Patent Publication Number: US-2019177980-A1

Title: Awning apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 C.F.R. § 1.57. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This application is directed to an awning apparatus, which is a retractable device to provide shade or other shelter from the elements. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Awnings are well known, convenient devices that provide shade and shelter. Often awnings are retractable so that they can be out of the way when shade or shelter is not needed. Certain retractable awnings employ folding arms that can be coupled with an extendable end of a canvas structure to pull the extendable end outward away from a building to which the awning is coupled. 
     Sometimes awnings are configured to allow extendable arms to be retracted into a housing that is mounted to a building or other structure. The housing protects the extendable arm and the canvas structure from the elements when not in use. The housing also can enhance the appearance of the retracted awning by hiding the mechanism and other utilitarian components of the awning from view. 
     While extendable arms are known to be retractable into a housing, there is a need for improved devices of this type. 
     SUMMARY 
     One type of awning that has become popular is one that allows an extendable end of canvas or other shade providing structure to be positioned at a lower elevation under some shade conditions. In some cases, a lower elevation position of the extendable end can be selected by adjusting a mechanism of the awning. In some prior art awnings a lower elevation position of the extendable end was provided, but such position prevented the retractable arms from being properly retracted into a housing of the awning. This can be particularly challenging for compact cassette and semi-cassette awnings. An improved mechanism or other arrangements enabling the elevation of the extended end of a retractable arm to be adjusted downward to a lower elevation position while still assuring that the retractable arm is properly retracted into a housing is needed. 
     Improved cassette awnings disclosed herein provide that an elevation of an extended end of a shade structure is in some examples automatically, e.g., simultaneously with retraction, adjusted upward to align the extended end with an opening into a housing. In some cases the extended end is configured to be retracted into or to close the opening in the cassette awning. 
     Improved awnings disclosed herein provide a degree of freedom of adjustment, e.g., rotation about a horizontal axis, to allow a front support or other outer end of a shade structure of the awning to be aligned with an opening of a housing of the awning upon retraction. 
     Improved awnings disclosed herein provide a limit on motion about at least one degree of freedom of adjustment, e.g., rotation about a horizontal axis, to prevent unwanted motion in at least one state of the awning. The awnings disclosed herein can limit such motion when the awning is fully extended. 
     In one embodiment, an awning is provided that includes a housing, a roller assembly disposed in the housing, and an extendable arm that has an inner end supported from within the housing and an outer end extendable away from the housing. The awning also has a front support coupled with the outer end of the extendable arms. The awning has a shelter member that has an outer portion coupled with the front support and disposed along the extendable arms. The awning also has a first mechanism adapted to adjust the orientation of the shelter member from a first extended orientation to a second extended orientation. The second extended orientation is at a higher angle from horizontal than the first extended orientation. The awning has a second mechanism responsive to a vertical force to raise the front support and the outer portion of the shelter member toward an angle corresponding to the first extended position. 
     In one variation of the foregoing embodiment, the front support is configured as a bar that extends between two extendable arms and that is coupled with, e.g., directly connected to the shelter member. The shelter member can be a canvas or other durable fabric suited for long term use in outdoor conditions. In another variation the front support is optional. For example, an outer portion of the shelter member can be connected directly to an outer end of one or more extendable arms. 
     In another embodiment, an awning is provided that includes an extendable arm, a shelter member, and a joint. The extendable arm has an inner end coupled with a support and an outer end extendable away from the inner end. The shelter member has an outer portion coupled with the extendable arm support and disposed along the extendable arm. The joint has a mechanism responsive to an awning retraction force to raise outer portions of the extendable arms and an outer portion of the shelter member toward a horizontal orientation relative to a shade enhancing orientation. 
     In another embodiment a joint for an awning is provided that includes an arm coupler, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The first mechanism has a threaded actuator for adjusting an orientation of the arm coupler from a first extended orientation to a second extended orientation. The second extended orientation is at a higher angle from horizontal than the first extended orientation. The second mechanism has a bracket pivoted to the first mechanism and responsive to a vertical force to raise the arm coupler toward an angle corresponding to the first extended position. 
     In another embodiment, a method of retracting an awning is provided. An initial force for retracting a shelter member of the awning is applied to gather the shelter member in a housing. A further force is applied to continue to retract the shelter member, to continue to gather the shelter member in the housing. A final force is applied to complete retracting the shelter member into the housing. The initial force retracts the shelter member without lifting the outer end of the shelter member. The further force lifts the outer end of the shelter member while retracting the shelter member. The final force retracts the awning into the housing without interference from the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates shade providing performance of an awning in a first configuration with the sun directly overhead; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates shade providing performance of the awning in the first position with the sun lower in the sky, e.g., earlier or later in the day, than the position illustrated in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrate the awning in a second configuration enhancing the shade performance with the sun lower in the sky, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2  shows components of various embodiments of the awning apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an awning joint adapted for supporting an extendable arm assembly, the awning joint being shown in a configuration corresponding to the extendable arms being retracted; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the awning joint embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the awning joint shown in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the awning joint embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the awning joint shown in a retracted configuration with a retraction joint in an elevated position; 
         FIG. 4B  is a section view of the awning joint embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the awning joint shown in a retracted configuration with the retraction joint in an elevated position; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the awning joint embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the awning joint being shown in a configuration corresponding to extendable arms being extended; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the configuration of the awning joint embodiment of  FIG. 3 , shown in the extended configuration of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the awning joint of  FIG. 3  shown in a configuration for downwardly angling extendable arms of the awning joint, the awning joint being in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the awning of  FIG. 2  showing forces initially transmitted to an outer portion thereof upon retraction of the awning; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the awning of  FIG. 2  showing continued application of force following that of  FIG. 8  and the corresponding raising of the outer portion of the awning. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This application discloses and claims various improved awning apparatuses that can improve shade structure and that can provide for more reliable storage of the awning. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an awning apparatus providing excellent shade during the middle part of a day when the sun is directly overhead. The awning  10  is extended from the wall W. The awning  10  generally includes a housing  12  and an extendable shade structure  14  that blocks the sun providing shade S.  FIG. 1A  shows that when the sun is overhead the extendable shade structure  14  can be extended, and when extended the shade S is plentiful.  FIG. 1B  shows the extendable shade structure  14  in in the same position or configuration as shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1B  shows that as the sun transitions to lower in the sky the shade S decreases.  FIG. 1C  shows the sun in the same position as in  FIG. 1B  and shows a modified configuration of the awning  10  in which the outer end of the extendable shade structure  14  is lowered compared to the end adjacent to the wall W and also is lowered from the position shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B .  FIG. 1C  shows that the shade S is much improved for the sun position of  FIGS. 1B and 1C  with the modified configuration of the extendable shade structure  14 . 
       FIG. 1C  shows an arrow  18  that indicated the elevation difference between the location of the housing  12  and the end of the extendable shade structure  14  away from the wall W. Although the elevation distance is beneficial for the reasons discussed above, a problem can arise when the extendable shade structure  14  is retracted into housing  12 . The end of the extendable shade structure  14  away from the housing  12  in the extended configuration may not fully return to the elevation shown in  FIG. 1A . For example, in one embodiment the lower elevation shown in  FIG. 1C  is provided by hand cranking a mechanism. Unless the user counts the number of cranks to reach the lowered position and counter-cranks the same number of times, the elevation of the outer end will not be the same as when extended, e.g., as in  FIG. 1A . This can prevent the extendable shade structure  14  from being fully retracted into the housing  12 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an awning assembly  100  that can be mounted to a wall. The awning assembly  100  includes a wall base  102  that can be anchored to the wall. The wall base  102  can support a housing  104 . A shade structure  108  can be extended from and stored in the housing  104 . The shade structure  108  can take many different forms, but generally includes one or more, e.g., a plurality of or two extendable arms  112  and a shelter fabric  116 . The shelter fabric  116  can be a durable material such as a canvas. The extendable arms  112  can include an inner member  113 , and outer member  114 , and a joint  115  disposed between the inner member  113  and the outer member  114 . The shelter fabric  116  is coupled at an inner end thereof to a rear support  120  and is coupled at an outer end with a front support  124 . The shelter fabric  116  can be coupled with the rear support  120  by a roller assembly  128 . The roller assembly  128  is used to roll up the shelter fabric  116  such that the shelter fabric  116  is in a low-profile configuration when stored. The roller assembly  128  can include a roller or drum about which the shelter fabric  116  is wound. The roller assembly  128  can be driven manually, e.g., by a hand crank  132 . The roller assembly  128  can be driven by a motor. In some cases, the roller assembly  128  can be configured to be driven by either a motor or the hand crank  132 . 
     The roller assembly  128  can be installed in the housing  104  by removing a cap  134  providing access from a side of the housing  104 . The housing  104  can also have one or a plurality of supports  135  for holding the roller assembly  128 . 
       FIG. 2  shows that the awning assembly  100  also can include an adjustment and retraction joint  136 . The adjustment and retraction joint  136  is configured to enable the outer end of the outer member of the front support  124  to be lowered in elevation. The adjustment and retraction joint  136  can provide the performance benefits of  FIG. 1C . That is, the adjustment and retraction joint  136  enables the user to lower the front support  124  and as a result to lower an outer portion of the shelter fabric  116  causing the shade S to be increased when the sun is low in the sky. The adjustment and retraction joint  136  also is advantageously suited to automatically move the front support  124  to an elevation where the front support  124  is always retracted into the housing  104  without requiring the user to directly adjust the elevation of the front support  124 . The adjustment and retraction joint  136  also is advantageously to move the front support  124  to an elevation for retraction into the housing  104  without requiring the user to adjust the elevation of the front support  124  as a separate step from retracting the front support  124 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-7 , the adjustment and retraction joint  136  can include an angle adjustment joint  140 , which can be considered a first mechanism. The adjustment joint  140  is configured to adjust the front support  124  from a first elevation (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1B ) to a second elevation (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1C ). The adjustment joint  140  can take any suitable form. For example, the adjustment joint  140  can include a rotatable actuator  144  that can be releasably engaged by the hand crank  132 . The rotatable actuator  144  can turn to cause the front support  124  to be raised or lowered. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the adjustment joint  140  can be configured in a manner similar to the adjustable joint in U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,042B1, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The adjustment joint  140  can include a supporting seat  141  and an adjustment member  142 . The supporting seat  141  can be mounted to the wall base  102 , such as by one or more bolts. The supporting seat  141  can include an aperture or slot  145 . The adjustment member  142  can be pivotally connected to the supporting seat  141  by a supporting shaft  143  at the slot  145 . The adjustment member  142  can be pivotally and translatably coupled with the supporting seat  141  by the slider shaft  149  at an elongated through slot  147 . The connections of the adjustment member  142  with the supporting seat  141  can be spaced apart (e.g., on opposite ends of the adjustment member  142 . The supporting shaft  143  can be oriented in a horizontal direction. The slider shaft  149  can pass through the elongated through slot  147  to slidably mount the adjustment member  142  to the supporting seat  141 . 
     In one advantageous embodiment, movement of an adjustment member similar to the adjustment member  142  can be provided without including a mechanism to automatically adjust the elevation of the front support  124  during retraction. In other words, an awning can be provided where the motion from a more horizontal state to a more angled state (as from the state of  FIG. 1A  to the state of  FIG. 1C ) can be provided by movement of the actuator  144  causing motion of the slider shaft  149  in the slot  147 . A corresponding movement of the shaft  143  in the slot  145  can enhance the motion provided as a result of the movement of the actuator  144 . The slot  145  provide some play in movement of the shaft  143  that can ease the downward tilting of the awning. In some embodiments, the more angled state can be secured using the limiter  164  when the awning in the extended state. Retracting this embodiment can commence with adjusting the actuator  144  until the awning is in the more horizontal state as in  FIG. 1A  and then folding the arms at the retraction joint  136 . 
     By providing the through slot  147  and the slot  145  for connection with the supporting seat  141 , as in some implementations, the adjustment member  142  can be afforded an additional degree of adjustability of the relative position between the adjustment member  142  and the supporting seat  141  (e.g., as compared with a single slot and pin aperture having a uniform circumference, which would provide only a rotation about the pin aperture as the single degree of freedom). The adjustment member  142  can rotate and/or translate in small amounts with respect to the supporting seat  141  about the slider shaft  149  (primarily providing translation) and the supporting shaft  143  (primarily acting as a pivot point, but also allowing translation where the slot  145  is included). 
     The slider shaft  149  can be threadingly mounted on a retaining pin assembly  146 . The retaining pin assembly  146  can be rotatably mounted on the supporting seat  141  in a generally vertical orientation. The retaining pin assembly  146  can be coupled with the rotatable actuator  144 . The supporting seat  141  can include a central slot or aperture housing the retaining pin assembly  146 . Rotation of the rotatable actuator  144  can turn the retaining pin assembly  146  to translate the slider shaft  149  along the generally vertical direction. Translation of the slider shaft  149  can rotate the adjustment member  142  about the supporting shaft  143 . By rotation of the rotatable actuator  144 , the angle of the adjustment member  142  with respect to the supporting seat  141  can be selectively adjusted. The adjustment member  142  (and the inner member  113 ) can be tilted generally about the supporting shaft  143  to cause the front support  124  to be raised or lowered (e.g., angled downwards or upwards) to orient the canopy. 
     The adjustment member  142  can also include a lower periphery  148 . A projection  150  can be provided on the lower periphery  148  to interact with a retraction joint  160  of the adjustment and retraction joint  136 . 
     The retraction joint  160 , which can be considered a second mechanism, is one example of a structure that can provide an additional degree of freedom in the awning assembly  100 . The retraction joint  160  can provide for rotation about a horizontal axis as discuss further below. The degree of freedom provided by the retraction joint  160  facilitates alignment of the front support  124  with the housing  104  upon retraction as discussed further below. The retraction joint  160  can provide for rotation about with respect to the adjustment member  142  about an axle  192 . 
     Although the retraction joint  160  is shown integrated into the adjustment and retraction joint  136  between the inner member  113  and the housing  104 , the function of the joint can be provided at other locations on various modified embodiments. For example the function of the retraction joint  160  can be integrated into the joint  115  between the inner member  113  and the outer member  114 . The function of the of the retraction joint  160  can be provided between the joint  115  and the front support  124 , e.g., between the outer end of the outer member  114  and the front support  124 . 
     The adjustment and retraction joint  136  also includes an arm coupler  152  that is coupled to the adjustment and retraction joint  136  by an axle  154  at one end. An opposite end of the arm coupler  152  is coupled in the illustrated embodiment with an inner member of one or both of the extendable arms  112 . The opposite end of the arm coupler  152  and the inner member can be coupled in any suitable manner, such as by interference fit, by fasteners or by other structures. 
     The retraction joint  160  provides unique advantages in the retraction of the shade structure  108 . The retraction joint  160  provides motion about a horizontal axis to allow for un-deflected position during retraction. A limiter  164  is provided in the adjustment and retraction joint  136  to limit the motion about a horizontal axis as discussed further below. 
     The retraction joint  160  includes a structure that allows the joint to rotate. The retraction joint  160  can include a u-shaped flange  180 . The u-shaped flange  180  can include an inwardly facing bight  182 . The inwardly facing bight  182  faces away from the front support  124  and toward a wall or other support structure to which the awning assembly  100  is mounted. The inwardly facing bight  182  can be defined between a first end  184  and a second end  188 . The u-shaped flange  180  can also be coupled with or can have integrally extending therefrom a cylindrical member  190 . The cylindrical member  190  enables the u-shaped flange  180  and the adjustment and retraction joint  136  to be coupled with the axle  154  and with the arm coupler  152 .  FIG. 3  shows that the axle  154  extends through fork portions  153  of the arm coupler  152  and through the cylindrical member  190  of the u-shaped flange  180 . This arrangement allows the arm coupler  152  (and the inner portion of the extendable arm to which it is coupled) to rotate about the axle  154  (and thereby about a vertical axis) and to rotate about a horizontal axis as provided by the structure of the retraction joint  160 . 
     Rotation of the u-shaped flange  180  about a horizontal axis can be provided by an axle  192  that extends horizontally through the adjustment and retraction joint  136 . The axle  192  extends through the first end  184  and the second end  188  of the u-shaped flange  180 . The axle  192  extends through a hollowed out portion  193  of the adjustment member  142  in one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4B . The hollowed out portion  193  accommodates motion of axle  192  as it moves with the adjustment member  142  with respect to the supporting seat  141 , without which the axle  192  would interfere with supporting seat  141 /adjustment member  142  motion. The axle  192  enables the u-shaped flange  180  to pivot such that an outer portion thereof (in this context outer meaning away from the wall or other support to which the awning assembly  100  may be coupled) can be raised or lowered. This motion is translated directly in some embodiments into a raising and lowering of at least an outer end  155  of the arm coupler  152  due to the arm coupler  152  being coupled with the u-shaped flange  180 , e.g., by the cylindrical member  190 . Raising or lowering of at least the outer end  155  of the arm coupler  152  corresponds to raising or lowering the inner member  113  of the extendable arms  112  of which the inner member  113  is a part. 
     The retraction joint  160  and the axle  192  can operate independently of the adjustment joint  140  such that the position of the arm coupler  152  and the extendable arms  112  coupled therewith can be changed by a force applied to the shade structure  108 . A force applied to the front support  124  can be applied from the roller assembly  128 , e.g., by rotating a roller thereof in a direction to tension and to roll up the shelter fabric  116 . Such a force can be resolved into a vertical component and a horizontal component. The vertical component of the force can have a lifting effect on the shade structure  108 , particularly on the outer end thereof, e.g., on the front support  124 . As discussed further below, 
     The motion of the u-shaped flange  180  of the retraction joint  160  can have one or more limiting structures. In one embodiment, the u-shaped flange  180  has a downward facing bight  194  that can allow the u-shaped flange  180  to engage the adjustment joint  140 . As noted above, the adjustment joint  140  can have a projection  150 . The downward facing bight  194  can be sized to fit over the projection  150 . The projection  150  can have an outward extent that is the same as or more than the thickness of the u-shaped flange  180  such that the bottom surface of the u-shaped flange  180  can be fully supported by the projection  150 . The projection  150  is a vertical limiter on downward rotation of the retraction joint  160  about a horizontal rotation axis through the axle  192 . In the absence of an upward force, the orientation of the arm coupler  152  when extended (and the extendable arm coupled therewith) is provided when the downward facing bight  194  is disposed over and engages the projection  150 . An upward force applied to the arm coupler  152 , e.g., from the outer end of the shade structure  108  can lift the u-shaped flange  180  relative to the adjustment joint  140 . A downward force would not allow the shade structure  108  to be moved downwardly in the extended configuration beyond the point when the downward facing bight  194  engages the projection  150 . 
     Upward motion of the shade structure  108  is limited in some embodiments by structures that prevent such motion. In other embodiments, gravity can limit upward motion which can be sufficient to control the orientation of the shade structure  108  when extended. For those embodiments where specific limit on unintended upward motion is desired the limiter  164  can be provide. The limiter  164  can provide active limitation on motion of the shade structure  108 . The limiter  164  actively limit in one status or configuration, such as when the shade structure  108  is fully extended. The limiter  164  can be inactive in one status or configuration, such as during retraction of the shade structure  108  or when the shade structure  108  is fully retracted. The limiter  164  can take any suitable form. In one embodiment the limiter  164  includes a plate member  200  that can be disposed between the adjustment joint  140  and the retraction joint  160 . In some embodiments the plate member  200  can be disposed over or under a portion of the adjustment joint  140  to resist motion of the retraction joint  160  relative thereto in at least one direction. The plate member  200  can be disposed below a portion of the adjustment joint  140  in at least one configuration of the awning assembly  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the plate member  200  includes an aperture and is disposed about the axle  154 . The plate member  200  can be disposed between the cylindrical member  190  and a lower portion of a fork portion of the arm coupler  152 . The plate member  200  can be configured to rotate into a position at least partially below the adjustment joint  140  when the arm coupler  152  is in an extended position. The plate member  200  can be configured to rotate into a position not below the adjustment joint  140  when the arm coupler  152  is in a retracted position. When the plate member  200  rotates such to not be below the adjustment joint  140  a force applied to the shade structure  108  with an upward component can lift the shade structure  108 , e.g., the front support  124  and the outer end of the shelter fabric  116  from a position corresponding to  FIG. 1C  to a position corresponding to  FIG. 1A . 
     The plate member  200  can have an asymmetric shape providing the configurations for blocking rotation of the retraction joint  160  about a horizontal axis and for not blocking such rotation. The asymmetric shape can include a first extent  208  and a second extent  212  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , respectively. The first extent  208  can be oriented in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the arm coupler  152  and also of the extendable arms  112  when extended. The first extent  208  can be greater than the distance between the rotation axis of the axle  154  and the lower periphery  148  such that when the first extent  208  is disposed toward the lower periphery  148  the lower periphery  148  is disposed over or otherwise overlaps the plate member  200 .  FIG. 6  shows that in one arrangement, the first extent  208  is directed toward the lower periphery  148  when the arm coupler  152  is extended.  FIG. 6  shows a status or configuration in which the interaction between the first extent  208  and the lower periphery  148  actively prevents rotation of the retraction joint  160  about the axle  192 . 
     The second extent  212  preferably is less than the first extent  208 . The second extent  212  can be oriented along the longitudinal axis of the arm coupler  152 . The second extent  212  can extend away from the arm coupler  152  along the longitudinal axis of the arm coupler  152 .  FIG. 4  shows that in one embodiment the second extent  212  can be disposed away from the adjustment joint  140  in at least one configuration of the awning assembly  100 . The second extent  212  can be less than the distance between the rotation axis of the axle  154  and the lower periphery  148  of the adjustment joint  140 . This position allows the plate member  200  to rotate past the adjustment joint  140  without being block by the lower periphery  148  of the adjustment joint  140  to allow the shade structure  108  to be raised upon retraction as discussed further below.  FIG. 4  thus shows a status or configuration of the limiter  164  in which a lack of interaction between the plate member  200  (e.g., in the first extent  208  or the second extent  212 ) and the lower periphery  148  provides status ore configuration in which the retraction joint  160  can rotate about the axle  192 . Such rotation enables an outer portion of the shade structure  108  to be aligned with the housing  104  automatically or simultaneously with retraction of the awning assembly  100  as discussed further below. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show the process of retracting the awning assembly  100 . In one arrangement a hand crank  132  is used to begin to retract the awning assembly  100  from the position shown in  FIG. 2 . A force F is transmitted along the shade structure  108 , e.g., the front support  124 . The force F can be resolved into horizontal force component Fh and vertical force component Fv. The vertical force component Fv lifts the front support  124  and the outer end of the shelter fabric  116  of the shade structure  108  as shown in an exaggerated manner in  FIG. 9 . The lifting of the front support  124  and the outer portion of the shelter fabric  116  is as a result of the retraction joint  160 . The u-shaped flange  180  is allowed to pivot upward about the axle  192 . The lifting of the front support  124  can be immediate if the limiter  164  is not present. If the limiter  164  is present the lifting of the front support  124  and the outer end of the shelter fabric  116  can be delayed until the plate member  200  rotates out of a projection of the adjustment joint  140 . When the limiter  164  rotates out from under the lower periphery  148  the front support  124  and the outer portion of the shelter fabric  116  can begin to be lifted by the vertical component Fv of the force F. 
     Continued application of the force F causes the front support  124  and the shelter fabric  116  to be further drawn into the housing  104 . For example, the vertical component force Fv can raise the front support  124  to an elevation above the lower boundary to an opening into the housing  104  and below the upper boundary to the opening into the housing  104  as shown schematically in  FIG. 9 . Upon full rotation of the arm coupler  152  and the extendable arms  112  coupled therewith, the arm coupler  152  and the extendable arms  112  will be aligned with the wall and in the housing  104 . Prior to entering but when approaching the housing  104 , the elevation of the front support  124  and the outer portions of the shelter fabric  116  will be set by the orientation of the u-shaped flange  180 . The u-shaped flange  180  will be fully lifted aligning the front support  124  and the outer portion of the shelter fabric  116  with an opening of the housing  104 . As the front support  124  and the shelter fabric  116  move into the housing  104  there will be no obstruction of entering the housing  104 . 
     As discussed above, the function of the retraction joint  160  can be provided at the joint  115  or outward of the joint  115 , e.g., between the outer member  114  and the front support  124 . The initial application of the force F can provide vertical component Fv to lift the outer member  114  relative to the inner member  113 . This arrangement can advantageously allow a lower vertical force Fv to provide vertical lifting of the outer member  114  and the rest of the outer portion of the shade structure  108  due to not having to raise the weight of the inner member  113 . If the function of the retraction joint  160  is provided between the outer member  114  and the front support  124  an even lower vertical force component Fv can achieve lifting and alignment of the front support  124  and at least a portion of the shelter fabric  116  coupled therewith. 
     Another advantage of the awning assembly  100  is that a downward configuration of the shade structure  108  can be maintained even when the shade structure  108  is folded within the housing  104 .  FIG. 7  shows that a gap G between the top of the projection  150  and the downward facing bight  194 . The gap G defines the shade enhancing angle between horizontal and the top surface of the shelter fabric  116  or between horizontal and a plane connecting a rotation axis of a roller and a longitudinal axis of the front support  124 . A load to maintain the gap G and to support the front support  124  can be carried by the shelter fabric  116 . A separate support for the extendable arms  112  and the arm coupler  152  can be provided in the housing  104 . 
     The foregoing provides a distinct advantage that the awning assembly  100  can be extended out of the housing  104 . When so extended the adjustment and retraction joint  136  can be initially in a downwardly oriented configuration enabling the shade structure  108  to be oriented downwardly. The gap G can be closed as the extendable arms  112  is being extended. As the extendable arm(s)  112  is or are being extended, the retraction joint  160  can rotate downward about the horizontal of the axle  192  without separate input from the user. As the extendable arm(s)  112  is or are being extended the downward facing bight  194  can come down to rest on the projection  150 . Thus, the downward orientation of the shade structure  108  can arise automatically from a single mechanism, e.g., from rotating the rotatable actuator  144  using the hand crank  132  or from a motor for example. On the other hand the rotatable actuator  144  can be rotated in the opposite direction to adjust the shade structure  108  to a horizontal configuration prior to retracting the shade structure  108  as discussed above and as illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, 0.1 degree, or otherwise. 
     Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognized that any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Further, the actions of the disclosed processes and methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering actions and/or inserting additional actions and/or deleting actions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.