US2213141A - Collapsible awning - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 27, 1946. QJ. MATHER COLLAPS IBLE fAWNING- Filed Dec. 19, 1938 .5mm au:

3 Sheets-Sheet l d/LM MotM/m Aug.27,1940. QJMATHER 2,213,141

COLLAPSIBLE AWNING Filed Deo. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Carra/7527766 @woz/wana Patented Aug. 27, 19,40

UNTE' STATES rATNT ol-Fics S Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible awnings, and has particular reference to awnings of the type comprising a plurality of swingably mounted members swingable into erected or collapsed fcondition,

The primary objects of the invention are, to provide in such an awning operating means particularly adapted for use therewith for erecting and collapsing and maintaining said awning in either erected, collapsed, or any intermediate position; to provide each of said swingably mounted members with separate operating means to cooperate with an adjacent member; and to provide means for simultaneously controlling all of said separate operating means from a single source to cause a simultaneous equal amount of relative movement of all of said members.

e. still further object is to provide such an awning in which the parts are at all times firmly maintained in any desired position of adjustment so that, when applied to a vehicle, said awning does not rattle.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l represents a section on the line l-i of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows, of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention as applied to a window of a building, said window or window frame being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 2, a detail perspective view of one of the awning panels;

Figure 3, a detail perspective View of the operating member or cradle;

Figure 4, a vertical section through the vice shown in Figure l;

Figure 5, a detail vertical section through the overlapping portions of two adjacent panels showing the positions of their operating means in the nearly erected position of the awning;

Figure 6, a section on the line '5 6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7, a section on the line l-l of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8, a top plan View of the invention incollapsed condition, omitting the top portion of Referring now in detail to the drawings, the frame of the device in which vthe moving parts are contained or housed preferably consists of a rigid integral shell or casing or frame conforming in shape to the top of the window frame or opening to which it is to be applied. The shell or frame of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is intended for use with a substantially rectangular window and accordingly consists of substantially parallel longitudinally channeled legsy or sides i integrally connected at their upper ends to a transversely extending channeled member or top 2 to form a substantially inverted U-shaped frame.

As shown in the drawings, the legs l and top 2 of said channeled frame are preferably of U- shaped cross-section, the channels formed therein being connected or continuous and opening at the front of said frame.

The frame may be provided with any suitable means, such as screws 3, for mounting the device in a window, as in Figures 1 and 4 where the window frame is shown in dotted lines. lt should be noted that the device is disposed in the window on the outside of the Window sashes orpanes so as not to interfere with the operation thereof Fivotally mounted in nested relation for swinging movement in and out of the channeled portion of the frame are a plurality of rigid panels 5 conforming in shape to said channeled portion. In the preferred embodiment each of said panels 5 is of substantially U-shape or inverted U-shape, as shown in Figure 2, the legs i thereof preferably being fan shaped and provided at their lower ends with bearings or bearing holes 9.

All of the panels are pivotally mounted in nested relation one 'within another in the frame by means of pivot pins ll passing through the bearing holes 9 of their respective legs l. Each of said pivot pins ll extends through and is supported by the sides of one of the legs l of the frame and maintained in such position by suitable means, such as cotter pins ll passing transversely through one endthereof. The other end of each said pivot pin ll may be in the form of the usual bolt head, as shown.

In order to insure that the panels 5 of the device in operation willnot'interfere with each other it is desirable to provide spacers or washers i9 journalled on pivot pins -ll between the adjacent pivotally mounted legs l of each of the respective panels 5. Also it is to be noted that since the panels 5 are disposed in nesting relation and pivoted for swinging movement on a common axis, the legs 1 of each inner or lower panel 5 are somewhat shorter than the legs 1 of the adjacent upper or outer panel 5.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, it is desirable to form the top of eachpanel 5 and the top or top portion 2 of the supporting frame of slightly arcuate cross-section.

Each of said panels 5 and the outer portion of the casing is provided with an independent or separate operating cord o'r means in operative engagement with the respective adjacent lower panel to in operation cause a relative swinging movement between said panels 5.

It is preferred to carry out this feature of the invention by providing the outer portion of the casing, which functions as a stationary panel, and each of the pivotally mounted panels 5, with cord sheaths or guides or guide means consisting of hollow headings 2|, preferably integral with and extending along each edge of, the lower face of each of said panels 5 and the outer portion or stationary panel of the casing.

The respective guide channels or beadings or guides 2| of each of said panels 5 and the casing or frame are formed with oppositely disposed holes or apertures or cord openings 23 provided with rounded edges or other suitable means to prevent fraying or cutting of the operating cord 25 slidably passing therethrough.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings each panel5 and the casing is provided with two separate operating cords 25 to cooperate with the respective adjacent panel 5, although both of said cords 25 operate in the same way and only one is necessary to the successful operation-of the invention. However, the provision of two such cords 25 to each panel 5 serves as a safeguard in that, if one of said cords 25 frays or breaks, the operation ofthe device will not be interrupted or impeded.

Each of the exible cords or wires 25 extends from a point near the lower end of one leg 1 of its respective panelv 5 upward/through the beading 2| along one edge of said panel 5, .out of hole 23 of said beading and transversely across the under face of its respective panel 5 to be received in the oppositely disposed hole 23 of the beading 2| on the opposite edge of said panel 5 and back down through said beading 2| to the starting point.

The transversely. extending portion of each said flexible cord 25 of each panel 5 is attached by suitable means to the adjacent lower panel 5, the preferred attaching means consisting of lugs or stop lugs 21 xedly mounted on the upper face of each of said panels 5 in alignment with each set of oppositely disposed holes 23 in the beadings 2| of the panel 5 disposed immediately thereabove. Each said lug 21 may be formed with a bore or hole through which the transverse portion of the cooperating cord 25 is passed and provided with a set screw 29 at right angles to and extending into said hole to be tightened or screwed against the cord 25 to prevent said cord from sliding through said lug.

Preferably each said lug`21 is disposed in such a position with respect to the cooperating beadings 2| of the adjacent panels 5 that the beadings 2| of each said panel 5 act as limit stops for movement of their cooperating lugs 21. Thus, as may be seen in Figure 4, in the completely erected condition of the awning all of the lugs 21 of each panel 5 are in engagement with the respective front edge beadings 2| of the panels 5 disposed thereabove.

Preferably each lug 1- l is disposed at or near the rear edge of its respective panel 5 so that in the erected condition of the awning, as shown in Figure 4, the greater portion of each of said panels 5 may project outward in staggered relation clear of the panel disposed immediately thereabove. In the collapsed condition of the awning all of the lugs 21 rest against the respective rear edge beadings 2| of the panels 5, as in Figure 1.

It should be noted of course that the headings or guide channels 2| may be dispensed with in the lowermost or innermost panel 5, and the lugs 21 may be dispensed with on the casing or frame top 2. l

From the foregoing it may be seen that pulling on the ends of the cords 25 of a panel 5 or of the outer or stationary panel portion of the casing or frame causes swinging movement of the panel 5 disposed immediately therebeneath.

Any suitable means are provided for simultaneously pulling the cords 25 in the same direction to cause either a simultaneous outward swinging of the panels 5 to erected condition or a simultaneous inward swinging or telescoping thereof to collapsed condition.

The operating or actuating means of the preferred embodiment of the invention is a pivoted sheet metal or other suitable material member or cradle, shown in detail in Figure 3. Said cradle consists of a curved plate 3| provided with cord attaching means such as rows o'f holes 31 disposed along its straight end edges. Extending upward from each side edge of said plate 3| is an integral sector shaped side 33, said sides 33 being provided at their upper edges or extremities with axially 'aligned outwardly extending pivots or trunnions 35. If desired, a rigidly attached operating knob or handle 4| may be mounted on said cradle or actuating means.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the cradle is pivoted transversely across the inside of one of the legs 2 of the casing for swinging movement therein, the pivots or trunnions 35 being journalled or disposed in suitable bearings or bearing holes formed in the sides thereof. As thus disposed, the vbottom curved plate 3| lies beneath the ends of the panel legs 1 disposed in said casing and the sides 33 of the cradle lie between the group of panel legs 1 and sides of casing leg In order to prevent pivot pin of the panels 5 from interfering with the swinging movement of said cradle the sides 33 thereof are formed with arcuateslots 39 through which said pivot pins may be passed during assembly of the device.

'I'he ends of all the operating cords 25 leading from the .rear edge guide channels or headings 2| of all the panels 5 and the outer portion of 'the casingfunctioning as a stationary panel are respectively led aroundland under the Washers or spacers 9 which act as pulleys and thereafter fastened to the front edge of the cradle, as shown, as by knotting said cord ends through the respective holes 31 of said edge.

Similarly the ends of all the operating cords 25 leading from the front edge guide channels 2| of all the panels 5 and the casing are passed under the washers or spacer pulleys I9 and attached to the rear -edge of the cradle through holes 31.

Preferably the rear wall of the casing is cut away directly in back of the operating cradle, as at 43, so that the hand of the operator may be inserted through said opening 43 thus formed to properly grasp handle 4| to swing said cradle during operation of the device. If desired, the

-their respective ends in saidframe in nested reoperationg means or cradle may be suitably connected by any known means such as a rod or wires, etc. (not shown)` for operation from lnside the building or vehicle to which the device is applied without the necessity of opening the window thereof.

It may thus be seen that rearward swinging movement of the cradle or operating means causes a simultaneous pull on all the rope or cord ends attached to the rear edge of the cradle, said cord ends'being the ones which extend from the front edge headings 2| of the respective awning panels 5 and the casing, to cause a simultaneous relatively edual amount of outward swinging of all of the panels 5 toward erected position. Also, it may be seen that during the progress of said outward swinging movement of the panels 5 during erection of the awning, the movement of the cradle serves to let out the ends of cords attached to the rear edge of the cradle while exerting a pull on the opposite ends of said cords 25, thus at all times preventing any slack in said cords. Thus by suitabler manipulating and positioning of the operating handle di the awning may be placed and maintained in either erected or collapsed, or any intermediate position.

in order to collapse or telescope the awning the cradle may he .swung in the opposite or forward direction, with a consequent reverse in the direction of movementof said cords 25 and panels 5.

Any suitable means may be provided for locking the actuating means or cradle so as to maintain the awning in erected or collapsed condition or in any intermediate position, the preierred means consisting of rubber or ber or other high friction material washers iii mounted on shaft ll between the respective adjacent sides 33 of the cradle and the side walls of the frame leg l, to bear against said sides 33 and frictionally maintain the cradle in any desired position.

The device of this invention may he constructed of any suitable material such as sheet metal, preferably of a light weight metal such as aluminum, and manufactured by suitable sheet metal stamping operations, and as thus constructed is particularly well adapted for useon automobile or other vehicle windows due to the fact that the parts thereof are at all times iirmly maintained in any desired position oi'. adjustment so that all rattling is eliminated.

Although the preferred embodiment has been herein shown and described as of substantially il-shape, or inverted U-shape, for use in connections with rectangular windows, it is thought to be apparent that the shape, as well as numerous other- .details of structure, vmay be suitably modiiied to adapt the device for use with any shape or type of window without departing from the scope of the invention.

Also, it is to be noted that the headings or cord guides 2l of the preferred form of the invention serve to conceal the portions of the operating cords 25 disposed therewithin, and if desired, suitable provision (not shown) may be made for concealing the transversely extending portions of said cords or wires 25 from view.

I claim:

l. A collapsible awning comprising, an inverted substantially U-shaped channeled frame, a portion of said frame constituting a 4stationary awning panel, a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped panels pivotally mounted at lation one beneath vthe other for swinging movement about a common axis in and out of the channeled portion of said frame, and integral hollow headings extending along each edge of the lower face of each except the lo'wer of said panels, the headings of each of said panels being formed with oppositely disposed openings, and lugs iixedly mountedon the upper face of each pivotally mounted panel in alignment with the oppositely disposed openings in the headings of the panel thereabove, in combination with operating means comprising lindependent operating cords carried respectively by each of said panels,

'all of said operating cords passing around and close to the axis of swinging movement of said panels, each said operating cord being in the form of a loop having portions slidably disposed in each of the headings of its respective panel and ex- Atending transversely for movement across the lower face thereof through the oppositely disposed openings of said headings, the transverse portion of each said loop being xedly attached to a lug of the panel disposed therebeneath, and a common means for simultaneously controlling all or" said cords from a single source to cause a simultaneous relatively equal amount of movement of said pivotally mounted panels, said means comprising a cradle rockably mounted in said frame in xed engagement with allof said operating cords. y

2. A collapsible awning comprising, an inverted substantially U-shaped channeled frame, a portion of said frame constituting a stationary awning panel, a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped panels pivotally ,mounted in said in combination with operating means compris-' ing independent operating cords carried hy said panels, all of said cords passing around and close to the airisl of swinging movement of said panels, each said operating cord being in the form of a loop having portions slidably disposed in each of the headings of its respective panel and extending transversely for movement across the lower face thereof through the transversely opposed'openings of said headings, the transverse portion of each said cord being fixedly attached to the panel disposed therebeneath, and a cradle rockably mounted in said frame in xed engagement with all of said operating cords for simultaneously controlling all of said cords to cause a simultaneous equal amount of relative movement of said swingahlyI mounted panels.

3. A collapsible awning comprising a channeled frame, and a plurality of panels pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement about a common ams in and out of the channeled portion of said frame, in combination with operating means comprising separate operating cords respectively carried by said frame and each of said panels in engagement with its respective adjacent panel to cause relative swinging movement thereof, all of said cords passing around and close to the axis of swinging movement of said panels, and a cradle rockably mounted in said frame in engagement with all of said operating cords so that swinging movement of said cradle produces a simultaneous movement of all of said cords with a resulting swinging movement of all of said panels.

4. A collapsible awning comprising 'supporting means and a plurality of panels pivotally mounted in said supporting means, in combination with operating means comprising a, cord slidably mounted for transverse movement across each panel and in nxed engagement with an adjacent panel to in operation cause relative movement between said panels, all of said cords passing close to the axis of swinging movement of said panels.

5. A collapsible awning comprising supporting means, and a plurality of awning panels swingably mounted in said supporting means, in combination with operating cords operatively connected to each adjacent pair of panels to in operation cause relative swinging movement thereof, all of said cords passing close to the axis of swinging movement of said panels, and means for simultaneously controlling all of said operating cords.

6. A collapsible awning comprising supporting means, and a plurality of awning panels swingably mounted on said supporting means, in combination with separate operating means operatively connected to each adjacent pair of panels to in operation cause relative swinging movement thereof, all of said operating means passing near the axis of swinging movement of said panels.

7. A collapsible awning comprising supporting means, and a plurality of awning panels mounted in said supporting means for swinging movement about a common axis, in combination with operating cords connected respectively to each adjacent pair of panels, all of said operating cords extending to and being operable from a location near the axis of swinging movement of said panels.

8. A collapsible awning comprising supporting means, and a plurality of panels pivotally mounted on said supporting means for swinging movement about a common axis, in combination with operating means carried by each panel comprising an operating oord having a portion disposed for transverse movement across said panel, the transverse portion of said cord being attached to an adjacent panel to cause relative swinging movement thereof during transverse movement of said cord, and the respective ends of all of said cords passing around a point close to the common axis of swinging movement of said panels and being connected to each other for simultaneous actuation.

CARROLL JAMES M A'IHER.

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