Patent Application
20100000689
This invention relates to a corner awning device, and the canvas take up shaft which comprises both of said essential parts which are used for attractively covering corners of various buildings or framework structures.
Conventionally, movable awning devices are configured with a combination of: a canvas take-up device, which winds or unwinds a canvas that generally extends forward at an angle from a wall, on or from a canvas take-up shaft that is supported by an outer wall of a building, by means of a manual lever or electric motor, etc., and a canvas tension device, which connects bi-foldable swing arms and the like with a front bar fixed at the front edge of the canvas (for example, see the following patents 1-11, and publications 1 and 2). Many of them are used for sun-shielding or rain-shielding at terraces or along the perimeters of shops, or for ornamental purposes for buildings or shops, and various technical improvements and modifications have been made for such devices.
When the awning device is laid out along the perimeter of a building for an orthogonal corner shape as shown in
List of Publication Information of Prior Art
1. JP Patent Publication No. S54-31768
2. JP Patent Publication No. S62-19774
3. JP Patent Publication No. S63-32250
4. JP Patent Publication No. H4-1220
5. JP Patent Publication No. H6-36156
6. JP Patent Publication No. H7-51545
7. JP Patent No. 2,937,748
8. JP Patent No. 3,129,680
9. JP Patent Laid-Open No. H11-270089
10. JP Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-120242
11. JP Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-123620
12. Japan awning association, “Awning sales manual”, Pages 9-11, issued in January 2004.
13. “Technical Manual” (Awnings made in France) [online], Kabushiki-Kaisha Miyahan, “Searched on Jun. 28, 2002 and Jun. 9, 2004”, Internet <URL:http://www.miyahan.co.jp/tecnicalm/index.html>
Conventional awning devices cannot effectively cover a corner space along the perimeter of the building, for example, a rectangular space Z1 shown in
The corner spaces Z1-Z3 shown in
However, using such a cheap technique, the decorativeness and appearance of the corner spaces of the perimeter of the building will be impaired.
Particularly, corners of various buildings are, in many cases, faced with roads in two directions, at an intersection, and are thus located in a place seen by many in general public and may be used favorably (such as effective advertising) in a business such as a shop. Where the awning devices are set up at such an outstanding place without covering the corner spaces Z1-Z3, or set up with cheap techniques, they lack technical effectiveness or usability as movable awning devices.
First, in order to solve the previously stated technical problem, this invention provides a corner canvas having a substantially right-angled trapezoidal shape when extended, as a basic structure. Specifically, there is provided a corner canvas G1-G4 comprised of a rectangular canvas main body R1 and a right-angled triangular canvas extension R2, R3 that extends from one side of said canvas main body.
In other words, the corner canvas G1-G4 is a corner canvas having: a canvas top side 1, 1A and a canvas bottom side 2, 2A formed in parallel; a canvas oblique side 3, 5, 5A extending towards said canvas bottom side 2, 2A; and a canvas vertical side 4 formed substantially perpendicular to said canvas bottom side 2, 2A.
As shown in
As a result, the corner canvases G1-G4 are able to effectively and attractively cover corner spaces Z1-Z3 of the perimeter of the building. Further they are able to be marketed independently as a compatible corner canvas.
To wind the corner canvas G1-G4 on a canvas take-up shaft having a conventional structure, the conventional take-up shaft and a front bar must be installed with some part of the take-up shaft projected out from the corner of the building.
In this manner, the canvas extension R2, R3 will be wound projecting from the corner of the building toward the corner space, and thus it will not only lose the decorativeness or appearance for the corner, but also lacks technical effectiveness and advantages as an awning device.
Therefore, it has been necessary to develop corner awning devices S1-S6 comprising: a take-up device M1, M2 of the corner canvas G1-G4, which is able to extend the corner canvas G1-G4 to the corner space Z1-Z3 as shown in
As such, this invention provides various corner canvas take-up shafts J1-J13 configured as a main part to wind or unwind the corner canvas G1-G4.
As the principle invention of the canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 to wind or unwind the corner canvas G1-G4 are comprised of an inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B and an outer roller 13 axially movable on and supported with said inner rotation shaft 12, 12A, 12B.
In other words, according to the present corner canvas take-up shaft system, the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B is moved forward (sliding) while rotating the outer roller 13 to unwind the corner canvas when the corner canvas G1-G4 is to be unwound. Thereby, the canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 of this invention can be installed at the corner of the building without protruding from the corner, and also it can wind the corner canvas G1-G4 without protruding from the shaft length of the canvas take-up shaft J1-J13.
The canvas take-up shaft J1-13 and can be provided as interchangeable single products, presented in independent distribution in the same manner of said corner canvas G1-G4.
In addition, to embody this invention, an inner shaft slidably and rotatably fitting in and supporting the outer roller 13 is provided as either of an inner rotation shaft 12, 12A, or an inner fixed shaft 12B.
Thus in the case of the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A, the structures described in the following section (e1) is provided.
(e1) A corner canvas take-up shaft, wherein: a canvas outlet 14 is formed open in the front surface of a casing 11 for storing a corner canvas G1-G4; an inner rotation shaft 12, 12A having guide grooves 171 and guide projections 172 is bearing supported in end caps 15 and 16 fitted to said casing 11; an outer roller 13 is slidingly and rotatably fitted on and supported by said inner rotation shaft 12, 12A; guide projections 261 and guide grooves 262 slidably engaging said guide grooves 171 and said guide projections 172 are formed on the internal perimeter surface of end caps 24 and 25, 24A and 25A, 24B and 25B.
Now, with respect to the inner rotation shaft 13 as an invention, the following sections (g1) and (g2) are provided.
(g1) A corner canvas take-up shaft wherein a canvas outlet 14 is formed open in the front of a casing 11 for storing a corner canvas G1-G4, an inner fixed shaft 12B is fixed with an end cap 15, 16, 16A fitted into said casing 11, an outer roller 13 is slidably and rotatably fitted on and supported by said inner fixed shaft 12B, a spur gear 69 is fitted to the rear end of said outer roller 13, a rod gear 70 engaging said spur gear 69 is attached on an inner wall of said casing 11 for storing said corner canvas G1-G4, and an electric drive unit for a driving gear 68 engaging said rod gear 70 is incorporated in said storing casing 16A, or a manually operated or electrically operated drive unit is configured for forward/reverse rotating said rod gear 70.
(g2) A corner canvas take-up shaft wherein said canvas outlet 14 is formed open in the front of the casing 11 for storing said corner canvas G1-G4, said inner fixed shaft 12B is fixed to said end cap 15, 16 fitted to said casing 11, said outer roller 13 is slidably and rotatably fitted on and supported by said inner fixed shaft 12B, said pipe shaft 81 is projected from said end cap 25C fitted to the rear end of said outer roller 13, a whorl spring 83 is fitted onto a pipe shaft 81, the inner spring end 831 of said whorl spring is locked to said pipe shaft 81, and the outer spring end 832 of said whorl spring 83 is locked to a slide case 84 fitted on said pipe shaft 81.
When the corner canvas G1-G4 is wound on said canvas take-up shaft J1-J3, the canvas is wound in layers from the canvas top side 1, 1A toward the canvas oblique side 2, 2A with a relatively wide breadth, on the external perimeter surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, which is exposed with the rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
The state of the wound canvas has a space like “a mortar” having a moderate longitudinal section and being laid along, projecting in the axis direction as it goes toward the external perimeter surface from the surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, or a state having a space of a moderate-trapezoidal conical cone laid along.
However, in reality, the imaginary space is affected by elasticity biasing force and tensioning force, tensile force caused by the canvas winding/unwinding operation, and thus it is expected that the canvas can be wound in unequal strength because it is pushed onto and partially contacted with the external perimeter surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, or the canvas can be wound in a tapering form because it is affected by, for example, the obliquely rearward translation movement of the front bar 36, 36A.
As a result, when the canvas extension R2, R3 wound with the rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is contacted with the exposed part of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B and is partially tightened, it is expected that a harmful effect may occur such as partially damaging or dirtying the canvas extension R2, R3 by hindering the axis rearward movement of the outer roller 13, or by wearing the canvas extension R2, R3 on the external perimeter surface of the exposed inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B as it is wound.
Thus, in this invention, to deal with the technical problem expected in the reduction of practice of the above corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13, there is provided means for preventing said canvas extension R1 and R2 from adherently winding on the surface of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B exposed by the rearward movement of said outer roller 13.
Thereby, the smooth forward/rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is ensured, and thus the wearing of the canvas extension R2, R3 is prevented.
Various kinds of dependent inventions with respect to the above are described in the following sections (h1)-(h11).
(h1) A corner canvas take-up shaft wherein said coil spring 90 is wound around the fore end of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, said coil spring 90 is exposed as extending on the outer perimeter surface of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B with the rearward movement of said outer roller 13, and said canvas extension R2, R3 is wound on the outer perimeter surface of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B.
Thereby the canvas extension R2, R3 is indirectly wound on the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B.
(h2) A corner canvas take-up shaft wherein a slide rope 50 is provided in a tensioned condition along a guide groove 171 formed along the axis of said inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12 is raised by said slide ropes 50.
With a slide rope 50, the inner rotation shaft 12 is raised, and the slide rope 50 is drawn or stored in the shaft in synchronization with the forward/rearward movement of the outer roller 13. Therefore, it is also effective to prevent the wearing out of the canvas extension R2, R3.
(h3) A corner canvas take-up shaft wherein a slide belt 56 or elastic belt 56A is provided in a tensioned condition along a guide projection 172 formed along the axis of said inner rotation shaft 12, 12A, and the outer perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A is raised by said slide belt 56 or said elastic belt 56A.
Because the canvas extension R2, R3 is indirectly wound on the inner rotation shaft 12 via the slide belt 56 or the expansion and contraction belt 56A, the forward/rearward movement of the outer roller is not hindered. In addition, the slide belt 56 is drawn in synchronization with the movement of the outer roller 13, or the expansion and contraction belt 56A is contracted, and thus the wearing of the canvas extension R2, R3 is prevented.
In order to solve the problem in the most comprehensive way, various kinds of corner awning devices S1-S6 are configured by organically combining the above corner canvas G1-G4, the canvas take-up device M1, M2 provided with the canvas take-up shaft J1-J13, and the canvas tension unit K1-K6.
The corner awning devices S1-S6 of this invention comprise and a canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 winding and unwinding said corner canvas, said canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 comprising an inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B and an outer roller 13, wherein said outer roller 13 is axially movable and supported on said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B; when winding and unwinding corner canvas G1-G4, a front bar 36, 36A supporting the bottom side of said corner canvas G1-G4, and foldable swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2, wherein said front bar 36, 36A is pushed parallel obliquely forward parallel or drawn obliquely rearward by said foldable swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2.
In other words, a corner awning device S1-S6 comprises a corner canvas G1-G4, a canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 winding and unwinding said corner canvas, said canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 comprising an inner shaft 12, 12A and 12B, and an outer roller 13 slidably and rotatably fitted on and supported with said inner shaft, a front bar 36, 36A supporting the bottom side of said corner canvas G1-G4, and swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2 pushing said front bar 36, 36A obliquely forward or drawing said front bar 36, 36A obliquely rearward to fold it.
In the above case, it is preferable that tension members such as connection wires 34, 35 or connection belts 87 and 88, 87A and 88A are provided in a tensioned condition between said outer roller 13 and said front bar 36, 36A.
Thereby, contortion or in-plane deformation when winding the corner canvas G1-G4 is prevented, and the rearward movement of the outer roller 13 becomes smooth.
When the corner canvas G1-G4 is wound for storage, said front bar 36, 36A is transferred parallel obliquely rearward by rotating said swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2 rearward, while said outer roller 13 rotates to wind said canvas main body R1 and moves rearward with the sliding guidance of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, and the canvas extension R2, R3 is wounded on said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B exposed by the rearward movement of said outer roller 13.
On the other hand, when said corner canvas G1-G4 is unwound to extend, said front bar 36, 36A is pushed parallel obliquely forward by rotating said swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2, said corner canvas G1-G4 wound on the canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 is unwound while said outer roller 13 is moved forward toward the fore end of said inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, and thereby said canvas extension R2, R3 is extended over the corner space. When the swinging arms 44 and 45, N1 and N2, T1 and T2, V1 and V2 rotate rearward, and the front bar 36, 36A is transferred parallel obliquely rearward, canvas G1-G4 tensionally supports between said outer roll 13 and front bar 36, 36A and the outer roller 13 slides in the axis direction of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B by the tensile force of the tension member with the canvas main body R1 wound on the outer roller 13.
Thereby, corner spaces of the perimeters of various buildings can be covered effectively, while the awning devices can be stored compactly by the wall of a corner when stored.
As a result, an epoch-making novel product is provided to the industry, which dramatically enhances ornamentality and external appearances in the corners of various buildings and which abounds in technical interests and utility as a corner awning device.
Various dependent inventions wherein one corner awning device is installed at a corner of a building are described in the following sections (p1)-(p3).
(p1) A corner awning device supporting a pair of swinging arms 44 and 45, T1 and T2 in parallel wherein the bottom ends of one of said swinging arms 44, T1 are attached adjacent a corner of a building while the fore end of the swinging arm is attached adjacent the intermediate part of said front bar 36, and
the bottom end of the other swinging arm 45, T2 is attached at a position spaced-apart appropriately from said corner while the fore end of the swinging arm is attached adjacent the rear end of said front bar 36.
(p2) A corner awning device wherein a corner awning device supports a pair of said swinging arms 44 and 45 in parallel, said slide rail 65 is slidably fitted to and supported by said front bar 36A, the bottom end of one of said swinging arms 44 is attached adjacent the corner of the building while the fore end of said swinging arm 44 is attached adjacent the intermediate part or the fore end of said slide rail 65, and the bottom end of the other swinging arm 45 is attached at a position spaced-apart appropriately from adjacent said corner while the fore end of said swinging arm 45 is attached adjacent the rear end of said slide rail 65.
(p3) A corner awning device wherein said swinging arms are a pair of two-phase swinging arms N1, N2 rotating in parallel with two-phase action, said arms N1, N2 comprising said rear arm 59 and fore arm 60 foldably connected to each other, the intermediate part of said swinging arms N1 and N2 is connected with a connection rod 61, the bottom end of said rear arm 59 of said swinging arm N1 is attached adjacent the corner of the building while the fore end of said front arm 60 is attached adjacent the intermediate part of said front bar 36, and the bottom end of said rear arm 59 of the other swinging arm N2 is attached to a place spaced apart appropriately from said corner position while the fore end of said front arm 60 is attached adjacent the rear end of said front bar 36.
In the structures of the embodiments described above, the corner canvas G1-G4 is effectively extended and stored.
In addition, the following embodiments described in sections (q1)-(q3) are provided as dependent inventions in relation to combinations of the corner awning device S1-S6 of this present invention and an awning device Q of a rectangular canvas P.
(q1) A corner awning device wherein the fore end of a canvas take-up shaft 51 of a rectangular canvas P is installed underneath or above the latter half of a corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 in a overlapping manner to combine a corner awning device S1-S6 and an awning device Q comprising said rectangular canvas P and said canvas take-up shaft 51 thereof.
(q2) A corner awning device upper-winding said rectangular canvas P on said take-up shaft 51, and lower-winding said corner canvas G1-G4 on said canvas take-up shaft J1-J13.
(q3) A corner awning device lower-winding said rectangular canvas P on said take-up shaft 51, and upper-winding said corner canvas G1-G4 on said canvas take-up shaft J1-J13.
By constructing embodiments as described in sections (q1)-(q3), the perimeter, including the corner spaces, of various buildings are covered effectively and integrally as if with a monolithic construction as shown
The following sections (r1)-(r11) describe various dependent inventions wherein two awning devices S1-S6 are installed at one side and the other side of a corner of a building in a face-to-face relation each other to cover the perimeter, including the corner space, of the building.
(r1) A corner awning device, wherein two of said corner awning devices S1-S6 are each installed on one side of a corner of the building and the other side of the corner in face-to-face relation, and a corner canvas G1-G4 is attached between said outer roller 13 of each corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 and each front bar 36, 36A.
(r2) In order to prevent the jutted out portions, beyond a line through one end of the canvas top side 1A attached to the outer roller 13 and one end of canvas bottom side 2, 2A attached to front bar 36, from hanging downwards, an appropriate position adjacent the lower end of said canvas oblique side 5, 5A of each corner canvas G2-G4 in face to face relation is connected each other with an elastic member 10.
(r3) A corner awning device comprising said corner canvas G2 and said elastic member 10, wherein the canvas top side 1A is attached to said outer roller 13, said canvas bottom side 2 is attached to said front bar 36, and said elastic member 10 is attached proximate to the intersection point of said canvas vertical side 6 and the canvas oblique side 5.
(r4) A corner awning device comprising said corner canvas G3 wherein said canvas top side 1A is attached to said outer roller 13, said canvas bottom side 2 is attached to said front bar 36, and said elastic member 10 is attached proximate to the intersection point of said canvas vertical side 8 and said canvas oblique side 5.
(r5) A corner awning device comprising said corner canvas G4 wherein said canvas top side 1A is attached to said outer roller 13, said canvas bottom side 2A is attached to said front bar 36, and said elastic member 10 is attached proximate to the intersection point of said canvas vertical side 8A and said canvas oblique side 5A.
By the structure of the embodiments described above in sections (r2)-(r5), the perimeter including the corner spaces of a building is covered effectively as shown in
(r6) A corner awning device wherein each of two of said corner awning devices S3 having a pair of said telescopic swinging arms T1, T2 is installed on one side of a corner of the building and the other side of the corner in face-to-face relation, said corner canvas G1-G4 is attached between said outer roller 13 of each corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 and each front bar 36, 36A, and tensionally supported by tension members and the fore ends of front bar 36 are fixed to each other.
(r7) A corner awning device wherein when said corner canvas G1 is wound by interlocking said canvas take-up shafts J1-J13, each telescopic swinging arm T1, T2 rotates rearward in parallel against the elastic biasing force while said rear arm 62 and front arm 63 of said swinging arms T1, T2 rotate rearward with relative telescopic movement while said front bars 36 integrally connected to one another are moved linearly in parallel toward a place by the wall that exists obliquely rearward.
(r8) A corner awning device wherein when said canvas take-up shafts J1-J13 rotate interlockingly for unwinding, each telescopic swinging arm T1, T2 is rotated in the spread direction obliquely forward with telescopic sliding movement by the elastic biasing force, and said front bars 36 integrally connected to one another are pushed linearly with parallel movement obliquely forward.
By the structure of the embodiments described above in sections (r6)-(r8), the perimeter including the corner spaces of a building is covered effectively as shown in
(r9) A corner awning device S4 wherein said slide rail 65 is slidably fitted into and supported by said front bar 36A, the fore ends of swinging arms 44, 45 are attached to the intermediate part or the fore end of said slide rail 65, and rear end of said slide rail 65, two of said awning devices S4 are installed on one side and the other side of the corner of the building respectively in a face-to-face symmetrical position, said corner canvas G1-G4 is attached between said outer roller 13 and front bar 36A of each corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 and tensionally supported by tension members and the fore ends of said front bars 36A are fixed and connected to each other.
(r10) A corner awning device wherein when said corner canvas G1 is wound by interlocking said canvas take-up shafts J1-J13, a pair of said swinging arms 44, 45 rotates rearward against an elastic biasing force and temporarily slides said slide rail 65 rearward relative to said front bar 36A then slides it forward while it draws said integrally connected front bars 36A toward a corner area for storage on the wall surface.
(r11) A corner awning device wherein when said canvas take-up shaft J1-J13 is interlockingly rotated for unwinding, a pair of said swinging arms 44, 45 are rotated parallel in the spread direction obliquely forward by an elastic biasing force, said front bar 36A is pushed linearly toward the corner space in parallel, and thus said corner canvas G1 is extended over the corner space.
By the structures of the embodiments described in sections (r9)-(r11), the perimeter including the corner spaces of a building is covered effectively as shown in
(r12) A corner awning device wherein said swinging arms are bi-foldable swinging arms V1, V2 that bend and stretch, said swinging arms V1, V2 are each formed with said rear arm 59 and said front arm 60, both of which are bi-foldably connected with each other; said swinging arms V1, V2 are connected with each other by a connection rod 61 between bi-foldable joints thereof, the bottom end of said rear arm 59 of said swinging arm V1 is attached adjacent a corner of a building, the fore end of said front arm 60 of said swinging arm V1 is attached toward the fore end of said front bar 36; the bottom end of said rear arm 59 of the other swinging arms V2 is attached on a position adequately spaced apart from the corner, the fore end of said front arm 60 is attached toward the intermediate portion of a front bar 36, wherein two of said awning devices S5 are installed on a building corner position in face-to-face-relation, said corner canvas G1-G4 is attached between said outer roller 13 of each corner canvas take-up shaft J1-J13, and said front bar 36, 36A, tension members and the fore ends of front bars 36 are fixed to be connected with one another.
(r13) The corner awning device wherein when said canvas G1 is wound by interlocking said canvas take-up shafts J1-J13, said bi-foldable swinging arms V1 and V2 each rotate rearward bi-folding toward obliquely rearward overcoming the spread biasing force, while said front bar 36 integrally connected with each other moves linearly rearward in parallel to the line dividing the corner space equally with parallel movement toward said front wall W1 and side wall W2 respectively, then said bi-foldable swinging arms V1, V2 are folded into place by the wall, and said front bars 36 integrally connected are drawn toward the corner to be stored on the wall.
(r14) A corner awning device wherein when said canvas take-up shafts J1-J13 interlockingly rotate to unwind the corner canvas G1, said bi-foldable swinging arms V1, V2 each rotate forwardly in the spread direction by the elastic biasing force and push said front lever 36 integrally connected obliquely forward in parallel, and thus said corner canvas G1 is extended over the corner space.
Since both bi-foldable arms V1, V2 expand and contract as if frog leaping as described above in sections (r12)-(r14), they can achieve the technical interests, and the perimeter, including the corner spaces, of a building can be covered effectively, or they can be stored compactly by the wall as shown in
Corner awning devices S1-S6 are configured by organically combining: a canvas take-up device M1, M2 winding and unwinding a corner canvas G1-G4; and a canvas tension device K1-K6 extending and tensionally supporting said canvas G1-G4.
Of these, awning devices S1-S5 of the first-fifth embodiments shown in
On the contrary, in the awning device S6 of the sixth embodiment shown in
Now, I will explain the awning device S1 of the first embodiment comprising the canvas take-up device M1 of the first example and the canvas extension device K1 of the first example with reference to the attached
Prior to explanation of the canvas take-up device M1, I will explain the canvas take-up shaft J1 of the first example shown in
Reference character 11 refers to a casing for storing a wound corner canvas G1, wherein a canvas take-up shaft J1 is incorporated therein, the casing being attached on an outer wall W1-W3 in proximity to a corner of various buildings or frame structures (hereinafter “buildings”), and being fixed indirectly on the outer wall W1-W3 through an appropriate supporting bracket (not shown), or being fixed on brackets of the bottom end of various swinging arms described later.
The canvas take-up shaft J1 is comprised of a hollow inner rotation shaft 12, and an cylindrical outer roller 13 fitted on (or inserted into) and supported by the rotation shaft 12 slidably along the axis of the rotation shaft.
Reference character 14 refers to a canvas outlet formed open in the front surface of the casing 11, and reference numerals 15 and 16 refer to end caps fitted onto both the fore and the rear end of the casing 11, the end cap having bearings 151 and 161 projected from the inner surface thereof. Reference numerals 171 and 172 indicate guide grooves and guide projections respectively, both formed along the axis direction on each one-fourth of the outer circumference of the inner rotation shaft 12 in parallel to other grooves and projections. Reference numbers 18 and 19 refer to end caps fitted onto both the fore and the rear end of the inner rotation shaft 12. The cap main body is formed in substantially the same shape as the internal surface of the inner rotation shaft 12. Spindles 181 and 191 penetratingly fixed to the cover portion of the cap are fitted into the bearings 151 and 161 rotatably.
Reference number 20 indicates a worm-gear fittingly fixed to the spindle 181 of the end cap 18. Reference character 21 refers to a worm engaging with the worm gear 20. Its worm rotation shaft 22 is bearing supported vertically by the end cap 18. A hook 23 is formed at the bottom end of the rotation shaft 22.
Reference numerals 24 and 25 refer to hollow end caps fitted into both the fore and the rear end of the outer roller 13. A guide projection 261 and a guide groove 262 are formed in parallel to each other on the internal surface of the cap main body. The end caps 24 and 25 are slidably fitted on the guide grooves 171 and guide projections of the inner rotation shaft 12.
Thereby, the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 integrally rotate and the outer roller 13 moves forward or rearward slidably guided by the inner rotation shaft 12.
Reference numeral 27 indicates a fitting groove formed on the bottom part of the outer roller along the axial direction. References 271 and 272 refer to engaging holes formed in the outer roller at the fore and the rear part of the fitting groove 27, and perpendicular to the fitting groove 27.
In addition, in the above embodiment, when end caps 15, 16 themselves are mounted on the wall W1-W3 with some projection from the wall as end brackets for bearing the canvas take-up shaft J1, the necessity for the casing 11 will be optional.
Now, I will explain the configuration of the first example of the corner canvas G1 on the basis of the plainly extended form as shown in
A corner canvas G1 is made of a textile like that for tents (i.e., fabric or synthetic resin), formed into a right-angled trapezoidal shape when extended, and comprised of a rectangular canvas main body R1 and a right-angled triangle canvas extension R2 extended from one side of said canvas main body.
As for the geometry, the top side 1 of the canvas G1 (hereinafter, a canvas top side) and the bottom side 2 of the canvas G1 (hereinafter, a canvas bottom side) are formed in parallel to each other. An oblique side 3 extends from the canvas bottom side 2 towards the canvas top side 1 at about a 45 degree angle of inclination (hereinafter, a canvas oblique side). A vertical side 4 (hereinafter, a canvas vertical side) is formed substantially perpendicular to the canvas bottom side 2.
Although the angle of inclination of the canvas oblique side 3 is based on around 45 degrees in principle, in some cases it can be wider, for example, 60 degrees, or 75 degrees as shown in
Reference numerals 28 and 29 refer to pouched passages formed on the canvas top side 1 and the canvas bottom side 2, the passages having fixing members such as wires 30, 31 or ropes inserted therein.
References numbers 32 and 33 indicate pouched cross passages formed on the diagonal lines of canvas main body R1, which are lines that obliquely connect the four corners, the passages having tension members such as wires 34 and 35 or connection belts or ropes inserted therein. Engagement pieces 341 and 351 of the fore ends of those wires are drawn upward from outlets 321 and 331 of the front face of the cross passages 32 and 33. The rear ends of the wires and their fasteners 342 and 352 are drawn downward from outlets 322 and 332 of the rear face of the cross passages 32 and 33. Then, to attach the corner canvas G1 on the canvas take-up shaft J1, firstly, the engagement pieces 341 and 351 of fore ends of the connection wires 34, 35 drawn from the front face outlets 321, 331 are fitted into engagement holes 271, 272 of the outer roller 13 to be engaged as shown in
Reference numeral 36 indicates a front bar for fixing the canvas bottom side 2, the front bar having fitting grooves 37, 38 formed on the upper part of the front-bar frame and the upper part of the front part of the front-bar frame in the longitudinal direction.
Reference characters 39 and 40 are engagement holes drilled adjacent the intermediate part of the upper part and the rear end of the upper part of front bar 36.
Then, the rear ends of the connection wires 34 and 35 drawn from the rear face outlet 322 and 332 are inserted into the engagement holes 39 and 40, and the fasteners 342 and 352 are fixed with screws where the drawn corner canvas G1 is disposed in an appropriately tensioned condition.
Subsequently, the canvas bottom side 2 having a wire inserted is fitted into the engagement groove 37 of the front bar 36 to be fixed.
Reference number 41 indicates a decorative skirt hanging down from the front bar 36, the decorative skirt being fixed to the front bar by fitting into the engagement groove 38 after a wire 43 is inserted into the pouched passage 42 formed on the upper edge of the front bar.
Thereby, the canvas take-up device M1 of the corner canvas G1 is configured.
Now, a canvas tension device K1 of the first example is explained below.
Reference numbers 44 and 45 refer to a pair of swinging arms in parallel to each other. These are pivotally supported with a bias so that they manually translate the front bar 36 toward the corner space obliquely forward. Brackets 46 and 47 pivoting the arm bottom ends with pins are fixed adjacent the corner of the building and the fore end of the canvas take-up shaft J1, and adjacent the interlineate of the canvas take-up shaft J1, on the outer wall W1-W3, the underside of the casing 11, or at the supporting bar (not shown) fixed across the wall.
Reference numerals 48 and 49 indicate brackets for pivoting the fore ends of the swinging arms 44 and 45 with pins, the brackets being fixed on the back of the rear end of the front bar 36, and on the back adjacent the intermediate part of the front bar 36, spaced apart from each other by the same distance as the distance between the bracket 46 and the bracket 47.
A spring (not shown) with appropriate elasticity is incorporated in the pivot portion of either or both of the fore ends and rear ends of the swinging arms 44, 45. By the elastic biasing force of the spring(s), the pair of swinging arms 44 and 45 rotates in parallel to each other in the spreading direction and pushes and translates the front bar 36 toward the corner space obliquely forward.
On the other hand, when the corner canvas G1 is wound, the pair of swinging arms 44 and 45 is driven and rotates against the elastic biasing force, and thus retracts and translates the front bar 36 toward a place by the wall obliquely rearward.
In addition, the swinging arms 44 and 45 are mounted in parallel to each other spacing an appropriate distance to rotate in synchronization with each other in one direction. When the distance between the swinging arms 44 and 45 is less than the arm length, it is preferable to form a refraction part closer to the bottom end of each arm.
These refraction parts 441, 451 allow the swinging arms 44, 45 to be compactly stored by the wall.
To wind the corner canvas G1 on the canvas take-up shaft J1, firstly a user engages an operating lever to a hook 23 (not shown), and rotates it manually. Then an inner roller shaft 12 and an outer roller 13 integrally rotate through engaged gears 20 and 21, and wind the canvas so that the face of the canvas is wound inside and the rear face of the canvas is wound on the outside. That is, the corner canvas G1 is wound under the roller as shown in
The swinging arms 44 and 45 are driven and rotate rearwardly against the elastic biasing force, and translate the front bar 36 obliquely rearward.
At the same time, the tensioning force of the canvas tension device K1 affects the outer roller 13 through canvas G1, and the tensile force of connection wires 34, 35 affects the outer roller 13, and then these effects are transmitted into rearward sliding force of the outer roller 13.
Thereby the outer roller 13 is moved rearward along the axis of the inner rotation shaft 12.
Then, the canvas main part R1 is wound on the outer roller 13 gradually, and the canvas extension R2 is wound on the external perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12 exposed with the outer roller 13 moved rearward, as shown in
Thus, the corner canvas G1 is taken up without protruding from the shaft length of the canvas take-up shaft J1, and the swinging arms 44, 45 are folded by the wall and overlaid with the front bar 36 to be stored compactly, as shown in
In this case, the connection wires 34, 35 cross-connect the front bar 36 and the outer roller 13, and the tensile force to move the outer roller 13 rearward occurs as the front bar 36 moves obliquely rearward. Therefore, it prevents the canvas main body R1 from distortion or in-plane deformation when the corner canvas G1 is taken up, and the canvas G1 can thus be taken up in a smooth and regular manner.
In this regard, if the front bar 36 and the outer roller are not cross-connected through connection wires 34, 35, the canvas main body R1 is susceptible to distortion or in-plane deformation with the effect of, for example, hardness and softness of the canvas textile, stretching property, knitting density. As a result, it is expected that the corner canvas G1 will be taken up irregularly, and the smooth rearward movement of the outer roller 13 impaired.
Now, to the contrary to the above, to extend the corner canvas G1 wound on the canvas take-up shaft 1 over a corner space along the periphery of the building, a user rotates the operational assembly in the opposite direction from the above. Then, the elastic biasing force of the two swinging arms 44, 45 folded by the wall is released, and the swinging arms 44, 45 are rotated toward the spreading direction by the pressure biasing force, thereby pushing and translating the front bar 36 over the corner space obliquely forward.
At the same time, the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 integrally reverse rotate to unwind the corner canvas G1 wound on the canvas take-up shaft J1, and the sliding force for the forward movement of outer roller 13 caused by the elastic biasing force of swinging arms 44, 45 affecting the front bar 36, the tensioning force of the canvas G1, and the retraction force of wires 34, 35 retracted, operate so that the outer roller 13 is reverse rotated with the forward movement along the inner rotation shaft 12.
In this manner, the corner canvas G1 is smoothly extended over the corner space obliquely forward by the extension of the front bar 36 with the elastic biasing force of the swinging arms 44, 45, by the integral reverse rotation of the inner rotation 12 and the outer roller 13, and by the forward movement of the outer roller 13.
Thus, two of the awning devices S1 are installed at the corner position of the front wall W1 and the side wall W2 in an orthogonally face-to-face relation, and the corner canvases G1 each wound on the respective canvas take-up shaft J1 are unwound.
Thereby two corner canvases G1 are drawn obliquely forward, extended in a face-to-face relation, and thus the corner spaces Z1-Z3 of the building are effectively covered.
In addition, in the above case, although the inner rotation shaft 12 is rotated manually, the rotation shaft 22 as shown
Combination with Awning Device of Conventional Structure
In the rear half of awning device S1 according to the present invention, an awning device Q having a conventional structure extending or taking up a rectangular canvas P is combined as shown in
In
In the awning device Q, a part in proximity to the end of the casing 52 is attached substantially overlaying beneath the latter half of the casing 11, and the bottom ends of the bi-foldable swinging arms L1, L2 are fixed on the outer wall W1-W3 and spaced apart from each other.
Thus, when the canvas take-up shaft 51 is rotated for winding the canvas with a manual or electric motor, the rectangular canvas P is wound on the take-up shaft 51 with the back face of the canvas inside and the front face outside, and the bi-foldable swinging arms L1, L2 are bi-folded inwardly against their elastic biasing force and the front bar 53 translates toward the wall for storage.
Therefore, a combination of the corner awning device S1 of this invention and an awning device Q of the prior art effectively and integrally cover the peripheries of various buildings including the corner spaces as if they were one piece.
In the above case, it is configured not to stand out the gap between the corner canvas G1 and the rectangular canvas P when extended, by lower-winding the corner canvas G1 and upper-winding the rectangular canvas P. However, the corner canvas G1 may be upper-wound and the rectangular canvas P lower-wound by changing the layer of the casing 11 of the awning device S1 of this invention and the casing 52 of the awning device Q to be upside-down.
Now, the structure of the canvas take-up shaft J2 of the second example, in which the inner rotation shaft 12 is driven electrically, is explained below in connection with
Reference character 54 indicates a cylindrical electrical motor inserted into the rear part of the inner rotation shaft 12. A motor output shaft 541 is projected from the fore end of the motor, and a fixed shaft 542 is projected from the rear end of the motor. Reference numeral 55 refers to a bearing socket having a projection and depression surface to be fitted in the inner rotation shaft 12. The motor output shaft 541 is engaged in an axial hole 551.
Reference character 19C refers to an end cap to be fitted in a rear end of the inner rotation shaft 12. The cylindrical hole 194 of the cap main body bearing supports the rear end of the main body of the electric motor 54.
After the bearing socket 55 engages the motor output shaft 541, the electric motor 54 is inserted into the rear part of the inner rotation shaft 12. On the other hand, after the rear end of the main part of the electric motor is inserted into the end cap 19C, the cap C is fitted into the inner rotation shaft 12, and the shaft 542 of the electric motor 54 is fitted into the bearing 161 of the end cap 16 to be fixed. In this manner, the electric motor 54 is incorporated in the inner rotation shaft 12.
Thus, when the eclectic motor is driven, the output shaft 541, the bearing socket 55 and the inner rotation shaft 12 integrally forward/reverse rotate, and thereby the processes of winding and unwinding the corner canvas G1 becomes automatic and requires less power.
In the above case, an electric drive unit is incorporated in the rear part of the inner rotation shaft 12, while substantially the same structure can be incorporated in the fore part of the rotation shaft 12.
In the above case, it is explained that two awning devices S1 face each other at the corner of a building and that each canvas take-up shaft J1, J2 is rotated manually or electrically. A manually operated unit as shown in
In
A rotation shaft 22 having a hook 23 is bearing-supported vertically at the rear part of the back of the bearing 571. A worm 21 fitted into the upper portion of the rotation shaft 22 engages the worm-gears 20 that engage the spindles 181 of the inner rotation shafts 12.
In this manner, two canvas take-up shafts J1 facing the front wall W1 and the side wall W2 are interlockingly forward/reverse-rotated, and thus winding and unwinding of two corner canvases G1 are interlockingly achieved.
Although the above two canvas take-up shafts J1 are installed in a face-to-face relation at a right angle at a corner of a building as shown in
In addition, the rotation shaft 22 for the interlock can be forward/reverse-rotated by an electric motor (not shown).
It should be understood that in the case of the canvas take-up shaft J2, in which an electric drive device as shown in
In the case of the above canvas tension device K1, the spreading angle of the swinging arms 44, 45 is practically limited to 75-80 degrees, when the smoothness of the rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is considered.
Therefore the length extended obliquely forward, of the corner canvas G1 is limited by the spreading angle of the swinging arms 44 and 45, and thus a gap of 20-30 cm between canvases extended in a face-to-face relation is made.
Thus, to make the gap between the oblique sides facing each other as narrow as possible without changing the spreading angle of the swinging arms 44 and 45, there is provided a corner canvas G2-G4 in 3 aspects as shown in
Of these, in the case of a canvas G2 of
In addition, crossing through holes 32 and 33 are formed on the elongated canvas main body R1, and a canvas extension R3 is formed in a sideways trapezoidal shape with the fore end of the canvas bottom side cut vertically.
In the case of a canvas G3 of
Thus, in the canvas G2 and G3 shown in
Thus, as shown in
Thereby, as shown in
As a result, compared with the case of the corner canvases G1, the gap between opposed canvas oblique sides 5 can be made still less.
In addition, in a canvas G4 of
In addition, the canvas oblique side 5A having an angle of 50 degrees toward the fore end of the canvas top side 1A and the canvas oblique side 8A extending obliquely upward from the fore end of the canvas bottom side 2A form a right angle, and those opposed right angles are connected through an elastic member 10.
Thereby, when the corner canvases G4 are wound, they are gradually folded from the canvas upward folding line 9.
On the contrary, when the canvas extensions R3 are wound on the inner rotation shafts 12 of the canvas take-up shafts J1, they are wound so that the bottom end portions of the downwardly folded portions are raised to keep the extension surface tensed to be flush.
In this manner, as shown in FIGS. 20C and 20CC, the canvas oblique sides 5A are tensely supported folded from the canvas upward folding lines 9 in relatively steep condition, thereby the gap between canvas oblique sides facing each other gets narrower, and the appearance of the corner space when the canvases are extended improves.
Now, the canvas take-up shaft J3 shown in
This canvas take-up shaft J3 requires a casing, which the canvas take-up shaft J1, J2 of the first or second example does not require. The fore end of the inner rotation shaft 12A having a shaft length that is ½-⅔ of the length of the casing 11 is supported with the end cap 15. The inner rotation shaft 12A is slidably and guidably inserted into the outer roller 13.
Reference numeral 58 refers to a slide bearing fixed on the rear end of the outer roller 13. The slide bearing slides forward and rearward with the guidance of the inner wall surface of the casing 11.
To wind the canvas G1-G4, the inner rotation shaft 12A and the outer roller 13 are integrally rotated, the swinging arms 44 and 45 are rotated in an arc rearward against the elastic biasing force, and the canvas G1-G4 is wound by the tensioning force of the canvas G1-G4 or the tensile force of the connection wires, with the rearward movement of the outer roller of the casing 11.
On the other hand, when the canvas G1-G4 is extended, the front bar 36 is extended obliquely forward by the elastic biasing force of the swinging arms 44 and 45, the outer roller 13 reverse-rotating integrally with the inner rotation shaft 12A is moved toward the end of the casing 11, and the canvas G1-G4 wound on the canvas take-up shaft is drawn out and extended.
The following canvas take-up shaft J4, J5 of the fourth example and the fifth example, or canvas take-up shafts J11-J13 described later are embodiments to solve the problem 3 discussed above. They are provided with a structure to prevent adherent winding when the canvas extension R2, R3 is wound, and to secure smooth rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
Now, a canvas take-up shaft J4 of the fourth example shown in
Reference number 50 indicates a slide rope made of synthetic resin having a moderate elastic property. Approximately four slide ropes are incorporated in the inner rotation shaft 12 along the axis of the inner rotation shaft.
References characters 18A and 19A refer to end caps engaging both fore and rear ends of the inner rotation shaft 12. The end caps have rope passages 182 and 192 for turning each slide rope 50 out by bending the rope in the shape of the letter U, the rope passages being formed on 4 places on the external perimeter surface from the cap main body to the cover.
Reference characters 24A and 25A refer to end caps engaging in both the fore and rear ends of the outer roller 13. Rope insertion holes 263 are formed inside of the end caps. In the cap main body, a guide groove 264, in which the guide projection 273 of the engaging groove 27 engages, is formed.
To incorporate the slide ropes 50 into the canvas take-up shaft J4, first, the slide ropes are inserted along the rear side of the guide projection 172 of the inner rotation shaft 12 along the axis of the inner rotation shaft 12. Secondly the slide ropes are temporarily drawn from either of the rope passages 182, 192 of the end caps 18A, 19A fitted into the ends of the canvas take-up shaft. Then the slide ropes are bent over, and drawn along the guide groove 171 on the inner rotation shaft 12 upon turning them out. Further, the ends of the ropes from the holes 263 of the end caps 24A, 25A are drawn out, and fixed for retaining by fitting a clip on both ends of the ropes.
The other slide ropes are incorporated in the same manner, whereby 4 of the slide ropes are put across the inside and outside of the canvas take-up shaft J4 along the axis of the canvas take-up shaft J4.
Thus, when the outer roller 13 moves rearward, the slide ropes 50 of the fore end of the outer roller 13 are correspondingly drawn to the guide groove 171 of the inner rotation shaft 12, and the slide ropes 50 exposed on the rear end of the outer roller 13 are drawn to the inside of the inner rotation shaft 12.
As a result, the canvas extension R2, R3 wound on the inner rotation shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is indirectly wound on the external perimeter surface of the slide ropes 50, the external diameter of which is increased by the exposure of the upper portion in the axis direction.
Therefore, it prevents the canvas extension R2, R3 from adherence when wound, and thus ensures the smooth rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
In addition, because the slide ropes 50 are drawn from the inside of the inner rotation shaft 12 by corresponding to the rearward movement of the outer roller 13, it prevents the canvas extension R2, R3 from wearing when wound on the external perimeter surface of the slide rope 50.
Now, a canvas take-up shaft J5 of the fifth example shown in
Reference numeral 56 indicates a slide belt made of synthetic resin having a moderate elastic property. Approximately four of the slide belts are incorporated in the inner rotation shaft 12 extending along its axis.
Reference characters 18B and 19B refer to end caps engaged in both the fore and the rear ends of the inner rotation shaft 12. Belt passages 183 and 193 for bending over each belt 56 in a U shape are formed on each one quarter of the external perimeter surface of the end cap from the cap main body to the cover portion.
References characters 24B and 25B indicate end caps engaging both fore and rear ends of the outerwear roller 13, and each one quarter of the cap collar is formed with belt passages 265 for drawing the slide belts 56 formed on the cap main body along the axis of the inner shaft.
Thus, the slide belts 56 along the inside of the guide projection 172 of the inner rotation shaft 12 are inserted along the axis of the inner rotation shaft 12; temporally drawn out from the inside of the belt passages 183, 193 of the end caps 18B, 19B; bent over; and drawn along the belt passage 265. Both ends of the belts are fixed with a clip 561, 562 for retention.
The other slide belts 56 are incorporated in the same manner, and thereby four of the slide belts 56 are put across the inside outside of the canvas take-up shaft J5 along the axis of the inner shaft.
As a result, the canvas extension R2, R3 wound on the inner rotation shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is indirectly wound on the external perimeter surface of the slide belts 56 along the guide projections 172 of the inner rotation shaft 12, the external diameter of which is increased by the exposure of the upper portion along the axis of the inner rotation shaft.
As a result, the smooth forward movement of the outer roller 3 is ensured, and the wearing of the canvas extension R2, R3 is prevented.
In addition, to motorize the inner rotation shaft 12 to operate the above canvas take-up shaft J4, J5 electrically, components such as an electric motor 54, a bearing socket 55, and end caps 19C shown in
Now, an awning device S2 of the second embodiment shown in the perspective views of
The awning device S2 is comprised of the canvas tension device K2 of the second example having a pair of two-phase swinging arms N1, N2 in parallel, which circularly rotate in a two-phase motion, and a canvas take-up device M1 having either one of the above canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 or either one of canvas take-up shafts J6-J8 explained later.
The two-phase swinging arms N1 and N2 are each comprised of rear arm 59 and front arm 60 connected foldably. The intermediate portions of the swinging arms are connected through a connection rod 61. The arm front ends are pivoted at the brackets 48 and 49 of the front bar 36.
The brackets 46 and 47 of the bottom of the two-phase swinging arms N1, N2, that is, the bottom of the rear arm 59, are provided with a spring having a relatively low resilience, while the joint of the front arm 60 of the rear arm 59 is provided with a spring having a relatively strong resilience.
Thus, when the corner canvas G1 extended as shown in
Furthermore, when the canvas take-up shaft J1-J5 rotates for winding, a pair of front links 60 biased by the strong spring resilience moves the front bar 36 obliquely rearward in parallel against the resilience bias, and the fore arm 60 is folded by the wall through the swinging process shown in
On the other hand, when the canvas take-up shaft J1-J5 is to be wound, first, a pair of the front arms 80 biased by a strong spring resilience is arcuately rotated in the forward spreading direction by the bias, pushing the front bar 36 obliquely forward in parallel.
When the front arm 60 swings to the spreading angle as shown in
In this manner, the corner canvas G1 extends to the corner space and covers it.
Thus, when the front bar is extended in two-phases towards the corner space obliquely forward by a linkage comprising two-phase swinging arms N1 and N2 and a connection rod 61 for the arms, the front bar is able to push the front bar 36 further obliquely forward, compared with the case of the swinging arms 44 and 45 incorporated in the canvas tension device K1 of the first example.
In addition, in the above case, the angle connecting the bottom end and front end of the two-phase swinging arms N1 and N2 biasing the front bar 36 is adjusted to be around 70-80 degrees of the spreading angle as shown in
In addition, the corner canvas G2-G4 may be extended or stored in such a manner that two of the awning devices S2 of the second embodiment are placed to face each other at the corner of the front wall W1 and the side wall W2, and each canvas take-up shaft J1-J5 is constructed with an interlocking structure as shown in
Now, an awning device S3 of the third embodiment shown in perspective views in
The awning device S3 is comprised of the canvas tension device K3 of the third example provided with a pair of telescopic arms T1 and T2 in parallel, which are free to expand and contract, a canvas take-up shaft M1 provided with either one of the above described canvas take-up shafts J1-J5, or a canvas take-up shaft J6-J8 described later, wherein two of the awning devices are installed at the corner of the front wall W1 and the corner of the side wall W2 in an orthogonally face-to-face relation.
In the above case, one of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 and the other of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 are configured so that both ends of the front bars 36 are fixed orthogonally in a face-to-face relation, or fixed through the connection member 67 as shown
In the telescopic swinging arms T1, T2, the fore end of the rear arm 62 is slidably fitted in the fore arm 63, and configured to be expandable and contractible with a coil spring 64 or a rubber elastic body. The fore end of each front arm 63 is pivoted on the brackets 48, 49 of each front bar 36.
A spring (not shown) biasing telescopic arms T1, T2 in the spreading direction is incorporated in the brackets 46, 47 of the bottom of the swinging arms T1, T2, as is the case with the canvas tension device K1, K2 of the first and second examples.
Thus, as shown in
However, because the fore ends of front bar 36 are integrated with each other, the telescopic swinging arms T1, T2 are rotated arcuately rearward, and are rotated rearward with expansion and contraction with the rear arm 62 and the front arm 63 sliding relatively, then folded by the wall as shown in
On the other hand, as shown in
In this manner, the telescopic swinging arms T1, T2 of the canvas tension unit K3 are rotatably supported with bias, and make the arm length free for expansion and contraction, and thus a corner ornamental panel 67A orthogonal as shown in
Now, a corner awning device S4 of the fourth embodiment shown in
Reference number 65 corresponds to a slide rail comprising a guide-roller 66. As shown in
The guide-rollers 66 are bearing supported and spaced apart on the rail projection 651 projected in the front, central position of the slide rail 65, and retained by an engagement collar 362 formed in the back and upper/lower positions of the front bar 36.
Thus, as shown in
In the above case, one of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 and the other of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 are configured so that the portion where both shafts meet is configured in an interlocking structure as shown in
A spring (not shown) biasing swinging arms 44, 45 in the spreading direction is incorporated in the bracket 46, 47 of the bottom of the swinging arms 44, 45 as is the case with the canvas tension device K1-K3 of the first-third examples.
Thus, as shown in
However, because the fore ends of front bars 36A are integrated with each other, the swinging arms 44, 45 are rotated arcuately rearward, first by sliding the sliding rail 65 rearward temporarily on each front bar as shown in the intermediate stage of
On the other hand, when both of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 are rotated for unwinding in an interlocking manner, each swinging arm 44, 45 is rotated arcuately obliquely forward in the spreading direction by the elastic biasing force, which pushes and translates linearly the integrated front bars 36A over the corner spaces obliquely forward, and thus the corner canvases G1 are extended over the corner spaces.
In the above case, the bracket 48 of the fore end of the swinging arm 44 is attached adjacent the intermediate part of the slide rail slightly shorter than the length of the front bar 36A as shown in
Now, an awning device S5 of the fifth embodiment shown in the perspective views of
This awning device S5 is comprised of a combination of a canvas tension device K5 of the fifth example having double foldable swinging arms V1, V2 bending and stretching like a leapfrog, the canvas take-up device M11 having either one of the above described canvas take-up shafts J1-J5, or canvas take-up shafts J6-J8 described later, with two of the awning devices being configured in the corner place of the front wall W1, and the corner of the side wall W2, in an orthogonally face-to-face relation.
In the above case, one of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 and the other of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J5 are configured so that the portion where both shafts meet is configured in an interlocking structure as shown in
The bi-foldable swinging arms V1, V2 are each comprised of a rear arm 59 and a fore arm 60, both of which are bi-foldably connected. The swinging arms V1, V2 are connected by extending a connection rod 61 between the bi-foldable joints thereof. The fore end of the bi-foldable swinging arm V1 that is closer to the corner is pivoted at the bracket 48 fixed toward the fore end of the front bar 36, while the fore end of the bi-foldable swinging arm V2 that is located rearward of the other arm is pivoted at the bracket fixed on the front bar 36 near the intermediate part.
In the brackets 46, 47 at the bottom end of the bi-foldable swinging arms V1, V2, that is, in the bottom end of the rear arms 59, a spring (not shown) biasing the arms in the spreading direction is incorporated. Also, in the bi-foldable joints of the rear arm 59 and the front arm 60, a spring (not shown) biasing the arms 59, 60 in the spreading direction is incorporated.
Thus, as shown in
On the other hand, when both of the canvas take-up shafts J1-J4 are interlockingly rotated for unwinding, each bi-foldable swinging arm 44, 45 is rotated forward in the spreading direction by the elastic biasing force, which pushes and translates linearly the integrated front bar 36 obliquely forward, and thus the corner canvas G1 is extended over the corner space.
A canvas take-up shaft J6 shown in the sixth example of
This take-up shaft J6 is configured so that the outer roller 13 rotating integrally with the inner rotation shaft 12 moves forward/rearward in the axis direction by means of a rack work.
Reference number 91 refers to a worm-gear fitted to the rear end of the end cap 25. Reference 92 indicates a worm rack formed on the internal surface of the back of the casing 11. The worm gear 91 engages the rack 92.
Thus, when the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 are integrally rotated by means of a manually operated device, the outer roller starts moving in the axis direction with rotation via engagement of the worm gear 91 and the worm rack 92, while the outer roller 13 is moved forward/rearward with the sliding guidance by the inner rotation shaft 12 by the tension force of the canvas tension unit K1-K5 and the tensile force of the connection wires 34, 35.
Thereby, the canvas main body R1 is wound on the outer roller 13, and the canvas extension R2, R3 is wound on the inner rotation shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
In addition, by winding the corner canvas G1 on the canvas take-up shaft J6, the take-up diameter varies, and then the circumferential speed of the take-up shaft J6 becomes gradually fast or slow. Thus, to secure the interlocking, it is preferable to gradually widen the space of the rack of the worm rack 92.
In addition, in the above case, because the outer roller 13 is secured to be moved forward/rearward by the rackwork, the connection wires 34, 35 are not required.
In addition, although structures other than the above described structure are shown as is the case with the canvas take-up shaft J1 of the first example, a rackwork as described above can be incorporated in any of the canvas take-up shafts J2-J5 of the first-fifth examples.
A canvas take-up shaft J7 of the seventh example shown in
This take-up shaft J7 is comprised of: an inner fixing member 12B supporting the outer roller 13 slidably and rotatably. An electric drive unit (a manually operated device is also acceptable) forward/reverse rotates the outer roller itself.
In this regard, in the canvas take-up shaft J1-J6 of the first-sixth examples, the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 are integrally rotated by forward/reverse rotating the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A with a manually or electrically operated unit, while in the canvas take-up shaft J7 of the seventh example, the outer roller is provided with the drive unit that forward/reverse rotates the outer roller 13 itself.
Therefore, it makes the rotation of the inner shaft unnecessary, and the inner shaft is just for guiding the outer roller 13 and enabling its rotation. The rotation of the shaft itself is not an issue. Upon consideration of these factors, the word “inner fixed shaft 12B” is adopted instead of the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A.
Reference character 16A represents a storing case for the drive unit, also serving as a end cap fitted to the rear end of the casing 11, the fore/rear ends of the inner fixed shaft 12B are fittingly fixed at a bearing 152 of the end cap and a bearing 162 is projected from the storing case 16A.
An electric motor (not shown) is mounted in the storing case 16A, and a drive gear 68 is fitted on the output shaft.
Reference characters 24C and 25C represent end caps respectively fitted into the fore and rear ends of the outer roller, and a spur gear 69 is fittingly fixed on the rear end of the end cap 25C.
Reference numeral 70 represents three rod spur gears fittingly fixed on the gear rotation shaft 701. Reference number 71 represent a bearing nut fixed at the upper back corner of the casing 11. The gear rotation shaft 701 is passed through holes 711 at the offset corner, and three rod gears 70 are rotatably borne between the bearing nuts 71.
The spur gear 69 fitted on the outer roller 13 engages the rod gear 70, and the rear end of the rod gear 70 engages the driving gear 68.
Thus, the driving gear 68 drives by means of the electric motor to rotate the outer roller 13 via engagement of the rod gear 70 and the spur gear 69, while the outer roller 13 is moved forward and rearward with the sliding guide of the inner fixed shaft 12B by elastic bias force of the canvas tension device K1-K5, tension of the canvas G1, and tensile force of the connection wires 34 and 35.
Thereby, the canvas main body R1 is wound on the outer roller 13, and the canvas extensions R2, R3 are wound on the inner fixed shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
A canvas take-up shaft J8 of the eighth example shown in
This take-up shaft J8 serves to move forward and rearward the outer roller 13 in the axis direction by a rack work in the canvas take-up shaft J7 of the example 7.
Reference number 92 indicates a rack projected from the inner fixed shaft 12B by spacing one another in an axis direction, the rack engaging an internal thread formed on the inner perimeter surface of the end cap 25C.
Thus, the outer roller 13 is moved forward and rearward with the sliding guide of the inner fixed shaft 12B by the rotation of the outer roller 13 via the engagement of the rod gear 70 and the spur gear 69 when an electric motor drives, while the engagement of the internal thread 252 of the end cap 25C to the rack 93 of the inner fixed shaft 12B, and further by the elastic biasing force of the canvas tension device K1-K5, the tension force of the canvas G1, and the tensile force of the connection wires 34, 35.
Thereby, the canvas main body R1 is wound on the outer roller 13, and the canvas extensions R2, R3 are wound on the inner fixed shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
Although in the above case the rack 92 engaging the internal thread 252 is formed on the inner fixed shaft 12B in the axis direction, it is also possible to form a helical thread (not shown), e.g., an external thread, on the outer perimeter surface to move the outer roller 13 forward and rearward by the engagement of the two threads.
In addition, instead of the internal screw 252, an engaging projection (not shown) may be formed on the inside of the end cap 25C to engage the external thread.
In addition, in the case of the canvas take-up shaft J7, J8 of the above described seventh and eighth examples, a manually operated drive unit for directly driving the drive gear 68 or the rear end of the rod gear 70 may be incorporated in the storing case 16A.
Similarly, if slide ropes or slide belts shown in the canvas take-up shaft J4, J5 of the fourth and fifth examples are incorporated in the canvas take-up shaft J7, J8, the adhesive winding at the time of the winding of the canvas extension R1, R2 will be prevented, and the smooth movement of the outer roller 13 will not be impaired as is the case of the canvas take-up shaft J4, J5.
Now, a corner awning device S6 of the sixth embodiment shown in
This is an embodiment in which a drive unit of the swinging arms 44, 45 is incorporated in the canvas tension device K6 of the sixth example, and the canvas take-up shaft J9 of the ninth example being the main part of the canvas take-up device M2 is made to be the driven side.
The drive unit of the swinging arms 44, 45 shown in
Reference characters 46A and 47A are associated with brackets pivoting the bottom end of the swinging arms 44 and 45. Reference number 72 represents an intermediate bracket attached on the front wall along the line connecting the bracket 46A with the bracket 47A. Reference number 73 indicates a rotation shaft crossed across the bottom ends of the swinging arms 44, 45. Worms 741 and 742, and a bevel gear 751, are placed in lateral bearings 461, 471, and 742 of brackets 46A, 47A, and 72 respectively, with the worms 741 and 742 inserted onto both ends of the rotation shaft 73. The bevel gear 751 is inserted onto the intermediate part of the rotation shaft 73, which passes though the lateral bearing.
Reference numbers 761 and 762 indicate worm gears each fixed on the bottom end of spindles 442, 452 of swinging arms 44, 45, the worm gears being pivoted in vertical bearings 462, 472 and engaging with the worms 741, 742.
Reference 752 refers to a bevel gear engaging a bevel gear 751. The bevel gear is fitted on the top end of the rotation shaft 22 fitted to bearing 722 of the middle bracket 72. A hook 23 is formed on the bottom end of rotation shaft 22.
Thus, swinging arms 44 and 45 are interlockingly parallel-rotated by forward and reverse rotating the rotation shaft by attaching an operating lever on the hook 23.
Now, a canvas take-up shaft J9, which is the driven side shown in
Reference number 77 indicates a coil spring inserted into the latter half of the inner rotation shaft 12. Reference number 78 refers to a disc-shaped spring-stopping socket. The fore end and the rear end of the coil spring 771 are inserted into a hole 782 made in an off center position of the spring stopping socket, and a hole 192 made in an off center position of the end cap 19, respectively.
Reference number 79 indicates a fixed axle extending from a central hole 190 of the end cap 19 through a coil spring 77. The fore end 791 and rear end 792 of the axle are fitted into the central hole 781 of the socket 78, and the central hole of a bearing 161 of the end cap 16, respectively.
Thus, when the inner rotation shaft 12 is rotated via outer roller 13, the coil spring 77 is compressed gradually via the end cap 19 of the rotation shaft 12, and then elastic energy is accumulated in the coil spring 77, or the accumulated elastic energy is released.
Specifically, when winding of the canvas G1-G4 on the canvas take-up shaft J9 is completed, the elastic energy is released with some preload remaining.
On the other hand, as the canvas G1-G4 is extended, the elastic energy is gradually accumulated in the coil spring 77, and the maximum elastic biasing force is accumulated therein at the completion of the extension.
Thus, as shown in
In the above case, tensioning force works on the front bar 36 with enough elastic energy to wind the extended corner canvas G1-G4.
Therefore, when the restraint force by swinging arms 44, 45 against the extended canvas G1-G4 fades, the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 77 with the maximum elastic energy accumulation at the completion of the extension is released.
Thereby the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 are integrally rotated to wind the canvas top side 1 and 1A fixed on the outer roller 13.
In this way, the swinging arms 44 and 45, which is the driven side, are rotated rearward and the front bar 36 is translated obliquely rearward while the tensile force of the connection wires 34, 35 is converted to the rearward sliding force of the outer roller 13 and the outer roller 13 is moved rearward in the axis direction of the inner rotation shaft 12.
Thereby the canvas body part R1 is wound on the outer roller 13, and the canvas extension R2, R3 is wound on the inner rotation shaft 12 exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13.
On the other hand, when the canvas G1-G4 wound on the canvas take-up shaft J9 is to be extended toward the corner space of the building, the user rotates the operating lever in the opposite direction from the above. The two swinging arms 44 and 45 folded by the wall are accurately rotated in the spreading direction thereof, and the front bar 36 attached to the fore ends of the arms is pushed and translated toward the corner space obliquely forward.
In addition, the inner rotation shaft 12 and the outer roller 13 are integrally reverse rotated, the corner canvas G1 wound on the canvas take-up shaft J1 is unwound, and the elastic energy is accumulated by compressing the coil spring 77.
In addition, the sliding force to the outer roller 13 in the forward direction is actuated by the rotation force of the swinging arms 44, 45 affecting the front bar 36 and the tensile force of the connection wires 34, 35 unwound. Thereby the outer roller 13 is reverse rotated with forward movement along the inner rotation shaft 12.
In this manner the corner canvas G1 is smoothly extended towards the corner space obliquely forward by the extension of the front bar 36 with the elastic biasing force of the swinging arms 44, 45, by the integral reverse rotation of the inner rotation member 12 and the outer roller 13, and by the forward movement of the outer roller 13.
Now, a canvas take-up shaft J10 of the driven side of the tenth example shown
Reference character 25C refers to an end cap fittingly fixed on the rear end of the outer roller 13, the end cap having a pipe shaft 81 projected rearward thereon.
Reference number 82 is a cover plate fitted onto the pipe shaft 81. Reference number 83 points to a whorl spring made of a spirally-wound leaf spring, the whorl spring fittingly supported by the pipe shaft 81. The spring end 831 of the whorl spring is fitted into a slit 811.
Reference number 84 indicates a slide case fixed at the rear end of the outer roller 13, the slide case being fitted into a pipe shaft 81 as the storage case of the whorl spring 83, and being moved forward and rearward with the sliding guidance of the internal surface of the casing 11. Reference number 842 shows a locking portion, which is projected from a corner of the slide case 84, and which lockingly fixes an outer spring end 832 of the whorl spring 83.
Reference number 85 refers to a retaining washer, which is fitted on a rear end of the pipe shaft 81, and which retains and supports the cover plate 82, the whorl spring 83, and the slide case 84, which are sequentially fitted on to the pipe shaft 81. Reference numbers 241 and 251 indicate through holes for the inner fixed shaft 12B. Reference number 821 is associated with a hole in the cover plates 82. Reference number 841 indicates a hole in a slide case.
Thus, when the outer roller 13 slidably fitted on, supported, and guided by the inner fixed shaft 12B is rotated, the whorl spring 83 is gradually compressed via the end cap 25C of the outer roller 13, and the elastic energy is accumulated in the spring 83 or the accumulated elastic energy is released.
Specifically, when the winding of the canvas G1-G4 on the canvas take-up shaft J10 is completed, the elastic energy is released with some pre-load remaining.
On the other hand, as the canvas G1-G4 is extended, the elastic energy is gradually accumulated in the coil spring 77, and the maximum elastic biasing force is accumulated therein at the completion of the extension.
In addition, in case that the canvas take-up shaft J7, J8 shown respectively in
In
The elastic belts 56 are each inserted into and between a guide projection 172 of the external perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12 and the internal perimeter surface of the outer roller 13, in the axis direction. The fore and rear ends of each elastic belt are drawn out along a belt passage 265 of end caps 24B and 25B. The fore end of each belt is turned inside through a belt passage 183 of the end cap 18B, and is retained with a clip 561 in the inside of the end cap 18B.
Further, the rear end of each belt is drawn out from the belt passage 265 of the end cap 25B, and retained with a clip 562.
Further, all of the elastic belts 56A are incorporated in the same manner as the above, and thereby four elastic belts 56A are disposed across the inner rotation shaft 12 in the axis direction.
When the outer roller is moved rearward, correspondingly the elastic belts 56A are extended along the guide projections 172 of the inner rotation shaft 12 and exposed, and the canvas extension R2, R3 is indirectly wound on the external perimeter of the elastic belt.
As a result, the smooth forward movement of the outer roller 13 is ensured, and the wear of the canvas extension R2, R3 is prevented.
In addition, an elastic rope instead of the elastic belt 56A may be incorporated in the canvas take-up shaft J4 shown in
Now, in
At the time of winding of the corner canvas G1-G4, as the outer roller 13 is moved rearward, the coil spring 90 is extended on the external perimeter surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B and exposed, and the canvas extension R2, R3 is thus indirectly wound on the external perimeter surface of the coil spring.
Thereby, the smooth rearward and rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is ensured.
In
In addition, the outerwear roller 13 is made of nonmagnetic material.
Thus, when the canvas extension R2, R3 are wound on the external perimeter surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13, adhesive winding is prevented because the canvas oblique side 3, 5, 5A is magnetically levitated with the magnetic force.
In the above case, a sheet magnet 94 may be fixed across the overall length of the external perimeter surface of the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B.
In that case, the outer roller 13 is supported in a state of magnetic levitation against the inner shaft 12, 12A, 12B, and the sliding friction at the time of the forward and rearward movement of the outer roller 13 is eliminated or substantially reduced, which makes the forward and rearward movement of the outer roller 13 dramatically smoother.
Finally, some modifications of the corner canvas G1-G4 are explained below. In
Thus, when the canvas extension R2, R3 is wound into a roll on the external perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A or the inner fixed shaft 12B exposed by the rearward movement of the outer roller 13, the sheet 86 is wound in a helically rising condition as shown in the cross-sectional view of
Thereby, it prevents the canvas extension R2, R3 from being adhesively wound on the external perimeter surface of the inner rotation shaft 12, 12A or the inner fixed shaft 12B, and thus the edge sheet 86 wound helically is utilized as a spacer, which ensures the smooth movement of the outer roller 13.
Further, although the edge sheet 86 is formed to be continuously thicker in the thickness in the above manner, it may be formed to be thicker step-by-step, e.g., every winding or every two windings.
In
Thus, when the canvas G1-G4 provided with the ribs 89 is wound on the outer roller 13, they are wound with some clearance between the inner shaft 12 having a smaller diameter than the outer roller 13 and the external perimeter surface of the canvas extension R2, R3.
Therefore, the smooth movement of the outer roller 13 is ensured, and the wear of the canvas extension R2, R3 is prevented.
In
Thus, to attach the canvas top side 1, 1A of the corner canvas G1-G4 and the canvas bottom side 2, 2A on the outer roller 13 and the front bar 36, 36A respectively, they are fixed by screwing a screw (not shown) into each engagement hole 271, 272, 39, 40.
Although the connection belts 87 and 88 are fixed on the canvas main body R1 in the form of a letter of X in the above case, the connection belts 87A and 88B may be fixed by sewing in the inverted V as shown in
The present invention provides the corner canvas and the take-up shaft therefore, and corner awning device, as described above. Thus, an epoch-making novel product is provided to the industry, which dramatically enhances ornamentality and external appearance in the corners of various buildings and which abounds in the technical interests and utility as a corner awning device.
The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,995, filed on Dec. 25, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The 11/615,995 application claimed the benefit of the date of the earlier filed PCT Application No. PCT/JP2004/009751 filed Jul. 1, 2004.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11615995 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Child | 12558186 | US |
