Retractable terrace canopy
An awning assembly including a first support leg, a second support leg, and a horizontal truss brace. The awning assembly further includes a roller tube attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a first and second glide rail attached the first and second support legs, respectively. First and second raising/lowering mechanisms are adapted for raising and lowering a first glide block along the first glide rail, and a second glide block along the second glide rail, respectively. The awning assembly further includes first and second front arms having hinged attachments to the first and second glide blocks and further attachments to a front bar, and a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar.
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The present invention relates to an improved awning structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional retractable awnings suffer from a number of deficiencies. Conventional retractable awnings are typically cumbersome, as well as very time consuming, to deploy from their stowed state. The present invention provides for a retractable awning that may be extended or retracted easily and quickly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete understanding of the apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Reference is now made to the Drawings wherein like reference characters denote like or similar parts throughout the various Figures. Referring now to
A first glide rail 22a and a second glide rail 22b are attached to an inner side of and extend along a portion of the vertical length of the first support leg 12a and the second support leg 12b, respectively. The first glide rail 22a is adapted to allow a first glide block 24a to slide along the first glide rail 22a, and the second glide rail 22b is adapted to allow a second glide block 24b to slide along the second glide rail 22b. These glide rails can be integral to the support legs or made as a separate piece. Alternately, the guide rails may be in the form of a grooved arrangement within the support legs.
In this embodiment, the awning assembly 10 further includes a first glide block ribbon 25a having a first end attached to the first glide block 24a and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 10 further includes a second glide block ribbon 25b having a first end attached to the second glide block 24b and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. The first glide block 24a and the second glide block 24b in combination/cooperation with each other and the first glide block ribbon 25a and the second glide block ribbon 25b serve as a raising lowering mechanism. It should be understood that other raising/lowering mechanisms may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 24a and the second glide block 24b instead of the first glide block ribbon 25a and the second glide block ribbon 25b used in this embodiment. Other raising/lowering mechanisms that may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 24a and the second glide block 24b could include, for example, the use of tapes, cords, chains, screw drives, either alone or in combination, or the like.
The awning assembly 10 further includes a first end of a first front arm 26a and a first end of a first rear arm 28a attached to opposing sides of the first glide block 24a via hinged attachment points. A first end of a second front arm 26b and a first end of a second rear arm 28b are attached to opposing sides of the second glide block 24b via hinged attachment points. A second end of the first front arm 26a and a second end of the second front arm 26b are attached to opposite ends of a front bar 30a, ideally in a semi or completely rigid manner. In a substantially similar manner, a second end of the first rear arm 28a and a second end of the second rear arm 28b are attached to opposite ends of a rear bar 30b, ideally in a rigid manner. Although they may be hinged at one or more of their endpoints, the first front arm 26a, the second front arm 26b, the first rear arm 28a, and the second rear arm 28b are preferably constructed in such a manner that they are rigid (i.e. not hinged) along their entire length. This eliminates a potential point of failure of conventional awning arms that may have one or more articulations positioned in or along their length.
The front bar 30a and rear bar 30b may additionally be provide with slots for the attachment of a front valance 33a and rear valance 33b, respectively. The awning assembly 10 further includes a front canopy material 32a, comprised of a flexible material such as fabric or plastic, having a first end attached to the front bar 30a and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 10 includes a rear canopy material 32b having a first end attached to the rear bar 30b and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. The front canopy material 32a and rear canopy material 32b are adapted to provide protection against sunlight, rain, etc. when in a deployed configuration as illustrated in
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It should be understood that other configurations of the front bar 30a and rear bar 30b could used. Although a slot arrangement for the attachment of the front canopy material 32a and/or front valence 33a is shown in
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In addition, as each of the first glide block 24a and second glide block 24b are pulled upward, the hinged movement of the first rear arm 28a and second rear arm 28b results in the outward movement of the rear bar 30b thereby deploying the rear canopy material 32b into its fully extended position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinged attachment of the first rear arm 28a and the second rear arm 28b to the first glide block 24a and the second glide block 24b may be optionally spring loaded such that outward pressure is placed upon the first rear arm 28a and the second rear arm 28b to facilitate the extension of the rear canopy material 32b. The extension of the front canopy material 32a and the rear canopy material 32b results in the formation of a protective canopy.
When it is desired to return the awning assembly to its fully retracted position, the roller tube 20 is rotated in a counter direction to that of extension. As the roller tube 20 is rotated in the counter direction, the front canopy material 32a and the rear canopy material 32b are wound around the roller tube 20. In addition, the first glide block ribbon 25a and the second glide block ribbon 25b are unwound from the roller tube 20 as the roller tube 20 is rotated in the counter direction, resulting in the downward movement of the first glide block 24a and the second glide block 24b along the first glide rail 22a and the second glide rail 22b, respectively.
A variety of suitable mechanisms may be used to rotate the roller tube 20 in order to facilitate the retraction and extension of the awning assembly 10. For example, a hand crank located along an outer surface of one of the first support leg 12a and the second support leg 12b having a worm gear attachment to the roller tube assembly 18 may be used such that a user may rotate the hand crank in alternate directions in order to extend or retract the awning assembly. In another example, a electric motor can be used to rotate the roller tube 20 in opposing directions in order to alternately extend and retract the awning assembly 10. These mechanisms can be linked to the raising/lowering mechanisms or can be independent of them.
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A first glide rail 122a and a second glide rail 122b are attached to an inner side of and extend along a portion of the vertical length of the right support leg 112a and the left support leg 112b, respectively. The first glide rail 122a is adapted to allow a first glide block 124a to slide along the first glide rail 122a, and the second glide rail 122b is adapted to allow a second glide block 124b to slide along the second glide rail 122b. The awning assembly 110 further includes a first glide block ribbon 125a having a first end attached to the first glide block 124a and a second end attached to the roller tube 120. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 110 further may include a second glide block ribbon 125b having a first end attached to the second glide block 124b and a second end attached to the roller tube 120.
The awning assembly further includes a first end of a first arm 126a attached to the first glide block 124a via a hinged attachment point. A first end of a second arm 126b is attached to the second glide block 124b via a hinged attachment point. A second end of the first arm 126a and a second end of the second arm 126b are rigidly attached to opposite ends of a front bar 130a. The front bar 130a may additionally be provided with a slot for the attachment of a valance 133a.
The awning assembly 110 further includes canopy material 132a, comprised of a flexible material such as fabric or plastic, having a first end attached to the front bar 130a and a second end attached to the roller tube 120.
It should be understood that other raising/lowering mechanisms may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 124a and the second glide block 124b instead of the first glide block ribbon 125a and the second glide block ribbon 125b used in this embodiment. Other raising/lowering mechanisms that may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 124a and the second glide block 124b include the use of tapes, cords, chains, screw drives or the like.
Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the claims.
Claims
1. An awning assembly comprising:
- a first support leg;
- a second support leg;
- a horizontal truss brace having a first end portion attached to an upper portion of the first support leg, and a second end portion attached to an upper portion of the second support leg;
- a roller tube attached to the horizontal truss brace;
- a first glide rail associated with the first support leg;
- a second glide rail associated with the second support leg;
- a first glide block movably positioned along the first glide rail;
- a first raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the first glide block along the first glide rail;
- a second glide block movably positioned along the second glide rail;
- a second raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the second glide block along the second glide rail;
- a first front arm including a first portion at an end of the first front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;
- a second front arm including a first portion at an end of the second front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;
- a front bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first front arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second front arm; and
- a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar;
- a first rear arm including a first portion at an end of the first rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;
- a second rear arm including a first portion at an end of the second rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;
- a rear bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first rear arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second rear arm; and
- a second canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the rear bar.
2. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block.
3. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.
4. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism pulls the first glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism pulls the second glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing a simultaneous extension of the second front arm and the second rear arm;
- the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube; and
- the second canopy material is unwound from the roller tube, the extension of the first front arm and the second front arm facilitating the extension of the first canopy material, and the extension of the first rear arm and the second rear arm facilitating the extension of the second canopy material.
5. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the first glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm; and
- the first canopy material and the second canopy material are wound upon the roller tube.
6. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.
7. The awning assembly of claim 6, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the first glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the second glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm;
- the first canopy material and the second canopy material are wound upon the roller tube.
8. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rotational mechanism for rotating the roller tube in a desired direction.
9. The awning assembly of claim 8, wherein the rotational mechanism comprises at least one of a hand crank and an electric motor.
10. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first base plate attached to a lower portion of the first support leg; and
- a second base plate attached to a lower portion of the second support leg.
11. The awning assembly of claim 10, wherein the first base plate and the second base plate are adapted for mounting onto a table.
12. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first support leg and the second support leg are adapted for mounting onto a table.
13. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a misting device attached to the horizontal truss brace for dispensing a liquid mist.
14. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the first support leg; and
- a second curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the second support leg.
15. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and the second canopy material.
16. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and a second slot for attachment of the second canopy material.
17. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first glide block comprises:
- a hollow steel tube having a substantially rectangular cross section;
- a steel pipe attached to an inner surface of and oriented along an axis extending from a top to a bottom of the hollow steel tube; and
- a fiberglass pipe in contact with an inner surface of the steel pipe in order to allow the first glide block to slide along the first glide rail.
18. An awning assembly comprising:
- a roller tube;
- a first glide rail;
- a second glide rail;
- a first glide block movably positioned along the first glide rail;
- a first raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the first glide block along the first glide rail;
- a second glide block movably positioned along the second glide rail;
- a second raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the second glide block along the second glide rail;
- a first front arm including a first portion at an end of the first front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;
- a second front arm including a first portion at an end of the second front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;
- a front bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first front arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second front arm; and
- a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar.
19. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first glide rail and the second glide rail are adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface.
20. The awning assembly of claim 18 further comprising:
- a first support leg associated with the first glide rail;
- a second support leg associated with the second glide rail; and
- a horizontal truss brace having a first end portion attached to an upper portion of the first support leg, and a second end portion attached to an upper portion of the second support leg, wherein the roller tube is attached to the horizontal truss brace.
21. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block.
22. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.
23. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism pulls the first glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the first front arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism pulls the second glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the second front arm; and
- the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube, the extension of the first front arm and the second front arm facilitating the extension of the first canopy material to form a canopy.
24. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the first glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm; and
- the first canopy material is wound upon the roller tube.
25. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.
26. The awning assembly of claim 25, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the first glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm;
- the second glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the second glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm; and
- the first canopy material is wound upon the roller tube.
27. The awning assembly claim 18, further comprising:
- a first rear arm including a first portion at an end of the first rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;
- a second rear arm including a first portion at an end of the second rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;
- a rear bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first rear arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second rear arm; and
- a second canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the rear bar.
28. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism pulls the first glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism pulls the second glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing a simultaneous extension of the second front arm and the second rear arm;
- the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube; and
- the second canopy material is unwound from the roller tube, the extension of the first front arm and the second front arm facilitating the extension of the first canopy material, and the extension of the first rear arm and the second rear arm facilitating the extension of the second canopy material.
29. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the first glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm;
- the first canopy material and the second canopy material are wound upon the roller tube.
30. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.
31. The awning assembly of claim 30, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:
- the first glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the first glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;
- the second glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the second glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm;
- the first canopy material and the second canopy material are wound upon the roller tube.
32. The awning assembly of claim 18, further comprising a rotational mechanism for rotating the roller tube in a desired direction.
33. The awning assembly of claim 32, wherein the rotational mechanism comprises at least one of a hand crank and an electric motor.
34. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:
- a first base plate attached to a lower portion of the first support leg; and
- a second base plate attached to a lower portion of the second support leg.
35. The awning assembly of claim 34, wherein the first base plate and the second base plate are adapted for mounting onto a table.
36. The awning assembly of claim 20, wherein the first support leg and the second support leg are adapted for mounting onto a table.
37. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:
- a misting device attached to the horizontal truss brace for dispensing a liquid mist.
38. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:
- a first curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the first support leg; and
- a second curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the second support leg.
39. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material.
40. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and the second canopy material.
41. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and a second slot for attachment of the second canopy material.
42. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first glide block comprises:
- a hollow steel tube having a substantially rectangular cross section;
- a steel pipe attached to an inner surface of and oriented along an axis extending from a top to a bottom of the hollow steel tube; and
- a fiberglass pipe in contact with an inner surface of the steel pipe in order to allow the first glide block to slide along the first glide rail.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2003
Publication Date: May 19, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: Gary Childres (Midlothian, TX), Stuart Dwork (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 10/715,007