Window shutter frame with magnetic faceplate

Abstract

A mounting frame for mounting structures in buildings, which has a faceplate for concealing unsightly mounting points along the mounting frame. The faceplate is attached to a base of the mounting frame by means of magnetic coupling, which may include a magnet provided in either one of the base or the faceplate, and a complementary magnet or magnetic material attached to the other one of the base or the faceplate. In one aspect of the present invention, the mounting frame is structured to support shutters for windows.

1 . A frame for mounting a structure to a wall, comprising: 
 a base having a rear section for mounting to a wall and a front section exposed to view after installation; and    a faceplate magnetically coupled to the base, wherein the faceplate has a front surface exposed to view after installation.    
   
   
       2 . The frame as in  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate comprises at least a magnet or a magnetic material, and the base comprises at least one complementary magnet or magnetic material, to form a magnetic coupling between the base and the faceplate.  
   
   
       3 . The frame as in  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises a channel sized and shaped to receive the faceplate.  
   
   
       4 . The frame as in  claim 3 , wherein the faceplate is held in place in the channel substantially by the magnetic coupling.  
   
   
       5 . The frame as in  claim 3 , wherein the faceplate is not held in place in the channel substantially by friction between the faceplate and the channel.  
   
   
       6 . The frame as in  claim 3 , wherein the channel has a floor along which the at least a magnet or a magnetic material is disposed.  
   
   
       7 . The frame as in  claim 6 , wherein the faceplate comprises a concealed surface on which the at least a magnet or a magnetic material is disposed.  
   
   
       8 . The frame as in  claim 7 , wherein the channel is provided with mounting points.  
   
   
       9 . The frame as in  claim 8 , wherein the mounting points comprise through holes through the base from the channel.  
   
   
       10 . The frame as in  claim 1 , further comprising a frame section that comprises the base and faceplate.  
   
   
       11 . The frame as in  claim 10 , wherein the frame is structured to mount a shutter for a window, and wherein the frame section is structured to support shutter louvers.  
   
   
       12 . The frame as in  claim 11 , wherein the frame section is structured to support a sub-frame that supports shutter louvers.  
   
   
       13 . The frame as in  claim 1 , wherein the exposed faceplate and the exposed front section of the base form a desired surface profile of the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The frame as in  claim 1 , wherein the structure to be mounted to the wall is a shutter for a window.  
   
   
       15 . A window shutter, comprising: 
 the frame as in  claim 14;  and    a shutter supported by the frame.    
   
   
       16 . A window shutter, comprising: 
 a frame for mounting shutters to a wall, comprising: 
 a base having a section for mounting to a wall and a front section exposed to view after installation, and  
 a faceplate magnetically coupled to the base, wherein the faceplate is exposed to view after installation; and  
   a shutter supported by the frame.    
   
   
       17 . The window shutter as in  claim 16 , wherein the faceplate comprises at least a magnet or a magnetic material, and the base comprises at least one complementary magnet or magnetic material, to form a magnetic coupling between the base and the faceplate.  
   
   
       18 . The window shutter as in  claim 17 , wherein the base comprises a channel sized and shaped to receive the faceplate, and wherein the faceplate is held in place in the channel substantially by the magnetic coupling.  
   
   
       19 . The frame as in  claim 18 , wherein the channel has a floor along which the at least a magnet or a magnetic material is disposed.  
   
   
       20 . The frame as in  claim 19 , wherein the faceplate comprises a concealed surface on which the at least a magnet or a magnetic material is disposed.