Reinforced shutter

Abstract

A shutter for a building aperture comprising a shutter curtain having a first and second face, the shutter curtain being locatable in the aperture. The shutter further comprises a filament spanning the aperture and lying in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the first face of the shutter curtain and a tensioning device for applying tension to the filament to provide support to the curtain against flexure thereof in a direction towards the filament.

1 . A shutter for a building aperture comprising: 
 a shutter curtain having a first and a second face, the shutter curtain being locatable in the aperture;    a filament spanning the aperture and lying in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the first face of the shutter curtain to provide support to the curtain against flexure thereof in a direction towards the filament; and    a tensioning device including a first threaded body movably coupled to a second threaded body;    wherein the first threaded body is coupled to the filament, the second threaded body is configured for coupling to a building, and the tensioning device applies tension to the filament as the first threaded body is rotated in a first direction in relation to the second threaded body.    
   
   
       2 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein the filament comprises a metallic wire.  
   
   
       3 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning device comprises a winch around which the filament is wound.  
   
   
       4 . The shutter according to  claim 3 , wherein the winch comprises a locking element for selectively locking the winch against unwinding.  
   
   
       5 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter further comprises first and second guides which respectively receive and guide opposing lateral edges of the curtain, the guides being located on opposing lateral edges of the aperture.  
   
   
       6 . The shutter according to  claim 5 , wherein a first end of the filament is retained on the first guide and the tensioning device is provided on the second guide, a second end of the filament being received by the tensioning device.  
   
   
       7 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter further comprises a second filament spanning the aperture.  
   
   
       8 . The shutter according to  claim 7 , further comprising a second tensioning device for applying tension to the second filament.  
   
   
       8 . The shutter according to  claim 7 , wherein the second filament lies in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the second face of the shutter curtain.  
   
   
       9 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein a storage device is provided for storing at least part of the filament when not under tension.  
   
   
       10 . The shutter according to  claim 9 , wherein the storage device comprises an elastic element biasing the filament in a direction into the storage device.  
   
   
       11 . The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein said tensioning device comprises the shutter curtain whereby the shutter curtain provides tension to the filament as the shutter curtain is flexed or bowed by the wind  
   
   
       12 . A storm retainer for retaining a shutter curtain against flexure, the shutter curtain being located across an aperture of a building and having a first face and a second face, the storm retainer comprising: 
 a filament extending across the first face;    an anchor attached to a first portion of the filament and securing the first portion with respect to the aperture;    a tensioning device including a first threaded body movably coupled to a second threaded body;    wherein the first threaded body is coupled to a second portion of the filament, the second threaded body attaches to the building adjacent to the aperture and secures the second threaded body with respect to the aperture, and the tensioning device applies tension to the filament as the first threaded body is rotated in a first direction in relation to the second threaded body.    
   
   
       13 . The storm retainer according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor attaches to the building adjacent to the aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The storm retainer according to  claim 12 , wherein the shutter curtain is provided with a frame and the anchor attaches to the frame.  
   
   
       15 . A storm retainer for retaining a shutter curtain against flexure, the shutter curtain being located across an aperture of a building and having a first face and a second face, the storm retainer comprising: 
 a first filament extending across the first face;    an first anchor attached to a first portion of the first filament and securing the first portion with respect to the aperture;    a first tensioning device including a first threaded body movably coupled to a second threaded body;    a second filament extending across the second face;    a second anchor attached to a first portion of the second filament and securing the first portion of the second filament with respect to the aperture; and    a second tensioning device, the second tensioning device being secured with respect to the aperture and being attached to a second portion of the second filament;    wherein actuation of the first tensioning device causes tensioning of the first filament from the first portion to the second portion of the first filament, and actuation of the second tensioning device causes tensioning of the second filament from the first portion to the second portion of the second filament    
   
   
       16 . The shutter according to  claim 15 , wherein a storage device is provided for storing at least part of the first filament when not under tension.  
   
   
       17 . The shutter according to  claim 15 , wherein the storage device comprises an elastic element biasing the filament in a direction into the storage device.  
   
   
       18 . The shutter according to  claim 15 , wherein said first tensioning device comprises the shutter curtain whereby the shutter curtain provides tension to the filament as the shutter curtain is flexed or bowed by the wind  
   
   
       19 . The shutter according to  claim 15 , wherein the second filament lies in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the second face of the shutter curtain.  
   
   
       20 . The shutter according to  claim 15 , wherein the first filament lies in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the second face of the shutter curtain.