Enhanced protection and security shutter system

Abstract

A shutter system for covering an opening, such as a window or door, in a building. In one embodiment, the shutter system includes a housing and a shutter. The shutter is coupled to a torque tube within the housing and includes a plurality of slats, at least one of which comprises a non-opaque polycarbonate material for transmitting light and allowing viewing through the shutter. In one embodiment the shutter system further includes at least one storm bar for reinforcing the shutter. The storm bar is mounted adjacent the shutter and extends from the top end of the shutter to the bottom end of the shutter.

1 . A shutter system for covering an opening in a wall of a building comprising:
 a housing, said housing comprising a torque tube;   a shutter, wherein the shutter includes a first side end, a second side end, a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of panels wherein each of the panels is comprising a slat
 wherein at least one of the slats comprises a non-opaque polycarbonate material. 
   wherein the shutter system comprises at least one storm bar for reinforcing the shutter.   
   
   
       2 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  further comprising first and second side rails that define tracks for receiving the first and second side ends of the shutter. 
   
   
       3 . The shutter system according to  claim 2  wherein a first storm bar is mounted adjacent to the shutter between the first and second side rails and is extending from top end of the shutter to the bottom end of the shutter for reinforcement. 
   
   
       4 . The shutter system according to  claim 3  wherein the first storm bar is mounted not greater than a maximum slat span away from the first side rail and the second side rail. 
   
   
       5 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  comprising storm bars on both sides of the shutter to increase the strength and integrity of the shutter system, enabling it to withstand stronger forces. 
   
   
       6 . The shutter system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first storm bar is mounted adjacent an outside surface of the shutter. 
   
   
       7 . The shutter system according to  claim 6  further comprising a second storm bar mounted adjacent an inside surface of the shutter, directly opposite the shutter from the first storm bar. 
   
   
       8 . The shutter system according to  claim 7  wherein the first and second storm bars comprise an aluminium alloy. 
   
   
       9 . The shutter system according to  claim 8  wherein the first and second storm bars comprise rectangular tubes. 
   
   
       10 . The shutter system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second storm bar mounted adjacent to the shutter between the first and second side rails and extending from the top end of the shutter to the bottom end of the shutter. 
   
   
       11 . The shutter system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and at least second storm bars are mounted adjacent an outside surface of the shutter. 
   
   
       12 . The shutter system according to  claim 11  further comprising at least third and fourth storm bars mounted adjacent an inside surface of the shutter, directly opposite the shutter from the first and second storm bars, respectively. 
   
   
       13 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  wherein each of the panels comprises a slat and a top hinge member and a bottom hinge member. 
   
   
       14 . The shutter system according to  claim 13 , wherein each slat is at least 6 millimeter thick. 
   
   
       15 . The shutter system according to  claim 14  wherein the slats comprise a polycarbonate material to provide enough strength to the system. 
   
   
       16 . The shutter system according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the slats is non-opaque, providing various amounts of light transmission and transparency. 
   
   
       17 . The shutter system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the top and bottom hinge members of adjacent slats connect to form hinge assemblies that reinforce the slats and strengthen the shutter against breaking. 
   
   
       18 . The shutter system according to  claim 17  wherein the shutter hinges, side rails, and other components comprise 6063-T6 aluminum alloy or other suitable material. 
   
   
       19 . The shutter system according to  claim 18  wherein the housing and torque tube comprise galvanized steel, among other suitable materials. 
   
   
       20 . The shutter system according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter system is at least partially mounted on an exterior surface of the wall. 
   
   
       21 . The shutter system according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter system is at least partially mounted on an interior of the wall. 
   
   
       22 . The shutter system according to  claim 1 , wherein the slats increase in height from the top end of the shutter to the bottom end of the shutter. 
   
   
       23 . The shutter system according to  claim 22 , wherein the slats wrap round the torque tube in a square like configuration. 
   
   
       24 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  wherein the shutter rolls up and down within the tracks defined by the first and second side rails by way of the torque tube and/or one or more motors or other drive assemblies. 
   
   
       25 . The shutter system according to  claims 1  to  12  wherein at least one of the storm bars in the shutter system are optionally removably mounted. 
   
   
       26 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  wherein the shutter covers an opening in a wall in such as a window or door, in a building such as a store, hotel, or house. 
   
   
       27 . A method of securely covering an opening in a wall of a building, comprising:
 providing a shutter system comprising a housing, a shutter, and a first and a second side rail, wherein the shutter comprises a first side end, a second side end, a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of panels wherein each of the panel is comprising a slat, wherein at least one of the slats comprises a non-opaque polycarbonate material;   mounting the housing adjacent a top of the opening;   mounting the first and second side rails adjacent sides of the opening to receive the shutter as it rolls up and down; and   mounting at least one storm bar adjacent the shutter between the first and second side rails and extending from the top end of the shutter to the bottom end of the shutter for reinforcement   
   
   
       28 . The shutter system according to  claim 1  wherein the shutter system covers a surface such as a building wall and is used to display information such as warnings, instructions, or advertisements 
   
   
       29 . The shutter system according to  claim 28  wherein the shutter system allows for displaying information and advertisements in windows, doors, and other openings. 
   
   
       30 . The shutter system according to  claim 29  further comprising a projection panel and a projection system wherein the slat comprises a nontransparent, polycarbonate material having diffusion properties capable of transferring a display image projected at one side such that it can be seen when viewing the material from the opposing side. 
   
   
       31 . The shutter system according to  claim 30  wherein the projection system comprises a projector coupled to a controller such as a computer. 
   
   
       32 . The shutter system according to  claim 31  wherein the projection system is configured to cooperate with the projection panels to provide an effective and usable display of information. 
   
   
       33 . A shutter kit for covering an opening of a building, comprising:
 a housing comprising a torque tube;   a shutter comprising a first side, a second side, a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of panels each comprising a slat, the shutter coupled at the top end to the torque tube, and wherein at least one of the slats comprises a non-opaque polycarbonate material for transmitting light through the shutter;   first and second side rails defining tracks for receiving the first and second sides of the shutter, respectively; and   a plurality of storm bars for reinforcing the shutter.