Retractable storm shutter

Abstract

A retractable storm shutter for protecting a fenestration is disclosed. The retractable storm shutter includes a base panel coupled to a wall surrounding the fenestration and extending lengthwise across a side of the fenestration. The retractable storm shutter further includes a plurality of planar panels arranged adjacently so as to cover the fenestration. The retractable storm shutter further includes a plurality of hinges, wherein at least one hinge couples each adjacent pair of planar panels and wherein at least one hinge couples a first planar panel to the base panel. The retractable storm shutter further includes a means for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the fenestration. Each of the plurality of panels may be rotated about the plurality of hinges so as to stack the panels and place them lengthwise across a side of the fenestration so as to unfetter the fenestration.

1 . A retractable storm shutter for protecting a fenestration, comprising: 
 a base panel coupled to a wall surrounding the fenestration and extending lengthwise across a side of the fenestration;    a plurality of planar panels arranged adjacently so as to cover the fenestration;    a plurality of hinges, wherein at least one hinge couples each adjacent pair of planar panels and wherein at least one hinge couples a first planar panel to the base panel; and    a means for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the fenestration;    wherein each of the plurality of panels may be rotated about the plurality of hinges so as to stack the panels and place them lengthwise across a side of the fenestration so as to unfetter the fenestration.    
   
   
       2 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of orifices positioned near outer edges of each of the plurality of panels for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the fenestration.    
   
   
       3 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for fastening comprises: 
 a plurality of bolts for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the fenestration using the plurality of orifices positioned near outer edges of each of the plurality of panels.    
   
   
       4 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 1 , wherein the base panel comprises a vertical bar coupled to a left or right side of the wall surrounding the fenestration.  
   
   
       5 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of planar panels comprises a rectangular-shaped planar panel arranged vertically so as to cover the fenestration.  
   
   
       6 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises any one of a butt hinge and a continuous hinge.  
   
   
       7 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening panel comprising a planar bar attached horizontally over the plurality of panels and fastened to the wall.  
   
   
       8 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 7 , further comprising a means for fastening the plurality of panels to the wall when stacked and placed lengthwise across a side of the fenestration so as to unfetter the fenestration.  
   
   
       9 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 8 , further comprising a horizontal bar coupled to the wall on a left or right side of the fenestration so as to allow the plurality of panels to rest on the horizontal bar when stacked and placed lengthwise across a side of the fenestration so as to unfetter the fenestration.  
   
   
       10 . A retractable storm shutter for protecting a window, comprising: 
 a vertical bar coupled to a left or right side of a wall surrounding the window;    a plurality of vertical planar panels arranged adjacently so as to cover the fenestration;    a plurality of hinges, wherein at least one hinge couples each adjacent pair of planar panels and wherein at least one hinge couples a first planar panel to the vertical bar; and    a means for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the window;    wherein each of the plurality of panels may be rotated about the plurality of hinges so as to stack the panels and place them vertically across the left or right side of the window so as to unfetter the window.    
   
   
       11 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one planar bar attached horizontally over the plurality of panels and fastened to the wall.  
   
   
       12 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for fastening the plurality of panels to the wall when stacked and placed across a side of the window.  
   
   
       13 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 12 , further comprising a horizontal bar coupled to the wall on a left or right side of the window so as to allow the plurality of panels to rest on the horizontal bar when stacked and placed across a side of the window.  
   
   
       14 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of orifices positioned near outer edges of each of the plurality of panels for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the window.    
   
   
       15 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 14 , wherein the means for fastening comprises: 
 a plurality of bolts for fastening each of the plurality of panels to outer edges of the window using the plurality of orifices positioned near outer edges of each of the plurality of panels.    
   
   
       16 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises any one of a butt hinge and a continuous hinge.  
   
   
       17 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one fastening panel comprising a planar bar attached horizontally over the plurality of panels and fastened to the wall.  
   
   
       18 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 10 , further comprising a means for fastening the plurality of panels to the wall when stacked and placed across a side of the window.  
   
   
       19 . A retractable storm shutter for protecting a window, comprising: 
 a plurality of planar panels placed adjacently and vertically so as to cover the window;    a plurality of hinges coupling each adjacent pair of planar panels and a first planar panel to a wall surrounding the window;    a plurality of orifices located along outer edges of each of the plurality of planar panels; and    a plurality of fasteners for fastening each of the plurality of panels to the wall using the plurality of orifices;    wherein the plurality of panels may be rotated about the plurality of hinges as to be stacked and unfetter the window.    
   
   
       20 . The retractable storm shutter of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one planar bar attached horizontally over the plurality of panels and fastened to the wall.