| Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning -> Monitor Keywords |
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Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awningRelated Patent Categories: Flexible Or Portable Closure, Partition, Or Panel, With Hood, Canopy, Shield Storage Chamber, Or Outrigged Rigid Panel, For Outrigged Flexible Panels (i.e., Awnings)Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187043, Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention is generally related to awnings and is more particularly directed to mounting bracket apparatus for changing the pitch of a deployed awning fabric so as to provide controlled shading from solar radiation when the sun becomes low on the horizon. [0002] Retractable awnings are often provided on recreational vehicles, such as motor homes and travel trailers, in order to provide additional living space by way of an outdoor area adjacent the RV. Such deployable awnings are often used in combination with vehicles having slide out extensions, or sliders. [0003] Heretofore, lateral arm awnings have been installed and adjusted for a pitch, or angle, from horizontal, at the time of installation. [0004] While such awnings have been useful, they often fail to provide protection desired when deployed. This is particularly true when the sun is low on the horizon, such as in the late afternoon or early morning. At this time, it is desirable to be able to lower the leading edge of the awning to block the incident sun line. However, other times when the sun angle is higher in the sky, it is desirable to return the awning to a more horizontal angle. [0005] The present invention provides for an adjustable pitch-mounting bracket and awning, which enables pitch adjustment either automatically or remotely. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Lateral arm awning apparatus in accordance with the present invention generally includes an awning box having a mounting plate and at least one lateral awning arm fixed to the mounting plate and extendable from the awning box for supporting an awning fabric. [0007] An adjustable pitch mounting bracket is provided which includes a base plate fixable to a generally vertical surface. [0008] The preferred use of the present invention is on recreational vehicles with lateral arm awnings, however it may be also installed onto fixed structures such as houses and other buildings. [0009] A hinge is provided interconnecting the awning box mounting plate and the bracket. An actuator couples the awning box mounting plate and bracket and causes an angular relationship between the awning mounting plate and the bracket as well as the base plate, to change. More particularly, the actuator may include a pair of arms with a driver disposed therebetween at a position extending and retracting the arms. [0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the actuator includes a pair of articulated arms with a driver disposed between the articulated arms and the base plate and positioned for straightening and bending the articulated arms. [0011] In either of the embodiments, the driver may be a linear actuator selected from a group including an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, and a pneumatic motor. [0012] More particularly, the apparatus may include at least one sun sensor deployable in an umbrage of an extended awning fabric along with a controller interconnected with the sensor for operating the actuator to control the angular relationship. [0013] In accordance with the present invention, the actuator provides a means for changing a pitch of an extended awning fabric with respect to a horizontal by changing an angular relationship between the awning mounting plate and the bracket plate. [0014] A plurality of sun sensors may be disposed in order to fine-tune the pitch of the deployed awning fabric. [0015] The present invention further includes a method for controlling a pitch of a deployed awning fabric, which includes the steps of providing a bracket mounting an extendable/retractable awning to a wall and adjusting a pitch of an extended awning and fabric with respect to the wall. [0016] Method further includes disposing a sun sensor in an umbrage of the extended awning and operating the bracket in response to the sun sensor to control the awning pitch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional lateral arm awning, disposed on a vehicle side and extending over an extended slider, illustrating extended shade protection which may be obtained by changing the pitch to accommodate for low sun angles; [0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the awning shown in FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 3 is a broken awning side view of one embodiment of the present invention of an adjustable pitch mounting bracket which includes a base plate, a movable awning box mounting plate, a hinge therebetween along with an actuator coupling the awning mounting plate, and the bracket for causing an angular relationship change between the awning mounting plate and the base plate; and [0021] FIG. 4 is a broken away side view of another embodiment in accordance with the present invention illustrating an actuator, which includes a pair of articulated arms with a driver disposed at a position straightening and bending of the articulated arms. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading about Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning... Full patent description for Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable pitch mounting bracket and arm awning patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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