AU2013100539A4 - 'Three-way Awning - Google Patents

Abstract

The 'Three-way Awning' is designed to provide three alternative temporary awnings for temporary structures such as Marquees and Tents. Using the same components. One variation provides a suspended awning; the second provides an awning, which is braced by an extendable tube being attached to the outer extremity of the top tube of the awning and the base of the member of the host structure. The third variation has the extendable tube orientated in the vertical plane directly below the outer extremity of the uppermost tube of the awning. An anchor block is added to secure the vertical tube of the frame. The two ends of the awning assembly are joined by a crossbeam, which may be adjusted in length. The frame is covered with a suitable material similar to the material used in the host structure; battens increase the rigidity of the material to prevent accumulation of rainwater on the cover. Figur3/5 . ........................................................................ . ...... .. - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -----------7------ --------- ;- ------- ---------- - Figure 45~'

Description

1 Description TITLE 'Three-way Awning' FIELD Awnings for Marquees and Tents. BACKGROUND (0001). The awning frame consist of two end assemblies, (deemed to be 'Awning End Assemblies') and a crossbeam, (deemed to be 'Crossbeam'), joining the two end assemblies. Each 'Awning End Assembly' is attached at two points to a vertical 'Member' of a Marquee or Tent, deemed to be called the 'Host Structure'. The 'Members' will be on the same face of the 'Host Structure' and parallel to each other. The awning components may be arranged in three different ways to achieve three variations to the structure of the awning. Each variation addresses the objective of the awning, which is to provide shelter from the sun and rain but the variations give the user three choices, which allow for differing requirements of the user. One of the three variations is called a 'Suspended Awning' in which the lowest point of the structure is above average head height. The second variation, using the same components is called a 'Braced Awning', in which the components are inverted and the 'Diagonal Tube' is braced against the lower portion of the 'Member'. In this case the 'Diagonal Tube' occupies the end space of the assembly. This position restricts access to the 'Host Structure' to a frontal access. This form may suit users who prefer to have a frontal approach by visitors. The third variation is called a 'Veranda Awning'. In this case the 'Diagonal Tube' is set in the vertical position, like a veranda post, attached to a separate component called an 'Anchor Block'. SUMMARY OF INVENTION (0002). The 'Awning End Assembly' is constructed with two tubes; the base tube of the 'Awning End Assembly' is determined as the 'Base Tube'. The length and width of the base tube will vary depending upon the application required. A second tube, which may be determined to be the 'Diagonal Tube', is attached at a pivot 2 point to the same 'Corner Bracket' that also holds the 'Base Tube'. The attachment is by means of a dowel, pin or bolt, which allows the 'Diagonal Tube' to pivot in a vertical plane at the 'Corner Bracket'. The point where the 'Diagonal Tube' is attached to the 'Gate' assembly and consequently to the 'Member' is determined to be the 'Inner end' of the 'Diagonal Tube'. The other end, the location of the 'Corner Bracket', is determined to be the 'Outer End'. (0003). There are two mechanisms of attachment of the 'Awning End Assemblies' to the 'Member'. These mechanisms of attachment are determined to be 'Gates'. The 'Gates' are secured to the 'Member' after the open face of the 'Gate' is entered around the 'Member'. When entered into position the 'Gates' are closed with the use of a hinged bolt, swinging in the horizontal plane, at right angles to the 'Member', completing closure of the 'Gates'. The initial hold is light to allow a sliding movement of the 'Gates up or down the 'Vertical' face of the 'Member'. When the chosen position is reached the 'Gates' are clamped tightly by closing the holding wing nut of the hinged bolts, to arrest further movement of the 'Gates' along the face of the 'Member' of the 'Host Structure'. (0004). The width of the 'Gate' is selected to be of a size, which permits a smooth entry to encompass the 'Member'. If the 'Gates' are too large they may be filled with suitable spacers that still permit a positive clamp, adequate to prevent movement of the fully closed 'Gates' along the face of the 'Member'. Otherwise the 'Gates' must be fabricated to suit the dimension of the 'Member'. (0005). The 'Gate' is modified to allow for the shape of the 'Member'. If it is a square tube the 'Gate' is shaped to fit the square. If a polygon, the 'Gate' may be fabricated to follow the shape of the polygon. (0006). The 'Awning End Assemblies' 'Base Tube' is attached to the 'Gate' mechanism at a bracket attached to the 'Gate'. The bracket is determined as a 'Docking Bracket'. The attachment is by the means of a dowel, pin or bolt, which allows the 'Base Tube' to pivot in a 'Vertical' plane in relationship to the position of the 'Member'. (0007). The point where the 'Base Tube' is attached to the 'Gate' mechanism and consequently to the 'Member' is determined to be the 'Inner end' of the 'Base Tube'. The other end is determined to be the 'Outer End'. The 'Outer end' of the 'Base Tube' is 3 attached to a U shaped bracket, determined as the 'Corner Bracket'. The attachment is by a dowel, pin or bolt, which also allows the 'Base Tube' to pivot in a vertical plane at the 'Outer End'. The pivot pin is parallel in plane to the base of the U bracket. All four dowels of the pivot points in the 'Awning End Assembly' system are in the horizontal plane. (0008). The 'Corner Bracket' must be of adequate height to carry two pivot pins, which allow the free movement, in the vertical plane, of the 'Base Tube' and the 'Diagonal Tube' at the pivot points. When the 'Awning End Assembly' is in the normal upright position for 'Suspended Awnings' the pivot point of the 'Diagonal Tube' will be above the 'Pivot Point of the 'Base Tube'. It should be noted that the other applications, creating the 'Braced Awning' and 'Veranda Awning' the orientation of the tubes are reversed, in those situations the pivot point of the 'Diagonal Tube is below the pivot point of the 'Base Tube'. (0009). In the case of the 'Suspended Awning' the 'Diagonal Tube' may be a single tube, as it requires no adjustment of the length. It forms the diagonal of the triangle when both the 'Diagonal Tube' and the 'Base Tubes' are attached to the 'Member'. When the 'Base Tube', the 'Diagonal Tube' and the 'Supported Member' are connected, the three sides form a 'Right Angle Triangle'. The 'Base Tube' rests in the horizontal plane, at right angles to the 'Member'. If the user wished to retain the outer tube there is nothing to prevent the user from electing to do so. By retaining this option the user is readily able to switch from one mode of awning to another. (0010). In the case of the 'Braced Awnings' and 'Veranda Awnings' the 'Diagonal Tube' is itself, constructed from two tubes: an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is designed to slide in or out of the outer tube to lengthen or shorten the total length of the 'Diagonal Tube'. In the case of the 'Braced Awnings', this provision for adjustment allows the 'Diagonal Tube' to be attached to the 'Gate' locked to the 'Member' at low points on the member, at the very base of the 'Member' or at high points where the tube is not extended, resting at right angles to the 'Member' and any unobstructed point in between. At the extreme high point 4 it is in fact a 'Suspended Awning'. The length of the 'Diagonal Tube' dictates the distance between the high and low points of the 'Gate' attachment. It also governs the degree of incline of the 'Base Tube', which in this system, is the uppermost tube. The degree of incline is set with regard to the shedding of water during rain and the required head clearance under the 'Crossbeam' of the awning. (0011). The 'Veranda Awning's' 'Diagonal Tube's' 'Gate' is not attached to the member of the host structure. The tube is orientated in the vertical plane and the gate is attached to an 'Anchor Block' at ground level, directly below the 'Corner Bracket'. When the 'Gate' is attached the 'Anchor Block is then pinned to the ground. The length of 'Diagonal Tube' is adjusted to determine the slope of the 'Base Tube' and consequently the height above ground of the 'Crossbeam'. The incline of the 'Base Tube' must allow sufficient fall to shed rainwater from the material of the awning. In the 'Veranda Awning' configuration the 'Diagonal Tube' is vertical and appears like a veranda post. (0012). A suitable material such as canvas, polyester or PVC commonly used on Marquees and Tents then covers the awning frame once the frame is installed. The material is attached to the fascia of the marquee or tent canopy on the inside so that rainwater flows from the roof of the marquee across the material of the awning, without the water being able to leak into the covered area of the marquee or tent and the awning. The material covering the awning includes sleeves so that the cover is made rigid by inserting battens at regular intervals. This prevents the water accumulating on the awning's material cover. TECHNICAL PROBLEM (0013). An awning is intended to shelter the users of Marquees and Tents from rain and sun. As the host structure is intended to be temporary the added awning must also be temporary and capable of being added and removed from the host structure without undue effort. The covering when placed on the frame must be 5 able to shed the rainwater without it leaking into the host structure or between the awning cover and the host structure. This means that the material covering the awning must be integrated into the material of the host structure and it needs sufficient rigidity to prevent pockets of water being accumulated. The frame must allow adequate headroom for visitors to the 'Host Structure'. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM (0014). The awnings, subject of this innovation are easily attached to the members of the 'Host Structure' by closing the gates with the utilization of tightening 6 wing nuts. The user has a choice of 3 positions as a 'Suspended Awning', a 'Braced Awning' or a 'Veranda Awning' provided an 'Anchor Block' is used with the 'Veranda Awning'. The material covering the awning is attached inside the fascia of the 'Host Structure'. Rainwater is readily shed from the awning cover with the aid of the battens incorporated into the cover. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the innovation are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the top plan of the 'Suspended Awning', the ' Braced Awning' and the 'Veranda Awning'. Two tubes are to be attached to two 'Members' joined by a third component acting as a 'Crossbeam', adjustable in length. The 'Crossbeam' is attached to both uppermost 'Tubes' by using 'Gates' at each end of the adjustable 'Crossbeam'. Figure 2 shows the elements of a typical 'Host Structure with the 'Suspended Awning' attached to it. Here the 'Diagonal Tube is above the 'Base Tube'. In this form there are no sections of the awning below the 'Base Tube'. A 'Crossbeam' being attached to the two uppermost 'Tubes' joins them as shown in Figure 1.

6 Figure 3 shows the essential components of each 'Awning End Assembly': the two 'Gates', the 'Diagonal tube', the 'Base tube' and the 'Corner Bracket'. The vertical element in the illustration is one of two 'Members'. Two 'Awning End Assemblies' are required to construct the awning. A 'Crossbeam' being attached to the two uppermost 'Tubes' joins them as shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the elements of a typical 'Host Structure' with the 'Braced Awning' attached to it. Figure 5 depicts one of two ' Braced Awnings'. The drawing shows the essential components of the 'Awning End Assembly': the two 'Gates', the 'Diagonal tube', the 'Base tube' and the 'Corner Bracket'. The orientation of the 'Awning End Assembly' is with the diagonal adjustable tube (The Diagonal Tube) below the fixed tube (the 'Base Tube'). Both gates of each brace are attached to 'Members' but in the inverted format. Lengthening or shortening the 'Diagonal Tube' and/or moving the Diagonal Tube's 'Gate' up or down the 'Member' adjusts the degree of slope of the uppermost 'Tube'. Two 'Awning End Assemblies', aligned and parallel are needed to complete the awning's frame, joined together by the 'Crossbeam'. Figure 6 depicts the elements of a typical 'Host Structure' with the 'Veranda Awning' attached to it. Figure 7 shows the 'Veranda Awning' configuration of one of the two parallel 'Diagonal Tubes' extended in a vertical position and attached to the 'Anchor Block' at surface level. The length of each 'Diagonal Tube' may vary depending on the slope of the surface. The 'Anchor Block' is secured to the ground surface by two pins or added weight if needed. The uppermost tube of each 'Awning End Assembly', are parallel and both are attached to a 'Member'. Two 'Awning End Assemblies' joined by the 'Crossbeam and two 'Anchor Blocks' are needed to complete the frame of the 'Veranda Awning'.

7 Figure 8 illustrates the base plate called the 'Anchor Block'. The 'Anchor Block is used to house the 'Gate' of the vertical 'Diagonal Tube' when the 'Veranda Awning' configuration is chosen. Figure 9 is the side elevation of the 'Anchor Block'.

Claims (5)

1. An assembly of components, which may be used in three ways to create a temporary awning frame to be attached to vertical members of Marquees or Tents, the 'Host Structures'.

2. An awning frame consisting of two end assemblies joined by a crossbeam that is adjustable in length, covered by a material, incorporating sleeves, forming a canopy that is made more rigid by the insertion of battens.

3. An awning frame where two tubes are attached at a corner bracket so they can pivot independently allowing the uppermost inclined tube of the awning frame to be attached to a vertical member of the host structure by a 'Gate', which is attached at right angles to the ' Member' by means of a hinged bolt with wing nut swinging in the 'horizontal' plane in relation to a deemed 'vertical' plane of the 'Member' while the second lower tube of the frame is attached by a 'Gate' with the tube at right angles to the member, thus forming a suspended end assembly.

4. An awning frame assembled according to claim 3 but where the second lower tube of the frame is attached by a 'Gate' at a lower point on the host member and forming a braced end assembly, thereby providing the second variation.

5. An awning frame assembled according to claim 3 but where the lower tube is orientated in the vertical plane with the lower 'Gate' attached to an anchor block that is independent of the host structure, thus forming the third variation.