US20080178919A1

US20080178919A1 - Automated awning

Info

Publication number: US20080178919A1
Application number: US11/699,724
Authority: US
Inventors: Shun-Fu Yang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2008-07-31

Abstract

An automated awning comprises a main shaft connected to a screw rod through a sleeve by a screw means. The screw rod is driven to activate a first support rod and a second support rod to slide forward or backward sliding motion. A main support bracket is disposed between the main shaft and a second support rod, and a spring is disposed between the main support bracket and the main shaft. There are deep and shallow grooves and a slopped surface within the second support rod; a free rotor and a fixed rotor are inserted therein. A tube body is mounted on a mount and enclosing the first support rod. The tube body is then inserted into an outer tube. As the screw rod drives the first and second support rods forward, a gear teeth strip on one side of said first link rod stretches a spring so as to open a sun roof by extending the second main support rod, the second link rod and the third main support rod; the rotors are retained on the slopped surface for fixing the main support bracket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automated awnings, more particularly to an automated awning capable of opening and closing automatically, therefore saving space, operation time and manpower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional automated awnings used in automobiles shield solar radiations from inside the car, which cannot prevent the absorption of solar radiations by the car bodies and the temperature rise within the cars. It is a further disadvantage that the awnings should be installed on each of the car windows and the wind shield and that they have to be taken down when the car is in use, which is very inconvenient. Another type of awnings is for being used with outside coffee tables. The awnings of this type have large surface area, which are difficult to install and will occupy storage space when they are not in use. Therefore, the present invention provides an automated awning capable of opening and closing automatically, thereby saving space, operation time and manpower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automated awnings, more particularly to an automated awning capable of opening and closing automatically, therefore saving space, operation time and manpower. The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.
To achieve above object, the present invention provides an automated awning, comprising: a screw rod for urging a first support rod and a second support rod to slide along an axial direction, the also pushing a free rotor and a fixed rotor so as to drive a main support bracket and a first main support rod; a tube body enclosing the screw rod and mounted on a mount, the a tube body further including; a first support rod is provided with a block piece, whereby the first support rod will be stopped by a ring stop on one side of the tube body, a front end of the first support rod being further provided with a fixing mount, whereby a first support rod and a tube body will be held together tightly by an outer ring stop of the tube body; a second support rod with a top fixing mount provided with inner grooves of different depth, a slopped surface and an inner screw thread, the second support rod containing a free rotor and a fixed rotor, the second support rod further including a block piece for engaging with ring stop at one end of the first support rod; a main shaft connected to the screw rod through a sleeve by a screw; and a main support bracket disposed between the main shaft and the second support rod, the main support bracket further comprising a first main support rod with one end connected to the main support bracket and driven by the main support bracket to carry a main link rod and a first link rod, a main link rod with a first end connected to a fixing mount of a second main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on the first main support rod, a first link rod attached with a spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a second main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on the main link rod, a second main support rod attached with a spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a first main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on a third main support rod, a second link rod with a first end connected to the first main support rod and a second end connected to a third main support rod and a third main support rod with free first end and a second end connected to the second main support rod and the second link rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the fist preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged local portion of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged local portion of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an exploded lateral cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a top view and a front cross-sectional view, respectively of the components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged local portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed on a car roof; where FIG. 7A is an upper view, FIG. 7B is a lateral view and FIG. 7C is a front view.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a preferred embodiment of the present invention opened on a car roof; where FIG. 8A is a lateral view and FIG. 8B is a front side view.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show a preferred embodiment of the present invention opened to cover a car body; where FIG. 9A is an upper view, FIG. 9B is a lateral view and FIG. 9C is a front view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 2-A, 3 and 4A and 4B, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as an automated awning comprises a screw rod 100, a first support rod 200, a second support rod 300, a block piece 4, a main shaft 500 and a main support bracket 600. The main shaft 500 is connected to a screw rod 100 through a sleeve 20 by a screw 10. if the screw rod 100, further comprising coaxially engaged and mutually contractible tube parts A, B, C and D (11, 12, 13 and 14), is driven, the first support rod 200 and the second support rod 300 can move backward or forward. The tube part D 14 further comprises a push head 140 for pushing a free rotor 30 and a fixed rotor 40, whereby the screw rod 100, coupled with the first support rod 200 and the second support rod 300, will move in the forward or backward direction. The main support bracket 600 is disposed between the main shaft 500 and the second support rod 300, and a spring 50 is disposed between the main support bracket 600 and the main shaft 500. There are deep and shallow grooves 1, 2 and a slopped surface 3 within the second support rod 300; the free rotor 30 and the fixed rotor 40 are inserted therein. A tube body is mounted on a mount and enclosing the first support rod. The front end of the tube body 400 is provided with an inner ring stop 410 and an outer ring stop 410. The tube body 400 is then inserted into an outer tube 700.
The main shaft 500 is mounted on a cover body 70 and connected to the screw rod 100 via a sleeve 20 by a screw 10. The second support rod 300 is enclosed by the screw rod 100, and the first support rod 200 is enclosed by the second support rod 300. The main support bracket 600 is disposed between the main shaft 500 and the second support rod 300, and the spring 50 is disposed between the main support bracket 600 and the main shaft 500. The tube body 400 encloses the first support rod 200 and is then mounted on the mount. It is then inserted into an outer tube 700. The first support rod 200 has a hexagonal cross section encircled by a block piece 4, by which the first support rod 200 will be stopped by the ring stop 410 on one side of the tube body 400. The front end of the first support rod 200 is further provided with a fixing mount 410, by which the first support rod 200 and the tube body 400 will be held together tightly by an outer ring stop 430 of the tube body 400.
The second support rod 300 has a hexagonal cross section encircled by a block piece 4, by which the second support rod 300 will be stopped by the ring stop 410 on one side of the first support rod 200. The front end of the second support rod 300 is further provided with a fixing mount 310, by which the first support rod 200 and the second support rod 300 will be held together tightly by an outer ring stop 430 of the tube body 400.
In the preferred embodiment described above, the fixed rotor 40 is further provided with a plurality of bulged outer pieces 401, and the free rotor 30 is provided with a plurality of depressed outer pieces 301. Thereby, when the screw rod 100 is drawing the tube parts A, B, C and D (11, 12, 13 and 14), the main support bracket 600 is retained against the slopped surface 3 for confining the free rotor 30 and the fixed rotor 40. The drives the screw rod 100 for pushing the free rotor 30 to engage with the fixed rotor 40, so that the fixed rotor 40 will rotate over a predetermined angle and then be guided by the slopped surface 3 to enter the deep groove 2.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second support rod 300 is provided with a fixing mount 310 corresponding to an engagement head 311 and connected to a main link rod 51. The main link rod 51 has a first end connected to a fixing mount 310 of a second main support rod 54 and a second end connected to a predetermined location on said first main support rod 52. The main support bracket 600 is disposed between the main shaft 500 and the second support rod 300. The main support bracket 600 further comprises a first main support rod 52 with one end connected to the main support bracket 600 and driven by the main support bracket 600 to carry a main link rod 51 and a first link rod 53. The main support bracket 600 is further provided with a taper shank twist connector 610 for compressing spring 50 by pushing against a flange 510 around the main shaft 500. The rear end of the taper shank twist connector 610 is supported against the fixed rotor 40 and the free rotor 30. The connecting section 611 of the taper shank twist connector 610 is connected to the first main support 52 and then drives the main link rod and the first ink rod 53. The first link rod 53 is attached with a spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a second main support rod 54 and a second end connected to a predetermined location on said main link rod 52. The second main support rod 54 is attached with a spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a first main support rod 52 and a second end connected to a predetermined location on a third main support rod. The second link rod has a first end connected to a first main support rod 52 and a second end connected to a third main support rod and a third main support rod with free first end and a second end connected to the second main support rod 54.
Referring to FIG. 6, the screw rod 100 is driven for urging the first support rod 200 and the second support rod 300 to slide along an axial direction. The screw rod 100 also pushes the free rotor 30 and the fixed rotor 40 so as to drive the main support bracket 600 and the first main support rod 52. The first main support rod 52 is lifted by the main support bracket 600, simultaneously driving the main link rod 51 and the first link rod 53. A gear teeth strip on one side of the first link rod 53 stretching a spring so as to open a sun roof by extending the second main support rod 54, the second link rod 56 and the third main support rod 55. The rotors 30, 40 are retained on the slopped surface 3 for fixing the main support bracket 600. The spring 50 is stretched between the main support bracket 600 and the taper shank twist connector 610 due to the opening of the cover body 70 by the forwardly moving main shaft 500.
Refer to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8B, and 9A to 9C for another preferred embodiment, wherein the automated awning 800 is mounted atop a car 900 said slopped surface 3 is for confining said free rotor 30 and said fixed rotor 40, thereby said main support bracket 600 being retained; said driving said screw rod 100 for pushing said free rotor 30 to engage with said fixed rotor 40 and then be guided by said slopped surface 3 to enter said deep groove 2. The screw rod 100 is driven for urging the first support rod 200 and the second support rod 300 to slide along an axial direction. The screw rod 100 also pushes the free rotor 30 and the fixed rotor 40 so as to drive the main support bracket 600 and the first main support rod 52. The first main support rod 52 is lifted by the main support bracket 600, simultaneously driving the main link rod 51 and the first link rod 53. The first main support rod 52 is descended by the main support bracket 600. The main link rod 51 and the first link rod 53 are converging toward the second support rod 300 simultaneously. A contractible spring pulls back the second main support rod 54, the second link rod 56 and the third main support rod 55. The first support rod 200, the second support rod 300, the main link rod 51, the various main support rods and link rods are drawn into the outer tube 700, thereby achieving a closing process saving manpower and time and a closing configuration saving space.
The taper shank twist connector 610 of the main support bracket 600 is engaged with the fixed mount 310 of the second support rod 300 when said automated awning 800 is in a closed configuration. The taper shank twist connector 610 of the main support bracket 600 keeps a proper distance to the fixed mount 310 of the second support rod 300 when the automated awning 800 is in an open configuration.
The present invention is thus described, and 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 present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An automated awning, comprising:

a screw rod for urging a first support rod and a second support rod to slide along an axial direction when said screw rod is driven, also pushing a free rotor and a fixed rotor so as to drive a main support bracket and a first main support rod;

a tube body enclosing said screw rod and mounted on a mount;

said first support rod provided with a first block piece, whereby said first support rod will be stopped by a ring stop on one side of said tube body, a front end of the first support rod being further provided with a fixing first mount, whereby said first support rod and said tube body will be held together tightly by an outer ring stop of said tube body;

said second support rod with a top fixing second mount provided with inner grooves of different depth, a slopped surface and an inner screw thread, said second support rod containing said free rotor and said fixed rotor, said second support rod further including a second block piece for engaging with ring stop at one end of said first support rod;

a main shaft connected to said screw rod through a sleeve by a screw; and

said main support bracket disposed between said main shaft and said second support rod, said main support bracket further comprising a first main support rod with one end connected to said main support bracket and driven by said main support bracket to carry a main link rod and a first link rod, a main link rod with a first end connected to a fixing third mount of a second main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on said first main support rod, said first link rod attached to one end of a spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a second main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on said main link rod, a second main support rod attached to another end of said spring with a first end provided with a teeth strip that is engaged with a gear wheel on a first main support rod and a second end connected to a predetermined location on a third main support rod, a second link rod with a first end connected to said first main support rod and a second end connected to said third main support rod and said third main support rod with a free first end and a second end connected to said second main support rod and said second link rod.

2. The automated awning of claim 1 further comprising an outer tube.

3. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said screw rod further comprises four tube parts of various diameters, achieving a contractible rod.

4. The automated awning of claim 3 wherein one of said tube parts is provided with a back-and-forth movable push head for pushing said free rotor and said fixed rotor.

5. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said second support rod is provided with said outer ring stop for confining said first support rod with said second support rod.

6. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein a spring is disposed between said main support bracket and said main shaft.

7. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said main support bracket is provided with a taper shank twist connector whose top end compresses said spring against a flange around said main shaft, and whose rear end is supported against said free rotor and said fixed rotor.

8. The automated awning of claim 7 wherein said taper shank twist connector further comprises a connection portion connected to said first main support rod.

9. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said main support bracket further comprises an engagement section for connecting said main link rod.

10. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said fixed rotor is provided with a plurality of bulged outer pieces.

11. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said free rotor is provided with a plurality of depressed outer pieces.

12. (canceled)

13. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said first main support rod is lifted by said main support bracket, simultaneously driving said main link rod and said first link rod; a gear teeth strip on one side of said first link rod stretching a spring so as to open a sun roof by extending said second main support rod, said second link rod and said third main support rod; said rotors being retained on said slopped surface for fixing said main support bracket.

14. (canceled)

15. The automated awning of claim 1 wherein said taper shank twist connector of said main support bracket is engaged with said fixed second mount of said second support rod when said automated awning is in a closed configuration; said taper shank twist connector of said main support bracket keeping a proper distance to said fixed mount of said second support rod when said automated awning is in an open configuration.