EP1331322A1

EP1331322A1 - Articulated awning support arm for a retractable and extendable awning

Info

Publication number: EP1331322A1
Application number: EP03250267A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaap Van Wageningen
Original assignee: Mado Nederland BV
Current assignee: Mado Nederland BV
Priority date: 2002-01-16
Filing date: 2003-01-16
Publication date: 2003-07-30

Abstract

Articulated awning support arm (13) for a retractable and extendable awning, the articulated arm including:

an elongate first pivoting arm section (23);

an elongate second pivoting arm section (25);

a central hinge (29) defining a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at least one of the first and second arm sections (23,25), the central hinge (29) being arranged to pivotally connect the first arm section (23) to the second arm section (25);

a resilient element (151,153) associated with at least one of the first and second arm sections (23,25) for pivotally biasing the other of the first and second arm sections (23,25) towards the arm section associated with the at least one resilient member (151,153); and

a swivel element (187) associated with the central hinge (29), so as to share the pivot axis of the central hinge (29), the swivel element (187) having a first outrigger (191,193) and a second outrigger (195,197) angularly spaced from the first outrigger (191,193);

wherein one end of the at least one resilient member (151,153) is connected in a force transmitting manner to the one arm section, with which it is associated, the other end of the at least one resilient member (151,153) being operatively connected to one of the first and second outriggers (191,193,195,197) of the swivel element (187), so as to apply a tensioning force thereto and the other of the first and second outriggers (191,193,195,197) being connected in a force transmitting manner to the other of the first and second arm sections (23,25).

Description

The present invention relates to retractable awnings or like sunprotection window coverings. In such retractable awnings a fabric or cloth sheet material is rolled or unrolled onto or from a roller and a forward end of the fabric. wich is attached to a movable front bar, is guided and supported by a pair of collapsible arms. The collapsible arms together with the front bar define a collapsible frame, which is supported by the same structure that also supports the roller. Such retractable and extendable awnings are generally known and usually comprise biasing means acting on the collapsible frame to urge the awning sheet and frame towards the extended position.
Suitable arrangements for biasing awning arms into an extended position are described a.o in GB 1.175.723; EP 0,125,727, EP 0.489.186 and EP 0.795.660. In particular these documents show the arrangement of tension springs and the use of different forms of flexible elements. such as cables: chains and flexible belts or strips. One problem associated with such arrangements is that the required length of spring extension or compression, to act during the full movement of such arms, is rather large. Another problem associated with such arrangements is that the flexible elements are deflected through angles and around radii, which tend to be rather small in relation to their required size. This and the rather high tension forces involved tends to reduce the durability of these flexible elements.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative structures which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. The present invention thus has as an object to eliminate inconveniences of the prior art by providing such an awning with improved features.
To this end the present invention provides an articulated awning support arm for a retractable and extendable awning, the articulated arm including: an elongate first pivoting arm section; an elongate second pivoting arm section, a central hinge defining a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at least one of the first and second arm sections, the central hing being arranged to pivotally connect the first arm section to the second arm section; at least one resilient element associated with one of the first and second arm sections for pivotally biasing the other of the first and second arm sections towards the one arm section associated with the at least one resilient member; and a swivel element associated with the central hinge, so as to share the pivot axis of the central hinge the swivel element having a first outrigger and a second outrigger angularly spaced from the first outrigger: wherein one end of the at least one resilient member is connected in a force transmitting manner to the one arm section, with which it is associated, the other end of the at least one resilient member being operatively connected to one of the first and second outriggers of the swivel element so as to apply a tensioning force thereto and the other of the first and second outriggers being connected in a force transmitting manner to the other of the first and second arm sections.
The invention also provides a retractable and extendable awning. including at least one arm support bracket. incorporating at least one articulated awning support arm in accordance with the invention, a front bar, a roller adapted to be mounted for rotation, a fabric cloth for winding about and unwinding from the roller, wherein the first arm section has a first end pivotally linked to the bearing support and a second end, the second arm section having a first end pivotally linked to the second end of the first arm section and a second end pivotally linked to the front bar.
Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below of particular embodiments and the drawings thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a retractable arm awning of this invention in an extended position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the articulated arms of the awning of Figure 1 in an extended position;
Figure 3 is a view of the arm similar to Figure 2. but with certain parts removed to show the internal structure thereof:
Figure 4A is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the central hinge of the articulated arm of Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 4B is a slightly modified second embodiment of the central hinge of Figure 4A, viewed from an opposite direction; and
Figure 5 is an enlarged partial side elvation of the forked rear end as represented in Figure 3.

Figure 1 shows a retractable arm awning 1 of the general type with which the present invention is concerned. The awning 1 of Figure 1 has a wall mount cassette 3 housing a roller 5 from which a fabric cloth 7 in the extended position of the awning is extending and supported by a collapsible support system comprising a front bar 9 connected to a front edge of the fabric cloth 7 and two collapsible arms 11, 13. Each of the collapsible arms 11, 13 is hingeably mounted from a corresponding arm support bracket 15 and 17 respectively and comprises first and second pivoting arm sections 19, 23 and 21, 25 respectively. Each of the first and second arm sections are joined by a central pivot joint 27, 29 respectively and the second arm sections 21, 25 are hingeably joined to the rear side of the front bar 9. The front bar 9 preferably. but not necessarily, is shaped as a lid to close the opening 31 in the cassette 3 from which the fabric cloth and collapsible frame extend, when the awning is in a retracted position.
The awning of Figure 1 preferably includes some mechanism for adjusting the angle 33 at which the awning extends from a building wall (not shown).
For a description of a suitable collapsible arm for use in a collapsible frame according to the invention reference will now be made to Figures 2 though 5. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a collapsible awning arm corresponding to awning arm 13 of Figure 1.
Arm 13 has a first pivoting section 23 and a second pivoting section 25. The first and second pivoting sections are joined to one another by a central pivot joint 29 and a front pivot 89 connects the front bar 9 (shown in Figure 1) to an opposite end of the second pivoting section 25.
An end of the first arm section 23 opposite of the central pivot swivel 29 carries a forked end 93 for hingeably attaching to the arm support bracket 17 (shown in Figure 1). In this regard a hinge pin (not shown, but conventional) will be inserted through respective openings 95, 96 in an aligned arrangement with a through bore of the arm support bracket 17(of Figure 1). The first and second arm sections 23, 25 each comprise a length of tubular profile 97. 99 respectively, which can each be of an appropriate length in relation to the desired drop of the awning and the extended length of the awning cloth (7 in Figure 1). The forked end 93 is in the form of a first end plug element 101, which partly engages into the hollow interior of the tubular profile 97 The central pivot joint 29 is an assembly of second and third plug elements 103, 105 The front pivot 89 is arranged on yet another, fourth plug element 107. Figure 3 the awning arm of Figure 2. but with the tubular profiles 97 and 99 removed to show the internal structure of the collapsible awning arm 13 Figure 3 clearly shows a first spring 151 and a second spring 153. These are tensioning springs and As shown in Figure 3. are in a relaxed position. One end 155 of the first spring is attached to a first link 157. while another end 159 of the first spring 151 receives a screw 161. The screw 161 is rotatably held in the first end plug 101 and can be rotated from the exterior of the first end plug 101 for increasing or reducing the tension of the first spring 151. A further explanation will follow in reference to Figure 5. The second spring 153 has one of its ends connected to a second link 163. which extends fro the central pivot joint 29 in a direction opposite to the first link 157. A further explanation on how the first and second links 157 and 163 co-operate with the central pivot joint will follow in reference to Figure 4. The other end of the second spring element 153 can either be fixedly attached to the fourth end plug 107 by a screw 165 or be adjustable as described in relation to the first end plug 101. Also shown in Figure 3 is that one or more of the spring ends can receive a resilient end cap 167 to inhibit noise production of the spring end if scraping against an inner wall surface of tubular profiles 97 and 99 when fitted as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows an exploded arrangement of the major components constituting the central pivot joint 29. The secon plug element 103 is proveded with spaced apertured upper and lower ears 169 and 171, which are each provided with a through bore 173 and 175. The upper and lower bores 173 and 175 are aligned with one another to accept a pivot shaft 177 The third plug element 105 also has upper and lower ears 179 and 181 with corresponding upper and lower aligned through bores 183 and 185 The ears 179 and 181 of the third plug element 105 are spaced at a smaller distance than those (169 and 171) on the second plug element 103 and snugly fit between those for pivoting around the common pivot shaft 177 when mounted. For transferring the spring force from the first arm section to the second arm section, the central pivot joint is further provided with a swivel 187, which fits between the upper and lower ears 179 and 181 of the third plug element 105 The swivel 187 has a bore 189 to engage also about the common pivot shaft 177 for angular rotation thereabout. The swivel 187 also has a first pair of upper and lower outriggers 191 and 193 as well as a second pair of upper and lower outriggers 195 and 197. Each of the outriggers of the first and second pairs have aligned receiving means, such as apertures or the like, to receive a relevant one of a first hinge pin 199 or a second hinge pin 201 respectively. The pairs of outriggers 191, 193 and 195, 197 are radially outwardly spaced from the central pivot shaft 177 and also angularly spaced from one another in an angle of between 60 to 120 degrees, preferably in the region of 90 degrees. The first link 157 is pivotally received on the first hinge pin 199 and the second link 163 is pivotally received on the second hinge pin 201. Each of the first and second links 157 and 163 has an aperture 203, 205, respectively, to connect to a relevant one of the first and second springs. The use of two springs, in a serial arrangement as described, brings the advantage that the total elongation required is now distributed over two springs. rather than one or more springs that are merely parallel as in the prior art. To ensure that the compounded effect of adjustments in the tension of the individual springs can be observed, the swivel 187 can be provided with a marking, such the indentation 207. to indicate the swivel's position in the pivot joint.
In Figure 4B is shown, viewed from an opposite direction, a slightly modified second embodiment of the central hinge of Figure 4A. Like parts have been identified by the same reference numbers. As shown in the partly exploded arrangement of Figure 4B upper and lower beanng bushes 209 and 211 are interposed between the respective upper and lower ears 179, 181 of plug element 105 and the swivel 187.
Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the tension adjusting screw 161 in the first end plug 101 of the forked end 93 in greater detail. The forked end 93 carnes the aligned openings 95 and 96 for receiving a pivot pin (not shown, but conventional) for pivotally mounting to an arm support bracket. The remainder of the plug element, beyond the forked end (to the right thereof in Figure 5), in use, is engaged within a tubular profile (item 97 in Figure 2). The plug end in Figure 5 is seen to have an anular ridge 209 against which a head 211 of screw 161 is retained by the tension of spring 151. The head 211 is provided with means for receiving a tool (not shown, but conventional) so that it can be rotated for adjustment. An aperture 213, which is aligned with the screw head 211, allows adjestmet of the screw 161 and thereby of the tension of spring 151 from outside of the forked end 93, when inserted in its associated tubular profile, such as illustrated in Figure 2 Spring end 159 is suitably modified to accommodate a screw threaded portion to co-operate with screw 161.
The skilled person may additionally be aware of still further suitable constructions and further description is considered therefor to be redundant. It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. The term comprising when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Features which are not specifically or explicitely described or claimed may be additionally included in the structure according to the present invention without deviating from its scope.
The invention is further not limited to any embodiment herein described and, within the purview of the skilled person, modifications are possible which should be considered within the scope of the appended claims. Equally all kinematic inversions are to be considered within the scope of the present invention
Reference to either axially, radially or tangentially if used in the above is generally in relation to rotatable or cylindrical bodies of elements described.
Where in the above reference is made to longitudinal or lateral this is in reference to the length or width directions respectively of elements which have an oblong appearance in the accompanying drawings. This interpretation however has only been used for ease of reference and should not be construed as a limitation of the shape of such elements.
Expressions, such as right, left, horizontal, vertical, above, below, upper, lower, top, bottom or the like if used in reference to the construction as illustrated in the accompanying drawings are relevant to the relative positions and in a different orientation of the construction should be interpreted in accordance with comparable relative positions.

Claims

Articulated awning support arm for a retractable and extendable awning, the articulated arm including:

an elongate first pivoting arm section;

an elongate second pivoting arm section;

a central hinge defining a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at least one of the first and second arm sections, the central hinge being arranged to pivotally connect the first arm section to the second arm section;

a resilient element associated with at least one of the first and second arm sections for pivotally biasing the other of the first and second arm sections towards the one arm section associated with the at least one resilient member: and

a swivel element associated with the central hinge, so as to share the pivot axis of the central hinge , the swivel element having a first outrigger and a second outrigger angularly spaced from the first outrigger;
wherein one end of the at least one resilient member is connected in a force transmitting manner to the one arm section, with which it is associated, the other end of the at least one resilient member being operatively connected to one of the first and second outriggers of the swivel element, so as to apply a tensioning force thereto and the other of the first and second outriggers being connected in a force transmitting manner to the other of the first and second arm sections
Awning support arm in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first outrigger carries a first pivot bearing and the second outrigger carries a second pivot bearing the at least one resilient member being connected to one of the first and second pivot bearings.
Retractable and extendable awning, including at least one arm support bracket, at least one arm in accordance with claim, 1, a front bar, a roller adapted to be mounted for rotation, a fabric cloth for winding about and unwinding from the roller, wherein the first arm section has a first end pivotally linked to the bearing support and a second end, the second arm section having a first end pivotally linked to the second end of the first arm section and a second end pivotally linked to the front bar.
Awning according to claim 3, wherein the first pivoting arm section and the second pivoting arm section include first, second, third and fourth plug elements.
Awning according to claim 4, wherein the the first and second pivoting arm sections include first and second tubular profiles and wherein the first and second plug elements are inserted in the first tubular profile, while the third and fourth plug elements are inserted in the second tubular profile.