A universal awning anchor is an apparatus that supports an awning with various types of ground, such as soil, concrete, and sand. The apparatus includes a head, a first elongated bar, a second elongated bar, a length-adjustable fastener, and an anchor. The head upholds an awning. The first elongated bar and the second elongated bar define the height of the apparatus. The length-adjustable fastener secures the awning onto the head. The head and the anchor are removable and replaceable with the first elongated bar and the second elongated bar, respectively. The first elongated bar and the second elongated bar are telescopically engaged. The anchor that mounts the apparatus into the soil includes a plurality of threads. The anchor that mounts the apparatus onto concrete includes a plate and a plurality of anchoring holes. The anchor that mounts the apparatus into sand includes a first stake and a second stake.

A multi-purpose, adjustable bracket assembly may be provided. The adjustable bracket may allow for attaching structural features to existing posts, beams, or supports. The adjustable bracket may, for example, facilitate attaching a privacy screen and/or awning to existing railing posts of a deck or balcony. The bracket may further facilitate attachment of decorative latticework, horizontal slats, and/or bamboo partitions.

A locking member for a gate apparatus comprises a body mountable to a gripping array of a support, said body having a mating form mutually engageable with the gripping array, whereby axial motion of said body relative to said gripping array is inhibited. A member extends away from said body, said member defining a cross-tie mount for receiving a mating end of a cross-tie. The cross-tie mount has a cross-tie end retainer which is movable between a first position securing said cross-tie in said cross-tie mount, and a second position permitting release of said cross-tie from said cross-tie mount, whereby the cross-tie may be moved to function as a gate.

A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.

An awning assembly having an awning connection system for coupling an awning canopy to a support structure and providing a cover to the awning canopy when the awning assembly is in a closed position. The awning connection system comprises a unitary film segment having a distal end connected to the awning canopy and a proximal end for securing to the support structure. The unitary film segment further comprises an attached region for coupling the unitary film segment to the awning canopy.

A solar panel awning device may include a solar panel having first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides extending between the first and second opposing ends, and first and second opposing major surfaces. The first major opposing surface defines a photovoltaic surface. The solar panel awning device may include first and second arms respectively coupled to the first and second opposing ends of the solar panel, and an actuator coupled to one of the first and second arms and configured to switch the solar panel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the solar panel is flat against a side of a building; in the extended position, the first opposing side is proximal to the side of the building and spaced apart from the side of the building; and the second opposing side is distal to the side of the building.

A solar panel awning device may include a solar panel having first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides extending between the first and second opposing ends, and first and second opposing major surfaces. The first major opposing surface defines a photovoltaic surface. The solar panel awning device may include first and second arms respectively coupled to the first and second opposing ends of the solar panel, and an actuator coupled to one of the first and second arms and configured to switch the solar panel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the solar panel is flat against a side of a building; in the extended position, the first opposing side is proximal to the side of the building and spaced apart from the side of the building; and the second opposing side is distal to the side of the building.

Systems and methods for improving the brightness of a transparent display are disclosed herein. One embodiment collects ambient light using an array of diffraction gratings disposed on an external surface of a building; filters the ambient light to produce filtered ambient light; generates primary-source light using a light-emitting-diode (LED) light source; and injects, into a transparent edge-lit liquid crystal waveguide display deployed in at least a portion of a window of the building, the primary-source light and the filtered ambient light in a color-synchronized manner. The filtered ambient light improves the brightness of the transparent edge-lit liquid crystal waveguide display.

Systems and methods for improving the brightness of a transparent display are disclosed herein. One embodiment collects ambient light using an array of diffraction gratings disposed on an external surface of a building; filters the ambient light to produce filtered ambient light; generates primary-source light using a light-emitting-diode (LED) light source; and injects, into a transparent edge-lit liquid crystal waveguide display deployed in at least a portion of a window of the building, the primary-source light and the filtered ambient light in a color-synchronized manner. The filtered ambient light improves the brightness of the transparent edge-lit liquid crystal waveguide display.

A modular canopy system for installation on a supporting surface, the system comprising: a. a centre plate comprising i. a canopy surface; ii. a first substantially planar securing surface extending at an acute angle from the canopy surface, wherein the canopy surface and the securing surface define a first securing portion at a first end of the canopy surface and a second securing portion at an opposing second end of the canopy surface; and b. first and second securing plates, each securing plate comprising i. a substantially planar surface; ii. a canopy engagement portion extending from the planar surface, the canopy engagement portion defining a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of a respective first or second securing portion therein; and iii. a second substantially planar securing surface extending from the planar surface at an acute angle relative to the canopy engagement portion, wherein, when the first and second securing portions are receivable within the receiving slots of respective first and second securing plates such that the first and second securing surfaces extend along a common plane. The present invention also provide a method of assembly of such a modular canopy system.