Tapco International Corporation

David Cottingham

Jeffrey S Jaycox

An impact-resistant shutter does not fracture upon impact from debris. The shutter includes a decorative panel and a support panel. The decorative panel has an outer surface and an inner surface and includes a first chemical composition. The support panel has a first surface and a second surface and includes a fiber composition. The fiber composition is incompatible with the first chemical composition. A second chemical composition is integrated into the support panel at the first surface. The second chemical composition is compatible with the first chemical composition. Due to this second chemical composition present at the first surface, the fiber composition in the support panel can be bonded to the inner surface of the decorative panel. The fiber composition provides impact resistance to the decorative panel to prevent fracturing of the decorative panel upon impact from debris.

Impact-resistant shutter assembly

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.

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Dillon, SC, United States of America

David Cottingham