SAFETY DEVICE AGAINST THE ACCIDENTAL OPENING OF AWNINGS MOUNTED ON VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR CAMPERS, CARAVANS AND SIMILAR VEHICLES

Abstract: The device consists of two elements (20,30) which may be reciprocally joined to each other by snap action. The first element (20) consists of a pin (26) with truncated cone shaped head (28) provided with a groove (29) and can be fixed at each end of the fixed semi housing (A1) of tent(6). The second element (30) is secured opposite elements (20) to the ends of movable part (A2) of the housing and is equipped with a sprung lever (40)the lower arm(44) of which engages by snap action, in the groove of the first element when the tent is closed. To release the tent it is sufficient to act on the hook shaped top arm(46)of the lever.

Description: This invention relates to a safety device intended to avoid accidental opening of sun tents. As it is known, the sun tents used both on stationary structures and on mobile means such as campers,caravans and similar vehicles, to create shaded zones to meet the user's requirements are generally wound up on a rotable shaft enclosed in a housing. Especially in the case of application on mobile means, the tent must be apt to ensure a maximum degree of safety against accidental opening which would have a very serious effect on the stability of the vehicle in motion. The purpose of this invention is to provide safe and automatic clamping device for the movable cross member of the text, the device being simple and of low cost to afford a practi­ cally total guarantee against accidental opening of the tent itself. The device according to the invention consists of a pair of elements which may be joined to each other, fitted on each of the lateral ends of the tent and secured, respectively, the first to the wall or fixed housing (within which the tent is wound) and the second to the mobile cross member of the tent. The first element comprises a grooved truncated cone shaped head pin; the second comprises a seat to receive the pin and is provided with a lever having two arms; one of these arms is, drawn by a spring, and engages by snap action in the groove of the pin to lock the crossbar of the tent in a securely closed position, whilst the other arm serves to release same. The invention will now be described in conjunction with the annexed drawing which illustrates, by way of example but not limitatively, one of the preferred forms of embodiment of the protection device against accidental opening of sun tents. Specifically : Fig. 1 is a view in partial cross section of the safety device according to the invention applied to the housing of the sun tent, in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a partial front view of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a side view of the first element of the device, on a larger scale with respect to the other figures. Fig. 4 is a side view, on the same scale as Fig. 3, of the second element of the device. In Fig. 1 letter A designates the overall housing of the sun tent equipped with the device according to the invention, in which fixed part A1 is secured, for example, to wall 2 of a camper, while letter A2 designates the mobile part of the housing, sustained and guided in the known manner by articu­ lated arms and which supports the cross member of the tent. A rotating shaft 4, on which tent 6 is wound, is mounted on fixed part A1 of the housing. End 8 of the tent is retained in a groove 10 in moving part A2 which moves away from fixed part A1 of the housing when the tent is unrolled for use. Fixed part A1 of the housing comprises at its ends attachment plates 12 to each of which is secured the first element 20 of the device (see fig. 3). The latter, which is preferably fabricated of die cast alluminium consists of a body 22 adapted to the shape of plates 12 to which it is secured by a screw 23 through hole 24 and comprises integrally a pin 26 with truncated cone shaped head 28 which delimits a groove 29. As shown in Fig. 4, the second element 30 of the device consists of a block, preferably molded, of adequate plastic material, comprising a securing body 32 provided with guides 34 for cross member A2. The bottom part of element 30 is provided with a wall 36 comprising a seat 38 apt to receive pin 26. A metal lever 40 formed by two arms 44 and 46 set at an angle greater than 90° with respect to each other, is pivoted on a pin 42, in the position of its elbow, on wall 36. Lower arm 44 has a recess 48 to which is secured the end of a spring 50, secured on its opposite end to a pin 52 of body 36, while, the intermediate part of said lever arm has a substantially semicircular concave recess 54, the diameter of which corresponds to the groove of the pin. The end of top arm 46 is formed as a hook 56. The bottom corner (opposite lever 40) of securing part 32 of element 30 is provided with a suitable beveling 58 to form a detent for arm 44 when this is shifted to release position 44', as shown by the dotted line in fig. 2. The operating made of the device is quite evi­ dent from the above description. Elements 20 and 30 are fitted respectively to each end of fixed part A1 and of cross bar A2, in opposite positions. When the tent is closed by winding it up in the known manner by a rod which actuates shaft 4, seat 38 of element 30 of the device connects with pin 26. During this movement, arm 44 of lever 40 is shift­ ed from its position by conical head 28 and acts as a ratchet blocking itself in groove 29 and securing in a safe closed position both ends of movable cross beam A2 to fixed housing A1. Conversely, to release the tent, the user, will rotate shaft 4 by ½ turn in the opposite direction to reduce the tension of the tent, then, with the same rod used for winding, he can easily pull downward, arms 46 one after the other, using hook 56 to release the ends of cross bar A2.

Claims: 1) Safety device against the accidental opening of sun tents, characterized by a pair of elements (20,30) which may be joined to each other, located at each of the side ends of the tent and secured, respectively, the first (20) to the wall or fixed housing A1 in which tent (6) is wound and the second (30) to the movable cross bar(A2)of the tent; the first element (20) comprises a pin (26) provided with a groove (29) and a truncated cone shaped head (28); the second element (30) comprises a seat (38) to receive the pin and is provided with a two armed lever (40), one of the arms of which, drawn by spring (50) engages, by snap action, in groove(29) of the pin to lock the tent in a safety closed position, whilst the other (46) is used to disengage arm(44) from groove (29), thereby to permit opening the tent to its position of use. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first element (20) comprises, in union with pin (26), a body(22)of suitable form and which may be secured to the lateral ends of fixed housing (A1) in which the tent is wound. 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second element (30) comprises a plate shaped part (36)provided with a securing body (32) projecting with respect to the face of the plate on which lever (40) is pivoted. 4) Device according to claims 1 thru 3, characterized in that arms (44,46) of lever(40)form an angle of 90° with respect to each other, said lever being pivoted at the elbow formed by said arms; lower arm (44) has, on its end, a recess (48) to secure one of the ends of return spring (50), and in its center part, a recess (54) which connects with groove (29) of pin(26), while the extremity of top arm (46) is shaped as a hook 56. 5) Device according to claim 1 thru 4, characterized in that the other end of spring(50)is secured to a pin (52 ) projecting from wall(36)and arm (44)of lever(40)is drawn elastically to the position of permanent closure toward groove(29)of pin(26). 6) Device according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized in that the oscillation of lever (40)around its pin(42)is limited by a chamber(58)on the corner of securing body (32) of element (30),to oppose the movement of lever arm(44)when top arm (46)is drawn downward to release the movable cross member of the tent.

Inventors: POZZI, CARLO MAURIZIO
Applicants: POZZI, CARLO MAURIZIO
Application year: 1985
Main classification: E04F10
IPC codes: E04F10