Extension arm which is pivotally mounted on a support

Abstract

[According to the invention, a] A guide rod [(44)] is provided for improving the ability of an extension arm [(6)], which can rotate around [the] an axis [(24)] thereof, [to] and pivot on a support or a pole [(4)]. [Said] The guide rod can be locked into different rotational [angle] angular positions with the extension arm [(6)] and can be retained on the support [(4)].

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an extension arm which is arranged on a support, such that it can be pivoted about its axis. According to a preferred embodiment, such an extension arm is designed as an extensible free arm and the support is designed as a pole of a free-arm sunshade.

[0003] 2. Description of the related art

[0004] An extension arm which is arranged on a support such that it can be pivoted about its axis is known, for example, from EP 0 830 074 B1, in the case of which the extension arm is configured as an extensible free arm and the support is configured as the pole of a free-arm sunshade. In order to make optimum use of the shade as the position of the sun changes, it is possible, not just for the pole to be rotated about its own axis but also, in particular, for the extension arm to be pivoted about its axis, with the result that the sunshade can be moved into an appropriate oblique position and stopped, fixed, or locked there. For this purpose, a hand lever is fitted, for example, on the extension arm in order to pivot the extension arm, and thus the sunshade, and then to stop, fix, or lock the same in the pivoted position by means of a clamping arrangement. The disadvantage here, however, is that the hand lever fitted on the extension arm is difficult to reach as a result of the extension arm usually being located at a high level. In addition, the operation of pivoting the extension arm with the sunshade framework requires relatively large forces, which can barely be applied, if at all, by the small hand lever. Added to this is the fact that, depending on the sunshade position, such a hand lever projects to a more or less pronounced extent into the space occupied by the user, which is not just unsightly but also poses a risk of injury to the user.

[0005] The same applies to the clamping lever of the clamping arrangement for arresting the extension arm in the pivoted position. In order to improve the handleability, it is known to use a worm gear mechanism. Such a worm gear mechanism not only is a relatively expensive component but also only allows slow adjustment and is barely accessible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention includes an extension arm, which is arranged on a support such that it can be pivoted about its axis, in such a way that pivoting is easily possible even with the extension arm located at a relatively high level and in the case of relatively large forces of inertia.

[0007] Since the hand lever is configured as a guide rod, it is possible for the guide rod to be of a longer overall length, and thus for the extension arm to be arranged at a higher level, while such a guide rod, rather than projecting in an obstructive manner into the space occupied by the user, is nevertheless always positioned, when in use, against the support, to which it is fixed or locked in a directly or indirectly releasable manner. This means that the guide rod does not constitute any obstruction or hazard for the user and can nevertheless be handled straightforwardly and with little required force.

[0008] A particularly straightforward arrangement of the guide rod on the extension arm is specified when it is possible for the latching bolt to be arranged and actuated independently of the guide rod. It is advantageous if the latching bolt is prestressed toward the latching recess by means of a prestressing spring, thus achieving reliable latching in the case of which undesired unlatching of the latching bolt is prevented. If appropriate, it is possible for the guide rod to be arranged in an articulated manner on the latching bolt and to serve for actuating the latter. This increases, however, the risk of undesired actuation, which is to be avoided for safety reasons. More advantageous therefore is a possible configuration in which the traction element is arranged such that it is protected by the guide rod, with the result that undesired actuation is largely prevented. It is also possible here for the traction element to be arranged outside the guide rod. Arranging the traction element within the guide rod results not just in better safety, but also in improved esthetics.

[0009] There are various possible ways of actuating the traction element. One manner includes a handle of the guide rod which also serves for actuating the traction element. For esthetic, practical and, in particular, safety purposes, however, an arrangement of an additional catch, assigned to the handle of the guide rod, for the traction element is preferred.

[0010] In order to keep the extension arm, and a sunshade, which may be fastened thereon, in the pivoted position, it is necessary to arrest (that is stop, fix, or lock) the guide rod on the support. There are various possible ways of so doing this arresting.

[0011] The guide rod may have various cross sections. Particularly expedient is a D-like cross section with a rounded part and a rectilinear base part. In this case, the basic position is preferably set up such that the rectilinear base part is directed toward the support.

[0012] There are likewise various possible ways of configuring the extension arm. It is thus possible, for example, for it to comprise a solid profile. A hollow configuration here makes it possible to accommodate a traction element, for example, for opening and closing a sunshade canopy.

[0013] The support may be of any desired design and may comprise, for example, a wall or a pole. The configuration is advantageous in particular for the use as a free-arm sunshade. In this case, the guide rod can expediently be arrested on a carriage belonging to the pole.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the extension arm is designed as an extensible free arm and the support is designed as a pole of a free-arm sunshade, as is similarly described in EP-B1 0 741 531 and 0 830 074.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Advantageous configurations of the invention are described in more detail hereinbelow using the example of a free-arm sunshade and with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows the free-arm sunshade in the closed position;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the free-arm sunshade in the open position;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows, on a larger scale and partly in section, a detail of the connection between the extension arm and the support or pole;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a guide rod in cross section;

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the free-arm sunshade before the extension arm and the sunshade canopy have been pivoted; and

[0021] FIG. 6 shows the extension arm and the sunshade canopy in the pivoted position.

[0022] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] With the exception of the specific configuration of the means for pivoting the extension arm, the free-arm sunshade illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 may be configured in accordance similarly with EP-B1 0 741 531 and/or 0 830 074.

[0024] The free-arm sunshade illustrated in the figures has a pole 4 which is anchored, for example, in a base 2 and serves as a support for an extensible extension arm 6. The arm 6 is arranged on a carriage 8, which can be displaced along the pole 4, via an pivot or articulation 10. The extension arm 6 is supported at the top end of the pole 4 via a connecting rod 12. For this purpose, the connecting rod is connected, on the one hand, to the extension arm 6 via an articulation 14 between the two ends of said extension arm and, on the other hand, to the top end of the pole 4 via a further articulation 16 (FIG. 2). By means of a crank 18 and of a circulating element 20 indicated in FIG. 3, the carriage 8 is moved up and down along the pole 4 from a rest position in FIG. 1, in which the extension arm 6 butts against the pole 4, into an extended position in FIG. 2. Details of the configuration of the circulating element 20 and of the crank mechanism 18 can be gathered from EP-B1 0 741 531. EP-B1 0 830 074 describes alternative possible ways of retracting and extending the extension arm.

[0025] Arranged at the end of the extension arm 6 is a sunshade canopy 22 which is closed when the extension arm is retracted, as is shown in FIG. 1, and is open when the extension arm is extended, as can be gathered from FIG. 2. There are likewise various possible ways of opening and closing the sunshade canopy, of which preferred ways can be gathered from the abovementioned specifications.

[0026] Details regarding the pivoting of the extension arm about its axis 24 and the components used for this purpose can be gathered from FIG. 3 in particular. The extension arm 6 is of tubular configuration and, at its end which is directed toward the pole 4, has a bearing ring 26 which is mounted pivotably on a supporting member 28. The supporting member 28 is connected to the carriage 8 such that it can be pivoted via an articulation 10. It is possible to arrange in the hollow extension arm 6, for example, a cable pull 30 for opening and closing the sunshade canopy 22.

[0027] Arranged on the outside of the bearing ring 26 is an adjustment ring 32 which can be pivoted about the bearing ring and bears a latching bolt 36 in a housing 34. Said latching bolt is prestressed toward the bearing ring 26, and/or latching recesses 40 arranged therein, by means of a spring 38. The bearing ring 26 has a plurality of circumferentially distributed latching recesses 40, of which the angle positions correspond to the adjustment positions of the extension arm 6 and thus of the sunshade canopy 22. Articulated on the housing 34 (FIG. 3) of the latching bolt 36, via a bearing bolt 42, is a guide rod 44, designed as a tube. Provided in the interior of the guide rod 44 is a traction element 46 which is connected to the latching bolt 36 in a pivotable manner via a coupling ring 48. The traction element 46 projects downward through the guide rod 44 and is provided there with a catch 49 which is assigned to an eyelet-like handle 50 of the guide rod 44, as can be gathered from FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular. In the rest position, the guide rod 44 is latched to the carriage 8, and thus to the pole 4, via a fork-like arresting member 52, as can be gathered from FIGS. 1 and 2 and also FIG. 6. By virtue of the guide rod 44 being arranged in an articulated manner on the housing 34 via the bearing bolt 42, the arresting action of the guide rod 44 on the arresting member 52 is maintained even when the extension arm 6 is moved out of its rest position in FIG. 1 into the extended position in FIG. 2 and vice versa. The guide rod is retained in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the fork-like arresting member 52 in order for it to be possible for it to follow the movements of the articulation bolts 10 and 42 when the extension arm 6 is retracted and extended.

[0028] The pivoting of the extension arm 6 and thus of the sunshade canopy-22 takes place as follows. If the sunshade canopy 22, and thus the extension arm 6, is located in the basic position, in which the sunshade canopy is located horizontally, then the guide rod 44 is released from the arresting member 52 and the latching bolt 36 is released from the latching recess 40 via the catch 49 and the traction element 46. With the extension arm 6 at rest and/or the sunshade canopy 22 horizontal, the guide rod 44 can then be pivoted laterally to the extent which corresponds to the subsequent pivot angle of the sunshade canopy and which is shown in FIG. 5. Thereupon, the latching bolt 36 is brought into engagement with an offset latching recess 40 (the latter nevertheless not being illustrated specifically), with the result that, when the guide rod 44 is pivoted in relation to the carriage 8 and/or the pole 4, the extension arm 6, and thus the sunshade canopy 22, is pivoted by the previously selected angle position, as is shown in FIG. 6. The pivoted position is fixed by virtue of the guide rod 44 being latched to the arresting member 52. By virtue of the guide rod 44 being released from the arresting member 52 and the guide rod 44 being pivoted back into the position shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to eliminate the pivoted position of the sunshade canopy 22 and/or the extension arm 6. Following release of the latching bolt 36 from the recess 40 by means of the traction element 46, the guide rod 44 can be pivoted back freely again into the basic position, in which the guide rod 44 latches on the carriage 8 by way of the arresting element 52. In this position, the latching bolt 36 also latches again in the corresponding basic-position latching recess on the bearing ring 26, with the result that the extension arm 6 and/or the sunshade canopy 22 is fixed in the horizontal, basic position.

[0029] The guide rod 44 therefore allows straightforward pivoting of the extension arm and thus of the sunshade canopy, the length of the guide rod being selected such that, even with the extension arm located at a high level, the guide rod 44 and the handle 50 are easily accessible. By virtue of the lever transmission, the length of the guide rod 44 in particular also allows easy pivoting of the sunshade canopy 22 and/or the extension arm 6. This configuration allows round or polygonal sunshades of, for example, 3 to 5 m in diameter to be easily handled.

[0030] According to FIG. 4, the guide rod has a D-like cross section with a rounded part 54 and a rectilinear base part 56. The basic position is preferably set up here such that the base part 56 is directed toward the pole 4 and/or the carriage 8. The shape of the guide rod can thus be better adapted to the profile of the pole 4 and of the carriage 8, and it provides a good grip for the eccentric bearing bolt 42 guided through the guide rod.

[0031] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

[0032] List of Designations

2  Base
4  Pole
6  Extension arm
8  Carriage
10 Articulation
12 Connecting rod
14 Articulation
16 Articulation
18 Crank
20 Circulating element
22 Sunshade canopy
24 Axis
26 Bearing ring
28 Supporting member
30 Cable pull
32 Adjustment ring
34 Housing
36 Latching bolt
38 Spring
40 Latching recess
42 Bearing bolt
44 Guide rod
46 Traction element
48 Coupling ring
49 Catch
50 Handle
52 Arresting member
54 Rounded part
56 Rectilinear base part

Claims

1. [An] A pivotable extension arm [(6) which is arranged on] assembly comprising: a support; an extension arm arranged on said support so it can be pivoted on its axis into a position; a hand lever connected to said extension arm to fix said extension arm in said pivoted position, said hand lever including a guide rod that can be latched to said extension arm in different angle of rotation positions and fixed to said support. [such that it can be pivoted about its axis and which can be pivoted, and arrested in the pivoted position, by means of a hand lever, characterized in that the hand lever is designed as a guide rod (44) which, on the one hand, can be latched to the extension arm (6) in different angle-of-rotation positions and, on the other hand, can be arrested directly or indirectly on the support (4).]Please amend claim 2 as follows:

2. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 1, [characterized in that the] in which guide rod [(44)] is arranged on an adjustment ring [(32)] which [can be pivoted] is pivotable about [the] said extension arm [(6)] and [can be latched] latchable to latching recesses [(40)] of [the] said extension arm [(6)] by means of a latching bolt [(36)]. Please amend claim 3 as follows:

3. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 2, [characterized in that the] in which latching bolt [(36)] is prestressed toward [the] said latching recesses [(40)] by means of a prestressing spring [(38)]. Please amend claim 4 as follows:

4. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 3, [characterized in that the] in which said guide rod [(44)] is arranged [in an articulated manner] for articulation on [the] said latching bolt [(36)] in order to actuate the latter. Please amend claim 5 as follows:

5. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 3, [characterized in that the] in which said guide rod [(44)] is connected [in an articulated manner] for articulation to a housing [(34) of the] about said latching bolt [(36)] and [contains] includes a traction element [(46)] which is connected to [the] said latching bolt [(36)] for the release of [the latter] traction element. Please amend claim 6 as follows:

6. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 5, [characterized in that the] in which said guide rod [(44)] is provided with an axial through-passage opening for accommodating [the] said traction element [(46)]. Please amend claim 7 as follows:

7. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 5 [or 6], [characterized in that the] in which said traction element [(46)] has an [a preferably] eyelet-like handle [(50)] which is arranged [[lacuna] the] adjacent a bottom end of [the] said guide rod [(44)]. Please amend claim 8 as follows:

8. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 5 [or 6], [characterized in that the] in which said traction element [(46)] has a catch [(49)] which is assigned to a handle [(50)] of the guide rod [(44)]. Please amend claim 9 as follows:

9. The extension arm assembly as claimed in [one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the] claim 1, in which said guide rod [(44)] can be [arrested] fixed on [the] said support [(4)] via an arresting member [(52)]. Please amend claim 10 as follows:

10. The extension arm assembly as claimed in [one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the] claim 1, in which said guide rod [(44) has] includes a D-like cross section with a rounded part [(54)] and a rectilinear base part [(56)], [the] said base part [(56)] being directed toward [the] said support [(4)]. Please amend claim 11 as follows:

11. The extension arm assembly as claimed in [one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the] claim 1, in which said extension arm [(6)] is hollow and [designed for accommodating] accommodates a traction element [(30)]. Please amend claim 12 as follows:

12. The extension arm assembly as claimed in [one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the] claim 1, in which said support includes a pole, a carriage displayable and fixable along said role, said extension arm [(6) is] arranged on a supporting member [(28)] such that [it] said extension arm can be rotated about its axis [(24)], said supporting member being connected in an articulated manner to [a] said carriage [(8) which can be displaced, and arrested, along the support, which has a pole (4)]. Please amend claim 13 as follows:

13. The extension arm assembly as claimed in claim 12, [characterized in that the] in which said guide rod [(44)] can be [arrested] fixed on [the] said carriage [(8)]. Please amend claim 14 as follows:

14. The extension arm assembly as claimed in [one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the] claim 1, in which said extension arm [(6)] is [designed as] an extensible free arm and [the] said support [(4)] is [designed as] a pole of a free-arm sunshade.