Patent ID: 8839839

Claim:
A retractable awning having an automated pitching gable or automated pitching arch, the awning comprising: a flexible sheet, a front support member, the front support member comprising a left front member, a right front member, and a hinge coupled with an upwardly biased spring, the left front member movably connected to the right front member by the hinge coupled with an upwardly biased spring, a front edge portion of the flexible sheet affixed to a top portion of the front support member; a frame attached to a fixed surface; a roller rotatably affixed to the frame, a back edge portion of the flexible sheet is affixed to the roller; a left articulated arm, including a left proximal member movably connected to a left portion of the frame by a first left hinge, a left distal member, the left proximal member movably connected to the left distal member by a second left hinge to from a left joint, a first end of the front support member is rotatably affixed to the left distal member; right articulated arm, including a right proximal member movably connected to a right portion of the frame by a first right hinge, a right distal member, the right proximal member movably connected to the right distal member by a second right hinge to form a right joint, a second end of the front support member is rotatably affixed to the right distal member; whereas the roller turns in a first direction, the roller extends all four of the following: the left articulated arm, the right articulated arm, and the front support member such that the hinge coupled with an upwardly biased spring automatically urges the left front member and the right front member out of horizontal alignment without user action, thereby automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet; and whereas when the roller turns in a second direction, the roller retracts both the flexible sheet and the front support member until the flexible sheet is substantially wrapped around the roller, each of the first end of the front support member and the second end of the front support member is pulled in an opposing direction, thereby counteracting the upwardly biased spring and realigning horizontally the left front member and the right front member.