AU2004236276B2 - An awning - Google Patents

Description

1 AN AWNING Field of the Invention The present invention relates to awnings for providing protection from the weather and in particular to a folding awning for use in association with or as an 5 attachment to a vehicle for deployment when the vehicle is stationary. Background Art There are a number of known retractable assemblies that can support an awning to create a sheltered area. The awning is usually supported in a generally horizontal position with a slight slope to facilitate runoff of any rainwater. Commonly, one edge of io an awning is attached to a wall. The opposite edge is attached to a tube, rod, rail or other similar elongated member, which is supported by two support arms. The support arms rest on the ground or are mounted to a lower part of the wall. Tensioning arms are generally disposed between the wall and the tube or rail to stretch the awning and hold it in a taught condition. In this way, a convenient shelter is formed adjacent the wall to is protect people and objects beneath the wall from rain and direct sun. Retractable awnings can be divided into two general classes. Box type awnings have a stationary roller tube mounted to the wall. The awning is rolled around the tube for storage. The box comprises a fixed enclosure for the awning, a cover of which is opened to permit access to the awning which is unrolled to an extended position. 20 Alternatively, a movable cover can be attached to the free end of the awning to complete the enclosure when the awning is retracted. Shifting roll type awnings have a roller tube suspended between the support arms. The tube is moved laterally to unroll or roll the awning on the tube. One edge of the awning is rigidly attached to the wall. It is less common, but still possible, for this 25 type of awning to be enclosed in a case in its retracted position. In both types the roller tube may be spring balanced or spring biased to aid rolling. A popular application for such awnings is on recreational vehicles. The awning creates a convenient outdoor shelter next to the vehicle. Simple and fast assembly and disassembly of the awning are important, especially in vehicle applications. Vehicle 30 awnings also must be rugged and durable because they are constantly exposed to the elements. Aside from functioning efficiently, the awning should also be aesthetically attractive in its installed and retracted positions. A minimum amount of hardware should be exposed during travel to provide a durable and attractive unit.

2 A number of brackets have been designed for the purpose of mounting and supporting various recreational vehicle awning struts. Methods have ranged from a simple clevis to sophisticated devices having a variety of latches, pins and the like. The weakest common denominator of these brackets is that they are secured to the recreational 5 vehicle by bolts through the vehicle skins and sometimes into or through body frame members of the vehicle. As a result of severe weather or merely normal wear and tear over time, brackets bolted to vehicle skins alone can deform the skins and elongate associated bolt holes, reducing the strength and integrity of the vehicle skins and also the aesthetic and financial values of the vehicle. Elongated bolt holes or holes partially 1o exposed by bolts that have worked loose can admit elements that can cause problems ranging from the discomfort of occupants to serious damage to the body frame members of the vehicle or to other items therewithin. Attempts have been made to overcome this and other problems associated with attaching an awning to a vehicle. One such awning includes a roller assembly having a is torsion spring, a canopy connected between a wall the roller assembly, and a pair of "four-bar" arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller assembly. The arm assemblies move the roller assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, where the torsion spring biases the roller assembly toward the retracted position. Each arm assembly includes a vertically extending base arm secured to the wall, a bottom 20 arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm, an extended arm having a first end pivotally connected to the bottom arm and a second end supporting the roller assembly, and a top arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm and a second end pivotally connected to the extended arm. Each arm assembly also includes a member extending between the base arm and the bottom or top arm to move the arm 25 assembly toward the extended position. The member may be a tension spring or a compression spring. Other attempts include a retractable top cover and awning for recreational vehicles, modular homes, and the like, which includes a mechanism for deploying and retracting a flexible top cover and awning panel over the roof of the vehicle and along a 30 side wall of the vehicle to shade both the vehicle roof and any windows or doors in the side wall. A flexible top cover and awning panel is wound and stored on a roller housed in an elongated housing having a removable housing cover. Swinging deployment arms extend the flexible top cover and awning panel from the storage roller. Motors are used to open the housing cover, to turn the roller to assist in rolling or unrolling the flexible top 3 cover and awning panel, and to swing the deployment arms during extension and retraction of the flexible top cover and awning panel. Another "roller"-type awning has the awning rolled around a roller tube. A lead rail is attached to an edge of the awning. Support arms are stowed and latched in the lead 5 rail and pivot downwardly therefrom. A sliding and pivoting latch mechanism holds the lead rail in the retracted position. The support arms are attached to feet on the vehicle with a spring latch mechanism. Spring loaded rafter arms slide in a channel on the back of the lead rail and are positioned to tension the awning. The awning provides a compact and attractive assembly in the stowed position and is easily erected by one person. 1o These awnings all have disadvantages associated with the mounting of the awning on the vehicle and the quick and easy deployment of the awning. Additionally, in some cases an awning may be quickly and easily deployable but may' be complex or difficult to store or to place into its storage configuration. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, is this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. 20 Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein an awning to be attached to a vehicle to extend longitudinally adjacent a lateral side of the vehicle, the awning including: an elongated base to be attached to the vehicle and having opposite first and second ends; 25 a plurality of arms attached to the base for angular movement about a generally upright axis that extends generally normal to the base, the axis being located adjacent the first end, the arms being movable about said axis between a folded configuration at which the arms are generally parallel to and located adjacent the base, and an expanded configuration at which the arms are angularly spaced about said axis so as to extend away 30 from said base; a web member attached to the arms; and 4 clip means attached to the base at a location spaced from said axis towards said second end, said clip means being provided to be releasably fixed to the arms to said base when the arms are in said folded configuration. Preferably, wherein said clip means is located adjacent said second end. 5 Preferably, wherein said clip means includes a plurality of clips, each clip being adapted to receive a respective one of the arms. Preferably, the awning further includes a locking means operable to releasably retain the arms in the extended configuration. Preferably, the awning further includes a first support attached to said base to io attach the awning to the vehicle, the first support being located adjacent said first end, and a second support attached to the base to attach the base to the vehicle, the second support being located adjacent said second end. Brief Description of the Drawings Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the is following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an awning enclosed in a cover attached to a vehicle. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the awning with the cover in the open position and the awning in the storage condition. 20 Figure 3 is a close-up elevation view of the arm members releasably attached to the backing member. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the awning in a partially deployed condition. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the awning in a fully deployed condition. Figure 6 is a top view of the awning in the fully deployed condition. 25 Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the bracket or clip to which the arm members are releasably secured when in the storage condition. Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of the pivot, the collar members and a portion of the L-shaped frame. Figure 9 is a view from the underside of the awning when in the deployed 30 condition showing the relative positions of the arm members. Figure 10 is a detailed view of the releasable locking means for locking the arm members in position when the awning is in the deployed condition according to an aspect of the invention.

5 Figure 11 is a detailed view of the releasable locking means and the opening on the arm member according to an aspect of the invention. Figure 12 is a detailed view of the position of the releasable locking means for locking the arm members in position when the awning is in the deployed condition 5 according to a second aspect of the invention. The arm members are shown in the storage condition. Figure 13 is a detailed view of the relative position of the arm members and the engagement of the locking means and the opening in the arm member according to a second aspect of the invention with the awning in a partially deployed condition. 10 Figure 14 is a detailed view of the locking means and the opening in the arm member according to a second aspect of the invention with the awning in the fully deployed condition Description of the Preferred Embodiments is According to the invention, an awning 10 for protecting or shielding users from the weather is provided. The awning 10 has an elongated base 11, the base 11 including at least one pivot 20, a plurality of elongate arm members 18 associated with the at least one pivot 20, and at least one webbing member (flexible sheet) 16 extending between the plurality of arm 20 members 18. The base 11 has opposite first and second ends 25, 26. The pivot 20 is adjacent the end 25 and provides a generally upright pivot axis 24. The arm members 18 move angularly about the axis 24 between a folded configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and an expanded configuration as shown in Figure 5. In the folded configuration the arm members 18 extend longitudinally generally parallel to and are located adjacent 25 the base 11. In the expanded configuration, the arm members 18 are angularly about the axis 24 and extend radially outward from the axis 24 so as to extend away from the base 11. Figure 1 shows the base 11 attached to a roof rack system 12 which is itself attached to a vehicle 13. The base 11 is attached to the roof rack 12 at a predetermined 30 number of attachment points 14, allowing the vehicle 13 to act as a counterbalancing body or member. A cover 15 for the awning 10 is also illustrated. Figure 2 illustrates the awning 10 once the cover 15 has been opened and the webbing member 16 has been released from the containment provided by the cover 15. Figures 3 and 7 illustrate a bracket 17 that is located adjacent the end 26 and 35 provides a clip means consisting of a plurality of clips for releasably securing the plurality 6 of arm members 18 to the backing member 19, Figure 3 when the awning 10 is in the storage condition and Figure 7 when the awning 10 is in the deployed condition. The bracket 17 is located towards an end of the backing member 19 opposite to the pivot 20. The bracket 17 or plurality of clips is attached securely to the backing member 19 or 5 frame 11 and allows the storage of the plurality of arms 18 in a substantially flattened configuration wherein the arms 18 are positioned one above the other vertically. Figure 4 shows the awning 10 in a partially deployed condition. Figures 5 and 6 shows the awning 10 in the deployed condition. Figure 5 is a view from slightly below the level of the awning 10 and Figure 6 from above the awning 10 10. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the interaction between the pivot 20 and the plurality of arm members 18. The pivot 20 is an elongate substantially cylindrical bar member manufactured from a light metal or engineering plastics. The pivot 20 is attached to the base 11, and may be attached to the backing is member 19 of the base 1I by connection brackets 21 located at an upper and a lower edge of the base 11. The connection brackets 21 are located to allow the pivoting motion of the plurality of arm members 18 without impinging on the base 11. Each of the plurality of arm members 18 have a first closed free end to assist in preventing the entry of debris or insects or the like. Each arm member 18 has an opposed 20 second end, the second end of each arm member 18 having a collar member 22 for engagement with the bar member of the pivot 20. The elongate arms 18 are arrayed in a generally vertical orientation, one above the other when the awning 10 is in the storage condition as seen in Figure 8. The collar members 22 located at the second end of each arm member 18 arrayed in a generally 25 vertical orientation, one above the other. Figure 9 illustrates the deployment of the awning 10 and the action of the arm members 18. The free end of each arm member 18 swings out and away from the base 11 or backing member 19, rotating about the second end of the arm member 18 which is attached to the pivot 20, and each arm member 18 rotates about the pivot 20 to different 30 degrees, thereby spreading the webbing member 16. Figure 10 illustrates a locking means 23 used to releasably lock an arm member 18 and thereby the awning 10, into the deployed condition. The locking means 23 is a spring-loaded pin, biased into the locked position. The pin may engage an opening 24 provided in an arm member 18 to maintain the arm member 18 in position. This 35 engagement is illustrated in Figure 11.

7 Figures 12 to 14 illustrate an alternative position and use of the locking means 23. Wherein according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the locking means 23 is located on the base 11 or backing member 19 and engages with the arm member 18 at a substantial distance from the pivot 20, according to the embodiment of 5 the invention illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the locking means 23 is located adjacent the pivot 20. The action of the locking means 23 is similar, but the construction and positioning illustrated in Figures 12 to 14 allows for a more compact construction. The configuration illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 may provide a more secure and damage resistant method of securing the awning 10 in the deployed position. 1o In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the is invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (6)

1. An awning to be attached to a vehicle to extend longitudinally adjacent a lateral side of the vehicle, the awning including: an elongated base to be attached to the vehicle and having opposite first and 5 second ends; a plurality of arms attached to the base for angular movement about a generally upright axis that extends generally normal to the base, the axis being located adjacent the first end, the arms being movable about said axis between a folded configuration at which the arms are generally parallel to and located adjacent the base, and an expanded io configuration at which the arms are angularly spaced about said axis so as to extend away from said base; a web member attached to the arms; and clip means attached to the base at a location spaced from said axis towards said second end, said clip means being provided to be releasably fixed to the arms to said base is when the arms are in said folded configuration.

2. The awning of claim 1, wherein said clip means is located adjacent said second end.

3. The awning of claim I or 2, wherein said clip means includes a plurality of clips, each clip being adapted to receive a respective one of the arms. 20

4. The awning of claim 1, 2 or 3, further including a locking means operable to releasably retain the arms in the extended configuration.

5. The awning of any one of claims I to 4, further including a first support attached to said base to attach the awning to the vehicle, the first support being located adjacent said first end, and a second support attached to the base to attach the base to the 25 vehicle, the second support being located adjacent said second end.

6. An awning substantiates hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.