US3524289A

US3524289A - Awning construction

Info

Publication number: US3524289A
Application number: US747730A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert V Yazejian
Original assignee: KAUFMANN WINDOW AND DOOR CORP
Current assignee: KAUFMANN WINDOW AND DOOR CORP
Priority date: 1968-07-25
Filing date: 1968-07-25
Publication date: 1970-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1987-08-18

Description

R. v. -YAZEJIIAN AWNING coNsTnucTIoN Ang. 131,-.'1'970 Filed July 25, 196s ug. 18,' 1970 R. v YAzEJlAN AwNING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, '1968 INVENTOR. P05597 M J//lZ//A/V BY ma@ 15M/9% United States Patent O 3,524,289 AWNING CONSTRUCTION Robert V. Yazejian, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Kaufmann Window and Door Corporation, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July 25, 1968, Ser. No. 747,730 Int. Cl. E04d 13/ 00; E04b 1/34; E04c 1/30 U.S. Cl. 52-95 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An awning construction comprising a plurality of elongated panels having hook-like edge portions for permitting adjacent panels to be interlocked in side-by-side relation. The hook-like edge portions have at upper surfaces for permitting a traverse crossbeam to be positioned above, and xedly secured to, the panels. The hooked edge portion of one panel is resiliently snapped within the hooked edge portion of an adjacent panel, which hooked edge portions are provided with compatible arcuate portions for preventing ow of water between the edges. The panels contact and are supported by elongated frame members adjacent the ends thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved awning construction and, more particularly, relates to an improved awning panel structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common practice to cover porches, patios and similar places with various types of awning constructions. One popular form of awning structure comprises a plurality of upstanding supports upon which frame members are mounted. Awning panels or sheets formed of a suitable material, such as aluminum, are then mounted upon the frame members to form a continuous cover.

One common and well-known awning construction utilizes a plurality of awning panels of substantially channel-shaped configuration with the panels being positioned in side-by-side relation. These known awning panels generally have hook-like edge portions which are adapted to interft and interlock with adjacent panels so as to form a continuous awning cover. The hook-like edges formed on the known awning panels have, to the best of my knowledge, generally been formed as downwardly opening channels having an arcuate or similar curve cross section. During assembly, the arcuate hook-like edge of one panel is positioned within the arcuate hook-like edge formed on an adjacent panel. While panels constructed in this manner have been used for a substantial period of time, it has been discovered that these panels possess structural features which make their use undesirable and results in an undesirable appearance in the completed awning construction.

In particular, most awning panels are constructed of a relatively thin sheet metal and accordingly require a crossbeam extending transversely with respect to the panels between the opposite side frame members. Such a cross beam is used for reinforcing and supporting the panels so as to prevent undesirable buckling or deliection thereof. In the prior known awning constructions utilizing panels having arcuate hook-like edges, it was necessary to position the crossbeam underneath the panels whereupon the beam could be xedly secured to the substantially at bottom wall formed on the panel since the arcuate hook-shaped edges did not provide any flat surfaces upon which the crossbeam could bear and be securely attached. While positioning the crossbeam underneath the panels "ice,

provides the necessary support for the awning construction, such a construction is undesirable since the crossbeam is thus visible to persons under or near the awning construction and thus makes the overall awning construction aesthetically undesirable.

Positioning the crossbeam underneath the awning panel has the additional disadvantage that animals, in particular birds, tend to build nests in the openings between the crossbeams and the panels, thereby disrupting or hindering the free usage of the space underneath the awning construction.

Further, it has been discovered that awning constructions of the above-described type often leak, particularly during rainstorms accompanied by substantial winds, whereby the wind tends to drive the rain into the small space between the interlocked hook portions formed on adjacent panels. Due to the capillary effect caused by the smallness of the space between the interengaging hook portions, and further due to the smooth arcuate configuration of the hook portions, the rain water tends to travel up and around the smooth arcuate configuration of the hook portions whereupon the water passes between the interlocked hook portions of adjacent panels and drips down into the area underneath the awning construction. This thus makes the area underneath the awning unuseable during rainstroms. Further, such leakage greatly hinders the useability of the area underneath the awning since goods which are damaged by water cannot be stored underneath the awning during a rainstorm.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention include:

(l) To provide an awning construction using a plurality of interlocked panels having hooks along the opposite longitudinal edges thereof, which hooks result in an awning having a more aesthetic appearance and more desirable operational characteristics.

(2) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the hooks are provided with laterally extending arcuate offsets for effectively preventing flow of water through the interlocked hooked edges of adjacent panels.

(3) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the hooks are provided with substantially ilat upper surfaces thereon with one of said upper surfaces having a longitudinal 4groove therein for preventing ow of water between interengaging hooks.

(4) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the flat upper surface formed on the hooks permits the use of a transverse crossbeam positioned adjacent the upper side of the awning construction.

(5) To -provide an awning construction, as foresaid, wherein the interengaging hooks become tighter upon the application of increased vertical loads.

(6) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the shape of the hooks permits the adjacent panels to be easily assembled by being snapped together while at the same time resulting in an awning construction having a desirable appearance.

(7) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the elongated panels cooperate with rigid frame members having channels formed therein whereupon water is conveyed from the panels into the frame members, which frame member function in the manner of gutters.

(8) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, wherein the frame members surrounding the awning construction are of identical configuration and are easily interconnected by adapted fittings positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof.

(9) To provide an awning construction, as aforesaid, which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to assemble and pleasing to the eye.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apa parent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following disclosure and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an awning construction according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the awning construction illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single awning panel.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along the line VV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the interlocking of the edge portions of adjacent panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the present invention are met 'by providing an awning panel having inner and outer channel-shaped hooks formed on the opposite longitudinal edges thereof with the inner hook of one panel being snapped and positioned within the outer hook of an adjacent panel. Both the inner and outer hooks on the panel are formed with arcuate offset portions thereon extending laterally in a direction toward the free edge of the outer hook for preventing fiow of water between the interlocked hooks when the awning panels are assembled. Further, the outer hook is preferably provided with a substantially fiat upper surface thereon for permitting same to be positioned in abutting contact with a transverse crossbeam positioned thereabove. The inner hook is also provided with a longitudinal groove extending along the upper surface thereof for collecting any water which gains access between the interengaging hooks of adjacent panels. The opposite longitudinal ends of the panel members are supported on channel-shaped frame elements which extend around and support the awning construction. The channelshaped frame members have a fiow channel formed therein whereupon water deposited upon the panel members flows into the channels formed in the frame members, which water is then conveyed to a suitable discharge means, such as a downspout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an awning construction according to the present invention. The awning construction 10 is supported upon a plurality of

support posts

11, 12 and 13 and includes a support frame 14 interconnected to and between the support posts. The support frame 14 is also connected to a suitable support surface, such as the wall 16 of a building. A cover 17, comprised of a plurality of individual panels or sheets, is positioned within the support frame 14 for completing the awning construction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the support frame 14 includes a front frame member comprised by substantially

parallel offset portions

21A and 21B and a rear frame member 22 interconnected to the front frame member by means of

side frame members

23 and 24, side frame member 24 being comprised of a pair of substantially parallel offset portions 24A and 24B. While the awning construction 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is of a substantially L-shaped configuration, same has been illustrated merely for purposes of convenience since the awning construction of the present invention could be of any desired configuration, such as U-shaped or rectangular.

To simplify the manufacture and assembly of the present awning construction, all of the frame elements 21-24 are preferably of identical cross-sectional configuration, which cross-sectional configuration is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. As there illustrated, the side frame member 23 has substantially parallel top and

bottom walls

26 and 27, respectively, the top wall further having a downwardly extending tab or rib 28 formed thereon. The front and

bottom walls

26 and 27 are interconnected adjacent one edge thereof by means of a front sidewall Z9 which has a pair of

offset portions

31 and 32 formed therein. A rear sidewall 33 extends upwardly from the other longitudinal edge of the bottom sidewall 27 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear sidewall 33 being substantially parallel to the front sidewall 29. The rear sidewall 33 extends only a portion of the distance toward the top wall 26 and has a tab 34 formed on the free edge thereof, which tab is substantially parallel to the bottom Wall 27. The

sidewalls

29 and 33 and the bottom wall 27 thus form a channel 36 for purposes to be explained hereinafter. The

frame elements

21, 22 and 24 preferably all have an identical crosssectional configuration.

Use of a configuration similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 for the frame member 23 permits same to be easily and inexpensively manufactured, such as by permitting the use of a light and thin wall construction while permitting same to be easily extruded, such as from aluminum. At the same time, the

recesses

31 and 32 provide for additional stiffening an strengthening of the frame member. Further, the

recesses

31 and 32 can, if desired, have decorator strips or slats 37 positioned therein as illustrated in FIG. 4, which decorator strips can be constructed of plastic and have different colors thereon so as to permit the frame 14 to be decorated as desired.

The elongated frame members 21-24 are connected by means of

corner members

38, 39 in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 2. The corner members are constructed as right angle corners and have a cross-sectional configuration substantially identical to the cross-sectional configuration of the frame member 23 illustrated in FIG. 4. The corner members include both an outside corner member 38, such as used to connect the

frame members

21A and 24A, or an inside corner member 39, such as used to connect the

frame members

21B and 24A. The

corner members

38 and 39 are positioned so as to be in abutting contact with the ends of the adjacent frame members, being ixedly connected thereto by means of short, L-shaped connecting members 41 which are positioned within and extend between the corner member and the adjacent frame member in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The cross-sectional configuration of the connecting member 41 is shown in FIG. 5 wherein there is illustrated the frame member 21A, Which frame member abuts against the corner member 38 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The abutting ends of the frame member 21A and the corner member 38 are overlapped by means of the connecting member 41 which is slideably positioned inside of the frame member and the corner member as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the connecting member 41 comprises a substantially straight sidewall 42 having a transverse tab 43 formed adjacent the upper end thereof, which tab is received adjacent the downwardly extending rib 28. The bottom edge of the sidewall 42 is secured to a transverse bottom wall 44 which is slideably received on the bottom wall 27 of the frame member 21A. A further sidewall 46 having a transverse tab 47 formed on the free end thereof is secured to the other edge of the bottom wall 44. The connecting member 41 is thus snugly but slideably received within the channel formed within the frame members and extends between the adjacent ends of a frame member and a corner member so as to form a continuous frame 14.

IConsidering now the cover 17, same includes a plurality of elongated, interlocked

panels

48 and 49 arranged in side-by-side relation. The cross-sectional configuration of the panel 49 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 and comprises a channel-shaped center portion 51 having outer and

inner hook portions

52 and 53, respectively, formed along the opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The center portion 51 includes a pair of

sidewalls

56 and 57 which diverge in an upward direction, the sidewalls having stiffening recesses 58 and 59, respectively, formed therein. The

sidewalls

56 and 57 are interconnected adjacent their lower ends by a bottom wall 61 which preferably has a pair of stitening grooves 62 extending longitudinally thereof. The upper ends of the

sidewalls

56 and 57 are provided with

extensions

63 and 64, respectively, thereon which extend outwardly in opposite directions, the

extensions

63 and 64 being substantially parallel to the bottom wall 6l and having the hook portions 52 and 5 xedly connected to the free ends thereof.

The

hook portions

52 and 53 are substantially channelshaped and extend laterally outwardly in substantially opposite directions from the

sidewalls

56 and 57. Further, the

hook portions

52 and 53 each open in a substantially downwardly facing direction as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The outer hook portion 52 specifically includes a straight sidewall portion 66 which extends transversely upwardly from the extension 63 and has a substantially at top wall or bridge portion 67 xedly secured to and extending laterally therefrom, the top wall portion 67 being substantially parallel to the extension 63. A substantially S-shaped sidewall portion 68 is secured to the edge of the top wall portion 67 whereby the

sidewall portions

66 and 68 in cooperation with the bridge portion 67 dene a substantially downwardly opening channel 69 therebetween. The S-shaped sidewall portion 68 is formed with an arcuate portion 71 therein which extends outwardly in a lateral direction toward the free edge of the hook portion 52. Similarly, the free edge 72 of the sidewall portion 68 is arcuately curved outwardly for assisting in assembling the awning panels as explained hereinafter.

Considering now the inner hook portion 53, same includes a substantially straight sidewall portion 73 extending transversely upwardly from the edge of the extension 64 and having an arcuate offset portion 74 formed thereon and interconnecting the sidewall portion 73 with a substantially llat top wall or bridge portion 76. The arcuate olfset portion 74 extends laterally in the same direction as the arcuate offset portion 71 formed on the hook portion 52. The at top wall portion 76 has a shallow groove or recess 77 substantially centrally positioned thereon and extending longitudinally of the panel. Further, an arcuate sidewall portion 78 is flxedly connected to the top wall portion 76 and defines the free edge of the hook portion S3.

While FIG. 3 discloses the panel 49 as preferably being constructed from a single integral sheet of material whereby the center portion 51 and the

hook portion

52 and 53 are all integrally connected, it will of course be apparent that the panel 49 could be formed of a welded construction if desired. However, forming the panel from a single sheet of thin material, such as aluminum or steel, is preferred.

While the cover 17 illustrated in FIG. l could be formed by using a plurality of identical panels 49 positioned in side-by-side relation, it is possible to form the cover 17 from panels having a different configuration, such as the panels 48 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the panels 48 can be used in conjunction with the panels 49 to produce the covering 17. The panel 49 comprises an upwardly bowed arcuate center portion 91 having

extensions

92 and 93 on opposite sides thereof, which extensions are substantially similar and correspond to the

extensions

63 and 64 of the panel 49 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, the panel 48 has outer and

inner hook portions

96 and 97, respectively, positioned adjacent the opposite longitudinal edges thereof, which

hook portions

96 and 97 are identical to the

hook portion

52 and 53, respectively. The panels 48 are preferably constructed of a transparent or translucent material, such as plastic, and are positioned between the panels 49 in any desired relationship so as to form a cover 17 which permits a substantial amount of light to pass therethrough to the area underneath the cover.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the cover 17 is assembled, same is comprised of a plurality of panels 48 and/ or 49 positioned in side-by-side relation and held interlocked together by means of the

inner hook portion

53 or 97 of one panel being inserted into the

outer hook portion

52 or 96 of an adjacent panel. The assembled cover 17 is positioned within the frame 14 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner. For example, the opposite longitudinal ends of the interlocked hook portions formed on the panels are preferably connected to the top wall 26 of the front and rear frame members 21 and 22 by means of a Z-shaped mounting plate 82 (FIG. 5) with screws 83 and 84 being used to connect the panels to the frame.

Further, as also illustrated in FIG. 5, the transverse distance on the frame members between the top wall 26 and the tab 34 is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the depth of the panel members 49' so as to permit the panel members to slide under the top wall 26 while the bottom wall 61 of the panels 49 substantially rests on or contacts the tab 34. A screw 86 (FIG. 6) is preferably used to interconnect the opposite longitudinal ends of the panels 49 to the flange 34 formed on the front and rear frame members. Additional screws 81 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are used to connect the longitudinally extending hook portions of the opposite edge panels to the longitudinally extending

side frame members

23 and 24.

The awning construction 10 is further preferably provided With a crossbeam 87 interconnected between the

side frame members

23 and 24 with the crossbeam extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal length of the

individual panels

48 and 49 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The crossbeam 87 is positioned above the panels (FIG. 6) and is adapted to abuttingly contact the at top wall portions 67 formed on the

outer hook portions

52 or 96. The panels are connected and suported from the crossbeam 87 by the use of any suitable fastening means for connecting the interlocked hook portions to the crossbeam, such as by the screws 88 illustrated in FIG. 6.

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION While the assembly the awning construction has been partlally described above, same will be described in detail for a more complete understanding of the invention.

In particular, the panels are assembled and interconnected by means of the adjacent inner and outerhook portions of adjacent panels being interengaged in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. Specifically, the inner hook portion S3 is preferably positioned within the outer hook portion 52 of an adjacent panel by positioning the adjacent panels at a slight angle with respect to one another whereupon the offset arcuate portion 74 of the inner hook portion 53 can be moved up into engagement within the arcuate offset portion 72 formed on the outer hook portion 52. The two panels are then angularly moved into a substantially planar position whereupon the arcuate portion 78 of the inner hook portion 53 resiliently deflects so as to permit the inner hook portion to move upwardly into snug engagement with the outer hook portion into the position illustrated in FIG. 7. This assembly of the hook portions is further assisted by the curved leading edge 72 formed on the outer hook portion 52, which leading edge is substantially exible and consequently will dellect as the hook portions are assembled and interlocked.

After the adjacent panels have been interconnected in the 'manner described above, the panels are then positioned in a longitudinally extending relationship between the front and rear frame members 21 and 22 and are secured thereto by means of

screws

83, 84 and 86. Further, the outermost edge panels are positioned in abutting relationship with the downwardly extending tabs 28 formed on the side frame members 23 and 24 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) and are then interconnected to the side frame members by means of a plurality of screws 81. Crossbeam 87 is then positioned between the

side frame members

23 and 24 and is interconnected to the plurality of panels by means of screws 88, thereby completing the awning construction assembly.

The awning construction described above possesses great strength and durability since positioning the crossbeam 87 across the top of the panels causes same to cooperate with the

panels

48 and 49 so as to form a truss structure of substantial strength, thereby permitting the

panels

48 and 49 to be of a relatively lightweight construction while at the same time possessing substantial strength and durability. Further, it has been discovered that positioning the crossbearn on the top of the panels causes the interlocked

hook portions

52 and 53 to become tighter as the downward load imposed on the crossbeam and on the awning cover is increased, thereby improving the seal created by the hooked joints.

Considering now the manner in which the hooked connection between adjacent panels is effective in preventing the passage of water therebetween, as shown in FIG. 7, water can gain access between the

hooked portions

52 and 53 only by being forced between the free edge 72 of the outer hook portion and the transverse sidewall 73 of the inner portion, such as by a strong wind forcing water rightwardly in FIG. 7. The water forced by the wind and assisted by capillary action then moves upwardly between the S-shaped sidewall portion 68 and the sidewall portion 73. However, upon reaching the laterally offset

arcuate portions

71 and 74 formed on the outer and inner hook portions, respectively, the water is deected through a large angle whereupon same has to move in a direction substantially opposite the direction of water flowing between the joint, that is, the water in moving past the arcuate portion 74 has to move substantially leftwardly in FIG. 7. This reverse bend created by the angular portion 74 thus makes it extremely difficult for any water to flow therepast and accordingly effectively prevents the passage of substantially all water beyond this point.

However, since it is possible that small amounts of water may iiow around the arcuate portion 74 so as to gain access into the space between the dat top portions 67 and 76, the dat top portion 76 of the inner hook portion is formed with a groove 77 thereon whereupon any water which reaches this area becomes entrapped within the groove 77 and is conveyed longitudinally along the groove due to the slight angular inclination of the panels and is deposited into the channel 36 formed in the surrounding frame members. Thus, the reverse offset 74 in cooperation with the groove 77 thus effectively prevents water from flowing entirely around the periphery of the inner hook portion 53 when same is assembled within the outer hook portion 52 and thus prevents leakage between the joint formed by the interlocked hook portions.

Further, any water deposited in the upwardly opening channel formed by the center portion 51 of the panels 49 flows along the panel due to the slight angular inclination thereof and is deposited into the channel 36 formed in the frame members, whereupon the frame members conduct the water to any suitable disposal means, such as a downspout.

A still further beneficial effect resulting from the laterally offset

arcuate portions

71 and 74 formed on the outer and inner hook portions, respectively, is that such odset portions substantially function as a locking or holding means for preventing the hook portions of adjacent panels from becoming disassembled whereupon the overall awning construction is able to sustain much greater downward loads, such as caused by the accumulation of snow. This increased downward load carrying capability is caused by the fact that the lateral offset portion 74 of the inner hook is received within the lateral offset portion 71 of the outer hook and, since the free edge 72 of the outer hook extends underneath the lateral offset portion 74 of the inner hook, the inner hook is prevented from moving downwardly out of engagement with the outer hook. The inner hook can become disengaged from the outer hook only by a relative angular or tilting movement between the adjacent panels, which angular movement substantially causes the inner hook to pivotally lmove around its point of contact with the free edge 72. However, since the awning construction is confined on the extreme side edges thereof by the

frame member

23 and 24, and is further interconnected by means of the crossbeam 87, the adjacent panels are prevented from undergoing any substantial relative angular movement therebetween and thus the adjacent hook portions are not easily disassembled, and accordingly are able to sustain substantially large downward loads.

While a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. An awning panel comprising:

a center portion and hook portions tixedly secured to and longitudinally extending along the opposite edges of said center portion;

each of said hook portions being substantially channelshaped and having a pair of opposite sidewall p0rtions connected by a substantially flat bridge portion;

one hook portion having one sidewall portion xedly connected between said fbridge portion and said center portion, the other sidewall portion being of S- shaped configuration and having a laterally outwardly convex, arcuate portion adjacent the bridge portion and a laterally inwardly convex, arcuate portion adjacent said outwardly convex portion and remote from said bridge portion;

the sidewall portions of the other hook portion having opposed, laterally outwardly convex, arcuate portions adjacent the bridge portion thereof;

the size and configuration of said. one hook portion adapting same for holding therein the other hook portion of a further awning panel and preventing linear relative separating movement of said hook portions by reason of interference by the inwardly convex portion of said S-shaped sidewall portion with one of the outwardly convex portions of said other hook portion but allowing disengagement of said awning panels upon relative pivotal movement thereof in a manner that one of the convex portions of said other hook portion is moved arcuately past the inwardly convex portion of said S-shaped sidewall portion of said one hook portion while the other convex portion of said other hook portion pivotally rides on the bridge portion and one sidewall portion of said one hook portion.

2. An awning panel as dened in claim l, wherein the at bridge portion of one of said hook portions has a groove formed in the upper surface thereof with said groove extending longitudinally of said panel.

3. An awning construction comprising:

a frame and cover means supported on said frame,

said cover means including a plurality of longitudinally extending, interconnected separable panels arranged in side-by-side relation;

each of said panels comprising a center portion and aA pair of downwardly opening hook portions fixedly secured to said center portion adjacent the opposite longitudinal edges thereof, said hook portions each being substantially channel-shaped and extending longitudinally of said center portion for substantially the complete length thereof;

said plurality of panels including first and second panels positioned adjacent one another, and having outer and inner hook portions, respectively, thereon arranged with said inner hook portion being held in interlocking engagement Within said outer hook portion;

said outer and inner hook portions each having first and second laterally spaced sidewalls connected by a base portion;

the first sidewall of said outer hook portion being disposed between said base portion and the center portion of said first panel and said second sidewall of said outer hook portion being laterally spaced from said first sidewall, said second sidewall being double curved and including a laterally outwardly convex, arcuate portion adjacent said base portion and a laterally outwardly concave, arcuate portion remote from said base portion;

the first sidewall of said inner hook portion being disposed between said base portion and the center portion of said second panel and said second sidewall of said inner hook portion being tixedly connected to said base portion in laterally spaced relationship to said lfirst sidewall, said iirst sidewall of said inner hook portion having a laterally outwardly convex, arcuate portion adjacent said base portion, said second side wall of said inner hook portion having a laterally inwardly deflected lower portion.

4. An awning construction as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame includes a frame member having a substantially channel-shaped cross section positioned adjacent and connected to the longitudinal ends of said plurality of panels for supporting same, said frame member deiining a channel positioned below said panels with said channel being in communication with the space tbove said panels.

5. An awning construction as defined in claim 3, Wherein said base portions of said hook portions are substantially hat and further including a support member positioned intermediate the ends of and above said plurality of panels and extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of said individual panels, said support member being in abutting contact with said flat base portion, and means for xedly securing the inter-engaged hook portions of adjacent panels to said support member, said panels depending from and lying below said support member.

6. An awning construction as defined in claim 3 wherein the inner hook portion is disposed Within the outer hook portion with the convex and concave portions of the outer hook portions being in closed nested relationship with the convex portion of the inner hook portion, whereby.

passage of rain water between said nested sidewalls is inhibited by the reversal of direction of the path thereof along the inner surface of said dOu'ble curved sidewall as well as by the close nested fit of said sidewalls along said convex portions.

7. An awning construction as defined in claim 6, wherein the base portion of the inner hook portion has a groove formed in the upper surface thereof with said groove extending longitudinally throughout the length of said inner hook portion, said groove providing for runoff of water seeping along and past the interior surface of said double curved wall whereby to preclude water seepage' between said hook portions and into the space below said cover means.

8. An awning construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said second sidewall of said inner hook portion includes a further laterally outwardly convex, arcuate portion which is adjacent said base portion and is connected to said deflected portion and is snugly receivable against the base portion and the first sidewall of the outer hook portion, said first mentioned convex portion of said inner hook portion being insertable into nesting relation with said convex portion of said outer hook Iportion by pivotal movement of said further convex portion against the base portion and first sidewall of the outer hook portion, said inner hook portion being prevented from linear movement into the outer hook portion by interference with the sidewalls thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,084,853 6/1937 Marks 52-588 X 3,107,401 10/ 1963 Heirich 52-15 3,169,346 2/1965 Sklar 52-15 3,174,590 3/1965 Haker 52-578 X 3,333,383 8/1967 Raudebaugh 52-588 X 3,388,510 6/1968 Smith et al. 52-15 3,417,519 12/1968 Hitter 52-588 X FOREIGN PATENTS 257,361 9/ 1961 Australia.

ALFRED C. PERHAM, Primary Examiner S. D. BURKE HI, Assistant Examiner UJS. Cl. X.R. 52-522, 534, 625