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.

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.

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.

The embodiments relate to a self-supporting articulated-arm cassette awning, in particular for motor homes or trailers, comprising articulated arms (20) that are pivotable at awning arm joints or shoulder joints (10), and brackets or shoulders (II) for connecting the entire awning (100) to the vehicle by means of fastening elements and for receiving joint pins (I) in an insertable, in particular, slidable manner and for at least limiting the twistability of joint pins (I) of those parts of the awning arm joint or shoulder joint that are fixed to the vehicle. Desirable is a compact, continuously variable twisting arrangement for the joint pin which, at the same time, is capable of absorbing the high torques of the extended awning. This is achieved in that at least one, in particular, at least one multi-part bracing or clamping means (III, IV) is provided which can be inserted, in particular slid, into at least one of the brackets or shoulders (II) and which acts in particular radially with regard to the brackets or shoulders (II). The bracing or clamping means (III, IV) can be twisted with regard to the associated bracket or shoulder (II) about its longitudinal axis (12), at least to a limited degree, and receives the joint pin (I) in a positive- or nonpositive-locking manner. Alternatively or additionally it is proposed that at least one height adjustment and/or tilt adjustment means and at least one twisting means of the associated joint pin (I), which twisting means is continuously adjustable about its longitudinal axis, are arranged coaxial to each other in the bracket (II).

The invention relates to a load cell for measuring the tension in a supporting cable of a lifting apparatus, the load cell comprising a first body which is in mechanical contact with a supporting structure of the lifting apparatus, a second body which is in mechanical contact with supporting means of the lifting apparatus, and connection means such as a ball-and-socket joint which mechanically couples one end of the first body to the corresponding end of the second body. Deformation measuring means are used to measure the deformation caused by the exertion of force by the second body of the cell on the first body when the load cell is subjected to compression forces.

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.

A shading and protection awning for providing shade in pleasant weather and protection to the structure during inclement weather includes a pair of brackets, a spindle, a rod, a panel and a pair of support arms. Each bracket is L-shaped and configured to attach to a structure. Each of opposing ends of the spindle is rotationally coupled to a respective one of the pair of brackets. The rod is substantially complimentary in length to the spindle. The panel comprises hurricane fabric and has a first edge coupled to the spindle and a second edge coupled to the rod. Each of the arms has a first end pivotally coupled to a respective bracket and a second end rotationally coupled to a respective one of opposing termini of the rod.

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.

The present invention relates to means and methods for tensioning duck or canvas. In particular, the present invention provides a tensioning system wherein a canvas can be tensioned dynamically along one or two sides of a frame. The present invention also further provides a method for dynamic tensioning of a canvas on one or two sides of a frame.