Home saver storm shield

Abstract

The storm shield relates to a deck or platform adjacent to a structure that can be elevated up to a vertical position that will resist high winds and air-borne debris that occur during severe storm events, particularly hurricanes and tornados. The storm shield will protect structures, including but not limited to residential dwellings garages, commercial, and industrial structures. This storm shield additionally provides a means whereby occupants can enclose the most vulnerable, full side of a structure for extended periods of time when it has to be left vacant.

1 . A storm shield assembly for a structure with a lower edge and an upper edge comprising:
 (a) a platform including at least a first edge parallel to the structure and a second edge parallel to the structure, a first edge perpendicular to the structure and a second edge perpendicular to the structure and at least one or more joists wherein the at least one or more joists join the first parallel edge to the second parallel edge across the width of the platform;   (b) a side wall extension perpendicular to the first perpendicular edge of the platform, the second perpendicular edge of the platform and the second parallel edge of the platform wherein the sidewall extension encloses the side of the structure when the platform is in the vertical position;   (c) an axle assembly hingedly connecting the first parallel edge to lower edge of the structure;   (d) at least one winch and cable assembly connecting the second parallel edge of the platform to the upper edge of the structure;   (e) a control mechanism to operate the winch and cable assemblies;   
     whereby a user may operate the control mechanism to raise and lower the storm shield from a horizontal to a vertical position. 
   
   
       2 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one winch and cable assemblies comprises two winch and cable assemblies. 
   
   
       3 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the winch and cable assemblies are mounted on the ground. 
   
   
       4 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the winch and cable assemblies are mounted on the platform. 
   
   
       5 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the winch and cable assemblies are mounted on the structure. 
   
   
       6 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the axle assembly is a hinge. 
   
   
       7 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the axle assembly is a geared axle. 
   
   
       8 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform rests on the ground in the horizontal position. 
   
   
       9 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform rests on at least one pilings in the horizontal position. 
   
   
       10 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform joists are constructed of natural materials including wood. 
   
   
       11 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform joists are constructed of synthetic materials including metal. 
   
   
       12 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extensions include openings to allow access to a stair. 
   
   
       13 . The storm shield assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extensions on the perpendicular edges further comprise a location mating with a correspondingly shaped location in the structure wherein a locking pin could further secure the platform in the vertical position. 
   
   
       14 . A method of making a storm shield assembly for a structure comprising of: providing
 (a) a platform including at least a first edge parallel to the structure and a second edge parallel to the structure, a first edge perpendicular to the structure and a second edge perpendicular to the structure and at least one or more joists wherein the at least one or more joists join the first parallel edge to the second parallel edge across the width of the platform;   (b) a side wall extension perpendicular to the first perpendicular edge of the platform, the second perpendicular edge of the platform and the second parallel edge of the platform wherein the sidewall extension encloses the side of the structure when the platform is in the vertical position;   (c) an axle assembly hingedly connecting the first parallel edge to lower edge of the structure;   (d) at least one winch and cable assembly connecting the second parallel edge of the platform to the upper edge of the structure;   (e) a control mechanism to operate the winch and cable assemblies.   
   
   
       15 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing a wooden joist. 
   
   
       16 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing a metal joist. 
   
   
       17 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing the sidewall extensions on the perpendicular edges with a location mating with a correspondingly shaped location in the structure wherein a locking pin could further secure the platform in the vertical position. 
   
   
       18 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing pilings for the platform to rest on when in the horizontal position. 
   
   
       19 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing openings in the sidewall extensions to allow access to a stair. 
   
   
       20 . The method of making a storm shield assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing openings in the sidewall extensions to allow access to a lower platform.