AWNING

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2023/073040, filed on Aug. 22, 2023 and which claims benefit to German Patent Application No. 10 2022 121 265.3, filed on Aug. 23, 2022. The International Application was published in German on Feb. 29, 2024 as WO 2024/042083 A 1 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The present invention relates to an awning for a camping vehicle, in particular to a manually operable awning, having an awning fabric, an awning roller, on which the awning fabric can be rolled, and having at least two awning arms.

BACKGROUND

Such awnings are known in numerous configurations. Such an awning is described, for example, in DE 20 2014 104 014 U1. In such awnings, there is generally provision for the awning to be permanently mounted with a housing on a vehicle, in particular a camping vehicle. In order to construct the awning, a base frame, in particular the awning arms which act as spars and the awning legs which may be optionally provided and which act at the free end of the awning arms in a supporting manner on underlying ground to be removed from the housing are provided as separate individual components and assembled. The awning fabric which is rolled on the awning roller can subsequently be unrolled manually, that is to say by hand, in the direction of the free end of the awning arms and secured with one end, often with the awning roller itself, to the free end of the awning arms.

In order to enable different depths, also called unrolling lengths, the awning arms can often be mounted in different lengths. To this end, the respective awning arm may comprise a plurality of portions or elements which can be positioned and secured in different positions with respect to each other so that different lengths of the overall awning arm are produced.

It has been found that camping nowadays is often no longer undertaken over a relatively long period of time at one and the same location, but instead, in substantially shorter periods, that is to say with a number of short stays or overnight stays at different locations, sometimes also, for example, at near-to-nature and impassable locations. There is thereby often a desire for an awning which can be assembled and disassembled in a rapid and uncomplicated manner.

The assembly and disassembly with conventional awnings is often relatively cumbersome and complex. The production costs of such awnings which comprise a large number of individual components are also often relatively high. For example, for the construction of such an awning it is thus generally necessary for initially all the individual components to be removed manually from a respective storage container or housing, temporarily stored beside the vehicle, and then successively orientated relative to each other and assembled and/or secured to one another to form the final base frame. The same applies in the reverse order when disassembling the awning, wherein the user in this instance, as a result of the sizing, must often provide that the individual components of the awning again reach the storage location provided therefor.

After a construction of such an awning, an adaptation or adjustment of the awning is also often possible only with a relatively high level of complexity. For example, with such awnings the depth of the awning, in particular the length of the awning arms, is often determined in one of the first assembly steps and, after construction of the awning, can no longer be changed or only changed with a considerable level of working complexity. In order to change the length of the awning arms, a partial dismantling of the awning, in particular a release of the securing of the awning fabric from the free end of the awning arms and at least partial rolling-in of the awning fabric on the awning roller, is thus generally required. With the entire base frame being simultaneously lifted in order to avoid bending of the awning legs, the individual elements of the awning arms can then be changed in terms of their length and locked in a new position with respect to each other. The awning fabric may subsequently be again unrolled and secured at the newly positioned free end of the awning arms. At least two people are therefore generally required for such a re-adjustment.

The criterion of energy efficiency of a vehicle, in particular with regard to its wind resistance, is currently also becoming increasingly important. It is therefore desirable not only to configure the vehicle itself but also the attachments which are fitted to the outer face thereof as far as possible so that, when the vehicle is moving, they have only a small surface which is exposed to wind and consequently do not increase the overall wind resistance of the vehicle to an undesirable degree. The disadvantage with numerous prior art awnings is their often relatively bulky and large structural shape, in particular of the awning housing.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an awning which improves at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and in particular provides a particularly uncomplicated assembly and disassembly and a rapid and simple re-adjustment of the awning while at the same time providing a relatively compact construction.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an awning for a camping vehicle. The awning includes an awning fabric, an awning roller which is configured to have the awning fabric be rolled thereon, and awning arms. At least one of the awning roller and the awning arms are configured to pretension the awning fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an open awning according to the present invention arranged on a camping vehicle;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the awning according to FIG. 1 in a closed state, in particular with a closed awning housing;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the awning according to FIG. 1 with an open awning housing;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the awning according to FIG. 1 with a first folded-out awning arm and awning leg;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of the awning according to FIG. 1 with two folded-out awning arms and awning legs;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of the awning according to FIG. 1 in a completely configured, open state;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective, exploded illustration of a detail of the awning according to FIG. 1, in particular an awning roller;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the awning arm with a retracted awning leg of the awning according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 with a pulled-out and extended awning leg;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 with an extended and angled awning leg;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 with a telescoped arm portion;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective detailed illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 with a locking system;

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinally sectioned illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 in the region of the locking system;

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional illustration of the awning arm according to FIG. 8 in the region of the locking system;

FIG. 15 shows a sectioned illustration of another embodiment of the awning according to the present invention with a closed awning housing; and

FIG. 16 shows a sectioned illustration of the awning according to FIG. 15 with an open awning housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present invention, the awning roller and/or the awning arms are configured to be suitable for pretensioning the awning fabric. The awning fabric can in particular be tensioned in a desired position automatically using a pretensioning device or via manual pretensioning and locking. It is thereby possible, in particular during assembly and disassembly and re-adjustment of the awning, for the awning fabric to be rolled out and rolled in in a particularly simple manner. The awning fabric of a respective length change of the awning arms, in particular when the awning arms are reduced, can in particular, be guided automatically. To this end, the pretensioning means may, for example, be in the form of a spring which may be arranged on the awning roller and/or on the awning arm. The awning arms can, for example, be supported in an articulated manner on an awning housing which is permanently secured to the camping vehicle. The awning housing can, for example, be produced from aluminum therefor.

The term “pretensioning” is here intended to be understood to be the action of force on the awning fabric via which the awning fabric is tensioned so that it sags only slightly downward. This action of force may in particular be brought about by individual portions of the awning fabric being pressed apart, for example, between the awning housing and a free end of the awning fabric or the awning roller.

The term “manual operation” is here intended to be understood to be an assembly or disassembly by hand, in particular with no motorized support. With regard to the awning fabric, a manual operation may thus, for example, be understood to in particular be extraction of the awning fabric and locking of the awning roller by hand or release of the awning roller and rolling-in the awning fabric on the awning roller by hand.

An embodiment of the present invention provides that in order to pretension the awning fabric, that the awning roller and/or the awning arms can each, for example, have a pretensioning device. The pretensioning can thereby be carried out automatically. The pretensioning device may, for example, be in the form of a spring. The spring may be arranged on the awning roller and/or the awning arms. When the pretensioning device is provided on the awning roller, the pretensioning of the awning fabric can, for example, be carried out in the direction of rolling-up of the awning fabric on the awning roller. When the pretensioning device is provided on the awning arms, the pretensioning of the awning fabric can, for example, be carried out in the direction of a free end of the awning arm. The pretensioning, in particular the automatic pretensioning, can, for example, be carried out not only with a configured awning, but also during the assembly and disassembly, in particular during the rolling-out and rolling-in of the awning fabric from or on the awning roller. A particularly simplified assembly and disassembly of the awning is thereby provided.

In order to pretension the awning fabric and/or the awning roller, provision may be made for the awning arms to be able to be adjusted in terms of length. The awning arms may in particular comprise in each case a plurality of elements which can be displaced or telescopically adjusted with respect to each other so that with the awning arms in each case a predefined length of the arms and consequently an individual depth of the awning can be adjusted. The awning fabric may in this instance be able to be at least temporarily fixed to a free end of the awning arm and pretensioned by the length adjustability of the awning arms. The size of the awning, in particular in the depth direction, can thereby be varied in a particularly simple manner. This also applies in particular to a state in which the awning is already fully configured.

Provision can, for example, be made to pretension the awning fabric and/or the awning roller for a coupling device, in particular a coupling device which is in the form of a plug-in pin, to be arranged in each case at a longitudinal end of the awning arms in order to couple a portion, which carries and/or supports the awning roller, of a front bar. In an embodiment of the present invention, provision can, for example, be made for the awning roller to be permanently arranged in the region of a front end of the awning arms facing the camping vehicle and for the awning fabric to extend above these awning arms up to a front end facing away from the camping vehicle, in particular the free end of the awning arms and to be able to be coupled to the awning arms in this region. In an embodiment of the present invention, provision can, for example, be made for the awning roller to be able to be removed from an awning housing (which can, for example, be permanently secured to the camping vehicle), and for the awning fabric to be permanently secured with one end in the region of the front end of the awning arms facing the camping vehicle (in particular to the awning housing) and to extend up to the awning roller which on the coupling device, which is arranged at the free end of the awning arms, can be fixed at least temporarily to the awning arms. The awning fabric and/or the awning roller can thereby be at least temporarily secured in a particularly simple manner to the front end of the awning arms and subsequently, in particular by extending the awning arms, the awning can be completely configured in a particularly simple manner.

The awning arms can, for example, be configured in each case to be telescopic and may to this end in each case have a first arm portion, also referred to as a first arm portion, and at least one second arm portion which is telescopic in the longitudinal extent thereof with respect to the first arm portion, also referred to as a second arm element. The second arm portion can, for example, be inserted into a hollow space formed by the first arm portion, or in other words inside the first arm portion. The awning arms can thereby be configured in a particularly compact and space-saving manner so that particularly simple handling is provided.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a locking system for blocking the telescopic ability, or in other words the relative movement, of the at least second arm portion with respect to the first arm portion in at least one of the two possible movement directions in the longitudinal extent. The locking system is in particular configured so that it can block an extension of the awning arms, in particular a pushing-apart of the at least two arm portions, or a shortening of the awning arms, in particular a pushing-together of the at least two arm portions, or both. The blocking may, for example, be carried out by mutual engagement of one or more contact faces. The awning arms can thereby be orientated in a particularly simple manner with respect to each other, and this may bring about a pretensioning of the awning material in a particularly secure manner.

The locking system can, for example, be configured so that the blocking of the telescopic ability of the second arm portion with respect to the first arm portion acts exclusively in one of the two possible movement directions in the longitudinal extent, in particular so as to prevent a shortening of the awning arms, i.e., against a pushing-in or pushing-together of the telescopic arm portions. It is thereby possible, for example, with a construction or a re-adjustment of the awning, to effectively prevent the awning arms from being pushed together or shortened as a result of the pretensioning brought about by the awning fabric which has already been installed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking system can, for example, be arranged between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, in particular at an outer side of the inner arm portion. The locking system can, for example, be arranged between an inner side of the first arm portion and an outer side of the second arm portion, in particular an outer side facing the inner side of the first arm portion. A particularly compact construction of the awning arms and a simple and safe handling when extending and shortening the awning arms is provided as a result of this configuration.

The locking system may be configured so that a blocking is automatically triggered, in particular when the arm portions are pulled apart. “Automatic triggering” is in particular here intended to be understood to be triggering without manual intervention. The automatic triggering may, for example, be carried out by a first blocking device coming into engagement with one of several corresponding second blocking devices and thereby blocking a further movement of the arm portions with respect to each other.

The locking system can, for example, comprise a locking apparatus which acts in a movement direction, for example, a locking apparatus which acts in exclusively one movement direction. The first blocking device may in this instance be in the form of a first detent and the second blocking device may be in the form of a second detent. The detents may be configured so that they act exclusively in one movement direction.

The locking apparatus may, for example, have a toothed rack which is arranged on one of the arm portions which has a plurality of ramp teeth, each of which have a locking face facing the other of the arm portions and a locking tongue which is arranged on the other of the arm portions or a locking lever having a locking projection which with a telescopic pulling-apart of the arm portions slides in a freely movable manner over the ramp teeth and, when the arm portions are pushed telescopically one into the other, can be brought into engagement with a locking flank against the locking face of one of the ramp teeth and consequently blocks the movement. It is thereby possible, for example, for an automatic activation of a blocking action to be carried out, whereby the handling of such an awning during assembly and disassembly and a re-adjustment is particularly user-friendly.

There may be provision for the locking apparatus to be configured so that, in order to release the locking flank from the locking face, the locking tongue can be pressed on a portion in the direction of the toothed rack counter to a resilient action and an opposing portion, which has the projection, of the locking tongue is thereby raised from the toothed rack, or so that in order to release the locking flank from the locking face, the locking tongue is displaced in the direction of the locking face. Such a configuration in particular provides a particularly simple operation of the locking system, in particular in order to release the blocking which may be advantageous primarily when disassembling and re-adjusting the awning. For pressing, the locking tongue may, for example, have a surface or contour which is ergonomically adapted to a finger so that the locking tongue can be operated in a particularly simple manner.

In a further development of the locking system, there may be provision for the locking apparatus to additionally comprise an actuating member which can in particular be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the awning arm and which is operationally connected to the locking tongue via a wedge connection so that the locking tongue, when the actuating member is displaced in the direction of the locking tongue, is pressed in the direction away from the toothed rack. The locking system and ultimately the entire awning arm can thereby be configured in a particularly compact manner. The actuating member may, for example, be in the form of a flat sliding element which is arranged so as to be able to be displaced with one finger, in particular with the thumb. A particularly simple operation of the locking system is thereby provided.

The actuating member can, for example, be arranged at least predominantly between the locking tongue and the toothed rack. The actuating member can in particular be guided between the locking tongue and toothed rack in one direction, in particular the displacement direction. A particularly flat configuration of the locking system is thereby produced. Provision may furthermore be made for the locking tongue and/or the actuating member to extend at least partially, for example, completely in the circumferential direction at the outer side around the outer circumference of the awning arm. The locking tongue can thereby be configured in a particularly stable manner and the actuating member can be gripped by hand and displaced in particularly simple manner.

In a further development of the locking system, provision may be made for the locking system to always, in particular in each activation state, to be arranged inside a projected outer circumferential contour of the awning arm, for example, the outer arm portion. The awning arm thereby has a particularly compact construction so that the awning housing can on the whole be configured in a particularly compact manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the awning additionally can, for example, have awning legs. The awning can, for example, have the same number of awning legs as awning arms. Each awning arm can thereby be supported by an awning leg. The awning legs may in this instance in each case be arranged at the free end of the awning arm facing away from the camping vehicle in the configured state of the awning. In particular for a suitable vertical orientation of the awning, the awning legs can, for example, be configured to be adjustable in length, in particular in a telescopic manner. Both occurrences of unevenness in the underlying ground and also differently desired heights of the awning fabric can thereby be adjusted.

The length adjustability and the lockability of the awning legs, in particular with regard to the structural and functional configuration, may be configured in the same manner as the awning arms. It should therefore be clear that the awning legs may each in particular have a locking system as described above with reference to the awning arms. The awning legs may in particular have a locking system which can also bring about a blocking in the direction of pushing together so that the legs can be locked in terms of their length. The locking system may in this instance also be in the form of a locking apparatus, in particular in the embodiment described above. Blocking in both movement directions in the longitudinal extent of the legs can, for example, be possible.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the awning legs can, for example, be stored in each case inside one of the awning arms. There may in particular be provision for an awning leg to be able to be inserted into an awning arm in the direction of the longitudinal extent thereof. The awning can thereby be configured in a particularly space-saving manner and the awning housing can consequently be configured in a particularly compact and streamlined manner.

The awning legs can, for example, in each case be secured with a longitudinal end to an awning arm, in particular to an inner arm portion, and can, for example, be configured to be telescopic with this inner arm portion of the awning arm. Not only a compact and space-saving storage of the awning legs, but also a predefined and non-changeable association of each awning leg with respect to a storage space provided therefor is thereby provided. Handling during assembly or disassembly of the awning is furthermore particularly uncomplicated as a result of the direct vicinity of the awning leg to the awning arm.

The awning legs can, for example, each be secured in an articulated manner to the awning arm, in particular to a longitudinal end of the awning arm, in particular to an inner arm portion. The articulation between the awning leg and awning arm may be in the form of a conventional articulation bearing, for example, with a fork-like bearing block which is arranged on the awning arm, in particular in a front region, a joint head which is arranged on the awning leg, in particular in a front region, and with an articulation pin which supports the joint head on the fork-like bearing block. A particularly cost-effective production and a particularly uncomplicated and simple handling of the awning legs during assembly and disassembly of the awning is thereby provided.

The awning arms and the awning legs can, for example, have a cross-sectional contour which is configured in a substantially identical manner. The cross-sectional contour may, for example, be in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. A groove, a notch or other shaping which extends over the entire length of the respective component may also be formed on at least one of the planar sides a curve. The stability and the guiding precision of the awning arms and awning legs, in particular in the longitudinal extent, may thereby in particular be improved.

It should be clear that the above embodiment of the awning legs, in particular as being able to be stored in the awning arms, is of course also possible without the specific configuration of the awning roller and/or the awning arms, in particular without the awning roller and/or the awning arms being configured to be suitable for pretensioning the awning fabric. An awning which is otherwise conventional may thus also be configured according to the present invention so that the awning legs can in each case be stored in an awning arm and can consequently be integrated therein and/or are secured in an articulated manner to the awning arm, in particular in the manner described above.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the awning roller can, for example, be rotatably supported with both longitudinal ends thereof in each case in an end cap, in particular in a portion of a bar, also called the front bar, in the form of an end cap. The awning roller can thereby be secured in a particularly simple manner to the free end of the awning arms, in particular with the two non-rotating end caps. The end caps can thus act both when assembling and disassembling the awning and in the event of a re-adjustment of an awning, which has already been constructed, as non-rotating bearings which are in particular secured to the awning arms, while the awning roller, for example, when extending the awning arms in order to unroll the awning fabric, may be freely rotatable. A particularly simple handling of the awning is thereby provided.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous for a front bar to be additionally arranged between the two end caps along the longitudinal extent of the awning roller. The front bar is (in the same manner as the end caps) non-rotating, also referred to as fixed, and is in particular arranged with a small spacing with respect to the awning roller. The awning roller which is supported via the end caps on the awning arms can thereby be gripped via the front bar in a particularly simple manner by hand and moved into a corresponding desired position, in particular with an at the same time freely rotatable awning roller, in particular without the awning roller having to be unrolled in the hands of the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to pretension the awning fabric and/or awning roller, provision can, for example, be made for a pretensioning device, for example, a spring, for example, an axial spring, to be arranged in each case between the end caps and the awning roller so that, when the awning fabric is unrolled the spring becomes increasingly tensioned and, when the awning fabric is rolled in onto the awning roller, the spring becomes increasingly untensioned. The awning fabric can thus be tensioned at any time, in particular during assembly and disassembly and re-adjustment of the awning. This in particular provides a particularly simple handling of the awning.

The spring can, for example, be arranged in a hollow space or inside the awning roller, in particular in a state integrated in the awning roller. A particularly space-saving and compact construction is thereby provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the awning can, for example, have an awning housing in which the awning roller, in particular with the front bar and the end caps, the awning fabric and the awning arms can be stored. The awning legs can additionally be stored inside the awning arms. The awning thereby has in the retracted state a particularly compact and streamlined form so that it forms only a small wind-exposed surface when driving the camping vehicle.

The awning housing can, for example, have at least at one longitudinal end a head cover which is in the form of a push-button so that the push-button is pressed to open the awning housing, in particular a front cover of the awning housing which can be opened. A particularly simple handling of the awning, in particular in order to open the awning housing, is thereby provided. The head cover can, for example, be integrated in the awning housing, in particular the head cover may form a front wall of the awning housing. The awning housing can thereby be configured in a particularly streamlined manner. The front cover which may extend over the entire width of the awning or the awning housing can, for example, open outward. Access to the interior of the awning housing is in particular provided as a result of opening the front cover. The awning housing can, for example, consequently comprise at least one rear wall via which it can be secured to the camping vehicle, a base, the front cover which can be opened and two lateral head covers. Depending on the configuration of the length of the awning arms and/or awning legs, the awning arms and/or awning legs may be arranged inside the awning housing laterally beside each other or behind each other in the longitudinal extent thereof.

Two exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings. Identical reference numerals thereby refer to components which are identical.

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the awning 100 according to the present invention arranged on a camping vehicle in a configured state. The awning 100 in this state comprises in particular an awning housing 8 which is secured to the camping vehicle, two awning arms 3, 3′ which extend from the awning housing 8 and which each have an awning leg 4, 4′ which is arranged thereon, an awning roller 2, and an awning fabric 1 which can be rolled up on the awning roller 2.

In the configured state of the awning as shown in FIG. 1, which is also referred to as the open awning, the awning fabric 1 is at least partially unrolled from the awning roller 2 and extends substantially over a base frame 11 which is formed by the awning arms 3, 3′ and awning legs 4, 4′. The awning roller 2 is in this instance arranged at a respective longitudinal end 5, 5′, facing away from the camping vehicle, of the awning arms 3, 3′, in particular locked to the awning arms 3, 3′. In order to lock the awning roller 2 to the awning arms 3, 3′, there is provided in each case a coupling device 12, 12′ which can be seen in greater detail in particular in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10. The awning arms 3, 3′ and awning legs 4, 4′ are in this instance configured in each case in two pieces and are configured to be telescopic in terms of their length. There is furthermore provision in this instance for the awning legs 4, 4 to be able to be stored inside the awning arms 3, 3′.

The awning 100 is in this instance in the form of a manually operable awning in which assembly or disassembly of the awning is carried out exclusively manually or by hand. The manual assembly and disassembly relates in particular to the base frame 11 and the arrangement of the awning roller 2 with a linked unrolling or rolling-in of the awning fabric 1.

The construction of the awning 100 is described in individual steps below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and 8 to 11. In order to avoid repetition, it should be clear that the embodiment described with reference to one of the awning arms or one of the awning legs applies in the same manner to the other and/or additional awning arms or awning legs.

FIG. 2 shows the awning 100 in a closed state which is also referred to as the disassembled state. The awning 100 shown is generally in such a state when driving the camping vehicle. For the construction of the awning 100, the awning housing 8 is first intended to be opened by pressing the two head covers 9, 9′ which are located at the longitudinal ends 8a, 8b of the awning housing 8 in the direction toward the remaining awning housing 8. The head cover 9, 9′ is in this instance in the form of a so-called push-button which, after moving forward or pressing and triggering which occurs in this instance, in this instance in particular a release of a closure device, again returns to its original position.

FIG. 3 shows the awning housing 8 in an open state. In order to open the awning housing 8, by releasing the closure device (which is not shown in greater detail) when pressing both head covers 9, 9′, a housing cover 20 can be folded upward. The housing cover 20 extends over an upper side and a front side facing away from the camping vehicle. The upper side or top is in this instance in particular intended to be understood to be a side of the awning housing 8 facing away from an awning base 19. Inside the awning housing 8 can be seen, in an upper region, the awning roller 2 with the awning fabric 1 rolled thereon, and, in a lower region, the awning arms 3, 3′. The awning fabric 1 and the awning roller 2 cannot be seen directly in this state since they are concealed in this instance by a front bar 13.

In a next step, as shown in FIG. 4, there is provision for a first awning arm 3 of the two awning arms 3, 3′ to be removed from the awning housing 8 by hand, in particular by the awning arm 3 being pivoted through approximately 90° about the longitudinal end 8 a of the awning housing 8. The awning arm 3 is to this end pivotably supported on the awning housing 8 via a joint 21 which is shown in greater detail in particular in FIG. 8.

In another step, the awning leg 4 which is stored in the awning arm 3 is first removed, as shown in detail from in FIGS. 8 and 9. The awning leg 4 may in this instance in particular be pulled at a longitudinal end, provided as an awning base 18, 18′, of the awning leg 4 in the longitudinal extent of the awning arm 3 out of the interior of the awning arm 3.

After the awning leg 4 has been pulled completely out of the interior of the awning arm 3, the awning leg 4 can be angled via a joint 23 which is arranged between the awning arm 3 and the awning leg 4, in particular at a longitudinal end 40 of the awning leg, as shown in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In order to adapt the height of the awning 100 in the region of the awning legs 4, 4′ to the height of the underlying ground which is provided in each case, the awning legs 4, 4′ are configured to be adjustable in terms of length, in partial telescopic. In a next step, the length of the awning leg 4 is adapted by pulling out an inner leg element 42 from an outer leg element 41, as shown in detail in FIG. 10. The leg elements 41, 42 may in each case form a portion of the entire awning leg 4, 4′ in the longitudinal extent thereof and are therefore also referred to as a leg portion 41, 42, in particular as an outer or first leg portion 41 and inner or second leg portion 42.

The locking of the inner leg element 42 to the outer leg element 41 at an individually adjustable length of the awning leg 4, 4′ may in principle be carried out in a known manner, for example, via a resiliently loaded pin which is arranged on the inner leg element 42 and which can be brought into engagement in one or more recesses which are arranged on the outer leg element 41. With such a configuration of the locking, the two leg elements 41, 42 are blocked in both movement directions in the longitudinal extent of the awning leg 4, 4′.

In another step, a provisional or already the desired definitive depth of the awning 100 can then be individually initially adjusted. The depth is in this instance intended in particular to be understood to be the extent of the awning in the unrolling or rolling-in direction of the awning fabric 1. To this end, there is provision for an inner arm element 32, to a longitudinal end 3a of which the awning leg 4, 4′, in particular the outer leg element 41 is secured, to be pulled out of an outer arm element 31, as illustrated in detail in FIGS. 10 and 11. The arm elements 31, 32 can in each case form a portion of the entire awning arm 3, 3′ in the longitudinal extent thereof and are therefore also referred to as an arm portion 31, 32, in particular as an outer or first arm portion 31 and inner or second arm portion 32.

Both the awning arm 3 and the awning leg 4 have in this instance a cross-sectional contour which is configured substantially identically so that the individual components fit inside one another in a particularly precise manner. For improved stability and guiding of the individual elements of the awning arms 3 and awning legs 4 with respect to each other, in this instance using the example of the awning legs 4 on an upper planar side of the cross sectional contour, a guiding groove 43 which is correspondingly arranged between the inner operating element 42 and the outer operating element 41 is provided, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 8.

In order to lock the retractable inner arm element 32 in a desired position on the outer arm element 31, in particular in order to block the telescopic ability, there is provided in this instance a locking system 6 which is shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

The locking system 6 is in this instance configured so that it in particular brings about a blocking of the telescopic ability of the second arm element 32 with respect to the first arm element 31 in exclusively one of the two possible movement directions R1, R2 in the longitudinal extent, in particular a blocking of a pushing-in action of the inner arm element 32 into the outer arm element 31, which in this instance is referred to as the direction R1. To this end, the locking system 6 is arranged substantially between the outer arm element 31 and the inner arm element 32, in particular in the region of a longitudinal end 24 of the outer arm element 31, in particular at an outer side 35 of the inner arm element 32.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 13, the locking system 6 is in this instance in the form of a locking apparatus 7 which comprises a toothed rack 61 which is arranged on the inner arm element 32 and which has a plurality of ramp teeth 62 which in each case have a locking face 63 facing the outer arm element 31. As a counter-piece, the locking apparatus 7 comprises a locking tongue 64 which is arranged on the outer arm element 31, or which is also referred to as a locking lever, having a locking projection 66. The locking projection 66 may, when the inner arm element 32 is pulled out in the direction R2, slide in a freely movable manner over a shallowly angled face of the ramp teeth 62. When the inner arm element 32 is inserted into the outer arm element 31 in the direction R1, the locking projection 66 in contrast reaches, as a result of the pretensioning brought about by the locking tongue 64, with a locking flank 67 formed on the locking projection 66, the locking face 63 of one of the ramp teeth 62 and consequently moves into engagement therewith, whereby the further movement of the inner arm element 32 in this direction R1 is blocked.

In order to release the locking connection 7, in particular the locking flank 67 from the locking face 63, there is provided in this instance a displaceable actuating member 65 which is operationally connected to the locking tongue 64 via a wedge connection 68 so that the locking tongue 64, when the actuating member 65 is displaced in the direction of the locking tongue 64, is pressed in the direction away from the toothed rack 61, and the locking flank 67 can thereby be released from the locking face 63. The actuating member 65 is in the form of a planar, displaceable component with a front portion 65a and a rear portion 65b therefor.

The front portion 65a is arranged between the locking tongue 64 and the toothed rack 61 and is in particular with a lower flat side in contact with the toothed rack 61 and with a front face on the wedge connection 68 with the locking tongue 64. When the actuating member 65 is pushed forward in the direction of the wedge connection 68, in particular a lifting of the locking tongue 64 in the direction away from the toothed rack 61 and consequently a release of the locking flank 67 can thereby be brought about.

The rear portion 65b of the actuating member 65 is in particular arranged on an outer contour of the outer arm element 31 and is configured to be suitable for operation, in particular displacement by hand. The rear portion 65b may in particular have a face and/or contour which is ergonomic with respect to a finger, in particular the thumb.

The entire locking system 6, in particular the toothed rack 61, the locking tongue 64 and the actuating member 65, may be configured so that the locking system 6 is arranged completely inside a projected outer circumferential contour U of the awning arm 3, 3′. In the configuration shown here, the locking system 6 protrudes exclusively with the locking tongue 64 and the actuating member 65 of the outer circumferential contour U of the awning arm 3, 3′. It should be clear that with a corresponding adaptation, in particular an integration of the locking tongue 64 and the actuating member 65, the entire locking system 6 can particularly advantageously be arranged within the projected outer circumferential contour U of the awning arms 3, 3′.

In another step for constructing the awning 100 shown in FIG. 5, the individual steps described above with respect to FIG. 4 are carried out in the same manner for the second awning arm 3′and the second awning leg 4′. It should again be noted at this point that the awning arms 3, 3′ and awning legs 4, 4′ are in each case configured identically.

In another step, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 6, the awning roller 2 is removed from the awning housing 8 and the awning fabric 1 is unrolled from the awning roller 2 by hand. The latter is carried out substantially automatically with a manual displacement of the awning roller 2 from the awning housing 8 in the direction of the longitudinal ends 5, 5′ of the awning arms 3, 3′. The awning roller 2 is in this instance rotatably supported in each case at the two longitudinal ends 2a, 2b thereof in a portion 14, 14′ of the front bar 13 which is in the form of an end cap, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 7. The front bar 13 and the end caps 14, 14′ are thus arranged so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the awning roller 2. The front bar 13 may thereby in particular be used as a gripping element for an operator when displacing the awning roller 2, whereby this working step is enabled in a particularly simple and uncomplicated manner.

Since the base frame 11 in this state, particularly when the awning roller 2 is displaced or when the awning fabric 1 is unrolled, is already configured, no particular handling is required by an operator when the awning is assembled or disassembled. A support of the awning arms 3, 3′ is in particular not required since they are already supported by the awning legs 4, 4′.

It should be clear that the end caps 14, 14′ have in this instance a part of the coupling device 12, 12′ and in particular in each case on an outer contour have a device which is suitable for coupling or locking the respective end cap 14, 14′ at a longitudinal end 5, 5′ of the awning arms 3, 3′, in particular a recess 44 which is suitable for a plug-in pin 33 which is arranged on the awning arms.

In order to pretension the awning fabric 1 and/or the awning roller 2, there is arranged in this instance between the end caps 14, 14′ and the awning roller 2 a pretensioning device 10, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 7. The pretensioning device 10 is in this instance in the form of an axial spring 17 which can, for example, be connected with one end in a rotationally secure manner to the end cap 14 and with the other end in a rotationally secure manner to the awning roller 2. The spring 17 is in particular arranged inside the awning roller 2. When unrolling the awning fabric 1, the spring 17 is thereby increasingly tensioned and, when the awning fabric 1 is rolled up onto the awning roller 2, the spring 17 is increasingly untensioned. The spring 17 is consequently increasingly tensioned when the awning roller 2 is manually displaced from the awning housing 8 at the longitudinal ends 5, 5′ of the awning arms 3, 3′, whereby the awning fabric 1 which is located on the base frame 11 can be automatically tensioned.

After the awning roller 2 has been locked via the coupling device 12, 12′ at the longitudinal ends 5, 5′ of the awning arms 3, 3′, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the awning fabric 1 can be additionally pretensioned by the inner arm elements 32 additionally being pulled out by a small portion even further from the outer arm elements 31. This can be carried out in a particularly simple manner as a result of the specific configuration of the locking system 6, in particular with automatic locking of the locking tongue 64 on one of the ramp teeth 62.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of the awning 200 according to the present invention. The awning 200 substantially corresponds to the awning 100 described above, wherein as the only difference the awning arms 3, 3′ and/or awning legs 4, 4′ in the variant illustrated here are not arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal extent in the awning housing 8, as is the case, for example, with the awning 100 shown in FIG. 3, but instead laterally beside each other. This configuration may be particularly advantageous when either the awning has a relatively small width B, wherein the width B is intended to be understood to be the direction in the longitudinal extent of the awning housing 8, or alternatively the awning arms 3, 3′ and/or awning legs 4, 4′ are configured to be particularly long.

It should be clear that the protective scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. The construction of the awning may (without changing the core notion of the present invention) in particular be modified. It is thus possible, for example, for the configuration and arrangement of the awning arms and awning legs to be different, in particular with regard to the arrangement thereof in the awning housing and the respective cross-sectional contour thereof. Reference should be had to the appended claims.

List of Reference Characters

• • 100 Awning
  • 200 Awning
  • 1 Awning fabric
  • 2 Awning roller
  • 2a, 2b Longitudinal end of roller
  • 3 Awning arm/First awning arm
  • 3′ Awning arm/Second awning arm
  • 4 Awning leg/First awning leg
  • 4′ Awning leg/Second awning leg
  • 5,5′ Longitudinal end of the awning arms
  • 6 Locking system
  • 7 Locking apparatus
  • 8 Awning housing
  • 8a, 8b Longitudinal end of the awning housing
  • 9,9′ Head cover
  • 10 Pretensioning device
  • 11 Base frame
  • 12, 12′ Coupling device
  • 13 Front bar
  • 14, 14′ Portion of front bar/End cap
  • 17 Spring
  • 18, 18′ Awning base/Longitudinal end of awning leg
  • 19 Housing base
  • 20 Housing cover
  • 21 Joint
  • 23 Joint
  • 24 Longitudinal end of outer arm element
  • 31 First arm portion/Outer arm element
  • 32 Second arm portion/Inner arm element
  • 33 Plug-in pin
  • 35 Outer side of the inner arm element
  • 40 Longitudinal end of the awning legs
  • 41 First leg portion/Outer leg element
  • 42 Second leg portion/Inner leg element
  • 43 Guiding groove
  • 44 Recess
  • 61 Toothed rack
  • 62 Ramp teeth
  • 63 Locking face
  • 64 Locking tongue
  • 65 Actuating member
  • 65a Front portion
  • 65b Rear portion
  • 66 Locking projection
  • 67 Locking flank
  • 68 Wedge connection
  • B Width
  • R1, R2 Movement directions
  • U Circumferential contour