U.S. patent application number 11/091112 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for perma-stitch awning staple system.
Invention is credited to Kennon Kyle McKinney.
Application Number | 20060219373 11/091112 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37068922 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060219373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKinney; Kennon Kyle |
October 5, 2006 |
Perma-stitch awning staple system
Abstract
A system using a specially designed frame/support member for
manufacturing awnings and coverings and other-type sign assemblies
without the use of traditional sewing. This system incorporates a
special frame/support member that has a rounded channel that allows
the covering material to be pulled taunt and stapled to the frame
within the channel. The staples are then hidden by a flexible,
round bead. The bead is constructed from such material that it can
be covered with the same covering material or fabric that makes up
the main body of the assembly. The covered bead is inserted into
the support member channel in such a way that only a small section
of the bead is visible and does not protrude from the channel.
Inventors: |
McKinney; Kennon Kyle;
(Baytown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANITA E. OSBORNE-LEE
ST. 104
3724 FM 1960 W.
HOUSTON
TX
77068
US
|
Family ID: |
37068922 |
Appl. No.: |
11/091112 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/395 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/642 20130101;
E04F 10/02 20130101; E04F 10/0633 20130101; E04H 15/644
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/395 |
International
Class: |
A47H 13/00 20060101
A47H013/00 |
Claims
1. An elongated joinable frame/support member composed of a) a
first and second side member; and b) a bottom member with c) a
circular-shaped channel oriented opposite the bottom member and
connected to the first and second side member by a first and second
adjacent wall; and d) at least one trim notch disposed on the left
or right channel surface wall.
2. A construction assembly for attaching a flexible covering
material to a fixture comprising at least one support member as
defined in claim 1; a covering material; at least one staple or
other fastening mechanism to anchor the covering material to the
support member.
3. A construction assembly for attaching a flexible covering
material to a fixture comprising at least one support member as
defined in claim 1; a covering material; at least one staple or
other fastening mechanism to anchor the covering material to the
support member; at least one elongated bead of the length and
diameter to lock itself and the covering material into the circular
channel of said support member without protruding above the
surface.
4. A construction assembly for attaching a flexible covering
material to a fixture comprising at least one support member as
defined in claim 1; a covering material; at least one staple or
other fastening mechanism to anchor the covering material to the
support member; at least one elongated bead of the length and
diameter to lock itself and the covering material into the circular
channel of said support member without protruding above the surface
wherein the bead is encased in the covering material.
5. A method for constructing an awning or other covering comprising
at least two construction assemblies as defined in claim 2 wherein
the right-most frame/support member of the left construction
assembly is oriented such that the channel is at a 90 degree angle
and the left-most frame/support member of the right construction
assembly is oriented such that the channel is at a 270 degrees with
respect to the visible section of the awning.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of the
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/555,228 filed on Mar.
23, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH and
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to the manufacturing and installation
of commercial and residential awnings and other framing structures.
The present invention allows awnings to be installed as a series of
individual sections, yet appear continuous and seamless to the eye.
In the awning industry today, the maximum size of an awning section
is constrained by the dimensions of the pre-manufactured cover
material.
[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0006] The major manufacturer of awnings and awning accessories
uses the technology described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,605 issued in
1990 to Milliken et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,131 issued in 1991
to Fisher. Both patents disclose and teach an awning assembly that
has an essentially square channel and includes a bead or connecting
joint that is plastic. In each of the referenced patents, the bead
or connecting joint taught protrudes above the upper boundary of
the channel or seam. The utilization of the prior art is applicable
when more than one frame member is used because the awning or
covering has to be constructed from more than one section.
[0007] Another example of prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,033
issued to Pasty in 1991. This patent teaches a method of combining
frame/support members with a clamp, thus introducing an additional
piece of hardware to complete the task. Again, the prior art either
utilizes or makes allowances for the use of the plastic bead that
extends over the surface of the frame/support member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This invention is a new, improved frame/support member,
construction assembly and method for constructing awnings and other
covers which are wrinkle-free and appear continuous and seamless
from the normal viewing range.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0009] This inventions allows uniform weathering of all visible
parts of an awning or other covering. It creates a more
aesthetically-pleasing awning or covering because the sections are
joined without an element protruding above the surface of the
frame. Further, the present invention eliminates the current
practice of having a different material showing at various
intervals when an awning is made from more than one section.
[0010] Additionally, the invention claimed in this application
allows a seal between sections which is light- and water-tight
without requiring additional parts. Further objects and advantages
of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
drawings and ensuing description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the perma-stitch awning
staple system wherein the covering material only extends from one
side of the channel and the bead is concealed within the same
covering material.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the perma-stitch awning staple
system wherein the covering material extends from both sides of the
channel and the bead is concealed within the same covering
material.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front sectional perspective view of a
construction assembly wherein two sections built using the
perma-stitch system embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected using
the method claimed herein to create a larger covering.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the perma-stitch awning
staple system wherein two sections are connected to create a larger
covering.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
[0015] 20 elongated frame/support member [0016] 21 first side
member [0017] 22 second side member [0018] 23 base member [0019] 24
first adjacent wall [0020] 25 second adjacent wall [0021] 30
circular-shaped channel [0022] 31 channel surface wall [0023] 40'
staple [0024] 50a/50b trim notch [0025] 60 bead [0026] 61 bead
opening [0027] 70 covering material [0028] 80 bead encasement
[0029] 90 generic tubing [0030] 100 construction assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] A frame/support member 20 composed of a first 21 and second
22 side member and a bottom member 23 with an essentially
circular-shaped channel 30 oriented opposite the bottom member 23
and connected to the first 21 and second 22 side member with a
first 24 and second 25 adjacent wall, respectively, with at least
one trim notch on the left 50a and right 50b inside surface channel
31.
[0032] A construction assembly 100 for use in creating awnings or
other type covering which is comprised of at least one
frame/support member 20; a flexible material 70 suitable for use as
an awning or other type covering; at least one connecting staple
40' capable of piercing said covering material 70 and securely
affixing said covering material 70 to the inside channel surface
31; a bead 60 of the appropriate diameter and length to fit
securely in the channel 30 which is inserted through the bead
opening 61 secured by first 24 and second 25 adjacent wall, said
bead composed of such material to be capable of being fully covered
within the bead encasement 80 which is made of said covering
material 70.
[0033] A method for constructing a composite awning or other
covering assembly composed of at least one construction assembly
100 and a flexible material 70 whereby the said awning 100 appears
to be one piece from a minimal viewing distance.
[0034] The preferred embodiment of the invention is generally shown
in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a composite awning which is
constructed by combining two separate construction assemblies, each
of which is made using the claimed frame/support member 20 on the
adjoining terminal ends of each section construction assembly.
While this invention has been described in detail with reference to
the preferred embodiment, numerous variations can be made within
the spirit and the scope of the invention as described herein.
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