Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Clamped members
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2001-01-30
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Clamped members
C403S109300, C403S109500, C403S322400, C160S071000, C160S080000, C135S088120, C135S088170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179513
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to retractable awnings and more particularly to a clamp adapted to minimize flapping of an awning canopy during inclement whether while also securing the position of a rafter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Retractable awnings have been utilized for many years to provide shade or other protection to doorways, windows, or to overlie an area adjacent to a building structure such as a patio or deck. More recently, retractable awnings have been mounted on movable structures such as travel trailers, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and the like.
In any of the above uses, however, a prevalent problem has been damage to the canopy of the awning caused when inclement weather conditions, such as high winds, cause the canopy to flap thereby tearing or in some cases stretching the canopy fabric.
Most, if not all, retractable awnings include rafter arms which extend from a support surface for the awning to the outer edge of the awning canopy when the awning is extended. A fastening mechanism is often provided on the rafter arm to position the rafter at a desired length and the awning assembly a fixed distance from the ground. Commonly, fasteners such as screws, or bolts with cotter pins, are inserted through an opening on an external rafter member which is aligned with an opening on an interior rafter member. The fastener then holds the rafter members in a relative position until removed.
Additionally, to prevent damage to awning canopies, systems have been developed which utilize clamps to connect the edges of a canopy to the rafter arms. These clamps are typically characterized by being removable and by a pair of jaws that encompass both the adjacent rafter arm and the awning canopy so as to simultaneously grip the rafter arm and the canopy. When removed, however, both the clamps and the fasteners used to secure the rafter arms often must be stored at a remote location and, therefore, are frequently lost or at a minimum become a nuisance.
Most recently, clamps have been designed which when not in use are stowed on the rafter arms. These clamps are often permanently mounted at a first end to the rafter arm and screwably mounted at a second end to an opening in the rafter. When it is desirable to secure the awning to the rafter, the second end of the clamp is unscrewed and the clamp is then rotated ninety degrees. While this approach has eliminated the need to store the clamps when the awning is not in use, it has not eliminated the need to store the fasteners used in aligning the interior and exterior rafter members. Additionally, inserting the fasteners to align the rafter members often requires use of an extension ladder, tools, and the like to properly align the openings in the rafter members and insert and sufficiently secure the fastener. For persons with a disability or physical limitations, such alignment, insertion, and securing of fasteners can often prove problematic.
Thus, a device which allows for the raising, aligning and securing of rafter members while also providing a clamp for securing an awning to the rafter member is needed. Additionally, a clamp which can be operated without the use of any additional tools or specialized skills is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The canopy clamp tensioning rafter of the present invention has been designed to be incorporated on the rafter arm conventionally found on a retractable awning in a manner such that it is movable between a use position and a non-use position. In the use position, the clamp is adapted to secure the interior rafter member in a position relative to the exterior rafter member without the use of any additional tools, parts, or members. Additionally, the present invention is adapted to grip the side edge of a canopy for a retractable awning, secure the canopy to the rafter arm at that location, and thereby prevent the flapping of the canopy in inclement weather conditions. In the non-use position, the clamp is preferably secured in a position along the exterior rafter. Additionally, the clamp has a very low profile so that the rafter arm can be positioned adjacent the support surface of the awning when the awning is retracted in a conventional manner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp which allows for an infinitely adjustable rafter. The clamp of the present invention may lock an interior rafter member at any point along the length of an exterior rafter member by the mere rotation of the clamp. Under the present invention, alignment holes, tabs, inserts, or the like are not utilized to retain an interior rafter member in a pre-determined position relative to an exterior rafter member.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp which may be rotated in any direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) and thereby suitably secure an interior member relative to an exterior member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lever activated clamp which secures rafter members relative to each other while also securing a canopy to the rafter.
The present invention fulfills each and all of the these objectives by providing a clamp that is pivotally connected to an associated rafter arm so as to be movable in either direction between use and non-use positions. The clamp includes a lever arm comprised of a base member and a top member which together form a set of clamping jaws at the distal end. The clamping jaws are selectively and alternately movable between open and closed conditions. In the closed condition, the canopy is gripped between the jaws thereby immobilizing the canopy relative to the rafter arm to which the clamp is secured. The clamp also includes a cam and spring lock mechanism. The cam is disposed at least partially within the clamp such that the cam engages the spring lock mechanism upon rotation of the lever arm. When engaged, the spring lock mechanism is designed to grip the inner edges of the inner rafter member and thereby secure the position of the inner rafter member relative to the outer rafter member. A fork cam lock suitably disposed within the innards of the rafter and secured to the outer rafter member secures the position of the spring lock relative to the outer rafter member.
Other aspects, features, and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1011495 (1911-12-01), Rupert
patent: 1216594 (1917-02-01), Murray
patent: 2473305 (1949-06-01), Schmaus
patent: 4169297 (1979-10-01), Weilhrauch
patent: 4640332 (1987-02-01), Turner
patent: 5314153 (1994-05-01), White
patent: 5369850 (1994-12-01), Noble
patent: 5592982 (1997-01-01), Murray et al.
patent: 5848629 (1998-12-01), Baka
patent: 5909761 (1999-06-01), Murray
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
LandOfFree
Canopy clamp tensioning rafter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Canopy clamp tensioning rafter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Canopy clamp tensioning rafter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2486647