Europäisches Patentamt

(19) European Patent Office *EP001331322A1*

Office européen des brevets (11) EP 1 331 322 A1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.7: E04F 10/06

30.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/31

(21) Application number: 03250267.6

(22) Date of filing: 16.01.2003

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: van Wageningen, Jaap

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR 5653 PH Eindhoven (NL)
HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States: (74) Representative: Smith, Samuel Leonard
AL LT LV MK RO J.A. Kemp & Co.,
14 South Square,
(30) Priority: 16.01.2002 EP 02075173 Gray’s Inn
London WC1R 5JJ (GB)
(71) Applicant: Mado Nederland B.V.
NL-5652 AX Eindhoven (NL)

(54) Articulated awning support arm for a retractable and extendable awning

(57) Articulated awning support arm (13) for a re- ting manner to the other of the first and second arm sec-
tractable and extendable awning, the articulated arm in- tions (23,25).
cluding:

an elongate first pivoting arm section (23);

an elongate second pivoting arm section (25);
a central hinge (29) defining a pivot axis generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at least
one of the first and second arm sections (23,25),
the central hinge (29) being arranged to pivotally
connect the first arm section (23) to the second arm
section (25);
a resilient element (151,153) associated with at
least one of the first and second arm sections
(23,25) for pivotally biasing the other of the first and
second arm sections (23,25) towards the arm sec-
tion associated with the at least one resilient mem-
ber (151,153); and
a swivel element (187) associated with the central
hinge (29), so as to share the pivot axis of the cen-
tral hinge (29), the swivel element (187) having a
first outrigger (191,193) and a second outrigger
(195,197) angularly spaced from the first outrigger
(191,193);

wherein one end of the at least one resilient mem-

EP 1 331 322 A1

ber (151,153) is connected in a force transmitting man-

ner to the one arm section, with which it is associated,
the other end of the at least one resilient member
(151,153) being operatively connected to one of the first
and second outriggers (191,193,195,197) of the swivel
element (187), so as to apply a tensioning force thereto
and the other of the first and second outriggers
(191,193,195,197) being connected in a force transmit-

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 1 331 322 A1
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to retractable
awnings or like sunprotection window coverings. In such
retractable awnings a fabric or cloth sheet material is
rolled or unrolled onto or from a roller and a forward end
of the fabric. wich is attached to a movable front bar, is
guided and supported by a pair of collapsible arms. The
collapsible arms together with the front bar define a col-
lapsible frame, which is supported by the same structure
that also supports the roller. Such retractable and ex-
tendable awnings are generally known and usually com-
prise biasing means acting on the collapsible frame to
urge the awning sheet and frame towards the extended
position.
[0002] Suitable arrangements for biasing awning
arms into an extended position are described a.o in GB
1.175.723; EP 0,125,727, EP 0.489.186 and EP
0.795.660. In particular these documents show the ar-
rangement of tension springs and the use of different
forms of flexible elements. such as cables: chains and
flexible belts or strips. One problem associated with
such arrangements is that the required length of spring
extension or compression, to act during the full move-
ment of such arms, is rather large. Another problem as-
sociated with such arrangements is that the flexible el-
ements are deflected through angles and around radii,
which tend to be rather small in relation to their required
size. This and the rather high tension forces involved
tends to reduce the durability of these flexible elements.
[0003] Accordingly it is an object of the present inven-
tion to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the dis-
advantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the
present invention to provide alternative structures which
are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and
which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively.
The present invention thus has as an object to eliminate
inconveniences of the prior art by providing such an
awning with improved features.
[0004] To this end the present invention provides an
articulated awning support arm for a retractable and ex-
tendable awning, the articulated arm including: an elon-
gate first pivoting arm section; an elongate second piv-
oting arm section, a central hinge defining a pivot axis
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at
least one of the first and second arm sections, the cen-
tral hing being arranged to pivotally connect the first arm
section to the second arm section; at least one resilient
element associated with one of the first and second arm
sections for pivotally biasing the other of the first and
second arm sections towards the one arm section as-
sociated with the at least one resilient member; and a
swivel element associated with the central hinge, so as
to share the pivot axis of the central hinge the swivel
element having a first outrigger and a second outrigger
angularly spaced from the first outrigger: wherein one
end of the at least one resilient member is connected in
a force transmitting manner to the one arm section, with
2
which it is associated, the other end of the at least one
resilient member being operatively connected to one of
the first and second outriggers of the swivel element so
as to apply a tensioning force thereto and the other of
5 the first and second outriggers being connected in a
force transmitting manner to the other of the first and
second arm sections.
[0005] The invention also provides a retractable and
extendable awning. including at least one arm support
10 bracket. incorporating at least one articulated awning
support arm in accordance with the invention, a front
bar, a roller adapted to be mounted for rotation, a fabric
cloth for winding about and unwinding from the roller,
wherein the first arm section has a first end pivotally
15 linked to the bearing support and a second end, the sec-
ond arm section having a first end pivotally linked to the
second end of the first arm section and a second end
pivotally linked to the front bar.
[0006] Further aspects of the invention will be appar-
20 ent from the detailed description below of particular em-
bodiments and the drawings thereof, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a re-
tractable arm awning of this invention in an extend-
25 ed position;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the articu-
lated arms of the awning of Figure 1 in an extended
position;
- Figure 3 is a view of the arm similar to Figure 2. but
30 with certain parts removed to show the internal
structure thereof:
- Figure 4A is an exploded view of a first embodiment
of the central hinge of the articulated arm of Figures
2 and 3.
35 - Figure 4B is a slightly modified second embodiment
of the central hinge of Figure 4A, viewed from an
opposite direction; and
- Figure 5 is an enlarged partial side elvation of the
forked rear end as represented in Figure 3.
40
[0007] Figure 1 shows a retractable arm awning 1 of
the general type with which the present invention is con-
cerned. The awning 1 of Figure 1 has a wall mount cas-
sette 3 housing a roller 5 from which a fabric cloth 7 in
45 the extended position of the awning is extending and
supported by a collapsible support system comprising
a front bar 9 connected to a front edge of the fabric cloth
7 and two collapsible arms 11, 13. Each of the collaps-
ible arms 11, 13 is hingeably mounted from a corre-
50 sponding arm support bracket 15 and 17 respectively
and comprises first and second pivoting arm sections
19, 23 and 21, 25 respectively. Each of the first and sec-
ond arm sections are joined by a central pivot joint 27,
29 respectively and the second arm sections 21, 25 are
55 hingeably joined to the rear side of the front bar 9. The
front bar 9 preferably. but not necessarily, is shaped as
a lid to close the opening 31 in the cassette 3 from which
the fabric cloth and collapsible frame extend, when the
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awning is in a retracted position.
[0008] The awning of Figure 1 preferably includes
some mechanism for adjusting the angle 33 at which the
awning extends from a building wall (not shown).
[0009] For a description of a suitable collapsible arm
for use in a collapsible frame according to the invention
reference will now be made to Figures 2 though 5. Fig-
ure 2 shows a perspective view of a collapsible awning
arm corresponding to awning arm 13 of Figure 1.
[0010] Arm 13 has a first pivoting section 23 and a
second pivoting section 25. The first and second pivot-
ing sections are joined to one another by a central pivot
joint 29 and a front pivot 89 connects the front bar 9
(shown in Figure 1) to an opposite end of the second
pivoting section 25.
[0011] An end of the first arm section 23 opposite of
the central pivot swivel 29 carries a forked end 93 for
hingeably attaching to the arm support bracket 17
(shown in Figure 1). In this regard a hinge pin (not
shown, but conventional) will be inserted through re-
spective openings 95, 96 in an aligned arrangement with
a through bore of the arm support bracket 17(of Figure
1). The first and second arm sections 23, 25 each com-
prise a length of tubular profile 97. 99 respectively, which
can each be of an appropriate length in relation to the
desired drop of the awning and the extended length of
the awning cloth (7 in Figure 1). The forked end 93 is in
the form of a first end plug element 101, which partly
engages into the hollow interior of the tubular profile 97
The central pivot joint 29 is an assembly of second and
third plug elements 103, 105 The front pivot 89 is ar-
ranged on yet another, fourth plug element 107. Figure
3 the awning arm of Figure 2. but with the tubular profiles
97 and 99 removed to show the internal structure of the
collapsible awning arm 13 Figure 3 clearly shows a first
spring 151 and a second spring 153. These are tension-
ing springs and As shown in Figure 3. are in a relaxed
position. One end 155 of the first spring is attached to a
first link 157. while another end 159 of the first spring
151 receives a screw 161. The screw 161 is rotatably
held in the first end plug 101 and can be rotated from
the exterior of the first end plug 101 for increasing or
reducing the tension of the first spring 151. A further ex-
planation will follow in reference to Figure 5. The second
spring 153 has one of its ends connected to a second
link 163. which extends fro the central pivot joint 29 in a
direction opposite to the first link 157. A further expla-
nation on how the first and second links 157 and 163
co-operate with the central pivot joint will follow in refer-
ence to Figure 4. The other end of the second spring
element 153 can either be fixedly attached to the fourth
end plug 107 by a screw 165 or be adjustable as de-
scribed in relation to the first end plug 101. Also shown
in Figure 3 is that one or more of the spring ends can
receive a resilient end cap 167 to inhibit noise produc-
tion of the spring end if scraping against an inner wall
surface of tubular profiles 97 and 99 when fitted as
shown in Figure 2.
4
[0012] Figure 4 shows an exploded arrangement of
the major components constituting the central pivot joint
29. The secon plug element 103 is proveded with
spaced apertured upper and lower ears 169 and 171,
5 which are each provided with a through bore 173 and
175. The upper and lower bores 173 and 175 are aligned
with one another to accept a pivot shaft 177 The third
plug element 105 also has upper and lower ears 179
and 181 with corresponding upper and lower aligned
10 through bores 183 and 185 The ears 179 and 181 of the
third plug element 105 are spaced at a smaller distance
than those (169 and 171) on the second plug element
103 and snugly fit between those for pivoting around the
common pivot shaft 177 when mounted. For transferring
15 the spring force from the first arm section to the second
arm section, the central pivot joint is further provided
with a swivel 187, which fits between the upper and low-
er ears 179 and 181 of the third plug element 105 The
swivel 187 has a bore 189 to engage also about the
20 common pivot shaft 177 for angular rotation thereabout.
The swivel 187 also has a first pair of upper and lower
outriggers 191 and 193 as well as a second pair of upper
and lower outriggers 195 and 197. Each of the outrig-
gers of the first and second pairs have aligned receiving
25 means, such as apertures or the like, to receive a rele-
vant one of a first hinge pin 199 or a second hinge pin
201 respectively. The pairs of outriggers 191, 193 and
195, 197 are radially outwardly spaced from the central
pivot shaft 177 and also angularly spaced from one an-
30 other in an angle of between 60 to 120 degrees, prefer-
ably in the region of 90 degrees. The first link 157 is
pivotally received on the first hinge pin 199 and the sec-
ond link 163 is pivotally received on the second hinge
pin 201. Each of the first and second links 157 and 163
35 has an aperture 203, 205, respectively, to connect to a
relevant one of the first and second springs. The use of
two springs, in a serial arrangement as described,
brings the advantage that the total elongation required
is now distributed over two springs. rather than one or
40 more springs that are merely parallel as in the prior art.
To ensure that the compounded effect of adjustments in
the tension of the individual springs can be observed,
the swivel 187 can be provided with a marking, such the
indentation 207. to indicate the swivel's position in the
45 pivot joint.
[0013] In Figure 4B is shown, viewed from an opposite
direction, a slightly modified second embodiment of the
central hinge of Figure 4A. Like parts have been identi-
fied by the same reference numbers. As shown in the
50 partly exploded arrangement of Figure 4B upper and
lower beanng bushes 209 and 211 are interposed be-
tween the respective upper and lower ears 179, 181 of
plug element 105 and the swivel 187.
[0014] Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the tension
55 adjusting screw 161 in the first end plug 101 of the forked
end 93 in greater detail. The forked end 93 carnes the
aligned openings 95 and 96 for receiving a pivot pin (not
shown, but conventional) for pivotally mounting to an
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arm support bracket. The remainder of the plug element,
beyond the forked end (to the right thereof in Figure 5),
in use, is engaged within a tubular profile (item 97 in
Figure 2). The plug end in Figure 5 is seen to have an
anular ridge 209 against which a head 211 of screw 161
is retained by the tension of spring 151. The head 211
is provided with means for receiving a tool (not shown,
but conventional) so that it can be rotated for adjust-
ment. An aperture 213, which is aligned with the screw
head 211, allows adjestmet of the screw 161 and there-
by of the tension of spring 151 from outside of the forked
end 93, when inserted in its associated tubular profile,
such as illustrated in Figure 2 Spring end 159 is suitably
modified to accommodate a screw threaded portion to
co-operate with screw 161.
[0015] The skilled person may additionally be aware
of still further suitable constructions and further descrip-
tion is considered therefor to be redundant. It is thus be-
lieved that the operation and construction of the present
invention will be apparent from the foregoing descrip-
tion. The term comprising when used in this description
or the appended claims should not be construed in an
exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive
sense. Features which are not specifically or explicitely
described or claimed may be additionally included in the
structure according to the present invention without de-
viating from its scope.
[0016] The invention is further not limited to any em-
bodiment herein described and, within the purview of the
skilled person, modifications are possible which should
be considered within the scope of the appended claims.
Equally all kinematic inversions are to be considered
within the scope of the present invention
[0017] Reference to either axially, radially or tangen-
tially if used in the above is generally in relation to rotat-
able or cylindrical bodies of elements described.
[0018] Where in the above reference is made to lon-
gitudinal or lateral this is in reference to the length or
width directions respectively of elements which have an
oblong appearance in the accompanying drawings. This
interpretation however has only been used for ease of
reference and should not be construed as a limitation of
the shape of such elements.
[0019] Expressions, such as right, left, horizontal, ver-
tical, above, below, upper, lower, top, bottom or the like
if used in reference to the construction as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings are relevant to the relative
positions and in a different orientation of the construc-
tion should be interpreted in accordance with compara-
ble relative positions.
Claims
1. Articulated awning support arm for a retractable and
extendable awning, the articulated arm including:
an elongate first pivoting arm section;
6
an elongate second pivoting arm section;
a central hinge defining a pivot axis generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of at
least one of the first and second arm sections,
5 the central hinge being arranged to pivotally
connect the first arm section to the second arm
section;
a resilient element associated with at least one
of the first and second arm sections for pivotally
10 biasing the other of the first and second arm
sections towards the one arm section associat-
ed with the at least one resilient member: and
a swivel element associated with the central
hinge, so as to share the pivot axis of the central
15 hinge , the swivel element having a first outrig-
ger and a second outrigger angularly spaced
from the first outrigger;
wherein one end of the at least one resil-
ient member is connected in a force transmit-
20 ting manner to the one arm section, with which
it is associated, the other end of the at least one
resilient member being operatively connected
to one of the first and second outriggers of the
swivel element, so as to apply a tensioning
25 force thereto and the other of the first and sec-
ond outriggers being connected in a force
transmitting manner to the other of the first and
second arm sections
30 2. Awning support arm in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the first outrigger carries a first pivot bear-
ing and the second outrigger carries a second pivot
bearing the at least one resilient member being con-
nected to one of the first and second pivot bearings.
35
3. Retractable and extendable awning, including at
least one arm support bracket, at least one arm in
accordance with claim, 1, a front bar, a roller adapt-
ed to be mounted for rotation, a fabric cloth for wind-
40 ing about and unwinding from the roller, wherein the
first arm section has a first end pivotally linked to
the bearing support and a second end, the second
arm section having a first end pivotally linked to the
second end of the first arm section and a second
45 end pivotally linked to the front bar.
4. Awning according to claim 3, wherein the first piv-
oting arm section and the second pivoting arm sec-
tion include first, second, third and fourth plug ele-
50 ments.
5. Awning according to claim 4, wherein the the first
and second pivoting arm sections include first and
second tubular profiles and wherein the first and
55 second plug elements are inserted in the first tubu-
lar profile, while the third and fourth plug elements
are inserted in the second tubular profile.
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