A protection device is provided, including a first fixed member, a second fixed member, a supporting member, a roller, an awning, an electromagnetic device, and a power supply unit. The supporting member connects to the first and second fixed members. The roller is movably disposed on the supporting member. The power supply unit provides electrical power to the electromagnetic device, so that the electromagnetic device attracts the roller, and the awning remains in a received state. When the power supply unit stops providing electrical power to the electromagnetic device, the roller moves along the supporting member, and the awning is expanded to cover the equipment.

An adjustment coupler includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member. In embodiments, the first clutch member may be rotationally fixed with respect to the second clutch member when a torque applied thereto is less than a predetermined amount. When the torque is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the first clutch member may rotate with respect to the second clutch member. In other embodiments, the first clutch member may be rotationally fixed to the second clutch member.

A boat lift with hydraulically or mechanically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat cover on a powerboat. The control logic of the system allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the boat in cover-on position. A slip clutch prevents the torsion spring from being over tightened. The forward position of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic cylinder length. The rearward position of the roller is adjusted by limiting the retracted position of the hydraulic cylinder. A non-hydraulic embodiment actuates the cover when the lift is operated.

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 boat lift with hydraulically or mechanically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat cover on a powerboat. The control logic of the system allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the boat in cover-on position. A slip clutch prevents the torsion spring from being over tightened. The forward position of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic cylinder length. The rearward position of the roller is adjusted by limiting the retracted position of the hydraulic cylinder. A non-hydraulic embodiment actuates the cover when the lift is operated.

A retractable and stowable cover is provided for use with an open living space. A lifting mechanism moves a center section from a stored position to a second position where the cover can be used for shade. The shade position allows an expandable shade fabric to be deployed from each side of the center section. The lifting mechanism can then move the center section where it comes down and the shade fabric can then cover and secure the open space.

An awning that has a support device, a cloth shaft, a cloth, a lead bar and a drive device. The lead bar can be adjusted via the drive device between a fully retracted minimum position and a completely extended maximum position. The drive device has at least one first arm link which, at its inner end facing the cloth shaft, is mounted via a joint device so as to pivot about a pivot axis. The joint device is designed such that an inclination of the pivot axis relative to the vertical changes depending on the pivoting movement of the first arm link and depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft. A control part is provided which is connected in an articulated manner to a first arm link at a first joint and which is connected in an articulated manner to the support device at a second joint.

An awning comprising a fabric roller, a fabric, and a drop arm. The fabric is connected to the fabric roller in the region of an inner fabric edge and to the drop arm in the region of an opposite outer fabric edge. The drop arm can be adjusted via a drive device between a fully retracted minimum position P.sub.0, in which the fabric is wound as tightly as possible on the fabric roller, and a fully extended maximum position, in which the fabric has the widest possible span. The drop arm is moved between the minimum position and the maximum position along a curved path of movement, wherein a distance to a reference plane in the maximum position is at least 8.0 times as great as a distance from the reference plane in a position extended by 50% along the reference path.