Removable, hanging awning for indoor and low wind outdoor use

Abstract

The invention is a readily erectable and removable awning or window shade, for interior or low wind outdoor use. The structure relies for support only on detachable attachments on the top of the main panel and friction at the interface between the supporting structure and the bottom frame ends of the awning or shade.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to window shades and awnings.

2. Description of Prior Art

Awnings for interior and exterior use are well known to the art. They usually consist of a fabric main panel which is draped from a top member, usually a rod or bar, which is connected to the wall or window frame. The bottom of the draped main panel is held away from the supporting structure with a “U” shaped frame, which is attached to the supporting structure at its two frame ends, and the frame is approximately parallel with the ground, at all points. The points of attachment at the frame ends may be hinged to allow the awning to be swung upward for storage. The awnings may have side panels, which are usually integral to the main front panel. The “U” shaped frame may consist of several connected parts or be integral to the front and/or side panels, where those panels are ridged. While the attachment of the frame ends to the supporting structure, usually a wall or window frame, makes the awning suitable for windy conditions it prevents the easy removal and erection of the awning. It also introduces unnecessary hardware and on removal results in unsightly hardware or damage to the supporting structure.

Prior art awnings are attached to the supporting structure at the ends of the “U” shaped frame, and/or along the interface between the side panels and the supporting structure, which makes them difficult and time consuming to remove.

Prior art awnings do not have means of removing the awning without leaving unsightly hardware attached to the supporting structure, or holes where the hardware has been removed.

What is needed is an awning design which renders unnecessary the said attachment between the ends of the “U” shaped frame and the supporting structure.

What is needed is a method of easy and quick erection and removal of the awing or window shade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention is an awning or sun shade which has no attachment between the frame ends 4b of the “U” shaped frame 4 or along the interface between the side panels 2a and the supporting structure 3a. The shape and fixed position of the awning or shade is maintained solely by the detachable attachments at the top of the main panel 2 and the moment of force 7, exerted by gravity, having its centre of motion along a line at the top of the main panel 2 coincident with the line of attachment of the awning 1 to the supporting structure 3a. Such moment of force 7, acting in the direction of the said supporting structure plane 3a, and thus holding the said awning 1 snuggly against the said supporting structure 3a.

Another embodiment of the invention is the frameless or rod-less means of attaching the top of the main panel 2 to the supporting structure 3a, such that the awning can be quickly erected and removed. Some preferred embodiments of the invention have a simple adhesive strip 6 attached to the top of the main panel 2. This adhesive can be designed, by means well known to the art, for example, similar to that used in 3M Corp.'s “Post-its™, so that the bond will hold the awning 1 in place, but which can be detached without damage to the exterior surface of the supporting structure 3a.

Other embodiments of the invention, having no top frame or rod, use complementary strips of loop and hook material, such as Velcro™ to detachably attach the top of the main panel 2 to the supporting structure 3a. FIG. 2 illustrates strip 6a, which can be adhesive tape backed and which maintains adhesion to the supporting structure 3a. The front surface is populated with either hooks or loops and which detachably attaches to the complementary loops or hooks of strip 6b, which is in turn attached to the main panel 2 of the awning 1. This permits the awning to be quickly removed for cleaning or be replaced with another awning of another color or opacity, as desired. The adhesive on the strip 6a can also be peelable at low energies, but higher than that between the said hook and loop bond, such that the strip itself can be removed without damaging the surface of the supporting structure 3a. These strips 6, 6a and 6b are of varying stiffness as in some embodiments stiffer strips are used to establish a straight top panel edge and in those embodiments which include side panels, a straight side panel edge. In other embodiments more flexible strips 6, 6a, 6b, are used to facilitate cleaning and storage.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a ‘U” shaped frame 4, which is threaded through a folded over and then stitched end of the main panel 2, which forms an open ended sleeve 5. Some embodiments of the invention have rigid main panels 4 and in these cases the “U” shaped frame will be integral to the main panel 4 and hence the awning 1.

Some embodiments of the invention have side panels 2a, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, while others do not as illustrated in FIG. 3. Other embodiments of the invention have side strips 2b which grasp and prevent the frame ends 4b from slipping down the supporting structure 3a.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanging awning 1, shading window 3, which is detachably attached to the supporting structure by only an adhesive strip 6.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, view of a hanging awning 1 which is detachably attached to the supporting structure 3a by means of complementary strips of loop and hook material, one 6a adhering to the supporting structure 3a and the other 6b being attached to the top of the main panel 2. The two strips 6a, 6b interlocking, when pressed together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the awning 1 without side panels 2a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment which has no side panels 2a, but supports the “U” shaped frame 4a ends by means of a hanging strip 2b.

FIG. 4a is a detail of FIG. 4 illustrating the fold or cup 2c formed in the hanging strip 2b and which supports the frame end 4a of the “U” shaped frame 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a hanging awning 1 which is detachably attached to the supporting structure 3a by means of an adhesive strip 6. Said awning 1 is shading window 3. In this embodiment of the invention the said adhesive strip is bonded to a top fold or end of the main panel 2. A “U” shaped frame 4 is treaded through a fold 5 in the main panel 2 and the side panels 2a. While the preferred embodiment has a “U” shaped frame 4, it is to be understood that any suitable shape may be used and all such shapes are within the ambit of the invention. Similarly, the frame 4 may be connected to the awning 1 by all suitable means known to the art, such as loops, hook and loops connectors, snap connectors etc. In some embodiments of the invention the frame 4 may be flexible or springy, allowing the operator to bend the said frame 4, for example, temporarily straightening it and allowing for easier threading and unthreading of the frame 4 into and out of the sleeve 5. Similarly, the frame 4 may be an integral part of the main panel 2 and/or side panel 2a, such as when one or more of those panels are rigid. It is to be understood that for the purposes of this disclosure that the frame 4 can be any shape retaining element or member or a part of any other element, which holds the main panel 4 off the surface of the supporting structure 3a and gives the awning 1 its form, and all such embodiments are within the ambit of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates approximately the moment of force 7, which acts by force of gravity, to pin the ends 4a of the frame 4 to the surface of supporting structure 3a and renders unnecessary any attachment between the two interfacing surfaces. The pivot points of the notional arm 7c that translates to the moment of force is the line of points between 7a and Tai, which is approximately the line along which the main panel 2 is detachably attached to the supporting structure 3a. This reliance on the pinning action of gravity, acting on the ends 4a of the frame 4, allows for easier erection and removal of the said awning. Also when removed, there is no remaining hardware or unsightly holes.

FIG. 2 also illustrates another embodiment of the invention which detachably attaches the awning 1 to the supporting structure by means of complementary strips of loop and hook material, one 6a adhering to the supporting structure 3a and the other 6b being attached to the top of the main panel 2. The two strips, when their complementary hooks and loops interlock, are all that is required to hold the awning in place. The strength of the adhesive on the back of strip 6a can of course vary depending upon the weight of the awning 1. For very light awnings, the adhesive bond can be sufficiently week, such as is used in 3M Corp.'s Post-its™, that it can be peeled off the supporting structure 3a, without doing any damage to the surface of the said supporting structure 3a. While FIG. 2 illustrates two continuous hook and loop strips, it is to be understood that several smaller strips might be used, and be within the ambit of the invention. Also it should be noted that other preferred embodiments of the invention may utilize other means of detachably attaching the top of the main panel 4 to the supporting structure 3a, which are all well known to the art and all of which are within the ambit of the invention.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the frame 4a, for diagrammatical clarity, outside the sleeve 5. Frame 4a and 4 being one and the same.

FIG. 3 illustrated an embodiment of the invention which has no side panels 2a, but relies on the friction between the frame ends 4a, and the supporting structure 3a to pin and hold the frame 4 in place. The force 7, described above, provides the pinning force.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which has no side panels 2a, but supports the “U” shaped frame ends 4a by means of a hanging strip 2b. The frame ends 4a may nestle in a fold 2c formed in the hanging strip 2b, or any other supporting means well known to the art, and all of which are within the ambit of the invention. The hanging strip 2b is attached to the top of the main panel 2.

Many examples of the invention have been disclosed herein, however it is to be understood that the examples and illustrations have included many features which can be applied to each example given, in various combinations, and all are within the ambit of the invention.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the inventions and appended claims.

Claims

1. An awning, which is attached or detachably attached to a wall or supporting structure, continuously or intermittently, solely along the interface between the top most edge of the said awning and the said supporting structure, with

an integral or separate rigid element, such as a “U” shaped frame, attached to the bottom of the covering awning material, and said element

lying in an approximately horizontal plane, the ends of which rest against the said supporting structure.

2. The said claim 1, in which the said attachment or detachable attachment to the said supporting structure is comprised of a permanent or releasable adhesive strip(s), affixed along the top most edge of the said awning, which secures the interface between the said top most edge of the said awning and the said supporting structure to which it adheres.

3. The said claim 1, in which the said attachment or detachable attachment to the said supporting structure is comprised of a permanent or releasable adhesive strip(s), affixed to the said supporting structure, positioned such that it interfaces with the all or part of the top most edge of the said awning, thereby securing the said awning to the said supporting structure.

4. The said claim 1, in which the said detachable attachment is comprised of complementary hook and loop strips, or any other complementary detachably attachable system, one being affixed along the top most edge of the said awning and the other affixed to the said supporting structure, positioned such that they interface and entangle at approximately all points, and thus hold the awning in place, relative to the said supporting structure.

5. The said claim 1, in which the said strip of hook or loop material or any other complementary detachably attachable device(s) or material, which is affixed to the said supporting structure may be detachably detachable from the said supporting structure with a releasing adhesive which requires greater force to remove than the force required to separate the said complementary strips of hook and loop material or other complementary detachably attachable system.