Self-supporting articulated-arm cassette awning for vehicles

Abstract

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).

Claims

1. A self-supporting articulated-arm assembly for a cassette awning, comprising: an articulated arm that is pivotable at an awning arm joint, said joint having a bracket, a multi-part bracing and a joint pin which engages said articulated arm, said joint pin consisting of only one piece; said bracket connecting the awning to a wall, said bracket receiving said joint pin in a slidably insertable manner, and said multi-part bracing limiting the pivoting of the joint pin; said bracket receiving said multi-part bracing, and said multi-part bracing receiving said joint pin; wherein at least one of said multi-part bracing and said bracket further comprises at least one of a height adjustment or a tilt adjustment of said joint pin, and twisting adjustment; said joint pin and said multi-part bracing being adjustable about a longitudinal axis and arranged coaxially relative to each other in said bracket; wherein said multi-part bracing substantially surrounds the joint pin and inhibits the joint pin from directly contacting the bracket.

2. The self-supporting articulated-arm assembly of claim 1, said joint pin being pivotable about the longitudinal axis in a limited manner.

3. The self-supporting articulated-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein said joint pin is arranged in said bracing in a positive-locking manner.

4. The self-support articulated arm assembly of claim 1, said joint pin being at least one of transversely displaceable or tiltable with regard to said longitudinal axis.

5. The self-supporting articulated-arm assembly of claim 1, said joint pin being fixedly connected to said multi-part bracing in an adjusted position by a fastener.

6. The self-supporting articulated-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein said multi-part bracing can be displaced into a desired angle position by at least one screw.

7. The self-supporting articulated-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket has at least one fixed limit stop therein, said fixed limit stop defining a limit angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the FIGS. 1 to 9, different embodiments of a self-supporting articulated-arm cassette awning are shown. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the continuously adjustable shoulder;

(3) FIG. 2a shows the right shoulder in the assembled state;

(4) FIG. 2b shows the left shoulder in the assembled state;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the right shoulder according to FIG. 2a, with sectional views of a continuously adjustable shoulder;

(6) FIG. 3a shows the cross-section A-A of the shoulder according to FIG. 3 with adjustment and fixation of the joint pin;

(7) FIG. 3b shows the cross-section B-B of the shoulder according to FIG. 3 with a threaded pin for clamping tension;

(8) FIG. 3c shows the cross-section C-C of the shoulder according to FIG. 3 with an angle set to 5;

(9) FIG. 3d shows the cross-section C-C of the shoulder according to FIG. 3 with an angle set to 15;

(10) FIG. 3e shows the cross-section C-C of the shoulder according to FIG. 3 with an intermediate angle being set;

(11) FIG. 4 shows a view of the left end face of the right shoulder according to FIGS. 2a and 3 with a cross-sectional view with regard to the adjustment of the joint pin;

(12) FIG. 4a shows the longitudinal section D-D of the shoulder according to FIG. 4 with the pin in a neutral position;

(13) FIG. 4b shows the longitudinal section D-D of the shoulder according to FIG. 4 with the pin in an increased angular position;

(14) FIG. 4c shows the longitudinal section D-D of the shoulder according to FIG. 4 with the pin in a reduced angular position;

(15) FIG. 4d shows the longitudinal section D-D of the shoulder according to FIG. 4 with the pin in a raised position;

(16) FIG. 4e shows the longitudinal section D-D of the shoulder according to FIG. 4 with the pin in a lowered position;

(17) FIG. 5a shows a view of the end face of an articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with an inclination angle of the shoulder set to 5;

(18) FIG. 5b shows a view of the end face of the same articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with an inclination angle of the shoulder set to 15;

(19) FIG. 5c shows a view of the end face of the same articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with a user-defined inclination angle of the shoulder;

(20) FIG. 6a shows a front view of the same articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with the correct height and angular position of the articulated arm;

(21) FIG. 6b shows a front view of the same articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with a low-hanging articulated arm and in collision with the housing bottom;

(22) FIG. 6c shows a front view of the same articulated-arm cassette awning with a shoulder according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, with an elevated articulated arm in collision with the fabric shaft;

(23) FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment for a roof-mounted awning, wherein FIG. 7a shows a version for the right side and FIG. 7b shows a version for the left side;

(24) FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment for roof-mounted awnings, and

(25) FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment in the housing of the roof-mounted awning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(26) All exemplary embodiments have in common that a shoulder joint 10 has a bracket or shoulder II (FIG. 1) which serves as a receptacle and is fastened to the backside of the awning 100 (FIGS. 5a to 5c). A front clamping piece III and a rear clamping piece IV, which are arranged inside the bracket or shoulder II to be twistable within in a limited angular range about their longitudinal extent, receive between each other a joint pin I of a shoulder or awning arm joint 10 (FIGS. 5, 6), which joint pin is fastened to said clamping pieces and has a first joint part Ia connected thereto. For this purpose, as known per se, the shoulder or bracket is hollow inside, in particular in a tubular manner. An awning arm 20 is pivotably fastened to the first joint part Ia. The joint pin I can be adjusted in terms of its height and its tilt or inclination angle (FIGS. 4a to 4e) so as to ensure a correct position of the awning arm 20 in the awning housing 30 when closing the awning. Two threaded pins V and VI, which work against the weight force of the arm, define the height and tilt position of the joint pin within the clamping pieces III and IV. Two cylinder head screws VIII fix the joint pin Ito the front clamping piece III (FIG. 3a). If, e.g., the weight force of the awning arms 20 is not sufficient, it is also possible to use four threaded pins V and VI instead of two threaded pins V and VI.

(27) The inclination angle of the extended awning arm or articulated arm 20 is adjusted by twisting the joint pin I and the clamping pieces III and IV about the common longitudinal axis 12 of the two clamping pieces III and IV by means of a further threaded pin IX. The further threaded pin IX, which in the illustrated and, in this respect, exemplary embodiment is screwed into the upper region of the shoulder or bracket II, presses against the rear clamping piece IV. Through this, twisting of the clamping pieces III and IV about their longitudinal axis 12 is achieved. After completed adjustment of the desired angle, the two clamping pieces III and IV are then fixed in their adjusted twist or inclination angle position (FIG. 3b). In the illustrated and, in this respect, exemplary embodiment, this is carried out via two threaded pins VII (FIG. 3b) which are screwed into the front clamping piece III and which generate a clamping/bracing effect on the two clamping pieces by means of a radially outwardly acting circumferential tension within the shoulder or the bracket II. In this manner, potential gaps, in particular radial gaps, and virtually any play of the joint pin I within the shoulder or bracket II is eliminated.

(28) The adjustment range is limited by in each case two limit stops X (FIG. 3c) and XI (FIG. 3c) in the shoulder or bracket, which prevent an adjustment <5 and >15, respectively. This increases safety for the user in the event of extreme weather conditions.

(29) Another advantage of this construction is that a right (FIG. 2a) and a left version (FIG. 2b) comprise the exact same components; however, the joint pin I is inserted from the other (the opposite) side into the shoulder or bracket. This simplifies preassembly and the spare part business and reduces costs.

(30) The above-described construction is designed for the use of a wall-mounted awning. The same concept can also be adapted for other awnings. As another example of use (FIGS. 7a), b) & c)), an adaption for a roof-mounted awning is illustrated. In contrast to the wall-mounted awning, this type of awning is mounted on the vehicle roof In the case of this design, the fabric shaft is arranged in the housing behind the arms instead of above. FIG. 8 shows the structure of this embodiment, wherein the shoulder joint substantially consists of the same components as the shoulder joint for the wall-mounted awning; the receptacle (FIG. 8 I), however, is adapted for the other housing design. FIG. 9 shows a view of the roof-mounted awning in which the installed shoulder can be seen.

REFERENCE LIST

(31) 100 Awning 10 Shoulder joint (or awning arm joint) 12 Longitudinal axis 20 Awning arm or articulated arm 30 Awning housing I Joint pin II Shoulder (or bracket) III Front clamping piece IV Rear clamping piece V Threaded pins VI Threaded pins VII Threaded pins VIII Cylinder head screws IX Threaded pin X Limit stops XI Limit stops
Explanation: I. Joint pin: Device for receiving the arm of the awning. II. Bracket or receptacle: Fastened to the awning housing, receives components of the shoulder joint. III. Front clamping piece: Connects the joint pin to the receptacle, includes the cylinder head screws (VIII) and the threaded pins (VII). IV. Rear clamping piece: Connects the joint pin to the receptacle. V. Upper threaded pins: Define height and angle of the joint pin. VI. Lower threaded pins: Define height and angle of the joint pin. VII. Threaded pins for fixing the angle: Generate clamping tension. VIII. Cylinder head screws for fastening the joint pin to the front clamping piece. IX. Threaded pin for adjusting the inclination angle of the articulated arms and the twist position of the joint pins.