Awning fabric breakaway water valve/window

Abstract

An awning includes at least one fabric panel having a water drip hole therethrough with a breakaway water valve/window for release of accumulated rainwater therethrough. One or more gutters may be provided and disposed beneath the awning drip holes for conducting water to an outside perimeter of the awning. The breakaway water valve/window includes a flap hingeably attached to the fabric awning under the drip hole along an edge portion thereof and a pressure sensitive release or joiner is disposed between the fabric awning and another edge portion of the flap.

Description

The present invention generally relates to awning assemblies, particularly to awnings of the type for mounting to a substantially vertical support surface. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a breakaway water valve/window apparatus for draining water from the awning.

Typically, a retractable arm awning includes a roller disposed in a box fixed to a vertical wall with awning fabric extending between the roller and a header.

The header is held and moved by support arms between a retracted position proximate the wall to an extended position wherein the fabric awning extends between the wall mounted roller and the header. Such awning assemblies may be utilized with recreational vehicles, travel trailers, mobile homes, and the like, but are also useable with fixed structures.

During precipitation, water typically collects on fabric panels when extended. The weight of the water can cause damage to the mounting assembly and accordingly should be drained periodically if the awning is to be used during precipitation periods.

Heretofore, to remove water from the awning, a user often must push the canopy upwards to raise a deflected portion to a height that allows the water to drain over a side or front of the awning. This procedure can cause damage to the awning and may result in splashing water onto the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved awning and breakaway water valve/window therefore to provide a protective cover over a patio or along side a recreational vehicle which can be used during periods of rain without damage and manual water removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An awning in accordance with the present invention generally includes at least one fabric panel having a water drip hole therethrough along with a breakaway water valve/window, which in turn includes a flap hingeably attached to the fabric awning under the water drip hole and along an edge portion of the flap.

A pressure sensitive releasable joiner may be disposed between the fabric awning and another edge portion of the flap. Examples of this joiner include Velcro® fasteners and suitable releasable adhesives.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge portion and another edge portion comprise an entire perimeter of the flap.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the joiner comprises a resilient flap material, the flap may be circular, the edge portion may comprise a circumferential arc and another edge portion may comprise a radius.

More particularly, the awning may include a roller for winding the panel thereabout and the edge portion is disposed at a position for enabling resealing of a released joiner upon rolling of the panel onto the roller.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes a gutter disposed under the flap and panel opening for conducting water passing through the hole to an outside perimeter of the panel. Such a gutter is preferably formed from a flexible fabric material which is rollable with the panel about the roller.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the gutter has an axis generally parallel to a slope of the panel and another embodiment of the present invention the gutter has an axis generally perpendicular to the slope of the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an awning in accordance with the present invention as it may be attached to a vertical surface and extending therefrom generally illustrating a plurality of fabric panels having water valves therein;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the awning taken along the line 2-2;

FIGS. 3-7 show an embodiment of a valve/window in accordance with the present invention which includes a flap hingeably attached to a fabric awning along an edge portion of a flap, a pressure sensitive releasable joiner such as Velcro® is utilized to releasably adhere the flap to the awning while enabling resealing thereof, once opened, by rolling the awing onto a roller;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment valve/window utilized in the awning shown in FIG. 1 including a generally circular flap with an edge portion comprising a circumferential arc and another edge portion comprising a radius, a joiner, as hereinafter described, includes a resilient flap material;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the valve/window shown in FIG. 8 taken along the line 9-9;

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an awning in accordance with the present invention further including a gutter disposed for conducting water passing through the valve to an outside perimeter of the panel, the gutter being having an axis generally parallel to a slope of a panel;

FIG. 12 illustrate a windable flattened gutter; and

FIGS. 13-15 illustrates an alternative gutter arrangement in accordance with the present invention, the gutter being formed from a collapsible material, such as a fabric, enabling it to be rolled with the fabric awning when the awning is retracted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an awning 10 in accordance with the present invention generally including at least one fabric panel 14 extending between a boxed roller 18 and a header 20, the awning 10 being shown in an extended position in FIG. 1.

The awning fabric, roller 18, header 20, and operating mechanism (not shown) may be any conventional configuration well known in the art.

As illustrated in the cross sectional view of FIG. 2 during precipitation, water 22 collects on the panel 14 causing depression thereof. As hereinabove noted, such water 22 may damage the panel 14 or support arm (not shown).

Release of the water as illustrated in FIG. 2 may be effective through the use of a breakaway valve/window 24 is shown in FIGS. 3-7.

The breakaway water valve/window 24, shown open in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 and closed in FIGS. 4 and 7, is disposed in the fabric panel 14, and includes a flap 26 hingeably attached to the fabric panel 14 to provide a drip hole or opening 28 through the fabric panel 14.

The hingeable attachment is disposed along an edge portion 32 of the flap 26. Another edge portion 34 which may include remaining perimeter of the flap includes a releasable joiner 38 which may be, for example, a Velcro® type fastener or a suitable multi-stick adhesive, which operates in a manner similar to that found on Post-It® notes.

Upon suitable pressure from accumulated water 42, the flap 26 releases from the fabric panel 14 thus opening the valve 24 enabling passage of water 40 therethrough as shown in FIG. 2.

The flap may be reattached to the panel 14 by winding the panel 14 onto the roller 18 as shown in FIGS. 6-7. Preferably, the edge portion 32 is disposed and a position for winding onto-the roller before winding of the edge portion 34 to ensure reseal.

Thus, the edge 34 is disposed at a position enabling resealing of a released joiner 38 upon rolling of the panel 14 onto the roller 18, release of the joiner 38 being caused by water weight, as hereinabove noted.

The adherence of the Velcro® or adhesive will be, of course, depend upon the tolerable water weight on the awning 10 and can be empirically determined.

With reference to FIGS. 8-9, there is shown another awning embodiment 48 utilizing a breakaway water valve/window 50 in accordance with the present invention, common reference characters depicting substantially identical or similar elements, as hereinbefore described.

In this embodiment 50, a pressure sensitive releasable joiner 52 includes a resilient flap material, preferably circular in configuration with an edge portion 56 hingeably attached to the fabric panel 14 along a circumferential arc 60. Radii 62 define another edge portion.

The valve 50 opens along the radii 62 under weight of water 42 accumulated on the awning 48, thereby releasing same through a drip hole 66 defined by opening of the radii 62, see FIG. 9. This embodiment may be adhered to the panel 14 by an adhesive 68.

With reference to FIGS. 10-11, a gutter 70 may be disposed under the drip hole 66 on the panel 14 for conducting water passing through the drip hole 66 to an outside perimeter 74 of the awning 10.

The gutter 70 may be formed from a fabric and thereby windable with the panel 14 onto the roller 18. As shown, the gutter 70 has an axis 78 generally parallel to a slope 80 of the panel 14.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13-15 a gutter 84 may be provided for conducting water passing through the valve 48 which has an axis 88 generally periphery to the slope 80 of the panel 14.

In either case, the gutter 70, 84 function to conduct water to the outside perimeter 72 of the awning 10.

As shown in FIG. 15, the gutter 84 is formed from a fabric which enables winding onto the roller 18 with the panel 14.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific awning fabric breakaway valve/window 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.

Claims

1. A breakaway water valve/window for a fabric awning, the valve/window comprising:

a flap hingeably attachable to the fabric awning along an edge portion of said flap; and

a pressure sensitive releasable joiner disposable between the fabric awning and another edge portion of said flap.

2. The valve/window according to claim 1 wherein the joiner comprises a Velcro® type fastener.

3. The valve/window according to claim 1 wherein the joiner comprises an adhesive.

4. The valve/window according to claim 1 wherein the edge portion and the another edge portion comprises an entire perimeter of said flap.

5. The valve/window according to claim 1 wherein the joiner comprises a resilient flap material.

6. The valve/window according to claim 5 wherein the flap is circular and the edge portion comprising a circumferential arc and the another edge portion comprises a radius.

7. An awning comprising:

a fabric panel;

a flap hingeably attached to the panel along an edge portion of said flap; and

a pressure sensitive releasable joiner disposed between the panel and another edge portion of said flap.

8. The awning according to claim 7 further comprises a roller for winding the panel thereabout and the another edge portion is disposed at a position enabling resealing of a released joiner upon rolling of the panel onto the roller.

9. The awning according to claim 7 wherein the edge portion is disposed at a position winding onto said roller before winding of the another edge portion onto said roller.

10. The awning according to claim 7 wherein the joiner comprises a Velcro® type fastener.

11. The awning according to claim 7 wherein the joiner comprises an adhesive.

12. An awning comprising:

a fabric panel;

a flap hingeably attached to the panel an edge portion of said flap;

a pressure sensitive releasable joiner disposed between the panel and another edge portion of said flap; and

a gutter disposed under said flap for conducting water to an outside perimeter of the panel.

13. The awning according to claim 12 further comprising a roller for winding the panel thereabout.

14. The awning according to claim 13 wherein said gutter is rollable with the panel about said roller.

15. The awning according to claim 14 wherein said gutter is formed from a fabric.

16. The awning according to claim 15 wherein said gutter has an axis generally parallel to a slope of the panel.

17. The awning according to claim 15 wherein said gutter has a axis generally perpendicular to a slope of the panel.

18. The awning according to claim 14 wherein the edge portion is disposed at a position enabling resealing of a released joiner upon rolling of the panel onto the roller.

19. The awning according to claim 18 wherein the edge portion is disposed at a position rollable onto said roller before rolling of the another edge portion onto said roller.

20. The awning according to claim 12 wherein the joiner comprises a resistant flap material.

21. The awning according to claim 20 wherein the flap is circular and the edge portion comprises a circumferential arc and the another edge portion comprises a radius.