HURRICANE RESISTANT FABRIC CLAMPS

• US 20120318469A1
• Filed: 06/20/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catherine Motosko, Stephen J. Motosko, Steve Motosko III
• Original Assignee: Catherine Motosko, Stephen J. Motosko, Steve Motosko III
• Inventors: Motosko, Stephen J., Motosko, Steve III, Motosko, Catherine
• Granted Patent: US 9,255,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/382
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/527 Mounting of screens to window or door
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/00 Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction E06B5/10 takes precedence; wings for doors or windows, connected at their edges, E06B3/48; additional indoor equipment of doors or windows, not forming part of the proper finishing work of a building, e.g. curtains, A47H; gratings as building elements E04C2/24; fastening means E05; operating-mechanisms for wings in general E05F
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/52 Devices affording protection against insects, e.g. fly screens; Mesh windows for other purposes screens A47G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/02 Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/10 using pivoting jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

A storm protection system for covering the opening of a building with a flexible material. The system includes a bracket having a first panel and a second panel, the panels each having a surface, the first surface and the second surface of the bracket having a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon (and various embodiments thereof). Another embodiment utilizing at least one inclined planar portion connected to a planar portion of the bracket at the first edge of the inclined planar portion and an elongated member connected to the at least one inclined planar portion for securing a flexible material. A last embodiment includes a planar bracket having a first end and a second end, the planar bracket made of a resilient material. All embodiments operable to hold a flexible material (fabric, screen . . . etc.) over an opening to a building to protect the opening during a storm.

Claims

1. A storm protection system for covering the opening of a building with a flexible material to protect the opening from damage, the opening having a two spaced apart and opposite edges, the system comprising:

a bracket having a first panel and a second panel;

the first panel of the bracket having a first surface, the first surface of the bracket having a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon, the second panel of the bracket having a second surface, the second surface of the bracket including a plurality of corresponding protrusions disposed thereon; and

a securing means to hold the first panel to the second panel wherein the flexible material is held between the first panel and the second panel.

2. The storm protection system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of protrusions of the first surface and the plurality of protrusions of the second surface are generally conical shaped.

3. The storm protection system of claim 1 the first panel and the second panel are pivotally connected.

4. The storm protection system of claim 3 wherein the first panel and the second panel are pivotally connected in a generally X-shaped design.

5. The storm protection system of claim 4 wherein the securing means is a snap.

6. The storm protection system of claim 1 wherein the first panel and the second panel are connected by an integrated snap.

7. The storm protection system of claim 1 wherein a third panel is provided.

8. The storm protection system of claim 7 wherein the third panel includes a first surface and an opposite second surface.

9. The storm protection system of claim 8 wherein both the first surface and the second surface include a plurality of protrusions.

10. The storm protection system of claim 1 wherein the bracket is generally L-shaped.

11. The storm protection system of claim 1 wherein the first panel and the second panel each include at least one aperture.

12. The storm protection system of claim 11 wherein a fastener is inserted through the aperture of the first and second panels to further secure the flexible material to the bracket.

13. A storm protection system for at least partially covering the opening of a building with a flexible material to protect the opening from damage, the opening having a two spaced apart and opposite edges, the system comprising:

a bracket having a planar portion, the planar portion including a slot;

at least one inclined planar portion extending away from the planar portion, the at least one planar portion having a first edge and an oppositely disposed second edge, the at least one inclined planar portion connected to the planar portion of the bracket at the first edge of the inclined planar portion; and

an elongated member connected to the at least one inclined planar portion, the elongated member connected to in the inclined planar portion at the second edge;

wherein the planar portion attaches to an edge of a building opening and the flexible material attaches to the elongated member, the bracket being permitted to flex under stress placed o the bracket by the flexible material by means of the inclined planar portions.

14. The storm protection system of claim 13 wherein the planar portion includes a plurality of protrusions operable to further secure the planar portion to the building opening.

15. The storm protection system of claim 14 wherein the protrusions are generally conical shaped.

16. The storm protection system of claim 13 wherein the planar portion includes a first upper indentation near the slot.

17. The storm protection system of claim 16 wherein the first upper indentation is generally circular.

18. The storm protection system of claim 16 wherein the planar portion includes a second upper indentation concentrically disposed around the first indentation.

19. A storm protection system for covering the opening of a building with a material to protect the opening from damage, the opening having a two spaced apart and opposite edges, the system comprising:

a planar bracket having a first end and a second end, the planar bracket made of a resilient material;

a first aperture disposed at the first end of the planar bracket, the first aperture of the first end of the planar bracket operable to attach to the edge of the opening of a building; and

a second aperture disposed at the second end of the planar bracket, the second aperture of the second end of the planar bracket operable to attach to the material.

20. The storm protection system of claim 19 wherein the planar bracket includes a plurality of indentations to facilitate flexibility.

21. The storm protection system of claim 19 wherein a cover member covers the planar bracket.

22. The storm protection system of claim 19 wherein at least one support plate mounts to the first aperture.

23. The storm protection system of claim 19 wherein a plate having a first aperture and a second aperture are connected to the planar bracket.

24. The storm protection system of claim 23 wherein the first aperture of the plate is elongated.

25. The storm protection system of claim 19 wherein the bracket includes a plurality of protrusions.

26. The storm protection system of claim 25 wherein the protrusions are generally conical shaped.