Patent ID: 7377074

Claim:
A shutter having a frame and a plurality of louvers, the plurality of louvers are rotatably mounted in the frame, the plurality of louvers moving in unison between an opened position and a closed position, the shutter having a control rod, the control rod extending perpendicular and vertically to the plurality of louvers, the shutter comprising: (a) a plurality of first connection members mounted on the plurality of louvers having a plurality of first hinge formations extending outwardly from the plurality of louvers, wherein the plurality of first hinged formations have a plurality of pin members extending therefrom in a first direction that is substantially normal thereto; and (b) a plurality of second connection members mounted on the control rod having a plurality of second hinge formations extending outwardly from the control rod, wherein the plurality of second hinge formations have a first plurality of recesses for receiving the plurality of pin members in a pivotal relation, and wherein the plurality of pin members are engaged to the first plurality of recesses to provide a plurality of hinge connections between the plurality of louvers and the control rod, wherein the plurality of hinge connections define a predetermined axis of rotation spaced between the plurality of louvers and the control rod, wherein the predetermined axis of rotation is spaced further away from the control rod than the plurality of louvers, and wherein the control rod is located at a distance from the plurality of louvers sufficient to permit the plurality of louvers to be fully closed by the control rod without the control rod contacting the plurality of louvers.