GB2424425A

GB2424425A - Inflatable sun awning and conservatory

Info

Publication number: GB2424425A
Application number: GB0402430A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Woodcock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-12
Filing date: 2004-02-04
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Also published as: GB0400519D0; GB0402430D0

Abstract

A sun awning includes an upper inflatable tube (5) having a water ballast tube (2) located therein. The awning may be attached to a wall of a building and waterproof seal (14, 15, Figure 4) provided. The awning may further include a lower water ballasted foundation tube (6) and curtain sections (8) secured between the upper inflatable tube and the lower foundation tube to form a conservatory like structure. Alternatively the awning/conservatory may be suspended from an external frame (21, Figures 9-12).

Description

PAGE 1 INFLATABLE SUN AWNING/CONSERVATORY The invention relates to: A

portable sun awning, which has no mechanical component (except air inflating valves) that is suspended from a vertical surface or frame and is opened and supported by an inflated tube. From beneath this, curtain panels are hung; these are connected to an inflatable water ballasted foundation tube that has an optional built in groundsheet to form an enclosed waterproof conservatory type enclosure.

Individually, parasols, sun awnings, and conservatories are well known, but suffer the disadvantage that, they cannot interact with each other. The parasol is restricted by size because of its umbrella like opening mechanism and has to be taken down in the event of any wind. Sun awnings and conservatories are expensive to purchase and install so the many people who live in short- hold- tenancy rented accommodation are denied their use. The sun awning has complicated opening and closing mechanisms, these mechanisms restrict its use when there is a small amount of wind and are costly to repair. The conservatory requires an expensive concrete base and or footings with brickwork for support.

Access to the roof, guttering, fascias, and windows of the building, to which it is attached, is restricted and both require on-site maintenance in the event of weather or other damage, as they are not portable.

An object of this invention is to provide a dual-purpose lightweight portable sun awning that is opened and supported by an easy to inflate tube. This support tube, depending on size and model, houses an inflatable internal water ballasted tube to compensate for varying wind conditions and adds strength. The awning has no mechanical component (except air inflating valves) therefore is not susceptible to weather or other damage. The area beneath is easily enclosed by a choice of curtain panels to form a lightweight, conservatory type enclosure that requires no poles, guy ropes, concrete foundation, or brickwork for support. It is easily erected or taken down, allowing full access to the property, easily transportable and can be stored anywhere convenient Preferably, the awning and accessories are made from cotton or similar material, canvas, sheet rubber, moulded or formed plastics, p.v.c, hypalon, polyurethane, or other similar materials, of which are clear, coloured, multi-coloured, patterned or mosquito netting and the frame is made from wrought iron, wood, steel, aluminum or plastic or other similar materials.

Accordingly, this invention provides a lightweight portable sun awning that is opened and supported by an inflated tube which houses an integral inflatable water ballasted tube (depending on size and model) from which curtain panels are hung and connected by a means to an inflatable water ballasted foundation tube, which incorporates an optional built in ground sheet to form a portable waterproof conservatory type enclosure. PAGE2

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the front elevation of the sun awning mounted against a vertical surface with enclosure curtain panels fitted FIGURE 2 shows the side elevation of the sun awning with a curtain panel in place connected to the inflated water ballasted foundation tube FIGURE 3 shows a plan of the sun awning FIGURE 4 shows a side view of the sun awning on its own FIGURE 5 shows an example of connection to wall or other surface FIGURE 6 shows an example of the inflated water ballasted foundation tube FIGURE 7 shows a side profile of the sun awning FIGURE 8 shows alternative connection to wall or other surface FIGURE 9 shows a plan of an example shaped awning suspended from a frame 21 FIGURE 10 shows a front view of the example awning suspended from a frame 21 FIGURE 11 shows a plan of an example shaped awning suspended from a frame 21 FIGURE 12 shows a front view of the example awning suspended from a frame 21 As shown in Figure 1, the sun awning comprises a material cover I which is hung from a vertical surface as shown in Figure 5 by a metal rod 16 passing through metal rings 17 these are raw plugged into the wall in this instance, and from this cover is attached the inflatable support tube 5.

The main inflatable support tube 5 (depending on size and model) houses an internal ballast tube 2 which is part filled with water and inflated via valve 3 as shown in Figures 1 & 3 giving the awning strength and weight along its front edge to counterbalance against high winds lifting the awning.

Velcro 15 attaches a material strip 14 as shown in Figure 4 to the vertical surface and covers vent holes 4 in the sun awning as shown in Figure 1 & 2 this is to act as a seal between the awning & surface, a cover against rain over the vent holes 4 and a pressure release valve to prevent high winds lifting the awning.

The main support tube 5 is then inflated via valve 10 as shown in Figure 2, which creates a pendulum effect transferring the weight of the awning and internal water ballasted tube 2 onto the side tubes 10 shown in Figures 2 & 4 and then through a solid P.V.C. insert 11 as shown in Figure 4 to the wall, in

this example.

PAGE 3 Elasticized dampers 12 are connected to metal rings 13 raw plugged into the vertical surface as shown in Figure 4 to spread and hold the awning in its correct position and shape.

The sun awning is now ready for use.

To take the sun awning down the steps described above are carried out in the reverse order To store the sun awning against the wall the steps above are carried out in reverse order except the internal water ballasted tube 2 as shown in Figures 1 & 3 is re-inflated with air only, to create a roller. The sides of the main support tube 5 as shown in Figure 1 & 3 are folded toward the centre and as the awning is rolled up, it encases itself in its own material so it is neatly stored against the wall and then strapped by a means.

To use the awning as a conservatory type enclosure as shown in Figure 1 it should be erected as above without filling the ballast tube 2 as shown in Figure I & 3 with water and inflated with air only via valve 3 as shown in Figure 1 & 3.

The foundation tube 6 as shown in Figure 6 is partially filled with water and inflated via valves 19 ensuring it is plumb with the inflated main support tube 5.

The curtain panels 8 as shown in Figures 1 & 2 are secured by a means to the connecting strips 9 as shown in Figures 2 & 4 the awning is now connected to the foundation tube 6 and the curtain panels 8 hold the awning I down in the event of high wind.

To remove the curtain panels 8 the steps described above are carried out in the reverse order and the foundation tube 6 is deflated and emptied of water As shown in Figures 9,10,11 and 12 the awning, in these examples, is hung from its centre by a means from frame 21 and inflated via valve 10. The canopy is now locked in position by the frame and is ready for use.

To use the awning as an enclosure or take down, the steps described above are carried out.

Claims

PAGE 4 CLAIMS

1. A lightweight portable sun awning that is opened and supported by an inflated tube which houses an integral inflatable water ballasted tube (depending on size and model) from which curtain panels are hung and connected by a means to an inflatable water ballasted foundation tube, which incorporates an optional built in ground sheet to form a portable waterproof conservatory type enclosure

2. A lightweight portable sun awning as claimed in Claim I which has no mechanical component for opening, closing or support (except air inflating valves)

3. A lightweight portable sun awning I as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 that can be hung from its centre from a frame 21 and opened by inflating the support tube 5 as shown in Figure

4. A lightweight portable sun awning as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 or Claim 3 that incorporates an inflatable water ballasted foundation tube 6 Figures 1,2 or 6 at its base for connection of curtain panels

5. A lightweight portable sun awning as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 that incorporates an integral ground sheet 20 (Figure 6)

6. A lightweight portable sun awning as claimed in any preceding claim including material strip 14 as shown in Figure 2 for waterproof seal between awning and wall, and pressure release valve as described herein

7. A lightweight portable sun awning and accessories as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from cotton or similar material, canvas, sheet rubber, moulded or formed plastics, p.v.c. hypalon, polyurethanes, or other similar material, of which are clear, coloured, multi-coloured, patterned or mosquito netting and frame 21 as shown in Figures 9,10,11 & 12 from wrought iron, wood, steel, aluminum, or plastic or other similar materials

8. A lightweight portable sun awning substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1,2,4,6,9,10,11 & 12 of the accompanying drawings