Abstract:
A retractable awning has a frame structure with a plurality of louvers traversing a frame opening. Each louver is pivotally attached to enable rotation. The system is provided with electric motors and mechanical actuators to raise and lower the frame as well as rotate the louvers. Additionally, the angle of the entire awning and length of deployment is selectable. The awning can also be secured by closing the louvers and locking the frame to the building, thus forming a protective cover for the respective door or window against severe storms, looting, theft, or the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/885,729, filed Oct. 2, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an awning system that extends, retracts, and pivots to provide optimal shade. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Awnings are often used on homes and businesses to provide protection against direct sun glare as well as provide an aesthetic decorative element. However, such awnings are typically of a fixed nature, and often greatly restrict outside vision access at all times whether it is sunny or not. Also, such awnings form a sail, and can be destroyed in high winds often causing damage to the structure upon which they are mounted as well. As such, it is often necessary to remove such awnings before such storms arrive. Should the arriving storm be of hurricane strength, many home and business owners protect the windows with the installation of plywood. This obviously takes a great deal of time, and can be difficult to do when the storm is fast approaching. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the functionality and usefulness of an awning can be maintained, and yet modified to address the problems as described above. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has seen a need for such a device to provide multiple retractable means for manipulating an awning of a structure. 
     In order to accomplish this need, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a retractable awning, including a housing assembly adapted to be mounted to a structure above an opening thereof, a first post assembly attached to and extending down from a first side of the housing assembly, a second post assembly attached to and extending down from a second side of the housing assembly, and a louvered panel assembly attached to and supported by the first and second post assemblies. In at least one (1) embodiment, a pair of locking mechanisms are attached to respective bottoms of the first and second post assemblies to secure the device to a ground. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide where the louvered panel assembly, first post assembly, and second post assembly are synchronously and selectively tilted between an upper position and a lower position relative to the housing assembly via a tilting adjustment means. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide where the louvered panel assembly, first post assembly, and second post assembly are synchronously and selectively raised or lowered relative to the housing assembly by a vertical adjustment means. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide where the louvered panel assembly is selectively opened or closed relative to the first and second post assemblies by an opening adjustment means. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide where a control panel is located within the housing and in electrical communication between a controller and said tilting adjustment means, said vertical adjustment means, and said opening adjustment means. The control panel independently operates the tilting adjustment means, vertical adjustment means, and opening adjustment means. In at least one (1) embodiment, the controller is a wall-mounted switch. In at least another embodiment, the controller is a hand-held remote control. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention, the first and second post assemblies each further comprise a plurality of telescoping post elements. In this embodiment, the louvered panel assembly comprises a plurality of louver panels each attached to and spanning a distance between individual post elements of the first and said second post assemblies. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide, for each of the first and second post assemblies, a plurality of spring pins, each affixing adjacent post elements to each other; a release pulley housed within the housing, a release cable attached between the release pulley and attached to each of the plurality of spring pins, and a release motor in electrical communication with the control panel and operably motioning the release pulley. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide such a tilting adjustment means for each post assembly to include a lift pulley extending outwardly from a respective housing side, a lift cable routed around the lift pulley and affixed to a lower end of the respective post assembly, a lift motor in electrical communication with the control panel and operably motioning the lift pulley. In this manner, the control panel synchronously activates the lift motors to operate the lift pulleys to gather the lift cables to selectively tilt the first post assembly, the second post assembly, and the louvered panel assembly to a desired position. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide such a vertical adjustment means for each post assembly to include a collapsing pulley housed within the housing, a collapsing cable routed around the collapsing pulley and affixed to a lower end of the respective post assembly, a collapsing motor in electrical communication with the control panel and operably motioning the collapsing pulley. In this manner, the control panel synchronously activates the collapsing motors to operate the collapsing pulleys to gather the collapsing cables in order to selectively raise or lower the first post assembly, the second post assembly, and the louvered panel assembly to a desired position. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an opening adjustment means for the louvered panel assembly to include a pair of rotating pulleys housed within the housing, a pair of rotating cables each routed around a respective rotating pulley and affixed to opposing sides of each louver panel, a pair of rotating motors in electrical communication with the control panel and operably motioning each rotating pulley. In this manner, the control panel synchronously activates each rotating motor to operate each rotating pulley to gather each rotating cable to selectively open or close each louvered panel to a desired position between zero and approximately ninety degrees. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a retractable awning system  10  depicting a closed and secured state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a is a front perspective view of the retractable awning system  10  depicting a horizontally deployed and tilted state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the retractable awning system  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is another sectional view of the retractable awning system  10  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is another sectional view of the retractable awning system  10  taken along section line C-C (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of either locking assembly portion  80   a ,  80   b  of the retractable awning system  10  taken along section line D-D (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 7  is an electrical block diagram of the retractable awning system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  retractable awning system 
               20  system housing assembly 
               21  front housing panel 
               22  rear housing panel 
               24  bottom housing panel 
               26   a  first housing side panel 
               26   b  second housing side panel 
               26   c  third housing side panel 
               28  top housing panel 
               30  fastener aperture 
               32  fastener 
               34  housing slot 
               38  louvered panel assembly 
               40   a  first support post assembly 
               40   b  second support post assembly 
               42   a  first post section 
               42   b  second post section 
               42   c  third post section 
               42   d  fourth post section 
               42   e  fifth post section 
               44   a  first lip feature 
               44   b  second lip feature 
               46  post slot 
               48   a  first axle bracket 
               48   b  second axle bracket 
               49  lock aperture 
               50  eyelet 
               80   a  first lock assembly 
               80   b  second lock assembly 
               82  anchor bracket 
               84  locking pin 
               86  locking pin aperture 
               88  padlock aperture 
               90  padlock 
               100  spring pin assembly 
               102  spring pin 
               104  pin eyelet 
               106  spring 
               110   a  first louvered panel assembly lift cable 
               110   b  second louvered panel assembly lift cable 
               112   a  first lift motor 
               112   b  second lift motor 
               114   a  first lift pulley 
               114   b  second lift pulley 
               120   a  first spring pin release cable 
               120   b  second spring pin release cable 
               122   a  first release motor 
               122   b  second release motor 
               124   a  first release pulley 
               124   b  second release pulley 
               130   a  first post collapsing cable 
               130   b  second post collapsing cable 
               132   a  first collapsing motor 
               132   b  second collapsing motor 
               134   a  first collapsing pulley 
               134   b  second collapsing pulley 
               140   a  first louver rotate cable 
               140   b  second louver rotate cable 
               142   a  first rotate motor 
               142   b  second rotate motor 
               144   a  first rotate pulley 
               144   b  second rotate pulley 
               150  remote controller 
               152  remote controller housing 
               154   a  first remote controller switch 
               154   b  second remote controller switch 
               154   c  third remote controller switch 
               156  signal 
               160  control module 
               161  receiver 
               162  antenna 
               163  wiring 
               164  power source wiring 
               165  grommet 
               170  switch panel assembly 
               172  switch panel housing 
               174   a  first switch panel switch 
               174   b  second switch panel switch 
               174   c  third switch panel switch 
               200   a  first louver 
               200   b  second louver 
               200   c  third louver 
               200   d  fourth louver 
               200   e  fifth louver 
               202  louver pulley 
               204  louver pulley shaft 
               206  pulley cable fastener 
               210  window/door opening 
               220  structure 
               230  sill/ground surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 7 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a retractable awning system (herein described as the “system”)  10 , which provides a means to extend, retract, and pivot a retractable louvered panel assembly  38  to selectively provide shade or light through a window/door opening  210  as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental views of the system  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system  10  is envisioned to be installed upon an exterior portion of a commercial or residential structure  220 , covering a window or door opening  210 , and providing control of exterior light entering the structure  220 . The system  10  provides a louvered panel assembly  38  being supported by a housing assembly  20  mounted to the structure  220 . The housing assembly  20  extends across a top portion of the system  10 , and a framework extends downwardly along opposing side portions including a first support post assembly  40   a  and a second support post assembly  40   b , being arranged in a parallel manner to each other. The housing assembly  20  provides a generally “L”-shaped enclosure made up of a rear housing panel  22 , a bottom housing panel  24 , a first housing side panel  26   a , a second housing side panel  26   b , a third housing side panel  26   c , and a top housing panel  28 . The third housing side panel  26   c  forms a second bottom of the housing assembly  20 , defining an overhang. 
     The housing assembly  20  provides enclosure of equipment including a control module  160  and a plurality of motors  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  which provide a means to tilt the louvered panel assembly  38  between vertical and horizontal orientations, and to extend and collapse telescoping portions of each support post assembly  40   a ,  40   b  including a first post section  42   a , a second post section  42   b , a third post section  42   c , a fourth post section  42   d , and a fifth post section  42   e . The tubular sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  are in mechanical communication with cable take-up pulleys  114   a ,  114   b ,  124   a ,  124   b ,  134   a ,  134   b ,  144   a ,  144   b  also housed within the housing assembly  20  and corresponding cables  110   a ,  110   b ,  120   a ,  120   b ,  130   a ,  130   b ,  140   a ,  140   b  being motioned by the motors  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 ). 
     The support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  protrude downwardly through housing slot portions  34  being formed or machined in the bottom housing panel portion  24  of the housing assembly  20 , and are rotatingly attached to the bottom housing panel  24  via respective first axle bracket  48   a  and second axle bracket  48   b  portions. The post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  are interlocked with each other when fully extended to form a fixed-length assembly (see  FIG. 4 ). The louvered panel assembly  38  may be configured into a compact form by collapsing the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  over each other when a maximum amount of light is desired (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     An embodiment of the louvered panel assembly  38  is shown here having five (5) overlapping and individually tilting louver portions including a first louver  200   a , a second louver  200   b , a third louver  200   c , a fourth louver  200   d , and a fifth louver  200   e ; however, it is understood that an actual number and width dimension of the louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  would be based upon a height and width of the window/door opening  210  being covered by the system  10 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the cables  110   a ,  110   b ,  120   a ,  120   b ,  130   a ,  130   b ,  140   a ,  140   b  provide a means to tilt the entire louvered panel assembly  38  up away from the structure  220 , as well as also tilt the louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  with respect to the louvered panel assembly  38 , thereby producing a variety of lighting and shading effects. 
     A pair of lock assemblies  80   a ,  80   b  located at each bottom corner of the system  10  secures the device  10  to the structure  220  as well as provides protection during inclement weather conditions. The lock assemblies  80   a ,  80   b  serve to anchor opposing bottom end portions of the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  to a subjacent sill/ground surface  230 , being optionally locked in position using respective padlocks  90  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , sectional views of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The housing assembly  20  provides a protective containment of a plurality of motors  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b , cable take-up pulleys  114   a ,  114   b ,  124   a ,  124   b ,  134   a ,  134   b ,  144   a ,  144   b , and associated electrical and electronic motor control equipment, including a control module  160 , necessary to manipulate an configure the louvered panel assembly  38  as well as the individual louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e . Additionally, the system  10  provides hard-wired switching of this equipment via a switch panel assembly  170 , as well as a means of wireless control via a hand-held remote controller  150 . 
     The system  10  provides a means to tilt the louvered panel assembly  38  out away from the structure  220  via a first louvered panel lift cable  110   a  and a second louvered panel lift cable  110   b . The lift cables  110   a ,  110   b  extend from respective first lift pulley  114   a  and second lift pulley  114   b  portions which protrude outwardly from respective first housing side panel  26   a  and second housing side panel  26   b  portions of the housing assembly  20 . The lift pulleys  114   a ,  114   b  are positioned adjacent to the front housing panel  21 , therefore being forwardly offset from the structure  220  and the louvered panel assembly  38 , thereby allowing the louvered panel lift cables  110   a ,  110   b  to lift a bottom edge of the louvered panel assembly  38  out away from the structure  220  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The first lift pulley  114   a  and second lift pulley  114   b  portions are in mechanical communication with respective first lift motor  112   a  and second lift motor  112   b  portions within the housing assembly  20 . When activated, the lift motors  112   a ,  112   b  apply a torque to the respective pulleys  114   a ,  114   b , thereby winding up the lift cables  110   a ,  110   b , and lifting the post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b , and louvered panel assembly  38  portions to a user-selected angle anywhere between a vertical and a horizontal orientation. 
     The support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  include telescoping and interlocking sections preferably having incrementally decreasing diameters, with the uppermost first post section  42   a  being the largest and having a diameter of approximately four inches (4 in.). Opposing pairs of post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  support end portions of corresponding and respective louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e . An embodiment of the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  is shown here, wherein each has five (5) hollow tubular post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e . Each post section  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  includes a means of mechanical attachment to an adjacent post section  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  via integral formed features including an outwardly protruding first lip feature  44   a  formed or machined all around a top edge, and an inwardly protruding second lip feature  44   b  formed or machined all around a bottom edge, to form an interlocking connection. The lip features  44   a ,  44   b  allow adjacent sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  to slide freely within each other while acting as a mechanical down-stop to retain an identical length of the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b.    
     Extension and deployment of each support post assembly  40   a ,  40   b  takes place as the post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  are allowed to descend vertically due to the effect of a gravitational force. When in a fully extended relationship, the adjacent post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  are locked in relative position to each other by spring pins  102  which are incorporated within the previously described first  44   a  and second  44   b  lip features. The spring pins  102  are to be similar to devices commonly used to secure tent and awning poles together, utilizing an outwardly biasing leaf spring  106 . Additionally, the spring pins  102  are synchronously retracted and released from their respective post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  via respective integral pin eyelet portions  104  located upon an inner end portion thereof. The pin eyelets  104  within the first support post assembly  40   a  and second support post assembly  40   b  are tied, clipped, or otherwise affixed to respective first spring pin release cable  120   a  and second spring pin release cable  120   b  portions. The spring pin release cables  120   a ,  120   b  are routed upwardly within respective support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  and into the housing assembly  20  where the spring pin release cables  120   a ,  120   b  are wound around respective first release pulley  124   a  and second release pulley portions causing withdrawal of the spring pins  102  and release of the adjacent post sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e  when the spring pin release cables  120   a ,  120   b  are wound up. The release pulleys  124   a ,  124   b  in turn are acted upon by respective first release motor  122   a  and second release motor  122   b  portions within the housing assembly  20 . 
     Also routed within the hollow support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  are respective first post collapsing cable  130   a  and second post collapsing cable  130   b  portions being affixed at respective bottom end portions to eyelets  50  being threadingly or otherwise stationarily affixed to an inner bottom portion of each fifth post section  42   e  of the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  (see  FIG. 6 ). The upper end portions of each post collapsing cable  130   a ,  130   b  are in turn wound around respective first collapsing pulley  134   a  and second collapsing pulley  134   b  portions being acted upon by respective first collapsing motor  132   a  and second collapsing motor  132   b  portions mounted within the housing assembly  20 . As the post collapsing cables  130   a ,  130   b  are wound around the collapsing pulleys  134   a ,  134   b  the fifth post sections  42   e  are lifted, consequently lifting the superjacent sections  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d  into a collapsed and compact state. 
     The system  10  also includes a first louver rotate cable  140   a  and a second louver rotate cable  140   b  also routed within respective support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  which provide a means to tilt the louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  in a synchronous manner with respect to the louvered panel assembly  38 . Each louver  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  provides integral attaching portions located at each end including a louver pulley  202  and a connecting louver pulley shaft  204 . The louver pulley  202  and shaft  204  portions protrude through a post slot portion  46  of each post section  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e , being located along an inward-facing surface. The post slot  46  provides an oval-shaped opening which provides vertical guidance and a bottom stopping means to the louver pulley  202  and shaft  204  portions. When the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  are in an extended and locked state, the louver pulley shafts  204  of each louver  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  rest upon a bottom portion of the post slots  46  as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     The louver rotate cables  140   a ,  140   b  are affixed to respective louver pulleys  202  at an offset location via pulley cable fasteners  206 . In use, the louver rotate cables  140   a ,  140   b  are wound up by respective first rotate pulley  144   a  and second rotate pulley  144   b  portions, being acted upon by respective first rotate motor  142   a  and second rotate motor  142   b  portions, causing each louver pulley  102  and affixed louver  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  to rotate to a selectable angle of between zero and approximately ninety (0°-90°) degrees within the post slot  46 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , another sectional view of the system  10  taken along section line C-C (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The control module portion  160  of the system  10  provides activation and control of opposing pairs of motors  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  in a synchronized manner. The control module  160  is mounted within the housing assembly  20  on an interior surface of the third housing side panel  26   c  and is in electrical communication with each motor  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  via interconnecting wiring  163  (see  FIG. 7 ). The switch panel assembly  170  is envisioned to provide push-button control of the previously described functions of the system  10  including the tilting of the louvered panel assembly  38 , the collapsing of the post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b , and the tilting of the louver portions  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e . An embodiment of the switch panel assembly  170  is illustrated here having a switch panel housing  172  capable of being mounted to a vertical support structure, a first switch panel switch  174   a , a second switch panel switch  174   b , and a third switch panel switch  174   c . It is envisioned that power source wiring  164  from the existing electrical system within the structure  220  be utilized to provide electrical power to the control module  160 , subsequently routing power to the previously described portions of the system  10  via additional wiring  163 . 
     The control module  160  also works in conjunction with an RF receiver  161  also located within the housing assembly  20 , and a hand-held remote controller  150 . The remote controller  150  provides similar functionality as the previously described switch panel assembly  170 , but in a wireless push-button manner. The receiver  161  is envisioned to include an integral antenna portion  162  and is capable of receiving and processing a plurality of RF signals  156  being transmitted from the remote controller  150 . An embodiment of the remote controller  150  is illustrated here including a hand-held plastic remote controller housing  152 , a first remote controller switch  154   a , a second remote controller switch  154   b , and a third remote controller switch  154   c.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a sectional view of either locking assembly portion  80   a ,  80   b  of the system  10  taken along section line D-D (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  includes a first lock assembly  80   a  and an opposing second lock assembly  80   b , each being affixed to a bottom end portion of a respective support post assembly  40   a ,  40   b . An embodiment of the lock assembly  80   a ,  80   b  is illustrated here wherein each lock assembly  80   a ,  80   b  includes an anchor bracket  82  which provides a means to secure the lock assembly  80   a ,  80   b  to a subjacent sill/floor surface  230  using at least one (1) fastener  32  such as a lag screw or masonry anchor. 
     Each lock assembly  80   a ,  80   b  also includes an “L”-shaped locking pin  84  which slides horizontally within a locking pin aperture  86  formed or machined through the anchor bracket  82 . To secure the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  in a fully deployed and vertical position, the locking pin  84  is motioned forwardly causing an end portion thereof to be inserted into a correspondingly positioned and shaped support post aperture portion  49  of each support post assembly  40   a ,  40   b . Once inserted, a padlock  90  or similar securing device is inserted through a padlock aperture  88  being formed or machined through the anchor bracket  82  and locking pin  84  portions. However, it is understood that various other securing methods and locking devices may be utilized as well without deviating from the teachings of the invention, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an electrical block diagram of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Electrical power to the system  10  is provided by power source wiring  164  from an existing 110-volt electrical system within the structure  220 . The power source wiring  164  is routed and enters the housing assembly  20  using a sealing grommet  165 , and is subsequently connected to the control module  160 . The electrical power is subsequently routed from the control module  160  to the portions of the system  10  via additional wiring  163 . 
     The control module  160  provides electrical and electronic motor control componentry necessary to manipulate and tilt the louvered panel assembly  38  and the individual louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e . The system  10  provides hard-wired switching of motor portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  via a switch panel assembly  170 , as well as wirelessly via a radio frequency (RF) signal  156  from a remote controller  150 . The control module  160  provides current to the motors  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  in accordance with instructions contained within embedded software within the control module  160 . 
     The control module  160  provides activation and control of opposing pairs of motors  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  in a synchronized manner. The control module  160  is envisioned to provide a microprocessor-based unit including electrical and electronic equipment such as, but not limited to: circuit boards, microprocessors, relays, embedded software, memory chips, and the like. The control module  160  also provides a wired interface  163  with the switch panel assembly  170  which is envisioned to be located and mounted conveniently within the structure  220 . 
     The switch panel assembly  170  includes a plurality of switch panel switches  174   a ,  174   b ,  174   c  envisioned to be three-position rocker-type devices which provide a spring-return to center function. The control module  160  also works in conjunction with an RF receiver  161  envisioned to include an integral antenna portion  162  capable of receiving and processing a plurality of RF signals  156  transmitted from the hand-held remote controller  150 . The RF signals  156  transmitted by the remote controller  150  are envisioned to be one-way signals  156  and do not provide for duplex communication or confirmation of a received RF signal  156 . It is envisioned that the RF signals  156  would be a frequency modulated (FM) type on a frequency authorized for such use; however, other methods of modulation such as amplitude modulation, single side band, digital, continuous wave and the like would work equally well, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention  10 . The remote controller  150  includes three (3) remote controller switches  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  also envisioned to be three (3) position rocker-type devices which provide a spring-return to center function. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the system  10  having desired dimensions suitable for the spatial parameters and constraints of the window/door opening portion  210  of the structure  220  onto which the system  10  is to be installed; attaching the housing assembly portion  20  of the system  10  to a side surface of the structure  220  using the fastener apertures  30  of the rear housing panel  22  and corresponding fasteners  32  such as lag screws, wall anchors, or the like; connecting existing power source wiring  164  within the structure  220  to the control module  160 ; anchoring the lock assemblies  80   a ,  80   b  to a sill/ground surface  230  being positioned adjacent to the support post assembly portions  40   a ,  40   b  of the system  10  when in a fully extended state; mounting the switch panel assembly  170  at a convenient location within the structure  220 ; connecting wiring  163  between the control module  160  and the switch panel assembly  170 ; utilizing the toggle-switch portions  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  of the remote controller  150 , or the switch panel switches  174   a ,  174   b ,  174   c  of the switch panel assembly  170  to manipulate the tilt of the louvered panel assembly  38  and the angle of the louver portions  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  to obtain a desired lighting effect; allowing the motors  112   a ,  112   b ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  132   a ,  132   b ,  142   a ,  142   b  and cable take-up pulleys  114   a ,  114   b ,  124   a ,  124   b ,  134   a ,  134   b ,  144   a ,  144   b  of the system  10  to extend and retract the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b , to tilt the louvered panel assembly  38  to a desired angle from the structure  220 , and to tilt the louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  to create a desired lighting or shading effect; manipulating and reconfiguring the system  10  as weather and sunlight conditions change throughout the day; securing the system  10  in a closed and extended state when desired, or in an event of inclement weather conditions, by fully extending the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  in a vertical downward direction; tilting the louvers  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e  to a closed position against each other; inserting the locking pin portions  84  of the lock assemblies  80   a ,  80   b  into corresponding lock aperture portions  49  of the support post assemblies  40   a ,  40   b ; inserting and latching respective padlocks  90  through padlock aperture portions  88  of the lock assemblies  80   a ,  80   b ; and, benefiting from motorized control of exterior light entering a window/door opening  210  as well as providing added security to a structure  220 , afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.