DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 of the drawings is an assembled view of a fastener mounted on a frame and holding a thin shutter in place,
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with an “L” shaped anchor in a reversed position,
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with a straight anchor holding a medium thickness shutter,
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with a “Z” shaped anchor holding a shutter slightly thinner than the FIG. 3 shutter,
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but with an “L” shaped anchor, which extends through a slot in the shutter,
FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2 but with the wedge in a reversed position,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled fastener with the anchor projecting through an opening in the shutter,
FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1,
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7 but with a thin shutter,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 again with a thin shutter,
FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3, but with a thin shutter,
FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, but with a detachable anchor,
FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 10 but with a detachable anchor,
FIG. 14 is sectional a view of a detachable connection of the anchor to the frame,
FIG. 15 is an enlarged exploded view of a keeper and a modified “L” shaped anchor,
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of inter-engaging portions of the keeper and anchor in section,
FIG. 17 is a view of the anchor and keeper of FIG. 15 mounted in operative position as an assembled fastener,
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hinged anchor in operative position,
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the hinged anchor of FIG. 18 in a folded and inoperative position,
FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with the anchor and wedge connected together for relative pivotal action,
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the FIG. 20 embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a top view similar to the FIGS. 1-6 views, but with a wedge having having overlapping slots rather than circular openings, and
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 22
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 8, a shutter fastener in accordance with the invention is indicated generally at 10 and comprises an anchor 12 and a wedge 24 which cooperate to securely hold a shutter 22 in firm engagement with the frame 20 adjacent a window or door. The anchor 12 comprises a base portion 14 secured to the frame 20 by conventional screws 18, 18 (one shown) and an outwardly projecting free end portion or arm 16 provided with an opening in the form of a slot 26, FIG. 8.
In accordance with the invention, the slot 26 has its inner end spaced from the frame a distance less than the thickness of the thinnest shutter to be encountered. Thus, inner edge 28 of the wedge 24 engages the thinnest shutter when the wedge is inserted in the slot 26 and urges the same firmly against the frame 20.
The wedge 24 may take a straight-edged tapered configuration but is preferably arcuate along both its inner edge 28 and its outer edge 30 to provide a mechanical advantage in exerting a firm clamping force against the shutter engaged thereby. As shown, each of the edges 28 and 30 takes a presently preferred parti-circular configuration with the edge 28 on a substantially larger radius than the edge 30. As will be apparent, the edges are also struck on radii extending from centers substantially offset from each other so that a clockwise pivoting movement of the wedge between the outer end of the slot 26 and the edge 30 in FIG. 1 results in increasing pressure by the edge 28 on the shutter 22. The resulting mechanical advantage enables the wedge to be manipulated manually under slight force for rapid and easy insertion to the operative position shown. Conversely, a manually exerted counter-clockwise force results in ready removal of the wedge. The foregoing quick insertion and resulting locking action is of course of the utmost importance in the event of a rapidly approaching hurricane.
A final feature of the fastener resides in the provision of a locking pin 32 and a cooperating series of small openings 34, 34 formed in the wedge 24. As will be obvious, the pin 32 may be entered selectively in the openings 34, 34 as required to secure the wedge in locking position holding an adjacent shutter against its frame. The number of openings 34, 34 may of course vary, nine (9) being shown the openings 34, 34 are sequentially spaced as required to hold the wedge 24 for shutters of various thicknesses.
FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the FIG. 1 parts wherein the anchor 12 is reversed with the screws 18,18 exposed rather than engaged behind the shutter as in FIGS. 1 and 8. Accidental or unintended loosening of the screws may of course be best prevented with the FIGS. 1, 8 arrangement.
FIG. 3 illustrates a linear rather than an “L” shaped anchor element at 12a, a base portion of the anchor being attached to a side surface rather than a front surface of the frame 20a. Shutter 22a held in place by the fastener 10a is substantially thicker than the shutter 22 of FIG. 1.
The fastener 10b of FIG. 4 is substantially the same as the preceding fastener except for the provision of a “Z” shaped anchor 12b which may be employed when it is convenient to attach the same to an inner side surface of frame 20b.
FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show FIGS. 1 and 2 fasteners with shutters 22c and 22d substantially thicker than the shutter 22. The fasteners of the invention are designed to accommodate shutters of all presently known thicknesses.
FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate a fastener which may be identical in all respects with the FIGS. 1 and 8 fastener in association with a shutter 22c and 22e which are provided with a slot 36 for receiving the anchor 12. Vertical slot sidewalls of course engage the anchor and positively prevent lateral sliding movement of the shutter and the fastener need only secure the shutter against the frame for movement toward and away from the latter.
FIG. 9 is similar to FIGS. 5 and 7 but with a thin shutter 22f.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 fastener and shutter.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 fastener with a shutter 22g somewhat thinner than the shutter 22.
FIG. 12 is substantially identical with FIG. 11 except for the provision of a detachable linear anchor 12c with a pair of keyhole slots 40, 40 which respectively receives screws 18, 18, shown in a tightened condition in FIG. 12 securing the anchor to the frame 20. Obviously, the screws 18, 18 may be withdrawn slightly as shown in FIG. 14 and entered or withdrawn through the larger portions of the keyhole slots for the detachable connection and removal of the anchor 12c from the frame 20. With the anchor removed from the frame 20 the aesthetics of the window or door are of course enhanced.
FIG. 13 is substantially identical with FIG. 2 except for the provision of an “L” shaped anchor 12d with a pair of keyhole slots 40a, 40a which cooperate with screws 18, 18 in the same manner as the slots 40, 40 and screws 18, 18 in FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 and 16 illustrate a keeper indicated generally at 42 which has opposite end flanges 43, 43 provided with holes for screws 44, 44 which attach the keeper to a frame 20a. A forwardly or outwardly bent central portion 45 of the keeper creates a lateral slot 41 designed to slideably receive a base portion 14c of an anchor 12c with a rear portion of the base engaging the frame 20a. When the base portion 14c is fully entered in the slot 41, a boss 46 thereon enters a detent 48 formed in the keeper and removeably secures the base portion in the keeper slot. Thus, the anchor 12c will be held in its operative position and may thereafter be readily removed manually for enhanced aesthetics of the frame.
In FIG. 17, the keeper 42 is shown in association with anchor 12c in a fastener assembly in the manner of the preceding fasteners.
FIGS. 18 and 19 show a fastener 10g with an anchor 12g which is hinged at 50 so as to be folded back against the frame when not in use.
FIGS. 20 and 21 show a fastener 10h which has a locking element 24h hingedly connected to an anchor 12h, a pair of locking pins 52, 52 being provided for securing the element 24h in locking position.
FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a fastener having a wedge 24j provided with overlapping slots 54, 54 for receiving a wedge shaped locking pin 56. This alternative arrangement may be somewhat more secure than those with the circular openings receiving a cylindrical pin.
As will be apparent from the foregoing, fasteners have been provided which are of simple and inexpensive construction and which in a quick and easy operation can be installed to positively secure shutters of various thicknesses in position. Moreover, aesthetic features are fully taken into consideration when the fasteners are not in use.
Patent Application
20080018119
