Abstract: A rigid retractable patio or window awning includes a number of rigid panels disposed in a tiered relationship with each other. Each lower panel is slidably connected with its respective upper panel via a set of slides. The top panel remains stationary. An awning operating mechanism includes arms connected via swivel joints with the bottom panel. Each arm also is connected via a threaded nut with a drive screw. The awning is extended by rotating the drive screw, which causes the nuts to travel along the drive screw causing the arms to push the bottom panel outwardly and the bottom panel to pull along any intermediate panels. The awning is retracted by rotating the drive screw in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for moving a cover over a bed of a truck. The apparatus comprises a pair of rails, a pair of bows and a pair of cylinders. Each bow has a first end connected to a cover and a second end connected to a follower adjustable along an associated rail. The cylinders are connected to an associated follower, and develop a force along a plane defined by the rails to slide the followers along the rails. The bows are slidable and pivotable to move the cover over the bed of the truck from a retracted position proximate a front end of the bed to an extended position proximate a rear end of the bed. A raisable tower is preferably also provided.

Abstract: A tarping apparatus for the open top container of a refuse handling truck has a pair of tarp deployment arms on opposite sides of the container that pull the tarp onto and off of the open top of the container as the arms are hydraulically swung back and forth along the container. One end of the tarp is anchored to a stationary mast at the front end of the truck body while the opposite end of the tarp is wound around a spring-loaded take-up roll that pays out the tarp as the arms are swung rearwardly and then automatically rolls up the slack as the arms are returned toward the front end of the truck. If necessary to accommodate dimensional variances between different size containers which may be carried by the truck, the pivot points for the deployment arms may be adjustably shifted by hydraulic cylinders either forwardly or rearwardly such that the arc of travel of the tarp roll is correspondingly displaced either forwardly or rearwardly.

Abstract: An awning construction includes two guide rails, disposed below a wind-up roller and extending vertically and spaced apart from and parallel to one another. The guide rails are secured to the wall of a building. Two arms, connected at one end with a cross rail extending parallel to the wind-up roller, travel inside the guide rails. In order to impar a pivoting movement of the arms, two racks are seated in the guide rails and can be made to engage two gear segments, so that when the awning web is unwound from the rolling-in position the two arms, extending substantially vertically, initially slide downward in the guide rails until the racks engage the gear segments, and then the arms pivot about the racks.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the height and protrusion or overhang of a rollable sun-blind, which includes pivot points for the arms that guide the sun-blind during reeling. These pivot points may be raised or lowered and are controlled by a clutch, so as to be adjusted at any desired point of elevation.