CN103299007B - awning - Google Patents

Abstract

A awning comprising a rectangular frame and a length of flexible material arranged to extend along the length of the frame to provide a covering, and to retract towards one end of the frame for storage; further comprising: a wind-up roller mounted at or near one end of the frame; one end of the flexible material is fixed to the wind-up roller; the wind-up roller is drivable to wind at least a majority of the flexible material around the wind-up roller; an end rail secured to the other end of the flexible material; one or more intermediate rails, each intermediate rail being comprised of a split rail, neither portion of the split rail being secured to the flexible material; the end rail and the or each intermediate rail are interconnected by connecting means such that movement of the end rail towards the extended position of the awning moves the or each intermediate rail relative to the frame.

Description

awning

technical field

The present invention relates to awnings or screens that can be mounted to any suitable support (eg, the exterior wall of a building or a freestanding frame or pole) and which can be extended to provide shade or retracted for storage.

Background technique

Any discussion of prior art throughout this specification is not an admission that such prior art is known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

Buildings or other structures may be provided with rigid permanent or semi-permanent awnings; effectively small partial roofs over shaded areas, although they are solid, they have the distinct disadvantage that when shade is not required they cannot be removed.

For a removable awning, it must be designed to be completely removed when not needed (which is generally inconvenient and labor intensive) or all or part of the awning must be designed to retract or fold away when not needed .

A retractable awning of common design includes a support frame secured along one end to a supporting structure (eg, a building wall) such that it protrudes outward from the building, and which supports a shade of flexible material, The shade can be extended over part or the entire length of the frame to shade a desired area, or retracted back towards the end of the shade secured to the support structure when not in use.

One of the simplest designs of this type is essentially a modified sunshade roller blind:- the flexible material forming the shade is wound on spring-loaded rollers mounted near said one edge of the frame, when shade is required, The flexible material is wound off the roller, held taut by the spring load of the roller, and secured to the edge of the frame opposite the one edge. The design is simple and cheap to manufacture and has the advantage that the flexible material is only minimally exposed to the weather when it is wound on a roll, but its main disadvantage is that when the flexible material is stretched out The flexible material is not well supported when in sheltered position and is susceptible to damage from wind damage. The lack of flexible material supports also means that this design is only suitable for small awnings.

The above disadvantages can be overcome; for example as described in patent NZ336577 which discloses a sunshade design in which the flexible material is supported by ribs which extend across the width of the frame at spaced intervals along the length of the flexible material. The ends of these ribs engage the rails along the side edges of the frame so that the awning is well supported in the extended position and less susceptible to damage from wind damage. The support given to the flexible material by the ribs also means that the design can be used for large awnings. However, a disadvantage of this design is that when the awning is retracted, the flexible material hangs as a loop between the ribs, adjacent to the supporting edge of the frame, the loops of flexible material tend to collect rainwater and windblown dust, and The flexible material itself is exposed to the weather.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an awning which is suitable for shading relatively large areas, but which is relatively cheap to manufacture and which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides an awning comprising a frame defining a length and a width of the awning and comprising two elongated parallel opposing sides; and a length of flexible material arranged along the length of the frame Extends to provide a shield and retracts toward one end of the frame for storage;

The awning also includes:

- a take-up roller mounted at or near one end of the frame to which one end of the flexible material is secured;

- said take-up roller is drivable to wind at least a substantial portion of said flexible material around said take-up roller;

- an end rail fixed to the other end of the flexible material;

- one or more intermediate rails, each intermediate rail consisting of a split rail, one part of which is located above the flexible material and the other part of which is located below the flexible material, neither part of the split rail being fixed to the flexible material;

- the take-up rollers, end rails and the or each intermediate rail are arranged to extend across the width of the frame with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel;

- each end of the end rail and of the or each intermediate rail engages the frame so as to restrict movement of said each end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, but permits said end rail and said or movement of each intermediate rail along the length of the frame;

- The end rails and the or each intermediate rail are interconnected by connecting means such that movement of the end rails towards the extended position of the awning moves the or each intermediate rail relative to the frame.

Preferably, the awning further comprises movement means for moving the end rails towards the extended position of the awning.

The wind-up roller may be manually driven, for example, by a wind-up handle, but is preferably motor-driven, most preferably an electric motor mounted within the roller.

Preferably, both said sides are formed as channel members, the open ends of said channels being along the inner side of the frame, and each end of the or each intermediate rail and each end of the end rail being in contact with Adjacent slots engage to restrict movement of each end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, but permit movement of each end along the length of the frame.

Preferably, said each end of the end rail and the or each intermediate rail is either provided with rollers and arranged to roll along the groove, or provided with a slider and arranged to slide along the groove.

The connecting means can be rigid or flexible.

For most applications, the plane of the frame is horizontal or at a small angle relative to horizontal and movement means are required for moving the end rails toward the extended position of the awning, but the awning of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications. It works in any orientation, including 90° to horizontal. If the awning is used with the plane of the frame vertical or nearly vertical, it may be possible to dispense with moving the end rails towards the extended position of the awning, since gravity will pull the awning into the extended position.

In embodiments of the invention in which the connecting means are rigid, if the awning comprises only one intermediate rail, then preferably said connecting means comprise a first rod extending perpendicularly to the end rail and the adjacent intermediate rail and fixed to the end rail and the adjacent middle rail. If the awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails, preferably said connection means comprises a first rod extending perpendicularly to and fixed between the end rail and the adjacent intermediate rail, and one or more a further rod, the rod or each of the plurality of rods is fixed between adjacent intermediate rails; each rod is fixed between a pair of blocks fixed to the rails, Each bar is arranged to slide through the block of the pair of blocks furthest from the take-up roller and is rigidly fixed to the other block of the pair of blocks.

In a preferred embodiment where the connection means of the invention is flexible, if the awning comprises only one middle rail, in a preferred embodiment said connection means comprises a pair of ropes arranged to connect the end rails to the middle rail , the length of the pair of cords is equal to the desired spacing between corresponding rails when the awning is in the extended position.

If the awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails, in another preferred embodiment said connection means comprises a first pair of cords arranged to connect an end rail to an adjacent intermediate rail, and further pairs of cords, wherein each Each pair is arranged to connect a respective intermediate rail to an adjacent intermediate rail; the length of the cords of each pair is equal to the required spacing between the corresponding rails when the awning is in the extended position.

The connecting means may be secured to the corresponding rail anywhere along the length of the rail, but are preferably connected to the ends of the rail.

In another embodiment where the connecting means is flexible, wherein the awning comprises only one intermediate rail, said connecting means comprises a pair of cords each having an elastic portion connected to an inelastic portion; wherein each cord is arranged to protrude from the anchor point on the middle rail, pass through the small hole on the stop piece on the rail, and then extend to the anchor point on the end rail; wherein the length of the elastic part of each rope and The elasticity is such that in the extended position of the awning there is a predetermined spacing between the middle rail and the end rails, and in the retracted position of the awning, the elastic portion absorbs substantially all of the slack in the cords.

If the awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails, in another preferred embodiment said connection means comprises a plurality of pairs of cords each having an elastic portion connected to an inelastic portion; wherein each cord of each pair are arranged to protrude from an anchor point on one of said intermediate rails, pass through an aperture in a stop provided on that rail, and then extend to either an adjacent intermediate rail or an adjacent end rail. An anchor point, as the case may be; wherein the length and elasticity of the elastic portion is such that in the extended position of the awning, there is a predetermined spacing between the or each intermediate rail and the end rails, and between the awning In the retracted position, the elastic portion absorbs substantially all of the slack in the cord.

Preferably, the elastic portion of each rope is that part of the rope extending between said anchor point and said stop, and said rope is provided with a block which contacts said stop to Elastic elongation of the elastic portion is limited.

In a preferred embodiment, said moving means comprises a pair of elastic cords, each of which is fastened between one end of the end rail and the end of the frame furthest from said take-up roller so as to move towards That end of the frame biases the end rail.

In another preferred embodiment, said moving means comprises a pair of ropes, one end of each rope is fixed to one end of the end rail, the other end of each rope is fixed around one of the pair of wheels; and one of said wheels is fixed to one end of the take-up roller, and the other said wheel is fixed to the other end of the take-up roller, and the two wheels are coaxial with the take-up roller to rotate therewith; so that the awning Rotation of the take-up roller moving toward the extended position pulls the cord and the end rail toward the extended position, and rotation of the take-up roller moving the awning toward the retracted position pulls the cord and the end rail toward the extended position. The end rails are pulled toward the retracted position.

Description of drawings

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an awning according to a first embodiment of the invention, in an extended or shaded position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the awning of Figure 1 en route to a retracted or stowed position;

Figure 2a is a diagram of a portion of Figure 2, on a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a cross-section through a part of the awning;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through a side of the awning frame;

Figure 5 is a plan view of an awning according to a second embodiment of the invention, in an extended or shaded position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the awning of Figure 5, en route to the retracted or stowed position;

Fig. 7a is a plan view of a portion of the awning of Fig. 5, shown with the awning moved toward its extended position;

Fig. 7b is a plan view of a portion of the awning of Fig. 5, shown with the awning moved toward its retracted position;

Figure 8 is an isometric view, on a larger scale, of a detail of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a portion of an awning according to another embodiment of the invention with the awning fully extended; and

Figure 10 is a side sectional view showing a variation of the movement means for moving the awning towards the extended position, which may be used in conjunction with any of the three embodiments.

detailed description

Referring to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings, an awning 10 according to the present invention comprises a rigid frame 11, which is rectangular in plan, with a first One end 12, an opposite end 13 projecting outwardly from the support in use, and two parallel opposite sides 14,15 connecting the ends 12,13. The frame can be made of any strong, impact-resistant, UV-resistant material such as powder-coated steel or aluminum alloy.

The sides 14, 15 may be supported across their ends only and/or at intervals along their length, depending on the length of the sides. One or both of the ends 12, 13 may be omitted if the sides 14, 15 are supported along their length by a plurality of beams.

The ends 12, 13 of the frame are simple support rods; the sides 14, 15 are formed in a channel section, the channels opening towards the inside of the frame.

For most applications, the frame 11 is arranged to protrude from the supports with the plane of the frame in a substantially horizontal plane, but the awning of the present invention will operate satisfactorily with the frame in any orientation, even with the frame operate with the plane of the plane in the vertical plane.

The size of the frame 11 is slightly larger than the area to be shaded by the awning; its size and proportion can be adjusted to suit the requirements. The frame is designed to stay in place permanently or semi-permanently.

The extendable/retractable portion of the awning 10 comprises a rectangular length of flexible material 16 that is slightly narrower than the inner width of the frame and slightly longer than the length of the frame. One end 17 of the flexible material 16 is secured to and wound on a take-up roller 18 located near and parallel to the end 12 of the frame. The ends 19 of the rollers 18 are mounted in bearings (not shown) secured to the sides 14, 15 of the frame adjacent the ends 12. The take-up roller 18 is arranged to be driven in the direction of arrow A (only FIG. 3 ), either manually or by any of a range of known drive means (not shown). The take-up roller 18 is preferably powered by a small electric motor mounted within the roller.

The flexible material 16 may be permanently or semi-permanently mounted to the roller 18 but is preferably attached to the roller 18 by removable means (eg, a hook and loop connection) so that the flexible material 16 can be replaced if it becomes worn or damaged. The flexible material 16 may be any suitable tough, UV-resistant material, eg, canvas, plastic sheet material, plastic coated fabric.

The flexible material 16 shown in FIG. 1 in the extended position extends from the take-up roller 18 to the end rail 20 to which the outer end 21 of the flexible material is secured either permanently or by a removable hook and loop connection. . To allow the flexible material 16 to be wound down from the take-up roller 18 and moved to the extended position, the take-up roller 18 can be disengaged from its drive to allow free rotation of the take-up roller in the direction opposite to arrow A.

In the extended position shown in Figure 1, the flexible material is supported not only by the take-up rollers 18 and end rails 20, but also by intermediate rails 22, three of which are shown. It will be appreciated that the number of intermediate rails may be increased or decreased depending on the overall length of the awning and the expected wind load on the awning. For short awnings only a single center rail 22 may be required.

The purpose of the end rails 20 and middle rail 22 is to support the flexible material against wind pressure: - Updrafts and downdrafts flap the flexible material 16 and can quickly cause significant damage. Both the end rails 20 and the middle rail 22 are split rails, as shown in Figures 3 and 4: - Each rail 20, 22 is actually a pair of rails parallel to each other and connected together only at their ends. Each pair of rails in each split rail is connected at each end by an arm 23a, 23b, respectively, which is also fixed to a connecting plate 23 which provides firmness between the rails of the pair of split rails. and rigidly coupled and also supports freely rotatable rollers 24 seated in slots 27, 27a provided in adjacent sides 14, 15 and can be rotated in both directions when the awning is extended or retracted. Roll along the groove in either direction. Alternatively, the roller 24 may be formed as a slider that slides along the grooves 27, 27a.

The split rails 20, 22 are shown as circular in cross-section, but need not be. Split rails are also indicated as rails with the same diameter in the upper and lower rails of each pair, but this can be changed: - For windy locations it may be desirable to have a larger rail as the upper rail of each pair , to strengthen the awning's resistance to updrafts.

The flexible material 16 is not fixed to the intermediate rails 22, and can slide between the two sections of each rail, as described below.

The end rail 20 and the intermediate rail 22 are connected together by connecting means in the form of two cords 25, 26 extending between the rails, adjacent each longitudinal edge of the flexible material. Each cord 25, 26 may be a single continuous cord (as shown) or may be separate sections of cord connected between adjacent rails 20/22, 22/22, 22/22. Single or multiple ropes 25, 26 are connected to respective arms 23a and thus to rollers 24 on each side of each rail 20/22. Each end of the rail 22 closest to the wind-up roller 18 is connected by a portion of a rope 25, 26 to an anchor point 28, 29 near the wind-up roller. The connecting means are preferably connected between the ends of the rails, as shown in the figures, but may also be connected elsewhere on the rails.

Each end of the end rail 20 is connected to an anchor point 30, 31 at or near the end 13 of the frame by moving means in the form of a double strand of thick elastic cord 32, 33, such as a bungee cord (only shown in FIG. and 4), the length of which is such that in the retracted position of the awning, the elastic cord is tensioned.

The awning described above operates as follows: - The frame 11 of the awning is fixed by means of ends 12 to suitable supports so that the awning protrudes outwards over the area to be shaded by the awning. When the awning is in the retracted position, the flexible material 16 is almost completely wound up on the take-up roller 18; FIG. 2 shows the awning near the fully retracted position, but, for illustrative purposes, not fully retracted:- In the fully retracted position, the split rails 22 / 20 are all in the vicinity of the rollers 18 . In the fully retracted position, the elastic cords 32, 33 are fully tensioned and the awning is held retracted by a mechanical lock (if the awning is powered mechanically) or by a lock on the drive motor of the wind-up roller 18 in position. It should be appreciated that in the fully retracted position, the flexible material 16 has minimal exposure to dirt, rain and sunlight, and there are no loops of flexible material that could collect water or insects. Furthermore, the fully retracted canopy is neat and unobtrusive in appearance.

To extend the awning, the lock on the wind-up rollers is released so that the wind-up rollers can rotate freely; this allows the elastic cords 32, 33 to retract, pulling the end rail 20 toward the end 13 and pulling the flexible material. The end moves with it. This movement causes the flexible material 16 to be wound off the take-up roller 18 and the flexible material 16 to protrude over the entire length of the frame 11 or to a selected location along the length of the frame 11. The awning can be partially extended simply by locking the take-up rollers 18 when the flexible material 16 has been extended to the desired extent.

Rail 20 is connected to rail 22 by rope 25,26, so that when rail 20 travels towards end 13 as described above, rope 25,26 drags the rail 22 behind it until rail 22 is passed by adjacent rail 20/22. , 22/22, 22/22 between the length of the portion of the rope 25, 26 determined by the position spaced along the length of the frame 11 until.

The fully extended position of the canopy is shown in Figure 1: - Rails 22 are spaced approximately equidistantly along the length of the frame 11, providing support to the flexible material 16 against updrafts and downdrafts.

To retract the awning again, the take-up roller 18 is rotated so that the flexible material 16 is wound around the roller 18 . This pulls the end rail 20 back towards the end 12 of the frame 11, and the flexible material 16 slides between the pairs of rails forming the middle rail 22 until the end rail 20 contacts the adjacent rail 22 and pushes the rail toward the end. Section 12 so far. As the flexible material 16 is progressively wound onto the take-up roller 18 , each intermediate rail 22 is sequentially pushed toward the retracted position until the rails 20 , 22 are all in a position adjacent to each other, proximate to the take-up roller 18 . This movement tensions the elastic cords 32,33.

In the retracted position, the cords 25, 26 hang in loops between adjacent rails, but since the cords are thin they do not collect water or insects to any appreciable extent, nor are they unsightly. Lock the awning in the retracted position as described above.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5-8. The main feature of this embodiment is that when the awning is in the retracted/storage position, the connection means between the end rails and the middle rail do not hang down below the awning, but are inconspicuously located on the upper surface of the awning.

The awning frame 11 and take-up roller 18 are the same as described with reference to Figures 1-4 and like reference numerals are used in the figures. The end rails 40 and intermediate rails 41 are formed as split rails, as described with reference to Figures 1-4, but are of rectangular cross-section (see Figure 8) and engage the sides 14, 15 of the frame by slides rather than rollers. Grooves 27, 27a; slides arranged to slide on a low friction polyester mesh surface (not shown).

As in the previous embodiments, the flexible material 16 is not fixed to the middle rail 41, but slides freely between the two parts of the rail.

The connecting means 42 is in the form of a lightweight cord comprising elastic portions. With particular reference to Figures 7 and 8, each intermediate rail 41 and end rail 40 is provided with two spaced apart anchor points 43, one near each end of the rail. Each intermediate rail 41 is also equipped with two spaced perforated stops 44 . Each anchor point 43 and each stop 44 is simply a pin protruding from the upper surface of the upper part of the corresponding rail, the longitudinal axis of the pin being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

Referring to Figures 7a and 7b, each connection means 42 comprises a first resilient portion 42a having a ring 45 at one end and a block 46 at the other end; the ring 45 engages one of the anchors 43 in use. In Figures 7a and b, one connection means is shown as a dashed line for clarity.

The second part 42b of each connecting device 42 is an inelastic cord which is coupled to the elastic part 42a at the block 46, passed through the small hole in the adjacent stop 44 and anchored to the adjacent rail One of the anchor points 43 on.

On each intermediate rail 41, the first elastic portion 42a of each connecting means 42 extends from one of the anchor points 43 along the upper surface of the rail to the stop furthest away from the anchor point 43 to which the first elastic portion 42a is fixed. 44, and then the second part 42b extends above the upper surface of the fabric 16 to the anchor point 43 on the adjacent rail 41, which is diagonally opposite to the anchor point 43 to which the above-mentioned part 42a is fixed, so that each connecting device 42 zigzags across the upper surface of the awning.

With particular reference to Figure 5, the awning shown in this figure has three central rails 41a, 41b, 41c along which a connecting means 42c fixed to an anchor point 43a on the left side of the first rail 41a extends to the furthest distance. The stop 44a of the anchor point 43a then extends down to the anchor point 43b on the next rail 41b diagonally opposite the anchor point 43a. The rail 41a also has a second connection means 42d extending along the rail from a second anchor point 43c on the rail 41a to a stop 44b and then down to an anchor point 43d diagonally opposite the anchor point 43c.

On the second rail 41b, the anchor points 43b and 43d engage with two further connection means 42f, 42e which are connected in the same way to the anchor points 43e and 43f on the third rail 41c. The awning shown in FIG. 5 is relatively short, having only three middle rails;

The device described above operates as follows: - To extend the awning, the lock on the wind-up roller 18 is released, allowing the elastic cords 32, 33 to retract and pull the end rail 40 towards the end 13 of the frame, as in the first embodiment described above .

The end rail 40 is connected to the adjacent middle rail 41c by connection means 42g and 42h. As the end rail 40 travels down the length of the frame, the elastic portion of the link stretches to allow the end rail 40 to move away from the adjacent middle rail 41c, up to a point where the block on the link The member 46 contacts the corresponding stop member 44 and prevents further extension of the connecting device. It then continues to pull the set of connecting means extending between the middle rail 41b and the middle rail 41c, causing the middle rail 41b to move to the position shown in FIG. 1, at which point the corresponding block 46 contacts the associated Stop 44 in order to pull the connection means associated with the intermediate rail 41a.

L-shaped restraint arms 50 prevent the first middle rail 41a from moving beyond a preselected position, and the restraint arms 50 are fixed to both sides of the awning frame respectively at desired end positions of the middle rail 41a. Each restraint arm 50 is spaced above the upper surface of the intermediate rail 41 so that the anchor points 43 on the end rails and on all intermediate rails except the first intermediate rail 41a can pass under the restraint arms. The anchor points 43a, 43c on the first intermediate rail 41a are higher than the other anchor points and thus contact the restraint arm 50, as shown in FIG.

The awning fabric 16 is of course only fixed to the take-up roller 18 and end rail 40 and simply slides between the two parts of the middle rail when the awning is extended.

To retract the awning to the storage position, the take-up roller 18 is rotated to wind the flexible material 16 around the roller 18 . This pulls the end rail 40 back towards the end 12 of the frame, and the flexible material 16 slides between portions of the middle rail 41 until the end rail 40 contacts the adjacent rail 41c and pushes that rail toward the end 12 . As the flexible material 16 is progressively wound on the take-up roller 18, each intermediate rail 41c, 41b, 41a is sequentially pushed toward the retracted position until all of the intermediate rails are positioned adjacent to each other adjacent the take-up roller 18. When the intermediate rails are pushed together, the elastic portion of each linkage 42 contracts, pulling the elastic portion of the linkage back to the position shown in FIG. 6 . In this position, the contraction of the elastic part takes up any slack in each attachment means, so the attachment means do not hang down between the rails, giving the retracted awning a very neat appearance.

Figure 9 shows a third preferred embodiment of the invention in which the end rails 50 and the intermediate rails 51a, 51b are connected to each other by rigid connecting means. Figure 9 shows one side of the canopy; the opposite side is a mirror image of the first side. Typically, the linkages are arranged so that there is one set of linkages near each end of the rail, as described below. However, for narrow awnings, a single set of attachment means may be used at or near the centerline of the awning.

As shown in Figure 9, adjacent rails 51a/51b, 51b/50 are connected by rigid bars 52, 53 supported by blocks 54, 55, 56, 57 fixed to the upper surface of the rails. Rod 52 is fixed between blocks 54 and 55 and rod 53 is fixed between blocks 56 and 57 . Each rod 52, 53 is fixed to one of the blocks 54, 56 respectively, but can slide through the other block 55, 57 respectively.

When the retracted awning is being extended to the position shown in Figure 9, (by the moving means described with reference to Examples 1 and 2 or with reference to Figure 10), the end rail 50 moves in the direction of arrow A And the rod 53 slides through the block 57 until the end stop 58 on the rod 53 contacts the adjacent side of the block 57, then further movement in the direction of arrow A pulls the middle rail 51b in the same direction. When the end stop 59 on the rod 52 contacts the adjacent surface of the corresponding block 55, the rod 52 in turn pulls the middle rail 51a in the direction of arrow A, which continues until the canopy is fully extended.

The pair of blocks 54 closest to the take-up roller 18 protrude higher from the surface of the center rail than the other blocks so they contact the stops 54a and ensure that the center rail 51a is correctly positioned. The remaining blocks are small enough to pass under the stop 54a.

When the canopy is retracted, as with the other two embodiments, the fabric of the canopy 16 wraps around the rollers 18, pulling the end rails 50 towards the rollers 18. As with the other embodiments, the fabric 16 slides between sections of the middle rail. As the end rail 50 moves towards the adjacent intermediate rail 51b, the rod 53 slides through the block 57 until the end rail 50 contacts the intermediate rail 51b and begins to push the rail towards the roller 18. The rod 52 is then slid through the block 55 until the middle rail 51b contacts the middle rail 51a.

The mechanism of the third embodiment provides a very strong, effective connection between the rails, but has the disadvantage that it is a relatively heavy construction and its appearance is not so pleasing when the awning is retracted, because even in the retracted position In , the rods 52, 53 are also clearly visible on the top of the awning.

All three embodiments described above use the moving means (ie elastic cords 32, 33) described with reference to Figures 1-4.

An alternative preferred mobile device is shown in Figure 10: - This mobile device can be used with any of the above three embodiments.

In this variant, the wind-up roller 18 is provided at each end with a rope pulley 60 rigidly fixed to and coaxially with the wind-up roller 18 . Figure 10 shows only one of the wheels 60; the wheel 60 at the opposite end of the roller 18 is a mirror image of the wheel shown.

At each end of the roll 18, a somewhat elastic rope 61 (for example with 1% or 2% elasticity) is wound around the reel 60 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the fabric 16 is wound on the take-up roll 18. On one end, a rope 61 is secured at one end to a reel 60, extends down the slot 27 in the frame element 15, and passes around a freely rotatable guide wheel 62 located opposite the take-up roller 18. near the end of the frame. The other end of the cord 61 is fixed to a hook 63 attached to the end rail 20 .

A tension roller 64 may be located adjacent to each roping roller 60; the tension roller 64 is arranged to apply pressure to the rope 61 to adjust the tension of the rope. The position of the tension roller 64 relative to the rope 61 can be adjusted in a known manner (not shown).

When the awning is to be extended, the wind-up roller 18 is driven so that the wind-up roller and the reeling roller rotate in the direction of arrow R: - this winds the fabric 16 off the take-up roller and winds the rope 61 to the reel 60, pull the end rail 20 and the middle rail 22 in the direction of the arrow W. The end rails 20 and intermediate rails 22 are connected together by any of the connection means described in the previous embodiments.

When the awning is to be retracted, the wind-up roller 18 is driven to rotate the wind-up roller and the rope roller in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow R, the fabric 16 is wound back on the wind-up roller 18, and the rope 61 is pulled from the The reel 60 is wound down to allow the end rails 20 and middle rail 22 to move rearwardly towards the take-up roller 18 .

As with the above-described embodiments, the take-up roller 18 may be driven manually or by a motor, but is preferably driven by an electric motor mounted within the take-up roller.

In all of the above embodiments, the moving means for moving the end rails towards the extended position of the awning can be provided if the awning is mounted with the plane of the frame vertical or nearly vertical so that gravity acts instead of the moving means. Skip it entirely.

In all the above embodiments, the connection means between the end rails and the middle rail are described and depicted as being on the upper surface of the awning, which is usually the case, as this means that the awning (which is usually viewed from below) Present as neat a look as possible. However, if the awning is to be used in some other orientation, or if the appearance of the awning is not important, the attachment means in any embodiment other than the first may be located on the lower surface of the awning.

It will be appreciated that the awnings described above are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that the parts of the awning are easily removable for maintenance or replacement of worn out parts.

Claims (21)

1. An awning comprising: a frame defining the length and width of said awning and comprising two elongated parallel opposing sides; and a length of flexible material arranged along said frame extends to provide a shield and retracts toward one end of the frame for storage; Wherein said awning also includes: - a take-up roller mounted at or near one end of said frame, one end of said flexible material being secured to said take-up roller; - said take-up roller is drivable to wind at least a substantial portion of said flexible material around said take-up roller; - an end rail fixed to the other end of said flexible material; - one or more intermediate rails, each intermediate rail consisting of a split rail, one part of which is located above said flexible material and the other part of which is located below said flexible material, both parts of said split rail being not secured to the flexible material; - said take-up rollers, end rails and each of the intermediate rail or intermediate rails are arranged to extend across the width of the frame with their longitudinal axes parallel; - each end of said end rail and of each of said intermediate rail or intermediate rails is engaged with said frame so as to limit movement of said each end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame , but permitting movement of the end rail and each of the intermediate rail or intermediate rails along the length of the frame; - the end rail and the intermediate rail or each of the intermediate rails are interconnected by connecting means such that movement of the end rail towards the extended position of the awning causes the intermediate rail or the each of the plurality of intermediate rails moves relative to the frame; Movement means for moving the end rail towards the extended position of the awning. 2. An awning as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame is rectangular in plan view. 3. The awning of claim 1, wherein the take-up roller is manually drivable. 4. The awning of claim 1, wherein the take-up roller is motor drivable. 5. The awning of claim 4, wherein the motor is an electric motor mounted within the take-up roller. 6. The awning as claimed in claim 1, wherein both said sides are formed as trough members, said troughs have their open ends along the inner side of said frame, and wherein said one middle rail or said plurality of middle rails Each end of each of the rails and each end of the end rail engages an adjacent slot so as to limit movement of each end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, but allow the Movement of each end along the length of the frame. 7. An awning as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said end of the one or each of the plurality of intermediate rails and each end of said end rails are provided with rollers and are arranged to Roll along the adjacent groove. 8. An awning as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said end of the one or each of the plurality of intermediate rails and each end of said end rails is provided with a slide and arranged into sliding along the adjacent slot. 9. The awning of claim 1 wherein said attachment means is rigid. 10. An awning as claimed in claim 9, wherein said awning comprises only one intermediate rail and said connection means comprises a first bar which is perpendicular to said end rail and said adjacent intermediate rail extending and secured between the end rail and the adjacent intermediate rail. 11. An awning as claimed in claim 9, wherein said awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails, said connecting means comprising extending perpendicularly to said end rails and said adjacent intermediate rails and secured to said end rails and a first bar between said adjacent intermediate rails, and one or more additional bars, the bar or each of the plurality of bars being fixed between adjacent intermediate rails; each bar fixed between a pair of blocks fixed to said rail, each bar being arranged to slide through the block of the pair of blocks furthest from said take-up roller, and rigidly fixed to the other block of the pair of blocks. 12. An awning as claimed in claim 11 wherein connecting means are located at each end of the end rails and each intermediate rail. 13. The awning of claim 1 wherein said attachment means is flexible. 14. An awning as claimed in claim 13, wherein said awning comprises only one intermediate rail, said connection means comprising a pair of cords arranged to connect said end rails to said intermediate rail, the The length of the pair of cords is equal to the required spacing between corresponding rails when the awning is in the extended position. 15. An awning as claimed in claim 13, wherein said awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails, said connecting means comprising a first pair of cords arranged to connect said end rails to adjacent intermediate rails, and further pairs of ropes, each pair arranged to connect a respective middle rail to an adjacent middle rail; the length of each pair of ropes is equal to the required distance between the corresponding rails when the awning is in the extended position. interval. 16. An awning as claimed in claim 14, wherein the connecting means are connected to the ends of the corresponding rails. 17. An awning as claimed in claim 13, wherein said awning comprises only one intermediate rail, said attachment means comprising a pair of cords, each cord having an elastic portion connected to an inelastic portion; wherein each cord are arranged to protrude from an anchor point on said middle rail, pass through a small hole in a stop provided on that rail, and then extend to an anchor point on said end rail; wherein said elastic of each rope The length and elasticity of the portion is such that in the extended position of the awning, there is a predetermined spacing between the middle rail and the end rails, and in the retracted position of the awning, the elastic portion absorbs All slack in the rope. 18. The awning of claim 13, wherein said awning comprises a plurality of intermediate rails and said connecting means comprises a plurality of pairs of cords, each cord having an elastic portion connected to an inelastic portion; wherein each pair of cords Each of the ropes is arranged to protrude from an anchor point on one of the intermediate rails, pass through a small hole in a stop provided on that rail, and then extend to an adjacent intermediate rail or an adjacent An anchor point on the end rail of the awning, as the case may be; wherein the length and elasticity of the elastic portion is such that in the extended position of the awning, the one or each of the intermediate rails and the There is a predetermined spacing between the end rails, and in the retracted position of the awning, the elastic portion absorbs all slack in the cords. 19. An awning as claimed in claim 17, wherein said elastic portion of each cord is that portion of the cord extending between said anchor point and said stop, and said cord is provided with a block The block piece contacts the stopper to limit the elastic elongation of the elastic portion. 20. An awning as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said moving means comprises a pair of elastic cords, each of which is secured to one end of said end rail and to one end of said frame. between the ends furthest from the take-up roller so as to bias the end rail towards that end of the frame. 21. An awning as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said moving means comprises a pair of ropes, one end of each rope fixed to one end of said end rail, one end of each rope The other end is fixed around one of a pair of wheels; one said wheel is fixed to one end of said take-up roller, the other said wheel is fixed to the other end of said take-up roller, two wheels coaxial with the wind-up roller to rotate therewith such that rotation of the wind-up roller moving the awning toward the extended position pulls the cord and end rail toward the extended position. out position, and rotation of the take-up roller that moves the awning toward the retracted position pulls the cord and end rail toward the retracted position.