CHANNEL COVER
A channel cover for an aluminum extrusion member or other formed structural member having a channel longitudinally formed in a side of the member includes an upper portion or member having an exterior surface, a first side portion or member connected to and extending from the upper member, a second side portion or member connected to the upper member opposite from the first side member at a first distance from the first side member, and a lower member having an exterior surface, the first side member attaching to the lower member, and the second side member attaching to the lower member at a second distance from the first side member, the second distance being different from the first distance. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side members converge towards each other as they extend from the upper member towards the lower member. The portion of the channel cover between the upper and lower members and the first and second side members can either be solid, or alternatively each of the members can have an interior surface with their interior surfaces defining a hollow, interior channel.
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of awnings and other framed, fabric structures, and more particularly to the field of framing members having an open channel therein used to construct such structures.
BACKGROUNDAn awning is an architectural fabric projection that is typically attached to the side of a building to provide cover for individuals passing near the building, or to provide cover or protection for the building itself such as providing cover for windows in the building, or to provide a surface for displaying a message such as a business name or advertising. The awning includes a frame and a fabric covering for the frame that is secured to the frame.
The frame can be formed from frame members that may be extruded aluminum or other formed structural frame members.
Where a channel is provided, a channel cover 16 may be inserted into the channel after the fabric is secured. The channel cover 16 is typically an elongated extrusion as shown in
A known channel cover is shaped as shown in
So that awnings may be fashioned having a range of silhouettes, frame members are commercially available in a variety of shapes and sizes having cross-sections that differ from the cross-section illustrated in
From the above, it is apparent that a need exists for a universal channel cover that will fit a variety of channel openings in frame members having a range of shapes and sizes.
SUMMARYA channel cover is disclosed herein that meets the above mentioned need. The channel cover includes an upper member or segment having an interior surface, a first side member or segment extending from the interior surface of the upper member, a second side member or segment opposite the first side member extending from the interior surface of the upper member at a first distance from the first side member, and a lower member or segment having an interior surface, the first member attaching to the interior surface of the lower member, and the second side member attaching to the interior surface of the lower member at a second distance from the first member. The first and second members converge towards each other as they extend from the upper member towards the lower member, whereby the side members define a hollow interior channel.
In an exemplary embodiment, the side members remain spaced apart at the lower surface at a second distance which is different from, and preferably less than, the first distance. In another exemplary embodiment, the side members converge together such that they contact each other at the interior surface of the lower member.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the channel cover includes upper and lower portions and first and second side portions, the first and second side portions converging towards each other as they extend from the upper portion towards the lower portion, the upper and lower portions and the first and second side portions defining a solid center or core instead of defining a hollow interior channel.
Other systems, devices, features, and advantages of the disclosed channel cover will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, devices, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosed channel cover can be better understood with reference to the attached drawings,
As is described above, a need exists for a channel cover that may be used with a variety of frame members having channels and openings of varying sizes and shapes. The channel cover of the present disclosure is directed to such a need and is shaped such that the channel cover universally fits within a wide range of frame members.
The upper member 22 may have an upper proximal flange 30, an upper distal flange 32, and an upper bridge 34 that connects the upper proximal flange 30 to the upper distal flange 32. An exterior-facing surface 36 of the upper member 22 may be convex and an interior-facing surface 38 of the upper member may be substantially planar, as illustrated in
Likewise, the lower member 24 may have a lower proximal flange 40, a lower distal flange 42, and a lower bridge 44 connecting the lower proximal flange and the lower distal flange. An exterior-facing surface 46 of the lower member 24 may be convex and an interior-facing surface 48 of the lower member may be substantially planar, as shown in
The first side member 26 connects the upper member 22 and the lower member 24. As shown in
The second side member 28 is positioned opposite and spaced apart from the first side member. The second side member 28 connects the upper member 22 and the lower member 24. As shown in
The first side member 26 may be positioned such that its lower end 56 is more inwardly spaced than its upper end 54. Likewise, the second side member 28 may be positioned such that its lower end 72 is more inwardly spaced than its upper end 70. The distance between the upper end 54 of the first side member 26 and an upper end 70 of the second side member 28 exceeds the distance between the lower end 56 of the first side member 26 and a lower end 72 of the second side member 28. Thus, the first side member 26 and the second side member 28 are not parallel. They converge towards each other as they extend from the upper member 22 towards the lower member 24, as shown in
In the embodiment of
The staple channel cover 20 may be extruded so that the members have varying lengths. For example, as shown in
As shown in
In the embodiment of
The operation of the channel cover 20 will now be described with reference to
After the fabric is secured, the channel cover 20 may be inserted into the opening 19 over the fabric 12. So that the lower member 24 may pass through smaller openings 19, the lower member 24 has a shorter length than the upper member 22. To facilitate inserting the channel cover 20 through smaller openings 19, the exterior-facing surface 46 of the lower member 24 is convex, and the lower proximal flange 40 and the lower distal flange 42 are flexible so they may bend as the lower member 24 is inserted. The converging shape of the side members 26 and 28 also facilitates insertion. Because the channel 86 does not contain a cross-member, the side members 26 and 28 may flex inward so that the channel cover 20 may be inserted through channel openings of narrow width. Once inserted, the upper member 22 of the channel cover acts as a cap with the upper proximal flange 30 and the upper distal flange 32 resting on the fabric 12 over the frame member 10 to prevent the channel cover 20 from slipping through the opening 19. The extended length of the upper member 22 further prevents the channel cover 20 from slipping through the channel opening defined by the inner ends 19 of the top walls. Once inserted, the convex exterior-facing surface 36 of the upper member 22 minimizes the volume of water entering the channel 18.
In yet a further embodiment, illustrated in
Due to its shape, the channel cover 20 of the present disclosure may be used with a variety of frame members 10 having openings 19 that vary in size. The channel cover 20 may also be used with a variety of fabrics 12 having different weights. The channel cover 20 may be manufactured in a variety of colors to complement the color of the fabric 12.
Particular embodiments of the channel cover 20 have been disclosed in the foregoing description and drawings for purposes of example. It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, and merely set forth a clear understanding of the principles of the channel cover disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. A channel cover for an aluminum extrusion or other formed structural member having a channel longitudinally formed in a side of the member comprising:
- an upper member having an upper proximal flange, an upper distal flange, and an upper bridge connecting the upper proximal flange to the upper distal flange;
- a lower member having a lower proximal flange, a lower distal flange, and a lower bridge connecting the lower proximal flange to the lower distal flange;
- a first side member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting to a proximal end of the upper bridge and the lower end connecting to a proximal end of the lower bridge; and
- a second side member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting to a distal end of the upper bridge and the lower end connected to a distal end of the lower bridge;
- wherein a first distance that is the distance between the upper end of the first side member and the upper end of the second side member exceeds a second distance that is the distance between the lower end of the first side member and the lower end of the second side member, and
- wherein the upper bridge, the lower bridge, the first side member, and the second side member have interior surfaces that define a hollow, interior channel.
2. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein the interior surfaces of the first and second side members contact each other above where they connect to the lower bridge of the lower member.
3. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the upper member, lower member, first side member and second side member is non-planar.
4. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the upper member, lower member, first side member and second side member is planar.
5. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the upper member, lower member, first side member and second side member is non-planar.
6. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the upper member, lower member, first side member and second side member is planar.
7. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein each of the upper member and the lower member has an exterior surface, and at least one of the exterior and interior surfaces of the upper member and the lower member are non-planar and are not parallel to each other.
8. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein a length of the first side member is substantially the same as a length of the second side member.
9. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein a length of the upper member exceeds a length of the lower member.
10. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein a length of the upper member does not exceed a length of the lower member.
11. The channel cover of claim 1, wherein
- the first side member is inwardly spaced from a proximal end of the upper member to form the upper proximal flange and inwardly spaced from a proximal end of the lower member to form the lower proximal flange, and
- the second side member is inwardly spaced from a distal end of the upper member to form the upper distal flange and inwardly spaced from a distal end of the lower member to form the lower distal flange.
12. A channel cover for an aluminum extrusion member or other formed structural member having a channel longitudinally formed in a side of the member comprising:
- an upper portion having an exterior surface and a proximal end and a distal end and a length from the proximal end to the distal end;
- a lower portion having an exterior surface and a proximal end and a distal end and a length from the proximal end to the distal end;
- a first side portion having an exterior surface, the first side portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion and having a length therebetween;
- a second side portion, opposite from the first side portion, having an exterior surface, the second side portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion and having a length therebetween;
- wherein the first and second side portions converge towards each other as they extend from the upper portion towards the lower portion.
13. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the upper portion, lower portion and first and second side portions define a solid core.
14. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of at least one of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion and second side portion is non-planar.
15. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of at least one of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion and second side portion is planar.
16. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the length of the first side portion is substantially the same as the length of the second side portion.
17. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the length of the upper portion exceeds the length of the lower portion.
18. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein the length of the upper portion does not exceed the length of the lower portion.
19. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein
- the first side portion is inwardly spaced from a proximal end of the upper portion and from a proximal end of the lower portion, and
- the second side portion is inwardly spaced from a distal end of the upper portion and from a distal end of the lower portion.
20. The channel cover of claim 19, wherein the first side portion has a length that is substantially the same as a length of the second side portion.
21. The channel cover of claim 12, wherein each of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion and second side portion has an interior surface and the interior surfaces of the portions define a hollow, interior channel.
22. The channel cover of claim 21, wherein the interior surfaces of the first and second side portions contact each other above where they connect to the lower portion.
23. The channel cover of claim 21, where the interior surface of at least one of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion and second side portion is non-planar.
24. The channel cover of claim 21, where the interior surface of at least one of the upper portion, lower portion, first side portion and second side portion is planar.
25. The channel cover of claim 21, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the upper portion and the lower portion are non-planar and not parallel to each other.
26. The channel cover of claim 21, wherein
- the interior surfaces of the upper portion and the lower portion are substantially planar and substantially parallel to each other.
27. The channel cover of claim 21,
- the upper portion further comprising a proximal flange, a distal flange, and a bridge connecting the proximal flange and the distal flange, and
- the lower portion further comprising a proximal flange, a distal flange, and a bridge connecting the proximal flange and the distal flange,
- wherein the first side portion connects a proximal end of the bridge of the upper portion to a proximal end of the bridge of the lower portion, and the second side portion connects a distal end of the bridge of the upper portion to a distal end of the bridge of the lower portion.
28. The channel cover of claim 27, wherein the length of the first side portion is substantially the same as a length of the second side portion.
29. The channel cover of claim 21, wherein
- the interior surface of the upper portion is substantially planar,
- the interior surface of the lower portion is substantially planar, the interior surface of the lower portion being substantially parallel to the interior surface of the upper portion,
- the interior surface of the first side portion is substantially planar, and
- the interior surface of the second side portion is substantially planar.
30. A channel cover for an aluminum extension or other formed structural member having a channel longitudinally formed in a side of the member comprising:
- an upper member having an exterior surface, the upper member including an upper proximal flange and an upper distal flange;
- a lower member having an exterior surface, the lower member including a lower proximal flange and a lower distal flange, wherein a length of the upper member exceeds a length of the lower member;
- a first side member having an exterior surface, the first side member including an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting to the upper member at a location inwardly of an end of the upper proximal flange, and the lower end connecting the lower member at a location inwardly of an end of the lower proximal flange; and
- a second side member having an exterior surface, the second side member including an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting to the upper member at a location inwardly of an end of the upper distal flange, and the lower end connecting to the lower member at a location inwardly of an end of the lower distal flange, wherein a length of the second side member is substantially the same as a length of the first side member, and wherein a distance between the upper end of the first side member and the upper end of the second side member exceeds a distance between the lower end of the first side member and the lower end of the second side member.
31. The channel cover of claim 30, wherein the upper member, lower member and first and second side members define a solid core.
32. The channel cover of claim 30, wherein each of the upper member, lower member and first and second side members has an interior surface and the interior surfaces of the upper member, the lower member, the first side member, and the second side member define the boundary of a hollow, interior channel.
33. The channel cover of claim 32, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the upper member and the lower member are non-planar and not parallel.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 23, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Inventor: Glorio J. Patsy (Cumming, GA)
Application Number: 11/551,858
International Classification: E04H 3/00 (20060101);