of light or air entering the building. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the shutter according to the invention 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the shutter according to the invention 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the louver according to the invention 
         FIG. 4  shows a bar extending vertically across the louvers 
         FIG. 5  shows a winding crank to operate the louvers 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the inside surface of the shutter with the louvers in an open position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inside surface of the shutter with the louvers in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross view of the shutter attached to a window, showing the L-angle sandwiched between the shutter and the window. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     This invention provides a Bahama awning-type shutter with functional louvers that is strong enough to withstand all tropical weather, including hurricane force winds, while incorporating the user-friendly, easy-opening mechanism of a jalousie, which is capable of moving all of the louvers in unison. While the invention is susceptible of several embodiments, there is shown in the drawings, a specific embodiment thereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, an overview of the Bahama awning-type shutter  10  is shown. The Bahama awning-type shutter  10  has an outer frame  15  formed by a pair of vertical members  20  and  21  spaced apart from each other and a pair of horizontal members  25  and  26  spaced apart from each other, where the vertical members  20  and  21  and horizontal members  25  and  26  are connected to each other and define an interior area. The vertical members include a left vertical member  21  and a right vertical member  20 . The horizontal members include an upper horizontal member  26  and a lower horizontal member  25 . The interior area of the shutter  10  is filled with a plurality of functional horizontal louvers  35  movably connected to the outer frame  15 . The louvers  35  are connected to the outer frame  15  by screws, whereby the louvers  35  pivot about the screws. Louvers  35  have an outer edge  70  which faces away from the structure to which the shutter  10  is attached. Both the outer frame  15  and the louvers  35  are made out of hurricane resistant materials. The hurricane resistant materials can be aluminum, polycarbonate, high density plastic with foam reinforcement or other materials with similar strength. 
     Shutters  10  are connected by a hinge  36  to the surface above an external opening in a structure. Typically, the shutters  10  are connected by a hinge  36  that attaches the outer frame  15  to just above the opening of the window  37 . The shutter  10  is movably connected to the hinge  36  such that the lower portion of the shutter  10  may be moved apart from the structure in an arc relative to the hinge  36 , thus becoming a type of awning. The shutter  10  usually overlaps the window  37  on all sides in order to provide adequate protection to the window  37 . The shutter  10  has an outer surface which faces away from the structure and an inner surface which faces towards the structure. The shutter  10  can be positioned at some desired angle relative to the window  37 . The shutter  10  may be propped open from the bottom or side by use of a telescoping arm  38  or another similar support device attached to the inner surface or backside of shutter  10  to hold the shutter  10  apart from the structure. When the shutter  10  is propped open, light and air are able to enter the building. Thus, the Bahama awning-type shutters  10  of this invention allow light and air to enter a building by two ways, one way is through the louvers  35  when they are open and the second way is through the bottom or sides of the awning when it is propped open and away from the structure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the shutter  10  also contains a means to hold the shutter  10  against the window  37  in a closed position. The means used to hold the shutter  10  against the structure over the window  37  may be an L-shaped bracket at the bottom of the shutter  10 , a Z bar  2  extending horizontally across the backside of the shutter  10 , predrilled holes  1  through the outer frame  15  which are anchored by bolts to the structure near the window  37 , a separate bracket on the wall, or spring loaded arms on the shutter  10  that fit into predrilled holes in the structure near the window  37 . The means used to hold the shutter  10  against the structure allows for protection of the window  37  from wind damage or intruders and prevent the L-angle from moving outward, thus locking the louvers closed. Louvers  35  have an inner edge  56  which faces towards the structure to which the shutter  10  is attached. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the louvers  35  are also designed to interlock with each other in a completely closed position. The louvers  35  interlock by use of a special hook  100  found on opposite edges of each louvers  35  blade&#39;s horizontal edge. Viewed as a cross section the louvers  35  are essentially an elliptical shape with a hook  100  at each edge  56  and  70  facing the opposite direction. L-angle bracket  55  is attached rotatably at the ends of the inner edges  56  by means of opening  57  of louver  35  near the inner surface of shutter  10 . When the louvers  35  are closed, the hooks  100  of adjacent louver  35  blades interface such that each louver  35  grasps the louver  35  above and below it. When the louvers  35  are locked in the closed position during a storm, the integrity of the structure of the shutter  10  will be increased by the hook interlocking mechanism  100 , and the means used to secure the shutter  10  to the structure. The locked louvers  35  will resist outward wind loads caused by storms or hurricanes, and the interlocking mechanism  100 , the L-angle  55 , and the means used to secure the shutter  10  to the structure will prevent the louvers  35  from opening. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  in combination, the louvers  35  of the shutter  10  function by a user-actuated operating mechanism, similar to that found in a jalousie. Generally, jalousie operating mechanisms are manually raised or lowered vertically within the interior of the shutter to open or close the louvers  35  as required. The operating mechanism of the present invention is connected to all the louvers and opens the louvers by being pulled outward from the inner surface or backside of shutter  10 . The operating mechanism may be a L-angle  55 , a bar  3 , a winding crank  4 , or any other operating mechanism that moves all louvers in unison. The horizontal sliding operating mechanism is connected to the louvers  35  and in turn opens or closes all the louvers  35  in unison. When the louvers  35  are in a closed position, a portion of the operating mechanism remains outside of the interior of the shutter  10  and engages the inner surface of the shutter  10  when the louvers are closed. When the L-angle  55  is employed, the user is able to actuate the louvers  35  by moving the L-angle  55  outward to open the louvers  35  and moving the L-angle  55  inwards to close the louvers  35 . The L-angle  55  is typically a one-inch by one-inch piece or bracket in the form of the letter “L”. The L-angle  55  can act as a spacer between the inner surface of shutter  10  and the structure or window  37  to which it is attached and can be used to lock the louvers  35  in a closed position when the shutter  10  is locked over the window  37 . The louvers  35  may be opened by manually adjusting one louver  35 . When pulling the L-angle  55  outward by rotating one louver  35  open, the other louvers  35  will move in unison with the louver  35  that is being manually moved. Typically, two L-angles  55  are employed per shutter  10 , one L angle  55  being placed next to the ends of louvers  35  and attached rotatably to the inner edge  56  of louver  35 . The various embodiments of the operating mechanisms that can be used are all intended to move all of the louvers  35  in unison in the same direction. Thus the louvers  35  can easily be opened or closed, depending on whether the user wants to receive light or air inside the building. 
     The shutters  10  lock the louvers  35  in the closed position during a storm. When the L-angle  55  is used as the operating mechanism of the louvers  35 , the L-angle  55  holds the louvers  35  closed when the shutter  10  is locked against the window  37 . When the louvers  35  are in a closed position and the shutter  10  is rotated toward the window  37 , the L-angle  55  will automatically be positioned between the window  37  and the shutter  10 , thereby preventing the L-angle  55  from moving outward. If the L-angle  55  cannot move outward, the louvers cannot open. Thus, the user can simply secure the shutter  10  to the window  37 , or the structure containing the window  37 , and the louvers  35  and the shutter  10  will remain in the closed position. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of shutter  10  from the inner surface  65  which faces the window  37  and/or structure to which shutter  10  is attached or hinged. The shutter  10  is in the open position with the louvers  35  opened. L-angle brackets  55  are shown attached to the sides of the inner edges  56  of louvers  35 . The L-angles  55  are fastened rotatably to the louvers  35  by means of openings  57  in the louvers. L-angle  55  is shown pulled outward to maintain the louvers  35  opened. A L-angle bracket  60  is attached at the bottom of shutter  10  for fastening or locking shutter  10  to the window  37 , or structure to which it is hinged, by means of holes  61  in bracket  60 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of shutter  10  similar to that of  FIG. 6  but with the shutter  10  in a closed position with the louvers  35  closed against each other. L-angle  55  is pushed into the interior of shutter  10  and its external portion is flat against the inner surface  65 . A lock mechanism  67  can be used to hold the exterior portion of L-angle  55  against the inner surface  65  to prevent the louvers  35  from opening. 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross view of the shutter  10  attached to a window  37  (or the structure containing window  37 ). Shutter  10  is attached by a hinge  36  at the top of window  37  using bolts  62 . Shutter  10  can also be locked or fastened to window  37  (or the structure containing window  37 ) at the bottom edge of shutter  10  using L-angle bracket  60  and bolts  62  inserted through holes  61 . The external portion of L-angle  55  is sandwiched or spaced between window frame  37  and the inner surface  65  of shutter  10  so that L-angle  55  cannot move outward. Louvers  35  are, thus, closed in a fully and securely locked position when L-angle  55  is sandwiched in this manner. 
     Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that this invention could be used in various ways to build hurricane resistant shutters with functional louvers. For example, a Bahama awning-type shutter could be made to include a mullion in the middle of the louvers. Thus, both sides of shutter would contain independently functioning louvers, while still retaining hurricane resistance. Any number of mullions could be added to the Bahama awning-type shutter of this invention in order to extend the length of the shutter, while still retaining the functioning louvers of this invention. Only one L-angle  55  can be used on the shutter if desired. L-angle  55  can have other shapes in addition to an L shape and still function to lock louvers  35  in a closed position. 
     It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as described herein and as recited in the attached claims.