U.S. patent application number 10/690136 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for reinforced shutter.
Invention is credited to Miller, James V..
Application Number | 20050082020 10/690136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34521559 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050082020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller, James V. |
April 21, 2005 |
Reinforced shutter
Abstract
A shutter for a building aperture comprising a shutter curtain
having a first and second face, the shutter curtain being locatable
in the aperture. The shutter further comprises a filament spanning
the aperture and lying in a plane substantially parallel and
adjacent to the first face of the shutter curtain and a tensioning
device for applying tension to the filament to provide support to
the curtain against flexure thereof in a direction towards the
filament.
Inventors: |
Miller, James V.; (Glen
Ellyn, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWREY SIMON ARNOLD & WHITE LLP
c/o IP DOCKETING DEPARTMENT
2941 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, SUITE 200
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22042-2924
US
|
Family ID: |
34521559 |
Appl. No.: |
10/690136 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/17 20130101; E06B
9/581 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/264 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shutter for a building aperture comprising: a shutter curtain
having a first and a second face, the shutter curtain being
locatable in the aperture; a filament spanning the aperture and
lying in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the first
face of the shutter curtain; and a tensioning device for applying
tension to the filament to provide support to the curtain against
flexure thereof in a direction towards the filament.
2. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein the filament comprises
a metallic wire.
3. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device
comprises a winch around which the filament is wound.
4. The shutter according to claim 3, wherein the winch comprises a
locking element for selectively locking the winch against
unwinding.
5. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein the shutter further
comprises first and second guides which respectively receive and
guide opposing lateral edges of the curtain, the guides being
located on opposing lateral edges of the aperture.
6. The shutter according to claim 5, wherein a first end of the
filament is retained on the first guide and the tensioning device
is provided on the second guide, a second end of the filament being
received by the tensioning device.
7. The shutter according to claim 5, wherein a first end of the
filament is retained on the first guide and a retaining element is
provided on the second guide, the filament passing around the
retaining element and being received by the tensioning device.
8. The shutter according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of
retaining elements are provided and the filament is laced around
the retaining elements.
9. The shutter according to claim 8, wherein the retaining elements
are slidably mounted to the first and second guides.
10. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein the shutter further
comprises a second filament spanning the aperture.
11. The shutter according to claim 10, further comprising a second
tensioning device for applying tension to the second filament.
12. The shutter according to claim 10, wherein the second filament
lies in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the second
face of the shutter curtain.
13. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
filaments are provided, the plurality of filaments being tensioned
by a single tensioning device.
14. The shutter according to claim 1, wherein a storage device is
provided for storing at least part of the filament when not under
tension.
15. The shutter according to claim 14, wherein the storage device
comprises an elastic element biasing the filament in a direction
into the storage device.
16. A storm retainer for retaining a shutter curtain against
flexure, the shutter curtain being located across an aperture of a
building, the storm retainer comprising: a filament; an anchor
attached to a first portion of the filament and securing the first
portion with respect to the aperture; a tensioning device, the
tensioning device being secured with respect to the aperture and
being attached to a second portion of the filament, actuation of
the tensioning device causing tensioning of the filament from the
first portion to the second portion.
17. The storm retainer according to claim 16, wherein the anchor
attaches to the building adjacent to the aperture.
18. The storm retainer according to claim 16, wherein the shutter
curtain is provided with a frame and the anchor attaches to the
frame.
19. A shutter for a building aperture comprising: a plurality of
slats articulated to one another to form a shutter curtain, at
least one of the slats having a hollow interior; lateral guides
located on opposite sides of the building aperture, each lateral
guide having a channel serving to guide the curtain for sliding
motion along the guides; a filament extending through the hollow
interior of the at least one slat, the filament having first and
second ends; a wind-lock attached to each of the first and second
ends of the filament and extending into the channels of the guides;
restraining elements located within the guides, the restraining
elements preventing removal of the wind-locks from the channels;
and a tensioning device for selectively applying tension to the
filament to tension the wind-locks against the restraining
elements.
20. The shutter according to claim 19, wherein the filament
comprises two filament sections and the tensioning device comprises
a turnbuckle, rotatable to draw the two filament sections
together.
21. The shutter according to claim 19, wherein the filament
comprises two filament sections and the tensioning device comprises
a lever clamp, pivotable to draw the two filament sections
together.
22. The shutter according to claim 19, wherein at least one
restraining element is movable with respect to the other
restraining element and the tensioning device comprises an actuator
to move the at least one restraining element to tension the
filament.
23. A method of restraining against flexure a shutter provided in a
building aperture, the method comprising: providing a substantially
inextensible filament; disposing the filament across the aperture
to lie substantially in the plane of the shutter; and applying
tension to the filament.
24. A shutter for a building aperture comprising: a shutter curtain
having a first and a second face, the shutter curtain being
locatable in the aperture; a flexible strengthening means spanning
the aperture and lying in a plane substantially parallel and
adjacent to the first face of the shutter curtain; and tensioning
means for applying tension to the flexible strengthening means to
provide support to the curtain against flexure thereof in a
direction towards the flexible strengthening means.
25. The shutter according to claim 24, wherein the shutter further
comprises first and second guides which respectively receive and
guide opposing lateral edges of the curtain, said guides being
located on opposing lateral edges of the aperture.
26. The shutter according to claim 25, wherein the flexible
strengthening means includes a first end and a second end, and
wherein said first end of the flexible strengthening means is
retained on said first guide and said tensioning means is provided
on the second guide, said second end of the flexible strengthening
means being connected by attachment means to said tensioning
means.
27. The shutter according to claim 26, wherein said tensioning
means comprise a knob having a threaded extension which receives
the second end of said flexible strengthening means.
28. The shutter according to claim 27 wherein the tensioning means
further comprises a movable restraining element which engages said
second guide.
29. The shutter according to claim 27 wherein said tensioning means
further comprises means for engaging the threaded extension.
30. The shutter according to claim 28 wherein the means for
engaging the threaded extension comprise a nut for securing the
threaded extension of the tensioning means
31. The shutter according to claim 29 wherein the tensioning means
is disposed within a slot within the second guide such that the nut
may be engaged by the second guide, and whereby the flexible
strengthening means may be maintained at a desired tension.
32. The shutter according to claim 27 wherein the means for
engaging the threaded extension comprise a threaded receptacle
affixed to the second guide.
33. The shutter according to claim 26, wherein the attachment means
comprise a spherical terminus of the flexible strengthening means,
whereby the diameter of the spherical terminus is large enough to
allow engagement with the tensioning means.
34. The shutter according to claim 24, wherein a second flexible
strengthening means spans the aperture and lies in a plane
substantially parallel and adjacent to the second face of the
shutter curtain.
35. The shutter according to claim 26 wherein a plurality of said
flexible strengthening means are retained between said first and
second guides in parallel to one another and wherein one or more
additional flexible strengthening means are slidably mounted
transversely upon said plurality of parallel flexible strengthening
means whereby the resulting configuration of flexible strengthening
means is a grid.
36. The shutter according to claim 1 wherein said tensioning device
comprises the shutter curtain whereby the shutter curtain provides
tension to the filament as the shutter curtain is flexed or bowed
by the wind.
37. The shutter according to claim 24 wherein said tensioning
device comprises the shutter curtain whereby the shutter curtain
provides tension to the flexible strengthening device as the
shutter curtain is flexed or bowed by the wind.
38. The shutter according to claim 24 wherein the shutter curtain
comprises a rigid panel having one or more apertures adapted to
receive said filament.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to shutters and in particular
to shutters of the roller type having improved resistance to storms
and break-ins. It furthermore relates to a device for securing such
shutters against storm damage.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Shutters or blinds for windows, doors and other apertures
are generally known. A common design for such shutters is the
so-called roller shutter. Such roller shutters generally comprise a
number of horizontally extending slats, articulated to one another
to form a curtain. The curtain may be provided with a roller,
usually located at the upper edge of the window, around which the
curtain may be wound to raise it or lower it. The lateral edges of
the curtain will usually be guided by vertically extending guides
attached to the lateral edges of the window aperture. Guiding may
be achieved by lateral extremities of some or all of the slats
extending into a U-shaped channel within the guide. Other similar
arrangements to provide effective guiding are also known.
[0003] Simple guiding arrangements may suffice for internal blinds
or shutters for the purpose of preventing light, or for light-duty
external shutters. For shutters intended to be resistant against
strong winds, break-ins or other damage, further measures are
required.
[0004] It is also known to provide shutters with additional
security means in the form of storm bars, which can be applied
vertically across either or both faces of the shutter to provide
additional support. Such storm bars are both unsightly and
inconvenient and require substantial space. Often, due to the size
of the storm bar, the frame of the aperture must be further built
out to provide sufficient clearance. Furthermore, since they are
often only applied in readiness for a storm or when "shutting up at
night", they may sometimes be absent when required, e.g. in the
event of an unexpected storm. Likewise, conventional storm shutters
lack a horizontal element other than the retracted, coiled shutter,
and for use of conventional storm shutters, vertical supports must
further be installed, often at great difficulty and requirement of
extensive hardware. The vertical supports commonly used in
connection with a conventional storm shutter may require
significant building out of the frame of the aperture or even
beyond the frame of the aperture.
[0005] Arrangements have been suggested for increasing the storm
resistance of shutters by providing wind-lock elements at the ends
of some or all of the slats. The wind-locks may be in the form of
T-shaped elements or other protuberances, which locate in C-shaped
channels in the lateral guides. In order for sliding of the slats
within the lateral guides to take place without jamming, there must
be clearance between the wind-lock elements and the guides. Under
storm conditions, this clearance allows the slat to bow inwards and
outwards before it is restrained by the wind-locks. Such bowing is
both undesirable and unacceptable, as it may result in breakage of
the window or door the shutter was installed to protect. A device
of this nature is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,493 to
Quasius.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention, resistance to high winds
and other forces may be achieved without the above-mentioned
disadvantages by the use of a high-strength wire or cable tensioned
across the building aperture to provide support to the shutter.
There is thus provided a shutter for a building aperture comprising
a shutter curtain having a first and a second face, the shutter
curtain being locatable in the aperture, a filament spanning the
aperture and lying in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent
to the first face of the shutter curtain and a tensioning device
for applying tension to the filament to provide support to the
curtain against flexure thereof.
[0007] Advantageously the filament comprises a metallic wire of
high modulus of elasticity, in particular a stainless steel or high
strength alloy wire. Alternatively, the filament may comprise a
high strength fiber cable of low extensibility such as the carbon
fiber cords used in the rigging of sailing boats. In addition, the
filament may be any flexible strengthening means comprising a wire,
cable, chain, or elongated support having sufficient flexibility to
be wound around the tensioning device.
[0008] To ensure easy deployment and tensioning of the filament,
the tensioning device may comprise a winch. The winch may comprise
a locking element such as a ratchet, for selectively locking the
winch against unwinding. Alternatively, the tensioning device may
be a lever or cam element which tensions and locks the filament by
pivoting about a fixed point. As a further alternative, the shutter
curtain may itself provide tensioning of the filament as the
shutter curtain is flexed or bowed by the pressure or vacuum forces
induced by high winds. The shutter curtain may act as the
tensioning device either alone or in combination with an additional
tensioning device as above described.
[0009] The shutter may be of a generally standard form comprising
first and second guides or sidetracks which respectively receive
and guide opposing lateral edges of the curtain, the guides being
located on opposing lateral edges of the aperture. A first end of
the filament may then be retained on the first guide and a second
end of the filament retained by the tensioning device provided on
the second guide. Alternatively, a retaining element such as a hook
or loop may be provided on the second guide with the filament
passing around the retaining element and being received by the
tensioning device attached to the first guide.
[0010] In order to provide further support to the shutter curtain,
according to a further aspect of the invention a plurality of
retaining elements may be provided in a distributed fashion over
the length of both guides and the filament may be laced around the
retaining elements such that it crosses the shutter curtain a
number of times. For such an arrangement, the tensioning device
must be capable of removing a greater amount of slack than is the
case with a shorter filament which crosses the shutter a single
time.
[0011] Where a plurality of retaining elements is provided, these
may be either fixed or slidably mounted to the first and second
guides. Alternatively, they may be mounted to the structure
surrounding the aperture either directly or indirectly.
[0012] In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention
a second filament may be provided to support the shutter curtain.
The second filament may be provided with a second separate
tensioning device or both filaments may be tensioned in parallel
using the same device. In order to provide support against forces
applied to both faces of the shutter (or acting in both
directions), if the first filament is located adjacent to a first
face of the shutter curtain, the second filament may be located in
a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the second face of
the shutter curtain. Alternatively or additionally, further
filaments may be provided adjacent to the same face of the
shutter.
[0013] According to a desirable embodiment of the invention, a
storage device may be provided for conveniently storing at least
part of the filament when not under tension. Such a storage device
may be a reel or may be provided by a cavity within the guides. The
storage device may comprise an elastic element biasing the filament
in a direction into the storage device.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, and
particularly for use in conjunction with existing shutters, there
is provided a storm retainer for retaining a shutter curtain
against flexure, the shutter curtain being located across an
aperture, the storm retainer comprising a filament; an anchor
attached to a first portion of the filament and securing the first
portion with respect to the aperture; and a tensioning device, the
tensioning device being secured with respect to the aperture and
being attached to a second portion of the filament wherein
actuation of the tensioning device causes tensioning of the
filament from the first portion to the second portion.
[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a shutter for a building aperture
comprising a plurality of slats articulated to one another to form
a shutter curtain, at least one of the slats having a hollow
interior. Lateral guides are located on opposite sides of the
building aperture, each lateral guide having a channel serving to
guide the curtain for sliding motion along the guides. A filament
extends through the hollow interior of the at least one slat, the
filament having first and second ends and a wind-lock is attached
to each of the first and second ends of the filament, extending
into the channels of the guides. Restraining elements are located
within the guides, the restraining elements preventing removal of
the wind-locks from the channels. In order to tension the
wind-locks against the restraining elements a tensioning device is
provided for selectively applying tension to the filament. Such a
device does not require separate storage of the tensioning filament
since it remains effectively out of sight within the slat.
Nevertheless, by providing for selective tensioning of the filament
to lock the wind-lock within the guides, these can be subsequently
released to allow for rolling up of the shutter curtain without
snagging and jamming of the wind-locks. Various tensioning devices
may be used to provide such selective tensioning.
[0016] The filament may comprise two filament sections joined by a
turnbuckle, rotatable to draw the two filament sections together.
Alternatively, a pivotable lever clamp may be provided to draw the
two filament sections together.
[0017] In addition to the use of a shutter curtain having slats, it
is also within the scope of this invention to employ a rigid panel
supported by a filament as a covering to a building aperture. In
the use of a rigid panel, such as one made of plywood, acrylic,
polycarbonate, or thin metal, the filament may be laced through
various apertures in the panel at a favorable orientation. In the
alternate, the filament and panel could be bolted or otherwise
together affixed to the building. The panel may have a plurality of
holes around its perimeter so that a user may affix the panel to
the building aperture wherever an opportunity exists to do so,
without the need to drill more holes. A particularly useful
filament for this embodiment of the invention is the Stake Eye
cable, commercially produced by Loos & Co., available in a
variety of sizes according to the user's need. One advantage of
using a filament to support a rigid panel would be that the
additional support provided by the filament could allow use of a
thinner rigid panel or a less corrugated rigid panel than would be
required without the use of a filament. A decrease in panel
thickness or corrugation would make the panels lighter in weight.
When panels are made of translucent or transparent materials, a
decrease in thickness or corrugation would improve visibility
through the panel and also would allow more light to penetrate the
building than with a thicker material.
[0018] The invention also provides for a method of restraining a
shutter provided in a building aperture against flexure, the method
comprising providing a substantially inextensible filament,
disposing the filament across the aperture to lie substantially in
the plane of the shutter and applying tension to the filament.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] Embodiments of the invention will now be explained in
further detail by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an elevation of a window aperture including a
storm retainer according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an elevation of a window aperture including a
storm retainer according to a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial horizontal sectional view of a third
embodiment of a storm retainer according to the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a partial view of a retaining arrangement for the
device according to FIG. 3, taken in the direction B-B;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the tensioning device of FIG.
3;
[0025] FIG. 5B is a detailed view of an alternative tensioning
device to that of FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a partial horizontal sectional view of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view through a shutter
assembly according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view through an alternative
shutter assembly to that of FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a detail cross-sectional view along direction C-C
of FIG. 8;
[0030] FIG. 10 is an elevation of a window aperture including a
storm retainer according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a partial horizontal sectional view of an
alternative shutter assembly to that of FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 13 is an elevation of a window aperture including a
storm retainer according to an alternative to the embodiment of
FIG. 1;
[0034] FIGS. 13a and 13b depict a horizontal sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 13 under conditions free from wind pressure and
conditions of wind pressure, respectively; and
[0035] FIG. 14 depicts an elevation of a seventh embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention, applied to a window aperture 1. For the sake of clarity,
details of the window itself are not shown. In the following
description, reference will be made interchangeably to window and
aperture. Although reference is made to a window, this is also
intended to include doors, roof lights, French windows and any
other openings in a building or structure for which it may be
desirable to provide additional storm security.
[0037] Aperture 1 is provided with a pair of guides 3,4 located on
opposite lateral edges of the aperture 1. Guides 3,4 serve to guide
motion of a shutter curtain 10, which may be raised or lowered by a
suitable mechanism (not shown) to selectively cover the aperture 1.
The shutter curtain 10 may be a roller shutter of otherwise
standard configuration formed of a plurality of slats 12
articulated together, whereby the curtain may be rolled up within a
shutter casing 14.
[0038] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an
anchor 20 is attached securely to guide 4 adjacent to an upper
left-hand corner of the aperture 1. A filament 22 is attached to
the anchor 20 and crosses the aperture 1 diagonally to a second
anchor 24 located adjacent to the lower right-hand corner of the
aperture 1. The second anchor 24 is located on a lever 26 pivoted
to the guide 3 at a pivot point 28. By clockwise rotation of the
lever 26 in the direction of the arrow A, the filament 22 may be
tensioned. A locking pin 30 is provided for insertion into a
suitable hole in the guide 3 to maintain the lever 26 in the
tensioned position.
[0039] By appropriate tensioning of the filament 22 between anchors
20 and 24, a lateral deflection of the mid-point of the filament 22
may be reduced to an amount dependent upon the modulus of
elasticity of the filament 22 and the lateral force applied. Use of
filaments made from high-modulus materials such as steel wire, in
particular stainless steel or carbon-fiber cord has been found to
be particularly advantageous. Other materials having similar
properties of flexibility, strength and lightness may also be
considered.
[0040] In contrast to prior art systems which require sturdy metal
bars to be placed across the shutters to provide support, the
device according to the present invention is extremely lightweight
and can be easily deployed and conveniently stored when not
required. The anchor 20, which may also be in the form of a hole or
slot directly in the guide 4 itself, can be left in place, while
filament 22 and lever 26 can be removed for storage. Conveniently,
the lever may be arranged so that the filament can be wound around
it for storage. Pivot point 28 and locking pin 30 may be removed or
left in place as desired. Alternative storage possibilities for the
filament 22 may also be provided, thus the filament 22 may be
concealed within a hollow internal channel within the guide 4 and
extended to a fixed stop only when needed. Elastic retraction means
such as a spring or elastic cable could be provided within such a
channel to facilitate retraction of the filament when not in
use.
[0041] Once the filament 22 is tensioned across aperture 1, forces
on the shutter curtain 10 tending to push it against the filament
22 will be resisted by the elastic deformation of the filament 22
as well as by the support provided around the periphery of the
curtain 10 by the guides 3,4. In an alternative to the use of a
tensioning device, FIG. 13 depicts the shutter curtain 10 in
combination with guides 3 and 4, anchors 20 and 20', and filament
22. Not shown is an optional second filament 22' located on the
opposite side of the shutter curtain. Tensioning of filaments 22
and 22' across aperture 1 may occur even without the use of a
tensioning device, through the pressure and vacuum forces of high
winds, as depicted in FIGS. 13a and 13b.
[0042] The shutter curtain 10 may optionally be provided with a
hook element 32 through which filament 22 may be threaded or
looped. Hook element 32 is preferably recessed into one of the
slats 12 forming the curtain 10 to prevent it from interfering with
the rolling up of the curtain 10. By passing the filament 22
through the hook element 32, the filament 22 may also serve to
resist forces on the shutter curtain 10 in a direction tending to
push it away from the filament 22. This is particularly important
since storm shutters must be capable of resisting both pressure and
vacuum forces induced by high winds.
[0043] It will be evident to the skilled man that alternative forms
of hook element 32 may be provided and that, instead of a single
element, numerous such elements could be provided along the course
of the filament 22. Alternatively or additionally, a second
filament together with appropriate anchoring and tensioning devices
may be provided on the other face of the shutter curtain 10,
whereby the shutter curtain is effectively sandwiched between two
tensioned filaments, as depicted in FIG. 11.
[0044] FIG. 2 discloses a second embodiment of the present
invention in which like numerals are used to denote the same
elements as in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 2, aperture 1 is provided
with a shutter casing 14 into which the shutter curtain 10 has been
retracted. In this embodiment, in order to provide greater support
for the curtain 10, guides 3, 4 are provided with a number of
retainers 34 distributed between them. Filament 22 is attached to
anchor point 20 at the upper left-hand corner of the window and
passes in turn around the retainers 34 in a zigzag manner. To aid
in the attachment of the filament 22 around the retainers 34, the
retainers 34 are open on one side (not shown) in the form of a
hook. In this way, the filament may be looped around them in the
manner of lacing up mountaineering boots. As an alternative to such
hooks, retaining loops or eyes could be used whereby the filament
would be threaded sequentially through each loop or eye. At the
lower right-hand corner of the aperture 1, a winch 36 is provided.
Winch 36 is a conventional ratchet operated device around which the
filament 22 may be wound. Suitable connection means (not shown) are
provided at the free end of the cable to assist connection to the
winch 36. Actuation of the winch 36 causes the filament 22 to be
tensioned and the ratchet mechanism allows it to be locked in
place. The tensioned filament 22 serves to support the shutter
curtain in substantially the same way as in the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0045] Advantageously, the winch 36 may serve to wind up the
filament 22 when not in use and may then be removed for storage. In
order to ensure equal tension along the length of the filament 22,
bearings (not shown) may be provided to reduce frictional forces
between the filament 22 and the retainers 34. The bearings may be
in the form of a lubricated surface such as PTFE on either the
filament 22 or the retainers 34 or both. Alternatively, the
retainers 34 may be provided with roller or pulley-type elements
over which the filament 22 is passed. As in the case of FIG. 1, a
second filament and tensioning arrangement may be provided for the
other face of the shutter.
[0046] Other methods of storing and deploying the cable may also be
used. While the retainers 34 of FIG. 2 are shown in fixed
locations, they may also be arranged to slide in grooves formed in
the guides 3,4. When not in use, the retainers 34 and filament 22
may be slid upwards for storage at the upper edge of the aperture,
any resulting slack in the filament 22 being taken up by an
appropriate retraction mechanism as described above.
[0047] In the embodiments of both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the anchor 20
and the tensioning device (lever 26 or ratchet 36) have been
located on the guides 3, 4. According to the present invention,
these elements as well as the retainers 34 of FIG. 2 may also be
located independently of the guides, either affixed directly to the
structure forming the aperture or forming part of a separate
element to be located adjacent to the guides 3,4. Such a
configuration may be beneficial in situations where it is desired
to retro-fit storm protection according to the present invention to
existing shutters.
[0048] A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 3 to 5 in which once again like numerals are used to denote
the same elements as in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a partial horizontal
sectional view through a shutter, showing generally C-shaped guides
3, 4. Guides 3, 4 are securely attached to the outside face of a
wall 17 by suitable bolts 18 or other appropriate fastening means.
The guide 4 includes front and rear profiles 38, 38' between which
a slot 39 is provided in which the shutter curtain 10 may slide.
Front and rear nuts 40, 40' are securely supported within the front
and rear profiles 38, 38' respectively and attached to front and
rear filaments 22, 22'. For this purpose, each filament 22, 22' is
provided with a tensioning device in the form of a knob 42, 42'
with threaded extension 44, 44'. The threaded extensions 44, 44'
locate within threaded bores of nuts 40, 40'. At the other
extremity of both filaments 22, 22', front and rear anchors 20, 20'
are provided for retention by guide 3, as will be described
below.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a section of guide 4, taken
in direction B-B of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows how nuts 40, 40' are
retained within profiles 38, 38' by means of keyhole-shaped slots
46, 46'. As can be seen from the dotted profile of nuts 40, 40',
the nuts 46, 46' are sized to fit through the larger portions 48,
48' of slots 46, 46' and to lock in the downwardly extending narrow
sections 50, 50'. From FIG. 4, it can also be seen how the
square-shaped head of the nut 40 (shown partially in broken lines)
prevents the nut 40 from rotating within the profile 38 when the
knob 42 is rotated. Anchors 20, 20' are retained in a similar
manner in similar slots provided in the guide 3. In this manner,
filaments 22, 22' are easily removed, when desired, for
storage.
[0050] In use, when it is desired to secure the aperture against
storm damage or break-in, a filament 22 is retrieved from storage
and anchor 20 is located within the locating slot provided in guide
3. Then, the filament 22 is extended across the aperture and the
nut 40 is located within slot 46 as described above. Knob 42 is
then threaded inwardly to move threaded extension 44 into the nut
40 to cause the filament 22 to be tensioned. Because of the high
modulus material used for the filament 22, the filament 22 is very
inextensible and sufficient tension may be achieved with little
relative movement between the threaded extension 44 and the nut 40.
A similar procedure is then followed for filament 22'.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates the position in which filament 22' has
been tensioned by advancing threaded extension 44' through nut 40',
while filament 22 is still relatively slack. The arrangement of the
filaments may be conducted with the shutter curtain in the raised
position. Once the filaments are in place and tightened, the
shutter may be slid down along the slot 39 through the gap
separating the filaments 22, 22'.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates in further detail the construction of one
of the tensioning arrangements of FIG. 3. In order to attach the
filament 22 to the knob 42, the threaded extension 44 is provided
with a hollow bore 52 through which the filament 22 extends. The
extremity of the filament 22 carries a spherical terminus 54 having
a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of bore 52. When
tension is applied to the filament 22, terminus 54 seats against
the end of threaded extension 44 but allows rotation between the
two surfaces. In this way, twisting of the filament 22 on rotation
of knob 42 is prevented.
[0053] An alternative arrangement for retaining and tensioning the
ends of the filaments for the embodiment of FIG. 3, is illustrated
in FIG. 5B. According to this embodiment, instead of the keyhole
shaped slots 46, 46', the profile 38 is provided with a threaded
nut or insert 45, securely attached by welding, adhesives or
otherwise to the face of the profile 38. FIG. 5B shows in detail
the threaded extension 44, which in this construction requires no
nut, since it can be screwed directly into the insert 45. It is to
be noted in FIG. 5B, that the spherical head 54 of the filament 22
must be smaller than that of the embodiment of FIG. 5, to allow
insertion into the insert 45.
[0054] Although a single pair of filaments 22, 22' has been
illustrated in the above embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, it will be
evident to the skilled man that further filaments may be provided
at different positions over the height of the shutter. Similarly,
although the illustrated embodiment is of horizontally disposed
filaments, such filaments may also be arranged vertically between
suitably located profiles along the upper and lower edges of the
window aperture. The skilled man will also recognise further
alternative ways of providing tension to the individual filaments.
The tension may be provided by individual devices located either on
the filament itself or on one or both of the guides. Alternatively,
a single tensioning device may be used to tension all of the
filaments (at least on one side of the shutter curtain) in
parallel. As an example of such a system, it is envisioned that the
profile 38 could be mounted for lateral movement with respect to
e.g. the guide 4. Movement of the profile 38 in a direction away
from the opposite guide 3 would serve to tension any filaments
attached between profile 38 and the guide 3 and could be
accomplished by appropriate screw or camming devices.
[0055] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the filament
22 has been disposed in a position adjacent to an outer face of the
shutter curtain. According to a further embodiment of the
invention, the filament 22 may be located within one or more of the
slats 12 forming the shutter curtain 10. FIG. 6 illustrates a
partial cross sectional view of such a device including guides 3,
4, shutter slat 12 located in slot 39 and filament 22. The slat 12
has a hollow interior 56 through which the filament 22 is threaded.
Both extremities of the filament are provided with wind-locks 58
which prevent pullout of the slat from the slot 39 by engagement
with restraining elements in the form of internal ribs 60. In order
to provide for tensioning of the filament 22, a turnbuckle 62 is
provided at an intermediate point along the filament 22. The
turnbuckle 62 may be of standard design and comprises left and
right handed screw threads 64, 66 whereby rotation of the
turnbuckle causes the two ends of the filament to be drawn
together. The turnbuckle 62 may be located in a recess 68 in the
slat 12, accessible only from the interior of the shutter, thereby
enhancing security against break-ins. Other well-known devices for
tensioning the filament 22 may be used instead of the turnbuckle
62. Such devices may include lever action tensioning buckles or the
like. Alternatively, the tensioning arrangement may be arranged to
act on the wind-lock 58 by e.g. movement of one or both of the
guides 3,4 or by the provision of movable restraining elements
instead of the fixed internal ribs 60 as depicted in FIG. 12.
[0056] For the embodiment of FIG. 3, where profiles are arranged on
either side of a guiding slot, additional provisions may be
required to ensure that the shutter operates correctly. FIG. 7 is a
side cross-sectional view through a shutter assembly mounted onto
the external face of the wall 17 of a building showing the shutter
curtain 10 wound up inside shutter casing 14. FIG. 7 also shows
profiles 38, 38' mounted on either side of slot 39 and a number of
keyhole shaped slots 46, 46' for receiving the nut of a storm
retainer filament (not shown). The presence of profile 38' means
that the slot 39 is distanced from the wall 17 by a distance
corresponding to the thickness of the profile 38'. In order to
ensure that the shutter curtain 10 enters the slot 39 with minimum
friction and without snagging, a roller 70 is located within the
shutter casing 14 above the profile 38'.
[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative arrangement to that of
FIG. 7, in which the shutter casing 14 is spaced from the wall 17
by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the profile 38'. In
the illustrated embodiment, the profile 38', itself serves as the
spacer, extending upwards beyond the upper edge of the other
profile 38 and the slot 39. This is advantageously achieved by
forming the guides 3, 4 as two-piece extrusions as shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9, which represents a cross-section taken along line C-C in
FIG. 8 shows how the first profile 38 together with slot 39 are
formed as a first element, while the second profile 38' is
separately formed as a second element.
[0058] FIG. 10 discloses a fifth embodiment of the present
invention in which like numerals are used to denote the same
elements as in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 10, aperture 1 is provided
with a pair of guides 3,4 located on opposite lateral edges of the
aperture 1. The aperture is also provided with a shutter casing 14
within which the curtain has been retracted. Separate filaments 22,
22', and 22" are attached at one end to anchors 20, 20', and 20",
respectively, which are themselves attached to guide 4. Filaments
22, 22', and 22" are also attached at their other ends to anchors
X, X', and X", respectively, which are, in turn, attached to guide
3. Filaments Y and Y' are attached transverse to filaments 22, 22',
and 22" such that the entire assembly of filaments forms a grid.
Although FIG. 10 shows a grid assembly having three horizontal
filaments and two vertical filaments, such an assembly could have
varying numbers of horizontal and vertical filaments within the
present disclosure.
[0059] For the above embodiments, the guides 3, 4 are preferably
formed from metal or other high strength materials in order to
withstand the forces applied to the shutter curtain 10 by high
winds or during an attempted break-in. This is especially important
in those cases where the anchors for the filament are provided on
the guides themselves and tensioning takes place between the
guides. Preferably, the guides are formed as extrusions of metal.
High strength aluminium alloy has been found especially suited to
this purpose.
[0060] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, rigid panel Z is
depicted in a building aperture wherein filaments 22 and 22' are
threaded through holes in the panel in a cross-wise
configuration.
[0061] Many further modifications in addition to those described
above may be made to the structures and techniques described herein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described,
these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *