Two Part, Intermediate Pivot Patents (Class 160/70)
  • Patent number: 11613894
    Abstract: An awning assembly with a mount portion, an extendable bar assembly, an upper canopy being retractable to a compact configuration adjacent to the mount portion and extendable to an extended position upon extension of the extendable bar assembly to provide shade from above, a lower canopy coupled with the extendable bar assembly and extendable therefrom to provide shade from a side position. The extendable bar assembly comprises a first roller coupled with the upper canopy, a second roller coupled with the lower canopy and a motion generator coupled with the second roller, the motion generator configured to store energy as the second roller is moved to retract the lower canopy and configured to use the stored energy to move the second roller to extend the lower canopy from the extendable bar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Zhun-An Ma
  • Patent number: 11286673
    Abstract: The rotatable and compactable cover (1) proposed herein comprises two movable elements (4) mounted directly against the wall (P) or to a column or post (C/P); on the movable elements (4), movable side rails (23) are mounted, which are mutually parallel; pivoting support elements (30) are mounted on the movable side rails (23) against which the continuous cover plates (29) are attached; the rotatable and compactable cover (1) has actuators (49) comprised of arms with tension springs; the rotatable and compactable cover (1) also has a locking device (2) and a retraction device (3) that are mounted on the same plane as the wall (P); the rotatable and compactable cover (1) has a set of actuators (49) comprised of arms with tension springs; the upper region of the rotatable and compactable cover (1) incorporates a pair of blades (66), said blades (66) being mounted on supports (67) fixed directly to the wall (P) and covering the upper end of the continuous cover plates (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Emanuel Zular Zveibil
  • Patent number: 10947736
    Abstract: An awning is disclosed. The awning comprises a case assembly comprising a housing, configured to be mounted to a dwelling, and a lead rail, a roller assembly mounted in the case assembly and including a roll tube rotatable relative to the case assembly, a lead rail assembly coupled to the lead rail, the lead rail assembly movable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a canopy having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being connected to the lead rail assembly and the trailing edge being connected to the roll tube, and a spring arm assembly connecting the housing of the case assembly to the lead rail, the spring arms including a first arm and a second arm pivotable relative to one another, the spring arm assembly allowing the lead rail assembly to move between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Thompson, Mark Goth, Erwin Gaudyn
  • Patent number: 10845000
    Abstract: A support system for a display device includes a first arm. A second arm is rotatably connected to the first arm about a first axis. A joint is rotatably connected to the second arm about a second axis. A biasing system includes a biasing member having a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm. The biasing member provides a force to balance a load applied to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: COLEBROOK BOSSON SAUNDERS (PRODUCTS) LIMITED
    Inventor: Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 9469997
    Abstract: A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Scott P. Thompson, Mark Lyle Goth
  • 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: 8839839
    Abstract: A retractable awning that transforms automatically into a gable or arch is disclosed. The awning sheet extends using articulated hinged arms. A first end of each articulated arm is hingedly affixed to a stationary surface. The two articulated arms provide vertical support while extending the awning sheet. A swiveling hinge interface connects the ends of the articulated arms and the front support member. The front support member is a flexible spring member and resiliently arches the awning when extending. In another embodiment, the front support member is a left member and right member connected by a hinge and a spring. The spring resiliently urges the left and right member into a gabled configuration, thereby gabling the awning. When retracting the awning, the ends of the front support member and awning sheet are pulled outwards, thereby counteracting the naturally gabled or arched configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Prine, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8833429
    Abstract: Included are a windup device, a screen mounted to the windup device so as to be drawn therefrom and housed therein, a stay mounted to a drawing-side edge of the screen, and a pair of arms each including a distal end portion connected to the stay so as to rotate relative thereto and a proximal end portion supported by the windup device so as to rotate relative thereto about a rotation axis, the pair of arms being configured to change a position between a folded position and an extended position through a rotary movement about the rotation axis. The pair of arms are configured such that in the extended position, one-end-side portion of a pivot base extends toward a vertical frame of a window from the rotation axis and the other-end-side portion of the pivot base and an arm part extend along the vertical frame in a manner of being bent from the distal end portion of the one-end-side portion of the pivot base, and that the arm part and the pivot base are connected so as to rotate relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naochika Katada
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8579011
    Abstract: A sunshade device including: a windup device; a screen attached to the windup device so as to be drawn therefrom and housed therein; a stay attached to a drawing-side edge of the screen and including a pair of connecting end portions; and a pair of arms configured to change a position between a folded position and an extended position through a rotary movement. The pair of arms each include: a pivot base including a one-end-side portion extending toward a vertical frame side in the extended position and the other-end-side portion extending along the vertical frame; and an arm portion connected the other-end-side portion and extending along the vertical frame, and the pair of connecting end portions are each configured so as to extend and retract in a state of being biased in an extending direction along a drawing/housing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naochika Katada
  • Patent number: 8316910
    Abstract: Awning assemblies include at least one arm assembly. In accordance with example aspects, the arm assembly can include a first segment, a second segment pivotally connected to the first segment and a biasing member extending between portions of the segments with the biasing member being substantially hidden within an area defined by the first and second segments in a closed orientation. In accordance with further example aspects, a biasing member can be provided to resist rotation of a link member with respect to a mounting bracket with an adjustment device configured to adjust the compression of the biasing member. In accordance with yet further examples, the awning assembly can include a support leg and a pivot assembly connecting the support leg to a lead rail. The pivot assembly can include a stop member to limit a pivoting movement of the pivot assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dometic LLC
    Inventors: Gheorghe Popa, Eduardo Ornelas
  • Publication number: 20120261080
    Abstract: A retractable awning that transforms automatically into a gable or arch is disclosed. The awning sheet extends using articulated hinged arms. A first end of each articulated arm is hingedly affixed to a stationary surface. The two articulated arms provide vertical support while extending the awning sheet. A swiveling hinge interface connects the ends of the articulated arms and the front support member. The front support member is a flexible spring member and resiliently arches the awning when extending. In another embodiment, the front support member is a left member and right member connected by a hinge and a spring. The spring resiliently urges the left and right member into a gabled configuration, thereby gabling the awning. When retracting the awning, the ends of the front support member and awning sheet are pulled outwards, thereby counteracting the naturally gabled or arched configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Prine, SR.
  • Patent number: 8256486
    Abstract: A bow system is provided for coupling between a pair of arm members of an awning structure in a mounting region located beneath an area corresponding to a leading portion of an awning sheet thereof. A bow member of the bow system is aligned generally parallel to a lead member of the awning structure and is configured to flex upwardly to elevate a portion of the awning sheet when the awning is in a deployed configuration to prevent the accumulation of water or debris thereon. The bow member may automatically flex as the awning structure moves from a retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration. Other prop devices and methods of preventing the accumulation of water or debris on awning structures using bow systems and other prop devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Robert B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8225839
    Abstract: A retractable awning that transforms automatically into a gable or arch is disclosed. The awning sheet extends using articulated hinged arms. A first end of each articulated arm is hingedly affixed to a stationary surface. The two articulated arms provide vertical support while extending the awning sheet. A swiveling hinge interface connects the ends of the articulated arms and the front support member. The front support member is a flexible spring member and resiliently arches the awning when extending. In another embodiment, the front support member is a left member and right member connected by a hinge and a spring. The spring resiliently urges the left and right member into a gabled configuration, thereby gabling the awning. When retracting the awning, the ends of the front support member and awning sheet are pulled outwards, thereby counteracting the naturally gabled or arched configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Prine, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8205656
    Abstract: An awning includes a support member, an extension member, and an adjustment device. The extension member has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The first end of the extension member couples with an edge of a cloth. The adjustment device includes at least two positioning frames coupled to the support member and a Y-shaped support frame disposed between the positioning frames. The Y-shaped support frame has an upper fork, a lower fork, and a base coupled to the second end of the extension member. The adjustment device is configured to pivotally move the extension member upward and downward. The longitudinal axis of the extension member is disposed at a range of angular positions relative to a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Oliver Joen-an Ma
  • Patent number: 8141613
    Abstract: Awning of the type which is provided with a roll-up shaft (3) on which is wound a cloth (4) which is fixed with one edge to a front lath (5) which is supported by means of two or more articulated arms (6), every articulated arm (6) consisting of at least two arm parts (9-10) which are hinge (12)—mounted to one another so as to be able to fold together the articulated arm (6) around a pivot (16) and to open it. The hinge (12) is a multiple hinge which not only allows for a rotation around the above-mentioned first pivot (16), but which at least also allows for a rotation around a second pivot (17) which is directed crosswise or mainly crosswise to the first pivot (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Brustor, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Louis Brutsaert
  • Patent number: 8113260
    Abstract: An articulation device for an awning arm elbow includes a forearm elbow part defining a fork between the branches of which a core configured around an axis is supported. A flexible tie rod is coupled to the core and is connected to an elastic member. An arm elbow part defines a surrounding wall around the core. Bearings act to guide relative rotation between the forearm and arm elbow parts and to support the forearm on the arm. The bearings include at least one bearing unit which includes a first annular element fixed to the forearm elbow part and a second annular element fixed to the arm elbow part. These first and second annular elements include respective facing surfaces which cooperate in the functions of the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Llaza, SA
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • Patent number: 8042596
    Abstract: An articulation device applicable to an awning arm elbow includes a fork and a core which are joined to respective first and second semi-arms and are connected to one another by an articulation shaft. The core has an anchor in an outer surface for hooking an enlarged end of a flexible, elastically loaded tie rod which is accommodated in the first semi-arm. A seat with conical radial and axial support surfaces is formed in the core, and a circumferential channel is formed in the axial support surface. A bearing unit includes an annular element with a cylindrical outer radial rest surface to be fitted, by pressurized insertion with interference, into the conical radial support surface of the seat, and an axial rest surface to rest against the axial support surface of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Llaza, SA
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • 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: 7451797
    Abstract: An articulated arm for awnings is disclosed. It comprises an arm and a forearm connected by an articulated joint by means of respective articulation configurations at adjacent ends. The articulation configuration at the end of the forearm comprising a core with an exterior surface around a shaft, and the articulation configuration at the end of the arm comprising a surrounding wall around the core. A bearing is incorporated between the core and said wall to guide a relative rotation between the two. There is a flexible pulling element inside the arm, with a first end linked to an elastic element secured to a fixed point on the arm and a second end secured in the core. This element passes through a connection in the configuration and is partially housed in a space between the core and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Llaza, S.A.
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7344182
    Abstract: A vehicle awning system includes a plurality of arm supports disposable in a spaced apart relationship on a vehicle roof with each support having a cantilevered portion disposable in a spaced apart relationship with the vehicle roof. A roller is disposed between the cantilevered portion and the vehicle roof and a fabric having a topside and a bottom side is wound on the roller and extendable therefrom with a lead rail. A plurality of articulated arms interconnect a corresponding arm support with the lead rail and are disposed over the fabric topside for tensioning the fabric between the roller and the lead rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Girard Systems
    Inventors: Vince Weddell, Robert G. Heitel
  • Patent number: 7163042
    Abstract: An adjustable dustproof sunshade arrangement includes a wall base, a supporting arm and an adjustable joint including a supporting seat mounted at the wall base and an adjustment member pivotally connected with an inner end of the supporting arm in a longitudinal direction, wherein the adjustment member is pivotally connected to the supporting seat in a transverse direction such that the supporting arm is adapted to longitudinally and transversely shift with respect to the wall base. A fabric shelter has an inner edge attached to the wall base and an outer edge extended to attach to an outer end of the supporting arm to define a shading area under the fabric shelter, wherein the supporting arm is adapted to longitudinally and transversely shift with respect to the wall base to selectively adjust a position of the fabric shelter so as to maximize the shading area thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Wanda Ying Li
  • Patent number: 7017976
    Abstract: A retractable awning cover for a slide out unit on a recreational vehicle, mobile home, travel trailer or the like includes a scissors arm support system that elevates a support bar running longitudinally of the vehicle to establish a gable shape for the awning cover when extended. The support bar is automatically lowered during retraction so as to be alignable with the scissors arms that support the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Rutherford, Robert Wagner
  • Patent number: 6957679
    Abstract: A retractable awning includes a frame structure, roll bar, and a lead bar supported in cantilever fashion by a series of extendable arms that extend from the frame structure. An awning sheet is connected between the roll bar and the lead bar. When the lead bar is extended outwardly from the roll bar, the sheet awning is unrolled and supplied from the roll bar. Conversely, when the awning is retracted, the lead bar retracts towards the roll bar and in the process, the sheet awning is rolled onto the roll bar. The frame structure, roll bar and lead bar are split into at least two sections with each pair of sections including a coupler for connecting the two sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Powell & Powell Supply Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Powell, Tony A. Powell, Reid Powell
  • Patent number: 6820673
    Abstract: An awning, especially an articulated arm awning, comprises an awning cloth that can be wound up in the form of a cloth roll and a front bar that is disposed at the free outer end of the awning cloth, connected to the same, said front bar incorporating at least one swivel joint having an approximately horizontal or forwarded tilted swivel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schmitz—Werke GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Wessels
  • Publication number: 20040188034
    Abstract: A retractable awning includes a frame structure, roll bar, and a lead bar supported in cantilever fashion by a series of extendable arms that extend from the frame structure. An awning sheet is connected between the roll bar and the lead bar. When the lead bar is extended outwardly from the roll bar, the sheet awning is unrolled and supplied from the roll bar. Conversely, when the awning is retracted, the lead bar retracts towards the roll bar and in the process, the sheet awning is rolled onto the roll bar. The frame structure, roll bar and lead bar are split into at least two sections with each pair of sections including a coupler for connecting the two sections together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Billy R. Powell, Tony A. Powell, Reid Powell
  • Patent number: 6763874
    Abstract: A movable blind fastened to the interior of an automobile comprises a cradle in the bottom and a bracket in each end of the cradle, with each bracket having a recess. Two engagement members each have a projection fitted into the recess and a double trough. Two plate members each have two pairs of opposite protuberances, a stop between the pairs of protuberances, and a shaft, with the protuberances and the stop being fastened to the double trough. Two pivot members each have slots disposed around a central bore and an enclosed box portion having transverse grooves disposed circumferentially. Two abutment members each have a central hole with the shaft inserted to fit in the central bore of pivot member and with the ridges engaged with the transverse grooves of the box portion. A blind cloth is fastened between a cross bar on the top and the cradle. The cross bar has a central activation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tung-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 6732018
    Abstract: This invention relates to a retractable and extendable awning and control system for automatically extending and retracting the awning. A front of an awning fabric is attached to a front bar, movably mounted on a wall of a building by retractable arms. A rear of the fabric is unrolled from a roll when the arms move the front bar away from the wall. The awning also features a weather sensor unit on its front bar in wireless communication with an indoor control unit. The weather sensor unit can detect excessive wind, mechanical shocks, sunlight, and rain. In addition, each support bracket on the awning has a screw spindle for adjusting an angle of extension of the awning from the wall with a resilient inner bushing that cushions mechanical shocks to the awning. Adhesive can also be introduced into arm ends after assembly of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Turnils AB
    Inventor: Anne J. Osinga
  • Patent number: 6619363
    Abstract: In an articulated-arm awning comprising two brackets for supporting the winding shaft and articulated arms, as well as a device for adjusting the slope of the articulated arms, also side faces disposed on both sides of the winding shaft, provision is made for the side faces to be fixed on the outside of the brackets, and for each articulated arm to be connected in an articulated fashion to the inside of one side face, and for the winding shaft to be supported on the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Sven Kröner, Bernhard Wessels, Justus Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6581664
    Abstract: An articulated-arm awning having at least two articulated arms, each incorporating an inner and outer articulated arm section that are connected to one another by a joint having a substantially vertical swiveling axis. The outer articulated arm section of each articulated arm is connected in the region of its outer end to a dropout profile by a joint having a substantially vertical swiveling axis. The inner end of each inner articulated arm section that is located on the bearing side is connected to a bearing on the building side by a joint having a substantially vertical swiveling axis. A tilting joint around a horizontal swiveling axis is provided on each articulated arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Sven Kröner, Luise Schniggendiller
  • Publication number: 20030106649
    Abstract: An awning, especially an articulated arm awning, comprises an awning cloth that can be wound up in the form of a cloth roll and a front bar that is disposed at the free outer end of the awning cloth, connected to the same, said front bar incorporating at least one swivel joint having an approximately horizontal or forwarded tilted swivel axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Schmitz-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Wessels
  • Patent number: 6557612
    Abstract: An articulated arm for an awning such as for a patio or deck including at least first and second arm parts joined by an articulation. Longitudinal axes of the arm parts are orthogonal to the articulation axis. The articulated arm also includes at least two springs arranged adjacent each other and first ends of the springs are fixed to the first arm part. At least two traction elements are also and are individually connected to second ends of the springs. The traction elements are led via the articulation to the second arm part and are fixed thereto. The traction elements are wire cables which include a plastic coat in at least a region adjacent the articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Paul Voss GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Voss
  • Patent number: 6457508
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sunshade roll screen which has light weight, has a sufficient degree of strength, and is quickly responsive to a rush of wind or the like. Gears held in mesh with each other are formed at adjacent ends of two arms coupled in series to construct a collapsible arm link. Meshing portions of a plurality of the collapsible arm links are coupled to each other by a connecting rod. Opposite ends of each of the collapsible arm links are pivoted to a support pipe and a horizontal moving rod to construct a framework. A roll screen is stretched over the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sanwa Shutter Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuaki Tomita
  • Publication number: 20020069976
    Abstract: An articulated arm for an awning such as for a patio or deck including at least first and second arm parts joined by an articulation. Longitudinal axes of the arm parts are orthogonal to the articulation axis. The articulated arm also includes at least two springs arranged adjacent each other and first ends of the springs are fixed to the first arm part. At least two traction elements are also and are individually connected to second ends of the springs. The traction elements are led via the articulation to the second arm part and are fixed thereto. The traction elements are wire cables which include a plastic coat in at least a region adjacent the articulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Wolfgang Woss
  • Patent number: 6363664
    Abstract: A collapsible awning having an automatic extending flounce is divided into a first portion spanning an awning casing and a primary front section, and a second portion spanning a flounce area between the primary front section and a secondary front section. Awning cloth suspended at one end by the awning casing extends across both the primary and the secondary front sections. Articulated arms connected to the awning casing in the primary front section maintain the front section spaced away distally from the casing when the awning is unfolded and the main part of the awning is stretched. Spring elements connected to the primary front section and the secondary front section maintain the secondary front section located outward away from the primary front section at an angle relative thereto and the flounce portion of the awning cloth between the primary front section and the secondary front section is maintained stretched as well when the awning is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Brutsaert Sunprotection naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Louis Marcel Brutsaert
  • Publication number: 20010027846
    Abstract: This invention relates to a retractable and extendable awning and a control system for automatically extending and retracting the awning. In a retractable fabric awning a front of the awning fabric is attached to a movable front bar, movably mounted at the wall of a building by retractable arms. The rear of the fabric is unrolled from a roll of the fabric on the building wall when the arms move the front bar away from the building. The awning features a weather sensor unit on its front bar. The weather sensor unit can detect excessive wind and mechanical shocks and also sunlight and rain. The sensor is in wireless (via radio frequency) communication with an indoor control unit which can automatically retract the front bar during windy, rainy and/or low sunlight conditions and extend the front bar during calm and sunny conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Anne J. Osinga
  • Patent number: 6216762
    Abstract: A sun-shade device includes an elongate housing formed with a slit, a roller journalled in the housing, a screen wound around the roller and having an upper edge which extends out of the housing via the slit and which is provided with a horizontal strip, a biasing member provided in the housing for biasing the roller to rotate in a direction for winding the screen on the roller, and left and right stretching arm units, each of which includes an upper arm member having an upper first end pivoted to the horizontal strip and a lower second end, and a lower arm member having an upper third end pivoted to the second end of the upper arm member, a lower fourth end, and a mounting portion formed between the third and fourth ends and mounted pivotally on the housing. A drive unit is connected to the fourth ends of the lower arm members for driving pivoting movement of the upper and lower arm members so as to stretch or retract the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • Patent number: 6056350
    Abstract: A vehicle with a rollable, built-in sun-blind, provided in a recess. The vehicle has a roof portion, a side wall portion and a transition portion which extends between the roof and side wall portions. The recess for the rollable sun-blind is provided in the transition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Brutsaert Accessories NV
    Inventor: Louis Marcel Brutsaert
  • Patent number: 6021836
    Abstract: In a joint arm for a joint arm awning, which comprises a first joint arm part and a second joint arm part which consist of a hollow section of sheet metal and are connected with each other by a pivot joint, it is provided, with a view to creating the possibility of rapid and cost-effective manufacture, that the extremities, on the side of the joint, of the joint arm parts are flattened and bent to be of approximately circular cross-sectional shape, forming at least one knuckle eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co.
    Inventor: Justus Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5924466
    Abstract: In a joint-arm awning comprising two joint arms disposed on a support pipe, it being possible by fastening brackets to join the support pipe to the wall of a housing, and devices being provided for adjustment of the angle of inclination of the awning in order to constructionally simplify the adjustment of the angle of inclination and obtain defined retraction conditions regardless of the adjusted angle of inclination, that the support pipe is substantially round, having a longitudinal groove, with which engages a locking element for adjustment of the angle of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Sven Kroner, Bernhard Wessels, Justus Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5832978
    Abstract: In a joint arm for a joint-arm awning, the joint arm comprising an inner and an outer joint-arm section, which are connected with each other by way of a pivot joint, a gas spring being disposed between the inner and the outer joint arm sections, biasing the joint arm in a direction toward an extended position, an adjusting unit is provided for adjustment of the length of the gas spring in the extended condition with a view to developing a joint arm of the generic type in such a way that tolerances conditioned by manufacture and leading to mis-orientation of the drop-out pipe can easily be compensated, while the fundamental advantages of such a gas spring arrangement are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co.
    Inventor: Sven Kroner
  • Patent number: 5752560
    Abstract: An electric sunshield for automobiles includes a tubular member formed with a longitudinal slot, a pair of retainer rings each engaged with a respective end of the tubular member and each provided with a L-shaped lug, a transmission axle fitted within the tubular member and having an end provided a worm gear, a curtain rolled on the transmission axle and having an end extending out of the longitudinal slot of the tubular member to engage with an elongated rod member, a pair of hollow end covers engaged with respective ends of the tubular member to receive the worm gear and fixedly kept in place by the retainer rings, a motor arranged within one of the hollow end covers and provided with an output worm rod meshed with the worm gear of the transmission axle, a pair of connectors each including a male member, a female member and a spring, and a pair of collapsible arms each mounted between the female member of a respective one of the connectors and an end of the elongated rod member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Bing Jye Cherng
  • Patent number: 5752556
    Abstract: A support arrangement (12) for mounting an awning or similar on a wall (14). The arrangement (12) includes a first elongate member (18) one end of which is pivotally mountable on the wall (14). The other end of the member (18) pivotally mounts a shorter second member (28). A third elongate member (32) is provided slidably mounted to the second member (28) and lockable to the first member (18) when in a parallel relationship therewith. The end of the member (32) away from the member (18) is pivotally mountable to an awning (10). By virtue of the respective sliding, pivotting and locking of the members (18,28,32), the arrangement (12) can adopt a collapsed position with the members (18,28,32) lying against each other such that the awning (10) can lie against the wall (14), or an erect condition with the members (18,28,32) in alignment and adjustable in length to provide for different inclinations of the awning (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: William David Steadman
  • Patent number: 5562143
    Abstract: A hinged arm awning with a support frame, in which a cloth roller is rotatably mounted, with hinged arms, which are pivotably mounted in brackets, and with a deployment rod, which tensions the end of the cloth and is flexibly connected to the bottom arm of the hinged arms. The technical problem lies in increasing the deployed length while maintaining the stability of a hinged arm awning. At least one arm (top arm 4 and/or bottom arm 5) of each hinged arm (3) forms an essentially right angle with the deployment rod (7) in the unfolded position and comprises a telescopic device which is preloaded in the deployment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Unisol-Markisen Voss GmbH
    Inventor: Theobald Oberstadt
  • Patent number: 5369919
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated arm awning with a pivoted cloth shaft for the awning cloth, which can be extended to its position of use under pretension and which is attached to a fall bar at its other end, and with only a single articulated arm (6, 7) subject to an elongating force, whereby a device generating an elongating force is provided at the joint connecting the articulated arm with the fall bar (4) which spans this joint. A further element (11) is provided after the fall bar joint (10) and connected with this joint, whereby this element serves to secure and/or hold one end of the device (14) generating an elongating force for this joint, and whereby this element runs essentially parallel to the fall bar (4) and is preferably integrated in the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Technolizenz Est.
    Inventor: Viktor Lohausen
  • Patent number: 5365989
    Abstract: The awning has an awning case (2) of sheet metal having a wider slot (11) extending father upward, compared to conventional awnings. The upper and lower edges (12, 13) of the slot are beaded. A drop-blade (8) having a similar curvature as the case, and also made of sheet metal, in rolled-up state of the awning fits closely over the slot (12) with an overlap at top and bottom. Wall brackets (5) are constructed in form of several interfitting parts and provided with a hinge connected on one end to articulated arms (9, 32, 33). The other ends of the arms are hinged to holders suspended from the drop-blade (8). When the awning is rolled-up the arms fold unobtrusively below the awning case. In the rolled-up condition the awning looks like a closed cylinder. A sealing element (83) prevents water from getting into the awning case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: MHZ Sonnenschutztechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Eger, Alfred Bodentien
  • Patent number: 5307856
    Abstract: An automatically retractable awning includes a plurality of extendable rafter arms operatively connected at their upper ends to a vertical support surface, a lead bar connected to the lower ends of the rafter arms, a roll bar located adjacent to and operatively connected to the support surface, and an awning sheet or canopy connected at a first end to the roll bar and at a second end to the lead bar. A sensor operatively connected to at least one of the rafter arms detects pivotal movement of the rafter arm relative to the support surface and automatically commands a roll drive motor to roll the canopy about the roll bar and thus retract the awning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Brent W. Murray
  • Patent number: 5292169
    Abstract: An improved truck container cover apparatus for covering the open top of a container positioned on a truck for transportation which includes a pair of hydraulically actuated arms which are positioned with the container therebetween. The arms carrying a covering means including a container cover and are provided with a pivotal linkage as well as a pivotal base so that the container cover can be extended or retracted over containers of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Woody V. O'Brian
  • Patent number: RE36135
    Abstract: An improved truck container cover apparatus for covering the open top of a container positioned on a truck for transportation which includes a pair of hydraulically actuated arms which are positioned with the container therebetween. The arms carrying a covering means including a container cover and are provided with a pivotal linkage as well as a pivotal base so that the container cover can be extended or retracted over containers of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Woody V. O'Brian