AWNING ADJUSTMENT DEVICE

Abstract

An awning and a method of operating the awning are provided. The awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge. The canopy can be wound about the roller with the proximal edge secured along the roller. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the roller near the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base. The adjustment tube is slidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position and an outermost position. The adjustment tube is located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to awnings and, more specifically, apparatus for adjusting a canopy on an awning.

BACKGROUND

Often, a canopy of an awning is retracted and stored by winding the canopy about a roller when the awning is not in use. A problem that can occur when winding the canopy around the roller is that the canopy becomes unevenly wound about the roller such that the canopy is more tightly wound on one end of the roller compared to the other end. This may occur because a motor only drives one end of the roller, for example, and an unevenly wound canopy hinders the aesthetics and proper functioning of the awning. Thus, there is a need for apparatus and methods to resolve the uneven winding of the canopy about the roller.

SUMMARY

In one example aspect, an awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge and lateral edges. The canopy can be wound about the roller with the proximal edge secured along the roller. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the roller near the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base. The adjustment tube is slidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position and an outermost position. The adjustment tube is located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position. One of the lateral edges of the canopy is capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at least at one position of the adjustment tube between the innermost position and the outermost position.

In another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes a cylindrical inner geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the inner geometry substantially matches an outer dimension of the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes a frusto-conical outer geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the roller includes a groove in which the proximal edge can be secured.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube further includes a slit into which one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends as the adjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the slit extends from the small base to a slit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy is configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position of the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy is capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at all positions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

In yet another example aspect, a method of operating an awning is provided. The awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge and lateral edges. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. An outer dimension of the adjustment tube gradually increases from the small base to the large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base. The method includes the steps of winding the canopy about the roller so that one of the lateral edges near the second longitudinal end is wound around a first portion of the adjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a first value, moving the adjustment tube along the roller between an innermost position and an outermost position, the adjustment tube located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position, and winding the canopy about the roller so that the one of the lateral edges near the second longitudinal end is wound around a second portion of the adjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a second value.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube further includes a slit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends as the adjustment tube is moved along the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the slit extends from the small base to a slit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy is configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position of the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges extends into the slit at the outermost position of the tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy is capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at all positions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes a cylindrical inner geometry substantially matching an outer dimension of the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes a frusto-conical outer geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the roller includes a groove in which the proximal edge can be secured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of an example structure on which an example embodiment of an awning is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of an adjustment tube in an isolated state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustment tube on an end of a roller of an awning in an outermost position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment tube on an end of the roller of an awning in an innermost position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of an awning 10 is shown. While the awning 10 is shown to be mounted to a trailer 100 in this embodiment, the awning may be mounted to other types of recreational vehicles, modes of transport (e.g., a boat), residential structures (e.g., a house) or the like. Moreover, while this example awning 10 is embodied with a particular set of arms and joints, it is possible to configure the awning 10 with a different set of arms and joints.

The awning 10 may include a set of support arms 12, a canopy 14 and a roller 16 among other features. The support arms 12 are configured to enable the extension and refraction of the awning 10 such that the canopy 14 can be stretched out to provide shelter and be withdrawn to remove the same. The support arms 12 can be operable manually or automatically.

The canopy 14 may be rectangular in a fully stretched out state and may have a proximal edge 18, a distal edge 20 and lateral edges 22 where the proximal edge 18 is configured to be secured to the roller 16. The roller 16 is located adjacent the structure which the awning is part of (e.g., a trailer 100) and the distal edge 20 is configured to extend away from the trailer 100 in this embodiment although this configuration may vary in alternative embodiments. The roller 16 may be elongate with longitudinal ends 24 and may be a cylindrical or tubular structure about which the rectangular canopy 14 can be wound. The roller 16 may include a groove 26 in which the proximal edge 18 of the canopy 14 may be secured. The groove 26 may be formed on an outer surface of the roller 16 extending longitudinally about the roller 16. The proximal edge 18 of the canopy 14 may include a passage which may be formed by folding the canopy 14 along the proximal edge 18 and securing the folded portion to the canopy 14, such as by sewing. The proximal edge 18 may be secured to the roller 16 by placing the passage within the groove 26 and inserting a wire or rod like element that substantially matches the dimension of the groove 26 through the passage.

A first longitudinal end 24a of the roller 16 may be operatively connected to a driving element 28 (e.g., a motor) by way of which the roller 16 can be turned in both rotational directions. Once the proximal edge 18 of the canopy 14 is secured to the roller 16, the rotation of the roller 16 can wind the canopy 14 about the roller or unwind the canopy 14 from a wound-up state. The extension and retraction of the awning 10 may be actuated by the driving element and the support arms 12 may move in response to the winding/unwinding of the canopy 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, near a second longitudinal end 24b of the roller 16, an adjustment tube 32 is mounted around the roller 16 so as to surround or enclose the roller 16 and to be slidably and telescopically movable in longitudinal directions along the roller 16. The adjustment tube 32 may be made of materials providing sufficient flexibility and rigidity such as plastic. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment tube 32 includes a small base 34 and a large base 36 such that the value of the outer dimension of the adjustment tube 32 (e.g., diameter) gradually increases from the small base 34 to the large base 36. Thus, the adjustment tube 32 is tapered from the large base 36 to the small base 34. For example, the adjustment tube 32 may be 2.70 inches in length and have an outer diameter of 2.59 inches at the small base 34 and an outer diameter of 2.88 inches at the large base 36. In one embodiment, the adjustment tube 32 is frusto-conical and the outer surface between the small base 34 and the large base 36 is flat. However, the outer surface between the small base 34 and the large base 36 may also be curved, stepped or the like. Moreover, it may be possible for the outer surface of the adjustment tube 32 to be flat along one axial portion and to have an alternative configuration (e.g., curved, stepped, etc.) along another axial portion while the outer dimension gradually increases between the small base 34 and the large base 36. Thus, the values of the outer dimension of the adjustment tube 32 may change in a continuously variable or may be discrete.

While the outer geometry of the adjustment tube 32 is frusto-conical, the inner geometry is cylindrical and substantially matches the outer geometry of the roller 16 so that a sufficient degree of friction exists between an inner surface of the adjustment tube 32 and an outer surface of the roller 16 to keep the adjustment tube 32 in place once an operator has slid the adjustment tube 32 to a given position along the roller 16 but also allowing for sliding movement of the adjustment tube 32 respect to the roller 16. For example, the inner diameter of the adjustment tube 32 may be kept constant at 2.49 inches from the small base 34 to the large base 36. The adjustment tube 32 is mounted on the roller 16 so that the small base 34 is nearer to the first longitudinal end 24a than the large base 36.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment tube 32 includes a slit 38 which extends from the small base 34 to an intermediate point 40 between the small base 34 and the large base 36. The slit 38 terminates at a slit end 42 defining an innermost position 44 of the adjustment tube 32 at which the small base 34 of the adjustment tube 32 is nearest to the first longitudinal end 24a and at which the lateral edge 22 abuts the slit end 42. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the canopy 14 may extend into the slit 38 and remain therein throughout movement of the adjustment tube 32 from the outermost position 46 to the innermost position 44. The position of the adjustment tube 32 at which the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 is closest to the slit end 42 may define the innermost position 44. The adjustment tube 32 may be at an outermost position 46 at which the large base 36 of the adjustment tube 32 is nearest to the second longitudinal end 24b and where the large base 36 of the adjustment tube 32 is stopped by an end feature of the awning 10 (e.g., an end cap) which is omitted from FIGS. 3-4 for clarity of illustration.

In this embodiment, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 is wound around the adjustment tube 32 at all positions from the innermost position 44 to the outermost position 46 of the adjustment tube 32. However, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 need not extend into the slit 38 when the adjustment tube 32 is at the outermost position 46. In case the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 cannot be wound around the adjustment tube 32 at the outermost position 46, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 is simply wound around the roller 16. However, at least at one position of the adjustment tube 32 between the outermost position 46 and the innermost position 44, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 can be wound around the adjustment tube 32 and the adjustment tube 32 will continue to be wound about the adjustment tube 32 from this position to the innermost position 44. Because the outer dimension (e.g., the outer diameter) of the adjustment tube 32 increases as the adjustment tube 32 is moved toward the innermost position 44, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 can be entirely wound about the adjustment tube 32 with fewer rotations of the roller 16. The adjustability of the outer dimension on one longitudinal end is helpful in overcoming the lag in rotation at the non-driven, longitudinal end of the roller 16 which causes the canopy 14 to be unevenly wound about the roller 16. The lag in rotation at the non-driven, longitudinal end can be neutralized by increasing the outer dimension of the adjustment tube 32 by a sufficient amount which can be determined through trial and error. Difference in the tightness of the fabric between the driven end and the non-driven end is another condition that can be fixed by the adjustment tube 32.

Once the final position of the adjustment tube 32 is determined, the adjustment tube 32 may be secured at the factory or during installation of the awning such as by the end user. The adjustment tube 32 may be set in place using adhesive tape, blind rivet, tek screw, glue or any suitable means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. An awning including:

a canopy including a proximal edge and lateral edges;

a roller about which the canopy can be wound with the proximal edge secured along the roller, the roller including a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; and

an adjustment tube including a small base and a large base, an outer dimension of the adjustment tube gradually increasing from the small base to the large base, the adjustment tube mounted around the roller near the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base, the adjustment tube being slidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position and an outermost position, the adjustment tube located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position, one of the lateral edges of the canopy capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at least at one position between the innermost position and the outermost position.

2. The awning of claim 1, the adjustment tube including a cylindrical inner geometry.

3. The awning of claim 2, the inner geometry substantially matching an outer dimension of the roller.

4. The awning of claim 1, the adjustment tube including a frusto-conical outer geometry.

5. The awning of claim 1, the roller including a groove in which the proximal edge can be secured.

6. The awning of claim 1, the adjustment tube further including a slit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends as the adjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.

7. The awning of claim 6, the slit extending from the small base to a slit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

8. The awning of claim 7, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position of the adjustment tube.

9. The awning of claim 6, wherein the one of the lateral edges extends into the slit at the outermost position of the tube.

10. The awning of claim 1, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at all positions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

11. A method of operating an awning, the awning including a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube, the canopy including a proximal edge and lateral edges, the roller including a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the adjustment tube including a small base and a large base, an outer dimension of the adjustment tube gradually increasing from the small base to the large base, the adjustment tube mounted around the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base, the method including the steps of:

winding the canopy about the roller so that one of the lateral edges near the second longitudinal end is wound around a first portion of the adjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a first value;

moving the adjustment tube along the roller between an innermost position and an outermost position, the adjustment tube located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position; and

winding the canopy about the roller so that the one of the lateral edges near the second longitudinal end is wound around a second portion of the adjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a second value.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.

13. The method of claim 11, the adjustment tube further including a slit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends as the adjustment tube is moved along the roller.

14. The method of claim 13, the slit extending from the small base to a slit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

15. The method of claim 14, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position of the adjustment tube.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the one of the lateral edges extends into the slit at the outermost position of the tube.

17. The method of claim 11, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at all positions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

18. The method of claim 11, the adjustment tube including a cylindrical inner geometry substantially matching an outer dimension of the roller.

19. The method of claim 11, the adjustment tube including a frusto-conical outer geometry.

20. The method of claim 11, the roller including a groove in which the proximal edge can be secured.