Abstract: A barrier includes a main body, a first edge region, and a second edge region. The first edge region can include a first bulging element, and the second edge region can include a second bulging element. The first and second edge regions can be on opposite sides of the barrier and can extend substantially parallel to each other. The main body of the barrier can include one or more regions of increased thickness. The region(s) of increased thickness can be in an intermediate location between the first bulging element and the second bulging element. The region(s) of increased thickness can be spaced from the first edge region and the second edge region such that the region(s) of increased thickness do not contact the first bulging element or the second bulging element. The main body, the first bulging element, and the second bulging element can be configured to be rolled.

Abstract: Slidable barrier arrangements for a structure having a plurality of stories are described. A first retainer element can be operatively connected to the structure. The retainer element can span a plurality of stories of the structure. The retainer element can include a plurality of retainer segments, including an uppermost retainer segment and one or more lower retainer segments. The one or more lower retainer segments can include a lowermost retainer segment. A barrier and the first retainer element can be brought together such that a portion of the barrier is retainably engaged by the lower retainer segments of the first retainer element. The length of the barrier can substantially correspond to the length of the lower retainer segments. Thus, the uppermost retainer segment can extend vertically above an upper edge side of the barrier. The barrier can be selectively moved, such as by sliding, within the first retainer element.

Abstract: A barrier includes a main body, a first edge region, and a second edge region. The first edge region can include a first bulging element, and the second edge region can include a second bulging element. The first and second edge regions can be on opposite sides of the barrier and can extend substantially parallel to each other. The main body of the barrier can include one or more regions of increased thickness. The region(s) of increased thickness can be in an intermediate location between the first bulging element and the second bulging element. The region(s) of increased thickness can be spaced from the first edge region and the second edge region such that the region(s) of increased thickness do not contact the first bulging element or the second bulging element. The main body, the first bulging element, and the second bulging element can be configured to be rolled.

Abstract: Slidable barrier arrangements for a structure having a plurality of stories are described. A first retainer element can be operatively connected to the structure. The retainer element can span a plurality of stories of the structure. The retainer element can include a plurality of retainer segments, including an uppermost retainer segment and one or more lower retainer segments. The one or more lower retainer segments can include a lowermost retainer segment. A barrier and the first retainer element can be brought together such that a portion of the barrier is retainably engaged by the lower retainer segments of the first retainer element. The length of the barrier can substantially correspond to the length of the lower retainer segments. Thus, the uppermost retainer segment can extend vertically above an upper edge side of the barrier. The barrier can be selectively moved, such as by sliding, within the first retainer element.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a retainer and an insert. The insert has a pair of opposing walls. The opposing walls are spaced apart. The insert includes a cavity. The insert is partially received in a cavity in the retainer. The retainer arrangement can be used to retainably engage a barrier. At least a portion of an edge region of the barrier can be received in the cavity in the insert, and the barrier can pass through the spacing between the opposing walls of the insert.

Abstract: Slidable barrier arrangements for a structure having a plurality of stories are described. A first retainer element can be operatively connected to the structure. The retainer element can span a plurality of stories of the structure. The retainer element can include a plurality of retainer segments, including an uppermost retainer segment and one or more lower retainer segments. The one or more lower retainer segments can include a lowermost retainer segment. A barrier and the first retainer element can be brought together such that a portion of the barrier is retainably engaged by the lower retainer segments of the first retainer element. The length of the barrier can substantially correspond to the length of the lower retainer segments. Thus, the uppermost retainer segment can extend vertically above an upper edge side of the barrier. The barrier can be selectively moved, such as by sliding, within the first retainer element.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a retainer and an insert. The insert has a pair of opposing walls. The opposing walls are spaced apart. The insert includes a cavity. The insert is partially received in a cavity in the retainer. The retainer arrangement can be used to retainably engage a barrier. At least a portion of an edge region of the barrier can be received in the cavity in the insert, and the barrier can pass through the spacing between the opposing walls of the insert.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing do-it-yourself protection from environmental forces to at least a portion of a structure are provided. The device can include a woven fabric having at least one edge with opposing first and second sides and a reinforcing fabric having a first portion and a second portion, at least the first portion being attached to a portion of the woven fabric at the at least one edge to form at least one reinforced portion, the device being afixable to the structure by at least one anchor extending through the reinforced portion into the structure, the at least one reinforced portion providing tear-resistance at the location of the anchor extending therethrough.

Abstract: Slidable barrier arrangements for a structure having a plurality of stories are described. A first retainer element can be operatively connected to the structure. The retainer element can span a plurality of stories of the structure. The retainer element can include a plurality of retainer segments, including an uppermost retainer segment and one or more lower retainer segments. The one or more lower retainer segments can include a lowermost retainer segment. A barrier and the first retainer element can be brought together such that a portion of the barrier is retainably engaged by the lower retainer segments of the first retainer element. The length of the barrier can substantially correspond to the length of the lower retainer segments. Thus, the uppermost retainer segment can extend vertically above an upper edge side of the barrier. The barrier can be selectively moved, such as by sliding, within the first retainer element.

Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.

Abstract: In the event of hurricanes or man-made events causing high wind velocities and flying debris, a window or door material fabric is removably installed to protect the frangible elements of the openings and unsuitably protected portions of the envelope. The barrier has retainers fastened on opposite sides of an opening with a flexible material fabric extending between the retainers. Alternatively, the barrier can be secured directly to the structure providing envelop protection to the structure.

Abstract: A flexible fabric barrier may be formed to provide an enclosure for buildings and other structures to protect the structures from the effects of windstorms. The barrier is mounted to the building or structure by a track system that has a cleat with an elongated channel. A series of slides are dimensioned to move within the channel about turns in the channel and under side loads. Each of the slides has a D-ring slidably mounted thereon. The D-ring is connected to the barrier. The barrier may be stacked in a folded position with the slides in close proximity with each other and deployed by moving the slides along the channel to form an enclosure.

Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.

Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.

Abstract: A universal mounting system for a flexible wind abatement barrier includes a flexible textile screen of a size and shape to cover an opening in a building. The shutter has hems at the peripheral edges with thickened structure. Several discrete brackets are fastened to the shutter hems about the margin of any opening with random spacing between the brackets. Each bracket has a mounting plate and a clamp. The thickened hems are threaded through the clamps to secure the shutter.

Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.