Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Camper
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-07-17
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Camper
C135S088120, C160S067000, C160S071000, C160S080000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260908
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 with programmable controls.
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 support structures. In each case, mobile and stationary support structures, it is important to prevent rain and water accumulation on the fully extended canopy. Therefore, means for running rain water off of the canopy by manually lowering one support arm is normally provided.
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 individuals with some physical strength restriction, physically challenged individuals of all ages, and/or individuals with physical coordination at issue. To help all individuals and especially those with some physical restrictions, automatic awnings and assisted manual awnings have been developed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,424, 5,597,006, 4,160,458, and 3,847,171, which each disclose powered mechanisms for automatically operating a retractable awning. While these mechanisms may some what improve operation, they are still relatively difficult to operate, difficult and expensive to manufacture or repair, and/or have demonstrated reliability deficiencies while in the field service environment. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved retractable awning having powered automatic operation with simple to use operating controls which are adaptable for most physically challenged individuals.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a retractable awning assembly which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, the retractable awning assembly includes a roller assembly, a flexible canopy having an inner edge for connection to the wall and an outer edge secured to the roller assembly, and a pair of arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller assembly and operable to move the roller assembly between a stored position adjacent the wall and a sheltered position spaced from the wall. Each of the arm assemblies have an extendable support arm, a actuator operably connected to the support arm for extending and retracting the support arm, and an extendable rafter arm. The support arm has at least one cam follower, an upper end operably connected to the roller assembly and a lower end pivotably securable to the wall. The rafter arm has an upper end pivotably securable to the wall and a lower end pivotally connected to the support arm. The awning assembly also includes at least one ramp having a cam surface adapted to cooperate with the cam follower to pivot the support arm about the lower end of the support arm when the support arm is extended from the stored position and a control system for selectively supplying power to the actuator to move the roller assembly between the stored position and the sheltered position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a retractable awning assembly includes a roller assembly, 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 and operable to move the roller assembly between a stored position adjacent the wall and a sheltered position spaced from the wall. Each of the arm assemblies have an extendable support arm, a powered actuator operably connected to the support arm for extending and retracting the support arm, and an extendable rafter arm including a pair of parallel powered actuators for extending and retracting the rafter arm. The support arm has an upper end operably connected to the roller assembly and a lower end pivotably securable to the wall. The rafter arm has an upper end pivotably securable to the wall and a lower end pivotally connected to the support arm. The awning assembly also includes a control system for selectively supplying power to the actuator of the support arm and the pair of actuators of the rafter arm to move the roller assembly between the stored position and the sheltered position.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of deploying a retractable awning includes the steps of extending the support arms until the support arms are fully extended, and retracting the rafter arms until the support arms are fully extended and extending the rafter arms after the support arms are fully extended.
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patent: 5597006 (1997-01-01), Simonetti
patent: 5813424 (1998-09-01), Simonetti
patent: 6021835 (2000-02-01), Malott
patent: 6029732 (2000-08-01), Malott
patent: 6095221 (2000-08-01), Frey
Fraula Louis
Fraula Steve L.
Canfield Robert
Pearne & Gordon LLP
White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
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