Locking assembly for shutters

Abstract

A lock for retaining shutters in a closed position is disclosed. The lock includes backing and retention brackets, and a fastener. The backing bracket is mounted to a dwelling to maintain the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position. The retention bracket includes retention and locking portions. The retention portion is spaced from the backing bracket to enclose the shutters between the retention portion and the backing bracket when the shutters are in the closed position. As such, the shutters are prevented from opening from the closed position. The locking portion extends from the retention portion to operatively engage the backing bracket. The fastener extends through the backing bracket and the locking portion to lock the retention bracket to the backing bracket such that the shutters, which are enclosed between the retention portion and the backing bracket, are retained in the closed position.

1 . A locking assembly for retaining a pair of shutters in a closed position on a dwelling, said locking assembly comprising: 
 a backing bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted to the dwelling for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    a retention bracket comprising a retention portion and a locking portion, said retention portion being spaced from said backing bracket for enclosing at least a portion of the shutters between said retention portion and said backing bracket when the shutters are in the closed position to prevent the shutters from opening from the closed position, and said locking portion extending substantially transversely from said retention portion to operatively engage said backing bracket;    a fastener extending through said backing bracket and said locking portion of said retention bracket to lock said retention bracket to said backing bracket for retaining the shutters in the closed position;    said backing bracket comprising a first backing component for said fixed mounting to the dwelling and a second backing component mounted to said first backing component for receiving said locking portion of said retention bracket and for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    said first backing component comprising a central portion having first and second sides;    said first backing component further comprising a first flange portion extending from said first side of said central portion, and a second flange portion extending from said second side of said central portion, wherein at least one of said first and second flange portions receive at least one fastener for said fixed mounting of said backing bracket to the dwelling;    said first backing component further comprising first and second support legs spaced from one another and extending substantially transversely from at least one of said central portion and said flange portions to define a gap for supporting said second backing component;    wherein said second backing component is at least partially disposed in said gap between said first and second support legs for said mounting to said first backing component; and    said fastener extending through said first support leg, said second backing component, said locking portion of said retention bracket, and said second support leg to retain the shutters in the closed position.    
   
   
       2 . A locking assembly for retaining a pair of shutters in a closed position on a dwelling, said locking assembly comprising: 
 a backing bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted to the dwelling for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    a retention bracket comprising a retention portion and a locking portion, said retention portion being spaced from said backing bracket for enclosing at least a portion of the shutters between said retention portion and said backing bracket when the shutters are in the closed position to prevent the shutters from opening from the closed position, and said locking portion extending substantially transversely from said retention portion to operatively engage said backing bracket;    a fastener extending through said backing bracket and said locking portion of said retention bracket to lock said retention bracket to said backing bracket for retaining the shutters in the closed position;    said backing bracket comprising a first backing component for said fixed mounting to the dwelling and a second backing component mounted to said first backing component for receiving said locking portion of said retention bracket and for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position    said first backing component comprising a central portion having first and second sides;    said first backing component further comprising a first flange portion extending from said first side of said central portion, and a second flange portion extending from said second side of said central portion, wherein at least one of said first and second flange portions receive at least one fastener for said fixed mounting of said backing bracket to the dwelling;    said first backing component further comprising first and second support legs spaced from one another and extending substantially transversely from at least one of said central portion and said flange portions to define a gap for supporting said second backing component;    said second backing component comprising a first lateral section and a second lateral section at least partially spaced from said first lateral section to define a locking channel therebetween;    said locking channel extending substantially transversely from said first and second lateral sections into said gap of said first backing component;    said locking portion of said retention bracket extending from said retention portion into said locking channel to operatively engage said second backing component; and    said fastener extending through said first support leg, said locking channel, said locking portion of said retention bracket, and said second support leg to retain the shutters in the closed position.    
   
   
       3 . A locking assembly as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising an intermediate fastener extending through said locking channel and said locking portion of said retention bracket for providing additional support to retain the shutters in the closed position.  
   
   
       4 . A locking assembly for retaining a pair of shutters in a closed position on a dwelling, said locking assembly comprising: 
 a backing bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted to the dwelling for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    a retention bracket comprising a retention portion and a locking portion, said retention portion being spaced from said backing bracket for enclosing at least a portion of the shutters between said retention portion and said backing bracket when the shutters are in the closed position to prevent the shutters from opening from the closed position, and said locking portion extending substantially transversely from said retention portion to operatively engage said backing bracket;    a fastener extending through said backing bracket and said locking portion of said retention bracket to lock said retention bracket to said backing bracket for retaining the shutters in the closed position;    said backing bracket comprising a central portion having first and second sides;    said backing bracket further comprising a first flange portion extending from said first side of said central portion, and a second flange portion extending from said second side of said central portion, wherein at least one of said first and second flange portions receive at least one fastener for said fixed mounting of said backing bracket to the dwelling;    said backing bracket further comprising first and second support legs spaced from one another and extending substantially transversely from at least one of said central portion and said flange portions to define a gap for receiving said locking portion of said retention bracket;    wherein said locking portion of said retention bracket is at least partially disposed in said gap between said first and second support legs for locking said retention bracket to said backing bracket; and    said fastener extending through said first support leg, said locking portion of said retention bracket, and said second support leg to retain the shutters in the closed position.    
   
   
       5 . A locking assembly for retaining a pair of shutters in a closed position on a dwelling, said locking assembly comprising: 
 a first backing component adapted to be fixedly mounted to the dwelling for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    a second backing component mounted to said first backing component for maintaining the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed position;    a retention bracket comprising a retention portion and a locking portion, said retention portion being spaced from said second backing component for enclosing at least a portion of the shutters between said retention portion and said second backing component when the shutters are in the closed position to prevent the shutters from opening from the closed position, and said locking portion extending substantially transversely from said retention portion to operatively engage said first backing component;    a fastener extending through said first backing component, said second backing component, and said locking portion of said retention bracket to lock said retention bracket to said backing bracket for retaining the shutters in the closed position;    said first backing component comprising a central portion having first and second sides, a first flange portion extending from said first side of said central portion, and a second flange portion extending from said second side of said central portion, wherein at least one of said first and second flange portions receive at least one fastener for said fixed mounting of said first backing component to the dwelling;    said first backing component further comprising first and second support legs spaced from one another and extending substantially transversely from at least one of said central portion and said flange portions to define a gap for supporting said second backing component;    wherein said second backing component is at least partially disposed in said gap between said first and second support legs for said mounting to said first backing component;    said fastener extending through said first support leg, said second backing component, said locking portion of said retention bracket, and said second support leg to retain the shutters in the closed position;    said second backing component comprises a first lateral section and a second lateral section at least partially spaced from said first lateral section to define a locking channel therebetween;    said first and second lateral support sections extending substantially parallel to said retention portion of said retention bracket for enclosing the portion of the shutters;    said first support leg of said first backing component abutting said first lateral section of said second backing component to maintain said second backing component spaced from the dwelling, and said second support leg of said first backing component abutting said second lateral section of said second backing component to maintain said second backing component spaced from the dwelling;    said locking channel extending substantially transversely from said first and second lateral sections into said gap of said first backing component;    said locking portion of said retention bracket extending from said retention portion into said locking channel to operatively engage said second backing component; and    said fastener extending through said first support leg, said locking channel, said locking portion of said retention bracket, and said second support leg to retain the shutters in the closed position.    
   
   
       6 . A locking assembly as set forth in  claim 5  further comprising an intermediate fastener extending through said locking channel and said locking portion of said retention bracket for providing additional support to retain the shutters in the closed position.  
   
   
       7 . A locking assembly for structural support of at least one shutter when in a closed position with the at least one shutter being attached to a building and movable between an open position and the closed position relative to an opening in the building, the locking assembly comprising: 
 an elongated second backing component extending across the opening, attached to the building at opposite ends, and spaced laterally away from the building;    an elongated retention bracket extending parallel to the second backing component and projecting laterally inward with respect to the opening for connection to the second backing component; and    wherein the shutter is layered at least in-part directly between the second backing component and the retention bracket.    
   
   
       8 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 7  wherein the second backing bracket is engaged releasably to the building and the retention bracket is engaged releasably to the second backing bracket.  
   
   
       9 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a first aperture in the second backing bracket;    a second aperture in the retention bracket; and    a releasable fastener extending through the first and second apertures for engagement of the second backing bracket to the retention bracket when the at least one shutter is in the closed position and wherein the fastener does not penetrate the at least one shutter.    
   
   
       10 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a planar retention portion of the retention bracket disposed parallel to the at least one shutter when in the closed position and spaced from the second backing bracket by the at least one shutter;    an elongated locking portion of the retention bracket projecting laterally inward with respect to the opening and beyond the at least one shutter when in the closed position for engagement to the second backing bracket; and    wherein the second aperture is carried by the locking portion.    
   
   
       11 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a support leg engaged to a sill of the opening and projecting from the sill into the opening; and    a third aperture in the support leg and aligned to the first and second apertures for receipt of the fastener for locking the locking assembly.    
   
   
       12 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 11  wherein the second backing bracket abuts against the support leg to prevent movement of the at least one shutter into the opening.  
   
   
       13 . A locking assembly for structural support of at least one shutter when in a closed position with the at least one shutter being attached to a building and movable between an open position and the closed position relative to an opening in the building, the locking assembly comprising: 
 a first support leg projecting into the opening from the building and being disposed inward from the at least one shutter with respect to the building;    an elongated second backing bracket attached removably to the first support leg and projecting longitudinally into the opening further than the support leg; and    wherein the second backing bracket is in contact with the at least one shutter when in the closed position.    
   
   
       14 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 13  wherein no connection feature exists between the at least one shutter and the second backing bracket.  
   
   
       15 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 14  wherein the elongated second backing bracket is laterally spaced from the building in the opening.  
   
   
       16 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a second support leg engaged to the building and projecting into the opening toward the first support leg; and    wherein the second backing bracket extends longitudinally and is connected removably between the first and second support legs.    
   
   
       17 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 16  further comprising: 
 a first aperture in the first support leg;    a second aperture in the second backing bracket; and    a removable pin extending through the first and second apertures for connecting the first support leg to the second backing bracket.    
   
   
       18 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a rod projecting rigidly from the second support leg; and    a channel in the second backing bracket and opened outward in a longitudinal direction with respect to the second backing bracket for receipt of the rod.    
   
   
       19 . A locking assembly for structural support of first and second shutters when in a closed position with the first and second shutters attached independently to a building and movable between an open position and the closed position relative to an opening in the building, the locking assembly comprising: 
 a gap defined between the first and second shutters and only when in the closed position;    an elongated second backing component extending across the opening along the gap and attached removably to the building at opposite ends;    an elongated retention bracket extending along the gap and projecting laterally inward with respect to the opening and through the gap for removable engagement to the second backing component; and    wherein the first and second shutters are layered directly between the second backing component and the retention bracket.    
   
   
       20 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a locking channel in the second backing bracket and co-extending longitudinally with the second backing bracket and being in communication with the gap;    a retention portion of the retention bracket with the first and second shutter being orientated in-part between the retention portion and the second backing bracket; and    locking portion of the retention bracket projecting outward from the retention portion, through the gap and into the locking channel for releasable connection to the second backing bracket.