Abstract: A protection system for an opening of a building is provided. The system includes a pair of side rails where the pair of side rails each has a pair of offset elongated protrusions contained within a cavity of the side rails. Further, at least one slat extending between the pair of side rails, the slat adapted to connect with the pair of offset protrusions within the side rails. In most embodiments, a plurality of slats are provided to roll up when not in use. A clip is connected to a distal end of the slat, the slat adapted to directly connect to the offset elongated protrusions contained within the cavity of the side rails.

Abstract: A hood for a roll up shutter is provided wherein the hood configured to be transported in a flat or rolled up configuration and assembled upon delivery. The hood includes a sheet having a first surface and a second surface and at least one indentation formed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface, the indentation configured to facilitate bending at the at least one indentation wherein after delivery, the sheet is bent at the at least one indentation so as to form the hood.

Abstract: A panel having a base portion having at least one sidewall extending therefrom, the sidewall extending away from the base portion at a first predetermined angle, the first predetermined angle formed by a die having a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being 1 to 12 degrees smaller as compared to the first predetermined angle so as to overbend the panel during the forming process, the panel relaxing to the first predetermined angle after the panel as entirely cooled after the forming process.

Abstract: A protection system for an opening of a building is provided. The system includes a pair of side rails where the pair of side rails each has a pair of offset elongated protrusions contained within a cavity of the side rails. Further, at least one slat extending between the pair of side rails, the slat adapted to connect with the pair of offset protrusions within the side rails. In most embodiments, a plurality of slats are provided to roll up when not in use.

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.

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.

Abstract: A hood for a roll up shutter is provided wherein the hood configured to be transported in a flat or rolled up configuration and assembled upon delivery. The hood includes a sheet having a first surface and a second surface and at least one indentation formed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface, the indentation configured to facilitate bending at the at least one indentation wherein after delivery, the sheet is bent at the at least one indentation so as to form the hood.

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.

Abstract: A panel having a base portion having at least one sidewall extending therefrom, the sidewall extending away from the base portion at a first predetermined angle, the first predetermined angle formed by a die having a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being 1 to 12 degrees smaller as compared to the first predetermined angle so as to overbend the panel during the forming process, the panel relaxing to the first predetermined angle after the panel as entirely cooled after the forming process.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treating a powder and/or granules is provided herein. The apparatus includes a plasma generator, the plasma generator configured to alter the surface characteristics of the powder and/or granules, a gas injector in fluid communication with the plasma generator, the gas injector injecting air into the powder and/or granules while the powder and/or granules is being treated with plasma so as to aerate the powder and/or granules prior to and/or during plasma treatment and a reaction portion housing the plasma generator, the powder and/or granules treated by the plasma within the reaction portion.

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.

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.

Abstract: A storm protection system for an opening of a building is provided. The system includes a pair of side rails where the pair of side rails each has a pair of offset elongated protrusions contained within a cavity of the side rails. Further, at least one slat extending between the pair of side rails, the slat adapted to connect with the pair of offset protrusions within the side rails. In most embodiments, a plurality of slats are provided to roll up when not in use.

Abstract: A shutter panel assembly is provided to protect a building opening from impact damage. The building opening includes a frame with a bore formed therein and an externally threaded elongated anchor having an exposed portion extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the bore. The shutter panel assembly includes a shutter panel and a fastener. The shutter panel having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and an aperture extend between the first surface and the second surface. The fastener having a shank portion and a flange portion. The shank portion having an internally threaded hollow portion adjacent a distal open end of the shank portion. The flange portion extending radially outwardly from a proximate end of the shank portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a polycarbonate panel, the method comprising the steps of cutting a flat polycarbonate panel to the desired final dimensions, inserting the panel between the two portions of a die, forming the panel by means of compression between the two portions of the die, overbending the panel between 1-12 degrees to achieve a predetermined angle of bends in the panel and repeating these steps until the panel is fully corrugated. The method further includes the steps of heating the die and/or the panel by means of an electric strip temperature of between 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit. An apparatus is also provided for forming a polycarbonate panel. The apparatus includes a die where the die includes a first portion and a second portion. The die being automatically adjustable in height and width. The first portion and the second portion movable with respect to each other and the first portion and the second portion operable to compress and overbend a panel to form a bend in the panel.

Abstract: An accordion-type shutter assembly including a plurality of elongated vertically extending corrugated or flat shutter slats hingedly held together in an edge-to-edge arrangement for limited pivotal movement between adjacent slats between the assembly being open and closed. The shutter assembly is used to protect a window or door from flying object damage and building intrusion caused by storm or hurricane. The female hinge half along one of the edges of each slat has lengthwise extending rib reinforcements for greater impact resistance to better withstand the impact of airborne flying objects produced during storms and hurricanes.

Abstract: A shutter panel assembly is provided to protect a building opening from impact damage. The building opening includes a frame with a bore formed therein and an externally threaded elongated anchor having an exposed portion extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the bore. The shutter panel assembly includes a shutter panel and a fastener. The shutter panel having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and an aperture extend between the first surface and the second surface. The fastener having a shank portion and a flange portion. The shank portion having an internally threaded hollow portion adjacent a distal open end of the shank portion. The flange portion extending radially outwardly from a proximate end of the shank portion.

Abstract: A roll type storm shutter including a plurality of elongated horizontally extending preferably corrugated shutter slats held together in an edge-to-edge arrangement. Each of the storm slats has complimentary first and second edges configured to slidably and interlockingly engage with a next adjacent slat for limited pivotal movement therebetween to facilitate rolled vertical deployment and retraction of the storm shutter. A central portion between the edges of each slat preferably has lengthwise extending corrugations for greater impact resistance to better withstand the impact of airborne flying objects produced during storms and hurricanes. Elongated solid panels may be provided each having enlarged parallel edge portions configured and spaced apart for dependent lengthwise slidable engagement between either inwardly or outwardly positioned grooves formed proximate to the edges of each of the slats.

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.

Abstract: A shutter blade and blade assembly in an accordion shutter assembly used to protect a building opening from flying object damage caused by storm or hurricane. The blade assembly includes one or a plurality of preferably transparent or translucent plastic, preferably polycarbonate blades each having one molded edge defining a male hinge half and a slide-on metal female hinge half slidably engaged into the other edge of the shutter blade which is formed as a rail. The molded plastic male and slide-on metal female hinge halves have pivotally interacting features which matably engage with the corresponding edge of the next adjacent blade assembly to form the shutter assembly. Each blade assembly is preferably formed of a plurality of blades connectable together in an end-to-end arrangement and strengthened into a blade assembly by the preferably one-piece metal female hinge half.