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.

Provided is an awning system comprising: a) two vertical tracks; b) two arms, with each arm attached at a first end to one of the vertical tracks, the arm configured to move in :a vertical direction and pivot in relation to the track, each arm further configured to be extendible; c) a cross-bar, with each end of the cross-bar attached to a second end of one of the arms; d) a piece of fabric attached at one end to the cross-bar; and e) a holder placed on top of the tracks for holding a second end of the fabric; wherein the awning fabric is configured to be adjusted in both the vertical and the horizontal direction; wherein a user can move the arms vertically and extend the arms to adjust a position of the fabric. Provided is a retractable canopy system comprising: a) a track; b) a frame movably attached to the track; c) a support attached to the frame; d) a connector movably attached to the support, e) two or more rods attached to the connector; f) a canopy piece attached to the rods; wherein the awning is configured to have a stowed and deployed position that are obtained by moving the frame against the track.

A retractable shade system is provided, comprising a base material, a first horizontal pole, a prop, and a retractable solar panel. The base material has a first end portion, a second end portion, and two side portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to be fixed to an anchoring object, so that the base material is disposed by a specific angle with respect to the anchoring object. The first horizontal pole is disposed at the second end portion of the base material. The prop is installed between the base material and the anchoring object, so that the retractable shade system is disposed with respect to the anchoring object in a stable condition. The retractable solar panel is disposed at the base material and configured to be deployed or retracted toward the first end portion of the base material.

An arm mechanism includes a first arm, which is hollow, a second arm, and a connection portion for mutually rotatably connecting the first arm and the second arm. A connection portion 15 includes a rotary shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of a first arm 11 and a second arm 12, a friction portion for generating a frictional force against rotation of the rotary shaft, and a biasing member which is housed in the first arm, has an end portion facing away from the rotary shaft and connected to the first arm, has an end portion facing the rotary shaft and connected to the second arm via a connection member, and generates a contraction force which is increased with an increase in angle between an axis of the second arm and an axis of the first arm by rotation of the rotary shaft.

An arm mechanism includes a first arm, which is hollow, a second arm, and a connection portion for mutually rotatably connecting the first arm and the second arm. A connection portion 15 includes a rotary shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of a first arm 11 and a second arm 12, a friction portion for generating a frictional force against rotation of the rotary shaft, and a biasing member which is housed in the first arm, has an end portion facing away from the rotary shaft and connected to the first arm, has an end portion facing the rotary shaft and connected to the second arm via a connection member, and generates a contraction force which is increased with an increase in angle between an axis of the second arm and an axis of the first arm by rotation of the rotary shaft.

A connection system for connecting an accessory element to a mounting structure, in particular for connecting a fabric of an awning, tent or sun sail to a mounting structure such as a wall of a building or an outer surface of a vehicle. The connection system includes a receiving member provided on the mounting structure and defining a receiving groove extending along an extension path, and an adapter having an engaging section and a receiving section. The engaging section is configured such that an engagement with the receiving groove is caused by an insertion movement of the engaging section into the receiving groove, the insertion movement having at least a translatory component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension path.

The invention relates to an awning device 1, 20, 40, comprising an awning 3 with at least one arch element 5 stabilizing an arch, at least one winding shaft 2 for winding up and off the awning 3, and at least one traction rope 4. To obtain an approx. central arch to the top to securely discharge water, according to the invention, at least one traction rope 4 is connected with a first region 6 of the awning 6, wherein this first region 6 is tightly tensioned between the winding shaft 2 and the traction rope 4 in the wound-off state of the awning 3 due to the tensile stress of the traction rope 4, and within this first regions 6, a section of at least one arch element 5 is arranged, the arch element being arranged there approx. in parallel to the winding shaft 2, the awning 3 comprises, at least on one side of the first region 6, a second region 7 into which the at least one arch element 5 extends, the second region being mounted on the at least one arch element 5 in a loosely hanging manner, and the at least one arch element 5 is, in the non-loaded state, essentially straight or comprises, at least in one section, an arch facing to the bottom, wherein the second region of the awning 3 comprises a smaller surface tension in the pulling direction between the traction rope 4 and the winding shaft 2 than the first region 6.

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.

Various embodiments of an awning roller assembly is provided. The structure provides an awning roller tube having a first end and a second end with a powered groove extending between the ends, in full or in part. The powered groove includes a plurality of tracks having at least one electrical conductor in each track. An accessory base is provided for connection with a plurality of powered accessories, including but not limited to, lights, fans or audio-video equipment. The accessory base provides electrical connection between the powered groove and the accessory to provide improved function in the outdoor living space beneath and around the awning.

A power track assembly is provided which may be used with an accessory base (454) therefore. The power track assembly includes a track housing (402) having at least one track (470) with first and second conductors (484, 485). The conductors provide power to the accessory base which may be connected to an accessory (32, 34, 36, 37) requiring power for operation. The accessory base (454) may also be used with power tracks in a roller tube awning assembly (20), a cassette awning assembly (120), or hardware assembly (328).