Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – With outriggers – Roll type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-08-28
Lev, Bruce A. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
With outriggers
Roll type
C160S229100, C160S235000, C160S236000, C135S088170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279641
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to retractable awnings and, more specifically, to retractable awnings having articulated covers.
There are numerous prior art retractable awning assemblies 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 spaced 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.
To protect the canopy in the retracted position, a cover is often provided. One type of cover includes five or six slats which are pivotally connected along their length in an articulated manner. The inner edge of the canopy is attached to the outermost one of the articulated slats, and the innermost slat is connected to an awning rail secured to the wall. The cover protects the canopy from environmental degradation by substantially enclosing the canopy when it is in the rolled-up retracted position.
While these prior awning assemblies may adequately perform their intended functions, they can have water leakage problems, can be relatively difficult to operate, and can have a large number of parts so that they are relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture. One problem with this type of awning cover is leakage of water through the joints between the slats and the joint between the innermost slat and the awning rail. Water, from rain or condensation from roof top air conditioners, comes in contact with the cover and leaks through the joints. Another problem with this type of retractable awning may be that the slats tend to bind up when the awning is retracted or extended. This may particularly be a problem if the rubber seals have been provided to address the water leakage problem. Another problem with this type of retractable awning is the large number of parts that the cover includes. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved retractable awning with an articulated cover which has reduced water leakage through the cover, has a reduced tendency to bind, and/or is easier and less costly to manufacture.
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 retractable awning assembly includes a roller, arm assemblies supporting ends of the roller, an awning rail securable to the wall, a flexible canopy rollable on the roller and having an outer edge secured to the roller and an inner edge connected to the awning rail, and an articulated cover connecting the flexible canopy to the awning rail. The articulated cover includes a plurality of slats hingedly connected one to another along adjacent edges such that the articulated cover at least partially encircles the flexible canopy and the roller in the retracted position and the cover is an extension of the flexible canopy in the extended position. Each of the slats has an upper surface and a flat stop at a forward edge. The flat stop engages the upper surface of the adjacent slat when in the extended position to restrict water passage therebetween.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the awning rail has a retainer for hingedly connecting one of the slats thereto and a flat stop at an outer edge. The flat stop of the awning rail engages the upper surface of the slat connected thereto when in the extended position to restrict water passage between the awning rail and the articulated cover.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the articulated cover includes only three slats. The slats are each rigid and arcuate so that they encircle more than half the diameter of the rolled canopy. The use of three rigid, arcuate slates provides the necessary articulation without binding yet provides the necessary rigidity to protect the canopy and to maintain an aesthetically pleasing circular shape when used with rollers having differing diameters.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the awning rail has a retainer, a substantially vertical leg securable to the wall, and a substantially horizontal leg connecting and spacing apart the retainer and the vertical leg. The retainer and the substantially vertical leg each extend above the substantially horizontal leg to form a laterally extending gutter. The gutter directs water away from the articulated cover and the canopy so that less water flows to the joints of the canopy.
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Lev Bruce A.
Pearne & Gordon LLP
White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
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