AWNING

Description

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2024/057582, which was filed on Mar. 21, 2024, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2023 107 842.9, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 28, 2023, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an awning with a support device, a horizontally extending cloth shaft which is rotatably mounted on the support device, a cloth, a horizontally running lead bar and a drive device, wherein the cloth is connected to the cloth shaft in the region of an inner cloth edge and to the lead bar in the region of an opposite outer cloth edge, wherein the lead bar is adjustable by a drive device between a fully retracted minimum position P₀, in which the cloth is wound up as far as possible on the cloth shaft, and a fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀, in which the cloth is stretched as far as possible, the lead bar occupying a plurality of intermediate positions P_i between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀ during the adjustment, wherein the drive device has at least one first arm link which at its inner end facing the cloth shaft is mounted via a joint device so as to pivot about a pivot axis e, and wherein each position P₀, P₁₀₀, P_i of the lead bar is associated with a defined pivot position of the first arm link about the pivot axis S, wherein the joint device is designed such that an inclination of the pivot axis relative to a vertical changes depending on the pivot position of the first arm link and depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft.

Description of the Background Art

An awning with the aforementioned structure can be designed as an open awning or also as a so-called box awning, in which the cloth shaft is accommodated in a box-shaped housing.

The support device, which may be brackets, rods or beams, is attached to a substructure, for example a building wall, in a suitable manner.

Several spring-loaded multi-link articulated arms can be provided as the drive device. Each articulated arm has a first arm link which is pivotally mounted on the support device directly or indirectly about the pivot axis S in its inner end region facing the cloth shaft. The pivot axis S runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm link. At its opposite outer end, the first arm link is connected to a second arm link in an articulated manner, wherein a spring, typically a tension spring, is provided between the first arm link and the second arm link, which loads both arm links into an extended position. The second arm link is connected to the lead bar in an articulated manner at its end facing the lead bar.

It is also possible for the drive device to be formed by one or more piston-cylinder units, in which case the piston-cylinder unit forms the first arm link. In the following, however, it is assumed by way of example that the drive device is formed by at least one multi-link articulated arm of the aforementioned structure, but the invention is not limited thereto.

When the awning is to be extended from the fully retracted minimum position P₀, the lead bar is moved away from the cloth shaft due to the drive device, which pulls the cloth off the cloth shaft and stretches it out.

The invention also relates to awnings which project freely in their fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ and also in their intermediate position P_i, and in which the lead bar is not moved by lateral guides along a movement path predetermined by the guides.

All of the following considerations assume that the lead bar, the cloth, the cloth shaft and the drive device are not subject to any deformation or displacement as a result of their own weight and as a result of possible assembly inaccuracies or as a result of play in the connections, i.e., all statements and information refer to the undeformed, ideal static system.

In the extended state, the cloth extends between the lead bar and the cloth shaft and forms a cloth plane. Typically, the cloth plane is inclined downwards from the cloth shaft at an angle of inclination of approximately 10° to 30° relative to a horizontal plane, i.e., the lead bar is, at least in its maximum position P₁₀₀, at a lower height than the cloth shaft. In older awning designs, the angle of inclination of the cloth shaft relative to the horizontal is fixed, but awnings have also been known in which the user can adjust the angle of inclination using a suitable tool, with inclination angles in an adjustment range of 0° to 30° being common. However, once the user has set a suitable angle of inclination, it remains the same until the user adjusts the angle of inclination again using the tool.

The extent to which an awning must be extended to adequately shade the space below it depends substantially on the position of the sun. When the sun is very high, relatively few rays of sunlight fall into the space below the awning that is to be shaded, so it is often sufficient to extend the awning only partially, rather than completely. However, when the sun is already relatively low, in particular in the evening hours, a large amount of sunlight enters the space to be shaded laterally, such that the user has to set the cloth plane very obliquely, i.e., the angle of inclination has to be set very large, in order to achieve good shading of the space below the awning. This procedure requires much effort.

EP 3 225 762 A1, which corresponds to US 2017/0284122, and which describes an awning that gradually lowers when extended. Starting from the cloth shaft, the awning initially has a flat movement path which runs close to the horizontal and becomes more curved downwards as the distance from the cloth shaft increases. In terms of design, this is achieved by a wobblingly mounted axle bolt, which causes a change in inclination depending on the extension distance. The wobbling bearing of the axle bolt is relatively unstable and does not lead to a precisely defined inclination path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create an awning of the type mentioned which, in a simple manner, enables good shading of the space below the awning at different positions of the sun and different states of extension of the awning and which has a robust construction and a defined movement path.

The invention is also based on the fundamental consideration of changing the inclination of the cloth plane when extending the awning between the fully retracted minimum position P₀ and the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ at least in portions and preferably continuously, such that the lead bar is moved on a vertically downwardly curved movement path. According to the invention, this is achieved by designing the joint device such that an inclination of the pivot axis S relative to a vertical V changes depending on the pivot position of the first arm link and depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft.

A control part is provided which is connected in an articulated manner to a first arm link at a first joint and which is connected in an articulated manner to the support device at a second joint.

The first arm link may have a lateral projection or attachment at its end region facing the cloth shaft, on which the first joint may be formed. A corresponding attachment may be provided on the support device, for example a so-called arm support, on which the second joint may be formed.

The control part can be rod-shaped or tab-shaped and has a first joint with a first joint axis G₁ at one end and the second joint with a second joint axis G₂ at its opposite end.

The first joint axis G₁ and the second joint axis G₂ may run inclined at an angle in the range of 70° to 90° relative to each other.

Preferably, the joint device can be designed such that the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V is, at least in a partial range of the adjustment of the lead bar between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀, greater the further the lead bar is from the cloth shaft. Preferably, a change in the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V is provided over the entire adjustment movement between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀.

The first arm link can be rod-shaped or bar-shaped and has a longitudinal axis L. The pivot axis S preferably runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

In the minimum position P₀, the pivot axis S may run vertically and coincides with the vertical V.

The inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V can change depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft. It is preferably provided that the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V is greatest in the maximum position P₁₀₀ the lead bar.

In this maximum position P₁₀₀ of the lead bar, the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V can be in a range of 9° to 35° and particularly preferably in a range of 10° to 25°.

The joint device may be designed such that the pivot axis S is located between the first arm link and a bearing part and that the bearing part is mounted on the support device so as to be directly or indirectly pivotable about a tilt axis K. In an example of the invention, it is provided that the tilt axis K runs horizontally +/−5°.

The joint device may be connected to the support device via a pivoting mechanism via which the joint device and at least some and preferably all components attached thereto can be adjusted in inclination relative to the horizontal.

The bearing part, which is preferably designed to be disc-or plate-shaped, may have a console-like attachment, wherein the pivot axis S can penetrate the attachment. Preferably, a bore is provided in the attachment through which a bolt defining the pivot axis S passes. The bolt may run and be held between two tabs of the first arm link.

In the following, examples of the awning according to the invention is discussed by way of example, whereby the features mentioned can be used individually or in combination.

The articulated arm awning may have a horizontally running cloth shaft that is rotatably held on a support device, which can be a building wall, a beam or other support. The cloth is attached to the cloth shaft with its inner end facing the cloth shaft and can be wound up onto and unwound from said cloth shaft.

At the opposite end, the cloth is connected to the horizontally running lead bar. The lead bar is connected to the drive device, which can be formed by two spring-loaded, two-link articulated arms. Each articulated arm may have a first arm link and a second arm link. The first arm link may be connected in an articulated manner to the support device directly or indirectly via the joint device at its inner end facing the cloth shaft. At its opposite end, the first arm link may be connected to the second arm link via an intermediate joint. The second arm link may be connected to the lead bar at its end facing the lead bar via a further joint device. Each articulated arm may be pre-tensioned in a known manner into its extended position, i.e., into the maximum position P₁₀₀, via a spring (not shown), in which the cloth is stretched as far as possible.

The first arm link may have, at its end facing the joint device, two tabs running in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm link and spaced apart in the direction of the height of the first arm link as well as a lateral projection which carries an attachment extending perpendicularly thereto, for example in the form of a screwed-in eyebolt. The attachment may be mounted on the projection in a rotatable or non-rotatable manner. The tabs and the lateral attachment may be formed on a prefabricated adapter part which is rigidly attached to the first arm link.

The support device may have a so-called arm support, which can support an adjusting lever which is adjustably mounted on the arm support and whose inclination can be adjusted relative to the arm support. The adjusting lever may have a projection on which an attachment may be formed, for example in the form of a screwed-in eyebolt. The attachment may be mounted on the projection in a rotatable or non-rotatable manner.

A disc-shaped bearing part may be pivotably mounted on the arm support about a tilt axis K, wherein the tilt axis K runs horizontally.

The bearing part may have a console-like attachment which may be designed such that it can be accommodated between the two tabs of the first arm link.

A hole can be formed in the console-like attachment, which may be penetrated by a bolt that may be attached to the tabs of the first arm link. The bolt in the hole defines a pivot axis S about which the first arm link can pivot relative to the bearing part and its console-like attachment. In addition, the first arm link can pivot together with the bearing part about the tilt axis K relative to the arm support.

A rod-shaped or bow-shaped control part may be connected in an articulated manner at its one end to the attachment of the lateral projection of the first arm link, forming a first joint. The first joint defines a first joint axis G₁.

At its opposite upper end, the control part may be connected in an articulated manner to the attachment of the adjusting lever, forming a second joint. The second joint defines a second joint axis G₂.

In a minimum position P₀, in which the cloth is wound up as far as possible on the cloth shaft and the articulated arms are retracted, the pivot axis S may coincide with a vertical V. In this minimum position P₀, the first arm link runs horizontally.

When the lead bar is extended from the retracted minimum position P₀ and the cloth is stretched, the first arm link can pivot about the pivot axis S. The geometry of the first arm link, the control part and the bearing part are coordinated such that the bearing part pivots when the first arm link additionally pivots about the tilt axis K. This can cause the console-like attachment of the bearing part to also pivot about the tilt axis K, which leads to an inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V. The inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V is greater the further the lead bar is extended and away from the cloth shaft.

An adapter part connected rigidly in all directions to the first arm link may be attached to the end of the first arm link facing the cloth shaft, thereby forming part of the first arm link and on which preferably the joint device and/or the first joint is formed.

The first arm link can have a lower joint bearing and an upper joint bearing at its end region facing the cloth shaft and that the pivot axis S runs between the lower joint bearing and the upper joint bearing.

The lower joint bearing and/or the upper joint bearing may be designed as a cardan joint. In order to ensure that the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical changes depending on the pivot position of the first arm link and depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft, the upper joint bearing and/or the lower joint bearing may be movable along a guide via an adjusting device. The adjusting device may have a cam part with a control cam.

The control cam ensures that the upper joint bearing and/or the lower joint bearing are moved along the guide when the first arm link pivots. By moving the upper joint bearing and/or the lower joint bearing, the orientation and thus the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V changes.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of an articulated arm awning in a schematic view,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the joint device,

FIG. 3 shows the joint device according to FIG. 2 in a minimum position P₀,

FIG. 4 shows the joint device according to FIG. 2 in an intermediate position P_i, and

FIG. 5 shows the joint device according to FIG. 2 in the maximum position P₁₀₀.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an articulated arm awning 10 having a horizontally extending cloth shaft 11 which is rotatably held on a support device 18, which may be a building wall, a beam or other support.

A cloth 12 is attached to the cloth shaft 11 with an inner end facing the cloth shaft 11 and can be wound up onto and unwound from said roller.

At the opposite end, the cloth 12 is connected to a horizontally running lead bar 13. The lead bar 13 is connected to a drive device 14, which in the illustrated example is formed by two spring-loaded, two-link articulated arms 15. Each articulated arm 15 has a first arm link 16 and a second arm link 17. The first arm link 16 is directly or indirectly connected at its inner end 16a facing the cloth shaft 11 via a joint device 19 to the support device 18 in an articulated manner. At its opposite end, the first arm link 16 is connected to the second arm link 17 via an intermediate joint 35. The second arm link 17 is connected to the lead bar 13 at its end facing the latter via a further joint device 34. Each articulated arm 15 is pre-tensioned in a known manner via a spring (not shown) into its extended position, i.e., into the maximum position P₁₀₀, in which the cloth 12 is stretched as far as possible, as shown in FIG. 1.

The joint device 19 is shown in detail in FIG. 2. The first arm link 16 has, at its right end (as shown in FIG. 2) facing the joint device 19, two tabs 33 running in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm link 16 and spaced apart in the direction of the height of the first arm link 16, as well as a lateral projection 31 which carries an attachment 36 extending perpendicularly thereto, for example in the form of a screwed-in eyebolt. The tabs 13 and the lateral attachment 31 may be formed on a prefabricated adapter part which is rigidly attached to the first arm link 16.

Of the support device 18, a so-called arm support 37 is shown, which carries an adjusting lever 43 which is adjustably mounted on the arm support 37 and whose inclination can be adjusted relative to the arm support 37. The adjusting lever 43 has a projection 32 on which an attachment 38 is formed, for example in the form of a screwed-in eyebolt.

A disc-shaped bearing part 20 is pivotally mounted on the arm support 37 about a tilt axis K, wherein the tilt axis K runs horizontally.

The bearing part 20 has a console-like attachment 24 which is designed such that it can be accommodated between the two tabs 33 of the first arm link 16.

In the console-like attachment 24, a bore 40 is formed, which is penetrated by a bolt 39 which is fastened to the tabs 33 of the first arm link 16. The bolt 39 in the bore 40 defines a pivot axis S about which the first arm link 16 can pivot relative to the bearing part 20 and its console-like attachment 24. In addition, the first arm link 16 can pivot together with the bearing part 20 about the tilt axis K relative to the arm support 37.

A rod-shaped or bow-shaped control part 21 is connected in an articulated manner at its lower end to the attachment 36 of the lateral projection 31 of the first arm link 16, forming a joint 22. The first joint 22 defines a first joint axis G₁.

At its opposite upper end, the control part 21 is connected in an articulated manner to the attachment 38 of the adjusting lever 43, forming a second joint 23. The second joint 23 defines a second joint axis G₂.

In a minimum position P₀, in which the cloth 12 is wound up as far as possible on the cloth shaft 11 and the articulated arms 15 are retracted, the pivot axis S may coincide with a vertical V or assume an angle adjusted via the adjustment cable 43, as shown in FIG. 3. In this minimum position P₀, the first arm link runs horizontally.

When the lead bar 13 is extended from the retracted minimum position P₀ and the cloth 12 is stretched, the first arm link 16 pivots about the pivot axis S. The geometry of the first arm link 16, the control part 21 and the bearing part 20 are coordinated with one another such that the bearing part 20 additionally pivots about the tilt axis K when the first arm link 16 pivots. This causes the console-like attachment 24 of the bearing part 20 to also pivot about the tilt axis K, which leads to an inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V. The inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V is greater the further the lead bar 13 is extended and away from the cloth shaft 11. In an intermediate position shown in FIG. 4, in which the lead bar 13 is approximately half the maximum distance from the cloth shaft 11, the deviation of the pivot axis S from the vertical V is still relatively small. However, when the lead bar 13 is fully extended and has taken its maximum position P₁₀₀, the inclination of the pivot axis S relative to the vertical V has further increased, as shown in FIG. 5. In the maximum position P₁₀₀ the deviation of the pivot axis S from the vertical V is in the range of 9° to 35°.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.