GB2487091A - A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan - Google Patents

A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2487091A
GB2487091A GB201100309A GB201100309A GB2487091A GB 2487091 A GB2487091 A GB 2487091A GB 201100309 A GB201100309 A GB 201100309A GB 201100309 A GB201100309 A GB 201100309A GB 2487091 A GB2487091 A GB 2487091A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cord
awning
winch system
winch
handle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB201100309A
Other versions
GB201100309D0 (en
Inventor
Leslie Winn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB201100309A priority Critical patent/GB2487091A/en
Publication of GB201100309D0 publication Critical patent/GB201100309D0/en
Publication of GB2487091A publication Critical patent/GB2487091A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/02—Tents combined or specially associated with other devices
    • E04H15/06—Tents at least partially supported by vehicles
    • E04H15/08—Trailer awnings or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/32—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
    • B60P3/34—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement
    • B60P3/341—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement comprising flexible elements
    • B60P3/343—Hoods for caravans
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
    • B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
    • B66D1/60—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans adapted for special purposes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F10/00—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins
    • E04F10/02—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F10/00—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins
    • E04F10/02—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
    • E04F10/06—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins comprising a roller-blind with means for holding the end away from a building
    • E04F10/0662—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins comprising a roller-blind with means for holding the end away from a building with arrangements for fastening the blind to the building

Abstract

A winch system having an elastic cord 18 extendible or retractable using a winch handle and means to attach the distal end (24, Figure 3) of the cord to an awning bead (30, Figure 3). The method of attaching the awning comprising the steps of winding an elastic cord 18 around a winch system having a spindle (12, Figure 2), a ratchet mechanism (17, Figure 2) and a handle. Threading the distal end of the elastic cord (24) through the caravan awning rail and connecting the distal end of the cord to an awning bead (30). Rotating the handle of the winch system to pull the cord back along the length of the awning rail using the torque of the cord. Optionally mean are provided to stabilise the winch in the desired position against the floor (Figure 4).

Description

AWNING ATTACHMENT AID
The present invention relates an awning attachment aid. More especially, the invention relates to an aid for attaching an awning to a caravan.
The attachment of caravan awnings has long been considered a cumbersome and arduous task for holidaymakers. Two people are required irrespective of the size of the caravan or awning as the process requires one person to guide the awning through a rail located around the io perimeter of the external wall of the caravan, and another person to pull the awning along the rail. The latter person is also likely to be required to stand on something to reach up to almost two meters in height. This will often place the "puller" in a precarious position during the procedure.
Moreover, the person guiding the awning must ensure that the awning edge is free to slide into and through the rail as the puller exerts torque on the awning.
Both tasks must be carried our simultaneously to avoid incidents such as the awning jamming in the neck of the rail or trapping fingers in the rail.
Moreover, the task of attaching the awning is usually carried out on arrival at the caravan site, often after a long drive and often at dusk or in the dark. As a result, the task is one which is often dreaded by caravan ne rs.
The present invention seeks to alleviate the aforementioned disadvantages of attaching awnings by providing apparatus to assist the attachment of an awning to a caravan.
In one aspect, there is provided, a winch system having an elastic cord extendible or retractable using a winch handle, and means to attach the distal end of the cord to an awning bead.
Preferably the winch system further includes means to stabilise the winch in a desired position against the floor.
Preferably the winch system includes a ratchet mechanism.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a winch mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the winch mechanism of Figure 1 without the cord or stabilising block; Figure 3 illustrates the attachment mechanism between the winch cord and the awning bead; and Figure 4 illustrates the winch mechanism acting as an awning attachment aid during use.
It will be appreciated that the figures illustrate a basic embodiment of the apparatus in order to illustrate the concept only.
Referring first to figures 1 and 2, the invention comprises a winch 10 which consists of a spindle assembly 12 rotatable by a handle 14.
The spindle assembly 12 extends between side panels 16 and includes a ratchet crank 17.
The winch is used to extend and retract an elastic cord 18 which is, in use, wound around the spindle 12. The wound elastic cord 18 is retained centrally on the spindle by circular side retainers 20.
A locking arm 22 is pivotably attached to one side panel 16 which can be pivoted to abut against the handle 14 so to prevent the handle from being released.
As can be seen in figure 3, the distal end of the cord 18 has a material sleeve 24 in which is formed, at one end, an eyelet 26, or similar aperture. A spring link 28, or similar connector, extends between the eyelet 26, of the sleeve 24 and a gripper 30, or similar gripping member, secured at the other end, to an awning bead 32.
A stabilising block 34 extends between the side panels 16 along the base.
Figure shows the winch mechanism 10 in use. The winch mechanism is secured to the ground in a position directly beneath the caravan awning rail 36 by an adjustable arm 38 secured at one end to the stabilising block 34 and at the other end to a stabilising leg of caravan chassis (not shown). The adjustable arm 38 has a slot 40 along which the stabilising block 36 can slide to adjust the position of the block 36 thereby to adjust the overall position of the winch 10.
Once in position the block is secured to the arm 38 via standard securement means, such as a nut and bolt 42 extending through the slot 40.
The full length of the elastic cord 18 is then threaded through the caravan awning rail 36 and the distal end is then connected to the awning bead.
The winch 10 is firstly operated to provide tensile pressure to the cord 18.
Tensile pressure is applied manually by the winch and ratchet mechanism.
In an alternative embodiment, an electric motor may be used. The motor may be operated remotely.
Once under tension, the operator is free to position themselves to guide the awning back along the length of the rail. The awning is guided along the rail using the torque of the elastic cord 18. Once tensile pressure is relieved, the system allows the operator to simply use the winch and ratchet mechanism to re-apply tensile pressure to the elastic cord 18 if necessary to ensure that the awning can extend along the entire length of the rail 36.
The system described provides a simple and effective means to attach an io awning to a caravan without the need for synchronisation with a second person.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely an example of an embodiment and just some examples of its use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

  1. Claims 1. A winch system having an elastic cord extendible or retractable using a winch handle, and means to attach the distal end of the cord to an awning bead.
  2. 2. A winch system according to claim 1, wherein the winch system comprises a spindle assembly rotatable by the handle.
  3. 3. A winch system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spindle assembly extends between side panels and includes a ratchet crank.
  4. 4. A winch system according to claim 3, wherein the elastic r cord is wound around the spindle. C)
    0
  5. 5. A winch system according to claim 4, wherein the elastic cord is retained centrally on the spindle by circular side retainers.
  6. 6. A winch system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a locking arm pivotally attached to one side panel and which can be pivoted to abut against the handle to prevent the handle from being rotated.
  7. 7. A winch system according to any preceding claim, wherein a distal end of the cord has a material sleeve having at one end a reinforced aperture.
  8. 8. A winch system according to claim 7, wherein the cord attachment means comprises a spring link connectable to the aperture in the cord sleeve.
  9. 9. A winch system according to claim 1, further comprising means to stabilise the winch in a desired position against the floor.
  10. 10. A method of attaching an awning to a caravan having an awning rail, the method comprising the steps of winding an elastic cord around a winch system having a spindle, a ratchet mechanism and a handle; threading the distal end of the elastic cord through the caravan awning rail; connecting a distal end of the cord to an awning bead; rotating the handle of the winch system to pull the cord back along the length of the awning rail using the torgue of the cord.
  11. 11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising 0) the steps of 0 using the ratchet mechanism to re-apply tensile pressure to the cord once tension has been relieved to continue to guide the cord back along the awning rail.
  12. 12. A winch system substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.
  13. 13. A method of attaching an awning to a caravan substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.
GB201100309A 2011-01-10 2011-01-10 A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan Withdrawn GB2487091A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201100309A GB2487091A (en) 2011-01-10 2011-01-10 A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201100309A GB2487091A (en) 2011-01-10 2011-01-10 A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201100309D0 GB201100309D0 (en) 2011-02-23
GB2487091A true GB2487091A (en) 2012-07-11

Family

ID=43663974

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201100309A Withdrawn GB2487091A (en) 2011-01-10 2011-01-10 A winch system and method for attaching an awning to a caravan

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2487091A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105799965A (en) * 2016-05-10 2016-07-27 葛爱亮 Pipe port contraction rope slip stopper

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271089A (en) * 1992-10-02 1994-04-06 Jeffrey Alan Teasdale Attaching awnings to support structures.
US5509638A (en) * 1994-11-07 1996-04-23 Leon-Vieito; Pedro Hoist with an elastic cable
DE29605051U1 (en) * 1996-03-19 1996-06-13 Boehm Jochen Amusement ride
US20090209895A1 (en) * 2008-02-14 2009-08-20 Tornatore Renee A Traction device using a winch

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271089A (en) * 1992-10-02 1994-04-06 Jeffrey Alan Teasdale Attaching awnings to support structures.
US5509638A (en) * 1994-11-07 1996-04-23 Leon-Vieito; Pedro Hoist with an elastic cable
DE29605051U1 (en) * 1996-03-19 1996-06-13 Boehm Jochen Amusement ride
US20090209895A1 (en) * 2008-02-14 2009-08-20 Tornatore Renee A Traction device using a winch

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105799965A (en) * 2016-05-10 2016-07-27 葛爱亮 Pipe port contraction rope slip stopper

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201100309D0 (en) 2011-02-23

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)