Abstract: Pawl catch device for two reciprocally-rotating parts, for example for an awning. The first part has a spring-loaded pawl with a tongue to engage with teeth on a toothed sector provided on the second part. The second part also comprises a shaft about which the first part rotates. The teeth on the toothed sector are disposed at successively increasing distances from the shaft, and the pawl is adapted to catch automatically in any of a plurality of angular positions, such that when the two parts are rotated back toward the starting position, the tongue passes clear of the top of that tooth with which it has just been engaged. The pawl is held by spring force against the teeth in each of the catch positions.