AWNING

Description

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2024/057609, which was filed on Mar. 21, 2024, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2023 107 841.0, 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 having a fabric roller that runs in a straight line in a 1st direction, a fabric, and a drop arm that runs in a straight line parallel to the 1st direction, wherein the fabric is connected to the fabric roller in the region of an inner fabric edge and to the drop arm in the region of an opposite outer fabric edge, and wherein the drop arm is adjustable by a drive device in the form of at least one spring-loaded, multi-element articulated arm and/or in the form of at least one driven telescopic arm between a fully retracted minimum position P₀, in which the fabric is wound up as far as possible on the fabric roller, and a fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ in which the fabric has the widest possible span.

Description of the Background Art

An awning has been known for a long time and can be designed as an open awning or also as a so-called box or cassette awning, in which the fabric roller is accommodated in a box-shaped housing.

A plurality of spring-loaded articulated arms or piston-cylinder units or other suitable drives can be used as the drive device.

When the awning is to be extended from the fully retracted minimum position P₀, the drop rod is moved away from the fabric roller as a result of the drive device, which pulls the fabric off the fabric roller and stretches it out.

The awnings project freely in their fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ and also in an only partially extended intermediate position P_i, i.e. which have no lateral supports, and in which the drop arm is not moved by lateral guides along a path of movement predetermined by the guides.

All the following considerations assume that the drop arm, the fabric, the fabric roller 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 following, it is assumed that the fabric roller and the drop arm are arranged horizontally, since the vast majority of awnings are installed and used in this orientation. However, the invention is not limited to this.

When extended, the fabric extends between the drop arm and the fabric roller and forms a fabric plane. Usually, the fabric plane is inclined downwards from the fabric roller at an angle of approximately 10°to 30°relative to a horizontal plane, i.e. the drop arm is at a lower height than the fabric roller. In older awning designs, the angle of inclination of the fabric plane relative to the horizontal was fixed, but awnings have also been known for some time 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, especially in the evening hours, a large amount of sunlight enters the space to be shaded from the side or from the front, so that the user has to set the fabric level 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. However, this procedure requires much effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an awning, 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.

According to an example of the invention, a basic idea is to adjust the inclination of the fabric 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, so that the drop arm is moved on a vertically downwardly curved path of movement. This can be achieved, for example, in that the inclination of the fabric plane and, for example, of the articulated arms is fixed not by a user, but by changing the position of a tilting joint via which the articulated arms are connected to a supporting structure near the fabric roller, depending on the extended position of the drop arm and/or depending on a pivot position of the articulated arms.

It is to be emphasized that the invention particularly relates to awnings in which the drop arm is moved between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀ along a curved path of movement without the path of movement being predetermined by guides, since it is a freely cantilevered awning.

The curved movement path can preferably be continuously curved, with a unidirectional curvature being preferred. When the awning is mounted horizontally, the path of movement is curved downwards.

Alternatively, multi-directionally curved movement paths and, in exceptional cases, wave-shaped movement paths can also be provided. Straight-line movement paths are excluded.

The drop arm has a reference line R that runs in the longitudinal direction of the drop arm. The reference line R of the drop arm is moved between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀ along the curved path B with length L.

A reference plane BE, for example a horizontal plane, is provided which intersects the drop arm when the arm is in its position P₁₂ (=12% position) extended by a distance of 0.12·L (=12%·L) along the movement path B. Between the drop arm and the reference plane BE, a 1st intersection line S₁ is then defined which lies in the reference plane BE and which coincides with the reference line R of the drop arm in its 12% position P₁₂.

The reference plane BE intersects the drop arm in its position P₂₅ (=25% position) extended by a distance of 0.25·L (=25%·L) along the movement path B, and defines a 2nd intersection line S₂ which lies in the reference plane BE and which coincides with the reference line R of the drop arm in its 25% position P₂₅.

As already explained, according to the invention the drop arm is moved along a curved path of movement B. Thus, the reference line R is also moved along the curved path of movement B between at least the 12% position of the drop arm and in particular the minimum position P₀ and on the other hand the maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm.

Between the fully retracted minimum position P₀ and the maximally extended maximum position P₁₀₀, the drop arm and thus the reference line R assumes a multiplicity of intermediate positions P_i along the movement path B. Each intermediate position P_i is determined by two coordinates, since both the fabric roller and the drop arm are always oriented in a straight line and preferably horizontally, and since the ideal, undeformed system is under consideration here.

Each intermediate position P_i is defined by its distance of the reference line R of the drop arm along the movement path B relative to the maximum distance along the movement path B that the reference line R of the drop arm has in the maximum position P₁₀₀; i.e. 0≤i≤100 applies. In every position P_i of the reference line R of the drop arm, this arm has a distance b_i, measured normal to the reference plane BE, from the reference plane BE.

The movement path B is curved so that a distance b₁₀₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm is at least 8.0 times as large as a distance b₅₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE in a position P₅₀ (=50% position) of the drop arm extended by a distance of 0.50·L (=50%·L) along the movement path B; i.e., b₁₀₀≥8.0·b₅₀ applies. In a conventional awning with a straight line of movement of the drop arm, however, the value would only be 2.0, as the drop rod is extended twice as far in position P₁₀₀ as in position P₅₀.

The distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm, can be at least 10.0 times as large as the distance b₅₀ of the reference straight line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE, in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥10.0·b₅₀ applies.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm, can be at least 12.0 times as large as the distance b₅₀ of the reference straight line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE, in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥12.0·b₅₀ applies.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm, can be at least 15.0 times as large as the distance b₅₀ of the reference straight line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE, in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀ ≥15.0·b₅₀ applies.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm, can be at least 20.0 times as large as the distance b₅₀ of the reference straight line R of the drop arm from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE, in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥20.0·b₅₀ applies.

The distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm, can be at least 2.5 times as large as a distance b₇₅ of the reference straight line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in a position P₇₅ (=75% position) of the drop arm extended by a distance of 0.75·L (=75%·L) along the path of movement B; i.e., b₁₀₀≥2.5·b₇₅ applies.

The distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm can be at least 4.0 times as large as the distance b₇₅ of the reference straight line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the 75% position P₇₅ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥4.0·b₇₅ applies.

Preferably, it is provided that the distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm can be at least 6.0 times as large as the distance b₇₅ of the reference straight line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the 75% position P₇₅ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥6.0·b₇₅ applies.

The distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm can be at least 8.0 times as large as the distance b₇₅ of the reference straight line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in the 75% position P₇₅ of the drop arm; i.e., b₁₀₀≥8.0·b₇₅ applies.

The awning can be designed so that the following applies: if a maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₅₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.0 to 0.20; i.e., 0.0≤b₅₀≤0.20.

In particular, it can be provided that the following may apply: if the maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₅₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the 50% position P₅₀ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.0 to 0.14; i.e., 0.0≤b₅₀≤0.14.

Preferably, the following may apply to the awning: if the maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₇₅, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the 75% position P₇₅ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.0 to 0.45; i.e., 0.0≤b₇₅≤0.45, and in particular is in the range from 0.0 to 0.40; i.e., 0.0≤b₇₅≤0.40.

Preferably, it is provided that the following may apply: if the maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₇₅, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the 75% position P₇₅ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.1 to 0.17; i.e., 0.1≤b₇₅≤0.17, and in particular is in the range from 0.1 to 0.15; i.e., 0.1≤b₇₅≤0.15.

The following may apply to the awning: if the maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₁₀₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.12 to 0.90; i.e., 0.12≤b₁₀₀≤0.90, and in particular is in the range from 0.10 to 0.80; i.e., 0.10≤b₁₀₀≤0.80.

Preferably, it may be provided that the following applies: if the maximum distance a₁₀₀, measured in the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the 1st intersection line S₁ is 1.0 in the maximum position P₁₀₀, i.e. a₁₀₀=1.0, then the distance b₁₀₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R from the reference plane BE in the maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm is in the range from 0.12 to 0.60; i.e., 0.12≤b₁₀₀≤0.60, or preferably is in the range from 0.15 to 0.55; i.e., 0.15≤b₁₀₀≤0.55.

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 THE 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 a basic structure of an articulated arm awning in a schematic representation,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the awning with different positions P_i of the drop arm and

FIG. 3 shows exemplary movement paths of the drop arm of the awning according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an articulated arm awning 10, which has a fabric roller 11 in a 1st direction A, for example running horizontally, which roller is rotatably held on a supporting structure 16. A fabric 12 is attached to the fabric roller 11 with an inner end facing the fabric roller 11 and can be wound onto and unwound from said roller.

At the opposite end, the fabric 12 is provided with a drop arm 13 parallel to the 1st direction A, for example running horizontally. The drop arm 13 is attached to the supporting structure 16 by a drive device 14 which has two spring-loaded articulated arms 15. The drop arm 13 can be moved away from the fabric roller 11 as a result of the drive device 14, as a result of which the fabric 12 is unwound from the fabric roller 11 and stretched out. Accordingly, the fabric 12 can be wound onto the fabric roller 11 by pulling in the drop arm 13 in the direction of the fabric roller 11.

In a minimum position P₀ (see FIG. 2), the fabric 12 is wound up as far as possible onto the fabric roller 11 and the drop arm 13 is accordingly retracted as far as possible and arranged close to the fabric roller 11. This position is shown at the left in FIG. 2. When the fabric 12 is unwound and stretched as far as possible from the fabric roller 11, the drop arm 13 is in its fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀, which is shown in FIG. 2 at the right. Between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀, the drop arm 13 moves on a downwardly curved path B having length L.

The drop arm 13 has a reference line R which runs in the longitudinal direction of the drop arm 13. For the further considerations, it is assumed that the reference line R of the drop arm 13 is moved between the minimum position P₀ and the maximum position P₁₀₀ along the curved movement path B.

A reference plane BE intersects the dropout rod 13 in its position P₁₂ (=12% position) extended by a distance of 0.12·L (=12%·L) along the movement path B and defines an intersection line S₁, which lies in the reference plane BE and which coincides with the reference line R of the drop arm 13 in its 12% position P₁₂.

The reference plane BE intersects the drop arm 13 in its position P₂₅ (=25% position) extended by a distance of 0.25·L (=25%·L) along the movement path B, and defines a 2nd intersection line S₂ which lies in the reference plane BE and which coincides with the reference line R of the drop arm 13 in its 25% position P₂₅.

In FIG. 2, various intermediate positions P_i are shown. The index i, which can be between 0 and 100, results from the degree by which the reference straight line R of the drop arm 13 is extended as a percentage of the maximum movement distance L along the movement path B.

Due to the curvature of the movement path B, a distance b₁₀₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R of the drop arm 13 from the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm 13 is significantly larger, and at least 8.0 times as large, as a distance b₅₀, measured normal to the reference plane BE, of the reference line R of the drop arm 13 from the reference plane BE in a position P₅₀ (=50% position) of the drop arm 13 extended by a distance of 0.50·L (=50%·L) along the movement path B; i.e., b₁₀₀≥8.0·b₅₀ applies.

Preferably, it is provided that the distance b₁₀₀ of the reference line R of the drop arm 13 from the reference plane BE, measured normal to the reference plane BE in the fully extended maximum position P₁₀₀ of the drop arm 13, is at least 2.5 times as large as a distance b₇₅ of the reference straight line R from the reference plane BE measured normal to the reference plane BE in a position P₇₅ (=75% position) of the drop arm 13 extended by a distance of 0.75·L (=75%·L) along the path of movement B; i.e., b₁₀₀≥2.5·b₇₅ applies.

FIG. 3 schematically shows two exemplary movement paths B₁ and B₂. In a first movement path B₁, the distance from the reference plane BE to the intermediate position P₅₀ is only slightly overlinear. In the region between the intermediate positions P₅₀ and P₇₅, the curvature of the movement path B₁ initially increases slightly, while it increases significantly in the end region of the movement path B1 between the intermediate position P₇₅ and the maximum position P₁₀₀.

A second movement path B₂ is characterized by the fact that it is also only slightly overlinear in a region up to the intermediate position P₅₀, but with a greater inclination in relation to the reference plane BE, and after that has a relatively large curvature.

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.