WO2004099528A1

WO2004099528A1 - An awning

Info

Publication number: WO2004099528A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Steven Koch
Original assignee: Ultimate Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-07
Filing date: 2004-05-05
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Also published as: AU2003902166A0

Abstract

An awning (10) having a frame (11), the frame including one pivot (20), a plurality of elongate arm members (18) rotatably mounted on the one pivot, and at least one webbing member (16) extending between the plurality of arm members wherein the elongate arm members are rotatable about the pivot to extend the webbing in a plane.

Description

AN AWNING

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to awnings for providing protection from the weather and in particular to a folding awning for use in association with or as an attachment to a vehicle for deployment when the vehicle is stationary.

Background Art

There are a number of known retractable assemblies that can support an awning to create a sheltered area. The awning is usually supported in a generally horizontal position with a slight slope to facilitate runoff of any rainwater. Commonly, one edge of an awning is attached to a wall. The opposite edge is attached to a tube, rod, rail or other similar elongated member, which is supported by two support arms. The support arms rest on the ground or are mounted to a lower part of the wall. Tensioning arms are generally disposed between the wall and the tube or rail to stretch the awning and hold it in a taught condition. In this way, a convenient shelter is formed adjacent the wall to protect people and objects beneath the wall from rain and direct sun.

Retractable awnings can be divided into two general classes. Box type awnings have a stationary roller tube mounted to the wall. The awning is rolled around the tube for storage. The box comprises a fixed enclosure for the awning, a cover of which is opened to permit access to the awning which is unrolled to an extended position. Alternatively, a movable cover can be attached to the free end of the awning to complete the enclosure when the awning is retracted. Shifting roll type awnings have a roller tube suspended between the support arms. The tube is moved laterally to unroll or roll the awning on the tube. One edge of the awning is rigidly attached to the wall. It is less common, but still possible, for this type of awning to be enclosed in a case in its retracted position. In both types the roller tube may be spring balanced or spring biased to aid rolling. A popular application for such awnings is on recreational vehicles. The awning creates a convenient outdoor shelter next to the vehicle. Simple and fast assembly and disassembly of the awning are important, especially in vehicle applications. Vehicle awnings also must be rugged and durable because they are constantly exposed to the elements. Aside from functioning efficiently, the awning should also be aesthetically attractive in its installed and retracted positions. A minimum amount of hardware should be exposed during travel to provide a durable and attractive unit. A number of brackets have been designed for the purpose of mounting and supporting various recreational vehicle awning struts. Methods have ranged from a simple clevis to sophisticated devices having a variety of latches, pins and the like. The weakest common denominator of these brackets is that they are secured to the recreational vehicle by bolts through the vehicle skins and sometimes into or through body frame members of the vehicle. As a result of severe weather or merely normal wear and tear over time, brackets bolted to vehicle skins alone can deform the skins and elongate associated bolt holes, reducing the strength and integrity of the vehicle skins and also the aesthetic and financial values of the vehicle. Elongated bolt holes or holes partially exposed by bolts that have worked loose can admit elements that can cause problems ranging from the discomfort of occupants to serious damage to the body frame members of the vehicle or to other items therewithin.

Attempts have been made to overcome this and other problems associated with attaching an awning to a vehicle. One such awning includes a roller assembly having a torsion spring, a canopy connected between a wall the roller assembly, and a pair of "four-bar" arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller assembly. The arm assemblies move the roller assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, where the torsion spring biases the roller assembly toward the retracted position. Each arm assembly includes a vertically extending base arm secured to the wall, a bottom arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm, an extended arm having a first end pivotally connected to the bottom arm and a second end supporting the roller assembly, and a top arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm and a second end pivotally connected to the extended arm. Each arm assembly also includes a member extending between the base arm and the bottom or top arm to move the arm assembly toward the extended position. The member may be a tension spring or a compression spring.

Other attempts include a retractable top cover and awning for recreational vehicles, modular homes, and the like, which includes a mechanism for deploying and retracting a flexible top cover and awning panel over the roof of the vehicle and along a side wall of the vehicle to shade both the vehicle roof and any windows or doors in the side wall. A flexible top cover and awning panel is wound and stored on a roller housed in an elongated housing having a removable housing cover. Swinging deployment arms extend the flexible top cover and awning panel from the storage roller. Motors are used to open the housing cover, to turn the roller to assist in rolling or unrolling the flexible top cover and awning panel, and to swing the deployment arms during extension and retraction of the flexible top cover and awning panel.

Another "roller"-type awning has the awning rolled around a roller tube. A lead rail is attached to an edge of the awning. Support arms are stowed and latched in the lead rail and pivot downwardly therefrom. A sliding and pivoting latch mechanism holds the lead rail in the retracted position. The support arms are attached to feet on the vehicle with a spring latch mechanism. Spring loaded rafter arms slide in a channel on the back of the lead rail and are positioned to tension the awning. The awning provides a compact and attractive assembly in the stowed position and is easily erected by one person.

These awnings all have disadvantages associated with the mounting of the awning on the vehicle and the quick and easy deployment of the awning. Additionally, in some cases an awning may be quickly and easily deployable but may be complex or difficult to store or to place into its storage configuration.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an awning, which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an awning having a frame, the frame including one pivot, a plurality of elongate arm members rotatably mounted on the one pivot, and at least one webbing member extending between the plurality of arm members wherein the elongate arm members are rotatable about the pivot to extend the webbing in a plane. Typically, the awning is movable between a storage condition in which the awning is folded against the frame and a deployed condition in which the awning is extended to provide shade or protection from the weather. The awning is deployed by rotating the arm members about the pivot to extend the webbing. In the deployed condition, the awning will typically be arrayed in a plane having a generally horizontal condition and with a slight slope to facilitate runoff of rainwater.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame may be attached to a vehicle or to a roof rack system which is itself attached to a vehicle. However, it is to be appreciated that the awning of the present invention may also be used or associated with buildings, particularly homes or residences, marine vessels, outdoor decks or in any situation where users may desire protection from weather elements.

Preferably the frame will be constructed of metal. The frame will generally be attached at a predetermined number of attachment points, to a counterbalancing body or member. In practice, the counterbalancing body or member may be a vehicle, a building or the like.

Suitably the frame may comprise at least one backing member. Preferably, in use, the backing member may be positioned along a side of a vehicle. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, there may be provided two backing members configured in an L-shape. The backing members may be attached to each other or alternatively there may be a single backing member provided in an L-shape. In the L-shape configuration, the upright of the "L" may be positioned along a side of a vehicle and the base of the "L" may be positioned along the rear of the vehicle.

Preferably the backing member(s) may be planar and most preferably they will be manufactured from a strong but light material which is also preferably rigid, such as metal or engineering plastics.

The pivot will generally be located towards, or at, one end of the backing member. When the backing member(s) are in the L-shaped configuration, the pivot will typically be located on an exterior surface of the backing member, at the apex of the 'L'. When the frame is attached to or associated with a vehicle, typically the pivot may be located toward the rear of the vehicle especially as vehicles have bonnets or hoods or the like towards the front of the vehicle.

Located towards an end of the backing member opposite to the pivot, may suitably be a bracket or a plurality of clips for releasably securing the plurality of arm members to the backing member when in the storage condition. The bracket or plurality of clips will generally be attached securely to the backing member of frame and may allow for the storage of the plurality of arms in a substantially flattened configuration wherein the arms may be positioned one above the other vertically.

The pivot may comprise a vertically disposed elongate bar member. The bar member may preferably be substantially cylindrical and solid. The bar member may also suitably be manufactured from a light metal or engineering plastics and have sufficient structural integrity to exert a force sufficient to maintain the plurality of arm members in a generally horizontal orientation when the awning is deployed.

The pivot may be attached to the frame or backing member of the frame by at least one bracket located at each of an upper and a lower end of the elongate bar member. The brackets may space the elongate bar member slightly from the frame or backing member to allow the pivoting motion of the plurality of arm members without impinging on the frame or backing member.

Each of the plurality of arm members may preferably be both elongated and tubular. It is particularly preferred that the arm members be a hollow circular tube and may be constructed from a light but strong material such as a light metal or engineering plastics.

Each arm member may preferably have a first sealed free end to assist in preventing the entry of debris or insects or the like. Suitably each arm member may have an opposed second end, the second end of each arm member having a collar member for engagement with the bar member of the pivot. The elongate arms may be horizontally disposed and arrayed in a generally vertical orientation, one above the other when the awning is in the storage condition. The collar members located at the second end of each arm member may also be arrayed in a generally vertical orientation.

The collar members may be integrally formed with the arm members, or alternatively they may be formed separately and attached to the arm members securely for example by welding for metal arm members and collar members.

Preferably a single webbing member will extend between all of the arm members thereby providing a substantially singular surface for the protection of users. Alternatively, a plurality of webbing members may be provided, each webbing member extending between adjacent arm members and attached thereto.

The webbing member(s) may preferably be flexible and deformable. This may preferably allow the webbing member to be folded when the awning is in the storage condition.

The webbing member may suitably be formed from a material which is substantially impermeable to ultraviolet light or rays but still allow person to see through the member. This material may preferably be an ultra violet impermeable fabric for example. Alternatively, or in addition to the ultraviolet impermeability, the webbing member may be impermeable to water and thereby protect or shield users from rain or other inclement conditions.

The webbing member may be attached to the arm members using at least one sleeve portion. Generally a sleeve portion may be formed in the webbing member by folding and sewing the webbing member. The arm member may then be inserted into the sleeve portion.

The invention may further comprise a releasable locking means to lock at least one of the arm members into position when the awning is deployed. This may preferably act to prevent the unintended movement of the awning towards the storage condition for example on windy days. The locking means may preferably act to lock either the uppermost or lowermost arm member, and preferably locks the arm member adjacent to a backing member or the frame itself. The lowermost arm member may be secured at all times to the frame or backing member. The uppermost arm member may be releasably lockable to the frame or the backing member when the awning is in the deployed condition.

Preferably the locking means comprises a spring-loaded pin, and the locking means is preferably biased into the locked position. For a locking means in the form of a spring-loaded pin, the pin may preferably engage an opening provided in an arm member to maintain the arm member in position. The locking means may suitably be associated with the frame or backing member and in two particularly preferred embodiments will be positioned either adjacent to the pivot or alternatively on an outer portion of the L-shaped frame. One or more of the backing members of the frame may be pivotable with respect to the attachment to the counterbalancing member. When the counterbalancing member is in the form of a vehicle, the pivotable aspect of the backing members may allow the backing members to be moved from the side of the vehicle or frame to a position located above the vehicle without detaching the frame or backing members.

The invention may also further comprise one or more additional support members which may be releasably attached between the free ends of the arm members when the awning is in the deployed condition. Attachment means may be provided for this purpose. The use of the additional support members may preferably provide further support to the webbing member.

The invention may further comprise a cover for the frame, arm members and webbing member. Preferably the cover may be manufactured from a tough plastic or other similar material providing a waterproof cover which may also assist in the prevention of damage to the components of the awning. Suitably the cover may substantially surround the frame, arm members and webbing member when in the storage condition. The cover may typically have one or more openings provided therein to allow cleaning or drainage of water from the cover.

According to the use of a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the free end of each arm member is rotatable away from a backing member of the frame, rotating about the pivot, each arm member rotating to different degrees and thereby spreading the webbing member and maintaining it in position to provide shade and/or protection for users.

While the description concentrates on the invention as associated with a vehicle, it is to be anticipated that the invention may easily be adapted to be associated with a building or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an awning enclosed in a cover attached to a vehicle.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the awning with the cover in the open position and the awning in the storage condition. Figure 3 is a close-up elevation view of the arm members releasably attached to the backing member.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the awning in a partially deployed condition.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the awning in a fully deployed condition.

Figure 6 is a top view of the awning in the fully deployed condition.

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the bracket or clip to which the arm members are releasably secured when in the storage condition. Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of the pivot, the collar members and a portion of the L-shaped frame.

Figure 9 is a view from the underside of the awning when in the deployed condition showing the relative positions of the arm members.

Figure 10 is a detailed view of the releasable locking means for locking the arm members in position when the awning is in the deployed condition according to an aspect of the invention.

Figure 11 is a detailed view of the releasable locking means and the opening on the arm member according to an aspect of the invention.

Figure 12 is a detailed view of the position of the releasable locking means for locking the arm members in position when the awning is in the deployed condition according to a second aspect of the invention. The arm members are shown in the storage condition.

Figure 13 is a detailed view of the relative position of the arm members and the engagement of the locking means and the opening in the arm member according to a second aspect of the invention with the awning in a partially deployed condition.

Figure 14 is a detailed view of the locking means and the opening in the arm member according to a second aspect of the invention with the awning in the fully deployed condition

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

According to the invention, an awning 10 for protecting or shielding users from the weather is provided. The awning 10 has a frame 11, the frame 11 including at least one pivot 20, a plurality of elongate arm members 18 associated with the at least one pivot 20, and at least one webbing member 16 extending between the plurality of arm members 18. Figure 1 shows the frame 11 attached to a roof rack system 12 which is itself attached to a vehicle 13. The frame 11 is attached to the roof rack 12 at a predetermined number of attachment points 14, allowing the vehicle 13 to act as a counterbalancing body or member. A cover 15 for the awning 10 is also illustrated.

Figure 2 illustrates the awning 10 once the cover 15 has been opened and the webbing member 16 has been released from the containment provided by the cover 15.

Figures 3 and 7 illustrate a bracket 17 or plurality of clips for releasably securing the plurality of arm members 18 to the backing member 19, Figure 3 when the awning 10 is in the storage condition and Figure 7 when the awning 10 is in the deployed condition. The bracket 17 is located towards an end of the backing member 19 opposite to the pivot 20. The bracket 17 or plurality of clips is attached securely to the backing member 19 or frame 11 and allows the storage of the plurality of arms 18 in a substantially flattened configuration wherein the arms 18 are positioned one above the other vertically. Figure 4 shows the awning 10 in a partially deployed condition.

Figures 5 and 6 shows the awning 10 in the deployed condition. Figure 5 is a view from slightly below the level of the awning 10 and Figure 6 from above the awning 10.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the interaction between the pivot 20 and the plurality of arm members 18. The pivot 20 is an elongate substantially cylindrical bar member manufactured from a light metal or engineering plastics.

The pivot 20 is attached to the frame 11 or backing member 19 of the frame 11 by connection brackets 21 located at an upper and a lower end of the elongate bar member. The connection brackets 21 space the elongate bar member slightly from the frame 11 or backing member 19 to allow the pivoting motion of the plurality of arm members 18 without impinging on the frame 11 or backing member 19.

Each of the plurality of arm members 18 have a first closed free end to assist in preventing the entry of debris or insects or the like. Each arm member 18 has an opposed second end, the second end of each arm member 18 having a collar member 22 for engagement with the bar member of the pivot 20.

The elongate arms 18 are arrayed in a generally vertical orientation, one above the other when the awning 10 is in the storage condition as seen in Figure 8. The collar members 22 located at the second end of each arm member 18 arrayed in a generally vertical orientation, one above the other.

Figure 9 illustrates the deployment of the awning 10 and the action of the arm members 18. The free end of each arm member 18 swings out and away from the frame 11 or backing member 19, rotating about the second end of the arm member

18 which is attached to the pivot 20, and each arm member 18 rotates about the pivot

20 to different degrees, thereby spreading the webbing member 16.

Figure 10 illustrates a locking means 23 used to releasably lock an arm member 18 and thereby the awning 10, into the deployed condition. The locking means 23 is a spring-loaded pin, biased into the locked position. The pin may engage an opening 24 provided in an arm member 18 to maintain the arm member 18 in position. This engagement is illustrated in Figure 11.

Figures 12 to 14 illustrate an alternative position and use of the locking means 23. Wherein according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the locking means 23 is located on the frame 11 or backing member 19 and engages with the arm member 18 at a substantial distance from the pivot 20, according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the locking means 23 is located adjacent the pivot 20. The action of the locking means 23 is similar, but the construction and positioning illustrated in Figures 12 to 14 allows for a more compact construction. The configuration illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 may provide a more secure and damage resistant method of securing the awning 10 in the deployed position.

In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1 • An awning having a frame, the frame including one pivot, a plurality of elongate arm members rotatably mounted on the one pivot, and at least one webbing member extending between the plurality of arm members wherein the elongate arm members are rotatable about the pivot to extend the webbing in a plane.

2. An awning according to the claim 1 wherein the awning is attached to a vehicle.

3. An awning according to claim 2 wherein the awning is attached to a roofrack of the vehicle.

4. An awning according to claim 2 wherein the pivot comprises a vertically disposed bar.

5. An awning according to claim 4 wherein the arm members comprise respective collar members for rotatable engagement with the vertically disposed bar.

6. An awning according to claim 5 wherein the pivot is attached to the frame or backing member of the frame by at least one bracket located at each of an upper and a lower end of the elongate bar.

7. An awning according to claim 5 wherein the arm members are horizontally disposed and arrayed in a substantially vertical plane in a storage condition.

8. An awning according to claim 4 wherein the awning comprises a single webbing member extending between the respective elongate arm members.

9. An awning according to claim 4 wherein the at least one webbing member comprises respective sleeves for receiving the respective arm members.

10. An awning according to claim 4 wherein the awning comprises at least one locking means for locking at least one of the arm members in a fixed position.

11. An awning according to claim 10 wherein the at least one locking means comprises a spring-loaded pin, and the locking means is preferably biased into the locked position.

12. An awning according to claim 4 wherein one of the arm members is fixed to the vehicle to prevent rotation about the pivot and from which the remaining arm members are rotatable to extend the webbing member.

13. An awning according to claim 4 wherein a free end of each arm member is rotatable away from a backing member of the frame, rotating about the pivot, each arm member rotating to different degrees and thereby spreading the webbing member and maintaining it in position to provide shade and/or protection for users.