Patent Publication Number: US-2004040230-A1

Title: Hurricane shutter system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not applicable to this application.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not applicable to this application.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0004] The present invention relates generally to window shutters and more specifically it relates to a hurricane shutter system for providing a permanent storm shutter that is affordable and aesthetically pleasing.  
       [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0006] Window shutters have been in use for years. Conventional shutters are typically constructed of wood and are attached about the sides of a window. However, conventional window shutters are typically not suitable for usage in violent storms such as hurricanes where high winds can easily damage the windows of a building. A solution to conventional window shutters are protective exterior window covering which are neither permanent nor aesthetically pleasing.  
       [0007] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing a permanent storm shutter that is affordable and aesthetically pleasing. Conventional window shutters are not suitable for usage in violent storms.  
       [0008] In these respects, the hurricane shutter system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a permanent storm shutter that is affordable and aesthetically pleasing.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shutters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hurricane shutter system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a permanent storm shutter that is affordable and aesthetically pleasing.  
       [0010] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new hurricane shutter system that has many of the advantages of the shutters mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hurricane shutter system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art shutters, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
       [0011] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a pair of brackets, a pair of telescoping arms pivotally attached to the brackets, and a shutter structure attached to the telescoping arms. The shutter structure is comprised of a first side member, a second side member and a plurality of bar members extending between the side members. A plurality of reinforcing members are attached to the bar members. A plurality of securing bolts are securable to the building structure with a pair of corresponding securing tabs securable about the securing bolts for retaining the shutter structure closed upon the window.  
       [0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
       [0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       [0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hurricane shutter system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.  
       [0015] A second object is to provide a hurricane shutter system for providing a permanent storm shutter that is affordable and aesthetically pleasing.  
       [0016] Another object is to provide a hurricane shutter system that provides adequate protection to a building structure from storms.  
       [0017] An additional object is to provide a hurricane shutter system that may be comprised of various colors and designs to conform to the building structure&#39;s appearance.  
       [0018] A further object is to provide a hurricane shutter system that allows for an individual to see through the window.  
       [0019] Another object is to provide a hurricane shutter system that provides shade to the interior of the building structure thereby reducing air conditioning costs.  
       [0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.  
       [0021] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0022] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
     [0023]FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.  
     [0024]FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention installed upon a window of a building structure in a closed position.  
     [0025]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention installed upon a window of a building structure in a partially open position.  
     [0026]FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention installed upon a window of a building structure in a fully open position.  
     [0027]FIG. 5 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.  
     [0028]FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the slat members with respective reinforcing members.  
     [0029]FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0030] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a hurricane shutter system  10 , which comprises a pair of brackets  20 ,  22 , a pair of telescoping arms pivotally attached to the brackets  20 ,  22 , and a shutter structure attached to the telescoping arms. The shutter structure is comprised of a first side member  30 , a second side member  32  and a plurality of bar members extending between the side members  30 ,  32 . A plurality of reinforcing members  60 ,  62  are attached to the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54 . A plurality of securing bolts  42  are securable to the building structure with a pair of corresponding securing tabs  44  securable about the securing bolts  42  for retaining the shutter structure closed upon the window  12 .  
     [0031]FIG. 4 illustrates the first bracket  20  and the second bracket  22  which are attachable to the exterior trim  14  of the window  12  or to the exterior of the building structure. The brackets  20 ,  22  are secured to the window  12  or building structure via conventional fasteners such as but not limited to screws, nails, and adhesive. The brackets  20 ,  22  preferably have a plurality of apertures that selectively receive the telescoping arms as best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.  
     [0032] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pair of telescoping arms are pivotally attached to a desired location upon the brackets  20 ,  22  and to the shutter structure. The telescoping arms are each comprised of an inner arm  72  and an outer arm  74 . A slot  76  extends into the inner arm  72  and/or the outer arm  74  with a fastener  78  extending through the slot  76  for allowing selective securing of the length of the telescoping arm which allows for maintaining the shutter structure extended away from the window  12  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.  
     [0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, the shutter structure preferably has a generally rectangular shape. However, the shutter structure may be comprised of various shapes and sizes that correspond to the window  12  being protected. The shutter structure may also be comprised of various types of materials such as wood, metal, composite and plastic.  
     [0034] The shutter structure is preferably pivotally attached to the window  12  or building structure by one or more hinges  24  as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings. The shutter structure may be attached to the window  12  by various other hinge structures other than that illustrated in the drawings.  
     [0035] The shutter structure is comprised of a first side member  30  and a second side member  32  with a plurality of bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  extending between thereof. The side members  30 ,  32  are preferably comprised of an L-shaped cross sectional area with a plurality of apertures within for receiving fasteners to secure the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  to. A center support member  40  is preferably secured to a rear surface of the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  to provide additional support to the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  while being maintained inside of the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  away from viewing from the exterior of the building structure. The center support member  40  preferably includes a reinforcing member attached to at least one side thereof as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.  
     [0036] Each of the bar members  50 ,  52 ,  54  is elongate and preferably has a flat structure. The upper bar members  52  preferably utilize a tongue and groove structure for interlocking the upper bar members  52  as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. An upper reinforcing member  60  is attached to the upper-most of the upper bar members  52  and a lower reinforcing member  62  is attached to the lower-most of the upper bar members  52 . The reinforcing members  60 ,  62  provide additional support to the upper bar members  52 . The upper bar members  52  are preferably adjacent one another without any space between thereof thereby providing additional shade to the upper portion of the shutter structure.  
     [0037] Each of the middle bar members  50  is spaced apart from the adjacent middle bar members  50  to define a space which allows for an individual to see through. An upper reinforcing member  60  is preferably attached to an upper edge of the middle bar members  50  for providing additional support to the middle bar members  50 . As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  3  and  5  of the drawings, a lower bar member  54  is provided that has an upper reinforcing member  60  and a lower reinforcing member  62  attached to the upper and lower edges respectively. As best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, a plurality of corner brackets  70  are preferably attached to the corners of the shutter structure for providing additional reinforcement to the shutter structure.  
     [0038] As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, a plurality of securing bolts  42  are attached to the exterior trim  14  or the building structure adjacent to the lower end of the shutter structure. A corresponding plurality of securing tabs  44  are attached to the lower end of the lower bar member  54  having an aperture which is positionable about the securing bolts  42 . A locking member such as a threaded nut or locking pin may be utilized to secure the securing tabs  44  about the securing bolts  42  thereby preventing the opening of the shutter structure from the window  12 .  
     [0039] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.  
     [0040] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
     [0041] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.