Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Auxiliary imperforate panel-like shield attached to main...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-07-24
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Auxiliary imperforate panel-like shield attached to main...
C052S509000, C052S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263625
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to attachments for temporarily positioning storm panels over windows, doors and other structural apertures for protection against hurricanes and other severe storms.
Temporary attachment of storm panels over windows and doors is preferred by many over permanent shutters for aesthetic options and for low cost. Often, however, storm panels are merely nailed to and then un-nailed from building structure in makeshift ways that mar buildings and take much scarce time in emergency conditions. To avoid marring buildings with makeshift attachment of storm panels, temporary panel-attachment systems have been devised. None that are known, however, have a brace-attachment bracket with a tongue-like extension that fits into an attachment enclosure in a manner taught by this invention.
Examples of different but related panel-attachment systems are described in the following patent documents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,206, issued to McDonald on Mar. 3, 1998, described use of hinged support braces for supporting bolt-on paneling. U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,849, issued to Hill on Jan. 28, 1997, described a plurality of isosceles trapezoidal shutter panels with interlocking edges and with ends positioned in end caps. U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,775, issued to Santos on Sep. 20, 1994, described a downwardly open channel for receiving a top of a panel at a top of a protected area and a flat rail with fastener holes for supporting a bottom of the panel at a bottom of the protected area. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,452, issued to Taylor on Aug. 9, 1994, described hurricane panels retained by slide braces in slide-support structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,690, issued to Commins on Jun. 27, 1989, described a sheet-metal connector nailing indicia for nailing on storm panels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,271, issued to DePaolo, et al. on Jun. 8, 1982, described a channeled header for receiving hurricane paneling that is fastened to footer sill with fasteners having inside access without outside access to prevent unauthorized removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide a storm-panel attachment system which:
Does not mar building structure from repeated temporary attachment of storm panels for protection against hurricanes and other severe storms;
Allows storm paneling to be placed over and then removed from windows and doors quickly and easily;
Costs less than permanent shutters;
Does not interfere with aesthetic structure and finishing of buildings;
Does not require cleaning and maintenance like permanent shutters; and
Provides for attachment of whatever type and level of storm protection is desired.
This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a storm-panel attachment system having at least one first brace-attachment bracket with an attachment tongue that fits slidably in at least one first attachment housing proximate a first edge of a building aperture to be storm-paneled. Oppositely disposed proximate a second edge of the building aperture, at least one second brace-attachment bracket has an attachment tongue that fits slidably in at least one second attachment housing. The brace-attachment brackets each have at least one brace-attachment appendage to which at least one panel-supportive brace is fastened. The brace-attachment appendages are sized and shaped for attachment of braces such as two-by-four boards or other structural members to which hurricane paneling such as plywood sheets, fibrous sheets or aluminum sheets can be nailed, screwed or otherwise affixed. The attachment housings have enclosures with walls against which attachment tongues of each attachment housing are buttressed for retaining the brace-attachment brackets.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1833998 (1931-12-01), Kinninger
patent: 3188696 (1965-06-01), Earhart
patent: 4333271 (1982-06-01), DePaolo et al.
patent: 4452020 (1984-06-01), Werner
patent: 4841690 (1989-06-01), Commins
patent: 5335452 (1994-08-01), Taylor
patent: 5343668 (1994-09-01), Gonzalez
patent: 5347775 (1994-09-01), Santos
patent: 5596849 (1997-01-01), Hill
patent: 5722206 (1998-03-01), McDonald
Kent Christopher T.
Livingston, Esq. Edward M.
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