GB2291901A - Retractable awnings - Google Patents

Abstract

An awning or cover (11) for an area to be covered includes a flexible member of laminar material suspended from a supporting framework (12, 13, 14, 15) to form, when in an extended position over the area, a plurality of parallel, upwardly open channels, and means for displacing the said flexible member between the said extended position thereof a folded or collapsed position in which the said area is uncovered. Battens in pockets in the flexible member may hang on rings from tensioned wired (23) for movement thereon. The open channels may slope downwardly to a gutter for rainwater discharge. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AWNINGS The present invention relates generally to awnings, and particularly to an improved awning for covering an extended area.

Outdoor areas such as patios or courtyards are very popular for summer activities such as barbecues or drinks parties. Courtyard and patio areas are also very popular with hotels and public houses since they offer an extended area within which customers may congregate.

Outdoor areas with tables are also very popular with restaurants to provide an additional environmental enhancement. Such areas, however, are effectively unusable in inclement weather and some previous attempts to overcome this disadvantage having included the erection of covers or awnings to form covered pavilion or marquee-like partially enclosed areas.

In other than inclement weather, however, the presence of the awning or marquee-like cover or pavilion enclosure makes the area less attractive by obscuring direct sunlight. It is the open-air environment and availability of direct sunlight which constitutes the major attraction of such outdoor areas.

The present invention seeks to provide a cover or awning for an outdoor area which can be quickly and substantially entirely uncovered by displacement and folding of the awning for use in dry, sunny weather, and which can be very quickly drawn over the area to protect it from rain during inclement weather. In this way outdoor patio and like areas can be utilised to the maximum extent, with no obscuring of sunlight during dry weather, but nevertheless offering protection against rain if the area is already in use when rain starts thereby avoiding the necessity to vacate the outdoor area.

Unlike previously utilised pavilion-like or marquee-like structures the awning of the present invention effectively has an external supporting framework with a fabric or other flexible laminar sheet material suspended from it to allow the users a large amount of freedom from any interruption to their available volume for activities which might be occupied by the supporting framework. On the other hand, drainage from the awning or cover is provided by means which will be described in more detail below so that steep slopes for this purpose are not necessary.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an awning or cover for a covered area including a flexible sheet of laminar material suspended from a supporting framework to form, when in an extended position, over the area, a plurality of parallel, upwardly open channels, and means for displacing the said flexible sheet between the said extended position and a folded or collapsed position in which the said area is uncovered.

The channels allow any rainwater to drain to one side or the other of the covered area thereby protecting it from direct precipitation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the said flexible sheet of laminar material is reinforced with a plurality of spaced elongate stiffeners. It should be appreciated that the term "sheet" as used herein is not intended to define a unitary element, and the "sheet" may in fact be made from a plurality of individual panels or strips joined together in any appropriate way such as by stitching, adhesive, heat welding, solvent welding or other joining technique for flexible laminar material.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention may be so constructed that the said stiffeners are housed in elongate pockets formed by the laminar material itself, in the form of batons.

A particularly practical structure for embodiments of the present invention is for the flexible sheet of laminar material to be suspended from the supporting framework at a plurality of points spaced along the said stiffeners.

Other configurations, however, are possible, including the provision of alternately suspended and unsuspended stiffeners or arrangement in which the stiffeners define the bottoms of the channels and the supporting points are located between adjacent stiffeners.

Preferably the said supporting framework is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel lines or wires held under tension and connected to the supporting framework only at opposite ends thereof and the said flexible sheet of laminar material is suspended from the said wires or lines so as to be displaceable there along between said extended and the said folded or collapsed position.

In order to define the channels in a regular manner when the flexible laminar sheet is extended it is preferred that the said sheet be provided with a plurality of substantially extensible extension-limiting members whereby to define the form of the said upwardly open channels when the flexible laminar sheet is in its position of maximum extension. such extension-limiting members may be no more than straps spanning adjacent suspension points, and each channel may be provided with one or more than one such extension-limiting member.

The support frame may include a plurality of bracing straps lying generally perpendicular to the said channels of the flexible laminar sheet, such straps acting to counter the tension applied in that direction by the suspension lines or wires from which the laminar member is suspended.

The said supporting framework may also carry at least one elongate position-control line by which a said flexible laminar element may be moved between its extended and its folded or collapsed positions. Such control line may be brought to a pleat on an upright or manual displacement of the awning between its closed and open positions, or may be driven by a motor energised electrically or by any other means, and controlled by a manual or automatic switch. If an automatic switch is provided this may be sensitive to the general level of moisture in the atmosphere, or to direct contact with water, so that immediately it starts to rain the awning is automatically drawn over the patio area without any need for human intervention.

For the most convenient drainage provision it is preferred that the said supporting framework includes means defining at least one further channel extending transverse the length of the said parallel channels defined by the flexible laminar member in the extended position and located in the vicinity of one end thereof in a position such as to receive rainwater collected by the said channels and draining therefrom.

The said supporting framework may be so arranged that the flexible laminar member is suspended such that, in the extended position thereof, the said upwardly open channels are inclined to the horizontal whereby to direct collected rainwater in a given direction towards the said transverse channel.

The form of the framework and the shape of the flexible laminar member may, of course, be adapted to the shape of the area to be covered. Conveniently, where the area covered by the flexible laminar member in the extended position thereof is generally rectangular the supporting framework preferably comprises a plurality of upright columns spanned by longitudinally extended beams and transversely extending cross members. Whatever the form of the framework, there may be further provided a surrounding screen or valance extending around an upper part of the framework and concealing the beams and cross members from view from outside the framework.

In such an embodiment the transverse channel is preferably formed in or as part of the said screen or valance and there may be further provided a conduit or duct for conveying rainwater from one end of the said transverse channel to a collection vessel or to a drainage network.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of an awning structure formed in accordance with the present invention, showing the awning cover collapsed or folded; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1, illustrating a part of an awning structure of the present invention with the awning cover extended; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of a corner of the structure of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale and taken from a different point of view; and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of control lines for extending and retracting the awning cover.

Referring now to the drawings, the awning structure of the present invention comprises a rigid supporting framework, generally indicated 11 and composed of a plurality of uprights 12, 13 spanned by cross members 14, 15 to form a series of portals joined at their upper corners by respective longitudinal beams 16. The uprights 12, 13, cross members 14, 15 and longitudinal beams 16 are all made from box section metal, such as aluminium, and may all be substantially the same dimensions. Connection of the frame elements at junctions thereof may be made in any convenient way using known techniques, comprising riveting, welding, bolting with the use of reinforcing brackets or otherwise. In particular construction technique is illustrated in Figure 3 which shows a corner of the frame structure.

Here, an upright 12 is joined to a cross member 14 and to a longitudinal beam 16 by a coupling element generally indicated 18 formed as a unitary corner brace having three mutually orthogonal stub limbs 19, 20, 21 each having a cross section the shape of which matches that of the other frame members 12, 14, 16 but of slightly larger dimensions such that the internal dimension of each stub 19, 20, 21 matches, with a sliding fit, the external dimension of the frame element 12, 14, 16 so that the frame elements can be fitted into the stub limbs and retained there in any convenient manner. This allows rapid erection, clean watertight construction and uncluttered lined.

Spanning one or more adjacent cross members 14, 15 are fixed, rigid reinforcing beams 22 which act to resist the tension applied between the cross members 14, 15 of a plurality of suspension lines or wires 23. The suspension lines 23 are secured to the cross members 14, 15 by eye bolts 24 and tensioned by respective bottle screws 25.

Threaded over the tension lines 23 are a plurality of suspension rings 26 each connected to a respective strip 27 of fabric spanning an elongate transverse pocket 28 in an awning cover generally indicated 29. Each pocket 28 houses a respective rigid reinforcing member or baton 30, and the batons 30 all lie substantially parallel to one another, suspended from the lines 23 by the rings 26 such that the awning cover 29 hangs in a plurality of folds or loops 31 each defining an upwardly open rectilinear channel. Adjacent pockets 28 are joined by a spanning strap 32 which, when the awning cover 29 is extended over the bay defined between two adjacent cross members 14, 15 maintains the loops or channels 31 in a predetermined form so that any rain falling on the cover 29 will be channelled to the edges of the awning 29.

In the preferred embodiment and as shown slightly exaggerated in Figure 4, adjacent straps 27 may be made shorter than one another such that the awning 29 is held at a slightly tilted angle to the horizontal such that rainwater will collect only to one side where there may be provided a drainage gutter 33 which, as shown in Figure 4, may be suspended from a valance or screen 34 carried on brackets 35 from the longitudinal member 16, and serving both to screen the drainage channel from view and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For this purpose the lower edge of the screen 34 may be shaped in a plurality of scollops 35.

Drainage from the gutter 33 may be taken to a hopper 36 connected to a downpipe 37 supported by the upright 12, and leading either to a collection vessel or to a drainage network.

Displacement of the awning cover 29 between its folded and extended positions can be achieved by two control loops generally indicated 38, 39 in Figure 1, and only one of which namely the control line loop 38 will be described in detail. The loop 38 passes over a return pulley 40 on the cross member 15, and a diversion pulley 41 on the cross member 14, leading to a second diversion pulley 42 adjacent a central point on the cross member 14 which is conveniently located at a further upright 43.

From here the loop 33 passes to a lower return pulley 44.

the loop 38 is continuous from a connection point 45 at which it is joined to an outermost pocket 28 containing the lead baton 30, over the return pulley 40 to the diversion pulley 41, the second diversion pulley 42, the lower return pulley 44, and back via the second diversion pulley 42 the first diversion pulley 41 and forming a second horizontal branch leading to the connection point 45. The loop 39 follows a similar path, leading to an upright section on the upright 43 so that, by turning the pulley 44, or applying tension to an appropriate upright run of the loops 38, 39 the connection point is caused to move between the return pulley 40 and the diversion pulley 41 either to extend or to collapse the awning 29.

Although not shown in detail, the lower return pulley 44 may be motor driven so that extending and retracting of the awning cover may be effected automatically rather than manually. In the folded or collapsed position the adjacent folds 31 of the awning cover 29 lie closely adjacent one another with the thickness of the batons 30 in the pockets 28 defining the maximum dimension. By use of suitable materials the dimension can, however, be maintained small so that the folded awning cover 29 occupies a minimum volume thereby collapsing into a region which is insignificant from an aesthetic point of view. When collapsed the awning allows use of the area covered by the supporting framework 11 in an entirely unobstructed manner, and the supporting framework gives the appearance of an open pergola. This can be enhanced by growing plants up the uprights 12, 13 etc and/or suspending baskets of flowers or other plants therefrom.

In this condition the area defined by the framework 1.9 effectively open to the skies and can be used for open air activities. should inclement weather set in, however, simply by activating the motor driving the pulley 44, or by drawing on that section of the loop of control line 38 running vertically down the upright 43 it is possible quickly to extend the awning 29 to protect the area below from rain. The sides of the area remain open so that an airy, open air atmosphere is maintained whilst the rain is collected in the channels 31 between adjacent batons 30 and directed to the gutter 33 from whence it discharges to the collection hopper 36 and the downpipe 37.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. An awning or coverfor an area to be covered including a flexible member of laminar material suspended from a supporting framework to form, when in an extended position over the area, a plurality of parallel, upwardly open channels, and means for displacing the said flexible member between the said extended position and a folded or collapsed position in which the said area is uncovered

2. An awning as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said flexible member of laminar material is reinforced with a plurality of spaced elongate stiffeners.

3. An awning as claimed in Claim2, in which the said stiffeners are housed in elongate pockets formed by the laminar material itself in the form of battens.

4. An awning as claimed in Clims 2 or Claim 3, in which the said flexible member of laminar material is suspended from the supporting frmework at a plurality of points spaced along the said stiffeners.

5. An awning as claimed in any preceeding claim, in which the said supporting framework is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel wires or lines held under tension and connected to the supporting framework at opposite ends thereof, and the said flexible member of laminar material is suspended from the said wires or lines so as to be displaceable therealong between the said extended and the said folded or collapsed position.

6. An awning as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said flexible laminar member is provided with a plurality of substantially inextensible extension limiting members whereby to define the form of the said upwardly open channels when the flexible laminar member is in its position of maximum extension.

7. An awning structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support frame includes a plurality of bracing struts lying generally perpendicular to the said channels of the flexible laminar member.

8. An awning as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said supporting framework carries at least one elongate position - control line by which the said flexible laminar member may be moved between its extended and its folded or collapsed positions.

9. An awning as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said supporting framework includes means defining at least one further channel extending transverse the length of the said parallel channels defined by the said flexible member of laminar material in the extended position and located in the vicinity of one and thereof in a position such as to receive rainwater collected by the said channels and draining therefrom.

10. An awning as claimed in Claim 9, in which the said supporting framework is so arranged that the flexible member of laminar material is suspended succh that, in the extended position thereof the said upwardly open channels are inclined to be horizontal whereby to diret collected rainwater in a given divertion towards the said transverse channel.

11. An awning as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said area covered by the flexible laminar member in its extended position thereof is generally rectangular and the supporting framework comprises a plurality of upright columns spauned by longitudinally extending beams and transversely extending cross members.

12. An awning as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which there is further provided a surrounding screen or valance extending around the upper part of the said supporting framework concealing the said beams and cross members.

13. An awning as claimed in Claim 10 and Claim 11, in which the said transverse channel is formed in or as part of the said valance and there is further provided a conduit or duct for conveying rainwater from one end of the said transverse channel to a collection vessel or to a drainage network.

14. An awning or cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.