Protective cover assembly for shielding windows during inclement weather conditions

Abstract

An interlocking bracket assembly for removably securing a protective covering over a window in a structure during inclement weather conditions. The assembly includes at least two Z-shaped bracket members having a first portion offset a predetermined distance from a second portion thereof, and a first fastener for mounting the first portion of each of the Z-shaped bracket members to such structure on opposite sides of such window. Also included are at least two Y-shaped bracket members having a first portion, a substantially parallel spaced second portion and a third portion. A second fastener mounts opposing sidewall portions of such covering between the first and second portions of each of the Y-shaped bracket members. The third portion of each of such Y-shaped bracket members is slidably inserted between a corresponding second portion of each of the Z-shaped bracket members and such structure for removably securing such covering over such window.

1 . An interlocking bracket assembly for removably securing a protective covering, with top, bottom and sidewall portions over a window in a structure that shields such window from damage, said interlocking bracket assembly comprising: 
 (a) at least two Z-shaped bracket members made from a predetermined material and having a first portion offset a predetermined distance from a second portion thereof;    (b) a first means for mounting said first portion of each of said Z-shaped bracket members to such structure on opposite sides of such window;    (c) at least two Y-shaped bracket members made from a predetermined material and having each of a first portion, a substantially parallel spaced second portion forming a slot for placing opposing sidewall portions of such protective covering therebetween and a third portion; and    (d) a second means for mounting such opposing sidewall portions of such protective covering between said first and second portions of each of said Y-shaped bracket members and said third portion of each of said Y-shaped bracket members for slidably engaging between a corresponding one of said second portion of each of said Z-shaped bracket members and such structure for removably securing such protective covering over such window.    
   
   
       2 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein said protective covering is one of treated plywood and shatter resistant plastic.  
   
   
       3 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein said Z shaped bracket and said Y shaped bracket predetermined material is one of aluminum and steel.  
   
   
       4 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second mounting means is at least one of screws, stainless steel studs and an adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein such window has a frame and, wherein such protective covering is mounted over such window a predetermined distance, generally an inch above than a bottom portion of said window frame so that a person may place fingers under such bottom portion of such protective covering and slide such protective covering up releasing said interlocking bracket assembly and allowing such protective covering to be removed.  
   
   
       6 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein said interlocking bracket assembly further includes four Z-shaped bracket members having two mounted to such structure on one side of such window and other two mounted to such structure on opposing side of such window, and four Y-shaped bracket members having two mounted on one sidewall portion of such protective covering and other two mounted on opposing sidewall portion of such protective covering.  
   
   
       7 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein such structure includes a window sill and wherein said interlocking bracket assembly further includes: 
 (a) two double L-shaped bracket members made from a predetermined material and having each of a first portion, a substantially parallel spaced second portion forming a slot for placing a bottom sidewall portion of such protective covering therebetween and a third portion; and    (b) a third means for mounting said third portion of each of said double L-shaped bracket members to such structure on a said bottom sill portion thereof.    
   
   
       8 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein such structure includes a shutter disposed on each side of such window and each of said at least two Z-shaped bracket members are mounted to such structure on opposite sides of such window above such shutters.  
   
   
       9 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein such structure includes a shutter disposed on each side of such window and each of said Z-shaped bracket members are mounted to such structure on opposite sides of such window adjacent a predetermined side of such shutters, said third portion of each of said Y-shaped bracket members includes an elongated portion and is offset at each end thereof such that said elongated portion fits over a front face of each of such shutters.  
   
   
       10 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein each of said Z-shaped, Y-shaped and double-L shaped brackets predetermined materials is one of aluminum and steel.  
   
   
       11 . An interlocking bracket assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein each of said first, second and third mounting means is at least one of screws, stainless steel studs and an adhesive.  
   
   
       12 . A protective cover assembly for shielding a window in a structure from damage, said protective cover assembly comprising: 
 (a) an outer frame member made from a predetermined material and having each of a first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion and a bottom portion;    (b) a plurality of vertical members made from a predetermined material and attached to said top and bottom portions of said outer frame member;    (c) a transparent plastic member, having a predetermined thickness, attached to said outer frame member for shielding such window; and    (d) a means for securing said outer frame member to such structure over such window.    
   
   
       13 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 12 , wherein each of said outer frame and vertical member predetermined material is one of aluminum and steel.  
   
   
       14 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 12 , wherein said transparent plastic member is shatter resistant plastic having said predetermined thickness of generally about ⅛ an inch.  
   
   
       15 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 12 , wherein said transparent plastic member is attached to said outer frame member by one of rivets and an adhesive.  
   
   
       16 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for securing said outer frame member to such structure over such window includes an interlocking bracket assembly comprising: 
 (a) at least two Z-shaped bracket members made from a first predetermined material and having a predetermined first portion offset a predetermined distance from a second portion thereof;    (b) a first means for mounting said first portion of each of said Z-shaped bracket members to such structure on opposite sides of such window; and    (c) at least two plate members made from a second predetermined material, a first one attached to said first side portion and a second one attached to said second side portion of said outer frame member, each of said plate members for slidably engaging between a corresponding one of said second portion of each of said Z-shaped bracket members and such structure for removably securing said protective cover assembly over such window.    
   
   
       17 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 16 , wherein such window has a frame wherein said protective cover assembly is mounted over such window a predetermined distance above the bottom portion of a said window frame generally an inch so that a person may place fingers under said protective cover assembly and slide said protective cover assembly up releasing said interlocking bracket assembly and allowing said protective cover assembly to be removed.  
   
   
       18 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 16 , wherein said interlocking bracket assembly further includes four Z-shaped bracket members having two mounted to such structure on one side of such window and other two mounted to such structure on opposing side of such window, and four plate members having two attached to said first side portion of said outer frame member and other two attached to said second side portion of said outer frame member.  
   
   
       19 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 16 , wherein such structure includes a sill wherein said interlocking bracket assembly further includes: 
 (a) two double L-shaped bracket members having a first portion, a substantially parallel spaced second portion forming a slot for placing said bottom portion of said outer frame member therebetween and a third portion; and    (b) a means for mounting said third portion of each of said double L-shaped bracket members to such structure on a said bottom sill portion thereof.    
   
   
       20 . A protective cover assembly, according to  claim 19 , wherein such structure includes a shutter disposed on each side of such window and each of said at least two Z-shaped bracket members are mounted to such structure on opposite sides of such window above such shutters.