Abstract:
An easily deployed ridge pole is used, in combination with standard awning deployment hardware, to change the shape of the canopy fabric of an extended retractable awning. The ridge pole engages the underside of the awning fabric to impart a Mansard shape to the canopy. This shape incorporates first and second planes of canopy fabric wherein the plane closest to the RV has a less steep pitch than the plane furthest from the RV. The shape has airfoil qualities which stabilize the effects of high wind velocities on the awning. The shape also provides room under the relatively flat plane for doors under the awning to open without engaging the awning fabric. The ridge pole is supported by struts which in some embodiments provide foundations for fabric stabilizing clamps that are affixed to loose edges of canopy fabric.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a means for altering the shape of a deployed awning to provide under-the-awning protection from solar radiation when the sun is low on the horizon and clearance to open doors. The invention converts a deployed awning into an air foil which minimizes wind effects thereon and enables awning deployment in high wind situations. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Retractable awnings are deployed from the sides of recreational vehicles, such as motor homes and mobile home trailers, to provide additional living space in the form of an outdoor area adjacent to the RV. Awnings of this type are typically retracted by rolling the canopy material onto a roller tube affixed to the free ends of struts pivotally mounted to the side of the RV. They provide shelter for the RV entrance to prevent rain or snow from entering the RV when the door is open. They are adjustable in pitch to provide a shaded, sheltered area forming an outdoor extension of living space for RV residents when the sun is low on the horizon. 
     Awnings currently in use provide extremely beneficial services, however, their shape when deployed often fails to provide the protection desired. For instance, when the sun is low on the horizon, the leading edge of the awning must be relatively close to the ground to provide shade. Because of the straight profile of the conventional single plane awning canopy from the RV structure to the awning leading edge, an awning with a low leading edge has a steep canopy or roof pitch which severely limits the usable area under the canopy. RV dimensions necessitate attaching the awning to the side of the structure close to the top of the door opening. Thus when the awning is configured with a steep pitch, it interferes with the door and prevents its opening or chafes against the upper comer of the open door and is thereby quickly destroyed. Furthermore, the large flat surface presented to the wind by awnings configured with a single plane canopy result in the awning fabric bellying up and down to further aggravate the contact between the awning fabric and the door upper edge. This “flapping” of the awning fabric creates excessive stress on the awning&#39;s deployment hardware and fittings and the noise created is excessive to the point where it is not only annoying but can cause damage to a person&#39;s auditory system. 
     Numerous attempts have been made to overcome problems with existing awnings but they have not proved successful or are only marginally so. For instance, various devices in the form of wheels and slides have been placed on the upper corner of doors. These devices are positioned to engage the underside of awnings and prevent the sharp corner of a door from tearing the fabric. Unfortunately, the constant rolling or sliding action of these devices against the fabric causes extreme wear of the awning canopy. 
     Other attempts to overcome the above problems have involved changes in awning configurations. One such attempt is the use of ribs installed on the underside of the awning fabric. T. Blevins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,032 for “Awning Bow”, issued Sep. 12, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,393 for “Awning Support Ribs”, issued Apr. 20, 1993, are exemplary of the use of such devices to alter the shape of an awning. These devices successfully alter the shape of awnings, but the amount of curvature is limited so they do not overcome the problems associated with steep roof pitches and their installation is difficult as well as time-consuming and dangerous in high wind conditions. 
     OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a means to impart a Mansard shape to an awning to thereby provide clearance for opening doors and protection against winds and solar radiation when the sun is low on the horizon. 
     Another objective of the invention is to reshape a retractable RV awning whereby its canopy has two sections, one of which has a steeper pitch than the other to thereby provide clearance for opening doors and shade when the sun is low on the horizon. 
     A further objective is to provide an apparatus which is easily deployed and works with existing awnings to provide clearance for opening doors and shade when the sun is low on the horizon. 
     Another objective is to provide an apparatus which is easily deployed and works with existing awnings to reduce canopy wind resistance and thereby minimize fabric bellying. 
     A further objective is to create an air foil shape of an awning&#39;s fabric whereby wind induced flapping of the awning is minimized. 
     Another objective is to extend the life of awning fabrics by eliminating excessive wear caused by engagement with doors or other similar openings and flapping under high wind conditions. 
     A still further objective is to prevent excessive wear of awning deployment hardware caused by windy conditions. 
     Another objective is to provide an apparatus which is easily deployed and works with existing awnings to reduce wind induced fluttering of canopy edges. 
     A still further objective is to provide a ridge pole for altering the canopy shape of existing awnings and a support means therefor which includes means to stabilize the edges of the awning canopy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an easily deployed ridge pole is used, in combination with standard awning deployment hardware, to change the shape of the canopy fabric of an extended retractable awning. The ridge pole engages the underside of the awning fabric to impart a Mansard shape to the canopy. This shape incorporates first and second planes of canopy fabric wherein the plane closest to the RV, the first plane, has a less steep pitch than the plane furthest from the RV, the second plane. The shape has airfoil qualities which stabilize the effects of high wind velocities on the awning. The shape also provide room under the first, relatively flat plane for doors under the awning to open without engaging the awning fabric. The ridge pole is supported by struts which in some embodiments provide foundations for fabric stabilizing clamps that are affixed to loose edges of canopy fabric. 
     The ridge pole of the preferred embodiment is fabricated from plastic material having a smooth outer surface, such as PVC pipe. This reduces awning fabric ware. To accomplish its goals, the Mansard shape of the awning must be stable even under high wind loads. This necessitates a rigid ridge pole. The rigidity required of the ridge pole is attained by reinforcing the plastic pipe with a core. Preferably the core is a steel conduit which completely eliminates flexing of the ridge pole. This stabilizes the awning&#39;s canopy shape and eliminates wearing of the fabric against system components. In alternative embodiments the ridge pole may be fabricated from a material which is sufficiently rigid. Thus eliminating the need for a reinforcing core. 
     By forming a conventional awning into a Mansard shape, the invention creates room for doors under the awning canopy to open. An airfoil is also formed from the awning fabric. This stabilizes the awning in high wind conditions to minimize flapping and its attendant noise and the resultant wear of the awning and its fittings. The mechanics of the airfoil are inherent in a Mansard shape wherein the section of the awning canopy closest to the RV has a relatively flat pitch and the section of the canopy extending from the ridge pole to the leading edge of the awning has a relatively steep pitch. Thus wind flows up the steep pitch and is accelerated over the ridge pole and flat pitch area, creating a partial vacuum similar to that encountered by the high laminar flow over aircraft wings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts the effects of the preferred embodiment of the invention, i.e., a recreational vehicle with a deployed awning having a Mansard shape. 
     FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the motor home illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along the line  2 — 2  to more clearly illustrate the primary ridge pole support. 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a conventional awning deployed from the side of the motor home as illustrated in FIG. 2 without the invention in place. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ridge pole illustrating its steel core. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the invention stowed on the side of an RV. 
     FIG. 6 is a three-quarter view of an adjustable bracket used to secure the bottom of a ridge pole support to an RV. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the details of an adjustable support for the ridge pole forming a part of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a deployed awning enhanced by the invention with an ancillary fabric stabilization system. 
     FIG. 9 is a view under an awning canopy illustrating the ridge pole, it supports and the fabric stabilization system of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a stylized view of the hardware attachment for connecting a strut of the fabric stabilization to the RV. 
     FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the support members of the fabric stabilization system attached to the end of the ridge pole. 
     FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the shoe which connects the out-board strut of the fabric stabilization system to the fabric carrier end boom of the awning deployment mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a motor home with a deployed awning incorporating the primary embodiment of the invention and illustrating the fact that the invention changes the aerodynamic properties of the awning canopy  10 . This is accomplished by applying an upward force to the underside of the canopy to create the ridge line  11  and thereby bifurcate the upper plane of the canopy. This action forms an upper plane  16  of awning canopy fabric between the “C” chanal  14 , which holds the canopy fabric to the side of the RV and ridge line  11 . It also forms a lower plane  17  of fabric which extends from the ridge line  11  to the end of the canopy which is attached to the boom  15 . When the wind is flowing toward the awnings side of the motor home  1 , the lower plane  17  functions as the leading edge of the airfoil which is completed by the upper plane  16  and the roof of motor home. If the wind is coming from the other side of the motor home, the aerodynamic properties of the planes and roof of the motor home are reversed. In either case, the airfoil effects minimize sudden pressure changes on the surface of the awning canopy and thereby minimizes flapping. Bifurcating the upper plane of the awning canopy reduces the area of common plane surfaces and thereby reduces bellying. 
     Thus the awning canopy, fabric  10 , is formed over a ridge pole  40  causing a change in the plane of the fabric along the line  11  to create the classic Mansard shape of a two pitch roof comprised of a relatively flat plane adjacent to the side of the motor home  1  and a relatively steep plane running from the ridge pole line  11  to the fabric carrier roller tube, boom  15 . For simplicity of explanation, the awning is deployed using one of numerous possible awning deployment hardware arrangements and the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. Accordingly, descriptions of the various attachment means used to couple the invention to an RV and its awning are exemplary in nature and are intended to be varied to accommodate specific applications. The arrangement chosen as exemplary includes side struts  12  and end supports  13 . This configuration of support hardware normally provides a single plane awning shape for the fabric  10  as illustrated in FIG.  3 . With the application of the invention, the ridge pole  40  and ridge pole supports  20  force the fabric  10  up along the ridge line  11  of FIG.  1 . This may be seen more clearly by comparing the conventional awning shape illustrated in FIG. 3 with the Mansard shape created by the invention and illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     In conventional RV retractable awnings, the fabric is provided with a bead along one edge which is slid into a “C” channel  14  which runs along upper section of the RV side, see FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  and note the enlarged cross-sectional view of the channel in FIG.  2 . The awning fabric  10  is stored by rolling it onto a boom  15  which is in the form of a roller tube that contains a winding spring mechanism similar to that found in a conventional window shade. When the awning is deployed, the fabric  10  is unrolled from the boom  15  and held extended by struts  12  and end supports  13  which are secured between the awning boom  15  and the RV. In some instances, the end supports and struts are aided or replaced by poles and guy ropes or wires anchored to the ground. Whatever the case, the fabric  10  remains in a single plane as illustrated in FIG.  3 . With the fabric in a single plane, the angle of the plane between the RV at the “C” channel  14  and the roller tube boom  15  becomes more acute as the leading edge of the awning is lowered to provide shade as the sun moves from its zenith towards the horizon. This brings the upper part of the fabric closer to the side of the RV and into a position where the RV door  18  cannot be fully opened without striking the fabric  10 . The present invention avoids this problem as may be seen in FIG. 2 where the fabric  10  of the awning is divided between two planes with the upper section  16  being in a plane approaching perpendicular to the side of the RV to allow the door  18  room to open without striking the awning fabric  10 . The lower section  17  of the awning from the ridge pole line  11  to the awning boom  15  is at an angle relative to the vertical sidewall of the structure from which the awning canopy is deployed (included angle) that is less than would be found with a conventional awning to provide adequate shade when the sun is low on the horizon. 
     The distance between the “C” channel  14  and the ridge line  11  and the angle between the plane of the upper section  16  and side of the RV are controlled by adjusting the length of the ridge pole supports  20  and support braces  30 , see FIGS. 2 and 9. These adjustments permit the pitch of the upper plane  16  to be held constant for open-door clearance while changing the relative areas of the upper plane  16  and lower plane  17 . In the preferred embodiment, the adjustments are made during the initial installation of the invention on an RV and so long as the apparatus remains with that particular RV, the settings need not be changed. For popular RV/awning combinations, the dimensions of the ridge pole supports  20  and support braces  30  may be predetermined and supplied as fixed length components, thus eliminating the need for this adjustment step during initial installation. 
     In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, the support braces  30  are comprised of two members,  31  and  32 , connected together by a hinge pin  33  and to the ridge pole support  20  and RV exterior wall by similar hinge pin devices or brackets. In an adjustable embodiment, hinge pin  33  is eliminated. Members  31  and  32  are interfitting tubular members that are adjustable in overall length by sliding the smaller diameter member into or out of the larger member in a fashioned similar to that illustrated for the ridge pole  20  in FIG.  7 . 
     Installing the apparatus of the present invention into a retractable, adjustable awning system changes the aerodynamic properties of the awning canopy. For instance the ridge pole  40  is positioned on the underside of the awning canopy  10  parallel to the wall of the RV from which the awning canopy extends. This bifurcates the plane of the upper surface of the awning canopy by applying an upward pressure to its underside via the ridge pole. The deployment hardware of the awning is positioned so that the bifurcated plane results in first and second planes,  16  and  17  respectively, oriented at different angles relative to the original plane of the canopy. The first plane  16  comprises the section of awning canopy between the ridge pole and the RV and the second plane  17  extends from the ridge pole to the edge of the awning canopy opposite the edge connected to the RV. The ridge pole is positioned and maintained relative to the canopy so that the included angle of the second plane  17  relative to the vertical plane of the RV wall is less than the included angle of the first plane  16  relative to the vertical plane of the RV wall, see FIG.  2 . 
     Without the improvements of the present invention, the single plane of fabric  10  is looser and subjected to a greater wind force. This causes bellying of the fabric  10  as seen in FIG.  3 . In strong wind conditions, the fabric transitions between the convex shape  10 A and concave shape  10 B with booming reports that are not only annoying but also hazardous to a persons auditory system. With the present invention in-place, the large surface area of the awning canopy is divided into two relatively smaller surface area elements which, due to their smaller surface area, exhibit a significantly smaller amount of bellying than an awning without the invention installed. 
     To ensure that the fabric of the awning is taught, the ridge pole  40  must not flex. In the preferred embodiment, the ridge pole is a PVC pipe,  41  of FIG.  4 . This material is flexible and by its self not suitable. To overcome the flexibility problem, the preferred embodiment incorporates a steel core  42  within the PVC pipe  41 . This core may be of any ridged material but in the best mode of the invention it is a metal conduit dimensioned to fit snugly within the PVC pipe to eliminate relative motion between the PVC pipe  41  and its core  42 . This technique may also be used to stiffen the ridge pole supports  20  as illustrated in FIG. 7 were the tubular section  25  is provided with a rigidized core  25 A. If desired, the ridge pole  40  or ridge pole supports  20  may be constructed from material which is sufficiently rigid to eliminate the need for reinforcing cores. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a motor home with the awning assembly removed to more clearly illustrate the components of the primary embodiment of the invention in their stowed positions. The ridge pole  40  is held flush against the side of the RV as are the ridge pole supports  20 . Hinge brackets  21  support the ridge pole supports  20  when they are in the stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 5 or deployed as in FIGS. 1 and 2. The similar brackets are used to secure the support braces  30  to the RV. The hinge brackets  21  are “U” shaped in the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6 but they may be conventional “L” brackets. The base of the “U” includes a plurality of holes  37  through which the bracket is fastened to the RV  1  exterior wall by screws, bolts or rivets. The sidewalls of the bracket include a plurality of holes which are used selectively to fasten the ridge pole support  20  to the RV. The relative length of the ridge pole supports  20  may be adjusted slightly by using different holes  23  in combination with different holes  27  through the ridge pole support. This provides only a small amount of length variability. In the fully adjustable, i.e. universal, embodiment, the ridge pole supports  20  are as illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein each ridge pole support is comprised of a based section  25  and a larger diameter upper section  26 . These sections are tubular and dimensioned so that one section slides within the other. A plurality of holes  37  are provided in both sections to provide a means to lock the sections together by sliding a pin or similar object through aligned holes when the support is adjusted to the required length. The upper section  26  is terminated by a fitting  28  which cradles the ridge pole  40  but does not extend around the ridge pole where it could contact the fabric  10  of the awning. This construction technique is used to avoid excessive wear spots on the canopy. If the ridge pole is metal, this connection may be a weldment but in the preferred embodiment, a PVC tee is altered by removing a section as illustrated in FIG.  7 . The modified tee is secured to the ridge pole by screws  29 , rivets or other fastening means. Base member  25  is secured in the bracket  21  by a hinge pin  24  which passes through holes  23  in the opposing sides of the bracket. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, end support stabilizing struts are provided for the ridge pole  40  and awning canopy. These supports,  50  of FIG. 8, are arranged parallel to the side edges of the awning fabric  10  and provide a means to secure fabric stabilization clamps  61  as illustrated in FIG.  9 . In the preferred embodiment of this form of the invention, each side edge of the canopy is provided with a support assembly  50  comprised of a lower stabilizing strut  51  and an upper stabilizing strut  52 . Stabilizing struts  51  and  52  may be of a fixed length but preferably they are of variable length and are constructed of intermitting cylindrical members wherein a smaller diameter tube slides into a larger diameter tube as in the ridge pole support illustrated in FIG.  7 . The large and small diameter tubes are locked at a desired length by pins as described for the ridge pole supports. The lower stabilizing strut  51  is secured to the end of the ridge pole  40  by a tee  53  which is securely fasten as a termination of the lower stabilizing strut  51 , see FIG.  9 . The ridge pole  40  slides into the tee  53  and is secured thereto by screws, nuts and bolts, pins or similar removable hardware  67 . This arrangement allows the strut  51  to be rotated relative to the ridge pole  40  and aligned to the Mansard profile of the awning during initial installation. The threaded cap  54  prevents rain from entering the bore of the ridge pole. The upper stabilizing strut  52  is connected to the tee  53  by a modified tee  55 . This modified tee  55  is similar to the modified tee  28  which connects the ridge pole support to the ridge pole. The modified tee  55  is secured to tee  53  by screws, nuts and bolts, pins or similar removable hardware  68 . The ridge pole  40  and tee  53  are held tightly into the saddle created by the modification of tee  55  by forces applied to the ridge pole  40  and the securing hardware  68 . The modification of tee  55  is the removal of a significant portion of the cross member portion of the tee as best seen in FIG.  11  and with respect to the similar modification to tee  28 , FIG.  7 . 
     When the awning is deployed, the ridge pole supports  20  and support braces  30  hold the ridge pole so that tee  53  is securely pressed against and into the saddle of tee  55 . The other end of the upper stabilizing strut  52 , which is terminated by tee  55  at the ridge pole end is held in position against the side of the RV by a keyed bracket  62  such as illustrated in FIG.  10 . This bracket is comprised of a “U” shaped member  63  similar to the ridge pole support brackets  21  illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, instead of a plurality of holes permitting the fastening of the “U” shaped bracket to the side of the RV by screws or rivets, member  63  has a keel  66  secured to it. The keel  66  is dimensioned to fit into the “C” channel  14  which runs the length of the RV, see FIG. 5. A screw or pin may be placed through the “C” channel after the support member  63  is installed to prevent it from sliding out. 
     The end of the lower stabilizing strut  51  that is opposite tee termination  53  is provided with a modified tee  56  which creates a saddle that fits over the hub of the roller tube of the awning boom  15 , see FIG.  12 . This modified tee is similar to modified tees  28  and  55  in that the upper half of the tee&#39;s cross member is removed. The remaining portion of the tee is further modified by the creation of a crescent to opening  58  on the opposite side of the modified cross portion of the tee to accommodate the awning boom  15 . 
     Whenever a support brace  30  is positioned so that an open door  18  may strike it, a sleeve  39  of rubber or other soft material is positioned to cover the point on the brace  30  which would be contacted by the open door.