Abstract: The present invention provides an exterior window shutter that is made of PVC, has functional louvers, but is still hurricane resistant. The shutter includes a perimeter framework that is adapted to receive a transparent impact resistant member. This impact resistant member is permanently affixed to the perimeter framework to increase structural stability. Additionally, this invention provides a method to make a high strength and structurally stable hurricane resistant louvered shutter.

Abstract: A window frame for positioning in a fence. The window frame includes a first frame having a first side, a second side, an outer perimeter edge, and an inner perimeter edge. A shoulder is integrally coupled to and extends away from the outer perimeter edge. The second side has a plurality of slots extending therein. The first frame has a shape substantially identical to the opening in the fence. A screen member is securely attached to the inner perimeter edge such that the screen member extends across the first frame. A plurality of fastening means removably fastens the first frame to the fence wall. A second frame has an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is adapted to cover the second side of the first frame and has a plurality of protruding members thereon, each positioned to be removably extended into one of the slots.

Abstract: A impact protection system for building openings, such as windows and doors, includes a shutter assembly having angled blades extending between frame members in such as manner that access areas are provided when the shutters are closed to permit insertion of a storm bar clip to secure a reinforcing storm bar. The storm bar can be secured to the surrounding wall by removable wall mounts.

Abstract: A portable screen door for positioning in an apartment doorway. The portable screen door includes a frame having a first side bar, a second side bar, a top bar and a bottom bar. A screen extends between and is attached to the first side bar, the second side bar, the top bar and the bottom bar. The screen extends along each of the bars. A first support holds the frame in a doorframe. The support is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The first side bar of the frame is hingedly coupled to the support. At least one biasing member removably biases the support against the doorframe. The biasing member is removably extendable from one of the ends of the support.

Abstract: Analogous to a bug screen for windows, an Energy Screen is a rigid frame covered with two clear films of plastic which is applied fittingly to the interior of a window. This will conserve the heating and cooling load of a house by as much as 42%. An easy to assemble kit is disclosed which does not require sawing rigid members, but installs with scissors as the only tool.

Abstract: A frame expandable in a structural opening has a stretchable substantially fluid impermeable cover membrane disposed across the frame and arranged to stretch with expansion of the frame. The frame is preferably expandable in mutually perpendicular directions, and provided with peripheral seals for sealing in the structural arrangement. The barrier is conveniently fitted in openings such as doors and the like to provide a temporary barrier to rising floodwaters and the like.

Abstract: A casement frame for a window formed of a plastic section having a seat region for receiving an edge region of a window pane and a room-side casement region, and at least one heat conducting insert arranged in the plastic section and forming a thermal bridge between the casement and seat regions of the plastic section for conducting room heat to the edge region of the window pane. The plastic section is formed with chambers arranged along its cross section. The heat conducting insert being located in an innermost, or room adjacent, chamber with the heat transfer taking place inside the innermost chamber and the remaining chambers serving as heat insulating chambers.

Abstract: A slat tensioning mechanism is provided for holding interconnected slats of a louver assembly in a desired angulated position. The slat tensioning mechanism comprises a housing having wheel positioning means for rotationally receiving a bearing wheel. The bearing wheel has an outer circumferential flat wall, and hub means adapted for securement to an end connector of a slat, whereby the bearing wheel and the slat rotate together. A tensioning arm assembly is pivotedly engaged to the housing and has an arm disposed at a predetermined location with respect to the outer circumferential flat wall of the bearing wheel. The arm has a friction surface at a free end thereof for applying a pressure on the outer circumferential flat wall of the bearing wheel for frictionally arresting the bearing wheel at the desired position. The slat tensioning mechanism is adapted to be disposed in an upright of the louver assembly.

Abstract: A pre-hung door and door frame in combination with nesting door posts. Preferably, the door posts have a central channel extending into contact with a door jamb soffit and one of the door jamb stops. The header includes a header tab extending from a nailing flange into a area defined by the door jamb rabbet, face and back bends to provide a more rigid connection between the header and the door jamb. The header also includes a pair of door jamb tabs integral with the header for securing the header relative to the door jambs.

Abstract: A window screen installation system for releasably mounting a screen fabric or other pliable sheet material in such a manner as to self-tighten the fabric or material during installation. Moreover, the screen frame and trim mold are designed to allow for the mounting of the fabric or material without damaging the same such that it may be removed and reused as required. A screen is disposed and held securely in place between a screen frame extrusion member and a trim mold. The screen frame extrusion defines a mounting surface disposed below and parallel to an exterior face. A mounting rib extends along the mounting surface and terminates below the exterior face in the preferred embodiment. A bead is defined at the terminal edge of the mounting rib to serve as a locking mechanism. The trim mold defines a channel opening on the bottom surface thereof to closely receive the mounting rib of the screen frame extrusion.

Abstract: A moveable structural reinforcement system is described including a moveable panel adapted to substantially close a building opening, the panel including variable shear load resistance means for regulating the shear stiffness of the building when the panel is in a closed position.

Abstract: In order to improve a screen element for motor vehicles, in particular, wind blocker or sun protection, comprising a frame and a piece of flat material held by the frame and extending over an area enclosed by the frame, in such a manner that this is simple to produce and has as permanent a connection as possible between the piece of flat material and the frame it is suggested that the piece of flat material be fixed permanently on the frame in that at least one frame part element consisting of plastic material is connected to an additional part by way of a connecting area of the plastic material heated up by means of a sonotrode, softened and hardened.

Abstract: A high strength window screen frame that includes an extruded metal frame that fits within a window opening in a building. The frame is made up of a plurality of window frame units, each defining an opening and covered with mesh. A standoff leg portion of the window frame units provides a standoff separation of the mesh from a glass pane so that when objects strike the mesh and deflect the mesh, the glass pane is not impacted.

Abstract: A door frame comprises opposed door jambs and a door head, with the jambs and head each being formed from a metal section (6) of channel-shape having a base wall (8) which carries a door stop (12) and opposed side walls (10) of a width such that when the section (6) is applied to a door opening within a wall with plasterboard sheeting (16) on the wall around the opening, the opposed side walls (10) of the section (6) will overlap and lie closely adjacent to the outer surface of the plasterboard (16) with the edge of the plasterboard (16) being concealed with the interior of the section (6), the opposed side walls (10) being perforated to permit a skim coat of plaster to be applied over the side walls (10) and adjacent part of the palsterboard (16) to conceal the presence of the side walls. In one embodiment the metal section is formed from two components which engage with a friction fit to provide width-adjustment of the section to suit walls of different width.

Abstract: A screen door made of foamed, closed-cell, solid-core polyvinyl chloride includes two rails and two stiles connected together to form a rectangular frame having an opening. A groove is milled into the frame around the opening. The screen that is to cover the opening is fastened to the frame by pressing it with a spline into the groove. The rails and stiles are connected using dowels in addition to adhesives, or, alternatively, using screws and traditional mortise and tenon joints. Holes are drilled into the stiles and then screws are driven into the rails from within the holes. The holes are then filled with foamed plastic plugs over the screws. The screen door can be cut and trimmed at the job site to fit it to the particular door frame, removing up to about an inch from each edge.

Abstract: A storm-resistant window includes a mechanism for preventing the blowout of a movable sash when wind pressure pulls the sash outwardly. In a single hung window having a slidable lower sash, the mechanism consists of a first rib projecting downwardly from the bottom rail of the lower sash and a second rib projecting upwardly from the top of the sill member of the window frame. In a closed position of the window, the first rib lies inwardly adjacent the second rib such that, if wind pressure pulls the movable sash outwardly, the first rib will contact the second rib, preventing the bottom rail of the movable sash from moving outwardly. In an alternate embodiment, one of the ribs may be replaced with a channel, so that the remaining rib is received in the channel in the closed position of the window.

Abstract: A pre-hung door and door frame in combination with nesting door posts. Preferably, the door posts have a central channel extending into contact with a door jamb soffit and one of the door jamb stops. The header includes a header tab extending from a nailing flange into a area defined by the door jamb rabbet, face and back bends to provide a more rigid connection between the header and the door jamb. The header also includes a pair of door jamb tabs integral with the header for securing the header relative to the door jambs.

Abstract: An aesthetic pool enclosure of modular design includes cover members that hide from view various utilitarian structural components such as bolts, screws, rubber splines for holding screens, and the like. The structure is made of extruded posts and beams and interlocking members for interlocking the posts and beams to one another to reduce the number of fasteners needed and to provide enhanced strength of the finished assembly. The extruded pieces include corner posts for ninety and sixty degree corners, doorjambs, bottom door sweeps, and other specialized parts for completing the assembly. Many of the parts are snap fit to one another to further reduce the number of fasteners required to assemble the enclosure and to facilitate the construction process.

Abstract: A moveable structural reinforcement system is described including a moveable panel, a metal frame structure connectable to the frame structure of a building opening, the frame structure including a top support member and lateral supports connected on a first end to the top support member, upper load members disposed on the top support member proximate the lateral supports, bottom load members disposed on the second ends of the lateral supports, and load transfer members disposed substantially diagonally on said panel and adapted to releasably engage the upper and lower load members. The load transfer members providing a substantially continuous load path when the panel is in a closed position and the building or structure is subjected to a lateral force.