AU2018200521B2 - Improved awning - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixed or retractable awning which is designed to drain water easily, in which the awning includes a support frame, awning fabric, and a plurality of fabric support rails; 5 in which the support frame provides a pair of parallel frame sides and each of the fabric support rails is adapted to be supported between the frame sides substantially perpendicular to the frame sides; the fabric is supported by the support rails with the support rails alternately on top of the fabric and underneath the fabric, such that when the awning is extended, the fabric forms a series of shallow troughs each extending 10 across the width of the awning. 1 1/16 ou. Ma 2/16 >CO -Co> LLcJ

Description

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IMPROVED AWNING

Technical field The present invention relates to an improved design for a fixed or a retractable awning which may be freestanding or may be secured to a building or similar structure.

Background Art There are a number of applications where there is a demand for a horizontal awning; in the present specification, the term "horizontal" means an awning where the plane of the extended awning is at an angle of zero to five degrees to the horizontal.

Typical applications where a horizontal awning is advantageous are: • where the design of the associated building is such that a visibly inclined awning would look out of place; • where the available height for the awning frame is limited; • where the site is particularly windy, so it is desirable to minimise the surface area of the awning exposed to the wind.

However, a horizontal awning presents problems when it is extended, in that rain will not readily drain from the awning and tends to pool on the awning; this is unsightly, and can damage the awning.

Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is the provision of an awning which is designed to shed water more effectively than existing designs, when in the extended position.

The present invention provides an awning which includes: S a support frame; • awning fabric; a plurality of fabric support rails; wherein: • the support frame provides a pair of parallel frame sides; • each of the fabric support rails is adapted to be supported between said frame sides with the longitudinal axis of each fabric support rail substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said frame sides;

• each of the fabric support rails is arranged to slide along the length of the support frame; and • the fabric is supported by the fabric support rails with the support rails alternately on top of the fabric and underneath the fabric, such that when said awning is extended, the fabric forms a series of shallow troughs each extending across the width of the awning.

The awning may be fixed in place, but preferably the awning is a retractable and extendable awning, with one end of the awning fixed to one end of the support frame, and the other end of the awning free to be extended or retracted relative to the fixed end.

The awning may be moved between the retracted and extended positions by means of a push rod attachable to the free end of the awning and/or by a pair of spaced drawcords, one of which extends along each side of the awning, parallel to the adjacent frame side; each drawcord is secured at one end to the free end of the awning, passes around a first pulley mounted on the end of the corresponding side frame adjacent the extended position of the awning, and passes around a second pulley mounted on the opposite end of the corresponding side frame.

The free end of the awning may be provided with spaced hooks which releasably engage corresponding catches to secure the awning in the fully extended position.

Preferably, the awning is movable between retracted and extended positions by means of a motorised drive. In one embodiment, the motorised drive includes: Sa pair of toothed racks, one of which extends parallel to and on or adjacent at least a major portion of the length of each side frame; Sa pair of driveable gear wheels connected one to each side of the free end of the awning, each gear wheel being in driving engagement with the corresponding adjacent toothed rack; * means for driving said gear wheels in either direction so as to extend or retract said awning.

Preferably, said pair of drivable gear wheels are mounted one on each end of a hollow roller which extends across the whole width of, and is secured to, the free end of the awning, and wherein said means for driving said gear wheels includes an electric motor mounted within said roller.

In another embodiment, the motorised drive includes: 0 two sets of equidistantly spaced pins, each said set being supported so as to extend parallel to and on or adjacent at least a major portion of the length of each side frame; * a pair of driveable sprockets connected one to each side of the free end of the awning, each sprocket being in driving engagement with one of said sets of equidistantly spaced pins; * means for driving said sprockets in either direction so as to extend or retract said awning.

The two sets of equidistantly spaced pins may be replaced by two lengths of chain, each length being supported so as to extend parallel to and on or adjacent a least a major portion of the length of each side frame; the drivable sprockets engage the length of chain rather than the spaced pins.

Preferably, said sprockets are mounted one on each end of a hollow roller which extends across the whole width of, and is secured to, the free end of the awning, and wherein said means for driving said sprockets includes an electric motor mounted within said roller.

The electric motor may be any suitable type of electric motor, e.g. a tubular motor.

As used herein, the term "fabric" includes not only fabric (woven or non-woven) but also plasticised fabrics, coated fabrics (including metal coated fabrics) and plastics sheet.

Preferably, each fabric support rail is pre-cambered so as to be bowed along its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, each fabric support rail is removably secured to said fabric.

One technique for securing each fabric support rail to the fabric is to form a pocket secured to the awning fabric, to receive each rail. Another possibility is to secure each rail to the awning fabric by means of an insert which provides a trough which is part circular in cross-section and into which the awning fabric may be retained by a press fitted retaining cylinder; each insert being removably attachable to the corresponding fabric support rail.

Preferably, each said insert is removably attachable to either one of opposite faces of the fabric support rail.

The design of the present invention provides an awning which may be mounted in any of a variety of ways, e.g. supported by free standing vertical supports or supported from an adjacent building or other suitable support structure. The awning may of course be supported such that the frame of the awning, and hence the awning fabric, is supported at any desired angle, but the design of the present invention is such that it allows efficient drainage from the awning even if the awning is mounted such that it is visually horizontal, i.e. the plane of the awning is an angle of not more than 50 to the horizontal.

The present invention further provides a gutter design for use in combination with the above awning. Preferably, said gutter design includes a fixed gutter secured below, and substantially parallel to, the longitudinal axis of each frame side, and a gutter extension pivotably secured to said fixed gutter so as to be pivotable between a retracted and an extended position.

Brief Description of Drawings By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of part of a retractable awning in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section through part of an awning of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view showing the awning of Figure 1 partially retracted; Figure 4 is a vertical section through the connection between a frame side and a fabric support rail; Figure 5 is a vertical section through part of an awning of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale; Figure 6 is a vertical section through one design of gutter in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6A is a vertical section through a second design of gutter; Figure 7 is a plan view showing the awning of Figure 1 fully extended; Figure 8 is a plan view showing the awning of Figure 1 fully retracted;

Figure 9 is a side view of a detail of an awning catch; and Figure 10 is a plan view of a fixed awning in accordance with the present invention. Figure 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of an awning in accordance with the present invention; Figure 12 is a side view of part of the awning of Figure 11, with the frame side removed; Figure 13 is a detail of Figure 12 on a larger scale; Figure 14 is a plan view of part of the apparatus of Figure 13, taken in the direction of arrows A; Figure 15 is a side view of a roller; and Figure 16 is a section through part of the roller and the rail. Figure 17 is a side view of an improved drive sprocket; Figure 17a is a cross-section on line A - A of Figure 17; and Figure 18 is a longitudinal section of an improved rail profile.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Referring to Figures 1, 7 and 8, a retractable awning 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a support frame consisting of an end frame 11 plus 2 spaced, parallel co-planar frame sides 12 each of which extends with its longitudinal axis A - A (Figure 8) at right angles to the longitudinal axis B-B of the end frame 11. The length of the frame sides 12 is the maximum length of the awning when the fabric is fully extended as described below.

The end frame 11 generally would be mounted to a building or a similar support, but may be mounted on a freestanding support.

The frame sides 12 may be supported in any known manner, e.g. by freestanding vertical supports mounted on the ground or from an adjacent building. Optionally, the ends 12a of the frame sides 12 furthest from the end frame 11 may be secured together by a second end frame (not shown) parallel to the end frame 11.

Each frame side 12 may have any of a range of cross-sectional shapes, but preferably are of rectangular cross-section with a longitudinal slot 12b down the inner side.

The design of the present invention allows the awning to be mounted such that the plane of the awning is visually horizontal, i.e. the plane of the awning frame (and thus the plane of the extended awning) is at an angle of not more than five degrees to the horizontal.

Referring in particular to Figures 1, 2 and 7, the awning fabric 13 is a piece of fabric having a width slightly less than the length of the end frame 11 and a length which is the length of the fully extended awning in use. Preferably, the awning fabric is made as a single piece of fabric, but two or more pieces may be used if necessary.

Preferably, the awning fabric is waterproof, ultraviolet resistant and has a finish which makes it easy to clean.

One end 13a of the fabric 13 is permanently or semi-permanently secured to, or adjacent, the end frame 11 and the length of the fabric 13 passes under and over alternate fabric support rails 14 (see Figure 2). The fabric 13 is secured to each support rail as described below.

Each of the fabric support rails 14 has a main body portion of 15 which is rectangular in cross-section (see Figure 5); the upper and lower surfaces 16, 17 respectively of the body portion 15 are formed with a channel 18, 19 respectively. Either of these channels can receive a fabric support 20, which consists of a flat base plate 21 which is dimensioned to be an easy sliding fit within the channel 18, 19, and a central projection 22 which supports a trough 23. The trough 23 is part circular in cross-section and is open at the end of the trough furthest from the projection 22. Awning fabric can be secured to each fabric support rail 14 by looping the full width of the fabric into the corresponding trough 23 and retaining it in the trough by pressing a retaining cylinder 24 into the trough as shown in Figure 5. The cross-sectional size of the cylinder 24 is such that it is a firm press fit or slide fit into the trough 23, such that the fabric is firmly secured to the full length of each rail 14. Alternatively, a rope (not shown) may be sewn into the trough to secure the fabric.

As shown in Figure 5, the fabric supports 20 can be secured to either the upper or lower surface of each rail 14, so that the fabric 13 can be secured either to the upper surface of a rail 14 or to the lower surface.

Alternatively, the awning fabric 13 can be constructed with a series of transverse pockets sized to accommodate each rail as a sliding fit, with pockets formed sequentially on the lower and upper sides of the awning. Each rail is simply slid through one of the pockets to connect the rails into the awning fabric (not illustrated).

As shown in Figure 4, each end of each rail 14 has a freely rotating wheel or wheels 25 mounted on the body portion 15 and projecting outwards to engage in the cavity 12b of the corresponding frame side 12. The engagement of the wheels 25 with the frame side 12 enables the rails 14 to slide freely along the length of the frame. As the rails 14 move in either direction along the frame sides 12, the fabric travels with the rails to extend or retract the awning.

The awning may be extended or retracted using any of a number of different mechanisms:- three possible mechanisms are described below, but it will be appreciated that these may be varied as necessary to suit particular installations.

The simplest arrangement is to pull the end rail 14a Figures 7 and 8) backwards or forwards along the frame using a pushrod which is hand carried by the operator. The is upper end of the pushrod can be connected to the rail 14a or, to avoid damage to the rail and the fabric, a purpose-built rod 27 can be mounted parallel to, but spaced slightly in front of, the end rail 14a.

It is not always convenient to use a pushrod, since there may not be a clear space on the ground under the awning to allow the operator to walk backwards and forwards. To accommodate this, the awning may be fitted with a drawcord 30 which extends along each side of the awning. One end 31 of the drawcord 30 travels round a first pulley 32 mounted adjacent the end of the corresponding side frame 12a and along the upper side of the side frame 12 to a second pulley 33 at the end of the side frame 12 adjacent the end frame 11. The other end 31a of the drawcord 30 is secured to the other end of the end rail 14a via a catch 41, travels around a pulley 32a mounted adjacent the end of the corresponding side frame 12a, along the other side of the side frame 12 to a second pulley 33a adjacent the end frame 11.

When the awning is in the retracted position shown in Figures 3 and 8, the awning fabric 13 hangs in loops and the drawcord 30 also hangs in a loop (not shown) beneath the end frame 11.

Thus, to extend the awning from the retracted position, the operator stands below the end rail 11 and pulls on the hanging loop of the drawcord 30 to extend the awning, until the catches 41 on each end of end rail 14a are secured, as described below.

When the awning is fully extended, it should be held taut, both for the sake of a good appearance and to assist in the drainage of any rain which falls onto the awning. This is achieved by applying additional tension to the rear most rail 14, e.g. by manually tensioning separate cords (not shown) attached to that rail, via a geared pulley (not shown).

As shown in Figure 9, a catch 41 incorporating a retainer hook 36 is pivotally mounted at each end of the front rail 14a of the awning. At the end 12a of each frame side 12, a hook catch in the form of a tube 37 is mounted adjacent the corresponding pulley 32, 32a. The pivot 38 corresponding to each hook 36 is set back from the hook 36 so that the hook tends to pivot downwards under its own weight. As the awning reaches the fully extended position, each hook 36 passes over the hook catch 37, riding on the sloping front face 39 of the corresponding hook 36, and each hook 36 then drops under its own weight, engaging the corresponding hook catch 37 and securing the extended awning in place. As described above, in this position additional tension may be applied to the rear most rail 14 to hold the awning taut.

The connection between each end of the front rail 14a and the corresponding catch 41 incorporates a tension spring 35, to provide the extended awning with resilience in the case of high wind loading on the extended awning.

When the awning needs to be retracted, each hook 36 is lifted to disengage it from the corresponding catch 37 by pulling on a retraction cord 43 which extends over the upper surface of the fabric along the centreline of the awning as shown in Figure 7, with the end of the cord 43 adjacent the front rail 14a secured to a two-part yoke 44, the outer ends of which are attached to spaced positions on a release rail 40, which extends across the awning parallel to the front rail 14a, but vertically higher than the rail 14a.

The release rail 40 is secured at each end to the corresponding catch 41, at a position rearwards of the pivot 38 of the catch. As shown in Figure 9, pulling the yoke 44 in direction of arrow A pivots each catch 41 to the position shown in broken lines, releasing the engagement of each hook 36 with the corresponding catch 37, and allowing the awning to be retracted by pulling on the end 42 of the retraction cord 43.

When the awning is fully retracted as shown in Figure 3, the fabric 13 hangs in loops adjacent the rear member 11.

If the awning is to be extended and retracted by means of a pushrod, then the catches 41 are still used as described above, to keep the awning taut when extended.

If the awning is to be extended and retracted by means of cords, then the rod 27 could be omitted. However, it can be useful to have the rod 27 fitted so that it is available for use in the event of cord breakage.

The cord extension/retraction means has been described in terms of manually pulling the cords, but it will be appreciated that this can be motorised if required.

For a majority of applications, it is important that the extended awning is self draining so that rain/dew which accumulates on the awning does not bow the awning and cause damage. As discussed above, the known solution to this problem is to incline the awning, (e.g. by at least 10), but there are many applications where a noticeable inclination of this kind is undesirable or impossible. The awning of the present invention may be erected horizontal or with such a small degree of inclination that the awning is horizontal (as defined).

Alternating the fabric support rails 14 above and below the awning fabric 13 creates, in the fully extended awning, a series of spaced shallow troughs each extending the full width of the awning, i.e. alternating "hills" and "valleys" along the length of the awning, and any water which accumulates on the awning naturally tends to drain into the "valleys" as indicated by the double headed arrows in Figure 1. Any water which drains in this way can be drained off one side of the awning by giving the awning a very slight inclination to that side, typically of about 2°.

Water collection in the "valleys" can be improved by pre-cambering each of the fabric support rails 14. Pre-cambering the rails means that each rail is slightly bowed along its length such that the midpoint of the rail lies above the plane of the straight rail by a predetermined amount, e.g. 50 - 75mm. The amount of pre-cambering can of course be adjusted for specific applications.

The rails may be pre-cambered by bending each rail 14 together with the corresponding fabric support 20, until the desired amount of pre-camber is achieved. The pre cambering of the rail can then be maintained by securing the rail 14 to the fabric support 20 e.g. by riveting.

When the rails are connected to the awning fabric, the rails are oriented such that the effect of the pre-cambering is to create a slightly raised zone along the central line of the awning in use, i.e. approximately lying beneath the retraction cord 43 depicted in Figure 7. This allows drainage towards the sides of the awning, so that the awning can be installed horizontal with no sideways inclination.

For some applications, water can simply be allowed to drain freely from the sides of the awning. However, for many applications, it is desirable to collect any drained water into a gutter, so that water can be ducted into a disposal system such as a downpipe.

As shown in Figure 6A, the guttering used may be a standard small profile gutter 50 which is mounted below each of the frame sides 12, extending the full length of the frame side, and which is arranged to discharge into a standard downpipe system (not shown). When the awning is retracted, the awning fabric 13 hangs in loops, and it therefore is not possible to locate the gutter 50 actually below the edges of the fabric in the retracted awning, the loops of fabric will catch the guttering. Instead, each gutter 50 is located vertically below the corresponding frame side 12, and on each of the fabric support rails 14 secured to the upper surface of the awning fabric, (i.e. the "valley" rails), a rail gutter 51 is mounted beneath each end of the corresponding rail. Each rail gutter 51 is simply a short V-cross-section trough secured beneath each corresponding rail and arranged to extend a short distance beyond the end of the rail, so that the outer end of the rail gutter 51 overhangs the gutter 50.

Figure 6 shows an alternative gutter 53 which includes a section of fixed guttering 54, located vertically beneath each frame side 12 and extending the full length of the frame side, with a pivoted gutter extension 55 secured along each inner end of the fixed guttering.

The fixed guttering 54 includes a first side 56 which is substantially vertical in use, a base 57 which is substantially perpendicular to the side 56, and an inclined side 58 which extends towards the area immediately below the awning, at an acute angle to the side 56. A pivot 59 is mounted along the upper inner edge of the inclined side 58, which lies short of the area actually covered by the extended awning, so that when the awning is retracted and hangs in loops, the loops do not catch on the fixed guttering.

The pivot 59 supports the gutter extension 55 which consists of a flat plate secured at its lower end to the pivot 59, so that it can pivot freely relative to the fixed guttering, and a weighted portion 60 along the free end of the gutter extension 55. The weighted portion 60 helps to stabilise the gutter extension so that it stays in either the extended or retracted position, as required.

In the extended position of the gutter extension 55 (shown in solid lines in Figure 6) the gutter extension lies below the awning, so that water dripping off the sides of the awning falls into the trough formed by a combination of the gutter extension 55, the inclined side 58, the base 57 and the fixed side 56. In the retracted position, the gutter extension is pivoted clear of the awning and lies over the fixed gutter.

The gutter extension can be pivoted between the two positions using any suitable means e.g. manually or a control rod, or a control cord.

Figure 10 shows a fixed awning which is permanently in position and therefore does not require any cords for extension or retraction. The fixed awning 50 consists of a horizontal awning frame which is rectangular in plan and has parallel sides 51 and parallel ends 52; the frame may be secured to a building or other support along one of the sides or ends, or may be freestanding with its own vertical supports (not shown).

The fabric 53 of the awning 50 is associated with a set of spaced rails 54, which can be secured to the fabric if desired, but need not be. The fabric 53 passes under one rail 54, over the next rail 54, under the next rail 54 and so on down the length of the awning, and is secured to the frame ends 52 by any suitable means. Thus, like the fabric of the retractable awning, the fabric 53 of the fixed awning is formed into a series of shallow troughs each extending across the width of the awning.

As described with reference to Figures 1 - 8, each of the rails 54 may be pre-cambered to aid drainage of any moisture accumulating on the awning towards the edges of the awning. Gutters may be mounted along one or both sides 51 of the frame if required.

The gutters may be of any suitable type, e.g. as described above with reference to Figures 6 and 6A.

Referring to Figure 11, a retractable awning 10 is substantially as described with reference to Figures 1-9, and the same reference numerals are used where appropriate. In particular, the awning fabric awning end frame, frame sides, and fabric support rail is are constructed and arranged as described with reference to Figures 1-9. The end frame may not be required for some installations. However, the mechanisms for extending or retracting the awning are completely replaced by the motorised arrangement described below.

In the motorised variant, the parallel frame sides 12 of the support frame also each support a rack 80, which extends down the length of each of the frame sides 12, for a major portion of the length of each frame side. As shown in Figure 12, each rack 80 ends at a point on the corresponding frame side at the fully retracted position of the awning.

In Figure 13, the rack 80 is shown as supported from the corresponding frame side so as to lie above the plane of the awning when extended; however, the rack 80 could be supported from the frame side so as to lie beneath the plane of the awning when extended.

As with the non-motorised embodiments, one end 13a of the awning fabric 13 is secured to, or adjacent, the end frame 11 (if present). The opposite end 13b of the awning fabric 13 is secured to an end fabric support rail 85, each end of which is secured by bolts 86 to one end of a bracket 84. A roller 81 extends across the whole width of the end 13b, parallel to the fabric support rail 85, and each end of the roller 81 is rigidly connected to the corresponding bracket 84. The other end of each bracket 84 carries a roller 87 which is arranged to engage the corresponding frame side 12, so that the roller 81 and the components secured to it can travel along the length of the frame sides.

The roller 81 consists of an outer cylindrical casing 82 and an inner cylinder 83. The inner cylinder 83 contains a tubular motor of known type which is located within the non rotatable inner cylinder 83, each end of which is secured to the bracket 84. The tubular motor is supplied with electrical power via a flexible cable 89 which is arranged to extend along an upper channel 90 formed in the corresponding frame side 12 and is kept taut by a tensioning system (not shown) so that the cable 89 does not foul any of the other components during operation of the system.

The tubular motor is arranged to rotate a mounting collar (not visible) at one end of the roller 81. A first gear wheel 91 is mounted on the mounting collar and rotates with the mounting collar. The outer cylindrical casing 82 of the roller 81 is connected to the mounting collar and rotates with it; the casing 82 carries a second gear wheel 92 at the end opposite to the first gear wheel 91. Thus, when the tubular motor rotates the mounting collar, this rotates both the first and second gear wheels 91, 92.

As described above, a rack 80 is mounted along each of the side frames; the teeth formed on each rack are dimensioned and arranged so as to mesh with the corresponding gear wheel 91, 92, such that rotation of the gear wheel 91, which in turn rotates gearwheel 92, drives the assembly of roller 81, gearwheels 91, 92, the brackets 84 associated with each of the gear wheels, and thus the end fabric support rail 85, in the corresponding direction relative to the side frames to either extend or retract the awning.

Preferably, the gear wheels and the corresponding racks are made of a UV resistant, robust plastics material, so that the awning can be extended and retracted quietly.

It will be appreciated that the above described motorised arrangement has a minimum number of moving parts, and gives a quiet, rapid, and reliable means of extending and retracting the awning. The tubular motor is controlled by a remote control, in known manner.

The awning shown in Figures 11-16 may be provided with guttering as described with reference to Figures 6 and 6A.

Referring to Figure 17, this discloses an improved version of the rack and gear wheel drive shown in Figures 12 and 13.

The drive shown in Figures 12 and 13 consists of first and second gear wheels 91, 92 which travel along racks 80; the racks are formed with teeth which mesh with each of the corresponding gear wheels. This drive works well, and is reliable. However, it is expensive to manufacture, because the racks have to be individually cut and it is important that the teeth on the gear wheels mesh accurately with the teeth on the rack, to give a good positive drive.

In the drive shown in Figure 17, each of the first and second gear wheels 91, 92 is replaced by a sprocket 100 and each of the racks 80 is replaced by a length of U cross section track 101 which has a series of spaced pins 102 secured across the arms of the U. The spacing between adjacent pins 102 is a distance "d" which is equal to the spacing "d" between the root of adjacent sprocket teeth 103, so that the sprocket teeth mesh with the pins 102 as shown in Figure 17. Each pin 102 may carry a roller 102a, to engage the teeth 103. The sprockets 100 are mounted and driven in the same manner as the gear wheels 91,92.

The effect of the above arrangement is identical to a gear wheel engaging with a rack, but is very much cheaper to manufacture:- the pins 102 can be bolted or riveted through the track 101, and the shape of the pins 102/rollers 202a and the sprocket teeth 103 is such that a precision fit is not necessary for them to be in driving engagement. Another possibility is to use a chain in place of the track 101 and pins 102 and have the sprocket wheels 103 mesh with the chain links in known manner.

The improvement shown in Figure 18 relates to an improvement in the rail profile, so that it is easier to pre-camber the rails.

The rail cross-section shown in Figure 5 gives a rail which functions well, but which is comparatively rigid and therefore is difficult to pre-camber as described on page 7, line 24 onwards of that specification. Pre-cambering involves bowing each rail along its length such that the midpoint of the rail lies above the plane of the straight rail by a predetermined amount, as described above.

To bow each rail, the rail needs to be bent along its longitudinal axis. The rail 110 shown in Figure 18 is significantly more flexible and thus easier to bend to the desired degree of camber.

As shown in Figure 18, the rail 110 in cross-section consists of two side portions 111, 112, secured opposite each other by a central support 113. The side portions 111, 112, and the central support 113 may be formed integrally. Each of the side portions 111,

112 is formed with a part circular channel 114, 115, 116, 117 at each end and inserts 118, 119 may be slotted into these channels as required.

Each design of insert 118, 119 is shaped with an annular portion 120, 121, along each outer edge; each annular portion 120, 121, is dimensioned to be an easy sliding fit within the corresponding part circular channel.

Each insert 118 is formed with a part circular trough 123 midway between the annular portions 120; the part circular trough 123 is used to secure awning fabric to the rail 110 by looping the full width of the awning fabric into each trough 123 and retaining it in the trough by pressing a retaining cylinder (not shown) into the trough to secure the fabric firmly along the full length of each rail.

Each insert 119 is formed with a straight bar 124 between the annular portions 121; the insert 119 is used to stabilise the rail.

Since the awning fabric is secured alternately to the upper surface and to the lower surface of each rail 110, the inserts 118 are secured alternately to the upper and lower surfaces of each rail, alternating with the inserts 119.

The best method of cambering the rails has been found to be to engage the inserts 118/119 with the corresponding rail 110 and then camber the rail in the required orientation and secure the ends of each insert 118/119 to the adjacent ends of the rail. This assists in maintaining the rail in the desired cambered configuration.

It will be appreciated that the above described designs provide an awning from which water can drain easily and efficiently, but which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and very reliable in operation.

Claims (21)

Claims

1. An awning which includes: S a support frame; • an awning fabric; Sa plurality of fabric support rails; wherein: • the support frame provides a pair of parallel frame sides; • each of the fabric support rails is adapted to be supported between said frame sides with the longitudinal axis of each fabric support rail substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said frame sides; • each of the fabric support rails is arranged to slide along the length of the support frame; and • the fabric is supported by the fabric support rails with the support rails alternately on top of the fabric and underneath the fabric, such that when said awning is extended, the fabric forms a series of shallow troughs each extending across the width of the awning.

2. The awning as claimed in claim 1, wherein the awning is a retractable and extendable awning, with one end of the awning fixed to one end of the support frame, and the other end of the awning free to be extended or retracted relative to the fixed end.

3. The awning as claimed in claim 2, wherein the awning is movable between the retracted and extended positions by means of a pushrod attachable to the free end of the awning.

4. The awning as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the awning is movable between the retracted and extended positions by means of a pair of spaced draw cords, one of which extends along each side of the awning, parallel to the adjacent frame side; each drawcord is secured at one end to the free end of the awning, passes around a first pulley mounted on the end of the corresponding side frame adjacent the extended position of the awning, and passes around a second pulley mounted on the opposite end of the corresponding side frame.

5. The awning as claimed in claim 4, wherein the free end of the awning is provided with spaced hooks which releasably engage corresponding catches to secure the awning in the fully extended position.

6. The awning as claimed in claim 2, wherein the awning is movable between retracted and extended positions by means of a motorised drive.

7. The awning as claimed in claim 6 wherein the motorised drive includes: • a pair of toothed racks, one of which extends parallel to and on or adjacent at least a major portion of the length of each side frame; * a pair of driveable gear wheels connected one to each side of the free end of the awning, each gear wheel being in driving engagement with the corresponding adjacent toothed rack; * means for driving said gear wheels in either direction so as to extend or retract said awning.

8. The awning as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of driveable gear wheels are mounted one on each end of a hollow roller which extends across the whole width of, and is secured to, the free end of the awning, and wherein said means for driving said gear wheels includes an electric motor mounted within said roller.

9. The awning as claimed in claim 6, wherein the motorised drive includes: * two sets of equidistantly spaced pins, each said set being supported so as to extend parallel to and on or adjacent at least a major portion of the length of each side frame; * a pair of driveable sprockets connected one to each side of the free end of the awning, each sprocket being in driving engagement with one of said sets of equidistantly spaced pins; 0 means for driving said sprockets in either direction so as to extend or retract said awning.

10. The awning as claimed in claim 6, wherein the motorised drive includes: 0 two lengths of chain, each length being supported so as to extend parallel to and on or adjacent at least a major portion of the length of each side frame;

* a pair of driveable sprockets connected one to each side of the free end of the awning, each sprocket being in driving engagement with one of said lengths of chain; 0 means for driving said sprockets in either direction so as to extend or retract said awning.

11. The awning as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said sprockets are mounted one on each end of a hollow roller which extends across the whole width of, and is secured to, the free end of the awning, and wherein said means for driving said sprockets includes an electric motor mounted within said roller.

12. The awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the awning fabric is selected from the group: woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, plasticised fabric, coated fabric, metal coated fabric, sheet plastics materials.

13. The awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the fabric support rails is pre-cambered so as to be bowed along its longitudinal axis in a direction above the plane of the awning when extended.

14. The awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fabric support rail is removably secured to said awning fabric.

15. The awning as claimed in claim 14, wherein each fabric support rail is removably secured to said awning fabric by means of a pocket secured to the awning fabric.

16. The awning as claimed in claim 14, wherein each fabric rail is removably secured to said awning fabric by means of an insert which provides a trough which is part circular in cross-section and into which the awning fabric may be retained by a fitted retaining cylinder; each insert being removably attachable to the corresponding fabric support rail.

17. The awning as claimed in claim 16, wherein each said insert is removably attachable to either one of opposite faces of the fabric support rail.

18. The awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each end of each fabric support rail is engaged with a slot formed along the longitudinal axis of the adjacent frame side.

19. The awning as claimed in claim 18, wherein each end of each fabric support rail engages said slot by means of a freely rotatable roller attached to said end.

20. The awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plane of the awning is visually horizontal in the sense that the plane of the awning is at an angle of not more than five degrees to the horizontal.

21. The combination of an awning as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a gutter, wherein the gutter includes a fixed gutter secured below and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of each frame side, and a gutter extension pivotably secured to said fixed gutter so as to be pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position.