Patent Application
20060086466
The invention generally relates to window awnings and is more particularly directed to self-storing awning assemblies suitable for attachment to recreational vehicles and the like.
A popular accessory for recreational vehicles is an extendable awning, which provides for sheltered areas when in an extended position during stationary use of the recreational vehicle. Such awnings are retracted into a housing or case for storage during transit.
Heretofore, many roll up window awnings have typically included a roll tube/fabric assembly and two side arm assemblies with the fabric extended and retractably stored in a box or housing by means of either a motor driven or manually turned roller tube.
The side arm assemblies typically include a mounting bar which attaches the system to a vertical mounting surface, a tensioning arm, which is a spring loaded, then imparts an outward force on a forearm. The forearm which is fastened by a pivot to the mounting bar and a lead rail, holds a far end of the fabric in a taut manner.
This system is suitable for mounting to a flat vertical surface, however, for vehicles with non-vertical, or curved, outside surfaces, a single piece mounting bar produces unsightly gaps between the bar and the vehicle side, which also produces substantial wind noise when the vehicle is in motion.
Heretofore, this mounting bar has been utilized for both housing a sliding, spring-load pivot joint and, in addition, providing axial restraint when the awning is stowed away, which is important when the vehicle is subjected to high wind velocities during transport.
The present mounting assembly overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides for a more streamlined and cleaner appearing installation in addition to substantially reducing wind noise during transit.
A window awning mounting system suitable for non-planar surfaces in accordance with the present invention generally includes a housing containing a roll up awning along with a housing bracket mounting the awning to a non-planar surface.
A forearm is provided which includes a header at one end thereof attached to a leading edge of the roll up awning.
Further, a spring loaded tension arm includes one end attached to the forearm and an arm bracket and is separate from the housing bracket. This arm bracket is utilized for pivotally attaching both the second end of the forearm and the second end of the tension arm.
Preferably, the one end of the tension arm is slidably attached proximate the header and the housing bracket removably receives and stabilizes the one end of the tension arm when the awning is in a retracted position for providing axial support during transport.
In another embodiment of the present invention, fittings may be provided and disposed on the non-planar surface and the tension arm for removably securing the tension arm to the non-planar surface.
Such fittings may include a receptacle and a non-planar surface and a pin disposed in the tension arm. Preferably, the pin is disposed proximate the one end of the tension arm.
A more complete understanding of the invention may be head by reference to the following description when taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
With reference to
While shown in an exaggerated fashion, this mounting system 10 produces large gaps 40, 42 between the mounting bar 14 and the surface 12 which are not only unsightly but as hereinbefore noted, are producers of unacceptable wind noise when the vehicle surface 12 is in motion.
With reference now to
As shown, the forearm 24 includes one end 54 attached to the lead rail 26 and far end, or leading edge, of the awning fabric 32. The spring loaded tension arm 22 includes one end 56 attached to the forearm 24 proximate the lead rail, or header 26.
The present invention 50 provides for an arm bracket 60 separate and spaced apart from the housing bracket 52, which pivotally attaches both a second end 62 of the forearm 24 and a second end 64 of the tension end 22.
With reference to
An alternative embodiment 74 for mounting the system in accordance with the present invention as shown in
Although there has been hereinabove described a specific window awning mounting system in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
