Awning support

Abstract

Awning Support is an adjustable device that can be placed at a variety of locations on an awning to prevent sag in the awning and corresponding water pooling on the top of the awning as well as reduce tearing and noise from the awning. To use the preferred embodiment of Awning Support, a user chooses a recreational vehicle or structural awning in need of additional support. A pin located on a handle of a bar is attached to one side of the awning and structure or vehicle while a flat end on the opposite side of the bar is attached to the opposite side of the awning. Ideally, the device will be placed centrally on the awning but it could be used wherever the awning is sagging. The length of the bar can be adjusted by pushing the bar into the handle to compress a compression spring or by pushing a button on the handle to allow the compression spring to expand.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the vehicle accessories, new construction and home improvement industries. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of awning supports.

BACKGROUND

New construction and home improvement projects are commonplace in the United States. Painters, carpenters, carpet layers, roofers, electricians, plumbers and other construction specialists are a major part of the building and construction industry.

A variety of items are often added to the exterior of a new or existing home or structure to improve its curb appeal. Outdoor vinyl or aluminum siding is one example of an item that is utilized on new or existing homes or structures to improve the appearance of the structure. Decks and patios are also added for utilitarian and appearance related reasons.

Awnings often are also added to new or existing homes or structures to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the structures. Awnings also have functional advantages such as providing shade or protection from weather elements. Professional craftsmen often must install awnings on structures due to the complexity in constructing the framework. Recreational vehicles also often utilize awnings to provide shade and protection from precipitation when seated on the exterior of the vehicle.

There are a variety of awnings used with both structures and recreational vehicles. However, one problem with all awnings is the pooling of water on the top of an awning. When an awning is loose, wind can also blow the awning and create rips, tears and accompanying noise.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, adjustable, inexpensive, durable and effective device for providing additional support to a variety of awnings to prevent water pooling on top of the awning and rips and tears to the awning.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Awning Support is an adjustable device that can be placed at a variety of locations on an awning to prevent sag in the awning and corresponding water pooling on the top of the awning as well as to reduce tearing and noise from the awning.

One embodiment of the invention utilizes a bowed metal bar with a foam cover or sleeve and a compression spring and a lock nut on one end to adjust the length of the metal bar.

Other embodiments of the invention may utilize a different shaped bar made of different materials and/or a different adjusting mechanism to alter the length of the bar to accommodate varying sizes of awnings.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device that gives additional support to an awning to reduce sag in the awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that gives additional support to an awning to prevent water pooling and accumulation on the top of the awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that gives additional support to an awning to prevent ripping or tearing of the awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that gives additional support to an awning to prevent noise from an awning blowing in the wind.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can be easily used and installed to give additional support to an awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for giving additional support to an awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device for giving additional support to an awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable device for giving additional support to an awning that can be used with a wide variety of structural awnings and recreational vehicle awnings.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable device for giving additional support to an awning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cover of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the handle of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line B-B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up front view of the flat end of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Awning Support is comprised of at least some of the following: a metal bar, a flat end with a slot and rubber ends, a foam cover, and a plastic handle with a pin on one end and a compression spring and lock nut in the interior.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A bar 1 has a handle 2 on one end and a flat end 3 on the other end. The bar 1 is approximately cylindrical and made of metal and has approximately a half inch diameter and a length of six feet though a variety of sizes are possible. A variety of materials could also be utilized for constructing the bar. The bar 1 also is slightly bowed to allow it to more easily conform to the slanted shape of most awnings. In this preferred embodiment, the bar 1 is hollow to make it lighter weight A foam cover 4 is located on top of a portion of the bar 1. The foam cover 4 has an inner diameter corresponding with the outer diameter of the bar 1. Other materials such as rubber or plastic could be used for the foam cover.

The flat end 3 connected to the bar 1 is cylindrical in shape and made of metal with a half-inch diameter and two inch length in the preferred embodiment. The flat end 3 has a slot 5 on the front with approximately conic shaped ends 6 on either side. The conic shaped ends 6 are made of rubber in this preferred embodiment though a variety of materials could be utilized.

The handle 2 connected to the end of the bar 1 opposite the flat end 3 is made of plastic and has an inner diameter corresponding with the outer diameter of the bar 1. A variety of other materials obviously could also be used in constructing the handle. The handle 2 of the preferred embodiment is approximately cylindrical in shape and capable of extending over approximately two feet of the length of the bar 1 though a variety of shapes and sizes are possible. A pin (not shown) made of metal is located on the end of the handle 2. Inside the handle 2, compression springs (not shown) made of metal allow the bar 1 to move in and out of the handle 2 to permit adjustments to the length of the bar 1. A lock nut (not pictured) on the interior of the handle 2 is operatively connected to a button (not pictured) on the exterior of the handle 2 to permit the bar 1 to be locked at a specific location inside the handle 2 as the compression springs are compressed or expanded.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cover of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1. The relative thickness of the foam cover 4 can be seen in relation to the bar 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the handle of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line B-B of FIG. 1. The pin 30 on one end of the handle 2 and the compression springs 31, lock nut 32 and buttons 33 used to adjust the length of the bar 1 can be seen from this view.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up front view of the flat end of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The slot 5 on the front of the flat end 3 and the conic shaped ends 6 on either side can be seen in greater detail from this angle. The bar 1 is also visible behind the flat end 3.

To use the preferred embodiment of Awning Support, a user chooses a recreational vehicle or structural awning in need of additional support. The pin on the handle is attached to one side of the awning and structure or vehicle while the flat end is attached to the opposite side of the awning using the slot. Ideally, the device will be placed centrally on the awning but it could be used wherever the awning is sagging. The length of the bar can be adjusted by pushing the bar in to compress the compression springs or pushing the button to allow the compression springs to expand.

The materials utilized for Awning Support may vary widely but will likely include metals and plastic. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of Awning Support can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A support device comprising: (a) a bar having an adjustment mechanism; and(b) a flat end on one end of the bar having a slot on the front and a first approximately conic shaped end on one side and a second approximately conic shaped end on the other side.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the bar is made of metal.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the bar is approximately half inch in diameter and six feet in length.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the bar is slightly bowed.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the bar is hollow.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle on the end of the bar opposite the flat end.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the adjustment mechanism is a compression spring located within the handle.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the compression spring is made of metal.

9. The device of claim 7 further comprising a lock nut on the interior of the handle operatively connected to a button on the exterior of the handle to permit the bar to be locked at a specific location inside the handle.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the handle is made of plastic.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cover located over at least a portion of the bar.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the cover is made of foam.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the cover is made of plastic.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the cover is made of rubber.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the flat end is cylindrical in shape.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the first approximately conic shaped end and the second approximately shaped end are made of rubber.

17. The device of claim 6 further comprising a pin located on the end of the handle.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the pin is made of metal.

19. A support device comprising: (a) a bar that is cylindrical, hollow, made of metal and slightly, bowed;(b) a flat end on one end of the bar that is cylindrical and made of metal having a slot on the front and a first approximately conic shaped end made of rubber on one side and a second approximately conic shaped end made of rubber on the other side;(c) a handle that is approximately cylindrical and made of plastic on the end of the bar opposite the flat end and capable of containing at least a portion of the bar;(d) a compression spring made of metal located within the handle;(e) a lock nut on the interior of the handle operatively connected to a button on the exterior of the handle to permit the bar to be locked at a specific location inside the handle.(f) a cover that is cylindrical and made of foam located over at least a portion of the bar; and(g) a pin made of metal located on the end of the handle.