Storm panel support apparatus for windows

• US 6,269,597 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John W. Haas
• Original Assignee: John W. Haas
• Inventors: Haas, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): HORTON, YVONNE MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US09/266,563
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 522/041, 522/045.3, 522/045.4, 522/045.95, 522/045.97, 522/046, 522/046.8, 522/047, 522/047.1, 522/047.2, 522/11--13, 522/15, 522/14, 522/02, 522/03, 522/08, 522/046.7, 524/76, 522/046.2, 524/831, 49/57, 49/62, 494/64
• US Class Current: 52/203
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/02 Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary louvre windows or grilles E06B7/08; lamellar blinds E06B9/26

Abstract

A rectangular window opening in a structure is provided with four channel members that provide a decorative frame around the opening. Three of the channel members are permanently fastened to the structure through a flange on the channel. The fourth channel member is removably fastened in place. When the opening must be covered by a storm panel, the fourth channel is unfastened and removed. A rigid rectangular panel is mounted in the three channels. The fourth channel is then mounted on the fourth edge of the panel and then the fourth channel is removably fastened to the structure. All of the elements except the panel remain in place. The panels have no holes or accessories. All panels are interchangeable for the same size window. No tools are needed to mount or remove a panel.

Claims

1. A storm panel attachment apparatus for mounting a rigid rectangular storm panel that has four edges over a rectangular window opening in a structure supporting a window, the window having an upper part, a lower part, and two sides, the attachment apparatus comprising:

a rigid, straight, downwardly opening first channel means for fixedly mounting horizontally on the structure adjacent to the upper part of the window;

a rigid, straight, upwardly opening second channel means for fixedly mounting horizontally on the structure adjacent the lower part of the window;

a rigid, straight, laterally opening third channel means for fixedly mounting vertically on the structure adjacent one of the two sides of the window with the opening of the third channel means facing the window;

a rigid, straight, laterally opening fourth channel means for removably mounting vertically on the structure adjacent the other of the two sides of the window with the opening of the fourth channel means facing the window;

the first, second, third, and fourth channel means having openings dimensioned for receiving therein the rigid rectangular panel and disposed about the opening to provide a substantially continuous rectangular holding frame for the edges of the panel wherein fasteners are not required for attachment between the panel and the channel means;

the fourth channel means being removable so as to enable the insertion of three edges of the rigid rectangular panel into the first, second, and third channel means, and then enable sliding the fourth edge of the panel into the opening in the fourth channel means and removably fastening the fourth channel means to the structure to thereby lock the panel in place over the window opening; and

the fourth channel means for mounting on the structure to provide an enhanced complete decorative frame for the window opening during the great majority of the time when the panel is not in use.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

fastening means for removably fastening the fourth channel means to the structure wherein the fourth channel means remains in position when the panel is not in use to prevent loss or misplacement thereof between panel applications.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first, second, third and fourth channel means are provided with a flange extending away from the opening, the flange provided with fastener receiving apertures by which the channel means are adapted to be fastened to the structure.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which each of said channel means is constructed with legs on each side of the opening being of equal length.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which each of said channel means is constructed with legs on each side of the opening being of unequal length.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a resilient sealing strip means, and in which the opening in each of said channel means is narrower at an inner aspect thereof to receive therein the panel and wider at an outer aspect thereof to receive therein the resilient sealing strip means for sealing the panel against a leg of the channel means and for storing the sealing strip means when a panel is not in use, while sealing the opening against foreign debris.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 in which an outer surface of said channel means is provided with longitudinal striations for decorative purposes.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which an outer surface of said channel means is provided with longitudinal striations for decorative purposes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a resilient strip means, and in which the opening in each said channel means is narrower at an inner aspect thereof to receive therein the edge of the panel and wider at an outer aspect thereof to receive therein a resilient sealing strip means for sealing a leg of the channel means against the panel and for storing the sealing strip means therein when a panel is not in use, while sealing the opening against foreign debris.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a resilient gasket means fastened to a surface of the channel means wherein the resilient gasket is adapated to contact the structure for sealing the channel means to the structure.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a resilient gasket means fastened to a surface of the channel means wherein the resilient gasket is adapated to contact the structure for sealing the channel means to the structure.

12. A method of providing a decorative frame for a window opening having four sides in a structure and removably covering the window opening with a rigid rectangular panel having four edges, the method comprising:

providing four rigid straight channel members, each channel member having a channel opening dimensioned for receiving therein an edge of the panel and a mounting flange extending away from the channel opening, the flange having fastener receiving apertures;

permanently fastening three of the channel members to the structure adjacent three of the sides of the window opening and removably fastening a fourth channel member to the fourth side of the window opening with fasteners through the receiving apertures in the flanges to provide a decorative frame with all fastening elements in place when the panel is not in use;

removing the fourth channel member;

sliding the panel into the three other channel members;

sliding the fourth channel member onto the panel; and

refastening the fourth channel member to the structure to securely hold the panel in place without requiring fasteners from the channel members into the panel.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:

providing a resilient sealing strip;

providing channel members that have an enlarged entrance aspect of the channel opening for receiving and storing the sealing strip to prevent entrance of debris;

removing the sealing strip prior to insertion of the panel;

forcing the sealing strip sealingly between the panel and the channel member after the panel and the fourth channel member have been installed.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

providing a resilient sealing gasket on a surface of the channel member such that the resilient sealing gasket is adapted to contact the structure.