Flexible Hurricane Panel Interior Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storm panel installation methods require external access, making it dangerous, costly, and labor-intensive to protect windows above the second floor in multi-story buildings, especially during prolonged hurricane seasons.
Innovation Solution
A pliable hurricane protection system with side tracks mounted on the exterior wall, allowing a flexible panel to be installed and removed from inside the building, using hems and locking pins for secure positioning, enabling safe and cost-effective protection of openings from any floor level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storm panels are installed from outside the building using traditional methods, then the panels can be securely attached to protect openings, but the installation becomes dangerous, costly, and labor-intensive for windows above the second floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation approach by enabling panel installation from the inside of the building rather than from outside. The side tracks are mounted on the exterior wall, but the flexible panel with hems is fed through the window opening from the interior, allowing installers to work safely inside the building while achieving the same protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces side tracks as an intermediary mounting structure attached to the exterior wall. These tracks serve as a guide and support system that allows the flexible panel to be installed from inside the building while still achieving secure attachment to the exterior wall, mediating between the interior installation access and exterior protection requirement.
2Strength
If traditional rigid panels are used with external mounting brackets, then the panels provide durable storm protection, but the installation requires special equipment and incurs high labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rigid panels with a flexible panel made of fabric, plastic, or metal mesh material. This flexible panel with hem edges can be easily manipulated and installed from inside the building through the window opening, while still providing adequate storm protection when secured in the side tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic installation system where the flexible panel can be easily inserted and removed through the window opening. The side tracks with hem chambers provide a mechanism that allows quick installation and removal operations, improving productivity during hurricane season when panels may need to be installed and removed multiple times.
3Reliability
If impact rated windows are installed to protect openings, then the windows provide continuous protection, but the cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable storm panel system where the flexible panel can be removed after the storm passes and stored for future use. This allows the same panel to be installed and removed multiple times during hurricane season, providing reliable protection when needed while avoiding the permanent commitment and high cost of impact rated windows.
Data Source
AI summary
A hurricane panel system on the outside of an opening that can be installed from inside a multiple story building, through an open window without requiring tools of any type or outside assistance. This panel system includes a pliable, fabric, polyester panel that has a pair of parallel, vertical hems each containing a hem cord that are sized in diameter to fit into a pair of parallel, vertical or horizontal tracks connected to the outside of the building adjacent a window. The pliable, fabric panel includes one or more fabric straps that can be used to manipulate the panel in and out of the tracks. One or more locking pins are used to secure the panel in place relative to the tracks.