(1) Field
Disclosed is a retractable awning. The awning is suitable for reversibly covering a pergola, for example.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Outdoor venues are desirable for many events, such as weddings and graduations, and present the challenge of how to accommodate adverse weather. Thus, there remains a need for a way to provide a deployable covering over large events that can be provided without disturbing the event if adverse weather develops.
Disclosed is a retractable awning including: a slotted track; a webbing disposed in the slotted track; a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track; a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing; a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing; and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and including a guide roller which contacts the cover between the first roller and a first end of the slotted track.
Also disclosed is a retractable awning system, the system including: a first retractable awning; a second retractable awning disposed adjacent to the first retractable awning; and a membrane connecting a cover of the first retractable awning to a cover of the second retractable awning, wherein each of the first retractable awning and the second retractable awning includes a slotted track, a webbing disposed in the slotted track, a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track, a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing, a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing, and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and including a guide roller which contacts the cover between the first roller and a first end of the slotted track.
Also disclosed is a method of deploying an awning, the method including: providing a retractable awning including a slotted track, a webbing disposed in the slotted track, a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track, a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing, a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing, and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and including a guide roller which contacts the cover between the first roller and a first end of the slotted track; and turning the second roller to unwind the cover and deploy the awning.
Also disclosed is a retractable awning comprising: a first outer slotted track; a second outer slotted track; a middle slotted track between the first outer slotted track and the second outer slotted track; a first webbing disposed in the first outer slotted track; a second webbing disposed in the second outer slotted track; a middle webbing disposed in the middle slotted track; a cover attached to each of the first, second, and middle webbings and disposed on each of the first outer, second outer, and middle slotted tracks; a first roller disposed at a first end of the first outer, second outer, and middle slotted tracks and connected to a first end of the first, second, and middle webbings; a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the first outer, second outer, and middle slotted tracks and connected to a second end of the first, second, and middle webbings; a first outer bracket disposed on the first webbing and comprising a first guide roller, wherein the first guide roller is angled away from the center of the retractable awning; a second outer bracket disposed on the second webbing and comprising a second guide roller, wherein the second guide roller is angled away from the center of the retractable awning; a middle bracket disposed on the middle webbing and comprising a middle guide roller, wherein the middle guide roller is aligned with the retractable awning; and a motor configured to wind and unwind the retractable awning.
The above and other aspects, advantages, and features of this disclosure will become more apparent by describing in further detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Disclosed is a retractable awning comprising: a slotted track; a webbing disposed in the slotted track; a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track; a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing; a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing; and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and comprising a guide roller which contacts the cover when the retractable awing is in a deployed position between the first roller and a first end of the slotted track.
The slotted track may have a slotted cross-section as shown in
As illustrated in
The slotted track may comprise any suitable material, and may comprise a metal (such as aluminum, steel, or a corrosion resistant steel) a synthetic polymeric material (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, a polyamide such as nylon, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate), wood, or a combination thereof. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion may each independently comprise any suitable material, and may comprise a metal (such as aluminum, steel, or a corrosion resistant steel) a synthetic polymeric material (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, a polyamide such as nylon, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate), wood, or a combination thereof. For example, the first and second portions may comprise a metal and the third portion may comprise wood or a synthetic polymeric material.
The webbing is selected to fit within the slotted track. The webbing may have a width of 3 mm to 90 mm, 5 mm to 85 mm, 10 mm to 80 mm, or 20 mm to 70 mm, and may have a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm, 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm, 2 mm to 4 mm, or 3 mm. The webbing may comprise a polyamide such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester, or a combination thereof.
The cover comprises any suitable material, and may comprise an olefin such as polyester or polypropylene, cotton, rayon, a polyamide such as nylon, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, vinyl, or a combination thereof. The cover is connected to the webbing in a direction parallel to the length of the slotted track so that the webbing may ride within the slotted track while the cover rides on the slotted track. The cover may be attached to the webbing with thread, an electro-seal, a weld such as a heat weld, an adhesive weld, a sonic weld, or a combination thereof. A sewn connection is specifically mentioned. The cover, when in a deployed configuration, is on the slotted track.
It has been surprisingly discovered that certain combinations of webbing and slotted track dimensions provide improved performance. Slotted tracks having a larger slot width W2 are best used with a webbing having a greater latitudinal stiffness, and webbing having less latitudinal stiffness may be used if a slotted track having a narrower slot width W2 is provided. A suitable combination of webbing and slotted track may be defined based on a pull test, in which a 0.1 meter (m) section of webbing is connected to a cover, the webbing disposed in the slot and the cover on the slotted track, and the cover pulled in a direction perpendicular to the slot until the webbing is pulled through the slot. It has been discovered that use of a webbing and slot combination in which the webbing is retained within the slot when the cover is pulled with a force, F, of 30 newtons (N) force perpendicular to the slot provides improved results. In an embodiment, the webbing and slot combination provides a pull resistance of 30 N to 200 N, 40 N to 150 N, or 50 N to 125 N, when determined by pulling a cover attached to a 0.1 m section of webbing in a direction perpendicular to the slot until the webbing is pulled through the slot. An illustration of a pull test is illustrated in
The retractable awning comprises a first roller 310 disposed in a first end of the slotted track, and a second roller 320 disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track, as shown in
In order to maintain a tension of the webbing, one or both of the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 may each independently be raised relative to a height of the slotted track. The webbing in the slotted track and the webbing between a guide and a roller may be at a rolling angle of 0 to 60°, or 20 to 50°. In order to achieve the rolling angle, one or both of the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 may mounted on an adjustable mount 810, for example, as illustrated in
Depending on the desired width of the awning, a plurality of slotted tracks may be provided. For example, shown in
The slotted track may have an angled leading edge 250, for example, as illustrated in
Also disclosed is a bracket 610 to guide the webbing where the webbing enters the track, as shown in
Each bracket may comprise a guide roller 740. The guide roller is disposed on the cover and on the webbing, so as to guide the webbing into and out of the slotted track. It has been discovered that by angling the guide roller or by utilizing a slanted guide roller on the outer brackets towards an outer edge of the awning, departure of the webbing from the slotted track is avoided and wrinkles in the cover are reduced. An angled guide roller 742 is shown in
Also provided, as shown in
In addition, disclosed is a shield 910, for example, as shown in
Also disclosed is a retractable awning system, the system comprising: a first retractable awning; a second retractable awning disposed adjacent to the first retractable awning; and a membrane connecting a cover of the first retractable awning to a cover of the second retractable awning, wherein each of the first retractable awning and the second retractable awning each comprise a slotted track, a webbing disposed in the slotted track, a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track, a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing, a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing, and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and comprising a guide roller which contacts the cover when the retractable awing is in a deployed position between the first roller and the first end of the slotted track.
The membrane may comprise any suitable material and may comprise, for example, an olefin (such as polyester or polypropylene), cotton, rayon, a polyamide (such as nylon), an acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, a polyurethane, a vinyl, or a combination thereof. The membrane may be connected to the adjacent covers to provide a seamless and leakproof transition between adjacent covers.
Also disclosed is a method of deploying an awning, the method comprising: providing a retractable awning comprising a slotted track, a webbing disposed in the slotted track, a cover attached to the webbing and disposed on the slotted track, a first roller disposed at a first end of the slotted track and connected to a first end of the webbing, a second roller disposed at a second opposite end of the slotted track and connected to a second end of the webbing, and a bracket, the bracket disposed over the first roller and comprising a guide roller which contacts the cover when the retractable awing is in a deployed position between the first roller and a first end of the slotted track; and turning the second roller to unwind the cover and deploy the awning. The first and second rollers may each individually be turned by any suitable means, such as a handcrank or a motor, for example. Use of electric motors disposed within each roller is specifically mentioned. The motors may be controlled by a controller, which directs the first motor and the second motor to turn the first roller and the second roller to deploy the awning. In an embodiment, the controller maintains a suitable tension on the webbing while the awning is being deployed and retracted. The controller may be actuated by a switch, enabling a user to automatically deploy or retract the awning as desired.
Also disclosed is a pergola system, the pergola system comprising a pergola, and the retractable awning disposed on the pergola. When the cover is retracted, the pergola system permits having an outdoor event in the pergola. If desired, such as when adverse weather is indicated, the cover may be deployed by actuating the controller, permitting the event to continue under the protection of the deployed cover.
The invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/172,457 filed Jun. 8, 2015. The related application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160356085 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62172457 | Jun 2015 | US |