AU2018217327A1 - Support leg for awnings, awning and method for adjusting the support leg - Google Patents

Abstract

A support leg 100 suitable for supporting a front profile of an awning for a vehicle comprises coaxially arranged leg parts 1, 2, wherein the first leg part 1 is movably nested within the second leg part 2 in a telescopic arrangement, and a locking lever 3 having a first end 31 and a second end 32 and being pivotably operable about an axis of rotation 33 between a locking position and an adjusting position, wherein the axis of rotation 33 is in the vicinity of the first end 31 and the locking lever 3 is operable at its second end 32 and, when the locking lever 3 is in the locking position, the relative position of the first 1 and second 2 leg parts is fixed and, when the locking lever 3 is in the adjusting position, the first 1 and second 2 leg parts are moveable with respect to each other in a telescopic manner so that the overall length of the support leg 100 can be adjusted, wherein the support leg 100 further comprises a slider 4 which surrounds at least in part the first leg part 1 and is slidable along the first leg part 1, wherein, in an upright position of the support leg 100, the slider 4 blocks an operation of the locking lever 3 and wherein, in an upright position of the support leg 100, the slider 4 can be lifted upwards along the first leg part 1 so as to unblock the operation of the locking lever 3. Fig. 2 14 C- 4 Fig. 2

Description

SUPPORT LEG FOR AWNINGS, AWNING AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SUPPORT LEG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an improved support leg for supporting a front profile of an awning for a vehicle, particularly a recreational vehicle or mobile home, an awning having at least one of said support leg and a method for adjusting the length of the support leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Support legs for supporting front profiles of awning for vehicles, in particular recreational vehicles like campers, caravans, mobile homes, etc. typically consist of two telescopically arranged leg parts, so as to be extendable to a desired length and to be retractable to reduce storage volume. Typically, there is an outer leg part that has a larger diameter than the inner leg part. When an awning of a caravan is mounted, the support leg has to be fixed in its extended state in holder to properly support the front profile of the awning.

[0003] A typical means for securing the extended state of the support leg is a so-called flipper which is a locking lever connected to one of the leg parts. The locking lever generally can be put in two positions one of which is the locking position. In the locking position, the locking lever locks the movement of the other leg part, for example, by means of friction.

[0004] In a known solution, the locking lever is connected to the outer leg part of the two telescopically arranged leg parts. During use, that is, in an upright position of the support leg, the inner leg part is extended downwardly out of the outer leg part. The locking lever is typically positioned near the lower end of the outer leg part. To lock the movement of the inner and below leg part with respect to the outer and upper leg part, the locking lever is pivoted into its locking position, wherein the locking lever is typically pivoted in an upward direction into its locking position. Typically, the locking lever is spring loaded and, thus, the locking lever is hold in the locking position by said spring. When positioned in its locking position the locking lever projects obliquely from the outer leg part. One drawback of this solution is that the vertical position of the locking lever with respect to the ground is not always the same but depends on the amount the inner leg part is extended out of the outer leg part. Another drawback of this solution is that the locking lever is held in its locking position by the tension force of the spring and can easily be pushed down by accident. In this case, the leadrail or front profile of the awning falls down unbraked and can cause injuries or damages to the awning or the vehicle.

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-2[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention, in at least one preferred form, is to provide an easily adjustable support leg and to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of known adjusting mechanisms of support legs for awnings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides, as a first aspect, a support leg suitable for supporting a front profile of an awning for a vehicle, particularly a recreational vehicle, comprising at least two coaxially arranged leg parts, wherein a first leg part is movably nested within a second leg part in a telescopic arrangement, and a locking lever having a first end and a second end and being pivotably operable about an axis of rotation between at least a locking position and an adjusting position. The axis of rotation is in the vicinity of the first end and the locking lever is operable at its second end. When the locking lever is in the locking position, the relative position of the first and second leg parts is fixed. When the locking lever is in the adjusting position, the first and second leg parts are moveable with respect to each other in a telescopic manner so that the overall length of the support leg can be adjusted. According to the present invention, the support leg further comprises a slider which surrounds at least in part the first leg part and is slidable along the first leg part, wherein, in an upright position of the support leg, the slider blocks an operation of the locking lever and wherein, in an upright position of the support leg, the slider can be lifted upwards along the first leg part so as to unblock the operation of the locking lever.

[0008] Preferably, the first and the second leg parts have different diameters so that, when the support leg is telescopically retracted, one leg part disappears at least in part inside the other leg part and, consequently, one leg part is the inner leg part and the other one is the outer leg part. More preferably, the first leg part represents the inner leg part and, thus, has a smaller diameter than the second leg part. The wording that the first leg part has a smaller diameter than the second leg part does not specify the cross-sectional form of the leg parts in any way and says no more than that the first leg part represents the inner leg part and the second leg part represents the outer leg part of the telescopically arranged leg parts. The form of the leg parts is not particularly limited by the present invention. Preferably, however, a leg part of the present invention in a simplified form depicts a tube, more preferably a leg part in a simplified form depicts a square tube which represents a widely used form in this field of technology.

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-3[0009] By blocking the locking lever in its locking position, the slider prevents accidental use of the locking lever. Another advantage is that the user cannot forget to block the locking lever with the slider in the locking position. According to the present invention, the slider automatically moves downward by its own weight, or in other words by gravity when being released. The slider moves downwards until it stops in a position in which it effectively blocks the locking lever from being operated. Thus, the present invention provides high security. An unlocking by accidental use is, thus, not possible anymore.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in a downward direction obliquely to the support leg. In contrast to prior art solutions in which the locking lever projects upwardly obliquely away from the support leg and, thus, can easily be moved down by accident, the locking lever according to this embodiment of the present invention has to be pivoted in an upward direction in order to unlock the movability of the leg parts with respect to each other.

[0011] More preferably, in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the locking lever rests on an upper edge of the second leg part. This secures that the unlocking operation is only possible by pivoting the locking lever upwards.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axis of rotation of the locking lever is connected to and fixed in its position relative to the second leg part.

[0013] Further preferably, in an upright position of the support leg and during use, the second leg part is stands on a ground and the first leg part extends upwardly. This ensures that the absolute vertical position of the locking lever is always at the same height, regardless to which length the first leg part is drawn out of the second leg part. This increases the comfort for the user.

[0014] The kind of locking mechanism is not particularly limited and any known principles can be applied, if appropriate. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the locking lever comprises a pressing member at its first end. In the locking position, the pressing member presses against an inner wall part of the first leg part. By this contact or pressing, friction is created which efficiently and reliably prevents the leg parts from being moved or moving with respect to each other.

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-4[0015] In a more preferred embodiment, the pressing member contacts the inner wall part of the first leg part in a pressed manner via a friction element. Thereby, the efficiency of the locking is further increased while wear and abrasion is reduced.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an upright position of the support leg and in the adjusting position, the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in an upward direction. This has to be understood in a way that the adjusting position rather represents an angular range in which the locking lever has to be placed when the length of the support leg is intended to be adjusted. Of course, also the locking is effected when the locking lever is within a certain angular range. However, the intended and secure locking position is one discrete position of the locking lever, namely the position in which the locking lever is pivoted to the very bottom. Turning back to the adjusting position, this is, however, different. The two leg parts can be shifted with respect to each other with the locking lever being within quite a significant angular range. Starting with the very upright position of the locking lever parallel to the support leg defined as 0°, the adjusting position preferably ranges from 0° pivoting the locking lever downwards to 90°, more preferably to 80°. The advantages of this remarkable angular range is that the adjustment can be carried out by extending or retracting the support leg with a hand grabbing the locking lever and that it does not matter in which exact angle the locking lever is positioned with respect to the support leg as long as it is within the preferred ranges.

[0017] As already mentioned above, the form of the leg parts is not particularly limited. Preferably, however, the first leg part for the most part of its elongation has the form of a tube having a continuous slot along its length. Preferably, the first leg part is a square tube having a continuous slot along its length. The slot is positioned at the side of the first leg part which corresponds to the side the locking lever is positioned on the second leg part.

[0018] As an advantageous and preferred embodiment, in an upright position of the support leg and the locking member being in the adjusting position, the locking lever can be inserted within the continuous slot of the first leg part so that the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in an upward direction and parallel to the support leg. In this position, the outer surface of the locking lever disappears beneath the outer surface of the first leg part or is congruent with the outer surface of the first leg part. This allows the slider to smoothly slide over the part of the first leg part in which the locking lever is inserted.

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-5[0019] Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, when the locking lever is inserted within the continuous slot of the first leg part, the slider can be slid along the first leg part and over the locking lever, thereby blocking the operation of the locking lever.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slider has the form of a pipe section the inner contour of which is adapted to the outer contour of the first leg part. A suitable clearance between the inner contour of the slider and the outer contour of the first leg part provides for smooth sliding and prevents undesired wobbling off the slider [0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for enhancing the grip of the slider, gripping means, for example, in the form of gripping grooves, are provided on the outer surface of the slider, and preferably on two opposite sides of its outer surface of the slider. This enhances the comfort for the user ensuring a stable and safe grip of the slider.

[0022] In order to secure the position of locking lever, in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the slider rests on the locking lever, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thereby blocking the operation of the locking lever.

[0023] In order to further laterally secure the locking lever, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an upright position of the support leg, the slider has a recess at its lower edge into which the locking lever engages when the slider blocks the operation of the locking lever being in the locking position.

[0024] To provide even more security, preferably, in an upright position of the support leg and in the blocked locking position, the slider rests with its lower edge on the upper edge of the second leg part and the slider rests with an edge of its recess on the locking lever.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking lever comprises a hook at its second end. The hook provides for a comfortable manual adjustment of the length of the support leg. Furthermore, in the mounted position of the support leg and in the locking position of the locking lever, the hook can serve for hanging in, for example, a bag or a towel.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first leg part has an upper end in the vicinity of which the first leg part comprises an abutment.

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-6[0027] In an advanced combination of the embodiments comprising the hook and the abutment mentioned above, in a retracted state of the supporting leg, the first leg part is slid-in the second leg part and the locking lever, when being positioned in the adjusting position, can secure the retracted state of the supporting leg by an engagement of the hook with the abutment. Preferably, the retracted state can be further secured by sliding the slider over the locking lever, when the locking member is in the adjusting position. The resulting configuration represents the dismounted state of the support leg for transportation, for example, when the caravan is moving on.

[0028] As a second aspect, the present invention provides an awning suitable for a vehicle, particularly a recreational vehicle, comprising a front profile and at least one supporting leg, characterized in that the at least one supporting leg is one according to the first aspect of the present invention. The type of awning is not particularly limited as long as at least one support leg is necessary for mounting the awning.

[0029] As a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the overall length of the support leg according to the first aspect of the present invention while the support leg is in an upright position, wherein the method according to the present invention comprises the steps of:

a) grabbing the slider blocking the locking lever in the locking position,

b) lifting the slider upwards along the first leg part,

c) grabbing the locking lever at its second end and pivoting the locking lever about its axis of rotation from the locking position into the adjusting position,

d) telescopically shifting the first leg part with respect to the second leg part, preferably by means of the locking lever functioning as a handle for the second leg part,

e) after reaching the desired length of the support leg, pivoting the locking lever about its axis of rotation back into its locking position,

f) shifting the slider back down along the first leg part.

[0030] The person skilled in the art will appreciate that, unless logically excluded, all mentioned features of the described preferred embodiments of the support leg of the present invention can be combined with each other and also with the method of the present invention to result in further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

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-7[0031] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0032] In the following, an embodiment of a preferred support leg of the invention will be described which is further illustrated by the following figures, wherein [0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view on a part of a support leg according to the state of the art;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a perspective view on the upper part of a support leg according to the embodiment, [0035] Fig. 3 is a perspective view on a part of the support leg according to the embodiment, [0036] Fig. 4 is the same part as Fig. 3, however, with a different position of the locking lever, [0037] Fig. 5 is the same part as Fig. 4, however, with a different position of the slider, [0038] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the length of the support leg according to the embodiment in the retraced state and [0039] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view along the length of the support leg according to the embodiment in the extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0040] In Fig. 1 a support leg known from the prior art is shown. In the prior art support leg, the locking lever is placed on the outer leg part of two telescopically arranged leg parts. The inner leg part extends out of the outer leg part in the downward direction. The locking lever is shown in two positions, as it is illustrated by the depicted arrow. That is, there is only one locking lever present which is either pivoted downwards or upwards, as shown in Fig. 1. The

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-8upward position of the locking lever represents its locking position. A movement of the leg parts relative to each other is not possible. The length of the support leg can, however, be adjusted when the locking lever is in the shown downward position. Typically, the locking member is supported in its locking position by a tension spring (not shown). As explained above, accidental use of the locking lever is easily possible with the locking lever being in an upward direction in the locking position when the applied forces overturn the tension force of the tension spring and the locking lever is, thus, pivoted downwardly in its unlocked position and, thus, enables the accidental relative movement of the leg parts.

[0041] Furthermore, the vertical position of the locking lever with respect to the ground depends on the amount the inner leg part is extended out of the outer leg part. The position is, therefore, often different which is undesirable for the user.

[0042] In Fig. 2, the retracted state of the support leg 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. At the upper end 11 of the first leg part 1 optional connecting means 5 are provided for connecting the support leg 100 with a front profile of an awning (not shown). Further, below the upper end 11 of the first leg part 1 a continuous slot 14 is provided for in which the locking lever 3, when being in the adjusting position, is inserted.

[0043] In Fig. 2, the slider 4 is placed around the first leg part 1. The slider 4 rests on the upper edge 21 of the second leg part 2. The slider 4 is slid over the locking lever 3 and secures the upright position of the locking lever 3 (adjusting position).

[0044] The slider 4 comprises gripping grooves 41 at its sides where the slider 4 is supposed to be grabbed by the hand of the user. The slider 4 further comprises a recess 42 at its lower edge. The recess 42 is positioned on the side of the slider 4 where it secures the locking lever 3. Looking through the recess 42 of the slider 4 in Fig. 2, one can identify the friction element 22 which is supposed to transfer the locking force of the locking lever 3 to an inner wall part 13 which is described in connection with the other Figs, further below.

[0045] To mount the support leg 100, the slider 4 has to be lifted upwards as indicated by the arrow depicted in Fig. 2 so that the locking lever 3 is not blocked from operation anymore. The corresponding configuration is shown in Fig. 3. Therein, the locking lever 3 can be pivoted to the side, for example, by the user using one of his fingers pulling out the second end 32 of the locking lever 3. The pivoting movement of the locking lever 3 is illustrated by the thick one of the two shown arrows depicted in Fig. 3, while the thin arrow indicates the axis of rotation 33

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-9of the locking lever 3 around which it is pivoted. In the configuration shown in Fig. 3, the first end 31 of the locking lever 3 is exposed at which the pressing member 35 is located.

[0046] Pivoting away the locking lever 3 into its locking position results in the configuration shown in Fig. 4. Therein, a hinge defining the axis of rotation 33 of the locking lever 3 is depicted. Furthermore, at the second end 32 of the locking lever 3 a hook 34 is located.

[0047] In this configuration, the movement of the two leg parts 1,2 with respect to each other is locked. The locking is achieved by the pressing member 35 pressing against the friction element 22 which in turn presses against the inner wall part 13 of the first leg part 1. This creates a friction which prevents the shifting of the leg parts 1, 2 with respect to each other.

[0048] In order to secure the locking lever 3 in its locking position, the slider 4 is either slid down or simply let loose, which is indicated by the thicker one of the arrows shown in Fig. 4. This results in the blocked locking position as shown in Fig. 5. Therein, the slider 4 rests with its lower edge on the upper edge 21 of the second leg part 2. The slider 4 encases the locking lever 3 with its recess 42. Thereby, the locking lever 3 is entirely surrounded by the recess 42 and the upper edge 21 of the second leg part 2. The locking lever 3, is, thus, blocked in its locking position and an accidental use of the locking lever 3 is excluded.

[0049] Since the first leg part 1 is extended out of the second part 2 in an upward direction, the locking lever 3 in its blocked locking position is always at the same height. Therefore, personal items hanged in the hook 34 of the locking lever 3, accordingly, always hang at the same height. This aspect enhances the comfort for the user.

[0050] In Fig. 6 a cross section along the length of the support leg 100 is shown, while the cross sectional area lies within the continuous slot 14 of the first leg part 1. Fig. 6 again shows the retracted configuration as shown in Fig. 2 above. However, according to Fig. 6, the slider 4 is positioned in its upward position being, thus, lifted to the upper end 11 of the first leg part 1. In this cross-sectional view, the pressing member 35 is positioned at the first end 31 of the locking lever 3. The pressing member 35 is pivotable about the axis of rotation 33 of the locking lever 3 against the friction element 22.

[0051] Furthermore, near the upper end 11 of the first leg part 1, there is provided an abutment 12 inside and connected to the first leg part 1. The hook 34 of the locking lever 3

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- 10engages with the abutment 12 in order to keep the support leg 100 in its retracted state. With the slider 4 lifted upwards, as shown in Fig. 6, the locking lever 3 can be pivoted to the side. Thereby, the hook 34 is drawn away from the engagement with the abutment 12. The length of the support leg 100 can then be adjusted by the user by grabbing the slider 4 with one hand and the other hand grabbing the locking lever 3 and holding it within the angular range in which it is in its adjusting position.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows the same cross sectional view of the support leg 100 in the extended state. The locking lever 3, thereby, is in its locked position and the slider 4 rests on the upper edge 21 of the second leg part 2. Thus, the slider 4 blocks the operation of the locking lever 3. In this configuration, the pressing member 35 when being pivoted around the axis 33 presses against the friction element 22 which in turn presses against the inner wall part 13 of the first leg part 1. Thereby, a frictional force is created between the friction element 22 and the inner wall part 13 which is sufficient to lock the shifting of the leg parts 1, 2 relative to each other.

[0053] The support leg 100, as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 7, has its leg parts 1,2 in the preferred form of square tubes. The dimensions, however, like the thickness or the broadness of the walls of the square tubes, are not mentioned herein. In the context of the present invention the exact values of these dimensions can be suitably selected according to the concrete use, for example, the weight of the awning to be carried, in particular the weight of the front profile of the awning.

[0054] The method of the present invention to adjust the length of the support leg 100 can be illustrated by the Figs, as follows. Starting with Fig. 5, the support leg 100 is mounted and the locking lever 3 is positioned in its locking position. The slider 4, as the first step, is grabbed by the hand of the user. In the second step, the slider 4 is lifted upwards by the user along the first leg part 1, thus, resulting in the configuration shown in Fig. 4.

[0055] Then, advantageously, the slider 4 and the first leg part 1 are held together by the user with one hand. In the third step, the locking lever 3 is grabbed by the user with his other hand at its second end 32. The user, then, pivots the locking lever 3 about its axis of rotation 33 from the locking position into the adjusting position, however, preferably not that far so as to be inserted completely into the continuous slot 14, but rather somewhere inbetween 0° and 90°.

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- 11 [0056] In the fourth step, the first leg part 1 is telescopically shifted with respect to the second leg part 2 by the user, preferably, by means of the locking lever 3 functioning as a handle for holding the second leg part 2 in place. Depending on whether the support leg 100 is intended to be shortened or extended, the first leg part 1 held together with the slider 4 in one hand of the user is slid-in or drawn out the second leg part 2, respectively, until the preferred length of the support leg 100 is achieved.

[0057] In the fifth step, after the desired length of the support leg 100 is reached, the locking lever 3 is pivoted again about its axis of rotation 33 back into its locking position (see Fig. 4).

Finally, as the sixth step, the slider 4 is shifted back down along the first leg part 1 until it blocks the operation of the locking lever 3 (see Fig. 5).

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- 12OF REFERENCE SIGNS

First leg part

Second leg part

Locking lever

Slider

Connecting means

Upper end of first leg part

Abutment

Inner wall part of the first leg part

Slot

Upper edge of the second leg part

Friction element

First end of locking lever

Second end of locking lever

Axis of rotation of the locking lever

Hook

Pressing member

Gripping surface/gripping grooves

Recess

Support leg

Claims (22)

1. Support leg suitable for supporting a front profile of an awning for a vehicle, particularly a recreational vehicle, comprising at least two coaxially arranged leg parts, wherein a first leg part is movably nested within a second leg part in a telescopic arrangement, and a locking lever having a first end and a second end and being pivotably operable about an axis of rotation between at least a locking position and an adjusting position, wherein the axis of rotation is in the vicinity of the first end and the locking lever is operable at its second end and, when the locking lever is in the locking position, the relative position of the first and second leg parts is fixed and, when the locking lever is in the adjusting position, the first and second leg parts are moveable with respect to each other in a telescopic manner so that the overall length of the support leg can be adjusted, wherein, the support leg further comprises a slider which surrounds at least in part the first leg part and is slidable along the first leg part, wherein, in an upright position of the support leg, the slider blocks an operation of the locking lever and wherein, in an upright position of the support leg, the slider can be lifted upwards along the first leg part so as to unblock the operation of the locking lever.

2. The support leg according to claim 1, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in a downward direction obliquely to the support leg.

3. The support leg according to claim 2, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the locking lever rests on an upper edge of the second leg part.

4. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation of the locking lever is connected to and fixed in its position relative to the second leg part.

5. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and during use, the second leg part stands on a ground and the first leg part extends upwardly.

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6. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking lever comprises a pressing member at its first end, wherein in the locking position the pressing member contacts, preferably presses against an inner wall part of the first leg part.

7. The support leg according to claim 6, wherein the pressing member contacts, preferably presses against the inner wall part of the first leg part via a friction element.

8. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the adjusting position, the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in an upward direction.

9. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg part for the most part of its elongation has the form of a tube having a continuous slot along its length.

10. The support leg according to claim 9, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the adjusting position, the locking lever can be inserted within the continuous slot of the first leg part so that the locking lever extends from its first end to its second end in an upward direction and parallel to the support leg.

11. The support leg according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein, when the locking lever is inserted within the continuous slot of the first leg part, the slider can be slid along the first leg part and over the locking lever, thereby blocking the operation of the locking lever.

12. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slider has the form of a pipe section which inner contour is adapted to the outer contour of the first leg part.

13. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slider has gripping means, preferably in the form of gripping grooves, on its outer surface and preferably on two opposite sides of its outer surface.

14. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the locking position, the slider rests on the locking lever, thereby blocking the operation of the locking lever.

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15. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an upright position of the support leg, the slider has a recess at its lower edge into which the locking lever engages when the slider blocks the operation of the locking lever being in the locking position.

16. The support leg according to claims 3 and 14, wherein in an upright position of the support leg and in the blocked locking position, the slider rests with its lower edge on the upper edge of the second leg part and the slider rests with an edge of its recess on the locking lever.

17. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking lever comprises a hook at its second end.

18. The support leg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg part has an upper end in the vicinity of which the first leg part comprises an abutment.

19. The support leg according to claim 18, wherein in a retracted state of the supporting leg, the first leg part is slid-in the second leg part and the locking lever being in the adjusting position can secure the retracted state of the supporting leg by an engagement of the hook with the abutment.

20. The support leg according to claim 19, wherein the retracted state can be further secured by sliding the slider over the locking lever being in the adjusting position.

21. An awning suitable for a vehicle, particularly a recreational vehicle, comprising a front profile and at least one supporting leg, wherein the at least one supporting leg is one according to any one of the preceding claims.

22. A method for adjusting the overall length of the support leg according to any one of claims 1 to 20 while the support leg is in an upright position, the method comprising the steps of:

a) grabbing the slider blocking the locking lever in the locking position,

b) lifting the slider upwards along the first leg part,

c) grabbing the locking lever at its second end and pivoting the locking lever about its axis of rotation from the locking position into the adjusting position,

d) telescopically shifting the first leg part with respect to the second leg part,

e) after reaching the desired length of the support leg, pivoting the locking lever about its axis of rotation back into its locking position, and

f) shifting the slider back down along the first leg part.