US2755082A - Awning box lid operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1956 E. P. D'AZZO AWNING BOX LID OPERATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1952 July 17, 1956 E. P. D'Azzo 2,755,082

AWNING BOX LID OPERATING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 9 AWNING BOX LID OPERATING MEfiHANISM Errol P. DAzzo, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 22, 1952, fierial No. 322,6)35

Claims. (Cl. 268-74) This invention relates to an improved operating mechanism for opening and closing. lids or closures for awning housing boxes, and one of its objects is to provide an operating. mechanism which can be installed with a mini mum number of workmen and at the lowest practical cost.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lid or box closure operating mechanism which will provide a greater opening movement of the lid or closure than is now possible, and permit of the location of the gear mechanism well below the main operating shaft.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lid or box closure operating mechanism with a main shaft, lever arms mounted on the main shaft to swing with the same, brace bars pivotally connected with the lever arms to stiffen the extruded or formed metal lid or closure, and a gear mechanism for rocking the main shaft in both directions, which has driving connection with the main shaft through a lever arm mounted on its own main shaft, and a link bar having pivotal connection with this lever arm of the gear mechanism and with another lever arm mounted on and secured to the first main shaft, the whole being so arranged that mechanism motion is transmitted from the shaft of the gear mechanism, which can be located below the main operating shaft, and adapted to permit of variations in leverage between the gear mechanism and the main operating shaft, without changing the ratio of the gear mechanism.

With the above and other objects in view the invention comprises certain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification, and fully illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an awning housing box, showing the lid in closed position.

Fig. 1A is a detail side elevation of a crank arm.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the lid in raised position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, before the lid has been mounted in position, a portion being broken. away for convenience.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, showing the connection between a pivotal lid brace and the lower end of the lid.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, enlarged, showing one side of the adjustable clamp for supporting. the worm gear in any favored angular position, and Fig. 5A shows the other side of theadjustable clamp.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the hanger for the lid and the detachable and pivotal brace connection therewith.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation thereof.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the adjustable clamp construction.

Fig. 9 is a detail prospective view showing one of the interlocking jaws of the clamp.

Fig. 1.0 is a detail plan view of a companion jaw.

Fig. 11- is a detail side elevation of a clamp jaw.

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Fig. 12 is a detail end view of a spring shaft retainer for the shaft bracket.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates an awning housing box having a vertical back wall 11, a top or ceiling wall 12, and a bottom wall 13. Within this box, which is constructed with an open front side 14, the usual awning winding and unwinding roller 15 is mounted, and a worm gear mechanism 16 provided for operating the same.

The top or ceiling wall 12 is equipped with a plate 17, having a down turned forward edge 17a, spaced forwardly of the front edge of the top or ceiling wall. Below this pendant edge 17a a main operating shaft 18 is supported in place by means of U-shaped bearing hangers 19, mounted by base plates 19a and bolts 20 to the top or ceiling wall 12. Each of the bearing hangers 19 is constructed so that the shaft 18 may be placed horizontally above a series of similar hangers mounted in straight line formation on the top wall 12, and then lowered into the U-shaped shaft seats 1% of these hangers. The shaft 18 is thereby supported below the plane of the top wall 12 and forwardly of the front side of the box.

On the shaft 18 a plurality of similar lid raising. and lowering arms 21 are mounted on the shaft by means of their integral hubs 22 and the set screws 23, threaded through the hubs against the shaft 18. Each arm is formed with a cast overlying curved portion 24, which is moulded and integral with the downwardly extending lever arm 25, which in a closed position, extends well below the horizontal plane of the main shaft 18.

A moulded or formed metal lid or closure plate 26, having a sloping upper portion 26a, is attached thereby to the overlying integral arm 24, of each lid raising and lowering arm, by means of the screws or fasteners 27, extended into the overlying arm 24. The moulded or formed cover or lid plate 26 is then arched outwardly in a convex curve at 28, and slanted inwardly and rear- Wardly and provided on its lower end with an approximately horizontal flange 29, having a terminal upset or vertical edge 29a.

The forward side of the lever 25 is also slanted rearwardly and downwardly in spaced relation to the arched lid or cover plate 26, and reduced in diameter or thickness at its lower end. This lever arm is formed with a flat seat 30, and with an undercut lip or jaw 31, spaced lengthwise from the fiat seat 30. The upper end of the flat brace bar 32 is pivotally secured by the screw or rivet 33 to the flat seat and is provided with a curved and bevelled upper end 34, which is designed to have interfitting engagement with the undercut lip or jaw 31, when the brace bar 32 is swung to lengthwise relation. on the lever arm 25, and when this is done, the brace bar 32 will be held against pivotal movement.

The lower end of the brace bar 32 is provided with a lateral finger 32a, which seats on the flange 29, and this finger is secured to the flange by means of the screw 3215. When this is done the lid or cover plate will be rigidly secured to the lever arms 25, so that the lid or cover plate will swing freely with the lever arms. The number of lever arms 25 used depends on the length of the lid or cover plate, which may be as much or more than thirty feet horizontally.

On one end of the main operating shaft 13 a lever arm 35 is mounted by means of its integral hub 36 and the set screw 37 threaded through this hub against the shaft 18.

The lever arm 35 normally extends rearwardly and the upper end of a pull and push link 36a is pivotally connected to the rear end of the lever arm 35 by the pin or bolt 37a. The lower end of the pull and push link 36:: is pivotally connected at its lower end to the upper end of the lever arm 38, mounted on the drive shaft 39 of the lower worm gear mechanism 40. The drive shaft 39 carries the usual worm gear 41, enclosed by the housing box 42, and this gear wheel is turned by means of the worm 43 mounted on the shaft 44, which extends downwardly and forwardly for manual operation.

When the lever arm 38 of the gear drive shaft 39 is caused to swing downwardly and forwardly the link 36 is forced downwardly and forwardly, and the upper lever arm 35 is forced downwardly, thereby rocking the main operating shaft 18 to cause all of the lever arms 25 to lift the lid or cover plate, to the position shown in Fig. 2, by continued operation of the gear mechanism 40.

The lever arms 35 and 38 are shown to be approximately equal, but it is understood that the lever arm 38 may be longer than the lever arm 35, so that a greater swinging movement may be imparted to the lid or cover plate 26.

This mechanism permits the mounting of the gear mechanism below the main operating shaft 18 and well to the rear of the awning housing box, so that there is no internal obstruction to the opening of the lid or cover plate. It also relieves the gear mechanism of a direct load thrust upon it, due to the cooperating lever arms and connecting link.

Any differential movement between the manual shaft 44 and the lever arm 38 may be used, by changing the gear ratio between the worm and the worm gear wheel, either to increase this ratio or to reduce it, without altering the lengths and ratio of the lever arms and the link. The complete mechanism, therefore, provides for variation of the leverages in the lever and link system and variation of gear ratio in gear mechanism, or both.

With my improved equipment two men can do the work now required for four or even six men. The hangers are first mounted in place, the crank or lever arms 25 are positioned on the shaft 18, and then this shaft carrying the spaced lever arms 25 is mounted on the hangers. The long extruded or formed lid or cover plate is then attached to the lever arms 25, and the brace bars are swung from lateral or angular positions, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, to straight line positions, and their lower ends are coupled to the flanged end of the cover or lid plate, as shown in Fig. 4. At any stage of the operation the gear mechanism may be installed and the link connected to the lever arms 35, previously attached to the main shaft 18, and then to the lever arm 38 of the gear mechanism.

This construction also permits the use of a less eztpcn sive gear mechanism, because part of the work done is performed by the lever and link system.

It is understood that various changes in the arrangement and construction of details, their combination and mounting may be made in carrying out the invention in various installations, within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims hereof.

In order to retain the shaft 13 in its U-shaped bearings when this shaft is rocked to lift the lid 28, each U-shaped bearing is equipped with a spring retainer. The bearing 19b is formed with an integral hook 19d, which is engaged by the forward cross bar 19c of the spring 195. This spring is provided with arched side bars 19] and 19g, each of which is formed with a spring coil 1%, and the two spring coils are connected to each other by means of the cross bar 19 shown in Fig. 14. The cross bar 19 is placed under the bearing arm 19 and the cross bar 1% is forced over and under the hook 19d. As the arched side bars 19 and 19g ovcriie the shaft 18 any tendency of this shaft to leave its bearings when it is rocked will be prevented by the spring side bars 19f and 19g.

Each worm gear mechanism is provided with a stud shaft 56, on one side thereof. Each shaft is engaged by a clamp which is shown in Figs. 5, A, 8, 9, and ll.

Referring to these figures, a base housing is indicated at 50, which is shown to be provided with a base attaching flange 51. The housing extends at right angles to this base flange, and is provided with parallel side walls 52 and 53, which are spaced apart to receive the bar 54, which is formed with transverse holes 540 and 54b, spaced longitudinally from each other and centrally of the side edges of the bar 54. A bolt 540 is extended through the side walls 52 and 53, and through one of the holes of the bar 54, and the nut 54d is threaded on this bolt to secure the bar 54 in place.

he outer end of the bar 54 is formed with an integral crescent shaped cross bar 55, the inner side of which is formed arcuate and provided with internal teeth 55a to grip the stub shaft 56. One end of this bar 54 is formed with a straight edge 55b, non-radial to the center of the arcuate inner side and the center of the stub shaft 56. The other side of this arm is provided with diagonal faces 55c and 55d, which are formed only on one side of the arm. On the other side of the arm a single diagonal face 552 is formed.

The integral cross bar 55 is engaged by a detachable clamp member 60, which is provided with a concave inner side having internal teeth 60a to grip the stub shaft 56. This clamp member is formed with a diagonal face 600 and 6011, which mate with the diagonal faces 55c and 55d of the cross bar 55, and with a single straight edge 55c, which mates with the straight edge 55b. On the opposite side of the clamp member a single diagonal face 60] is formed which mates with the diagonal face 556 of the bar 55. The clamp member 60 is formed with an integral hook lug 60g, which engages the upstanding lug 55]: formed on the bar 55. A bolt 61 extends through the lower end of the bar 55 and the lower end of the clamp member 60 to lock the clamp member to the bar 55. To prevent the upper ends of the bar 55 and of the clamp member 60 from shifting laterally of each other, interlocking lugs are formed on these two members. The bar 55 is formed with lugs 55k and 55m, which are staggered, as shown in Fig. 11. The clamp member 60 is formed with integral lugs 60k and 60121, which are also staggered, and which interlock with the lugs 55k and 55m, and thereby prevent lateral displacement of the upper ends of the clamp member and bar 55.

The interlocking engagement between the bar 55 and the clamp member 60, at the upper ends of the two members, a single coupling screw at the lower ends of these members will effectively couple the two parts together, and at the same time will grip the stud shaft. The member 55 is formed with an internal lug or key 55, which is designed to fit in the keyway 56' of the stub shaft 56.

This construction is particularly useful in making it possible for a single workman on a high ladder to complete the mounting of the gear mechanism and to connect the associate working parts in place.

By means of the lever and link mechanism the gear mechanism for operating the lid shaft may be operated distantly from the lid shaft, and the gear boxes may be arranged one above the other. This arrangement also provides for variable lever operation of the lid shaft, and this also permits of the use of a gear mechanism of lower cost, since the leverage of the connecting levers and link reduces the direct load imposed on the gear mechanism, and a lighter unit can be used.

Having described my invention 1 claim as new:

1. An awning box lid operating mechanism, comprising a plurality of shaft hangers having U-shaped bearings, each of said hearings having an integral hook, a shaft mounted in said bearings for rotation, a spring member engaging said hook and retaining said shaft in its bearing, a plurality of lid raising lever arms mounted on the shaft, means for securing a lid to said lever arms, a brace bar for each lever arm having an upper arm pivotally secured to the lever arm and a lower arm connectable to the box lid, and an interfitting connection between the upper end of the brace bar and the lever arm.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1, including an undercut lip on each lever arm and a bevelled end on each brace bar engaging an undercut lip for securing the brace bar in straight line relation to the lever arm it engages.

3. A lid operating mechanism, comprising an awning housing box having an open front side, a shaft mounted horizontally on the box and below the top wall thereof, a lid mounted on the shaft to swing in both directions with the shaft, a lever arm mounted on the shaft, a gear mechanism having a drive shaft provided with a lever arm, a link pivotally connecting the lever arms to each other, a mounting support for the gear mechanism, said support including a base having a housing integral therewith, an arm slidable in the housing and provided with a concave shaft bearing formed with teeth and with portions extending outwardly on opposite sides thereof, a clamp member having a corresponding concave shaft bearing and provided with portions extending outwardly thereof in opposite directions, the portions of the two shaft bearings on one side of the same being provided with interlocking lugs constructed to resist sidewise and lateral displacement, and a screw extending through the remaining portions to secure the clamp member on the arm, and to grip a shaft disposed between the concave shaft bearings.

4. A lid operating mechanism for awning housing boxes, comprising a main operating shaft, hangers for supporting the shaft on the box, said hangars having U- shaped bearings with integral hooks, a spring member engaged by each hook retaining the shaft in its bearing, a lever arm mounted on the shaft, a gear mechanism provided with a drive shaft having a lever arm mounted thereon, a link connecting the lever arms to each other to rock the shaft first-named when the gear mechanism is operated, a plurality of lever arms mounted on the shaft first-named and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, a moulded lid attached to the lever arms and extending below the same, and a brace bar pivotally connected with the lower end of each lever arm and havinga lower end secured to the lower end of the lid, whereby the lid may be rigidly secured to all lever arms and brace bars.

5. A mounting support for the gear mechanism of an awning box, comprising a base having a base housing integral therewith, an arm slidable in the housing and provided with a concave shaft bearing formed with teeth and with portions extending outwardly on opposite sides thereof, a clamp member having a corresponding concave shaft bearing and provided with portions extending outwardly thereof in opposite directions, the portions of the two shaft hearings on one side of the same being provided with interlocking lugs constructed to resist sidewise and lateral displacement, and a screw extending through the remaining portions to secure the clamp member on the arm, and to grip a shaft disposed between the concave shaft bearings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,041,671 Reeser Oct. 15, 1912 1,098,821 Michalski June 2, 1914 1,688,578 Feilcke Oct. 23, 1928 2,192,478 Meeks Mar. 5, 1940 2,216,309 Bissell Oct. 1, 1940 2,219,461 Williams Oct. 29, 1940 2,304,960 Schane Dec. 15, 1942 2,528,953 Gzupkaytii Nov. 7, 1950 2,596,605 Scheller May 13, 1952

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