Abstract:
An adjustable, louvered awning incorporating a combination angle adjustment and locking mechanism. The mechanism enables the awning&#39;s movable vanes to be securely locked in a plurality of positions selected by the operator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to awnings and, more particularly, to awnings having a plurality of shutters or louver vanes which may be opened or closed. It relates particularly to the construction and operation of such awnings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Heretofore, awnings of this type have been designed and constructed for use on the outside of a window, or over a porch or balcony or the like. Such awnings comprise a frame carrying a plurality of pivoted louver vanes which may be opened or closed to admit light, improve air flow, or exclude rain, etc. 
     A major problem with known movable awning louvers is their tendency to change position when common environmental forces are applied to them. The magnitude of the forces generated by wind and rain and effective on an awning may be quite large and cause unwanted louver angle changes, excessive noise from the flapping of the louvers, and premature failure of the awning structure due to the dynamic stresses created. Although prior awnings of this type have embodied various means for adjusting the louver vane angle by the use of lever arms, chains, and toggle joints, they have not provided a construction wherein the louvers are locked in their selected position to insure against unwanted louver displacement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable louvered awning. Another object is to provide a louvered awning incorporating a simple, reliable and easy to use locking mechanism. Still another object is to provide a louvered awning locking mechanism that prevents unwanted movement of the louver vanes from their selected position when common environmental forces, such as wind and rain, are applied. A further object is to provide an improved angle adjustment mechanism for adjustable louvered awnings with means to adjust the vanes at a plurality of distinct angles plainly marked on the adjustment mechanism. Yet a further object is to provide an adjustable louvered awning that better withstands the effects of environmental forces, resulting in improved durability and a longer service life. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, including its construction and operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a porch or deck surmounted by an adjustable, louvered awning embodying features of the present invention, with the louvers open; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the awning illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the actuator and locking assembly for the louver; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3, with parts removed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a deck or porch 1 on the back of a house is illustrated. Mounted on the deck 1 is an adjustable, louvered awning 2 embodying features of the invention. 
     The awning 2 extends outwardly from the vertical back wall 3 of a house, for example, to which the deck 1 is attached. The awning includes a frame 4 fastened to the back wall 3 by suitable means. The frame 4 comprises flat, rectangular, cross-sectional beams 5 which are inclined downwardly at a desired awning pitch angle to vertical support columns 6. 
     The vertical columns 6 extend down to the deck 1, providing load bearing support for the frame 4. In the embodiment illustrated they are also flat, rectangular, cross-sectional beams. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the awning frame includes four beams 5 which form a rectangular structure. Four columns 6 support them. The upper ends of the columns 6 and the lower ends of the beams 5 are connected by a cross beam 7. Similarly, a cross beam 8 connects the upper ends of the beams 5 at the house. 
     Pivotally mounted on top of the frame 4 are a series of louver vanes 10. Each louver vane 10a in the illustrated embodiment is connected to each beam 5 for pivoted movement between the open position seen in FIG. 1 and the closed position seen in FIG. 2. One louver vane 10b at the bottom of the beams 5 and two louver vanes 10c at the top are fixed to the beams 5 rather than pivoted. 
     The pivoted connections between each vane 10a and three of the beams 5, identified as 5a, 5c, and 5d, are identical. They comprise ear-shaped fittings 11 fastened to the lower surface of each vane 10a at the upper edge of each vane. These fittings 11 are in alignment with one side of each of the beams 5a, 5c, and 5d. The lower end of each fitting 11 is journaled on a pivot pin 12 protruding from that side of each beam 5a, 5c, and 5d. 
     The pivotal connection between each vane 10a the beam 5b is different. It is effected through a vane actuator mechanism 13 which is operated to open and close the vanes, as well as lock them, according to the present invention. 
     The actuation mechanisms 13 includes a lever arm 14 attached to each of the vanes 10a except the lower most vane 10a. This lower vane 10a has the operating arm 17 of the mechanism 13 attached to it. 
     The operating arm 17, like each of the aforementioned fittings 11, is journaled on a pivot pin 12 protruding from one side of the beam 5b. Similarly, each of the lever arms 14 is journaled on a pivot pin 12. 
     At the lower end of each vane lever arm 14, and at about the center of the operating arm 17, an operating bar 23 is attached. The operating bar 23 extends parallel to the line of the pivot pins 12 and is pivotally connected to each arm. As now will be recognized, movement of the operating arm 17 is thus effective to correspondingly move the lever arms 14 in the same manner. The operating arm 17 is similar in configuration to the lever arms 14 but is of greater length, in order to provide sufficient leverage for each operation. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, mounted between the beam 5b and the operating arm 17 is an indexing plate 25 which is semi-circular in shape and constructed from 1/2&#34; steel plate. Along the circumference of the indexing plate 25 are located index slots 26, which may be positioned at any desired points along the circumference of the indexing plate 25 depending on the louver vane adjustment angles desired. 
     The indexing plate 25 is fixed to the beam 15b and counter-sunk into it. A pivot pin 12 associated with the arm 17 extends outwardly of the center of the plate 25. 
     The operating arm 17 is mounted on its pivot pin 12 against the outer surface of the indexing plate 25. On the side 26 of the arm 17 opposite the plate 25 an arm locking mechanism 27 is mounted. It includes an actuating rod 28 fabricated from steel with its upper end 28a bent at 90° so as to allow the end 28a to pass through an aperture 29 in the operating arm 17 and engage one of the index slots 26. The actuating rod 28 is mounted adjacent and parallel to the outer surface of operating arm 17 in bearing supports 30, allowing the actuating rod 28 to slide longitudinally of the operating arm 17. 
     The aperture 29 through which the rod end 28a extends is actually elongated in the direction of the length of the arm 17. As such, the rod end 28a is permitted one-half inch of travel in the aperture 29, longitudinally of the arm. This permits the rod end 28a to move into and out of engagement with the index slots 26. 
     The rod end 28a is biased toward engagement with the slots 26 by a coil spring 31 seated in a spring hole 32 formed in the arm 17. As illustrated, the coil spring 31 is introduced into the hole 32 before the rod end 28a is inserted in the aperture 29. The coil spring 31 normally supplies sufficient force to keep the actuating rod 28 positioned with its end 28a in index slots 26 at all angle adjustment positions, and under all foreseeable external forces applied to the louver vane structure. To release the rod end 28a from a slot 26, the bent lower end 28b of the rod 28 is pulled downwardly by an operator. 
     To operate the adjustable louvered awning 2, the operator grasps the lower end 28b of the rod 28 and releases the lock mechanism by pulling the rod down against rod coil spring 3. The rod 28 then moves out of engagement with an index slot 26. 
     While continuing to apply a downward force on the rod 28, the operator freely pivots the operating arm 17 about its&#39; pivot pin 12. This causes all the louver vanes 10a to move simultaneously from their completely closed position to any selected open position. 
     When the operator has selected the desired louver vane angle, he may lock the louver vanes 10a in place by simply releasing the downward pressure on the rod 28. This will allow rod coil spring 31 to exert an upward force upon actuating rod 28, causing the actuating rod 28 to slide up into engagement with an adjacent index slot 26 located on the circumference of index plate 25. 
     As mentioned above, the number of index slots 26 and their location along index plate 25 may be varied, depending upon the number and louver angle positions desired. In FIG. 3 index slots 26 are shown so as to provide louver vane angle positions of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°. 
     With the louver vanes 10a in closed position, as seen in FIG. 2, it will be seen that the lower edge of each vane 10a overlaps the upper edge of the next lowermost vane 10a. This provides protection against rain or melting snow leaking through, of course. 
     The louver vanes 10a are also mounted on their respective pins 12 so that opening movement involves lifting of the entire vane upwardly. The upper edge of each vane 10a moves upwardly only a short distance, however, while the lower edge moves to a much greater extent. Positioning of the pivot pins 12 slightly upwardly of the upper edge of each corresponding vane, in the direction of the beams 5, produces this movement pattern. 
     Though the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is preferred, numerous refinements, modifications and alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, all such refinements, modifications and alterations are intended to be covered by the appended claims.