Device for holding an awning

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a device for holding an awning (1), comprising:

• a support (4,4') which can be mounted on a wall (m);
• a displaceable bar (3) to which the awning fabric is to be attached;
• a roller which is mounted rotatably in the support (4,4') and on which the awning fabric can be wound in and out;
• at least one arm arranged on the support (4,4') and the bar (3) , which arm comprises a number of mutually pivotable arm parts;
• pivoting means for pivotally mounting the arm on the support (4,4'), wherein the pivoting means are adapted to pivot the arm non-adjustably and only laterally relative to the support (4,4').

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for holding an awning. The invention also relates to the use of such a device.

[0002] Holding constructions for awnings are generally known. Such a holding construction is usually assembled from a cassette which can be fastened to a wall and in which is arranged a rotatable roller. The fabric of the awning is fixed on one side to the roller and on the other to a bar or front strip which is displaceable relative to the cassette. When the bar is displaced from a starting position to an extended position, the fabric wound around the roller is unwound from the roller, while conversely the bar is once again returned to its starting position by winding the fabric onto the roller.

[0003] Particularly known are folding arm awnings wherein the arms between the cassette and the bar take an articulated form, i.e. the arms consist of two or more arm parts which are mutually pivotable.

[0004] Such a folding arm awning is for instance known from European Patent EP 1 122 378 A1. In such a folding arm awning the angle of inclination of the arms and the awning fabric relative to the wall is mechanically adjustable.

[0005] Mounting and adjustment of the holding construction of the known awning is however laborious and requires quite a number of working hours. Furthermore, the construction is rather complicated, which reduces the reliability thereof and increases the cost of manufacture thereof.

[0006] The known awning is moreover fixed directly on the wall, even in the case the wall is not flat. A non-flat wall can result in torsion in the holding construction during mounting, which has an adverse effect on the construction. In order to prevent retraction and extension of the screen moreover being made more difficult as a result of the twisted holding construction, the arms are given an adjustable form such that the angles of inclination of the arms relative to the wall are individually adjustable. The adjustability of the arms is therefore essential in ensuring proper retraction and extension of the screen in the case of non-flat walls.

[0007] Known from the European document EP 0 593 389 A1 is a blind wherein the angle of inclination of the holding arms is adjustable using intermediate components. These latter are arranged on a support fixed against the wall on either side of the casing or cassette of the blind, and comprise a flange provided with slotted holes. The casing can be fixed to the intermediate component using a bolt inserted into a slotted hole. This construction enables adjustment of the angle of inclination of the casing of the blind, and thereby of the arms thereof. The construction is however rather complex and requires many operations to attach it to the wall. The known construction can moreover result in the above stated problems in the case of non-flat walls.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for holding an awning in which the above stated drawbacks are obviated and which can be fixed quickly and easily to the wall.

[0009] In order to achieve this objective, there is provided a device for holding an awning relative to a wall, comprising:

• a support which can be mounted on the wall;
• a bar (3) which is displaceable relative to the support and to which the awning is to be attached;
• a roller which is mounted rotatably in the support and to which the awning is to be fixed for winding the awning in and out;
• at least one arm arranged on the support and on the bar, which arm comprises a number of mutually pivotable arm parts;
• pivoting means for pivotally mounting the arm on the support, wherein the pivoting means are adapted to pivot the arm non-adjustably and only laterally relative to the support.

[0010] The holding device in combination with the wall on which it is mounted behaves here as a rigid whole, wherein the angle between the awning fabric and the wall hereby remains the same within a small margin. Because the pivoting means are adapted to allow the arms to pivot only laterally relative to each other, it is possible to dispense with adjustment of the angle of inclination.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the support comprises a casing with a support element on either side and said arms are arranged at a non-adjustable, predefined angle of inclination relative to the support elements. The casing and the support elements form a rigid whole, for instance because the casing and support elements form a single component or because the different components of the casing and the support elements are attached fixedly to each other.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the pivoting means comprise a protrusion arranged rigidly on the support, wherein the protrusion and the associated outer end of the arm are suitable for accommodating a rotation shaft therein for rotatable mounting of an arm relative to the support. Such a construction is simple and robust and provides the desired ability to pivot in the lateral direction to enable retraction and extension of the awning. The arm is not rotatable in the other directions, with the consequence that in the mounted situation the angle of inclination between the wall and the arms (and the fabric) is constant.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the support is provided with mounting means for mounting thereof on the wall, and the mounting means are adapted to compensate unevenness in the wall. As already set forth above, possible unevenness in the wall can cause the holding construction of the awning to be twisted, thereby being placed under permanent mechanical stress. This is avoided by applying the mounting means which take account of the unevenness in the wall.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment, the mounting means comprise for this purpose a spacer for arranging between the support and the wall which compensates the unevenness, or at least the fact of the wall not being flat, by filling the space between the wall and the support in a situation where the support is not twisted. Twisting of the support will hereby not take place, even in the case of non-flat walls.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises position setting means for setting the position of the support relative to the wall or the spacer. If there is unevenness at the position of the mounting of the support on the wall, a spacer may in some cases not be suitable or is insufficiently suitable for mounting of the support at the correct position. Instead of or in addition to said mounting means, it is possible for this purpose to provide position setting means which fix the support relative to the wall or the spacer respectively such that the support can be mounted substantially untwisted but nevertheless firmly against the wall.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, such position setting means comprise a number of openings which are provided at different positions in the support and through which can be screwed bolts which engage in the wall or the spacer. By screwing the bolts in correct measure, i.e. providing a correct measure of spacing between the relevant bolt ends and the support, the support can still be fixed relative to the locally uneven wall. When the wall has unevenness in lateral direction, laterally offset openings will for instance be suitable for achieving this purpose, while when the wall is uneven in upward and downward direction, openings arranged one above another can provide a solution. Lateral unevenness will in practice be the most significant since, owing to the characteristic dimensions of the holding device (width many times greater than the height), this can potentially bring about the greatest torsion.

[0017] In addition or as alternative to the above stated mounting means, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprise one or more wedge-shaped elements which can be placed between the wall and the support for stepwise adjustment of the appropriate angle of inclination between the wall and the support when the device is mounted. The wedge-shaped elements herein define an angle (β) of between 2 and 10 degrees, preferably between 3 and 5 degrees, and more preferably 3.5 degrees. The angle of inclination can be adjusted in steps of β degrees by placing more or fewer elements.

[0018] For the fine adjustment of the angle of inclination the above mentioned position setting means comprise a pressure block for arranging between a wedge-shaped element and a support element, as well as an element for arranging in the support via an opening and supporting against the pressure block during use. If possible, the pressure block is herein positioned in the vicinity of one of the outer ends of a support element in order to enable proper adjustment of the angle of inclination of the support element relative to the wall.

[0019] Provided in each of the support elements is a recess, the form of which corresponds with that of the outer end of the pressure block resting against the support element. If the pressure block then has a chamfered surface, the pressure block fits within said recess. The angle of inclination can thus be adjusted as desired by increasing or decreasing the force exerted against the chamfered surface by the adjusting element.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment the adjusting element is an adjustment bolt for providing a continuous fine adjustment of the angle of inclination by tightening or loosening the bolt.

[0021] The invention also relates to the use of the above stated device.

[0022] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of a description of a preferred embodiment thereof. Reference is made in the description to the annexed figures, in which:

• figure 1 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of an awning according to the invention;
• figure 2 is a partly cut-away side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a further detailed side view of the embodiment of figure 2;
• figure 4 is a front view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention;
• figure 5 shows a rear view of the embodiment of figure 4; and
• figure 6 is a side view of the embodiment of figure 4.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a surface m (in most cases an upright wall, although this may also be any other random structural element) on which an awning 1 is arranged. The awning is assembled from a casing or cassette 2 and a front strip 3 movable relative thereto. The casing comprises on its outer ends a left and right-hand support 4,4' which are provided with a lower plate 5 and an upper plate 6. Arranged in lower and upper plates 5,6 are respective openings 8 into which can be inserted fastening means such as bolts 7. Support 4,4' is herein screwed fixedly to wall m by means of bolts 7.

[0024] Casing 2 is preferably manufactured from metal and therefore not very flexible. When wall m is not flat, it may occur that, when casing 2 is fixed to the wall using supports 4,4', some play occurs between supports 4,4' and wall m. When the supports are fastened by tightening bolts 7, a situation could occur where the casing is twisted that as a result of unevenness. This is not only disadvantageous for the construction of the casing 2 itself, but also has negative consequences for retracting and extending the awning in correct manner.

[0025] In order to compensate for the wall m not being flat, it is possible according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures to place a spacer block 9 between support 4,4' and wall m. Spacer block 9 here has a thickness such that it fully bridges the distance between wall m and the inner side of the relevant plate 5,6 of support 4, this distance being the consequence of the wall not being flat.

[0026] In the shown preferred embodiment the lower plate 5 of support 4,4' is provided with a recess 10, the dimensions of which correspond to those of spacer block 9. When a fastening bolt 7 is placed through opening 8 in plate 5 of support 4 and subsequently into spacer block 9 via opening 12, this recess 10 ensures that the spacer block remains in place when the bolt is screwed into the wall.

[0027] If moreover the wall m is uneven at the location where supports 4 are mounted, the unevenness can further be compensated by adjusting two pressure bolts 32,32'. These pressure bolts are arranged in two openings 31,31' arranged adjacently of opening 8. The pressure bolts are screwed into said openings 31,31' and protrude so far at the rear of plate 5 that they lie against a spacer block 9 or, when no spacer block 9 is present, against wall m. Pressure bolts 32,32' are here screwed so far through the openings that there is no longer any play between the outer ends thereof and the spacer block 9 or wall m. A correct fixation of support 4 is hereby effected, even when wall m is uneven at the position of the supports.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a partly cut-away side view of the embodiment of figure 1, wherein the awning is extended from the starting position shown in figure 1 to an end position. In this end position the fabric d, which is attached to front strip 3 at the one outer end, is for the greater part or fully unrolled from the roller 13 arranged rotatably in casing 2. Extension (and retraction) takes place by operating a handle 16 which engages on a winding mechanism which can drive the shaft 15 of roller 13 (arrow P1). If the winding mechanism causes the roller 13 to rotate in clockwise direction, the cloth d unrolls from the roller and the awning is extended. Conversely, if the winding mechanism rotates the roller in counter-clockwise direction, the cloth d is rolled up, which allows retraction of the awning.

[0029] The connection between front strip 3 and casing 2 takes place by means of one or more articulated arms 20. Arm 20 is herein constructed from a first arm part 21 and a second arm part 22 which are fixed to each other by means of a hinge 24. The second arm part 22 is moreover attached to front strip 3 using a hinge 23.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the connection of the first arm part 21 to support 4. Co-moulded on support 4 is a protrusion 25 in which there is arranged an opening for a rotation shaft. On the left-hand end of the first arm part 21 there is also provided a U-shaped bracket 26 in which a rotation shaft is arranged. The thus formed hinge construction between first arm part 21 and support 4 hereby takes a rigid form, which means that arms 20 can only be displaced in a single, usually lateral movement. In other words, the angle α (figure 2) between wall m and fabric d of the awning (and thereby also arm 20) is constant within a margin defined by the elastic properties of the material of the device.

[0031] The shown construction makes it possible to mount awning 1 directly on wall m, whereafter it is possible to dispense with adjustment of the angle of inclination. The angle of the cloth d relative to wall m always remains the same. The head height of the opened folding arm awning 1 hereby depends only on the height at which the awning is mounted.

[0032] Figures 4-6 show a further preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment one or more wedges 33,33' are placed between a support element 14,14' and the wall (m). The wedges are provided with openings 38 through which the above mentioned fastening means, such as bolts 7, can be inserted. Each of the wedges 33 defines an angle β as shown in figure 6. By arranging more or fewer wedges 33 between support element 14,14' and wall (m) the angle of inclination α' between the wall and arms 20 of the awning can be adjusted in steps of β degrees. In the shown embodiment there are arranged two wedge-shaped elements 33,33', each defining an angle of inclination β of 3.5 degrees. This means that the angle of inclination α is increased by about 7 degrees (α' = α - 2β) by arranging wedges 33,33'.

[0033] Provided on the underside of support element 14,14' is a recess 37 in which a pressure block 34 can be arranged. Pressure block 34 has a flat underside which supports against wedge 33 and has on its upper side at least one chamfered surface 36. Resting against this chamfered surface 36 is an adjustment bolt 35 which is arranged in an opening in support element 14,14'. The force exerted on said inclining surface of pressure block 34 is increased or decreased respectively by tightening or loosening the adjustment bolt. When the force is increased, little rotation in clockwise direction will take place, whereby the increase in the angle of inclination caused by wedges 33,33' is slightly reduced. If on the other hand the force is decreased and there is enough clearance to rotate the support element 14,14' in counter-clockwise direction, the angle of inclination α will then increase slightly. In the shown construction a continuous fine adjustment of the angle of inclination α can be realized with a single adjustment bolt 35 per support element 14,14'. This one adjustment bolt will be sufficient in most cases. However, when there is still wall unevenness in lateral direction, this can be compensated by operating two or more adjustment bolts positioned laterally relative to each other as set forth in respect of the embodiment described in figures 1-2.

[0034] The rights sought are not defined by the above described preferred embodiments of the invention, but are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Device for holding an awning relative to a wall, comprising:

- a support (2,4,4',14,14') which can be mounted on the wall;

- a bar (3) which is displaceable relative to the support and to which the awning is to be attached;

- a roller (13) which is mounted rotatably in the support and to which the awning is to be fixed for winding the awning in and out;

- at least one arm (20) arranged on the support and on the bar, which arm comprises a number of mutually pivotable arm parts (21,22);

- pivoting means (24) for pivotally mounting the arm on the support (2,4,4',14,14'),

characterized in that the pivoting means are adapted to pivot the arm non-adjustably and only laterally relative to the support.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support comprises a casing (2) with a support element (4,4',14,14') on either side and said arms (20) are arranged at a non-adjustable, predefined angle of inclination (α) relative to the support elements.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing (2) and the support elements (4,4',14,14') form a rigid whole.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pivoting means comprise a hinge (24) with which during pivoting the arm remains held at a substantially constant angle of inclination relative to the support.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein pivoting means comprise a protrusion (25) arranged rigidly on the support, and wherein the protrusion and the associated outer end (26) of the arm (21) are suitable for receiving a rotation shaft therein for rotatable mounting of the arm relative to the support (4).

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the support is provided with mounting means for mounting thereof on the wall, and wherein the mounting means are adapted to compensate unevenness in the wall.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounting means comprise a spacer which can be arranged between the upper part (6) or the lower part (5) of a support element (4,4',14,14') and the wall (m) in order to locally fill the space between the wall and the support.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the spacer comprises a pressure block (9) for arranging between the support and the wall.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the support element (4,4',14,14') is provided with a recess (10) in which at least a part of the spacer can be arranged in fitting manner.

10. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-9, comprising position setting means for setting the position of the support relative to the wall or the spacer.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the position setting means comprise a number of openings which are provided at different positions in the support and through which can be screwed bolts which close off on the wall or on the spacer for the purpose of fixing the position of the support relative to the wall or the spacer.

12. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-11, wherein the mounting means comprise one or more wedge-shaped elements (33) which can be placed between the wall and the support for stepwise adjustment of the appropriate angle of inclination (α) between the wall and the support during use.

13. Device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wedge shape defines an angle (β) of between 2 and 10 degrees, preferably between 3 and 5 degrees.

14. Device as claimed in claim 11 and claim 14 or 15, wherein the position setting means comprise a pressure block (34) provided between a wedge-shaped element (33) and a support element (4,4',14,14'), and an adjusting element (35) for arranging in the support via an opening and supporting against the pressure block (34) during use for fine adjustment of the angle of inclination (α).

15. Device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the adjusting element is an adjustment bolt for a continuous fine adjustment of the angle of inclination (α).

16. Device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pressure block (34) has a chamfered surface (36) and the adjusting element (35) supports against the chamfered surface (36).

17. Use of the device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

Drawing