WO2014205522A1

WO2014205522A1 - A structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning

Info

Publication number: WO2014205522A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael BONNY
Original assignee: Bonny Michael
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: AU2014301964A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning. The structure comprises an anchor portion adapted to be inserted between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller. The anchor portion is retainable between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller upon partial retraction of the retractable awning.

Description

A STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO DEPEND FROM A ROLLER OF A

RETRACTABLE AWNING

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure and, in particular, to a structure that is adapted to depend from the roller of a retractable awning.

Background Art

[0002] Retractable awnings are often used to provide shade or shelter over an outside area (e.g. outside of a house, garage, caravan or R V). The retractable awning extends from a side wall of the caravan (etc.) and typically has a cassette which is mounted to the wall and a roller, about which is wound a canopy. The canopy can be deployed by pulling the roller away from the wail to an extended position and then supported in the extended position using support arms.

[0003] In some circumstances, especially when awnings are provided on the sides of caravans or the like, it may be desirable to at least partially enclose the area underneath the awning in order to provide an outdoor area that is more protected from the elements (e.g. sun, rain, wind or insects). For example, some caravans have tents which are sized to fit underneath the retractable awning, or walls that are adapted to protect the area underneath the awning from wind or sun coming from at least one direction. However, suc structures can be relatively time consuming to erect and dismantle, and ma require the retractable awning to have specific components in order for them to be connected to the retractable awning.

Summary of Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning. The structure comprises an anchor portion adapted to be inserted between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller. The anchor portion is retainable between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller upon partial retraction of the retractable awning.

[0005] Advantageously, the structure of the present invention depends from and is supported by the roller itself and therefore requires no specialised equipment or components to be provided on the retractable awning. The structure of the present invention is retro-f ittable to practically an existing retractable awning, is easily installable and, due to the numerous positions into which the awing can be manoeuvred (e.g. its height from the ground and distance between the cassette and roller), the awning can be adjusted to fit the structure and it is not therefore

necessary to provide a specific structure to fit an awning.

[0006] The. structure (and awning) can also be very quickly dismantled if desired (e.g. if high winds suddenly spring up). The (typically relatively light) materials associated with retractable awnings (and even the awnings themselves) can be damaged if exposed to high winds. Thus, being able to rapidly dismantle the structure of the present invention (i.e. simply by extending the awning to release the anchor portion retained between the layers of canopy rolled around th roller) at the first sign of high winds can dramaticall reduce the likelihood of damage to the structure and the awning.

[0007] In some forms, the anchor portion may comprise a sheet which extends for at least a portion of a length of the structure.

[0008] In other forms, the anchor portion may comprise a plurality of tabs spaced apart along a length of the structure. Each of the plurality of tabs may, in some forms, comprise an elongate strap for insertion between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller. In some forms, a portion of the elongate stra may have a thickness greater than a thickness of other portions of the strap, which enables the anchor portion to be even more securely retained within the roller.

[0009] In some forms, the anchor portion is detachable from the structure. That is, the anchor portion and the remainder of the structure are separate components, and are capable of being installed or uninstalled separately. For example, the anchor portion may be releasably attachable to the structure via clips or Velcro.

[0010] In some forms, the structure may comprise an outer wall (i.e. a wall that is at the distal end of the retractable awning from th cassette). The outer wall may be sized to extend between the roller of the retractable awning and a ground surface (i.e. once the structure has been assembled). In some forms, a lower portion of the outer wall may comprise apertures for receiving ground engaging pegs, via which the lower portion of the outer wall can be pegged to the ground, either directly below the roller or at a spaced distance (typically outwards) from the roller. [0011] in some forms, the structure may comprise a side wall (or two side walls at or about opposite ends of the roller) that extends between the roller of the retractable awning and a wail from which the retractable awning extends. The side wall may be sized such that a lower portion of the side wall makes contact with a ground surface in use. In some forms, the side wall may comprise attachments (e.g. Velcro, hooks, clips, zips or press studs) that are adapted to attach to complementary attachments on the wall from which the retractable awning extends. In other forms, the side wall may comprise attachments for attaching to complementary attachments on an elongate member that has been slidably received into a channel on the wall from which the retractable awning extends.

[0012] in some forms, the structure may define an enclosure having a footprint substantially wholly underneath the retractable awning. The footprint may cover all or onl a portion of the area covered by the awning. Alternatively, as noted above, the walls of the structure may be pulled outwardly from the awning in order to provide a footprint slightly larger than that of the awning to thereby provide more useable space.

[0013] In some forms, the structure comprises panels that are attachable to one another in order to define the walls of the structure (e.g. the side walls and outer wall discussed above). That is, two or more panels are joined (e.g. via a zip or Velcro) in order to form the walls, In this way, structures having a variety of dimensions can be prepared from only a few specifically sized panels. Given the number of different applications for the structure of the present invention, such modularity can be ver useful.

[00 4] In some forms, at least a portion of the structure is adapted to be rolled up withi the retractable awning. As will be appreciated, this would make deployment, dismantling and storage even easier.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of erecting a structure that depends from a roller of a retractable awning. The method comprises inserting an anchor portion of the structure between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller; and partially retracting the retractable awning, whereby the anchor portion is drawn into the roller. [00 6] The structure erected using the method of the second aspect of the present invention may, in some forms, be the structure of the first aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] Specific embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a retractable awning and anchor portions in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a side view of a retractable awning with a structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention depending therefrom;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a structure in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 4 shows the side of a vehicle that is adapted for attachment to a structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 5 shows structures in accordance with other embodiments of the invention; and

[0023] Figure 8 shows a structure in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

[0024] The present inventio provides a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning. The structure comprises an anchor portion adapted to be inserted between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller. The anchor portion is retainable between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller upon partial retraction of the retractable awning.

[0025] The anchor portion of the structure of the present invention may take any form, provided it is capable of being inserted betwee layers of the canopy rolled around the roller and subsequently retained between those layers. Thus, the anchor portion must have proportions that enable it to be received within the roller, but must also be capable of being retained within the roller even with the weight of the structure depending from it. Typically, the anchor portion must be th n enough to be received within the roller, but must also be strong, thick and durable enough so that it can be retained within the rolle whilst the remainder of the structure depends from it.

[0026J The anchor portion is retained between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller by partially retracting the retractable awning once the anchor portion has been inserted therein. The distance the retractable awning needs to be retracted in order to retain the anchor portion and allow the structure to depend from it is dependent on a number of factors such as the total weight of the structure and the nature of the material from which the anchor portion and canopy are made (e.g. canvas is slightly thicker than and has greater frictional properties than rip-sto nylon). This distance can readily be determined by a person skilled in the art.

[0027] In some forms, the anchor portion comprises a sheet which runs along at least a portion of a lengt of the structure. Such an anchor sheet may be provided as a separate portion on an upper part (in use) of the structure, o it may simply be an upper part of the structure itself (provided it can fit between the layers of canopy in the roller).

[0028] The anchor sheet may extend for the entire length of the awning or only a portion of the length of the awning, provided that the sheet retained within the roller is capable to supporting the structure depending from the roller. For example, the structure may have two or more separate anchor sheets (e.g. adapted to be received at either end of the roller), which may simplify the installation process

[0029] In use, the anchor sheet can be inserted into the roller using any suitable technique. Typically, the canopy of the awning cannot be fully deployed, and at least one winding of the canopy around the roller will be required in order for the anchor sheet to be securely retained. The anchor sheet can be inserted into the gap between the rolled canopy and the deployed canopy and pushed slightly further into this gap to hold the ancho sheet in place. The inventor has found that a plastic paint scraper can be useful to achieve this. Once the entire length of the anchor sheet is in position, the roller may be retracted slightly (e.g. by between about 150 mm to about 400 mm, more typically about 300 mm to about 400 mm depending on factors such as the length of the anchor sheet and the respective materials), thereby securely retaining the anchor sheet between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller.

[0030] In some forms, the anchor portio comprises a plurality of tabs spaced apart along a length of the structure. In other forms, the anchor portion may comprise a plurality of tabs spaced apart along a length of the structure and one or more of the sheets described above. For example, the structure may have an anchor sheet for insertion into the roller at about the centre of the roller, and one or more tabs on either side of the sheet for insertion into the roller closer to its edges.

[0031] Each of the plurality of tabs may comprise an elongate strap for insertion between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller. Th length of the elongate strap that needs to be inserted into the roller is dependent on a number of factors, such as the total weight of the structure and the nature Of the materials being used (primarily its thicknes and frictional properties). In some forms, the portion of the strap to be retained in the roller has a length equal to about one revolution of the roller, with the remaining portion of the strap (i.e. that which is exposed once the strap has been retained by the roller) being from about 50 mm to about 150 mm in length. The inventor has found that a total length of between about 350 mm to about 450 mm is sufficient, as one revolution of a typical awning roller causes about 300 mm of canopy to be rolled into the roller.

[0032] The length of the tabs may, i some forms, be adjustable to enable fine tuning of the height of the structure depending from the roller (i.e. the length of the tab which extends from the roller post-retraction can be lengthened or shortened).

[0033] In some forms, a portion of the elongate strap may be provided having a thickness greater than a thickness of other portions of the strap. This provides a portion which will be even more tightly held in position within the roller, thereby retaining the tab within the roller even more securely after the roller has been partially retracted. As will be appreciated, it would also be possible to provide a thickened portion on the anchor sheet described above to achieve a similar effect.

[0034] In some forms, the anchor portion is detachable from the remainder of the structure. This can simplify installation of the structure under the awning. The anchor portion may be reieasably attachable to the structure via any attaching mechanism, including clips and Velcro,

[0035] The structure of the present invention may be any structure that might beneficially be used with a retractable awning. Examples of such structures include structures for protecting or sheltering an area underneath the retractable awning (i.e. after deployment) and structures for taking advantage of a space underneath the awning that might otherwise go unutilised.

[0036] Typically, the structure has at least one wall that, once installed, provides some measure of shelter from the elements (e.g. the wind or sun). The structure may, for example, comprise an outer wall that depends from the roller of the roller assembly. The outer wall ma extend between the roller of the retractable awning and the ground in order to at least partially enclose the awning. Alternatively, the outer wall may only extend partway towards the ground and be held in position via guy ropes, or the like, which provides more protection from the sun and rain than would the retractable awning itself. Typically, a lower portion of the at least one wall comprises apertures for receiving ground engaging pegs. The wall can then be pegged out so that it is securely held in position both at its upper and lower edges.

[0037] The structure may have a side wall (or walls) that extends between the roller of the retractable awning and a wall from which the retractable awning extends (e.g. the outer wall of a caravan). The structure may just have a side wall (one side of whiGh depends from the roller) but, more typically, would have two side walls as well as the outer wall discussed above. In some forms, the side wall is sized such that a lower portion of the side wall makes contact with a ground surface in use but this need not always be the case and the side wall may be sized such that it onl extends part way to the ground.

[0038] Typically, the side wall comprises attachments (such as press studs, zippers, clips, hooks, etc.) that are adapted to attach to complementary attachments on the wall from which the retractable awning extends. In this manner, the structure can be securely attached not only to the awning, but also to the surface from which the awning extends (e.g. a side wall of a house, caravan or other vehicle), in order to provide an even more weather proof structure. [0039] The structure may be attached to the wall from which the retractable awning extends via any suitable mechanism. One particular mechanism is a zip, which can be used to securely attach the structure to the wall along its entire length, providing benefits such as wind proofing and substantially preventing insects such as mosquitos and flies from entering into the structure. It will be appreciated, however, that other mechanisms such as clips or press studs could be used to attach the structure to the surface at regular intervals.

[0040] In one form, the surface from which the retractable awning extends may have a channel that can siidably receive therein an elongate member comprising attachments (e.g. a zip portion) to which a complementary attachment (i.e. a zip portion) on the side wall is attachable. In this manner, the attachments on the wall can be removed if desired, for example, if the wall is a wall of a caravan or vehicle that is to be driven.

[0041] In some forms, the structure may be defined by panels that are attachable to one another in order to define the walls of the structure. In this manner, structures having practically any dimensions can be built in a modular manner based on only a fe panels. Typically, given the relative similarity in shape of structures that would be required underneath awnings, th panels would be rectangular shaped and have varying widths but a constant height. It will be appreciated, however, that the panels could be any shape.

[0042] The panels can be joined to each other to form the structure using any known method. It is envisaged that a zipper along the sides of the panels would be one of the easiest way to join panels, but the sides of the panels could instead be provided with a length (or strips) of Velcro or press studs (or the like).

[0043] In some forms, at least a portion of the structure can be rolled up within the retractable awning. The structure may, for example, be made of a light material (e.g. rip-stop nylon), which enables it to be folded up to a length approximately the length of the awning and drawn into the rolle with the canopy when the roller is retracted. Alternatively, if the structure is made of a heavier material (e.g. canvas), any side portions or the like can be removed and just the portion of the structure that resides directly underneath the roller in use rolled up within the retractable awning. The remainder of the structure can then be stored elsewhere. Advantageously, this can enable the structure to the rapidly re-deployed, for example, at the end of a long day of driving.

[0044] Specific embodtments of th invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

[0045] Referring firstly to Figure 1 , a retractable awning 10 is shown. Awning 10 is typical of awnings that are well known and has a canopy 12 that is wound around a roller 14. One edge 16 of awni g 10 is attached to a wall of a structure (e.g. a caravan, vehicle or house, not shown), typically inside a cartridge (also not shown) that is affixed to the wall. In order to deploy the awni g 10, a user would grasp the roller 14 from inside the cartridge and pull it away from the cartridge/wall. As the roller 14 is pulled in this direction, the canopy 12 is deployed, which provides shelter over an area adjacent to the wall. The roller 14 may contain a biasing means (not shown) whereby, in the absence of forces pulling or holding the roller 14 away from the wall, the roller 14 retracts back into the cartridge, rolling up the canopy 12 as it does so. The roller 14 can also have a lock (not shown) which, when operated, prevents the biasing means from causing the roller 14 from retracting.

[0046] Also shown in Figure 1 are anchor portions in the form of straps 18, 19.

Provided that at least some of canopy 12 is wound around the roller 14, strap 18 or 19 is able to be inserted into the gap between the deployed canopy 12 and the portion of the canopy 12 that is wound around the roller 14 (i.e. underneath the deployed canopy and above the wound canopy). Figure 1 A shows the strap 18 or 19 in a position where it has just been inserted into this gap, with the canopy 12 being "see through" in order to more clearl show this. Upon partial retraction of the roller 14 (i.e. movement towards the wall, as can be seen by comparing Figures 1 A and 1 B), the end of the strap 18, 1 becomes entrapped between the layers of canopy 12 wound around the roller 14. As can be seen in Figure 1 B, a portion of the strap 18 or 19 has been drawn into the canopy 12 wrapped around the roller 14 (again, the canopy 12 is "see through" to illustrate this). The strap 18, 19 can thereby be securely held by the roller 14 of the annex 10. [0047] The strap 18, 19 has at its distal end a D-ring 20, into which can be clipped hooks or the like which are provided attached to other components of the structure (described below). The proximal end of the stra 18, 19 which is inserted into the roller may be thicker than the remainder of the strap 18, 19 in order to even more securel retain the stra 18, 19 within the roller 14. For example, the strap 18 may have a knob 22 or the strap 19 may have a folded portion 24 at one end. Knob 22 may be especially useful because it could also be shaped such that it is slidable into a channel of the like ofte provided in the bottom or rollers of awnings, thus providing another mechanism via which some anchor portions could be attached to the roller.

[0048] The distance by which the roller 14 needs to be retracted in order to securely retain the strap 18, 19 will depend on factors such as the weight of the structure (described below) and the type of material the canopy 12 is made from. For example, canvas materials have much higher frictional properties than nylon materials and canopies made from nylon would therefore need to be retracted further than canopies made from canvas in order to provide the same holding power. The inventor has found that straps 18, 19 that are between about 350mm to about 450mm long are suitable for many types of canopy materials. One turn of roller 14 would draw in about 300mm of strap 18, 19 (and canopy 12), thus the strap 18, 19 should be long enough to permit abut one revolution of the roller and leave sufficient length to spare.

[0049] Referring now to Figure 2, an awning 10, similar to that shown in Figure 1 , is depicted. Also shown are support arms 24 extending between the lateral ends of the roller 14 (only one arm can be seen in Figure 2) and th wall of a caravan 26.

Support arms 24 can be used to adjust the height of the roller 14 (and hence the canopy 12) from the ground and are typically adjustable in length. Figure 2 also shows a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning in the form of detachable wall 28. Detachable wall 28 has, at its uppermost edge, an anchor portion in the form of a portion of the wall 28 (not shown in Figure 2) which is approximately 300mm wide and extends along the entire length of wall 28. This portion of the wall 28 has been retained between the deployed canopy 12 and the portion of the canopy 12 which is wound around the roller 14 following partial retraction of the roller 14. Detachable wall 28 extends between the roller 14 and the ground, either at an angle to provide additional room under the annex 10, or substantially vertically (as shown by alternate wall 30). The lowermost edge of the wail 28 has a number of apertures at spaced intervals therealong, through which pegs 32 can be inserted in order to securely attach the wall 28 to the ground. The wall 28 is therefore securely held between the roller 14 and the ground and provides better shelter from the elements (e.g. wind, rain and sunn) under the annex 0.

[0050] The method by which detachable wall 28 may be initially deployed will now be described. The awning 10 is first rolled out to expose between about 2200mm and 2250mm of canopy 1 . An edge of the anchor portion of wall 28 is then inserted into the gap between the deployed canop 12 and the portion of the canopy 12 that is wound around the roller 14 (underneath the deployed canopy and above the wound canopy). Once this edge is secured (a thin implement such as a plastic paint scraper ma be used to assist in pushing the edge far enough into the gap), the remainder of the anchor portion can likewise be inserted into the gap. Typically, the person installing the wall 28 would work from the edge of the anchor portion along the length of the anchor portion but, in some circumstances, it may be easier to start this process at a roughl central region of the anchor portion and work outwards. Once the entire side of the anchor portion has been inserted into the gap, the awning 10 is retracted by about one revolution of the roller 14 (this depends on the size of the roller 14 and amount of canopy 12 remaining on the roller, but will typically be about 200 mm). If the rolle 14 has a locking mechanism, this is then locked in order to prevent it from unravelling and unintentionally releasing the wall 28, The support arms 24 can then be arranged to support the roller 14 and wall 28 at the desired height. Finally, the lower edge of the wall 28 is pegged to the ground using standard pegs.

[0051] Advantageously, the wall 28 can be very rapidly dismantled, for example, if strong gusts of wind suddenly arrive. All that is required to dismantle the wall is to extend the awning 10 (i.e. pull it away from the wall of the caravan 26) by a small distance and the wall 28 will no longer b retained within the roller 14. The awning can then be fully retracted back to the caravan 26 in order to reduce the risk of it being ripped by the wind. Further, if desired, the wall 28 can be stored within the roller 14, simply by retracting the roller 14 back to the caravan 26 without first releasing the wall 28. In this manner, the wall 28 is rolled up within the roller 14 at the same time as the canopy 12. Whilst this will increase the volume of material rolled u within the roller 14, the inventor has found that, provided relatively light materials are used, then this does not significantly hinder operation of the awning. As will be appreciated, it may be necessary to fold up the wall 28 before it is retracted into the roller 14, especially if the wall 28 has dimensions greater than that of canopy 12.

[0052] Referring now to Figure 3, a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning is shown in the form of annex 34. Annex 34 has four walls: inner wall 36, side walls 38 and 40 and outer wall 42, as well as a roof 44. Optionally, the annex may also include a floor (not shown in Figure 3). The uppermost portion of outer wall 42 (i.e. at the junction of outer wall 42 and roof 44} has a number of spaced tabs 46 with clips on them for attaching to correspondingly spaced anchor portions depending from the roller of the awning (not shown in Figure 3 for clarity). For example, the clips on tabs 46 can be clipped into the D-rings 20 of straps 1.8, 19. The outer wail 42 of annex 34 therefore depends from the roller.

[0053] The uppermost portion of inner wall 36 (i.e. at the junction of inner wall 36 and roof 44} has a number of spaced tabs 48, which have clips on them. These clips can be used to attach the tabs 48 to the wall from which the awning extends (e.g. the side wall of a caravan, not shown). Thus, annex 34 defines an enclosure that is relatively weather and insect proof underneath the awning. In a similar manner to that described previously, the lowermost edges of the walls 36, 38, 40 and 42 can be pegged to the ground to securely retain the annex 34 in position. Inner wall 36 can also be provided with a number of means (not shown in Figure 3) for reversibly fixing portions of the wall 36 that are lower than tabs 48 to the wall from which the awning extends. For example, the periphery of inner wall 36 (i.e. along its sides and base} can be provided wit press Studs adapted to mate with corresponding press studs on the wall from which the aw ing extends. It will be appreciated that other means for reversibly fixin the wall 36 to the wall from which the awning extends couid be used, for example zippers, as will be described below.

[0054] It may be necessary to provide holes in inner wall 36 in order to provide access to doors and windows on the side wall (i.e. behind the inner wall 36). If so, it would typically also be desirable to include press studs or the like around such apertures in order to correctly align the holes in the inner wall with its respective window or door, as well as to prevent flapping of the wall 36.

[0055] Figure 4 shows the side of a caravan 50 that has bee adapted to releasably receive side walls of a structure that depends from a roller of a retractable awning. Vertical channels 52, 52 are affixed to the caravan 50 on either side of the awning (the awning is not shown in Figure 4 for clarity). Each of channels 52 are shaped to siidably receive rope 54 to which has been attached one half of a zipper 56. In use, the rope 54 is slid into the channel 52, which results in the zipper 56 projecting from and being securely retained on the side of the caravan 50. Zipper 56 can then be zipped to a corresponding half of a zipper that is provided on a side wall of the structure in order to affix the structure to the caravan 50 in a very secure and substantially weather and insect proof manner.

[0056] The structure which depends from the rolle of the annex may therefore only have three walls; an outer wall and two side walls, with the wall of the caravan (or the like) acting as the fourth wall. This form of structure would save material and also make the structure more adaptable for use with different kinds of caravans and the like, because structures having a fourth (inner) wall would, as noted above, need to be provided with apertures that align with windows, doors, etc. on the side wall of the caravan. However, with structures that have only three walls, the area below the side wall of the caravan would not be covered, which would allow wind or insects to get inside the structure. To prevent this, a further panel can be provided to cover this space, for example, in the form of panel 60 in Figure 4. Panel 60 has zippers 62 and 64 at its ends. Zipper 62 can be zipped to a complementary zipper 66 provided at the lowermost portion of rope 54. Thus securely joining panel 60 to the side wall of the structure (e.g. a three sided structure). Press studs or magnets 68 are provided at spaced intervals along an upper portion of panel 60 and are adapted to mate with complementary attachments on a lowermost portion of the side wall of the caravan 50. Panel 60 also has holes 70, through which pegs can be inserted to securely retain panel 60 to the ground.

[0057] Alternative structures in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figure 5. A first structure is shown in the form of tent 72, which is held up at various points along its apex by straps 18 (only one point can be seen in the Figure), Such a tent requires no poles and could be dismantled in seconds (as discussed above) or stored within the retracted roller.

[0058] Another structure in the form of a clothes line 74 can depend from the roller of an awning by using straps 18, 18 at either end thereof. The othe side of the clothes line can be clipped to the wall from which the awning extends via any of the mechanisms discussed above. The clothes line 74 is thus located underneath the canopy of the awning, where it is sheltered from the elements.

[0059] Figure 6 shows a plurality of panels 76, 78 and 79 that can be joined together via zips 80 and 82 in order to define a wall of a structure in accordance with the present Invention. Panels 76, 78 and 79 also have apertures 84 for receiving ground engaging pegs and, on their uppermost edges, means via which they can depend from the roller (not shown, but as discussed above). Panels 76, 78 and 79 may have the same or different widths and can be used as modules to form a structure having a width matching the width of any given annex. For example, panel 76 may have a width of 3 feet panel 28 a width of 2 feet and panel 79 a width of 4 feet. Thus, a combination of panels 76, 78 and 79 can be used to make a wall having practically any length.

[0060] Advantages of specific embodiments of the present invention include the following:

• the structure can b rapidly erected and dismantled;

• the structure requires no guide ropes or poles to be used;

• the structure can enclose all or part of an awning;

• the structure can be made of many different materials, e.g., water and wind proof materials, insect proof materials, etc. ;

• "one size fits all" - due to the adjustability of the annex; and

• the structure can be provided in a modular form for maximum adaptability. [0061] Whilst there has been described herein some specific embodiments of a structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning and a method of erecting a structure that depends from a roller of a retractable awning, the described embodiments are considered in all respects only as illustrative and modifications can foe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

[0062] The words "comprise", "comprising" and grammatical variations thereof, when used in this specification and in the following claims, are intended to specify the presence of the recited features, but not preclude the addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps or groups.

Claims

Claims:

1. A structure adapted to depend from a roller of a retractable awning, the structure comprising: an anchor portion adapted to be inserted between layers of a canopy roiled around the roller;

the anchor portion being retainable between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller upon partial retraction of the retractable awning.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion comprises a sheet which extends for at least a portion of a length of the structure.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion comprises a

plurality of tabs spaced apart along a length of the structure.

4. The structur as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of tabs

comprises an elongate strap for insertion between the layers of the canopy rolled around the roller.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a portion of the elongate strap has a thickness greater than a thickness of other portions of the strap.

8. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anchor portion is detachable from the structure.

7. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anchor portion is releasabiy attachable to the structure via clips or Velcro.

8. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the structure

comprises an outer wall that depends from the roller of the retractable awning.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer wall is sized to extend

between the roller of the retractable awning and a ground surface in use.

10. The structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein a lower portion of the outer wail comprises apertures for receiving ground engaging pegs.

11.The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the structure

comprises a side wall that extends between the roller of the retractable awning and a wall from which the retractable awning extends.

12. The structure as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the side wall comprises

attachments for attaching to complementary attachments on the wall from which the retractable awning extends.

13. The structure as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the side wall comprises

attachments for attaching to complementary attachments on an elongate member that has been slidably received into a channel on the wall from which the retractable awning extends.

14. The structur as claimed in claim 12 or claim 3, wherein the attachments are selected from one or more of the following: press studs, zippers, clips and hooks.

15. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the side wall is sized such that a lowe portion of the side wall makes contact with a ground surface in use.

16. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the structure

defines an enclosure having a footprint substantially wholly underneath the retractable awning.

17. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the structure

comprises panels that are attachable to one another in order to define walls of the structure.

18. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at least a portion of the structure is adapted to be rolled up within the retractable awning.

19. A method of erecting a structure that depends from a roller of a retractable awning, the method comprising

inserting an anchor portion of the structure between layers of a canopy rolled around the roller; and partiall retracting the retractable awning, whereby the anchor portion is drawn into and retained by the roller,

20. The method of claim 19, comprising pegging a lower portion of the structure

depending from the roller to the ground.

21.The method of claim 19 or claim 20, comprising fastening an edge portion of the structure depending from the roller to a wall from which the retractable awning extends.