Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – With outriggers – Roll type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2001-08-21
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
With outriggers
Roll type
C160S069000, C135S088120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276424
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to retractable awnings of the type to be mounted to a substantially vertical support surface and, more specifically, to such awnings which have powered automatic operation or assisted manual operation.
There are a number of known retractable awnings that support an awning or canopy to create a sheltered area. An inner end of the canopy is typically secured to a wall and an outer end of the canopy is typically secured to a roller assembly. The roller assembly is supported at its ends by support arms for movement between a retracted position, wherein the roller assembly is disposed adjacent the wall, and an extended position, wherein the roller assembly is extended out away from the wall. When the roller assembly is in the retracted position, the canopy is rolled-up on the roller assembly. When the roller assembly is in the extended position, the canopy is unrolled from the roller assembly and extends between the wall and the roller assembly. These retractable awnings are often designed for use with movable support structures such as, for example, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, mobile homes, and the like, but are also usable with fixed structures.
While these prior awning assemblies may adequately perform their intended functions, they are often difficult to deploy and retract due to their heavy weight, complex operation and numerous operational steps, particularly for elderly and physically challenged individuals. To overcome this problem, automatic awnings and assisted manual awnings have been developed. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,597,006 and 4,160,458, and 3,847,171, for example, each disclosing powered mechanisms for automatically operating a retractable awning. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,848, for example, disclosing a spring-assist mechanism for a retractable awning. While these mechanisms may some what improve operation, each is still relatively difficult to operate, is difficult and expensive to manufacture or repair, and/or is unreliable in the field. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved retractable awning which has powered automatic operation or assisted manual operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a retractable awning which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, the awning includes a roller assembly with a torsion spring, a flexible canopy having an inner edge for connection to a wall and an outer edge secured to the roller assembly, and a pair of arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller assembly. The arm assemblies are operable to move the roller assembly between a retracted position adjacent the wall and an extended position spaced from the wall. The torsion spring of the roller assembly biases the roller assembly toward the retracted position. Each arm assembly includes a vertically extending base arm for connection to the wall, a bottom arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm, an extended arm having a first end pivotally connected to the bottom arm and a second end connected to and supporting the roller assembly, and a top arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm above the bottom arm and a second end pivotally connected to the extended arm. Each arm assembly also includes a powered actuator extending between the base arm and the bottom arm for pivoting the bottom arm to move the roller assembly between the retracted position and the extended position.
According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the powered actuator provides a force for moving the roller assembly to the extended position and an oppositely-directed force for moving the roller assembly to the retracted position. The powered actuator is preferably an electric linear actuator.
According to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extended arm has a pair of side walls extending from opposing side edges of a main wall to define a channel that at least partially receives the bottom arm when the roller assembly is in the retracted position.
According to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base arm has a pair of side walls extending from opposing side edges of a main wall to form a channel. The top arm is at least partially received in the channel when the roller assembly is in the retracted position.
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Johnson Blair M.
Pearne & Gordon LLP
White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
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