Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – With outriggers – Roll type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-08-14
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
With outriggers
Roll type
C160S069000, C135S088120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273172
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.
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. There have been attempts to develop powered automatic awnings in order to overcome these problems.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,847,171 and 4,160,458 disclose retractable awnings automatically operated by electric motors and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,597,006 and 5,813,424 disclose retractable awnings automatically operated by pneumatic actuators. While these automatic awnings may some what improve operation, they still may be relatively difficult to operate, difficult and expensive to manufacture or repair, and/or unreliable in the field. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved retractable awning which has powered automatic operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a powered automatic retractable awning which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a retractable awning assembly includes a roller, a flexible canopy rollable onto the roller and having an inner edge for connection to a wall and an outer edge secured to the roller, and a pair of arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller and operable to move the roller between a retracted position adjacent the wall and an extended position spaced from the wall. The awning assembly further includes a first spring biasing the roller to roll the canopy onto the roller, at least one second spring biasing the arm assemblies toward the extended position, and an electric motor operable to rotate the roller in either direction.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a retractable awning assembly includes a roller, a flexible canopy rollable on the roller and having an inner edge for connection to a wall and an outer edge secured to the roller, a pair of arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller and operable to move the roller between a retracted position adjacent the wall and an extended position spaced from the wall, and an electric motor operable to rotate the roller in either direction. Each of the arm assemblies include 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, 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, and a spring extending between the base arm and one of the bottom arm and the top arm for outwardly biasing the bottom arm, the extended arm, and the top arm toward the extended position.
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Frey Pat
Frey Sydney
Frey Pat
Johnson Blair M.
Pearne & Gordon LLP
White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
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