AU2021200563A1

AU2021200563A1 - Guide track for an awning, annex roof or shade sail

Info

Publication number: AU2021200563A1
Application number: AU2021200563A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Danny Smith
Original assignee: Aussie Traveller Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aussie Traveller Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-13
Filing date: 2021-01-29
Publication date: 2022-06-02

Abstract

A linear sail-track (1) comprises an extruded base mounting plate (2) with a centrally, longitudinally mounted C-section luff groove/Keder rail (3). A quadrant-shaped sail-track (4) comprises an extruded base mounting plate (5) with a centrally, longitudinally mounted C-section luff groove/Keder rail (6). The sail-track (1) is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on the exterior surface of a caravan (17). The sail-track (4) is attached to one end of the sail-track (1) and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). Another quadrant-shaped sail-track (4a) is attached to the other end of the sail-track (1) and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). Further sail-tracks (18,19) are attached to the respective ends of the sail-tracks (4,4a) in a substantially vertical position and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). The sail-tracks (1,4,4a,18,19) are connected together and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17) such that their respective grooves/Keder rails are contiguous. The Keder of the annex roof (20) is inserted by an individual at ground level into the lower end (21) of the sail-track (18) and pushes the Keder upward through the grooves of the sail-tracks (18,4,1,4a,19) until into the required position. 171 181 FIG4

Description

181

FIG4

GUIDE TRACK FOR AN AWNING, ANNEX ROOF OR SHADE SAIL

Technical Field

THIS INVENTION relates to a guide track and its use for the fitting of an awning or an annex roof to a side of a caravan, campervan, recreational vehicle (RV) and similar vehicles, and for the fitting of patio, deck and similar shade sails. In particular, it is directed to a guide track and its use which enables the fitting of an awning, annex roof or shade sail overhead by an individual at ground level.

It should be noted that the terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout this specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

Background Art

Throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, atthe prioritydate, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Awnings and annexes are a common and practical addition to a caravan providing extensions to living area, creating additional storage space and providing all-weather protection. Similarly common is the fitting of shade sails to walls adjacent domestic patios and decks to provide shade and other weather protection. To block the gap between the awning or annex roof and the caravan wall, or the gap between the shade sail and wall, one mechanism is a Keder attached to the awning, annex roof or sail which is inserted into a luff groove/Keder rail attached to the appropriate wall. A disadvantage of this mechanism is that the luff groove/Keder rail is usually attached to a surface which is overhead of the individual attaching the awning/annex roof/sail who therefore has to stand on a step-ladder or similar to reach the luff groove/Keder while holding the Keder. This is a potentially dangerous practice for individuals who are elderly, feel unsafe on a ladder, or it lacks safety if the ground, such as that at a carvan park or the like, is not level.

It is thus a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantage/s.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fitting an awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar to a surface overhead of an individual at ground level, said method comprising:

attaching a first sail-track in a substantially horizontal position to said surface overhead of said individual;

attaching a second sail-track to said surface in a substantially vertical position and laterally and downwardly displaced from one end of said first sail-track;

attaching a third curvilinear sail-track to said surface whereby one end of said third sail-track is operably connected to one end of said first sail-track and the opposite end is operably connected to one end of said second sail-track such that the respective grooves of said first, second and third sail-tracks are contiguous; and

inserting the Keder or the like of said awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar by said individual at ground level into the groove of said second sail-track at its lower end and drawing the Keder upwards and through the respective grooves of said second, third and first sail-track.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a further second sail-track is attached to said surface in a substantially vertical position and laterally and downwardly displaced from the other end of said first sail-track and another said third curvilinear sail-track is attached to said surface whereby one end of said another third sail-track is operably connected to said other end of said first sail-track and the opposite end is operably connected to one end of said further second trail track such that the respective grooves of said first, second, further second, third and another third sail-tracks are contiguous; and inserting the Keder or the like of said awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar by said individual at ground level into the groove of said second sail-track at its lower end and drawing the Keder upwards and through the respective grooves of said second, third, first, another third and further second tracks.

In another embodiment of the present invention, said surface is the side of a caravan, campervan, recreational vehicle or similar vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, said surface is the wall of a building or similar structure.

A second aspect of the present invention is a curvilinear sail-track for use with the method as described above.

Preferably, said curvilinear sail-track is quadrant shaped in plan view.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first component of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of a second component of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of area B of the component of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the components of FIGS 1 &2 fixed to the side of a caravan; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the components of FIGS. 1 & 2 in use.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A linear sail-track (1) (FIG. 1) comprises an extruded base mounting plate (2) with a centrally, longitudinally mounted C-section luff groove/Keder rail (3). A quadrant-shaped sail-track (4) (FIG. 2) comprises an extruded base mounting plate (5) with a centrally, longitudinally mounted C-section luff groove/Keder rail (6). Each end section (7,8) of the sail-track (4) includes respective collars (9,10) which overlap corresponding end sections (11,12) (FIG. 1) of the sail-track (1) sufficient to provide a contiguous groove when the sail-tracks (1,4) are connected together. Each end section (7,8) of the sail-track (4) also includes respective mounting sections (13,14) with bores (15) (FIG. 3) which overlap corresponding end sections (11,12) with corresponding bores (16) of the sail-track (1) (FIG. 1) through which any convenient fastener can pass to secure the sail-tracks (1,4) to the required surface.

In use (FIGS. 4 & 5), the sail-track (1) is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on the exterior surface of a caravan (17). The sail-track (4) is attached to one end of the sail-track (1) and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). Another sail-track (4a), substantially similar to sail-track (4), is attached to the other end of the sail-track (1) and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). Further sail-tracks (18,19), each substantially similar to sail-track (1), are attached to the respective ends of the sail-tracks (4,4a) in a substantially vertical position and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17). The sail-tracks (1,4,4a,18,19) are connected together and fixed to the exterior surface of the caravan (17) such that their respective grooves/Keder rails are contiguous. To affix an annex roof (20) to the caravan (17) (FIG. 5), the Keder of the annex roof (20) is inserted by an individual at ground level into the lower end (21) of the sail-track (18) and pushes the Keder upward through the grooves of the sail-tracks (18,4,1,4a,19) until into the required position. Optionally, side and front walls (not illustrated) can be attached to the annex roof (20) by any convenient means well-known in the art.

A similar method to the above-described is applicable where a shade sail or similar is required to be affixed to the wall of a building, whereby at least the sail-tracks (18,4,1) are attached to the wall.

The present invention therefore provides a mechanism whereby an awning or annex roof can be attached to a caravan, campervan, recreational vehicle or similar vehicle, or a shade-sail can be attached to a wall of a building, by an individual at ground level without that individual having to stand on a ladder or the like to access the upper luff groove/Keder rail.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims

A method of fitting an awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar to a surface overhead of an individual at ground level, said method comprising:

attaching a first sail-track in a substantially horizontal position to said surface overhead of said individual;

attaching a second sail-track to said surface in a substantially vertical position and laterally and downwardly displaced from one end of said first sail-track;

attaching a third curvilinear sail-track to said surface whereby one end of said third sail-track is operably connected to one end of said first sail-track and the opposite end is operably connected to one end of said second trail track such that the respective grooves of said first, second and third sail tracks are contiguous; and

inserting the Keder or the like of said awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar by said individual at ground level into the groove of said second sail-track at its lower end and drawing the Keder upwards and through the respective grooves of said second, third and first sail-track.
2. A method as defined in Claim 1 wherein, a further second sail-track is attached to said surface in a substantially vertical position and laterally and downwardly displaced from the other end of said first sail-track and another said third curvilinear sail-track is attached to said surface whereby one end of said another third sail-track is operably connected to said other end of said first sail-track and the opposite end is operably connected to one end of said further second trail track such that the respective grooves of said first, second, further second, third and another third sail-tracks are contiguous; and inserting the Keder or the like of said awning, annex roof, shade sail or similar by said individual at ground level into the groove of said second sail-track at its lower end and drawing the Keder upwards and through the respective grooves of said second, third, first, another third and further second tracks.
3. A method as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said surface is the side of a caravan, campervan, recreational vehicle or similar vehicle.
4. A method as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said surface is the wall of a building or similar structure.
5. A curvilinear sail-track for use with a method as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4.
6. A curvilinear sail-track as defined in Claim 5 which is quadrant shaped in plan view.