IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,174,683
Granted Patent B2
US 7,174,683 · App. 10/264,476 · Granted Feb 13, 2007

Impact-resistant shutter assembly

Assignee: Tapco International
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,174,683
App. No.
10/264,476
Granted
Feb 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An impact-resistant shutter does not fracture upon impact from debris. The shutter includes a decorative panel and a support panel. The decorative panel has an outer surface and an inner surface and includes a first chemical composition. The support panel has a first surface and a second surface and includes a fiber composition. The fiber composition is incompatible with the first chemical composition. A second chemical composition is integrated into the support panel at the first surface. The second chemical composition is compatible with the first chemical composition. Due to this second chemical composition present at the first surface, the fiber composition in the support panel can be bonded to the inner surface of the decorative panel. The fiber composition provides impact resistance to the decorative panel to prevent fracturing of the decorative panel upon impact from debris.

Claims (48)

1. An impact-resistant shutter assembly comprising:

a decorative panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising a first thermoplastic resin composition;

a support panel having a first surface and a second surface and comprising a fiber composition that is incompatible with said first thermoplastic resin composition of said decorative panel; and

a second thermoplastic resin composition integrated into said support panel at said first surface and being compatible with said first thermoplastic resin composition of said decorative panel such that said fiber composition can be bonded to said inner surface of said decorative panel, wherein said fiber composition in said support panel provides impact resistance to said decorative panel to prevent fracturing of said decorative panel upon impact from debris.

2. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said fiber composition to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said second thermoplastic resin composition.

3. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

4. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fiber composition comprises at least one of polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, and aromatic polyamide fibers.

5. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fiber composition further comprises glass fibers.

6. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fiber composition comprises polypropylene fibers.

7. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said polypropylene fibers to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said second thermoplastic resin composition.

8. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

9. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said fiber composition further comprises glass fibers.

10. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said glass fibers are further defined as continuous filament glass fibers.

11. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fiber composition comprises polyester fibers.

12. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said polyester fibers to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said second thermoplastic resin composition.

13. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

14. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fiber composition further comprises glass fibers.

15. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said glass fibers are further defined as continuous filament glass fibers.

16. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fiber composition comprises aromatic polyamide fibers.

17. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 16 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said aromatic polyamide fibers to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said second thermoplastic resin composition.

18. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

19. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said aromatic polyamide fibers are formed from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide.

20. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first thermoplastic resin composition comprises polyvinyl chloride.

21. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said second thermoplastic resin composition comprises polyvinyl chloride.

22. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 21 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said first surface of said support panel to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said polyvinyl chloride in said decorative panel and said support panel.

23. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said solvent cement melt bonds said first surface of said support panel to said inner surface of said decorative panel.

24. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

25. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said solvent cement further comprises polyvinyl chloride.

26. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second thermoplastic resin composition is integrated into said support panel at said first surface during manufacturing of said support panel with said fiber composition.

27. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one stile coupled to said outer surface of said decorative panel for providing a location to mount fasteners to said shutter assembly.

28. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said outer surface of said decorative panel comprises at least one groove and said stile comprises at least one flange disposed in said at least one groove for coupling said stile to said decorative panel.

29. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said decorative panel and said support panel comprise a channel.

30. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 29 further comprising a strengthening element disposed within said channel for providing supplemental strength to said shutter assembly and for providing a location to mount fasteners to said shutter assembly.

31. An impact-resistant shutter assembly comprising:

a decorative panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising a first thermoplastic resin composition;

a support panel having a first surface and a second surface and comprising a fiber composition that is different from said first thermoplastic resin composition, said first surface of said support panel being bonded to said inner surface of said decorative panel such that said fiber composition in said support panel can provide impact resistance to said decorative panel to prevent fracturing of said decorative panel upon impact from debris, wherein said fiber composition comprises at least one of polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, and aromatic polyamide fibers; and

a second thermoplastic resin composition integrated into said support panel at said first surface for bonding said first surface of said support panel to said inner surface of said decorative panel.

32. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a solvent cement disposed between said support panel and said decorative panel for bonding said first surface of said support panel to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said second thermoplastic resin composition.

33. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 31 wherein said first and second thermoplastic resin compositions comprise polyvinyl chloride.

34. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 33 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

35. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 31 wherein said fiber composition further comprises glass fibers.

36. An impact-resistant shutter assembly comprising:

a decorative panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising polyvinyl chloride;

a support panel having a first surface and a second surface wherein said support panel comprises a fiber composition that is incompatible with said polyvinyl chloride of said decorative panel;

polyvinyl chloride integrated into said support panel at said first surface; and a solvent cement disposed between said first surface of said support panel and said inner surface of said decorative panel for bonding said fiber composition to said inner surface of said decorative panel through interaction with said polyvinyl chloride of said support panel such that said fiber composition provides impact resistance to said decorative panel to prevent fracturing of said decorative panel upon impact from debris.

37. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein said solvent cement comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and cyclohexanone.

38. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein said fiber composition comprises at least one of polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, and aromatic polyamide fibers.

39. A shutter assembly as set forth in claim 38 wherein said fiber composition further comprises glass fibers.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, LLC (FKA HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC.
Reel/Frame 042446/0199 →
PATENT RELEASE (REEL:23699/FRAME:0452) Recorded Mar 26, 2015
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED, AS GRANTOR; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC., A UTAH CORPORATION; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC., A UTAH CORPORATION; HEADWATERS HEAVY OIL, LLC, A UTAH CORPORATION; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, A MICHIGAN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035306/0558 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 20, 2009
From: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; HEADWATERS CTL, LLC, A UTAH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, USA; HEADWATERS HEAVY OIL, LLC, A UTAH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, USA; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC., A UTAH CORPORATION, USA; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC., A UTAH CORPORATION, USA; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, A MICHIGAN CORPORATION, USA
To: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 023699/0452 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 30, 2009
From: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023449/0470 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 29, 2009
From: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
To: CURTIS-WRIGHT FLOW CONTROL CORPORATION; HEADWATERS CTL., LLC (SUCCESSOR TO HYDROCARBON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LLC) AND INSTITUTE OF COAL CHEMISTRY; CROZZOLI, GUALTIERO; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LLC); HEADWATER RESOURCES, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO JTM INDUSTRIES, INC.); TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MID AMERICA BUILDING PRODUCTS); TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATON (SUCCESSOR TO TAPCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.); HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC.; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023449/0740 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 29, 2009
From: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
To: CURTIS-WRIGHT FLOW CONTROL CORPORATION; HEADWATERS CTL, LLC (SUCCESSOR TO HYDROCARBON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LLC) AND INSTITUTE OF COAL CHEMISTRY; CROZZOLI, GUALTIERO; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LLC); HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO JTM INDUSTRIES, INC.); TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MID AMERICA BUILDING PRODUCTS); TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO TAPCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.); HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; HEADWATERS RESOURCES, INC.; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023438/0778 →
SECOND LIEN IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 28, 2004
From: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; ACM BLOCK & BRICK GENERAL, INC.; ACM BLOCK & BRICK PARTNER, LLC; ACM BLOCK & BRICK, LLC; ACM BLOCK & BRICK, LP; ACM FLEXCRETE, LP; ACM GEORGIA, INC.; AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, INC.; BEST MASONRY & TOOL SUPPLY, INC.; CHIHUAHUA STONE LLC; COVOL ENGINEERED FUELS, LC; COVOL SERVICES CORPORATION; DON'S BUILDING SUPPLY, L.P.; EAGLE STONE & BRICK LLC; ELDORADO ACQUISITION, LLC; ELDORADO G-ACQUISITION CO.; ELDORADO SC-ACQUISITION CO.; ELDORADO STONE ACQUISITION CO., LLC; ELDORADO STONE CORPORATION; ELDORADO STONE FUNDING CO., LLC; ELDORADO STONE LLC; ELDORADO STONE OPERATIONS, LLC; GLOBAL CLIMATE RESERVE CORPORATION; HEADWATERS CLEAN COAL CORP.; HEADWATERS HEAVY OIL, INC.; HEADWATERS NANOKINETIX, INC.; HEADWATERS OLYSUB CORPORATION; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC.; HTI CHEMICAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.; HYDROCARBON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ISG MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS, INC.; ISG PARTNER, INC.; ISG RESOURCES, INC.; ISG SERVICES CORPORATION; ISG SWIFT CRETE, INC.; L&S STONE LLC; L-B STONE LLC; LEWIS W. OSBORNE, INC.; MAGNA WALL, INC.; NORTHWEST PROPERTIES LLC; NORTHWEST STONE & BRICK CO., INC.; NORTHWEST STONE & BRICK LLC; PALESTINE CONCRETE TILE COMPANY, L.P.; STONECRAFT INDUSTRIES LLC; TEMPE STONE LLC; UNITED TERRAZZO SUPPLY CO., INC.; VFL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION; ELDORADO FUNDING CO.; TAPCO HOLDINGS, INC.; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; VANTAGE BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION; MTP, INC.; ATLANTIC SHUTTER SYSTEMS, INC.; METAMORA PRODUCTS CORPORATION; METAMORA PRODUCTS CORPORATION OF ELKLAND; WAMCO CORPORATION; BUILDERS EDGE, INC.; COMACO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 015908/0816 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2004
From: HEADWATERS INCORPORATED; ACM BLOCK & BRICK GENERAL, INC.; ACM BLOCK & BRICK PARTNER, LLC,; ACM BLOCK & BRICK, LLC,; ACM BLOCK & BRICK, LP,; ACM FLEXCRETE, LP,; ACM GEORGIA, INC.,; AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, INC.,; BEST MASONRY & TOOL SUPPLY, INC.,; CHIHUAHUA STONE LLC,; COVOL ENGINEERED FUELS, LC,; COVOL SERVICES CORPORATION,; DON'S BUILDING SUPPLY, L.P.,; EAGLE STONE & BRICK LLC,; ELDORADO ACQUISITION, LLC,; ELDORADO G-ACQUISITION CO.,; ELDORADO SC-ACQUISITION CO.,; ELDORADO STONE ACQUISITION CO., LLC,; ELDORADO STONE CORPORATION,; ELDORADO STONE FUNDING CO., LLC,; ELDORADO STONE LLC,; ELDORADO STONE OPERATIONS LLC,; GLOBAL CLIMATE RESERVE CORPORATION,; HEADWATERS CLEAN COAL CORP.,; HEADWATERS HEAVY OIL, INC.,; HEADWATERS NANOKINETIX, INC.,; HEADWATERS OLYSUB CORPORATION,; HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GROUP, INC.,; HTI CHEMICAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.; HYDROCARBON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,; ISG MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS, INC.,; ISG PARTNER, INC.,; ISG RESOURCES, INC.,; ISG SERVICES CORPORATION,; ISG SWIFT CRETE, INC.,; L&S STONE LLC,; L-B STONE LLC,; LEWIS W. OSBORNE, INC.,; MAGNA WALL, INC.,; NORTHWEST PROPERTIES LLC,; NORTHWEST STONE & BRICK CO., INC.,; NORTHWEST STONE & BRICK LLC,; PALESTINE CONCRETE TILE COMPANY, L.P.,; STONECRAFT INDUSTRIES LLC,; TEMPE STONE LLC,; UNITED TERRAZZO SUPPLY CO., INC.,; VFL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION,; ELDORADO FUNDING CO.; TAPCO HOLDINGS, INC.,; TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION,; VANTAGE BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION,; MTP, INC.,; ATLANTIC SHUTTER SYSTEMS, INC.,; METAMORA PRODUCTS CORPORATION,; METAMORA PRODUCTS CORPORATION OF ELKLAND,; WAMCO CORPORATION,; BUILDERS EDGE, INC.,; COMACO, INC.,
To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 015896/0667 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2002
From: JAYCOX, JEFFREY S.; COTTINGHAM, DAVID
To: TAPCO INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 013371/0398 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 6039751500 · Jul 19, 2002
Provisional Application 6040445900 · Aug 19, 2002
Related Publication 20040010988A1 · Jan 22, 2004