US2893073A - Awnings - Google Patents

Description

v Jul); 1959 R. L. HUMPHREY 2,893,073

AWNINGS Filed March 14, 1955 o o J \O o INVENTOR.

RALPH LHUMPHREY United States Patent f AWNINGS Ralph L. Humphrey, Wichita, Kans. Application March 14, 1955, Serial No. 493,885

' 3 Claims. c1. 20--s7.5

This invention relates to improvements in awnings. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in awnings that are made from individual slats which are mounted on a support.

It is therefore an object of the present invention toprovide an improved awning that is made from individual slats which are mounted on a support.

In the manufacture of awnings, it is frequently desirable to prepare a number of individual slats and to mount those slats on a support. Awnings that are made in this way can usually be made long or short, as desired. Furthermore, awnings that are made in that way can usually be made inexpensively. However, in the past, awnings that were made in that way had a tendency to create noises when the wind blew. Such noises are objectionable, and therefore a numher of awnings, that have been made by mounting individual slats on a support, have been objectionable. The present invention obviates these objections by providing an awning which is made by mounting a number of individual slats on a support but which minimizes the creation of noises. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an awning which is made by mounting individual slats on a support but which is noiseless. I

The present invention minimizes noises in awnings by forming the awnings from jindividual slats that can be connected together in such a way that they are continuously under tension. The tension obviates any looseness or play between the various slats of the awning, and thereby minimizes the creation of noises. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an awning wherein the slats are connected together in such a way that they are continuously under tension.

I The awning slats provided by the present invention have generallyflat surfaces or sections at their centers, and have interacting surfaces at their edges. The interacting surfaces at the edges of adjacent slats have male and female components; and the male component at one edge of a slat will coact with the female component at one edge of an adjacent slat to interconnect those slats. The male component at the opposite edge of the one slat will coact with the female component at one edge of another adjacent slat to interconnect those slats. In this way, the interacting surfaces at the edges of the slats coact to interconnect a number of slats. The length of the awning can be adjusted by varying the number of slats that are interconnected by the interacting surfaces at the edges of the slats.

The interacting surfaces at the edges of the awning slats provided by the present invention project laterally from the central surfaces or sections of those awning slats, and they thus provide a stiffening action. This stiffening action is desirable because it enables the slats to resist bending, even when those slats are made quite long. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide awning slats with interacting surfaces that project laterally from thecentral surfaces or sections of those slats.

2,893,973 Patented July 7, 1959 The interacting surfaces at the edges of the awning slats provided by the preferred embodiment of the present invention are S-shaped in cross section. The upper arm or male component of each S-shaped interacting surface can fit into the lower arm or female component of an adjacent S-shaped interacting surface. Where this is done, the upper arm and the lower arm provide a substantially continuous engagement between arcuate surfaces. Such an engagement is' substantially water tight. Hence, awnings made from the slats provided by the present invention can be substantially water tight. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide awnings with interacting surfaces at the edges thereof which are S-shaped in cross section.

The S-shaped interacting surfaces at the edges of the awning slats are formed so the throats of the lower arms must be distended by the upper arms of adjacent slats when those upper arms are telescoped into those lower arms. That distention is desirable because it creates the tension that minimizes noises. Furthermore that distention is desirable because it enables the throats of the lower arms to provide holding forces on the upper arms of adjacent slats that will hold the slats together until they can be mounted on the support;

The S shaped interacting surfaces at the edges of the awning slat provided by the present invention are formed so the outside radii of the upper arms are substantially equal to the inside radii of the lower arms. Moreover, the lower arms are made so their angular lengths exceed one hundred and eighty degrees. Such a relationship facilitates a close fit between the interacting surfaces at the edges of adjacent awnings. Moreover, that relationship enables the lower arms of the interacting surfaces at the edges of adjacent awning slats to lock each other against accidental separation.

The S-shaped interacting surfaces at the edges of the awning slat of the present invention can be interconnected with other S-shaped interacting surfaces or can be interconnected with a tubular element. The other S-shaped interacting surfaces can be part of other awning slats, and the tubular element can be carried by other awning slats. For example, that tubular element can be carried by the awning slats in one of the end sections of an awning. The ability of the S-shaped interacting surfaces to'interchangeably receive a tubular element or other S-shaped interacting surfaces is very desirable because it makes it possible for an awning to be ended or extended at any awning slat.

The mounting of a tubular element on an end section 'of an awning is very desirable since it makes the assembly of that end section with the rest of the awning quite easy. In fact, it makes it possible to assemble the end section in the shop and to assemble it with the rest of the awning in the field.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description. In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of an awning that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is an end view of the awning shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is asectional view of a portion of the awning shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line Er-=3 in Fig. I,

Fig. 4 is an end view of a portion of an interacting surface of one of the awning slats used in the awning of Figs. 1 and 2, I

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another portion of the awning of Figs. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 55 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of still another section of the awning of Figs. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of yet another portion of the awning of Figs. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 77 in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 8 is a partial view of one of the vertical awning slats of the awnings of Figs. 1 and 2 and of the tubular element secured to that awning slat.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeralsll), 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 denote elongated awning slats that are made of resilient material in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention. The slats 19, 14, 18 and 22 are slightly longer than the slats 12, 16 and 20, but in all other respects the slats are identical. Each of the slats has a generally flat central surface or section, and has interacting surfaces or flanges at the edges thereof. Actually, the central surface or section is corrugated in the particular modification shown, but the overall effect is that of a generally fiat surface or section. The interacting surfaces or flanges at the edges of the awning slats have upper arms or male components 24 and also have lower arms or female components 26. The upper arms 24 and the lower arms 26 define an arcuate surface of S-shaped cross section.

As emphasized particularly in Fig. 4, the upper arms 24 and the lower arms 26 are defined by arcs which have their centers on straight lines that pass through the junctions of the upper arms 24 and the lower arms 26. The radius a of the inner surfaces of the lower arms 26 is substantially equal to the radius b of the outer surfaces of the upper arms 24. This fact assures a close fit between the upper arms and the lower arms of adjacent awnings whenever those upper arms are telescoped into those lower arms.

Each of the upper arms 24 should be one hundred and eighty degrees or less in angular length; and each of the lower arms 26 should be longer than one hundred and eighty degrees in angular length. The longer angular lengths of the lower arms provide those arms with throats which are narrower than the outside dimensions of the upper arms 24. As a result, insertion of the upper arms 24 into the lower arms 26 will cause distention of the lower arms 26. The interacting surfaces of the awning slats will be sp'ringy, and thus the lower arms can be distended. That distention results in a snap action when the upper arm 24 of one awning slat is pressed into the lower arm 26 of an adjacent awning slat; and it will also provide a holding force that will resist separation of the adjacent awning slats.

As emphasized particularly in Fig. 3, the upper arm 24 of the slat 22 telescopes into the lower arm 26 of the slat 20, and the upper arm 24 of the slat 20 telescopes into the lower arm 26 of the slat 22. During the telescoping action, both of the lower arms 26 were distended; and after the slats were assembled, as shown in Fig. 3, the lower arms 26 applied holding forces to the upper arms 24. Hence, the interacting surfaces provide two holding forces, one at each end of the lower arms 26 of the adjacent slats 20 and 22.

The engagement between the interacting surfaces of the adjacent slats is quite close and it prevents any play. Furthennore, that engagement is under tension and will minimize any and all movement of one slat relative to the other after the slats have been interconnected. More over, that engagement is so intimate that it resiststhe passage of Water between the two slats. .Hence, the interacting surfaces at the edges of the slats make the awning waterproof andnoiseless. I w

A portion of the interacting. ggrfaces. of eachof the slats 12, 1'4, 16, 18, and. 22 put away, as at 48 in Fig. 2. The cut away portion is generally triangular, and when it is removed it will permit the lower ends of those slats to be bent at an angle to the upper sections of those slats. This bending enables the upper sections of the slats to be inclined downwardly in water-shedding position while permitting the lower port-ions of the slats to be vertically directed.

The differences in the lengths of the slats 10, 14, 18 and 22 and the slats 12, 16 and 20 is concentrated in the lower ends of those slats, and it is intended to provide an ornamental appearance for the awning. That difference in length does not affect the operation or effectiveness of the awning.

The upper sections of the slats 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are secured to a rain-shed 50 by fasteners 52 shown in the drawing as rivets. Those fasteners will extend through the lower arms 26 of the awning slats 10, 14, 18 and 22 and will extend into the upper arms of the awning slats 12, 16 and 20. In this way, the fasteners 52 will fixedly secure the slats 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 to the rain-shed 50.

That rain-shed has a downwardly directed flange at the upper end thereof, and that flange fits behind and is held by a plate 54. That plate is secured to a suitable wall or other support by the fasteners 56. For example, the plate 54 could be secured to the facade of a building over the front entrance thereof or could be secured to the exterior of a building adjacent and above a window.

The vertically directed lower ends of the slats 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are secured to a horizontally directed angle 36. As indicated particularly in Fig. 5, fasteners 42, shown in the form of rivets, pass through openings in the angle 36, through opening in the lower arms of slats 12, 16 and 20, and seat in openings in the upper arms of slats 10, 14, 18 and 22. Those fasteners fixedly secure the slats 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 to the angle 36.

The ends of the angle 36 will be suitably secured to angles that extend outwardly from the building or support to which the awning is secured. One such angle is denoted by the numeral 38, and it is shown at the right hand end of the awning,as that awning is viewed in Fig. l. The other such angle is at the left hand end of the awning, as that awning is viewed in Fig. l. The three angles coact to form a generally U-shaped support on which the slats can be mounted.

As emphasized particularly in Fig. 6, a number of slats are secured to the angles which extend forwardly from the building or support on which the awning is mounted. The slats which are secured to the angle 38 are denoted by the numerals 28, 30, 32 and 34. Those slats are identical to the slats 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, except for their length and except for the fact that the upper ends thereof are cut at an angle. As shown in Fig. 6, fasteners 42, in the form of rivets, extend through openings in the angle 38 and seat in openings in the upper arms 24 of slats 32 and 34. In this way those fasteners will fixedly secure those slats to that angle. The righthand end of the angle 38 can be suitably secured to the building or support by a fastener 44, shown in the form of a wood screw.

It will be noted that the central sections and the lower arms of each awning slat overlie the upper arms of that awning slat. This is very desirable because it tends to shield the upper arms of the slats from direct contact with rain, sleet and snow. Hence, the fasteners which extend into the upper arms 24 will be shielded, to some extent, from the elements.

A tubular element 46 is secured to the upper ends of the slats 28, 30, 32 and 34 by fasteners 42. Openings 43 are provided in the wall of the tubular element 46, opposite to the openings which receive the fasteners, to permit a tool to be inserted to engage and act upon those fasteners. That tubular element is dimensioned so its diameter approximates the diameter of the upper arms 24 of the various interacting surfaces of the awning slats. Hence, as emphasized particularly in Fig. 7, that tubular element can telescope snugly within the lower arm 26 of an adjacent awning slat.

The tubular element 46 and the angle 38 provide a desired amount of rigidity for the righthand end section of the awning, and a similar tubular element and angle do the same for the lefthand end section of the awning. That rigidity makes it possible for those end sections to be pre-assembled in the shop. The rain-shed 50 and the angle 36 makes it possible to pre-assemble the central portion of the awning in the shop. Hence it is only necessary, in the field, to mount the plate 54, to snap the tubular elements 46 into the lower arms 26 of the awning slats and 22, to connect the outer ends of the angle 38 and its counterpart with the ends of the angle 36, to slip the upper end of rain-shed 50 over the upper end of plate 54, and to insert the fasteners 44.

In the assembly of the central section of the awning, the initial engagement between the awning slats is obtained and maintained by the springy action of the inter-acting surfaces. Specifically, the adjacent slats are set so the generally flat central surfaces thereof are disposed in two separate planes and so the interacting surfaces of adjacent slats confront each other. Thereupon the adjacent slats are moved laterally toward each other until the upper arms 24 snap into the lower arms 26. The engagement of the arms or flanges is facilitated by a rocking or arcuate motion of one slat relative to the other. The engagement between the upper arms 24 and the lower arms 26 of adjacent awning slats is tight enough to provide a definite and positive initial holding of those slats. Consequently, a number of awning slats can be itnerconected together and held Without any fasteners. Once the various awning slats have been assembled, they can then be fastened to the rain-shed 50 and to the angle 36.

Whereas a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in the drawing and accompanying description it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. An awning that comprises a plurality of individual awning slats and a support for said slats; said slats being of resilient material and being elongated and generally flat except along their longitudinal edges; flanges extending along both of said edges and being integral with said slats and projecting laterally from the generally flat bodies of the slats; said flanges being generally S-shaped in cross section; each S-shaped flange being so formed that the outside radius of the loop of the S that is: adjacent the slat body is substantially equal to the inside radius of the loop of the S that is spaced from the slat body, so that two of said slats, inverted relative to each other, can be resiliently interlocked along adjacent longitudinaly edges by direct engagement of the two S-shaped flanges extending along said edges with each other, without any fasteners being required.

2. An awning that comprises a plurality of individual awning slats and a support for said slats; said slats being of resilient material and being elongated quadrilaterals and generally flat except along their longitudinal edges; flanges extending along both of said edges and being integral with said slats and projecting laterally from the generally flat bodies of the slats; said flanges being generally S-shaped in cross section; the loop portion of each S-shaped flange that is immediately adjacent the body of the slat to which it is attached comprehending an angle somewhat greater than said loop portion being outwardly bowed relative to the body of the slat so that an inwardly opening throat is presented; the remaining loop portion of each S-shaped flange comprehending an angle somewhat less than 180 and being inwardly bowed relative to the body of the slat; the S- shaped flanges being so proportioned, shaped and arranged that two of said slats, inverted relative to each other, can be interlocked along adjacent longitudinal edges by laterally pressing and snapping the outer or free portion of each S-shaped flange into the throat of the S- shaped flange that is attached to and lies nearest the other slat, the two S-shaped flanges then lying in snug contact substantially throughout the areas of the flanges and being resiliently interlocked.

3. An awning that comprises a plurality of individual awning slats and a support for said slats; said slats being of resilient material and being elongated and generally flat except at their longitudinal edges, which have stiffening means; said stiffening means including integral flanges that project laterally from the generally flat bodies of the slats; said flanges being generally S-shaped in cross section; each slat at the end of the awning having a straight tubular element telescopically received within the loop of the S-shaped flange that is adjacent the slat body, said tubular elements providing substantial rigidity for the ends of the awning; vertical slats arranged at each end of the awning; means securing together the vertical slats at each end of the awning, near their lower ends; and fastening elements securing the upper ends of the vertical slats to the respective tubular elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,598 Johnson Jan. 28, 1913 2,095,434 Calkins Oct. 12, 1937 2,251,572 Kuhn et al Aug. 5, 1941 2,428,361 Doe Oct. 7, 1947 2,593,221 Thompson et a1. Apr. 15, 1952 2,611,935 Kramer et a1. Sept. 30', 1952 2,619,691 Bottom Dec. 2, 1952 2,663,918 Pollock Dec. 29, 1953 2,673,378 Poillon Mar. 30, 1954 2,685,111 Lundgren Aug. 3, 1954 2,726,425 Degaetano Dec. 13, 1955 2,739,356 Aldridge et al Mar. 27, 1956 2,752,643 Helt et a1. July 3, 1956

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