GB2241927A

GB2241927A - Caravan awning

Info

Publication number: GB2241927A
Application number: GB9103498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elfed Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-28
Filing date: 1991-02-20
Publication date: 1991-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-20
Also published as: GB9103498D0; GB2241927B; GB9004443D0

Abstract

The awning is composed of flexible material (1) and has a beading (2A) adapted to pass through an awning channel on a caravan, the awning having an extension (2B) integral with or removably attach able to the beading, the extension being adapted to be engaged in said channel and to pass therealong beyond an upwardly extending portion of said channel (O-P) and to subsequently lead the beading (2A) into engagement in and passage through said channel. <IMAGE>

Description

CARAVAN AWNING Field of the Invention This invention relates to caravan awnings, and more specifically to such awnings which are erected on and in relation to a caravan.

In this specification, the expression "caravan" shall bc token to include all forms of caravans, motorised caravans and similar structures.

Baclrlound to the Invention Awnings. both large and small, consist of tent-like structures made of flesible material such as canvas or plastics material which are used by caravaners to extend the living space or the usable space of the caravan.

Awnings, generally speaking, are heavy and e?:pensive items of equipment and are, at the very least, awkward to attach or arrange in relation to a caravan. All modern caravans have a metal channel around one side which is specifically adapted to receive an edge of an awning, this channel being generally C-shaped in cross section.

The edge of an awning which passes through the awning channel generally comprises a flexible beading which is of circular crosssection and which is integral with or mounted to the awning. The size of this beading and the edge of the awning is such that it can be slid through and right around the metal channel into a position ready to take supporting frame work so as to provide a firm support for the roof of the awning and the walls thereof, -thus forming a water tight joint to keep wind and rain out of the awning.

The external height of caravans can often be in excess of 2.5 metres, putting the top height of awning channels out of reach of most people uniess steps or the like are used. This, with the weight and volume of the awning, makes the lifting of the beading of the awning into the caravan channel an awkward, heavy, difficult and time-consuming task, often requiring several pairs of hands to achieve the desired end result.

It is a general objective of the present invention to overcome the above-described disadvantages by taking the difficuit and heavy çor'- out of erecting a caravan awning, and making it unnecessary to use steps or other means to reach the top most part of the awning channel.

Stlmmal s- of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a caravan awning composed of flesible material and having an edge adapted to pass through an awning channel on a caravan, said awning having thereon leading means integral with or removably attachable to said edge, said leading means being adapted to be engaged in said channel -and to pass therealong beyond an ltp.çardls- extending portion of said channel and to subsequently cause engagement in and passage through said channel of said edge.

Preferably said leading means comprises a beading.

Preferably the leading means has handling means thereon which project from the channel, in use, for facilitating pulling or pushing of the beading through the channel.

Preferably said handling means comprises a band of material on and extending the length of the leading means.

Preferably, the leading means is adapted to pass beyond a point along the channel where the channel turns downwardly prior to causing engagement in and passage through said channel of said wedge.

Advantageously the leading means is provided with means for engagement by a grappling hook means.

Preferabl,- the free end, in use, of the leading means is rounded to facilitate engagement in and passage through said channel.

according to a second aspect of the present invention there is lr r - -ided a method for fitting an awning to a caravan comprising the steps of: 1. Providing a caravan awning of the invention.

2. Engaging the leading means of the caravan alçning in the channel: Sliding the leading means through the upwardly extending portion of the awning channel and along and downwardly through the channel; and 4. Drawing the leading means further through the channel to cause engagement in and passage through said channel of said edge of said awning.

Preferably in step 3 the leading means is pushed through the channel and in step 4 is pulled through the channel.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be more particularly described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a caravan awning in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of one side of a cara .-an.

illustrating the use of an embodiment of awning of the present ins-elltion.

Descriptwon of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Figure 1, there is shown one corner of a caravan awning 1 which is composed of flexibic material such as canvas or plastics material. The illustrated awning is of the type in which part of the awning 1 is wrapped around a separate eiongate flexible beading 2A and fastened br glue, stitching or other suitable means.That part of the awning which is wrapped around the beading 2A is designated by numeral 3A. This overlapping portion 3A may be integral with the main body of awning material or, more conventionally, may comprise a strip of water proof material affixed to the main body of material.

It will be seen that the beading 2A has a longitudinal extension 'B extending beyond the extremity of the corner of the awning 1.

This beading extension 2B is partnered by an extension 3B of the overlapping portion 3A of the awning 1. The beading extension 2 and the awning material extension 33 together form means by which the main beading 2A carrying the awning 1 may be lead into engagement in and passage through the awning mounting channel of a caravan. The extremity of the beading extension 2B is rounded as indicated at reference numeral 4 so as to ease the passage of the beading through the channel. An aperture 5 is provided in the awning material extension 3B to enable the beading extension to be pulled or pushed by a grappling hook or other suitable means.

Peferring now to Figure 2, the arrangement of this seccnd illustrated embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and like parts have therefore been given like reference numerals. The essential differences between the two embodiments include the provision of a separable extension 123 to the beading 2X. This separable extension 12B is attached to the beading 2S at a point 6 by means of a catch or similar suitable means (not shown).Whereas in the Figure 1 embodiment there is shown an extension 3B of the awning material, in the Figure 2 embodiment there is provided an analogous short tab of material 13B projecting from a portion of the separable beading extension 1"E proximate the free extremity 4 thereof. This tab 133 may be integrally formed on the beading extension 12B especially if ]eading extension 12B ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~is of moulded plastics material.

Referring to Figure 3, a preferred method of use of the present invention will now be described.

Figure 3 illustrates one side wall of a caravan having an awning mounting channel running around its perimeter. The illustrated channel begins part-way up one edge of the side wall and extends upwardly to the caravan roof at point B before following the line of the roof and turning downwardly at point Q toward the base of the caravan. The illustrated channel is merely one example from a wide range of channel configurations to which the present invention may be applied.

In use, the extremity 4 of the beading extension 2B, 123 is inserted into the awning mounting channel at point 0 and is fed right through the channel bg gripping and pushing the awning material extension 3B upwardly through the channel. Because of the absence of weight of the awning on the beading extension 2E, 12B, the beading may be advanced by an operator standing adjacent point 0 on the channel and continuously feeding the beading extension 2B, 12B into the channel.Once the beadin extension 2B, 12B has advanced beyond point P on the channel the awning can be drawn into place, lead by the beading extension 23, 12B, by catching a grapplino hooi; in the aperture 5 near the leading extremity 4 of the beading extension 2B, 123. If the beading extension 2B, 123 is sufficiently long to pass through the channel beyond point Q before dragging the awning-bearing beading 2A into the channel this will optimise the mechanicai advantage obtained through use of a beading extension and will avoid tie need for any grappling hook if the tab 133 or material 3B of the beading extension zB, 123 falls to within grasp of the operator.

Surprisingly, in practice, little difficulty is encountered in feeding the beaming extension 23, 123 from one end of the awning channel to the other and thus, unless the awning channel is w arped discontinuous or obstructed in some fashion, there is no need to make provision for use of a grappling hook.

The practical effect of pulling on the beading extension 2B. 123 is to have the channel act like a static pulley wheei with the beading extension 22. 12B being pulled or pushed through the channel, and the beading 2X being part of or attached to the beading extension 2B, 12B subsequently following through the channel and thus moving the awning 1 into the required position.

Where the beading extension 2B, 12B extends beyond the awning 1 sufficient only to reach just beyond point P on the channel some mechanicai advantage may yet be gained through changing the direction of power, particularly if a grappling hook is to be used.

Where the beading extension 2B, 12B reaches beyond point Q on the channel lifting of the heavy awning is greatly facilitated.

For most practical applications the beading extension should ideally be at least as long as the awning channel. The beading extension 2B, 12B and associated awning material extension 3B or tab 133 can be coiled and attached to the awning by means of velcro (rtm) or tape or other means, or in the case of the Figure 2 embodiment, removed and placed into storage.

Claims

CLAIXIS:

1. X caravan awning composed of flexible material and having an edge adapted to pass through an awning channel on a caravan, said awning having thereon leading means integral with or removably attachable to said edge, said leading means being adapted to be engaged in said channel and to pass therealon a beyond an upwardly extending portion of said channel and te subsequently cause engagement in and passage through said channel of said edge.

2. An atçning as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said leading means comprises a beading.

3. An awning as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the leading means has handling means thereon which project from the channel, in use, for facilitating pulling or pushing of the leading means through the channel.

4. An awning as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein said handling means comprises a band of material on and extending the length of the leading means.

o. An awning as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the leading means is adapted to pass beyond a point along the channel where the channel turns downwardly prior to cause engagement in and passage through said channel of said edge.

6. An awning as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or D, wherein the handling means is provided with means for engagement by a grappling hook means.

7. An awning as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the free end, in use, of the leading means is rounded to facilitate engagement in and passage through said channel.

8. A method for fitting an awning to a caravan comprising the steps of:

1. Providing a caravan awning as claimed in any preceding Claim;

2. Engaging the leading means on the caravan awning in the channel;

3. Sliding the leading means through the upwardly extending portion of the awning channel and along and downwardly through the channel; and 4. Drawing the leading means further through the channel to cause engagement in and passage through said channel of said edge of said awning.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 wherein in step 3 the leading means is pushed through the channel and in step 4 is pulled downward through the channel.