Travel Trailer (e.g., Passenger-vehicle-pulled Type) With Awning Patents (Class 135/88.1)
  • Patent number: 11639131
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to an awning assembly 1 for a recreational vehicle comprising a main body, a flexible awning material, a roller tube, a lead rail 5, at least one support leg 6 hinged to the lead rail 5, and at least one tension rafter 7 being mountable between the main body and the lead rail 5. The at least one support leg 6 is hinged to the lead rail 5 so that the support leg 6 can be hinged into a first storage section of the lead rail frame 8. The lead rail frame 8 comprises a second storage section 10 for receiving the tension rafter 7 therein, wherein the second storage section 10 comprises an opening 11, wherein either holder 12 is disposed within the opening 11, or the tension rafter 7 is self-clamping into the second storage section 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventor: Miguel Bekaert
  • Patent number: 11136783
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle awning support for supporting a vehicle awning on a vehicle, a vehicle awning assembly including the vehicle awning support and methods of use thereof. The vehicle awning support includes at least one vehicle mount for mounting the support to at least a portion of the vehicle, at least one vehicle awning mount for mounting the support to at least a portion of the awning and at least one arm extending between the mounts. The arm is moveable between a retracted position in which the vehicle awning is located adjacent the at least a portion of the vehicle and an extended position in which the vehicle awning extends outwardly relative to the at least a portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: PATRIOT CAMPERS HOLDINGS PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Brad Cullen, Justin Montesalvo
  • Patent number: 8752565
    Abstract: A partition includes a plurality of panels and an elongate panel joiner. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel that are adjacent about one another. The elongate panel joiner joins the first panel and the second panel. The panel joiner includes two end members and a corrugated portion there between. The end members are configured along opposite ends of the panel joiner. One of the two end members is configured to connect to the first panel and the other of the two end member is configured to connect to the second panel. The corrugated portion is configured such that the panel joiner can move in an accordion-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Dometic LLC
    Inventors: Patrick N McConnell, Jon E Beland
  • Patent number: 8596707
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a roof assembly for covering a region adjacent a structure. The roof assembly comprises a plurality of roof assembly portions, each roof assembly portion comprising a layer portion and a support portion for supporting the layer portion. The roof assembly portions comprise first and second side roof assembly portions, and a corner roof assembly portion that is positioned between the first and second side roof assembly portions. The roof assembly portions are moveable between a retracted and an expanded configuration wherein the side roof assembly portions and the corner roof assembly portion move together between the configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: EMU Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Susanne Fiander, Nicholas Kebbell
  • Patent number: 8434272
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle with weatherproofing for a slide-out compartment has a main body, a slide-out compartment having a side wall with an upper wall, a bottom wall and a pair of end walls extending inwardly from the side wall, and a first cover having one end affixed to the side wall of the main body and an opposite end affixed to the slide-out compartment. The first cover extends over top wall and a pair of end walls of the slide-out compartment. The first cover is formed of a flexible watertight material. The first cover is affixed by bracket to the side wall of the main body and to the slide-out compartment. A second cover is affixed to the first cover and extends through a slot formed between the upper wall of the slide-out compartment and the opening of the side wall of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Edward F. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20130061895
    Abstract: A partition includes a plurality of panels and an elongate panel joiner. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel that are adjacent about one another. The elongate panel joiner joins the first panel and the second panel. The panel joiner includes two end members and a corrugated portion there between. The end members are configured along opposite ends of the panel joiner. One of the two end members is configured to connect to the first panel and the other of the two end member is configured to connect to the second panel. The corrugated portion is configured such that the panel joiner can move in an accordion-like manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: DOMETIC LLC
    Inventors: Patrick N. McConnell, Jon E. Beland
  • Patent number: 8371607
    Abstract: A transportable shade device to provide a portable shaded area for outdoor workers. The structure features a wheeled frame which is engageable to be towed. A pair of opposing shade panels are rotationally engaged to a vertical support above a center section of said frame. Both panels rotate to an extended position to maximize shade to a seating area on the frame and rotate to a retracted position to minimize wind load on the structure during towing at highway speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Lopez
  • Patent number: 8267105
    Abstract: The portable magnetic awning apparatus is easily attached to and removed from a chosen metallic vehicle or surface. Soft magnets negate potential scarring. In the collapsed state, the apparatus is importantly relatively small. The scissor frame supporting the awning easily collapses to allow the vertical members to be collapsed inwardly to a side-by-side position, with the pivoting members pivoting upwardly for further compact state. The pliable awning and bib further enable lightweight collapsibility. The pivoting members which are pivotally and positionally lockable, along with the telescopic rods, provide a wide variety of selectively established positioning and extendability. Lock knobs manually lock the pivoting members as chosen relative to the vertical members. The bib is hingedly attached to the awning to further provide selective positioning in relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Cleveland Denmark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8240740
    Abstract: A canopy deployment and retraction mechanism particularly suited to cover the cargo compartment of an elongated vehicle such as a railroad car. Each of a series of tarpaulin-supporting, parallel bows has sliders at each end sliding in a pair of funnel-shaped channels having their flat bases vertically secured to the upper inside lateral wall sections of the compartment. The spacing between the bases of the channels is less than the total length of a bow and its sliders and provides a degree of play in order to accommodate slight variations in the width of said compartment, and allows for self-centering of the cover. The shape of the channels allows for the placement of the cover retraction mechanisms such as cables and sliders within the outer periphery of the container, reducing bulk. The downward slope of the channel lower side further improves the evacuation of debris under the wiping action of the traveling sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Lynn Chenowth, Rory H. Chenowth
  • Publication number: 20110313811
    Abstract: A mobile retail store structure transportable to a plurality of different locations includes a trailer construction configured both exteriorly and interiorly for housing a plurality of storage bins wherein products and/or parts can be stored. Each trailer is a self-sufficient module which includes doors at one end of the trailer unit for entry and exit thereto, portable stairs for providing access to the entry doors, opposed side doors and associated walkways for allowing coupling to additional similarly constructed trailers, extendable canopies for providing a secure passageway between the respective coupled trailers, and a generator/HVAC system for providing heating, cooling and electrical power to each trailer unit. In one embodiment, a terminal is provided to allow a user to either browse electronically various items for selection and/or sale, or access a self-service check-out station to complete a transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: WHITE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Urban, Joseph J. Wisniewski, David Simon
  • Publication number: 20110222997
    Abstract: A combination trailer is provided that includes a rear self-discharge trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, and two opposing side panels. The side panels of the combination trailer have a height that is less than the height of the front portion. An enclosure system is also included in the combination trailer and selectively covers an open top of the rear self-discharge trailer. One or more one locking pin assemblies are also included in the combination trailer and are attached to at least one of the side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer such that the locking pin assemblies can be used to secure the enclosure system in a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: FIRST CLASS SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Randy Stroup, Benjamin J. Pritchett
  • Publication number: 20110186099
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle with weatherproofing for a slide-out compartment has a main body, a slide-out compartment having a side wall with an upper wall, a bottom wall and a pair of end walls extending inwardly from the side wall, and a first cover having one end affixed to the side wall of the main body and an opposite end affixed to the slide-out compartment. The first cover extends over top wall and a pair of end walls of the slide-out compartment. The first cover is formed of a flexible watertight material. The first cover is affixed by bracket to the side wall of the main body and to the slide-out compartment. A second cover is affixed to the first cover and extends through a slot formed between the upper wall of the slide-out compartment and the opening of the side wall of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Edward F. MARTINEZ
  • Patent number: 7740044
    Abstract: The primary roller of an awning assembly has an internal cavity, an opening between the internal cavity and the exterior of the primary roller and a first arresting element. A first awning material is adapted to be unwound from the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a first direction and wound onto the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a second direction. A secondary roller is mounted for rotation within the internal cavity of the primary roller. One end of a second awning material attached to the secondary roller extends through the opening in the primary roller. A second arresting element is attached to the one end of the second awning material and is adapted to engage the first arresting element of the primary roller, whereby rotation of the secondary roller in the second direction causes the primary roller to rotate in the second direction together with the secondary roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Dometic, LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7681941
    Abstract: A camper trailer or caravan (10) includes a chassis (12) adapted to be attached to, and towed behind a motor vehicle (11). A housing (21) is mounted on the chassis (12) and defines a main chamber including a peripheral wall. The chassis (12) is short in length and about the same width as the towing vehicle (11) with the wheels (19) located adjacent the rear end of the chassis (12), and the housing (21) is adapted be opened such that panels (41) folded inside the housing when in the closed configuration are adapted to form annex chambers (42, 43) when in the open configuration when the camper trailer (10) is being used for camping and the like. A sleeping chamber (23) associated with the main chamber extends outside the peripheral walls of said camper trailer when required. Preferably there is a kitchen chamber and a bedding chamber within the housing of the camper trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Paul M. Freeman, Philip G. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20090056884
    Abstract: A wind-resistant awning is disclosed. The awning includes a backing which allows wind to flow through it, such as a mesh netting or screen backing. A plurality of flaps are attached at one edge only to the backing. The flaps are preferably horizontally aligned in parallel and overlap one another. The flaps are closed when the wind level is low. In the event a potentially harmful gust of wind presents itself, a free end of the flaps opens such that the force of the wind goes through the backing and does not damage the awning. The flaps are preferably weather resistant. Optionally, the flaps may have weak attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners to keep the flaps attached to the backing under normal conditions. The awning can be used in multiple settings and may be retractable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Vogt
  • Publication number: 20090056883
    Abstract: A wind-resistant awning is disclosed. The awning includes a backing which allows wind to flow through it, such as a mesh netting or screen backing. A plurality of flaps are attached at one edge only to the backing. The flaps are preferably horizontally aligned in parallel and overlap one another. The flaps are closed when the wind level is low. In the event a potentially harmful gust of wind presents itself, a free end of the flaps opens such that the force of the wind goes through the backing and does not damage the awning. The flaps are preferably weather resistant. Optionally, the flaps may have weak attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners to keep the flaps attached to the backing under normal conditions. The awning can be used in multiple settings and may be retractable. In various embodiments, the awning includes windows of mesh material having window flaps which lift away from the windows to allow wind flow therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Vogt
  • Publication number: 20080142059
    Abstract: The invention encompasses an entirely automated room extension intended for larger wheeled structures such as a Recreational Vehicle or a semi trailer that has been modified to form an office or semi-permanent emergency shelter. The extension, having substantially hinged, folding, rigid panels that in the collapsed state are stacked flush forming the exterior surface and with a simple push button will automatically deploy a supporting structure and then automatically expand the panels to form a solid enclosure of usable interior space. A programmable logic controller will activate the extension and contraction of several actuators in such order as to deploy and collapse the enclosure by push button with no manual intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Bonebrake
  • Patent number: 6908138
    Abstract: An awning supported on roof panel for use outdoors mainly includes an automatic shade roller, a plurality of supporting frames, and a plurality of adjustable sucker units coupled with the supporting frames. Each of the supporting frames is provided at two lateral sides with two elongated slots, in which the sucker units may be shifted to a desired position relative to the supporting frame. The supporting frame is integrally provided below each lateral side with two vertical framing walls, and at a central top portion with a raised pad that has two mortises formed at two diagonally opposite corners. With the above arrangements, the shade roller, the supporting frames, and the sucker units may be easily assembled for mounting on a roof panel to provide an awning for use outdoors without using any tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Formosa Saint Jose Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Shun Yang
  • Patent number: 6860544
    Abstract: An intermediate support for a retractable roll awning. The support is positioned between two end brackets and provides additional support. The support includes a two support surfaces for supporting the roll awning in two directions. Alternatively, the support may comprise a single curved support surface. The support surface or surfaces include an arrangement for reducing friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Dale G. Malott
  • Patent number: 6857620
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for covering truck beds, rail cars, or other large objects with a tarp or related covering in which the tarp is held to the truck tarp loader by a fastening roller member comprised of: a vertical support member with first and second ends; a first horizontal member fixedly secured to the first end, forming an L shape; a second horizontal member fixedly secured to the second end, also forming an L shape; an axle, a pair of wheels, and a handle pivotally attached to the first horizontal member; a pair of tensioners between the vertical support member and the axle; and a fastening mechanism on the second horizontal member for attaching the fastening roller member to the truck tarp loader apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Fred V. Payne
  • Patent number: 6840568
    Abstract: A slide-out room and awning assembly for a recreational vehicle. The assembly includes a roll enclosure for attachment to an exterior side wall of the vehicle, a roll rotationally journalled within the roll enclosure, a slide-out room for extension from the exterior side wall, an elongated trough attached to the slide-out room, and an awning fabric attached at a proximate edge to the roll and attached at a distal edge to the elongated trough. When the slide-out room is in a retracted position, the awning fabric is wrapped around the roll. When the slide-out room is in an extended position, the awning fabric is extended from the roll over a top wall of the slide-out room at a downward slope from the roll to the trough such that debris and liquid flow into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Alejandro Carrillo, Michael Hicks
  • Patent number: 6684584
    Abstract: A shelter has a frame assembly (12), and a roof assembly (14) and flexible sidewall assembly (16) releasably connected thereto. The frame assembly (12) has a plurality of upright frame members (18) laterally spaced relative to each other, and a plurality of lateral frame members (20) extending laterally between and interconnecting the upright frame members (18). The flexible sidewall assembly (16) has a first sidewall frame (22), a second sidewall frame (24), and at least one flexible sidewall (26) connected at one end to the first sidewall frame (22) and connected at another end to the second sidewall frame (24) and extending therebetween. The flexible sidewall assembly (16) further has at least one tensioning device (68) connected to the flexible sidewall (26) for securing it in a taut condition to the frame assembly (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Brian L. Goldwitz
  • Patent number: 6625936
    Abstract: In a sun room awning comprising a roll bar for rolling up an awning sheet under formation of a sheet roll and lateral guide rails for guiding the awning sheet while it is being extended, provision is made, to attain a drop-out range, to implement new awning configurations and to avoid the shortcomings of conventional pull systems, for the awning sheet to have push straps with an inherent stiffness in the direction of extension that can be rolled up together with the awning sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co.
    Inventor: Justus Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20020092551
    Abstract: In a joint arm awning with a cover, in particular a box-mounted awning, comprising a fabric roll shaft for the awning fabric to be rolled up and a drop-out section which is joined to free ends of extendible joint arms and inside of which the free outer edge of the awning fabric is fixed, it is provided that a first gutter is formed along the outer edge of the awning fabric inside the drop-out section; and that an upwardly open second gutter is formed in the vicinity of the upper edge of the drop-out section; and that water can flow from the upper gutter into the lower gutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Luise Schniggendiller
  • Publication number: 20020092552
    Abstract: A retractable awning for a recreational vehicle is provided wherein the awning is stored behind a pivoting door that closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle when the awning is not deployed over a slide-out unit. The pivoting door is adjacent the awning and the pivoting door closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle with the awning enclosed in its side mounted compartment. With the retractable awning completely behind the plane defining the side of the recreational vehicle and protected by a locking door, the awning does not add any additional unwanted width to the recreational vehicle and is protected from unfurling during transport. An automatic locking mechanism is provided for ensuring that the door remains closed during transportation. Further, a debris clearing mechanism is preferably installed adjacent the spool which collects the retractable awning as it retracts, thereby cleaning the awning of debris prior to its withdrawal into the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Glenn Jones
  • Publication number: 20020062851
    Abstract: A retractable awning having one edge of an awning sheet secured to a support surface and an opposite edge secured to a roll bar wherein the roll bar is mounted for movement between a retracted position adjacent to the support surface and an extended position by a pair of support arms and a pair of rafter arms with the rafter arms including inner and outer arm segments that are pivotally connected together by an elbow joint that automatically locks the arms in longitudinal alignment when the awning is fully extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Scott P. Thompson, Garret Mauldin
  • Publication number: 20020011262
    Abstract: In an awning comprising a roller tube for winding up an awning fabric, wherein the roller tube is actuated in the winding direction by a torsion spring, provision is made for the roller tube to be disposed in a housing and supported with its one end in a first face-end cover of the housing, and for the torsion spring to be disposed in the interior of this first end of the roller tube, and for the roller tube to be supported in the region of its opposite second end via a bearing journal extending away from a face-end cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Martin Dieckmann
  • Patent number: 6332473
    Abstract: A roof mounted container which has a plurality of compartments, one of which stores a retractable cover and the other stores supports for a roof rack and/or awning support. The container can rotate so it can stretch toward the back of the vehicle or to the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Cari B. Carden
  • Patent number: 6269824
    Abstract: A slide-out, intended for being applied to an outer wall of a caravan, mobile home or similar vehicle which is provided with an extensible part (4). The slide-out includes at least a wind-up roller (6) for the tent cloth (5). The wind-up roller (6) is provided in a closed casing (2) which is attached at the wall of the caravan. The free extremity of the tent cloth (5) is fixed at the outermost upper corner (9) of an extensible part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Louis Marcel Brutsaert
  • Patent number: 6237983
    Abstract: A roller sunshade for mounting on a car roof mainly includes an automatic sunshade winding mechanism and a plurality of adjustable sucker sets. Each of the two adjustable sucker sets includes two adhering sucker mechanisms and a long metal member. The adhering sucker mechanism each includes from bottom to top a sucker main body, a supporting board that is rotatable by up to 360 degrees relative to the sucker main body, a locating block, a buffer washer, a ring member, and a bolt. These two adjustable sucker sets are symmetrically attached by vacuum suction to predetermined positions at two sides of the car roof. Thereafter, the automatic sunshade winding mechanism is connected to tops of the two adjustable sucker sets to provide a shady place for use outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Formosa Saint Jose Corp.
    Inventor: Ming-Shun Yang
  • Patent number: 6189553
    Abstract: A tent-like structure for a pop-up type camp trailer is disclosed. The tent-like structure includes an A-type frame which is attached to the top surface of the trailer and a cover which is received thereon. The side panels and the adjacent top panels of the cover are provided with a plastic window arrangement permitting light to enter the tent-like structure. The front panel of the tent-like structure is provided with flaps formed from screening material and joined together by a zipper permitting individuals to enter and leave the tent-like structure and also permitting air to circulate within same while preventing insects from entering same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne L. Barker, Carolann Barker