U.S. patent application number 13/604365 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for tapered canopy for roll-up awning.
This patent application is currently assigned to CAREFREE/SCOTT FETZER COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Peter Adamkovics, Mark Lyle Goth, Jeffrey Rutherford, Scott P. Thompson. Invention is credited to Peter Adamkovics, Mark Lyle Goth, Jeffrey Rutherford, Scott P. Thompson.
Application Number | 20140060757 13/604365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50185795 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140060757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Scott P. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
TAPERED CANOPY FOR ROLL-UP AWNING
Abstract
A canopy for use with a retractable, roll-up awning has lateral
sides that taper in width from a wider stationary edge to a
slightly narrower leading edge. The lateral edges of the canopy may
be hemmed and the taper may be designed such that sections of the
hems along each edge corresponding in length to a circumference of
a roller tube roll up on the roller tube immediately adjacent but
laterally further outward from a prior section of hem wrapped
around the circumference of the roller tube during the prior
rotation of the roller tube. The hems may house wires in a linear
pocket defined therein. The wires connect with the roller tube to
provide power or control signals.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Scott P.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Rutherford; Jeffrey; (Longmont,
CO) ; Goth; Mark Lyle; (Loveland, CO) ;
Adamkovics; Peter; (Arvada, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thompson; Scott P.
Rutherford; Jeffrey
Goth; Mark Lyle
Adamkovics; Peter |
Boulder
Longmont
Loveland
Arvada |
CO
CO
CO
CO |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CAREFREE/SCOTT FETZER
COMPANY
Broomfield
CO
|
Family ID: |
50185795 |
Appl. No.: |
13/604365 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/238 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 10/06 20130101;
E06B 9/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/238 |
International
Class: |
E04F 10/06 20060101
E04F010/06 |
Claims
1. A canopy for an awning, wherein the awning comprises a roller
tube around which the canopy is furled and unfurled, the canopy
formed of a material and comprising a leading edge; a stationary
edge; a first tapered lateral edge extending at an acute angle
between the leading edge and the stationary edge; and a second
tapered lateral edge extending at the acute angle between the
leading edge and the stationary edge; wherein each tapered lateral
edge tapers laterally toward the other; each tapered lateral edge
includes an area of greater thickness than a thickness of the
material for a substantially constant width along a length of each
lateral edge; one of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
configured to attach along its length to the roller tube; and the
length of the one of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
shorter than a length of the other of the leading edge or the
stationary edge.
2. The canopy of claim 1, wherein the acute angle of each tapered
edge with respect to a line perpendicular to the leading edge or
the stationary edge is defined by an inverse tangent of a quotient
of the constant width of the hem divided by a circumference of the
roller tube.
3. The canopy of claim 1, wherein a width of a taper of each
tapered lateral edge at a widest point is defined by a length of
the canopy between the leading edge and the stationary edge
multiplied by a quotient of the constant width of the hem divided
by a circumference of the roller tube.
4. The canopy of claim 1, wherein the first tapered lateral edge
defines a linear pocket along the length of the first tapered
lateral edge; and one or more wires extend through the linear
pocket along the length of the first tapered lateral edge.
5. The canopy of claim 4, wherein the linear pocket is defined by a
hem formed by a fold of the material at the first tapered lateral
edge or a by binding tape running the length of the first tapered
lateral edge.
6. The canopy of claim 1, wherein, in a furled state, the canopy
winds around the roller tube such that in successive windings, the
area of greater thickness lays adjacent to a position of the area
of greater thickness at a same longitude of a circumference of the
roller tube as an immediately prior winding.
7. A retractable awning comprising a canopy made of a material
having a leading edge; a stationary edge; a first tapered lateral
edge extending at an acute angle between the leading edge and the
stationary edge; and a second tapered lateral edge extending at the
acute angle between the leading edge and the stationary edge; each
tapered lateral edge tapers laterally toward the other; and each
tapered lateral edge includes an area of greater thickness than a
thickness of the material for a substantially constant width along
a length of each lateral edge; and a roller tube to which one of
the leading edge or the stationary edge is attached along its
length and around which the canopy is furled and unfurled; wherein
the length of the one of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
shorter than a length of the other of the leading edge or the
stationary edge.
8. The retractable awning of claim 7, wherein the acute angle of
each tapered edge with respect to a line perpendicular to the
leading edge or the stationary edge is defined by an inverse
tangent of a quotient of the constant width of the hem divided by a
circumference of the roller tube.
9. The retractable awning of claim 7, wherein a width of a taper of
each tapered lateral edge at a widest point is defined by a length
of the canopy between the leading edge and the stationary edge
multiplied by a quotient of the constant width of the hem divided
by a circumference of the roller tube.
10. The retractable awning of claim 7, wherein, in a furled state,
the canopy winds around the roller tube such that in successive
windings, the area of greater thickness lays adjacent to a position
of the area of greater thickness at a same longitude of a
circumference of the roller tube as an immediately prior
winding.
11. The retractable awning of claim 7, wherein the first tapered
lateral edge defines a linear pocket along the length of the first
tapered lateral edge; and one or more wires extend through the
linear pocket along the length of the first tapered lateral
edge.
12. The retractable awning of claim 11, wherein the linear pocket
is defined by a hem formed by a fold of the material at the first
tapered lateral edge or a by binding tape running the length of the
first tapered lateral edge.
13. The retractable awning of claim 11, wherein an aperture is
defined in the material adjacent the roller tube and in
communication with the linear pocket through which an end of the
one or more wires protrudes; and the roller tube further comprises
a receptacle that receives the end of the one or more wires
protruding from the aperture in the material.
14. The retractable awning of claim 11, wherein the roller tube
further comprises a light fixture electrically connected to the one
or more wires in the linear pocket.
15. A canopy for an awning, wherein the awning comprises a roller
tube around which the canopy is furled and unfurled, the canopy
comprising a leading edge; a stationary edge; a tapered first
lateral edge extending at an acute angle between the leading edge
and the stationary edge; a second lateral edge extending between
the leading edge and the stationary edge; wherein the tapered first
lateral edge tapers laterally toward the second lateral edge; one
of the leading edge or the stationary edge is configured to attach
along its length to the roller tube; and the length of the one of
the leading edge or the stationary edge is shorter than a length of
the other of the leading edge or the stationary edge; and one or
more wires attached to and extending along the length of the
tapered first lateral edge.
16. The canopy of claim 15 further comprising an extruded tube
defining a linear pocket in which the one or more wires are housed;
and a linear flange extending from an outer surface of the extruded
tube along a length of the extruded tube and attached to the
tapered first lateral edge along the length of the tapered first
lateral edge.
17. The canopy of claim 16, wherein the acute angle of the tapered
first lateral edge with respect to a line perpendicular to the
leading edge or the stationary edge is defined by an inverse
tangent of a quotient of a combined width of the extruded tube and
the linear flange divided by a circumference of the roller
tube.
18. The canopy of claim 16, wherein a width of a taper of the
tapered first lateral edge at a widest point is defined by a length
of the canopy between the leading edge and the stationary edge
multiplied by a quotient of a combined width of the extruded tube
and the linear flange divided by a circumference of the roller
tube.
19. The canopy of claim 16, wherein, in a furled state, the tapered
canopy winds around the roller tube such that in successive
windings, the extruded tube and the linear flange lie adjacent to a
position of the extruded tube and the linear flange at a same
longitude of a circumference of the roller tube as an immediately
prior winding.
20. The canopy of claim 15, wherein, in a furled state, the tapered
canopy winds around the roller tube such that in successive
windings, the one or more wires lie adjacent to a position of the
one or more wires at a same longitude of a circumference of the
roller tube as an immediately prior winding.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to the design of
canopies for retractable, roll-up awnings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many retractable awning systems, for example, as mounted on
the sides of motor homes or over patios or windows, have retraction
systems that are actuated by a motor, a spring, or a manually
operated gearbox to retract the awning. The fabric canopy of the
awning is typically rolled or furled around a roller tube when not
in use. The motor, spring, or manually operated gearbox is
typically connected to the roller tube to rotate it in clockwise
and/or counterclockwise directions, thus operating to furl or
unfurl the canopy around or from the roller tube. In other awning
implementations, the roller tube may be connected to extension arms
(or other extension structures) to extend and contract the arms
while the roller tube is rotated by systems mentioned. The canopy
fabric is typically constant both in length from a stationary edge
mounted on or adjacent a wall or other surface to a leading edge
that extends away from the wall and in width between the lateral
edges of the canopy.
[0003] Prior art FIG. 1 depicts a typical awning 2 supported by
extension arms 10 mounted on a wall 4 with the canopy 6 rolled
around a roller tube 8 in a furled configuration. As indicated in
FIG. 1, when furled, the canopy 6 often has wrinkles and bulges.
These wrinkles may result from several causes. In some instances,
the material of the canopy 6 stretches or sags and when it is
rolled up, the stretched sections can bulge. Alternatively or
additionally, if the lateral edges of the canopy 6 are turned over
and hemmed, serged, or covered with binding tape, this added,
double (or triple) layer of material thickness along the lateral
edges causes the lateral edges to stack higher with each rotation
of the roller tube 8. Bulging edges of the canopy material form on
the lateral ends of the roller tube 8 and the canopy 6 does not
roll flat against the roller tube 8. Further, the outer layers of
canopy material may be placed under tension directed laterally
inward because of the single layer of canopy material on the roller
tube 8 between the lateral edges. The lateral edges thus tend to
slide laterally inward and cause bunching of the canopy material
along the roller tube 8. Not only is this bunching, bulging, and
wrinkling unsightly, but it can also cause stress on and weakening
of those areas of the canopy material that are pinched and wrinkled
by the lateral slippage of the canopy 6 when it is furled around
the roller tube 8.
[0004] The information included in this Background section of the
specification, including any references cited herein and any
description or discussion thereof, is included for technical
reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by
which the scope of the invention is to be bound.
SUMMARY
[0005] A unique canopy design for use with a retractable, roll-up
awning is disclosed herein as having lateral sides that taper in
width from a wider stationary edge to a slightly narrower leading
edge. The lateral edges of the canopy may be hemmed and the taper
may be designed such that sections of the hems along each edge
corresponding in length to a circumference of a roller tube roll up
on the roller tube immediately adjacent but laterally further
outward from a prior section of hem wrapped around the
circumference of the roller tube during the prior rotation of the
roller tube.
[0006] In one implementation a canopy formed of a material is
provided for an awning having a roller tube around which the canopy
is furled and unfurled. The canopy has a leading edge, a stationary
edge, a first tapered lateral edge, and a second tapered lateral
edge. The first tapered lateral edge extends at an acute angle
between the leading edge and the stationary edge. The second
tapered lateral edge extends at the same acute angle between the
leading edge and the stationary edge. Each tapered lateral edge
tapers laterally toward the other. Each tapered lateral edge
includes an area of greater thickness than a thickness of the
material for a substantially constant width along a length of each
lateral edge. One of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
configured to attach along its length to the roller tube. The
length of the one of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
shorter than a length of the other of the leading edge or the
stationary edge.
[0007] In another implementation a retractable awning has a canopy
and a roller tube around which the canopy made of a material is
furled and unfurled. The canopy has a leading edge, a stationary
edge, a first tapered lateral edge, and a second tapered lateral
edge. The first tapered lateral edge extends at an acute angle
between the leading edge and the stationary edge. The second
tapered lateral edge extends at the same acute angle between the
leading edge and the stationary edge. Each tapered lateral edge
tapers laterally toward the other. Each tapered lateral edge
includes an area of greater thickness than a thickness of the
material for a substantially constant width along a length of each
lateral edge. One of the leading edge or the stationary edge is
attached to the roller tube along its length and around which the
canopy is furled and unfurled. The length of the one of the leading
edge or the stationary edge is shorter than a length of the other
of the leading edge or the stationary edge.
[0008] In a further implementation a canopy is provided for an
awning having a roller tube around which the canopy is furled and
unfurled. The canopy has a leading edge, a stationary edge, a
tapered first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge. The tapered
first lateral edge may extend at an acute angle between the leading
edge and the stationary edge. The second lateral edge may extend
between the leading edge and the stationary edge. The tapered first
lateral edge tapers laterally inward toward the second lateral
edge. One of the leading edge or the stationary edge is configured
to attach along its length to the roller tube. The length of the
one of the leading edge or the stationary edge is shorter than a
length of the other of the leading edge or the stationary edge. One
or more wires are attached to and extend along the length of the
first tapered lateral edge.
[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages
of the present invention will be apparent from the following more
particular written description of various embodiments of the
invention as further illustrated in the accompanying drawings and
defined in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a prior art awning with a
furled canopy suffering from bulging, bunching, and wrinkling
problems with the canopy material.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a tapered canopy with the
lateral edges evenly tapering slightly such that the width of the
leading edge is less than the length of the fixed edge.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front, top perspective view of an awning mounted
to the side of a structure with a tapered canopy in an unfurled
position.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a hemmed edge of the canopy
enclosing a wire as indicated in by line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of an alternative tapered
canopy edge wherein a wire is adhered along the canopy edge by a
flange.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of the leading edge
of the awning of FIG. 5 detailing a wire in an edge hem connecting
to the roller tube to power lights mounted on the roller tube.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section view of an end portion
of a roller tube of an awning with a tapered canopy rolled around
the roller tube in a furled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A new canopy design for a retractable roller awning or
similar blind or roller shade structure is proposed herein that
significantly mitigates the problems of bunching and wrinkling of
canopy material when the canopy is furled about a roller tube,
especially when a canopy is made with lateral edges that are
hemmed, serged, or edged with binding tape. An exemplary
implementation of such a canopy 106 is depicted in FIG. 2. The
canopy may be made of a woven fabric, a polymer film, or other
sheet-like material. The canopy 106 has a leading edge 116 that is
typically connected along the length of a roller tube of the awning
and a stationary edge 114 that is typically mounted along or
adjacent a wall or other structure. However, in other
implementations, the stationary edge could be mounted to a roller
tube that is mounted on or adjacent to the wall while the leading
edge is supported by a bar or other support that extends away from
the wall as the canopy unfurls from the roller tube.
[0018] In a first configuration depicted in FIG. 2, the lateral
edges 118a, 118b of the canopy 106 may symmetrically taper toward
each other slightly such that the width of the leading edge 116 is
less than the width of the stationary edge 114. An angle .theta.
may thereby be defined between each lateral edge 118a, 118b and a
line a perpendicular to each of the stationary edge 114 and the
leading edge 116 and intersecting a corner of the canopy 106 where
one or the other of the lateral edges 118a, 118b intersects the
stationary edge 114. The angle .alpha. is thus the angle of taper
of the lateral edges 118a, 118b. It should be appreciated that in
an alternate embodiment the width of the leading edge may be
greater than the width of the stationary edge. In such a
configuration, the angle of the taper extends from the leading edge
to the stationary edge.
[0019] In a second configuration (not shown) in which the roller
tube is mounted adjacent the wall or surface, the lateral edges of
the canopy may symmetrically taper away from each other slightly as
the canopy unfurls such that the width of the leading edge is
greater than the width of the stationary edge. The angle .theta.
may thereby be defined between each lateral edge and a line .alpha.
perpendicular to each of the stationary edge and the leading edge
and intersecting a corner of the canopy where one or the other of
the lateral edges intersects the leading edge. Again, it should be
appreciated that in an alternate embodiment the width of the
stationary edge may be greater than the width of the leading edge.
In such a configuration, the angle of the taper extends from the
stationary edge to the leading edge.
[0020] Further, each of the lateral edges 118a, 118b may be formed
as a hem 120a, 120b whereby the lateral edges 118a, 118b are folded
over a certain constant width H.sub.w and thereby form a double
layer of canopy material. The hems 120a, 120b may be sewn or
stitched, held together by an adhesive, heat-sealed together, or
secured by any other suitable method of holding the two layers of
canopy material together. The hems 120a, 120b of the canopy 106 are
thus twice as thick as the majority of the canopy material between
the lateral edges 118a, 118b. While the discussion herein focuses
on hemmed edges of the canopy material, the disclosure is equally
applicable to canopy edges that are serged, edged with binding
tape, or are otherwise finished in a manner that adds to the
thickness or bulk of the edges.
[0021] In order to ensure that the canopy 106 with hemmed edges
120a, 120b rolls up taut on a roller tube without wrinkling or
bulging at the ends, the taper angle .theta. and the related width
of the taper or flare F.sub.1 may be calculated as a function of
the width H.sub.w of each hem 120a, 120b (or the serged area or the
width of the binding tape) and a circumference R.sub.cir (or .pi.D,
where D is the diameter) of the roller tube such that with each
revolution of the canopy 106 around the roller tube, the lateral
edges 118a, 118b are spaced substantially a hem width H.sub.w
beyond the position of the lateral edges 118a, 118b in the prior
wrap of the canopy 106. Such an exemplary formula may be derived as
follows:
tan .theta. = F l L c , ##EQU00001##
where F.sub.1 is the width of the widest point of the flare or
taper at the leading edge 116 between the leading edge 116 and the
normal line .alpha., and L.sub.c is the length of the canopy
between the stationary edge 114 and the leading edge 116. Thus,
F.sub.1=L.sub.c tan.theta..
Further,
[0022] .theta. = tan - 1 ( H w R cir ) , ##EQU00002##
where the taper angle .theta. is an acute angle of each tapered
edge with respect to the normal line .alpha. perpendicular to the
leading edge or the stationary edge. Thus,
F l = L c tan ( tan - 1 ( H w R cir ) ) , ##EQU00003##
which reduces to
F l = L c ( H w R cir ) . ##EQU00004##
Using a formula such as this allows each successive revolution of
the hems 120a, 120b around the roller tube to roll adjacent to but
outside of the position of the lateral edge 118a, 118b of the prior
coil or wrap of the canopy 106 around the roller tube.
[0023] An alternate implementation of an awning 102 with a tapered
canopy 106 is shown in FIG. 3. As in the example of FIG. 2, the
canopy 106 of FIG. 3 has a stationary edge 114 and a leading edge
116. The stationary edge 114 is attached via a bar 112 or other
structure to a wall 104 or other surface, e.g., of a recreational
vehicle, house, or building. The leading edge 106 is attached to a
roller tube 108 that is supported by a pair of collapsible
extension arms 110 that are mounted to the side of the wall 104.
The lateral edges 118a, 118b of the canopy 106 taper or flare in a
similar manner as in FIG. 2. The lateral edges 118a, 118b of the
canopy 106 also have hems 120a, 120b whereby a narrow width of the
fabric of the canopy 106 is folded over between the stationary edge
114 and the leading edge 116 and hemmed.
[0024] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, one of the hems 120b also
includes a wire 122 or cable that is enveloped in the fold of the
hem 120b and is thus retained therein along the length of the
lateral edge 118b from the wall 104 to the roller bar 108. The hem
120b provides a linear pocket 124 to run wires 122, e.g., a power
cord, control leads, or other wires or cables from a power source
or control switch in or on the camper or other structure forming
the wall 104 to provide power or control signals to the motor or
other features in the roller tube 108 at the end of the awning 102.
Alternatively, binding tape affixed along the lateral edges may
provide a similar linear pocket for running wires therethrough.
FIG. 4 depicts a detailed cross section of the hem 120b of the
canopy 106 of FIG. 3 that envelopes the wires 122 in the linear
pocket 124 adjacent the lateral edge 118b. While the embodiment of
FIGS. 3 and 4 depicts wires 122 secured within only one of the hems
118b, it should be apparent that cords, cable, or wires could be
carried within either or both of the hems 120a, 120b on both
lateral sides 118a, 118b of the canopy 106.
[0025] FIG. 5 depicts an alternate embodiment of a canopy 106' that
carries wires 122' along a lateral edge 118'. In this embodiment,
the wires 122' are encased in an extruded tube 126 that defines a
linear pocket 124' through which the wires 122' run. A flange 128
extends radially from a sidewall of the extruded tube 126 along the
entire length of the extruded tube 126. The flange 128 can be sewn,
stitched, serged, adhered, heat sealed, or otherwise affixed to the
lateral edge 118' of the canopy 106'. While there is not a
traditional hem in this embodiment, the flange 128 and extruded
tube 126 add thickness and bulk to the lateral edge 118'of the
canopy 106' and can thus cause similar bulking and wrinkling
problems as in the prior hemmed embodiments, with or without wires
running therethrough.
[0026] Tapering the canopy 106' in a manner similar to FIG. 2 for
an awning using a flanged wire as shown in FIG. 5 can provide
similar improved results in the reduction or removal of wrinkles or
bulk from the canopy 106' when furled about a roller tube. Thus,
the width of a taper of each tapered lateral edge 118' at a widest
point may be defined by a length of the canopy 106' between the
leading edge and the stationary edge multiplied by a quotient of a
combined width of the extruded tube 126 and the linear flange 128
divided by a circumference of the roller tube. Similarly, the
desired taper angle can be computed as the inverse tangent of a
quotient of a combined width of the extruded tube 126 and the
linear flange 128 divided by a circumference of the roller tube. In
this embodiment, the opposite lateral edge may not be hemmed or
otherwise thicker than the canopy material and thus may not need to
be tapered as there would be no concern about material bulking on
that lateral edge.
[0027] Similarly, it should be apparent that only one edge need be
tapered in any of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example,
only one lateral edge of the canopy need be hemmed or covered with
binding tape in order to carry a wire from the stationary edge to
the leading edge. Thus, while the hemmed edge is tapered to resist
the binding problem upon furling, the opposite lateral edge may
remain straight (i.e., perpendicular to both the leading edge and
the stationary edge).
[0028] FIG. 6 depicts one exemplary implementation of an awning 102
having a canopy 106, which is shown unfurled from a roller tube
108. One or more wires 122 is housed within the hem 120a of the
canopy 106 and may exit adjacent the roller tube 108 through a
small reinforced hole in the canopy material in the hem 120a. In
this embodiment, the roller tube 108 is designed with one or more
LED light strips 132 or other lighting elements that are exposed to
light an area underneath the awning 102 when the canopy 106 is
fully unfurled. The roller tube 108 may have a small aperture 134
or other receptacle through or into which the wires 122 may be
inserted to connect to wiring controlling and/or powering the light
strips 132 on the roller tube 108. Alternatively, the end of the
wires 122 may be provided with a plug for insertion into an
electrical receptacle housed in the aperture 134 to connect the
wires 122 with desired wired systems within the roller tube
108.
[0029] The canopy 106 is depicted in FIG. 7 at one end of the
roller tube 108 in a furled state. As shown, the tapered canopy 106
winds around the roller tube 108 such that in successive windings,
the hem 120 lays adjacent to and laterally further outward from the
position of the hem 120 at a same longitude of a circumference of
the roller tube as the immediately prior winding, i.e., the edge
130 of the canopy fabric turned under for the hem 130 of the
present winding sits adjacent the lateral edge 118 of the prior
winding of the canopy 106. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the
wires 122 in the linear pocket 124 lay relatively flat against the
roller tube 108 rather than on top of a prior layer of canopy 106
or hem 120. In this manner, large bulging of the canopy material at
the lateral end 118 of the canopy 106 is avoided. Further, the
layering of the hems 120 next to each other stretches the canopy
material laterally outward such that the likelihood of wrinkling or
bunching of the canopy material is avoided as the canopy 106 is
rolled up on the roller tube 108.
[0030] It should be understood that, as noted above, the taper in
the canopy could run an opposite direction such that, in successive
windings, the hem lays adjacent to and laterally further inward
from the position of the hem at a same longitude of a circumference
of the roller tube as the immediately prior winding, i.e., the
lateral edge of the present winding sits adjacent the edge of the
canopy fabric turned under for the hem of the prior winding of the
canopy. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the hem or
wires therein lay relatively flat against a prior layer of canopy
rather than bulking on top of the hem of the prior winding. In this
manner, large bulging of the canopy material at the lateral ends of
the canopy is avoided.
[0031] Although various embodiments of this invention have been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with
reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in
the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this
invention. All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal,
upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, back,
top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and
counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid
the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not
create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation,
or use of the invention. Connection references (e.g., attached,
coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may
include intermediate members between a collection of elements and
relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As
such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two
elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each
other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in
detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic
elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *