Roll Type Patents (Class 160/66)
  • Patent number: 11297778
    Abstract: Top furling automated retractable greenhouse cover is a retractable cover for a greenhouse that is mounted on top of the greenhouse. Top furling automated retractable greenhouse cover comprises: a spine clamp, a left furling cover assembly, a right furling cover assembly, a hinge pin assembly, and an electrical control box. Left and right furling assemblies each comprise a curtain or cover, a furling rod, a furling motor, and a support arm. Electrical control box sends electronic signals to cause left and right covers or curtains to furl above the greenhouse when retracted and to unfurl down to the ground when extended to cover the greenhouse. The top-mounted design allows efficient use of gravity to apply tension to the furled rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: EMERALD KINGDOM GREENHOUSE, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lloyd
  • Patent number: 9903530
    Abstract: One embodiment of a linear U-shape that can be molded into or attached to an awning or other feasible accessory allowing them to be mounted to a J-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Delmar Martz
  • Patent number: 8960256
    Abstract: A retractable motor-driven awning can be extended or retracted by energizing the motor in one direction or another. A manually operable system, however, is also employed for rotating the awning by hand in a direction to retract the awning in the event the motor drive becomes inoperable. The ability to hand rotate the roll bar to retract the awning is achieved by connecting the roll bar to the drive shaft of the motor with a manual override system. Implementations of a manual override mechanism include one-way bearings and various ratchet designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Scott P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8944132
    Abstract: A mounting fixture that can be mounted horizontally, with a retractable privacy screen on a spring mounted roller, wherein the fixture comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are movingly engaged to open and close, wherein the roller is attached to the first surface, wherein the screen has an extended upward position and a retracted downward position wherein an extension member is attached to the shade and the first surface so that when the member is extended the screen is moved vertically to the extended upward position, and when the member is retracted, the screen is moved to the retracted downward position. The spring loaded roller keeps tension on the screen which prevents the extended screen from being unstable or floppy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Floyd
  • Patent number: 8887785
    Abstract: An awning control system provides automatic retraction of an extended awning upon detection of awning motion in multiple dimensions caused by windy conditions. The awning control system includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based accelerometer for motion-based auto-retraction. A single, combined motion sensor/controller module may be located in the motor head and connected to switches and a 12V power source through wires routed along or within the awning framework. The control system operates by gauging the vertical, horizontal (inward/outward), and lateral motion of the leading edge or lead rail of the awning when in a fully or partially extended position. When persistent motion or gust exceeds preset thresholds, the control system will automatically engage the motor to retract the awning. The control system provides full automatic retraction of the awning unless halted or interrupted by additional user input. Manual switching also controls the extension and retraction of the awning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Co.
    Inventor: Mark Goth
  • Publication number: 20140262061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette awning having a cloth shaft (3) rotatably mounted in a housing (1), from which shaft there can be unwound a cloth (4) of which the front end is fastened to an extension profile (2), wherein the awning has fastening brackets (7) for fastening to a building, wherein the housing (1) is angled on both sides at the ends and the fastening brackets (7) are covered by the angled ends (5a, 5b) of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Stawski
  • Patent number: 8726967
    Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a locking device for an awning arm—the support assembly includes a fixed support (10), a pivoting body (20) articulately supported on the fixed support (10) to pivot between a retracted position and a service position, an arm (30) articulately supported on the pivoting body (20) to rotate between a folded position and an extended position, and an adjustable stop (40) for limiting the movement of the pivoting body (20), thus determining the degree of inclination of the awning in the service position. The adjustable stop (40) has a circumferential groove (43) and a grip element (44). A locking member (50), which is moved by the arm (30) to a locking position, is inserted into the circumferential groove (43) such that the grip element (44) is accessible and the adjustable stop (40) can be rotated but cannot be axially moved with respect to the pivoting body (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Llaza, S.A.
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • Publication number: 20140110065
    Abstract: Embodiments of an awning assembly are taught which utilize an awning rail assembly including a connector having integrated luminaires. The integrated luminaire does not interfere with the extension or retraction of the awning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Dometic, LLC
    Inventor: Dometic, LLC
  • Patent number: 8631851
    Abstract: Brace devoid of joints or welds for reinforcing a tube, such as the roller tube of an awning, the brace being formed from a pair of elongate metal strips mounted to each other along their respective longitudinal central portions, the edges of each strip forming integral feet at angles with respect to the strip, and the strips extending substantially radially from the mounted central portions to engage the interior of the tube at the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Clarence Jules Migues
  • Publication number: 20130333846
    Abstract: A retractable awning having a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or off the roller. The motor includes a protective housing, with a manual motor override on the motor within the housing. An aperture in the housing proximate the override is aligned with and permits access to the override through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Albrecht, Christopher S. Greer, Brian M. Worthman
  • Patent number: 8528578
    Abstract: A raintrough support clip includes a generally cylindrical main body made from an elastically resilient material, and having a circumferential gap to facilitate mounting around an awning reel having a flexible valance sheet extending downward from the outer edge of the awning reel. The raintrough support clip also has an outrigger member extending outwardly from a lower region of the main body, with an upturned portion forming a generally U-shaped space between the outrigger and the main body. When a suitable number of the raintrough support clips are mounted along the length of the awning reel, the valance sheet may be readily deformed to form a rainwater drainage trough for receiving runoff from the awning. The drainage trough thus formed will carry runoff to one or both ends of the awning reel, thereby preventing the runoff from falling over the awning reel and forming a runoff curtain therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: James Stewart Mowatt, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20130220556
    Abstract: An awning comprises two holding brackets arranged on a base member between which a fabric shaft is mounted for rotation; an awning fabric which is windable in on or out on the fabric shaft; and a motor drive for rotating the fabric shaft, which motor drive is installed in the awning shaft and is mounted on one of the holding brackets in a vibration-damped manner, and a vibration insulation device which is completely arranged inside the fabric shaft between the motor drive and the holding bracket, the vibration insulation device comprising a support head which secures the motor drive against rotation, a radial damping member of a vibration-damping, flexible material which positively engages the support head in the direction of rotation; and a mounting head which is non-rotatably mounted on the holding bracket and positively engages the radial damping member in the direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130098562
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: DOMETIC LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8281795
    Abstract: A retractable awning, comprising a screen which may be extended and retracted, wherein there is provided a first motor arranged to extend the screen, a second motor arranged to retract the screen, and a control unit arranged to control the first and second motors, wherein the first and second motors are synchronized so as to maintain tension in the screen within predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Cutler
  • Publication number: 20110303369
    Abstract: An awning includes a base part, which can be attached to a building part, a fabric shaft, which can be rotatably driven thereon by means of a motor, an awning fabric, which can be retracted and extended and wound onto the fabric shaft and unwound therefrom, and a noise influencing system, which has a controller and at least one sound actuator activated thereby and coupled to an awning component, the at least one sound actuator producing a counter-sound pattern adapted to the sound pattern during the retraction and/or extension of the awning for influencing the noise, in particular noise and vibration damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SCHMITZ-WERKE GMBH + CO.KG
    Inventors: Heinz-Georg FEHN, Peter RICHERT, Günter SCHÖTTLER
  • Patent number: 8051866
    Abstract: The present application relates to a covering apparatus for covering an outdoor area comprising a screen (1) that can be operated between a retracted and an extended configuration, the screen having a leading portion (2) and a trailing portion (4), the trailing portion (4) being connected to a first support (5, 6), the apparatus further comprising a plurality of longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) extending from the first support (5, 6) to respective second supports (9, 10), and the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) being supported by the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) as the screen (1) is operated from the retracted to the extended configuration, wherein the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) is moveably mounted to the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) such that the leading portion (2) moves with respect to the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) during operation between retracted and extended positions, and wherein at least one clamping system is provided on the leading portion
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Cutler
  • Patent number: 8042595
    Abstract: The invention relates to an awning case assembly including a housing for a winding tube for winding the canvas, a load bar fixed to a front edge of the canvas, and foldable arms hingedly connected to the housing and to the load bar. The load bar including a second longitudinal coupling configuration which can be coupled to a second longitudinal coupling edge of the housing to form a fulcrum line about which the load bar can rotate under the action of a pulling force exerted by the canvas until a first longitudinal coupling configuration of the load bar is coupled to a first longitudinal coupling edge of the housing, the first longitudinal coupling configuration being disposed at a distance from the second coupling configuration and adjacent to a canvas fixing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Llaza, S.A.
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • Patent number: 7828036
    Abstract: A powered awning assembly has an awning frame with a first side arm member having a first distal end and a first proximate end for attachment to a wall and a second side arm member having a second distal end and a second proximate end for attachment to a wall. A connecting member has a first end attached to the distal end of the first side arm and a second end attached to the distal end of the second side arm. A roll awning is attached to the awning frame. A wind sensor assembly is attached to one of the first side arm and the second side arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dometic, LLC
    Inventor: Tuong Tran
  • Publication number: 20100243176
    Abstract: A covering apparatus comprising an extendible screen (3), a longitudinal flexible element (4) and a rotatable member (6), wherein one of the longitudinal flexible element and the rotatable member is fixed and the screen (3) is attached to the other of the longitudinal flexible element and the rotatable member so as to permit relative movement of the screen relative to the fixed part, wherein the rotatable member is frictionally engaged with the longitudinal flexible element, and wherein there is provided means for preventing rotation of the rotatable member, whereby the screen is held in position relative to the fixed part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Cutler, Dvir Brand
  • Patent number: 7763556
    Abstract: A composite flexible fabric is employed as a covering for an opening of a building, such as a window or door. The composite fabric protects the opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects. The composite fabric is formed from at least one layer of a fabric comprised of high tenacity polyolefin fibers and at least one layer of a plastic film. The film is attached to at least one surface of the high tenacity polyolefin fiber fabric. Each of the fabric layer and the film layer are sufficient translucent so as to permit light to enter the opening of the building. The fabric layer provides protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and the film layer provides an impervious barrier to water, such as wind driven rain. An adhesive layer may be used to enhance bonding between the fabric layer and the film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Huy X. Nguyen, John E. Holland, Connie W. Holland
  • Patent number: 7708046
    Abstract: An awning wind deflector adapted for deflecting wind around and away from a rolled up awning structure attached to a recreation vehicle. The wind deflector comprising a disk-shaped flange at one end and an elongated tubular stem at the other end. The wind deflector is mounted at an end of the rolled up awning structure, wherein the flange having a sloping front face faces the head winds. The wind deflector includes an elongated radial slit for mounting over the rolled up structure by flexing the slit and clamping the wind deflector by a hose clamp around the elongated tubular stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Les E. Pease
  • Publication number: 20100024991
    Abstract: A retractable awning having one edge of an awning canopy fixed and a movable opposite edge with the opposite edge being secured to a rotatable roll bar includes a floating mounting for the roll bar so that a bias on the roll bar urging the roll bar to rotate toward a retracted position of the awning permits the wrapped fabric on the roll bar to remain in engagement with an engagement wall of a mounting chassis so that the roll bar is prevented from sagging along its length regardless of the number of wraps of fabric about the roll bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Scott P. Thompson, Robert Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100000689
    Abstract: A corner canvas is formed such that when seen in a development, it has a right-angled trapezoidal form consisting of a rectangular canvas main body and a right-angled triangular canvas extension. A canvas take-up shaft is formed by an outer roller slidably and rotatably fitted on an inner shaft. When the canvas is to be developed, a folded swing arm is parallel-rotated obliquely forward and a front bar is pushed out to an obliquely forward corner space, thereby the corner space is covered. When the canvas is to be taken up, the swing arm is rotated obliquely rearward and the front bar is parallel-moved obliquely rearward, whereupon the outer roller is moved rearward while rotating to take up the corner canvas, and thereby the canvas extension is taken up by the exposed inner shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Osamu ITO
  • Patent number: 7628194
    Abstract: A retractable awning includes a roller reversibly driven and mounted within a housing for support on a support structure and both inner and outer sets of pivotally interconnected support arms for supporting an awning canopy when extended. The inner set of support arms support the canopy beneath an inner segment of the canopy adjacent the support surface and are designed to deploy before the outer set of support arms with the outer set of support arms supporting the canopy beneath an outer segment of the canopy further away from the support surface than the inner segment. Both the inner and outer sets of support arms can be partially or fully deployed to regulate the extent to which the awning is extendible away from the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Jeffrey B. Rutherford, Scott P. Thompson, Erwin J. Gaudyn, Todd Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7576282
    Abstract: A photovoltaic awning assembly includes a sheet of material carrying photovoltaic strips thereon. A rotatable roll receives the sheet of material and has a contoured drum at opposite ends thereof for deploying and retrieving the sheet of material through the use of a cable connected to a boom at an opposite end of the sheet. A pair of support tubes extend along opposite sides of the sheet of material, and support legs serve to position the sheet. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the support legs is out of plane with the others, introducing a saddle surface in the sheet of material to provide it with stability to resist wind. The roll for retrieving and maintaining the material is constructed of a non-metallic material such as corrugated fiberglass sheet, rolled about take-up drums at opposite ends thereof, and having reinforcing flanged disks in the interior thereof. The corrugations provide conduits for the passage of electrical conductors to an externally maintained control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: EBO Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Heidenreich
  • Publication number: 20090050277
    Abstract: A roller supporting frame or a transverse guide rail is attached to the front end portion of a foldable arm, and the roller supporting frame is attached to the guide rail in such a manner as to be freely slidable. A winding roller for a projected corner canvas is supported by the roller supporting frame through bearings, and a slider is attached to the transverse guide frame provided on the wall side, and thus, a movable awning device having a front winding structure where the top hem of the projected corner canvas is attached to the slider is provided. A complex awning device where an awning device for a projected corner having a front winding structure for a projected corner canvas and a rectangular awning device having a rear winding structure for a rectangular canvas are combined and integrated is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Osamu ITO
  • Publication number: 20090014130
    Abstract: A deployable and retractable photovoltaic awning assembly is formed from a flexible sheet of photovoltaic devices attached to a rotatable roll at one end and a boom at the other. A pair of side support tubes are provided with tracks that receive slides maintained on opposite ends of the boom. At least one of the slides is axially movable with respect to the boom, ensuring engagement of the slides in the tracks as the boom is moved away from and toward the roll during deployment and retraction of the flexible sheet. In this regard, the slides are mounted on pins through articulated joints of the spherical/universal type. The sheet of flexible voltaic devices is preferably transmissive as to light wave lengths in the range required for vegetation photosynthesis, and absorbert for all other ranges, allowing the awning to be deployed over vegetated areas, without interference with the photosynthesis process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: David C. Heidenreich
  • Publication number: 20080185107
    Abstract: Brace devoid of joints or welds for reinforcing a tube, such as the roller tube of an awning, the brace being formed from a pair of elongate metal strips mounted to each other along their respective longitudinal central portions, the edges of each strip forming integral feet at angles with respect to the strip, and the strips extending substantially radially from the mounted central portions to engage the interior of the tube at the feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Clarence J. Migues
  • Publication number: 20080163984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blind or awning photo-generator comprising first and second elements (1, 2) which are embodied in the form of a flexible cloth or an arrangement of bars (28) and movable between the folded and unfolded positions. The first element (1) is superimposed in a parallel position on the second element (2) at a certain distance when they are unfolded. Photovoltaic cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) are arranged on one and/or another element (1, 2) in such a way that the active photovoltaic surface of said cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) is located on the top and/or lower surface of the first element (1) and/or the top surface of the second element (2). The first element (1) allows sun light to pass at least partially when said two elements are arranged in such a way that the light is directed to the active photovoltaic surface of the cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) located on the lower surface of the first element (1) and/or on the top surface of the second element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Jacques Lambey
  • Publication number: 20080142167
    Abstract: An awning assembly includes an awning and support arms and rafters that are adapted to support the awning from a backing structure both when the awning is in an extended position and when it is in a retracted position. The support arms and rafters are mounted to the backing structure in a manner that allows for the positions of the support arms and rafters to be readily converted as the awning is extended and retracted. Additionally, the manner in which each rafter is joined to a respective support arm allows for the convenient rearrangement of the rafters and support arms to facilitate supporting of the awning in both the extended and retracted positions. A cooperative roller mechanism, on which the awning is wound and unwound, and locking device are provided to lock the awning in place. The awning assembly, in a particular embodiment, is applied to a pop-up trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: DOMETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Hicks, Brandon Moore
  • Patent number: 7367376
    Abstract: An articulated arm for awnings is disclosed. The articulated arm comprises an arm and a forearm, joined together by respective articulation configurations located at adjacent ends of the same, which enables them to move between open and closed positions. There is a flexible tie bar inside the arm, with a second end anchored to the articulation configuration of end of the forearm and linked by a first end to an elastic traction element anchored to a fixed point on the arm and an elastic compression element located between a stop on the flexible tie bar and a support of the end of the arm in order to produce tension in the tie bar on moving from the open position to closed, generating torque tending towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Llaza, S.A.
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • Publication number: 20080099155
    Abstract: A method of securing an awning strap of a recreational vehicle to an awning support arm comprising the steps of extending an end of an awning strap proximate to an awning support arms and inserting a first loop retaining end of a device into a loop at the end of the awning strap and inserting a second end of the device into an awning support arm positioning hole. Also an apparatus for securing an awning support strap where the apparatus comprises an elongated device with a first bent end adaptable to the loop of the awning strap and a second end that may be inserted within a hole of the awning support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Louis P. May
  • Publication number: 20080029224
    Abstract: An adjustment device for an awning is provided comprising an engagement member and a resilient adjustment member having an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the adjustment member is adapted to be selectively adjustable. A retainer element is provided to maintain a desired outer diameter. In one example, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the engagement member can have a plurality of angular splines that are keyed into corresponding internal grooves of the adjustment member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to splinably engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can have a plurality of support members and a plurality of flexible connectors, wherein each support member is connected to an adjacent support member by a flexible connector to form an enclosed cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Gheorghe Popa
  • Patent number: 7210492
    Abstract: A retractable rain cover is attachable to a golf cart has a rigid frame extending aft from the rear roofline of a golf cart and over a golf bag carried at the rear of the cart. A flexible canopy is movable along the frame from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the stowed position the canopy is contained either rolled up in a housing along the rear roofline or is in a lay flat condition disposed within the footprint of the golf cart roof. In the deployed position the canopy extends along the frame and overlies the golf bag at the rear of the cart. Also, the canopy has a closable opening positioned to align with the upper end of the golf bag when the canopy is in a deployed position thereby permitting direct access through the deployed canopy to any golf club in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventors: William Gerrie, Kenneth M. McAlpin
  • Patent number: 7207369
    Abstract: A window awning mounting system suitable for a non-planar surface includes a housing containing a roll of awning. A forearm is provided and includes a header at one end thereof attached to a leading edge of the roll up awning. A bracket mounted on the non-planar surface is provided for securing and stabilizing one end of the forearm. A spring loaded tension arm having one end attached to the forearm is provided and an arm bracket, which is separate from the housing bracket, pivotally attaches both a second end of the forearm and a second end of the tension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Girard Systems
    Inventor: Vince Weddell
  • Patent number: 7188889
    Abstract: A retractable cover for a slide-out unit on a recreational vehicle, mobile home, travel trailer, or the like, includes a roll bar that is movable with the slide-out unit away from the side of the vehicle with the roll bar mounted in a housing having a closure plate which is easily pivoted to an open position or removed to facilitate maintenance or removal of debris that may accumulate in the housing during a retraction of the cover. The housing is mounted on the slide-out unit with brackets permitting the brackets to be located at any position along the length of the housing and also permitting the housing to assume a length that is much greater than the width of the slide-out unit providing a better cover for the slide-out unit during inclement weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Garefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Scott W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7178536
    Abstract: An awning construction for a camping accommodation or the like, including a roof and at least one side wall, as well as a container which is mountable on a wall of a camping accommodation, which is arranged to include, in a closed position of the rest, at least the tent cloth of an awning, wherein the container includes, in mounted condition, a substantially horizontal and at least one substantially vertical section, which container further has an open position to take the awning out of the container and put it up and wherein the container is further provided with a fixing device for an edge of the tent cloth of the awning, located, in the operative position, in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Egbert Berend Holtkamp
  • Patent number: 7163257
    Abstract: An awning mechanism for a recreational vehicle having a slider includes a box awning having a frame and a roller disposed therein with an awning rolled about the roller and extendable therefrom. The awning includes a leading edge and a bracket is provided for mounting the frame to a stationary wall of the recreational vehicle. A header attachable to the slider beneath the frame is provided with the bracket and the header having a generally coplanar relationship with the slide out in a fully retracted position. Linkage is provided which interconnects the header and the leading edge and includes structure enabling shortening of the linkage as the header passes beneath the leading edge on the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Girard Systems
    Inventor: Robert G. Heitel
  • Patent number: 7152652
    Abstract: A load detection system for lateral and vertical arm awnings generally includes a motorized roller with a fabric wound thereabout in a retracted position and extendable therefrom. Arms are provided for supporting the fabric in an extended position and at least one sensor is utilized for sensing strain due to extended awning loading and producing a load signal corresponding thereto. A controller is incorporated and responsive to the load signal for causing the motorized roller to retract and extend the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Girard Systems
    Inventor: Robert G. Heitel
  • Patent number: 7117565
    Abstract: Support for fixing an accessory (3) to a flexible arm (1), characterized in that this support (2) comprises at least one leg (11) fixed with one far end (13) to one of the far ends (6–7) of adjoining hinge-mounted parts (4–5) of the flexible arm (1) which are connected to each other in a hinged manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: BRUSTOR, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Louis Brutsaert
  • Patent number: 7044189
    Abstract: An improved pull-strap assembly (20) made from webbing material (21) that forms a strap (23) the material (21) looped back on itself at its first or one end to form along the strap's length two layers of mated material (42) along which multiple openable pockets (42s, 44m) are formed and spaced from one another, the other or second end of strap (23) being looped backed on itself to form a pull loop (31). An openable pocket (44) is produced at the strap's first end and the multiple openable pockets (44m) are spaced therefrom along the length of strap (23). A connector (47) having a stem (48) and an enlarged head (49) at each end of stem (48) mounts in any one of the pockets (44s, 44m), with its enlarged head (49) of connector (47) abutting the edges of strap (23). In assemblage of pull-strap assembly (20) to a roller-tube assembly (30), connector (47) in a particular one of pockets (44s, 44m) is fed through a hole in a slot-and-hole arrangement (55, 52), FIGS. 5, 9, and as in FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: John E. Hanna
  • Patent number: 6874558
    Abstract: An awning including a canvas shaft, a canvas wounded onto the canvas shaft, and a sleeve enclosing the canvas shaft. A stationary support means carries the sleeve. An arrangement for adjusting an inclination of the sleeve by rotation contains one lateral sleeve carrier which is connected to a respective lateral holder and which can be rotated relative to the holder about the awning-canvas-shaft axis. An actuating element, which can be moved serves for adjusting the inclination of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Paul Voss GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Mester, Wolfgang Voss
  • Patent number: 6812397
    Abstract: A device intended to be used as a shade, awning, blind and swimming pool cover includes a photocurrent-generating fabric and a support for winding and storing the fabric. The support is formed by an axisymetric tube of regular polygonal cross-section around the periphery of which the fabric is wound. The photo current-generating fabric includes a layer of interconnected photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Jacques Lambey
  • Patent number: 6796359
    Abstract: A portable fence supported awning includes a flexible sheet mounted on a frame that has a rear frame cross member and two sets of lateral frame members. The two sets of lateral frame members are attached to the fence and can support the awning in various positions to provide the desired cover. The lateral frame members can be pivoted into and the flexible sheet can be folded into a compact state for carrying and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Kraig R. Knutson
  • Patent number: 6782904
    Abstract: A rain shield device includes a housing for attaching onto various vehicles, and a shield extendible out of the housing for shielding the upper portions of the doors of the vehicles and for allowing the drivers and the passengers to easily open or receive the umbrella while boarding or moving out of the vehicles. The shield may be extended out of the housing with two links and two racks and a motor. A shaft is rotatably received in the housing for winding and receiving the shield, and may be rotated relative to the housing by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Tseng Ping Tien
  • Patent number: 6782936
    Abstract: An automatic lateral arm awning system for a recreational vehicle includes awning material having a first and a second end, a roller secured to the material first end for wrapping said awning material thereabout and a header secured to the material second end. A frame is provided for enclosing the roller and awning material and sealing with the header in order to prevent wind-generated noise upon driving of the recreational vehicle. A pair of spring loaded arms interconnecting the frame and said header for urge the header away from the frame upon rotation of the roller in one direction and an electric motor, disposed within the roller, rotates the roller. The awning material unrolls from the roller and extends outwardly from the frame upon rotation of the roller in the one direction and wraps around said roller upon rotation of the roller in an opposite direction. Awning material stretch is accommodated in order to insure sealing between said header and said frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Girard Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Girard, Howard Jelinek
  • Publication number: 20040159407
    Abstract: An automatic lateral arm awning system for a recreational vehicle includes awning material having a first and a second end, a roller secured to the material first end for wrapping said awning material thereabout and a header secured to the material second end. A frame is provided for enclosing the roller and awning material and sealing with the header in order to prevent wind-generated noise upon driving of the recreational vehicle. A pair of spring loaded arms interconnecting the frame and said header for urge the header away from the frame upon rotation of the roller in one direction and an electric motor, disposed within the roller, rotates the roller. The awning material unrolls from the roller and extends outwardly from the frame upon rotation of the roller in the one direction and wraps around said roller upon rotation of the roller in an opposite direction. Awning material stretch is accommodated in order to insure sealing between said header and said frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Larry Girard, Howard Jelinek
  • Patent number: 6739371
    Abstract: An awning installing device includes a main body having first and second opposing major surfaces, and has a given width and appropriate thickness and length. The first major surface is adapted to be brought into contact with a façade wall onto which an awning is to be installed, and the awning is to be mounted on the second major surface. A groove is formed in the main body to open at the second major surface and extend along the entire length of the main body. A bracket for supporting the awning has a portion which is movable in and along the groove to a desired location where it can be fixed. The main body is provided with a plurality of securing holes. Screws can be screwed through selected ones of the securing holes into the wall for securing the main body. End securing members which close the both ends of the groove are used to secure the ends of the main body to walls extending perpendicularly to the façade wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroo Mukai
  • Publication number: 20040016511
    Abstract: An awning including a canvas shaft, a canvas wounded onto the canvas shaft, and a sleeve enclosing the canvas shaft. A stationary support means carries the sleeve. An arrangement for adjusting an inclination of the sleeve by rotation contains one lateral sleeve carrier which is connected to a respective lateral holder and which can be rotated relative to the holder about the awning-canvas-shaft axis. An actuating element, which can be moved serves for adjusting the inclination of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Reiner Mester, Wolfgang Voss
  • Patent number: 6659530
    Abstract: A retractable cover for recreational vehicle to provide retractable sunshade comprises a support frame connectable to a recreational vehicle roof. A cover spindle is connected to the support frame. A cover first end is windably connected to the cover spindle. A cover arm is rotatably connected to the support frame. The cover arm is connected to the cover second end. Multiple arched truss arms are rotatably connected to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Herbert R. Jones