AU2017317378B2

AU2017317378B2 - Awning

Info

Publication number: AU2017317378B2
Application number: AU2017317378A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Charles Philip Pozzi; John-David Pozzi
Original assignee: FIAMM SpA
Current assignee: FIAMM SpA
Priority date: 2016-08-25
Filing date: 2017-07-26
Publication date: 2020-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-26
Also published as: EP3504384B1; ES2835785T3; CN109790718B; CN109790718A; WO2018036744A1; AU2017317378A1; DE202016104660U1; EP3504384A1

Abstract

Awning (100) with an awning cloth (1), with an awning roller (2) having a longitudinal extent (LR) and onto which the awning cloth (1) can be rolled up, with awning arms (3, 3') having a longitudinal extent (LA), and with awning legs (4, 4'), in which awning the awning arms (3, 3') and the awning legs (4, 4') can be stowed in the interior of the awning roller (2), wherein the awning arms (3, 3') have a flattened cross section, with a longer dimension (L) and a shorter dimension (K), wherein fastening means (5) for fastening the awning arms (3, 3') to the awning roller (2) are provided, and the fastening means (5) comprise a pivot joint (6) by means of which the awning arms (3, 3') can be pivoted relative to the awning roller (2) about a pivot axis (S), and the fastening means (5) comprise an arm rotary joint (7) by means of which the awning arms (3, 3') can be rotated about an axis of rotation (AD) parallel to their longitudinal extent (LA).

Description

Awning

The invention relates to an awning having an awning cloth and an awning roller, on which the

awning cloth can be rolled up, having awning arms and awning legs, which can be stowed inside

the awning roller. Such awnings are already known. For example, DE 20 2014 104 014 U1

depicts such an awning. The object of the invention is to create such an awning whose stability

is improved. This object is achieved by the awning described in claim 1.

The awning according to the invention has an awning cloth. The awning also has an awning

roller having a longitudinal extension on which the awning cloth can be rolled up. Awning arms

and awning legs having a respective longitudinal extension are provided. The awning arms and

the awning legs can be stowed inside the awning roller. The awning arms have a flattened

cross-section, with a longer dimension and a shorter dimension. The longer dimension is

preferably the longest dimension of the cross-section. Fastening means are provided for

fastening the awning arms to the awning roller. The fastening means comprise a pivot joint, by

means of which the awning arms can be pivoted relative to the awning roller, preferably about

a pivot axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the awning arms. The

fastening means also comprise an arm rotary joint, by means of which the awning arms can be

rotated about an axis of rotation parallel to its longitudinal extension. This creates a

prerequisite for the awning arms in the awning roller being arranged next to the awning legs in

such a manner that they can make optimal use of the space available in the awning roller, can

be moved conveniently out of and into the awning roller, and in a setup state can be arranged

in their ideal rotational position against vertical deflection. A least possible vertical deflection may have a positive influence on the pressure load-bearing capability of the awning arms in the direction of their longitudinal extension. In this way, a higher tension in the awning cloth can be achieved.

The pivot axis of the pivot joint runs preferably always perpendicular to the longitudinal

extension of the awning arms and in a more preferred manner always perpendicular to the

longitudinal extension of the awning roller.

To best use the space available in the awning roller, the awning arms may be shaped and

arranged next to the awning legs in the awning roller in such a manner that their cross-section

along with the cross-section of the leg corresponds approximately to the cross-section of the

hollow space of the awning roller.

The flattened cross-section preferably causes an area moment - preferably an axial area

moment- which depends on the rotational position of the awning arms, preferably in such a

manner that exactly at one rotational position, the largest axial area moment is achieved and

given a rotational position of the awning arms turned by 90° to this, a smaller axial area

moment is achieved. In other words, the awning arms, when their longitudinal extensions are

oriented horizontally, have varying heights depending on the rotational position about their

longitudinal extension so that their resistance to vertical deflection depends on this rotational

position.

The awning roller is preferably hollow, and in a particularly preferred manner cylindrical. The

awning roller has preferentially at least an approximately hollow cylindrical shape, preferably

with a circular surface area. The awning roller may comprise aluminum. The same applies

preferably for the awning arms and/or awning legs.

Preferably, when the awning is stowed, the awning arms along with their longitudinal extension

are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension of the awning roller inside of it. Preferably,

when the awning is set up, the longitudinal extension of the awning arms runs at least

approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the awning roller.

The pivot joint comprises preferably two pivot joint parts connected to each other in a

pivotable manner. One of these pivot joint parts comprises preferably a fork, which forms in a

particularly preferred manner the pivot joint part facing the respective awning arm. The other

pivot joint part comprises preferably a protrusion, which can also preferably be referred to as a

tab and which also preferably has a drill hole. The protrusion is preferably arranged in the fork

and also forms more preferably the pivot joint part facing the awning roller. The pivot joint also

comprises preferably a pivot joint bolt, which in a particularly preferred manner defines the

pivot axis and preferably connects the fork to the protrusion.

The awning arms and/or awning legs are preferably arranged in a secure manner to the awning

roller, preferentially even after they are rolled out of the awning roller for the purpose of

setting up the awning. The awning arms and/or awning legs are preferably inseparably arranged on the awning roller. The awning arms and/or awning legs are preferably designed in a telescopic manner.

The awning is preferably portable in a stowed state by being stowable in a space-saving

manner. In the stowed stated, the arms and legs are preferably arranged in the awning roller. Advantageously, an awning arm can be stowed next to an awning leg in the awning roller. To

make use of the space in the awning roller, the awning arm can thereby be stowed in the

awning roller in such a manner that a notional extension of the shorter dimension of its cross sectional surface runs through the awning leg. The cross-sectional surface of the awning arm

may be approximately semi-circular. Preferably, it is approximately semi-circular, with a flattening positioned opposite the straight line, which separates the semicircular shape from

the notional full-circle shape.

The awning leg also has preferably a flat cross-section, having a longer dimension and a shorter dimension perpendicular to it. The cross-sectional surface of the awning legs may be designed

similar or identical to the cross-sectional surface of the awning arms.

Fastening means for fastening the awning legs to the awning roller may be provided, which may

be designed like the fastening means of the awning arms. In the stowed state of the awning, the fastening means of the awning arms and/or the awning legs are preferably arranged in the

awning roller.

The awning arms and the awning legs can be stowed in the awning roller preferably in such a manner that the pivot axes of their pivot joints run parallel to each other. They can hereby be

pivoted - downward for example - in a preferably convenient manner without mutual interference after being taken out of the awning roller.

Within the scope of this document, the expression "run parallel to each other" refers to a

congruency as well as running parallel to each other in a spaced-apart manner.

The awning arms and/or awning legs are preferably stowable in the awning roller such that the shorter dimensions of their cross-sections run parallel to the pivot axis of their pivot joints.

The arm rotary joint allows rotatability of the awning arms about the axis of rotation parallel to

its longitudinal extension independently of a pivoting of the pivot joint. The arm rotary joint

thus preferably permits a rotation of the awning arms about the axis of rotation parallel to its longitudinal extension even when a pivoting of the awning arm has occurred relative to the

awning roller - for example in such a manner that the longitudinal extension of the awning arms runs at least approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the awning

roller.

Preferably, the arm rotary joint allows a rotation of the arm relative to its pivot joint. Preferably, the arm rotary joint comprises a rotation-symmetrical protrusion, which is also

preferably arranged in a rotatable manner in a recess complementary to said protrusion. The arm rotary joint preferentially comprises two rotatable interconnected rotary joint parts. One

of these rotary joint parts preferably comprises a rotation-symmetric protrusion, which more

preferably forms the rotary joint facing the awning roller. The other pivot joint part preferentially comprises a recess - preferentially complementary to it. The protrusion is

preferably arranged rotatably in the recess. The protrusion preferably defines the axis of rotation of the arm rotary joint. The recess preferably forms the rotary joint part facing the

respective awning arm. The arm rotary joint preferably comprises a securing means, which more preferably secures the retention of the protrusion in the recess. The securing means may

also be referred to as a connecting means between the protrusion and the recess. The securing

means preferentially comprises a screw.

The arm rotary joint preferably has a rotational limit. The rotational limit preferably limits the

rotatability of the two rotatably interconnected pivot joint parts. The rotational limit preferably limits the rotatability of the two rotatably interconnected rotary joint parts to an angle range

that can be between 70° and 110. The rotational limit preferably limits the rotatability of the two rotatably interconnected rotary joint parts to an angle range of approximately 90°. The

rotational limit preferentially comprises a contact surface arranged on one of the two rotatably interconnected rotary joint parts and a counter-contact surface arranged on the other rotary

joint part. Preferably the rotational limit effectuates a limit in both rotational directions. In

other words, preferably two contact surfaces and two spaced-apart counter-contact surfaces are provided.

The arm rotaryjoint preferably has a swivel lock. It preferably prevents an undesired rotation.

Preferably, the swivel lock comprises means to increase and preferentially maintain rotational friction occurring preferentially when there is rotation in the arm rotary joint. Advantageously,

the swivel lock does not prevent a rotation in the arm rotaryjoint, but preferentially only increases the friction to be hereby surmounted.

Preferably the means to increase and preferentially maintain rotational friction comprise a

spring element. The spring element preferably ensures that a selectable contact pressure is

retained between the two rotatably interconnected rotary joint parts of the arm rotary joint even after repeated actuation of the arm rotary joint. The means to increase and preferably

maintain rotational friction preferentially comprise a spring element, which acts preferably on the securing means. A washer may be provided between the spring element and the securing

means.

Preferentially the fastening means have a rotary joint, which allows a rotation of the awning arms about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal extension of the awning roller and is

preferably referred to as roller rotaryjoint within the scope of this document.

Preferentially both pivotably interconnected parts of the pivot joint can each be rotated by

means of a rotary joint relative to adjoining parts. Preferentially both pivotably interconnected parts of the pivot joint are parts of a rotary joint adjoining the pivot joint in each case.

Preferably the part of the pivot joint facing the awning roller is also part of the roller rotary

joint. Preferentially, the part of the pivot joint facing the awning roller is also part of the arm rotary joint.

Preferably the fastening means allow a rotatability of the awning arms about three mutually independent axes, preferably relative to the awning roller.

The fastening of the awning arms to the awning roller preferably allows a rotation of the

awning arms relative to the awning roller about all three rotational degrees of freedom.

Preferentially, the fastening means comprise an element, which is arranged in the manner of a piston that moves back and forth inside the awning roller. The pivot joint, the arm rotary joint

and preferably also the roller rotary joint fasten the awning arms preferably to this element. The element designed in the manner of a piston that moves back and forth inside the awning

roller is preferentially arranged inside the awning roller in a manner that is rotationally fixed

relative to it.

Preferentially, the awning roller is arranged on the front edge of the awning cloth in the unrolling direction of the awning cloth.

Basically it is conceivable that the awning has articulated arms, which for example have

approximately a pivot joint halfway along their length. However, preferably the arms of the awning are not designed as such articulated arms. Preferably the awning arms and the awning

legs are designed in a telescoping manner.

The awning is to be opened preferably in a manual manner. Within the scope of this document,

this means in particular that it is not opened by cranking or in a motor-operated manner, but by rolling out the awning cloth from the awning roller by hand. This happens preferably by turning

the awning roller, while it is held in one's hand.

On each end of the awning roller, there may be arranged exactly one end piece. This end piece may close or decrease the gap between the awning arms and awning legs and awning roller,

and thereby impede the penetration of debris into the awning roller, and serve as a slide

bearing of the awning arms and legs while moving the awning in or out of the awning roller. Preferably each end piece has an opening through which the arms and legs can be pushed in

and out particularly while setting up or taking down the awning. The opening is preferably oval, and particularly preferably elliptical. In one embodiment, the awning is a bag awning.

Therefore, it has no housing, but can be stowed in a bag, which can be affixed to a camping mobile. Basically, it is also conceivable that the awning is a box awning and thus has a housing,

out of aluminum for example, in which it can be stowed.

The invention is now to be explained in greater detail by means of an embodiment depicted in the drawings. Depicted are:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of a trailer with an opened awning;

Fig. 2 a view as in Fig. 1, yet in a larger scale and with arms and legs not fully pulled out of the awning roller;

Fig. 3 a detailed view from Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 a perspective view of an end of the awning roller, an awning leg and an awning

arm, wherein the awning cloth is largely left out and not yet completely rolled off the awning roller;

Fig. 4a a view of the cross-sectional surface of an awning arm;

Fig. 4b a schematic view of the arrangement of an awning arm next to an awning leg in the awning roller;

Fig. 5 a detail from Fig. 4 in a larger scale;

Fig. 6 a view as in Fig. 5, yet with an awning arm rotated about the arm rotary joint;

Fig. 7 an exploded view of the arm rotary joint;

Fig. 8 a view as in Fig. 7, from a different viewing angle.

The embodiment, shown in the drawings and labeled 100 as a whole, of the awning according to the invention is a bag awning. As shown in Fig. 1for example, the awning can be stowed in

an awning bag 20. For the purposes of opening and closing, awning bag 20 has a zipper. In the depicted embodiments, the awning is arranged on a camper van.

As shown in Fig. 1for example, awning 100 has two arms 3, 3' and two legs 4, 4'. Arms 3, 3' and legs 4, 4' are designed in a telescopic manner. The awning has an awning cloth 1. In unrolling

direction R on the front edge of awning cloth 1, there is arranged an awning roller 3 (see Fig. 1).

As one can see for example in Figs. 2 and 3, exactly one arm 3 and one leg 4 can each be stowed in one half of hollow awning roller 2. Thus, both awning arms and both awning legs can be

stowed in the awning roller. For these reasons, the awning can be folded up in a very space saving manner.

Awning arms 3, 3' and awning legs 4, 4' are permanently fastened to awning roller 2 by

fastening means 5.

On each end of awning roller 2, there is arranged an end piece 21, which serves as a glide bearing of awning arms 3, 3' and awning legs 4, 4' while moving the awning into or out of the

awning roller 2. Each end piece 21 has an opening, through which the arms and legs can be pushed back and forth, particularly when setting up or taking down the awning. The opening is

elliptical.

Fig. 4a for example shows that awning arms 3, 3' have a flattened cross-section with a longer

dimension L and a shorter dimension K perpendicular to it. In the depicted embodiment, cross sectional surface A is approximately semicircular, with a flattening 18 located opposite the

straight line 17 delimiting an approximately semicircular shape from a notional approximately fully circular shape. A comparison of Figs. 2 and 3 in relation to Figs. 1 and 4 reveals that awning

arms 3, 3' in the stowed state are arranged with their longitudinal extension LA parallel to longitudinal extension LR of awning roller 2 inside of it, while in the set-up state, the

longitudinal extension LA of awning arms 3, 3' runs at least approximately perpendicular to longitudinal extension LR of awning roller 2.

Fig. 4b schematically depicts the arrangement of an awning arm 3 beside an awning leg 4 in awning roller 2. For the sake of simplicity, the illustration shows the cross-section of the awning

arm and awning leg to be semicircular without flattening. The end piece is also not taken into account for the sake of simplicity.

Fastening means 5 comprise a pivot joint 6, by means of which awning arms 3, 3' can be

pivoted relative to awning roller 2 about a pivot axis S running perpendicular to its longitudinal extension LA (see for example Figs. 4 and 5). In addition, fastening means 5 comprise a rotary

joint 7, by means of which awning arms 3, 3' can be rotated relative to pivot joint 6 about an axis of rotation AD, wherein this axis of rotation runs parallel to longitudinal extension LA of the awning arms. Arm rotation joint 7 thereby allows the rotatability of awning arms 3, 3' about axis of rotation AD, which runs parallel to longitudinal extension LA of arms 3, 3', independently of a pivoting of pivot joint 6.

Fig. 6 depicts an awning arm 3' in a rotated position twisted in the direction of arrow P about

axis of rotation AD that runs parallel to its longitudinal extension LA. In the rotated position shown in Fig. 5, awning arm 3' along with awning leg 4' can be stowed in a space-saving manner

in awning roller 2. In the rotated position shown in Fig. 6, its deflection is decreased due to the

larger dimension L of its cross-sectional surface A now running at least approximately vertically.

Arm rotary joint 7 comprises a rotation-symmetric protrusion 10, which is arranged in a hereto complementary recess 11 (see Figs. 7 and 8 for example).

The arm rotary joint also comprises a securing means 14, which secures the retention of

protrusion 10 in recess 11.

To execute a rotational limit 12, which limits the rotatability of awning arm 3, 3' by 90° in the depicted embodiment, a protrusion having two spaced-apart contact surfaces 12a is provided

on one of the two rotatably interconnected rotary joint parts 7a, and on the other rotary joint

part 7b, there are provided counter-contact surfaces 12a, formed by a recess, of which only one can be seen in the drawings (Fig. 7).

To execute a swivel lock 13, means 15 are provided to increase and maintain rotational friction.

These means 15 comprise a spring element 16, which acts on securing means 14, which is designed as a screw. A washer 22 is provided between spring element 16 and securing means

14. By means of spring element 16, there is always a constant contact pressure between the two rotatably interconnected arm rotation joint parts 7a, 7b; said pressure causes a selectable

friction, which prevents an undesired turning-back of awning arm 3' from the vertical position shown in Fig. 6 into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5.

For example, Figs. 5 and 6 also show that fastening means 5 have a roller rotary joint 8, which allows a rotation of the awning arms 3, 3' about axis of rotation RD parallel to longitudinal

extension LR of the awning roller. In addition, one can see that the two pivotable, interconnected parts 6a, 6b of pivot joint 6 each form a part of the two rotaryjoints adjoining

pivot joint 6 (namely, arm rotaryjoint 7 and roller rotaryjoint 8).

Therefore, fastening means 5 permit a rotatability of awning arms 3, 3' about three mutually

independent axes S, AD, RD relative to awning roller 2. Element 9 of fastening means 5, which is

arranged in the manner of a piston moving back and forth inside the awning roller, can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6 for example. It may be designed to be non-rotational in relation to awning roller

2.

List of reference signs

100 Awning 1 Awning cloth

2 Awning roller 3, 3' Awning arms

4, 4' Awning legs Fastening means

6 Pivot joint

6a,6b Pivotably interconnected pivot joint parts 7 Arm rotaryjoint

7a,7b Rotatably interconnected arm rotary joint parts 8 Roller rotary joint

8a,8b Rotatably interconnected roller rotary joint parts 9 Element

Rotation-symmetric protrusion 11 Recess

12 Rotational limit 12a Contact surface

12b Counter-contact surface

13 Swivel lock 14 Securing means

Means for increasing rotational friction 16 Spring element

17 Straight line 18 Flattening

19 Campervan Bag

21 End piece 22 Washer

A Cross-sectional surface of awning arms K Shorter dimension of awning arm cross-section

L Longer dimension of awning arm cross section P Arrow

R Unrolling direction S Pivot axis

AD Axis of rotation of arm rotary joint

RD Axis of rotation of roller rotary joint LR Longitudinal extension of roller

LA Longitudinal extension of awning arm

Claims

Claims 1. Awning having an awning cloth, an awning roller, having a longitudinal extension (LR), on which the awning cloth

can be rolled up, having awning arms having a longitudinal extension (LA)

and having awning legs, in which the awning arms and the awning legs can be stowed inside the awning roller,

wherein the awning arms have a flattened cross-section, having a longer dimension (L)

and a shorter dimension (K), wherein fastening mans for fastening the awning arms to the awning roller are

provided, and the fastening means comprise a pivot joint, by means of which the awning arms can be pivoted about a pivot axis (S) relative to the awning roller

and the fastening means comprise an arm rotary joint, by means of which the awning arms can be rotated about an axis of rotation (AD) parallel to their longitudinal

extension (LA), wherein the arm rotary joint allows the rotatability of the awning arms about the axis of rotation (AD) parallel to its longitudinal extension (LA) independently

of a pivoting of the pivot joint.
2. Awning according to claim 1, wherein the arm rotational joint comprises a rotation

symmetric protrusion, which is rotatably arranged in a hereto complementary recess.
3. Awning according to claim 2, wherein the arm rotary joint comprises a securing means, which secures the retention of the protrusion in the recess.
4. Awning according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm rotary joint has a

rotational limit and a swivel lock.
5. Awning according to claim 4, wherein the swivel lock comprises means to increase rotational friction.
6. Awning according to claim 5, wherein the arm rotary joint comprises a rotation symmetric protrusion, which is rotatably arranged in a hereto complementary recess,

and the arm rotary joint comprises a securing means, which secures the retention of the protrusion in the recess, wherein the means for increasing rotational friction comprise a

spring element, which acts on the securing means.
7. Awning according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening means comprise a

roller rotary joint, which permits a twisting of the awning arms about an axis of rotation (RD) parallel to the longitudinal extension (LR) of the awning roller.
8. Awning according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the fastening means permit a

rotatability of the awning arms about three mutually independent axes (S, AD, RD).
9. Awning according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastening means comprise an element, which is arranged in the manner of a piston that can move back and forth

inside the awning roller.