Title:
SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION
United States Patent 3691687
Abstract:
A shutter construction comprising a plurality of slats within a rigid frame. The slats are placed within the frame by means of a plurality of adapters which fit into a groove in the side pieces of the frame. Projections on the adapters project into the rolled edges of the slats thus permitting the slats to be slid down the grooves in the frame. The adapter may consist of two sections so that the slats may be pivoted with respect to the frame.
US Patent References:
Combined screen and adjustable transparent ventilator
Wogan - April 1926 - 1582111
Air register
Davies - February 1946 - 2395319
Air damper assembly including sidewall sealing means
McCabe - May 1968 - 3381601
MOVEABLE LOUVERED SHUTTER
Baird - July 1969 - 3455057
Combined screen and adjustable transparent ventilator
Wogan - April 1926 - 1582111
Air register
Davies - February 1946 - 2395319
Air damper assembly including sidewall sealing means
McCabe - May 1968 - 3381601
MOVEABLE LOUVERED SHUTTER
Baird - July 1969 - 3455057
Application Number:
05/169682
Publication Date:
09/19/1972
Filing Date:
08/06/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
454/224, 52/473, 49/371, 49/90.100
International Classes:
E06B7/082; E06B7/084; E06B7/02; E06B7/082; E06B7/084; E05F17/00
Field of Search:
49/74-92,371 98/121R,121A,110 52/473
Primary Examiner:
Williamowsky, David J.
Assistant Examiner:
Kannan, Philip C.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A shutter for use in combination with a wall opening and adapted to be positioned in overlying relation to the wall opening, comprising:
2. A shutter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crossbar section is integral with said strip sections on each of said adapters.
3. A shutter in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said adapters comprise two separate pieces, one being said strip section and the other being said crossbar section and wherein said strip section has a hole therein and said crossbar section has a pivotal projection thereon, said pivotal projection fitting into said hole in said strip section.
4. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
5. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
6. A shutter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said strip section and said crossbar section are constructed of a rigid but yieldable plastic such that said pivotal projection may be rotated within said hole, said teeth and said rises acting as a ratchet mechanism to hold said crossbar at any set rotational position.
7. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 further including:
8. A shutter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bar is located on the side of the shutter closest to the wall opening.
9. A shutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
1. A shutter for use in combination with a wall opening and adapted to be positioned in overlying relation to the wall opening, comprising:
2. A shutter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crossbar section is integral with said strip sections on each of said adapters.
3. A shutter in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said adapters comprise two separate pieces, one being said strip section and the other being said crossbar section and wherein said strip section has a hole therein and said crossbar section has a pivotal projection thereon, said pivotal projection fitting into said hole in said strip section.
4. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
5. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
6. A shutter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said strip section and said crossbar section are constructed of a rigid but yieldable plastic such that said pivotal projection may be rotated within said hole, said teeth and said rises acting as a ratchet mechanism to hold said crossbar at any set rotational position.
7. A shutter in accordance with claim 3 further including:
8. A shutter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bar is located on the side of the shutter closest to the wall opening.
9. A shutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
Description:
The present invention relates to shutters, and more particularly, to the construction of shutters, particularly the kind of shutters known as Bahama shutters. Bahama shutters are shutters having a rigid frame holding a plurality of slats therein. They can be placed beside a window or be moved in front of a window to afford protection during storms.
Various methods are used in the prior art to apply the slats to the frame. They may be individually fastened to the frame, slid through individual holes in the side of the frame, or plugged into individual grooves in the frame. All of these methods have shortcomings including the fact that each slot must be carefully fitted into place.
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the defects of the prior art, such as indicated above.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved shutter construction which is sturdy, inexpensive and highly effective.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method of fabrication of a Bahama shutter.
The construction of the present invention is an improvement on all of the above described prior art devices. The slats are simply and easily slid into place. A rigid frame is used with a vertical groove running longitudinally down the inside of the frame from top to bottom on both sides. This groove holds a plurality of adapters, which consist of a nylon strip which fits in the groove and a short crossbar which may be integrally attached to the strip. The crossbar is the same width as the slats and has a pair of projections integral therewith which engage the rolled ends of the slat.
Thus, each slat is fitted with an adapter on each end and then is fitted into the groove and slid down to the bottom of the shutter. This is a simple method of constructing Bahama shutters and allows control of the slats by controlling the angle of the crossbar in the manufacture of the adapter. Furthermore, the distance between each shutter is controlled by the length of the strip portion of the adapter.
This and other embodiments of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter according to the present invention in place on a window;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary exploded views of other embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the shutter having a connecting bar attached to the slats.
A typical Bahama shutter 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A rigid frame composed of side pieces 11 and 12 and top and bottom pieces 13 and 14 carries a plurality of slats 15. The shutter 10 is emplaced on the exterior wall 16 of the structure desired to be protected, e.g. in front of a window.
If desired, the shutter 10 may be provided with an adjusting feature whereby it can be pivoted from the bottom and held in place by a telescoping arm 17. Further, the shutter 10 may be arranged on a track 18 so that it can be slid to either side of the window. Rows of vents 19 may be punched in the slats for ventilation and the passage therethrough of light.
Referring to FIG. 2 it is seen according to one embodiment of the present invention that the side piece 12 has a longitudinal groove 20 on the inside center thereof. An adapter 21 is constructed to fit within the groove 20 and be slidable therein. The adapter 21 is advantageously a one-piece molding and s preferably constructed of nylon or some other suitable material which has good strength and yet is inexpensive in its final molded form.
The adapter 21 consists of a strip section 22 designed to fit within groove 20 and a crossbar section 23 integral with strip 22. The crossbar 23 is approximately the same length as the slat 15 and is aligned at an angle with the vertical (i.e., the longitudinal axis of strip 22) which has been predetermined to be the appropriate angle for the slats 15 in the finished shutter 10. Projections 24 integrally extend from the crossbar 23 and are adapted to fit into rolled ends 25 of these slats 15. It can thus be seen that if the adapters 21 are fitted into rolled ends 25 of both sides of each slat 15, the slats 15 may easily be inserted into grooves 20 in frame side pieces 11 and 12 via the nylon strip 22 of adapters 21 and slid into place.
Another embodiment of the present invention is seen in FIG. 3. Side pieces 11 and 12 are again constructed with longitudinal grooves 20 and a nylon strip 26 is constructed to slidably fit into each such groove 20. A hole 27 is molded into the center of each strip 26, into which a separate crossbar 28 is adapted to fit via a projection 29. The size of projection 29 relative to hole 27 is designed such that a tight fit between the crossbar section 28 and the strip 26 is obtained. In this manner, the angle of crossbar section 28 can be set manually and will remain indefinitely due to friction.
Projections 31 are integrally attached to the ends of the bar 30 of integrally section 28 and fit into rolled ends 25 of slats 15. Besides being able to manually set the desired angle of slats 15 with this embodiment, there is a further advantage: only a single set of strips 26 and crossbars 28 need be constructed and they will fit on both sides 11 and 12 of the shutter 10; with the integral embodiment of FIG. 2, on the other hand, both right-hand and left-hand adapters 21 are necessary.
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is shown a strip 32 constructed to slidably fit into the groove 12 of side pieces 11 and 12. Hole 36, with rises 35 similar to the teeth of a gear, passes through the strip 32. A serrated projection 38 having teeth 39 is integrally connected to a crossbar section 37 whereby the projection 38 snugly fits into hole 36. The teeth 39 of projection 38 intermesh with rises 35 of hole 36 in such a manner that the crossbar 37 is held at whatever angle it is set.
The slat 15, which is fitted onto bar 40 of crossbar 37 by way of projections 41, may be pivoted to another angle, however, in which case the nylon teeth 39 and rises 36 perform a ratchet-like function allowing projection 38 to rotate in steps. The intermeshing teeth maintain the slat 15 and hold it firmly in place at any angle at which it is set. Preferably a channel 33 is provided at the back of each strip 32 so that the hole 36 is not too long; this ensures that an excessive amount of force will not be necessary to rotate the slat 15 in hole 36.
The assembled shutter 10 as seen in FIG. 5 may have a bar 42 attached to each slat 15 by means of fastener 43. This bar 42 affords total control of all slats 15 at one time. The bar 42 may advantageously be placed on the outside of the shutter 10 as shown on the side facing the window so that it may be adjusted from inside. If desired for added strength, a round bar 44, seen in FIG. 3, may be inserted in the lower part of slats 15 to provide reinforcement adjacent the bar 42.
It can be seen that a much simplified construction of Bahama shutters can be accomplished by the present invention. Instead of fitting each slat into individual grooves in the shutter frame, a single groove with individual nylon adapters for each slat is provided. Furthermore, this construction lends itself with minor modifications to the possibility of setting the slats at any desirable angle to allow varied amounts of light to enter or to afford total privacy.
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 or equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Various methods are used in the prior art to apply the slats to the frame. They may be individually fastened to the frame, slid through individual holes in the side of the frame, or plugged into individual grooves in the frame. All of these methods have shortcomings including the fact that each slot must be carefully fitted into place.
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the defects of the prior art, such as indicated above.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved shutter construction which is sturdy, inexpensive and highly effective.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method of fabrication of a Bahama shutter.
The construction of the present invention is an improvement on all of the above described prior art devices. The slats are simply and easily slid into place. A rigid frame is used with a vertical groove running longitudinally down the inside of the frame from top to bottom on both sides. This groove holds a plurality of adapters, which consist of a nylon strip which fits in the groove and a short crossbar which may be integrally attached to the strip. The crossbar is the same width as the slats and has a pair of projections integral therewith which engage the rolled ends of the slat.
Thus, each slat is fitted with an adapter on each end and then is fitted into the groove and slid down to the bottom of the shutter. This is a simple method of constructing Bahama shutters and allows control of the slats by controlling the angle of the crossbar in the manufacture of the adapter. Furthermore, the distance between each shutter is controlled by the length of the strip portion of the adapter.
This and other embodiments of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter according to the present invention in place on a window;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary exploded views of other embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the shutter having a connecting bar attached to the slats.
A typical Bahama shutter 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A rigid frame composed of side pieces 11 and 12 and top and bottom pieces 13 and 14 carries a plurality of slats 15. The shutter 10 is emplaced on the exterior wall 16 of the structure desired to be protected, e.g. in front of a window.
If desired, the shutter 10 may be provided with an adjusting feature whereby it can be pivoted from the bottom and held in place by a telescoping arm 17. Further, the shutter 10 may be arranged on a track 18 so that it can be slid to either side of the window. Rows of vents 19 may be punched in the slats for ventilation and the passage therethrough of light.
Referring to FIG. 2 it is seen according to one embodiment of the present invention that the side piece 12 has a longitudinal groove 20 on the inside center thereof. An adapter 21 is constructed to fit within the groove 20 and be slidable therein. The adapter 21 is advantageously a one-piece molding and s preferably constructed of nylon or some other suitable material which has good strength and yet is inexpensive in its final molded form.
The adapter 21 consists of a strip section 22 designed to fit within groove 20 and a crossbar section 23 integral with strip 22. The crossbar 23 is approximately the same length as the slat 15 and is aligned at an angle with the vertical (i.e., the longitudinal axis of strip 22) which has been predetermined to be the appropriate angle for the slats 15 in the finished shutter 10. Projections 24 integrally extend from the crossbar 23 and are adapted to fit into rolled ends 25 of these slats 15. It can thus be seen that if the adapters 21 are fitted into rolled ends 25 of both sides of each slat 15, the slats 15 may easily be inserted into grooves 20 in frame side pieces 11 and 12 via the nylon strip 22 of adapters 21 and slid into place.
Another embodiment of the present invention is seen in FIG. 3. Side pieces 11 and 12 are again constructed with longitudinal grooves 20 and a nylon strip 26 is constructed to slidably fit into each such groove 20. A hole 27 is molded into the center of each strip 26, into which a separate crossbar 28 is adapted to fit via a projection 29. The size of projection 29 relative to hole 27 is designed such that a tight fit between the crossbar section 28 and the strip 26 is obtained. In this manner, the angle of crossbar section 28 can be set manually and will remain indefinitely due to friction.
Projections 31 are integrally attached to the ends of the bar 30 of integrally section 28 and fit into rolled ends 25 of slats 15. Besides being able to manually set the desired angle of slats 15 with this embodiment, there is a further advantage: only a single set of strips 26 and crossbars 28 need be constructed and they will fit on both sides 11 and 12 of the shutter 10; with the integral embodiment of FIG. 2, on the other hand, both right-hand and left-hand adapters 21 are necessary.
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is shown a strip 32 constructed to slidably fit into the groove 12 of side pieces 11 and 12. Hole 36, with rises 35 similar to the teeth of a gear, passes through the strip 32. A serrated projection 38 having teeth 39 is integrally connected to a crossbar section 37 whereby the projection 38 snugly fits into hole 36. The teeth 39 of projection 38 intermesh with rises 35 of hole 36 in such a manner that the crossbar 37 is held at whatever angle it is set.
The slat 15, which is fitted onto bar 40 of crossbar 37 by way of projections 41, may be pivoted to another angle, however, in which case the nylon teeth 39 and rises 36 perform a ratchet-like function allowing projection 38 to rotate in steps. The intermeshing teeth maintain the slat 15 and hold it firmly in place at any angle at which it is set. Preferably a channel 33 is provided at the back of each strip 32 so that the hole 36 is not too long; this ensures that an excessive amount of force will not be necessary to rotate the slat 15 in hole 36.
The assembled shutter 10 as seen in FIG. 5 may have a bar 42 attached to each slat 15 by means of fastener 43. This bar 42 affords total control of all slats 15 at one time. The bar 42 may advantageously be placed on the outside of the shutter 10 as shown on the side facing the window so that it may be adjusted from inside. If desired for added strength, a round bar 44, seen in FIG. 3, may be inserted in the lower part of slats 15 to provide reinforcement adjacent the bar 42.
It can be seen that a much simplified construction of Bahama shutters can be accomplished by the present invention. Instead of fitting each slat into individual grooves in the shutter frame, a single groove with individual nylon adapters for each slat is provided. Furthermore, this construction lends itself with minor modifications to the possibility of setting the slats at any desirable angle to allow varied amounts of light to enter or to afford total privacy.
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 or equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.