GB2038901A - Awnings - Google Patents

Abstract

A canvas awning 1 has at least two open-ended parallel pockets 4,8 extending across the width of the awning. The pockets 4,8 are substantially cylindrical in shape and are adapted to receive, in use, correspondingly shaped rods which form part of an awning support frame. With the type of frame which comprises a winding cross beam and a dragging cross beam the pockets 4, after insertion of the appropriate rod, will be accommodated in a suitably formed channel in the winding cross beam and the pocket 8 will be accommodated in a channel formed in the dragging cross beam. With the type of frame which comprises a plurality of folding elements pivotally joined together, the canvas awning 1 has, for example, five open-ended pockets 4 to 8 arranged to coincide with the different pivoted folding elements constructed as successive bridges making up the foldable awning frame. A free end portion of the canvas may constitute a flap 9 which may be provided with a fringe formed integrally with the awning 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved Awning This invention relates to-an awning, forexample of canvas, which is-adapted to be supported, in use, in a foldable frame.

In the type of application concerned, the canvas or similar flexible sheet material used is joined by one transverse edge to a winding beam and by the opposite transverse.edge or near it, to a second beam, parallel to the winding beam, which drags the canvas, by gravity, in the extension stage and keeps it taut.

In the event of the formation of the awnings concerned includinga frame formed by several folding elements, like mobile bridges which articulate all the elements by their ends on both common axes, the canvas or the like must likewise be joined to these bridges, -at predetermined distances, so that the subsequent folding of the canvas is possible, on both sides of each element or bridge.

Joining the canvas or similar material and the end transverse beams, for winding and dragging respectively, is currently effectd by hand, constituting a tedious and laborious job calling for skilled labour.

Joining the canvas or similar material to the folding elements making up the frame, when the latter exists, calls for a complicated process of sewing or stapling, which also has to be carried out by specialised labour and which is very time consuming, thus leading to the increase of expense and cost of assembly and, consequently, of the awning.

The problems mentioned are satisfactorily overcome with the canvas proposed, by the invention which thus constitutes an improvement over all that known to date, for which reason it proves to be a worth-while contribution within the awnings industry generally.

Accordingly, the present invention consists in an awning having a plurality of open-ended parallel pockets extending across the width to receive supporting frame members.

Basically, the improved canvas proposed is characterised in that it includes several longitudinal eyelets, made of double cloth, linked at the ends, so that the manufacture of the canvas is effected with suitable lengths and with widths limited only by the manufacturing measurements available and by the needs which practice makes advisable.

The utilisation of the canvas or similar material thus formed, is realised by cutting a fragment from the part in the direction of the weft, corresponding to the length of the awning, which will thus be in a single piece.

Joining the canvas or similar cloth thus prepared to the end beams, i.e. to the winding and drag beams respectively is advantageously effected by inserting in the end pockets of the canvas or similar material, respective rods of suitable material, after which these rods covered by the canvas or similar material, are housed, by sliding from an open end, into respective longitudinal channels provided for this purpose in the aforesaid transverse beams, -which ensures a clbse link and the turning or dragging of the respective beam will wind or drag and tighten the canvas or similar cloth.

Joining of the canvas to the folding elements making up the folding frame, which is even simpler than that already disclosed for the end beams, it can be said that it suffices to place them inside the intermediate pockets for the subsequent folding effect desired to be produced, without this calling for further handling, or more stitching.

Following the last pocket, there is usually a length of the canvas which continues up to its edge, thus forming a flap which may optionally be finished at the edge with a fringe, forming an integral part of the canvas, i.e. not separately attached to the canvas.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate diagrammatically and by way of example embodiments thereof, and in which: Fig. 1 shows a fragmentary perspective view of an awning canvas having an open-ended cylindrical pocket formed in one edge of the canvas and another pocket formed adjacent the opposite edge, both pockets serving, respectively, to join the canvas to the winding and dragging transverse beams, Fig. 2 shows a similar view to that of Fig. 1 of an awning canvas with the open-ended pockets arranged at each transverse edge of the canvas, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 1, with one of the pockets having a larger diameter than the other one, and Fig. 4 is a view of the awning canvas which has not only the two end pockets but is also provided with intermediate pockets which serve to be used in the case of folding frames, by means of parallel folding elements.

As can be seen particularly in Figs. 1 to 3, a length of canvas or other flexible sheet material 1, has two transverse, open-ended pockets 2 and 3 arranged respectively at one of its edges and adjacent the opposite edge. The pockets 2, 3 are substantially cylindrical in shape and serve for being joined by means of a rod to a winding beam and a dragging beam respectively.

In Fig. 4, the canvas or similar material 1 has a total of five open-ended pockets marked with numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (in practice the number of pockets can vary), arranged to coincide with the different hinged elements (not shown) constructed as successive bridges making up the foldable awning frame, so that through them successive parallel and foldable sectors are formed, which back on to each other successively.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the canvas or similar material 1 shown includes a flap 9 of the same material as the actual awning, and which flap is provided with a fringe 1 0.

The open-ended pockets which are made in double cloth are preferably formed by doubling a length of fabric over and joining the two webs by suitable means leaving appropriate strips free of said means. Alternatively two separate pieces of fabric are joined back to back leaving strips free of the joining means, which strips then constitute the tubular pockets made in double cloth.

Claims (7)

Claims

1. An awning having a plurality of open-ended parallel pockets extending across the width to receive supporting frame members.

2. An awning as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the material of the awning is canvas.

3. An awning as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pockets are uniformly spaced from one another along the length of the awning.

4. An awning as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein two pockets are provided which are respectively arranged at or adjacent the transverse edges of the awning.

5. An awning as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pockets have a diameter and one of said pockets has a diameter which is larger than that of the other pocket.

6. An awning as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein one transverse edge of the awning is spaced a predetermined distance from the nearest pocket and is formed with a fringe of predetermined length.

7. An awning, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.