U.S. patent application number 13/450878 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for shoulder pitch and arm adjustment for power box awning.
This patent application is currently assigned to DOMETIC LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert L. Weber. Invention is credited to Robert L. Weber.
Application Number | 20130126104 13/450878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48425666 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130126104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weber; Robert L. |
May 23, 2013 |
SHOULDER PITCH AND ARM ADJUSTMENT FOR POWER BOX AWNING
Abstract
An awning mounted on a wall surface includes a rack, a canopy, a
plurality of arms and a shoulder. The shoulder is configured to
connect at least one proximal end of the arms to the rack and
includes a bracket portion and a junction portion. The bracket
portion includes a first curved surface. The junction portion
includes a second curved surface shaped to correspond to the first
curved surface. The first curved surface includes one of an
elongate bead or a set of grooves. The second curved surface
includes the other of the elongate bead or the set of grooves. The
elongate bead is configured to fit within at least two of the
grooves thereby allowing the junction portion to assume at least
two orientations with respect to the bracket portion the junction
portion is movably adjustable around a first axis.
Inventors: |
Weber; Robert L.; (Aurora,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Weber; Robert L. |
Aurora |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DOMETIC LLC
ELKHART
IN
|
Family ID: |
48425666 |
Appl. No.: |
13/450878 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61560956 |
Nov 17, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 10/0637 20130101;
E04F 10/0618 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/79 |
International
Class: |
E04F 10/04 20060101
E04F010/04 |
Claims
1. An awning mounted on a wall surface, the awning including: a
rack; a canopy; a plurality of arms configured to support the
canopy, each of the arms including a proximal end and a distal end,
the distal end of each of the arms configured to move to and from
the rack so as to retract and extend the canopy; and a shoulder
configured to connect at least one of the proximal ends of the arms
to the rack, the shoulder including a bracket portion and a
junction portion, the bracket portion including a first curved
surface, the junction portion including a second curved surface
shaped to correspond to the first curved surface, the first curved
surface including one of an elongate bead or a set of grooves, the
second curved surface including the other of the elongate bead or
the set of grooves, the elongate bead configured to fit within at
least two of the grooves thereby allowing the junction portion to
assume at least two orientations with respect to the bracket
portion such that the junction portion is movably adjustable around
a first axis.
2. The awning of claim 1, wherein the first curved surface is a
cylindrical concave surface and the second curved surface is a
cylindrical convex surface.
3. The awning of claim 1, the shoulder further including a
fastening component configured to secure the junction portion
against the bracket portion so as to maintain the junction portion
in the at least two orientations.
4. The awning of claim 3, the junction portion including a recess
opposite the second curved surface, the fastening component
perimetrically dimensioned so to be at least partially insertable
inside the recess.
5. The awning of claim 4, the recess being substantially
semi-cylindrical in shape, the fastening component being
perimetrically rectangular.
6. The awning of claim 3, a set of first holes extending through
the fastening component, a set of second holes extending through
the junction portion, a set of first screws configured to extend
through the first holes and the second holes and into the bracket
portion.
7. The awning of claim 6, the set of second holes having an
elongate cross-section and oriented to extend transversely with
respect to the elongate bead, the first screws being insertable
along any part of the second holes.
8. The awning of claim 6, the junction portion capable of changing
orientation around the first axis upon loosening of the first
screws.
9. The awning of claim 1, the shoulder configured such that the
bracket portion is rotatably adjustable about a second axis that is
perpendicular to the first axis.
10. The awning of claim 9, the shoulder further including a base
portion on which the bracket portion is movably mounted, the base
portion configured to support the bracket portion from
underneath.
11. The awning of claim 10, the bracket portion including a third
hole with a circular cross-section and a fourth hole with an
elongate cross-section extending through the bracket portion, a set
of second screws configured to be inserted through the third hole
and the fourth hole and into the base portion thereby securing the
bracket portion about the base portion, the second axis extending
through a center of the third hole.
12. The awning of claim 10, the base portion including an
adjustment hole threaded to accommodate an adjustment screw, the
adjustment screw configured to control a degree to which the
bracket portion is rotatably adjusted around the second axis.
13. The awning of claim 11, the junction portion including a hinge
at a longitudinal end located opposite the third hole, the arm
being rotatable around a third axis that is perpendicular to the
first axis.
14. The awning of claim 1, the rack including a channel in which
the arm corresponding to the shoulder can be stowed, the arm
extending substantially parallel to the first axis in a stowed
position of the awning.
15. The awning of claim 14, the arm being bendable at an
intermediate portion so as to bring the awning to the stowed
position.
16. The awning of claim 1, the shoulder configured to be affixed at
various positions along the rack.
17. An awning mounted on a wall surface, the awning including: a
rack; a canopy; a plurality of arms configured to support the
canopy, each of the arms including a proximal end and a distal end,
the distal end of each of the arms configured to move to and from
the rack so as to retract and extend the canopy; and a shoulder
configured to connect at least one of the proximal ends of the arms
to the rack, the shoulder including a base portion and a bracket
portion supported from underneath by the base portion, the bracket
portion being rotatably adjustable with respect to the base portion
about a second axis extending perpendicularly about a plane of
interface of the bracket portion and the base portion.
18. The awning of claim 17, the base portion including an
adjustment hole threaded to accommodate an adjustment screw, the
adjustment screw configured to control a degree to which the
bracket portion is rotatably adjusted around the second axis.
19. The awning of claim 17, the bracket portion including a third
hole with a circular cross-section and a fourth hole with an
elongate cross-section extending through the bracket portion, a set
of second screws configured to be inserted through the third hole
and the fourth hole and into the base portion thereby securing the
bracket portion about the base portion, the second axis extending
through a center of the third hole, the bracket portion being
rotatably adjustable about the base portion upon loosening of the
second screws.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to awnings and, more
particularly, to apparatus and methods for extending, retracting
and stowing awnings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Awnings often include a mechanism by way of which they can
be extended to provide a shelter and refracted after usage. After
an awning is retracted, it is desirable to arrange the variety of
components that make up the awning, such as the canopy, the roller,
the motor, the support arms or the like, in a compact manner in
order prevent the awning from interfering with operations of the
structure on which the awning is mounted and for purposes of
aesthetics. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism that enables
compact stowing of an awning.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one example aspect, an awning is mounted on a wall
surface and includes a rack, a canopy, a plurality of arms, and a
shoulder. The plurality of arms is configured to support the
canopy. Each of the arms includes a proximal end and a distal end.
The distal end of each of the arms is configured to move to and
from the rack so as to retract and extend the canopy. The shoulder
is configured to connect at least one of the proximal ends of the
arms to the rack. The shoulder includes a bracket portion and a
junction portion. The bracket portion includes a first curved
surface. The junction portion includes a second curved surface
shaped to correspond to the first curved surface. The first curved
surface includes one of an elongate bead or a set of grooves. The
second curved surface includes the other of the elongate bead or
the set of grooves. The elongate bead is configured to fit within
at least two of the grooves thereby allowing the junction portion
to assume at least two orientations with respect to the bracket
portion such that the junction portion is movably adjustable around
a first axis.
[0004] In one example of the example aspect, the first curved
surface is a cylindrical concave surface and the second curved
surface is a cylindrical convex surface.
[0005] In another example of the example aspect, the shoulder
further includes a fastening component configured to secure the
junction portion against the bracket portion so as to maintain the
junction portion in the at least two orientations.
[0006] In yet another example of the example aspect, the junction
portion includes a recess opposite the second curved surface, and
the fastening component is perimetrically dimensioned so to be at
least partially insertable inside the recess.
[0007] In yet another example of the example aspect, the recess is
substantially semi-cylindrical in shape, and the fastening
component is perimetrically rectangular.
[0008] In yet another example of the example aspect, a set of first
holes extends through the fastening component. A set of second
holes extends through the junction portion. A set of first screws
is configured to extend through the first holes and the second
holes and into the bracket portion.
[0009] In yet another example of the example aspect, the set of
second holes has an elongate cross-section and is oriented to
extend transversely with respect to the elongate bead. The first
screws are insertable along any part of the second holes.
[0010] In yet another example of the example aspect, the junction
portion is capable of changing orientation around the first axis
upon loosening of the first screws.
[0011] In yet another example of the example aspect, the shoulder
is configured such that the bracket portion is rotatably adjustable
about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.
[0012] In yet another example aspect, the shoulder further includes
a base portion on which the bracket portion is movably mounted, and
the base portion is configured to support the bracket portion from
underneath.
[0013] In yet another example of the example aspect, the bracket
portion includes a third hole with a circular cross-section and a
fourth hole with an elongate cross-section extending through the
bracket portion. A set of second screws is configured to be
inserted through the third hole and the fourth hole and into the
base portion thereby securing the bracket portion about the base
portion, the second axis extending through a center of the third
hole.
[0014] In yet another example of the example aspect, the base
portion includes an adjustment hole threaded to accommodate an
adjustment screw which is configured to control a degree to which
the bracket portion is rotatably adjusted around the second
axis.
[0015] In yet another example of the example aspect, the junction
portion includes a hinge at a longitudinal end located opposite the
third hole, and the arm is rotatable around a third axis that is
perpendicular to the first axis.
[0016] In yet another example of the example aspect, the rack
includes a channel in which the arm corresponding to the shoulder
can be stowed, and the arm extends substantially parallel to the
first axis in a stowed position of the awning.
[0017] In yet another example of the example aspect, the arm is
bendable at an intermediate portion so as to bring the awning to
the stowed position.
[0018] In yet another example of the example aspect, the shoulder
is configured to be affixed at various positions along the
rack.
[0019] In another example aspect, an awning is mounted on a wall
surface and includes a rack, a canopy, a plurality of arms and a
shoulder. The plurality of arms is configured to support the
canopy. Each of the arms includes a proximal end and a distal end.
The distal end of each of the arms is configured to move to and
from the rack so as to retract and extend the canopy. A shoulder is
configured to connect at least one of the proximal ends of the arms
to the rack. The shoulder includes a base portion and a bracket
portion supported from underneath by the base portion. The bracket
portion is rotatably adjustable with respect to the base portion
about a second axis extending perpendicularly about a plane of
interface of the bracket portion and the base portion.
[0020] In one example of the another example aspect, the base
portion includes an adjustment hole threaded to accommodate an
adjustment screw which is configured to control a degree to which
the bracket portion is rotatably adjusted around the second
axis.
[0021] In another example of the another example aspect, the
bracket portion includes a third hole with a circular cross-section
and a fourth hole with an elongate cross-section extending through
the bracket portion. A set of second screws is configured to be
inserted through the third hole and the fourth hole and into the
base portion thereby securing the bracket portion about the base
portion. The second axis extends through a center of the third
hole. The bracket portion is rotatably adjustable about the base
portion upon loosening of the second screws.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These and other aspects are better understood when the
following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an awning that is
mounted on an example structure with a wall surface and includes a
plurality of arms in partially extended positions;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of an example embodiment of a
shoulder with which a proximal end of an arm is connected to a rack
of the awning;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the shoulder in an isolated
state;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of the shoulder;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of the shoulder;
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the shoulder;
[0029] FIG. 7A shows a rear view of a junction portion and a
fastening component;
[0030] FIG. 7B shows a front view of the junction portion and the
fastening component; and
[0031] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the awning in a fully retracted
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments
are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of an awning
10 is mounted on an example structure 100 providing a wall surface
102. In this embodiment, the structure 100 is shown as a
truck-type, recreational vehicle but the awning 10 can also be
mounted on other vehicular structures such as a mobile home, a
trailer, a bus, a boat, a ship, a train or the like or on a
stationary structure such as residential or commercial buildings.
The amount of space necessary on the wall surface 102 may vary
depending on the dimensions of the awning 10 and what might not be
typically considered a wall surface 102 on the structure 100 may
provide sufficient space for mounting of the awning 10.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, the awning 10 may have an elongate
tube-like shape in a fully retracted or stowed state. The exterior
of the awning 10 may be defined by a housing which may include a
top cover 12, a rack 14 (FIG. 2), end covers 16, and a front cover
18. The awning 10 may be secured to the wall surface 102 by the
rack 14 through means known in the art such as screws, bolts and
nuts, glue, hooks or the like. A canopy 20 may be wound about a
roller (not shown) located inside the awning 10 and may be extended
or retracted by way of a plurality of arms 22 (shown in phantom)
that can become stowed inside the awning 10. The awning 10 may
include a mechanism for automatically winding the canopy 20 about
the roller upon retraction of the arms 22.
[0035] The front cover 18 of the awning 10 may be configured to
extend along a distal edge 24 of the canopy 20 while a proximal
edge 26 of the canopy 20 is affixed to the roller (FIG. 1). The
arms 22 support the canopy 20 and may be configured to extend and
retract from the awning 10 using a variety of mechanisms known in
the art. In this embodiment, each arm 22 includes two segments 30
pivotally connected at a joint 32 located at the midpoint of the
arm 22 such that each arm 22 can be folded in half. For example, a
motor (not shown) may be located at the joint 32 and may cause
extension or retraction of the arms 22 by changing a direction of
rotation.
[0036] The refraction and extension of the canopy 20 can be
controlled primarily by the movement of the arms 22. Each arm 22
includes a distal end 22a and a proximal end 22b. For example, the
distal ends 22a of the arms 22 may be connected to the front cover
18 such that, as the arms 22 extend or retract, the canopy 20 is
unwound or wound about the roller. As shown in FIG. 2, the proximal
end 22b of each arm 22 may be connected to a shoulder 34 that can
be mounted on the rack 14 and that allows the orientation of the
arms 22 to be adjusted in a variety of ways as will be described
below. It may be possible to connect only some of the proximal ends
22b of the arms 22 to the rack 14 using the shoulder 34 described
herein. The rack 14 may include a rail 28 (FIG. 2) and the shoulder
34 may be affixed at any location along the rail 28. The rack 14
may also provide a channel 15 in which the arms 22 can be placed in
a stowed position of the awning 10.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the shoulder 34 may include a junction
portion 36, a bracket portion 38 and a base portion 40 which may be
assembled to one another with screws or the like. It must be noted
that other embodiments of the shoulder 34 may not include all of
the junction portion 36, the bracket portion 38 and the base
portion 40.
[0038] The junction portion 36 may provide a hinge 42 at one of its
longitudinal ends for connecting the proximal end 22b of the arm 22
and the arm 22 may thus be rotatable about a third axis 44 that is
substantially upright but slightly tilted from vertical. Moreover,
the junction portion 36 of the shoulder 34 may be rotatably
adjustable so as to allow the pitch of the arms 22 to be adjusted.
In this regard, a front interface of the bracket portion 38 may
include a first curved surface 46 while a rear interface of the
junction portion 36 may include a second curved surface 48 that is
shaped to correspond to the first curved surface 46. The first
curved surface 46 may be a cylindrical concave surface while the
second curved surface 48 may be a cylindrical convex surface. One
of the first curved surface 46 and the second curved surface 48 may
include one or more elongate beads 50 (FIG. 7A) while the other of
the first curved surface 46 and the second curved surface 48 may
include a set of grooves 52 in which the elongate beads 50 can fit
(FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 6, depending on the groove or grooves 52
in which the elongate bead or beads 50 are located in, the
orientation of the junction portion 36 relative to the bracket
portion 38 will differ and rotatable adjustment of the junction
portion 36 with respect to the bracket portion 38 becomes possible.
The embodiment of FIG. 4 includes two elongate beads 50 and four
grooves 52 thus allowing the junction portion 36 to assume three
orientations about the bracket portion 38. Although not shown, an
alternative embodiment of the junction portion 36 including one
elongate bead 50 and four or more grooves 52 would allow the
junction portion 36 to assume four or more orientations about the
bracket portion 38.
[0039] The term "rotatable" is meant to describe that an object can
be moved around an axis from a first point located at a given
distance from the axis to a second point at the same distance from
the axis and that the object moves through all points between the
first point and the second point located at the same distance from
the axis in order to move from the first point to the second point.
The term "rotatably adjustable", "rotatably adjusted" or "rotatable
adjustment" is meant to describe that an object can be moved around
an axis from a first point located at a given distance from the
axis to a second point at the same distance from the axis but that
the object does not move through all points between the first point
and the second point located at the same distance from the axis in
order to move from the first point to the second point.
[0040] The junction portion 36 can be described as being movable or
rotatably adjustable because, at the different orientations assumed
by the junction portion 36, the junction portion 36 is located at
equal distances from a first axis 54 (FIG. 6) extending
longitudinally about the junction portion 36. However, the junction
portion 36 is not rotatable about the first axis 54 because such
movement is not possible with a bead 50 inside one of the grooves
52.
[0041] The shoulder 34 is provided with a mechanism to allow the
junction portion 36 to remain at an assumed orientation. As shown
in FIGS. 7A-7B, the shoulder 34 may include a recess 56 on its
front interface opposite the second curved surface 48 and a
fastening component 58 that can be inserted therein. For example,
the recess 56 may be substantially semi-cylindrical and the
fastening component 58 may include a curved rear surface 59a and a
flat front surface 59b (FIGS. 7A-7B). The inner perimeter of the
recess 56 may correspond in shape to the outer perimeter of the
fastening component 58 and the fastening component 58 may be
perimetrically dimensioned to be at least partially insertable
inside the recess 56. In this embodiment, the perimeter of the
fastening component 58 is rectangular and at least the two longer
edges of the rectangular perimeter of the fastening component 58
are in contact with the inner surfaces of the recess 56 when the
fastening component 58 is secured to the junction portion 36.
Moreover, the fastening component 58 may include a set of first
holes 58a and the junction portion 36 may include a set of second
holes 36a. Both the first holes 58a and the second holes 36a may be
through holes. A set of first screws 60 may be inserted through the
first holes 58a and the second holes 36a and into blind holes 62
formed on the first curved surface 46. The second holes 36a have
elongate cross-section and are oriented to extend transversely
about the elongate bead 50 (FIG. 7A) and the first screws 60 are
insertable along any part of the second holes 36a. As a result, the
orientation of the junction portion 36 can be rotatably adjusted
about the first axis 54 when the first screws 60 are loosened and
the junction portion 36 can be secured against the bracket portion
38 by tightening the first screws 60. The rotatable adjustment of
the junction portion 36 can change the pitch angle of the arms 22
when the awning 10 is extended.
[0042] Furthermore, the shoulder 34 may be mounted to the rail 28
through the base portion 40 and the location of the shoulder 34 may
be altered along the rail 28 by sliding, for example. A rear
interface of the base portion 40 may be shaped correspondingly with
the rail 28 such that the base portion 40 can be secured to the
rail 28. In this embodiment, the rear interface of the base portion
40 includes a part with a C-shaped cross-section 64 that can grip
and move along the rail 28 (FIG. 6). The base portion 40 may
include through holes 40a (FIG. 5) at its bottom such that the
location of the base portion 40 can be fixed by way of screws 41
that can press against the rail 28 once inserted fully (FIG.
6).
[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket portion 38 may be supported
from underneath by the base portion 40. The base portion 40 may
include a front interface with a stepped configuration and the
bracket portion 38 may include a rear interface with a stepped
configuration 66a corresponding to the stepped configuration 66b of
the base portion 40 such that the bracket portion 38 can rest on
the base portion 40 and be supported from underneath. Moreover, the
bracket portion 38 may be configured to be rotatably adjustable
about the base portion 40. For example, the bracket portion 38 may
include a set of through holes extending through the bracket
portion 38. These through holes may include a third hole 38a with a
circular cross-section and a fourth hole 38b with an elongate
cross-section (FIG. 4). The third hole 38a may be located on the
opposite end of the hinge 42. A set of second screws 66 may be
inserted through the third hole 38a and the fourth hole 38b and
into blind holes 68 formed on the base portion 40 to secure the
bracket portion 38 about the base portion 40. Both the third hole
38a and the fourth hole 38b may include a recess portion 38c (FIG.
4) in which the head of the second screws 66 can be inserted. At
the bottom of each of the recess portions 38c, a flange 38d (FIG.
4) against which the head of the second screw 66 can abut may be
provided. When the second screws 66 in the third hole 38a and the
fourth hole 38b are loosened, the bracket portion 38 can rotate
about a second axis 70 extending through the third hole 38a while
the unfilled part of the fourth hole 38b, due to its elongate
cross-section, may allow the bracket portion 38 to be rotatably
adjusted about the base portion 40. In this embodiment, the second
axis 70 is substantially horizontal and is oriented to be
perpendicular to the plane of interface of the base portion 40 and
the bracket portion 38. The screws 66 in the third and fourth holes
38a, 38b can be re-tightened after the bracket portion 38 is
rotatably adjusted. The adjustment of the bracket portion 38 about
the second axis 70 can be conducted by an adjustment feature
provided at the bottom of the base portion 40. The adjustment
feature may include an adjustment hole 72 (FIG. 5) and an
adjustment screw 74 (FIG. 3) inserted therein. The adjustment hole
72 may be a threaded through hole. The end of the adjustment screw
74 opposite its head may be configured to push against a point that
is located longitudinally midway on the bracket portion 38 such
that tightening of the screw 66 pushes the bracket portion 38
upward thereby resulting in counterclockwise rotation of the
bracket portion 38 in FIG. 4. Alternatively, loosening of the screw
66 brings the intermediate part of the bracket portion 38 downward
thereby resulting in clockwise rotation of the bracket portion 38
in FIG. 4. Of course, the adjustment screw 74 would be easier to
operate when the second screws 66 are loosened.
[0044] The above-described features of the shoulder 34 allow the
orientation of the arm 22 to be adjusted in a variety of ways.
Rotatable adjustment of the shoulder 34 about the first axis 54
allows the pitch of the arm 22 to be adjusted in an extended state
of the arm 22. Moreover, in the embodiment described herein, it is
possible that the full retraction of the arm 22 does not bring the
entirety of the arm 22 in a completely horizontal state so as to
allow stowing of the arm 22 within the channel 15 provided in the
rack 14 and this start to occur after extended use of the arm 22.
In such a situation, it is necessary to re-orient the arm 22 to be
horizontal and the ability to rotatably adjust the arm 22 about the
second axis 70 can help resolve such an issue.
[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
* * * * *