Awning with Elbow Pivot Joint and Method of Making Same

Abstract

An awning including an awning canopy and a set of arms each comprising a distal arm and a proximal arm connected by a pivot elbow is described herein. The set of arms are capable of supporting the awning canopy in partially and fully extended positions. Each distal arm is configured to be angled relative to a plane corresponding to the proximal arm of the same arm. The set of pivot elbows are configured to pivotally connect each pair of distal and proximal arms with the set of pivot elbows each including a pair of pin supports. The pin supports within each pair of pin supports are not mirror images of one another so as to allow the respective distal arm to be angled relative to the plane.

Claims

1. An awning comprising: an awning canopy; a set of arms each comprising a distal arm and a proximal arm, the set of arms capable of supporting the awning canopy in partially and fully extended positions, wherein each distal arm is configured to be angled relative to a plane corresponding to the proximal arm of the same arm; and a set of pivot elbows pivotally connecting each pair of the distal and proximal arms, the set of pivot elbows each comprising a pair of pin supports, wherein the pin supports within each pair of pin supports are not mirror images of one another so as to allow the respective distal arm to be angled relative to the plane.

2. The awing of claim 1, further comprising a midrail, wherein each of the set of pivot elbows are coupled to the midrail with a connector so as to allow the midrail to rotate about the pivot elbow.

3. The awing of claim 2, wherein the connector slides axially along the length of the midrail.

4. The awing of claim 1, further comprising a lead rail connected to each of the distal arms with respective pivot connectors, wherein the pivot connectors each comprise oblong slots so as to allow each of the distal arms to slide within each of the pivot connectors.

5. The awning of claim 4, wherein the lead rail is coupled to the awning canopy.

6. The awning of claim 1, wherein the awing canopy is capable of being supported by the distal arms in the fully extended position, wherein the distal arms are configured to be angled downwards relative to the plane.

7. The awning of claim 6, wherein the awing canopy is capable of being supported by the distal arms in the partially extended position, wherein the distal arms are configured to be angled upwards relative to the plane in the partially extended position.

8. The awning of claim 1, wherein the set of pivot elbows are each composed of a proximal portion coupled to the respective proximal arm and a distal portion coupled to the respective distal arm.

9. The awning of claim 8, wherein each proximal portion includes one of the pair of pin supports that are not mirror images of one another.

10. The awning of claim 8, wherein each proximal portion includes one of the pair of pin supports, wherein the pin supports of each pair are not coaxial with one another.

11. The awning of claim 10, wherein one of the pin supports for each pair of the pin supports is positioned at a different distance away from an external wall of the respective proximal portion such that the pin supports of each pair are not coaxial with one another.

12. The awning of claim 11, wherein the pin supports of each pair are suitable to receive a respective pin, wherein a pin body of the pin travels diagonally across a respective internal wall of the proximal portion of the pivot elbow.

13. The awning of claim 12, wherein the respective pin body is operatively coupled to each of the respective distal portions of the set of pivot elbows.

14. The awning of claim 12, wherein the respective pin body is attached to proximal and distal ends of the respective pin so as to provide a flush connection to the respective, non-coaxial pin supports.

15. An awning comprising: an awning canopy; a set of arms each comprising a distal arm and a proximal arm, the set of arms capable of supporting the awning canopy in a fully extended position, wherein each distal arm is configured to be angled downward relative to a plane corresponding to the proximal arms in the fully extended position; a set of pivot elbows pivotally connecting each pair of the distal and proximal arms, wherein the set of pivot elbows each comprising a pair of pin supports, wherein one pin support of each pair is not coaxial with the other pin support so as to allow the distal arms to be angled relative to the proximal arms, wherein each pair of pin supports are positioned so as to define a respective axis through the pairs of pin supports; and a set of pins each suitable to be received by one of the pair of pin supports of the set of pivot elbows, the set of pins each having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pin body, wherein the pin body is positioned between the proximal and distal portions.

16. The awning of claim 15, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions of the set of pins are suitable to be received by the pair of pin supports that are not coaxial.

17. The awning of claim 15, wherein the pin body of each of the set of pins is aligned with the respective axis through the pairs of pin supports so as to have the pin body travel diagonally across a surface of each respective one of the set of pivot elbows.

18. The awning of claim 17, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are each inverted bodies of each other so as to enable the pin body to travel diagonally.

19. The awning of claim 15, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion of each respective pin comprise pivot pin supports that are capable of being rotated within the respective pair of pin supports so as to configure the downward angle of the distal arms relative to the plane corresponding to the proximal arms.

20. The awning of claim 19, wherein the pivot pin supports are capable of being configured to be rotated automatically by at least one motor or rotated manually via a crank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal awning assembly of a prior art awning system in a partially extended position;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a horizontal awning assembly of a prior art awning system in a partially extended position;

[0017] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an elbow joint of a prior art awning system in an extended position;

[0018] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an elbow joint of a prior art awning system in a retracted position;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a horizontal awning assembly having a pivot elbow in a partially extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a horizontal awning assembly having a pivot elbow in a partially extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a horizontal awning assembly having a pivot elbow in a retracted position, partially extended position and an extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a horizontal awning assembly having a pivot elbow travelling from a retracted position to an extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a pivot elbow in a retracted position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of a pivot elbow in a retracted position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow in an extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a prior art elbow in an extended position;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow in a partially extended position, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a prior art elbow in a partially extended position;

[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a pivot elbow and portions of a distal and proximal arm, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exploded view of a second pivot elbow and portions of a distal and proximal arm, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a second pivot elbow having a first configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a second pivot elbow having a second configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a second pivot elbow having a third configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a third pivot elbow having a first configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a third pivot elbow having a second configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 16C is a perspective view of a third pivot elbow having a third configuration and portions of a distal and proximal arm in a retracted position, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an awning having a pivot elbow and midrail, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow, connector, and midrail, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow, connector, and midrail, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow, a freedom connector, and midrail, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow, a freedom connector, and midrail, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a lead rail pivot connector and distal arm, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0043] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a pivot elbow having a coupled thereto a motor driven gear, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] These drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. For clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms top, bottom, front, back, side, and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example functions and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

[0046] The invention described herein relates to an awning with an elbow pivot joint that is structured to extend and retract while maintaining the awning lead rail above a designated plane. In various embodiments, the awning broadly includes an awning canopy, a set of arms each including a distal arm and a proximal arm, and a set of pivot elbows pivotally connecting each pair of the distal and proximal arms. In various embodiments, the set of arms are capable of supporting the awning canopy in partially and fully extended positions, and each distal arm is configured to be angled relative to a plane corresponding to the proximal arm of the same arm. In various embodiments, the set of pivot elbows each including a pair of pin supports. In various embodiments, the pin supports within each pair of pin supports are not mirror images of one another so as to allow the respective distal arm to be angled relative to the plane.

[0047] As illustrated in the example embodiments of FIGS. 4-9, 11, 13-23, a lateral arm awning 200 has a support structure 210 having a pair arms 208 that include distal and lateral arms 214, 216, 218, 220 that extend away, using a gas spring 290, from an awning body 204 and an optional midrail 280 (see FIG. 17). In one example embodiment, the proximal arms 218, 220 and the distal arms 214, 216 are pivotally joined together at an arm elbow 222. In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 6, a first proximal end 219a of the proximal arm 218 is coupled to a support structure or the awning body 204, a second proximal end 219b of the proximal arm is coupled to a first distal end 215a of the distal arm 214 and a second distal end 215b of the distal arm is coupled to the lead rail 212. In one example embodiment, the distal arm 214, 216 is coupled to the lead rail 212 via a lead rail pivot connector 250. The proximal and distal arms 214, 216, 218, 220 rotate with respect to each other at the arm elbows 222 such that each proximal arm 218, 220 is closer to being axially aligned with its respective distal arm 214, 216 rather than each set of proximal and distal arms being substantially parallel and adjacent to each other when the awning is in the retracted position.

[0048] In one example embodiment, the pair of lateral arms fold together to be stowed with the rollbar 206 and the retracted canopy 202 against the wall or other mounting surface (not shown) and/or within the awning body 204. In one example embodiment, a front cap (not shown) encapsulates/covers the rollbar 206 while defining an opening through which the arms 214, 216, 218, 220 extend.

[0049] The pair of arms 208 support the lead rail 212. In this example embodiment, the lead rail is coupled to a first end 202a of a canopy 202. The canopy 202 is attached to a rollbar 206 at a second end 202b of the canopy. The canopy 202 is extended responsive to the lead rail 212 being extended away from the awning body 204, and retracted responsive to the lead rail being retracted toward the awning body. Typically, the pair of arms 208 are housed within the awning body 204 when the canopy is retracted, although it would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that other configurations of the arms 208 are contemplated.

[0050] As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 13, the arm elbows 222 include a bushing portion 230 defined on the second end 219b of the proximal arm 218 and an eccentric bushing portion 236 defined on the first distal end 215a of the distal arm 214. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that arms are mirror images of one another, and where one of the distal arms 214, 216 or proximal arms 218, 220 is being described, it can be assumed the other arm has the same features. The bushing portion 230 defines a first pin support 232a that defines a portion of a pin coupling path 240 on a first side of the bushing portion and a second pin support 232b that defines a portion the pin coupling path 240 on a second side of the bushing portion. The first and second pin supports 232a, 232b define through holes within the proximal arm 218.

[0051] The eccentric bushing portion 236 defines a central pin support 226 that defines a portion of the pin coupling path 240. The central pin support 226 defines through holes within the distal arm 214. Wherein, the first and second pin supports 232a, 232b and the central pin support 226 define the pin coupling path 240.

[0052] As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 13, the proximal arm 218 has an exterior surface 218a and an interior surface 218b, wherein the interior surface faces inwardly toward the other proximal arm 220, and the exterior surface is opposite the interior surface. In the example embodiment, the exterior surface 218a of the proximal arm 218 extends substantially along a proximal axis 218c. In one example embodiment, a first pin surface of the first pin support 232a is a first pivot distance 234a from the proximal axis 218c. In this example embodiment, a second pin surface of a second pin support 232b is a second pin distance 234b from the proximal axis 218c, wherein the second pin distance is greater than the first pin distance 234a. In this example embodiment, the first and second pin surfaces are surfaces nearest the exterior surface 218a. In another example embodiment, the first pin surface is complementary surface to the second pin surface, wherein if the surface nearest the exterior surface is at 0, then both the first and second pin surfaces would be at 0. It would be understood that the first and second pin surfaces represent a location of the pin 224 (not shown) that is in rotational connection with the respective first second pins supports 232a, 232b.

[0053] In this example, responsive to the first pin surface being at 30 within the first pin support 232a then the second pin surface would be at 30 within the second pin support 232b. In another example embodiment, the first and second pin supports 232a, 232b are not mirror images of each other. Stated yet another way, the proximal arm 218 extends along an x-axis 217 (see FIG. 6), wherein at least one of the first and second pin support 232a, 232b, and thus the pin 224, extend outside of the x-axis into a z-axis, causing motion of the distal arm 214 and the lead rail 212 to extend toward an awning canopy 202 (e.g., upward) during extension.

[0054] In this example embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4-9, 11 and 13, the pin 224 couples the distal arm 214 to the proximal arm 218 by housing the pin 224 within the pin coupling path 240. The distal arm 214 extends and retracts at an angle, wherein the distal arm 214, during extension of the awning canopy 202, extends above the proximal arm 218 (see FIGS. 6-7). In one example embodiment, responsive to the proximal arm 218 being between 1 and 100 away from the distal arm 214, the distal arm 214 is above the x-axis 217 of the proximal arm (see FIGS. 6 and 11).

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, the awning includes the midrail 280, wherein the pivot elbow 222 is coupled to the midrail bar. In the illustrated example embodiment, the pivot elbow 222 is coupled to the midrail 280 by a connector 282. In this example embodiment, the connector 282 slides within the midrail 280 along an x direction, and rotates and slides about a z-axis, while the awning extends along a y-axis. Further, the connector 282 rotates about the y-axis, thus providing four degrees of freedom.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 17, 20-21, the pivot elbow 222 is coupled to the midrail 280 by a freedom connector 284. In this example embodiment, the freedom connector 284 slides within the midrail 280 along an x direction, and rotates and slides about a z-axis, while the awning extends along a y-axis. Further, the freedom connector 284 rotates about the y-axis, while rotating about an A-axis, the A-axis substantially parallel to the x-axis when the awning 200 is retracted, thus providing five degrees of freedom. In one example embodiment, the A-axis and the x-axis are not parallel during extension or retraction of the awning 200.

[0057] In the example embodiment of FIG. 22, the lead rail pivot connector 250 for coupling to the first distal end 215a of the distal arm 214 is illustrated. In this example embodiment, the lead rail pivot connector 250 includes a top slot 252a and a bottom slot 252b, wherein a lead pin (not shown) couples a though hole 214a of the first distal end 215a to the top and bottom slots 252a, 252b. In this example embodiment, the top and bottom slots 252a, 252b are oblong. Stated another way, the top and bottom slots 252a, 252b have a first length as measured along a y-axis and a second length measured along an x-axis. In this example embodiment, the first length is longer than the second length. This allows the lead pin (not shown) to allow the lead rail pivot connector 250 to pivot along the y-axis while rotating about the z-axis. Further this configuration allows the lead pin to rotate and pivot in top and bottom slots 252a, 252b when extending, but still keeps lead rail 212 tight against awning body 204 when retracting.

[0058] The pivot elbow 222, 222 advantageously allows the awning canopy to extend without causing the lead rail 212 to impact or abut structures underlying the awning canopy. It would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that inverting a travel path of the arms 208, would cause the lead rail 212 to avoid overlying structures during extension.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 14-15C, the pivot elbow 222 is provided according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The pivot elbow 322 in FIGS. 14-15C are substantially similar to the pivot elbow 222 in FIGS. 4-9, 11, and 13 with shared features being identified by the same numeral increased by 100.

[0060] In this example embodiment, the first pivot distance 334a and the second pivot distance 334b are one of the same or different heights. Further, in this example embodiment, pivot pin supports 338 are housed within the pin coupling path 340, wherein the pivot pin supports support and are rotationally coupled to the pin 324.

[0061] In this example embodiment, the pivot pin supports 338 define an interior channel 344a which supports and interacts with the pin 324 and an exterior cylindrical surface 344b. The circumferential length of the interior channel 344a is less than the circumferential length of the exterior cylindrical surface 344b. In one example embodiment, a distance between the interior channel 344a and the exterior cylindrical surface 344b varies. In one example embodiment, at 0, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the distance between the interior channel 344a and the exterior cylindrical surface 344b is a smallest distance at a thin portion 338b and gradually increases as the degree of the pivot pin support 338 increases toward 180 to a thick portion 338a that defines a greatest distance between the interior channel and the exterior cylindrical surface. As would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the thick and thin portions 338(a-b) depicted in the accompanying figures are merely an example, and these portions may be further thickened and/or thinned (or otherwise made more eccentric) accordingly to provide the functionality described herein. In another example embodiment, the interior channel 344a and the exterior cylindrical surface 344b are substantially circular, wherein the interior channel 344a is offset within the exterior cylindrical surface, such that a distance between the interior channel and the exterior cylindrical surface is greater on the thick portion 338a of the pivot pin support 338 relative to on an opposite side on the thin portion 338b. In this example embodiment, the pivot pin supports 338 are rotatable within the first and second pin supports 332a, 332b and, depending on a desired pivot angle, are fixed by first and second fixing mechanisms 342 (e.g., screws, or the like) such that a location of the thick and thin portions 338a, 338b are fixed within the first and second pin supports.

[0062] In an alternative example embodiment, the first and second fixing mechanisms 342 comprise one (1) or (2) motors present on the pivot pin support 338. In yet another alternative example embodiment, the first and second mechanisms 342 comprise a crank operatively coupled to the pivot pin support 338. For example, in some embodiments, the bushings are driven electronically. In other embodiments, the bushings are driven manually. Thus, in some embodiments, the pivot elbow may be manually or electrically adjustable, enabling several things to be adjusted in the awning. For example, as depicted in FIG. 23, shown is a motor driven gear operatively coupled to pivot pin support 338. It can be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing adjustments may be used in a wide range of applications. For example, the adjustments may allow for a higher clearance (e.g., over slide out, doors, and other obstructions) as a type of high-lift. In other instances, such modification may allow the elbow to adjust the pitch of the second stage (i.e., the combination of the distal arms and the canopy) of the awning to move the shaded area. In other instances, such modifications could enable the second stage to be adjusted sufficiently high enough to turn a 2-stage awning into a 1-stage awning. In other instances, such modifications may allow the elbow to be adjusted so one was high and one was set low. This could have many uses including, but not limited to, better water shedding in one direction or another, better angle into or out of the wind, better shade on one side or another, better clearance for items under the awning (slide-out, parked vehicle, camping supplies, etc.). In other instances, the foregoing modifications may allow the second stage to be lowered vertically, thereby creating (or defining) a wall-like surface. Further, the adjustments need not be symmetrical between each pivot elbow 322 as this would allow for a tilt at the lead rail 212 or a tilt to the distal portion of the distal arms 214.

[0063] As illustrated in the example embodiments of FIGS. 15A-15C, the exterior surface 318a of the proximal arm 318 extends substantially along the proximal axis 318c. In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 15A, a first pin surface of a first pivot pin support 338 and a second pin surface of a second pin support 338 (e.g., the first pivot pin support is on a left side of FIGS. 15A-15C, and a second pivot pin support is on a right side of the FIGS. 15A-15C, are a first pivot distance 335a from the proximal axis 318c. In this example embodiment, the pin supports 338 are oriented within the first and second pin supports 332a, 332b such that the pin supports are mirror images of one another. Stated another way, in this example embodiment, the thick portions 338a, 338b are co-axial with each other along the pin coupling path 340. In this example embodiment, the first and second pivot surfaces are surfaces nearest the exterior surface 318a. In another example embodiment, the first pivot surface is complementary surface to the second pivot surface, wherein if the surface nearest the exterior surface is at 0, then both the first and second pivot surfaces would be at 0.

[0064] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 15B, the first pin surface of the first pivot pin support 338 is a second pivot distance 335b from the proximal axis 318c. In this example embodiment, the second pin surface of the second pivot pin support 338 is a third pivot distance 335c from the proximal axis 318c, wherein the second pivot distance 335b is greater than the third pivot distance.

[0065] In this example embodiment, the pin supports 338 are oriented within the first and second pin supports 332a, 332b such that the pin supports are inverted relative to one another. Stated another way, in this example embodiment, the thick portions 338a is co-axial with the thin portion 338b along the pin coupling path 340. In this example embodiment, the pivot elbow 322 advantageously allows the awning canopy to extend without causing the lead rail 312 to impact or abut structures overlaying the awning canopy.

[0066] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 15C, the first pin surface of the first pivot pin support 338 is a fourth pivot distance 335d from the proximal axis 318c. In this example embodiment, the second pin surface of the second pivot pin support 338 is a fifth pivot distance 335e from the proximal axis 318c, wherein the fifth pivot distance 335e is greater than the fourth pivot distance. Of note, it can be appreciated that by a person of ordinary skilled in the art that FIGS. 15B and 15C are to be taken only as an example and that the differences between the pair of pivot distances 335(b-c) and 335(d-e) may be exaggerated so as to provide the wide range of functionality described herein.

[0067] In this example embodiment, the pin supports 338 are oriented within the first and second pin supports 332a, 332b such that the pin supports are inverted relative to one another. Stated another way, in this example embodiment, the thin portion 338b of the first pivot support 338 is co-axial with the thick portion 338a of the second pivot support 338 along the pin coupling path 340.

[0068] In this example embodiment, the pivot elbow 322 advantageously allows the awning canopy to extend without causing the lead rail (not shown) to impact or abut structures underlying or residing below the awning canopy. It would be understood that the pivot supports 338 may be oriented within the first and second pin supports 332a, 332b in multiple thick/thin portion 338a, 338b orientations to allow for greater or lesser clearance of the lead rail 312 of objects either above or below the awning canopy 202.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 16A-16C, the pivot elbow 422 is provided according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The pivot elbow 422 in FIGS. 16A-16C is substantially similar to the pivot elbow 222 in FIGS. 4-9, 11, and 13 with shared features being identified by the same numeral increased by 200.

[0070] In this example embodiment, the pivot elbows 422 are rotatable relative to the proximal arms 418, 420. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the pivot elbows 422 would be rotatable relative to the distal arms 414, 416, and the both the distal arms and the proximal arms 418, 420. In this example embodiment, the first and second pin supports 432a, (not shown) are fixed and co-axial with each other along the pin coupling path 440. As illustrated in the example embodiments of FIGS. 16A-16C, the exterior surface 418a of the proximal arm 418 extends substantially along the proximal axis 418c. Based upon a rotation of the pivot elbow 422 relative to the proximal arm 418, a functional distance between the first and second pin supports 432a, (not shown) and the proximal axis 418c is formed. In FIGS. 16A-16C, the proximal axis 418c is shifted to overlay the pin coupling path 440 to illustrate the functional pivot distances between the proximal axis and an axis that extends along the first and second pin surfaces of the first and second pin supports 432a.

[0071] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 16A, a first pin surface of the first pin support 432a is a first distance 434a from the proximal axis 418c. In this example embodiment, the second pin surface of the second pin support (not shown) is a second distance 434b from the proximal axis 418c, wherein the second distance 434b is greater than the first distance.

[0072] In this example embodiment, the distal arm 418 is rotated between 10-45 counter-clockwise relative to the proximal arm 414. In this example embodiment, the pivot elbow 422 and the proximal arm being rotated advantageously allows the awning canopy to extend without causing the lead rail 412 to impact or abut structures overhanging or residing above the awning canopy.

[0073] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 16B, the first and second pin surfaces of the first and second pin supports 432a, (not shown) is a third pivot distance 434c from the proximal axis 418c. Stated another way, in this example embodiment, the proximal axis 418c and the axis extending along the pin coupling path 340 are co-axial with each other.

[0074] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 16C, the first pin surface of first pin support 432a is a fourth distance 434c from the proximal axis 418c. In this example embodiment, the second pin surface of the second pin support (not shown) is a fifth distance 434e from the proximal axis 418c, wherein the fourth distance is greater than the fifth distance 343d.

[0075] In this example embodiment, the distal arm 428 is rotated between 10-45 clock-wise relative to the proximal arm 414. In this example embodiment, the pivot elbow 422 and the proximal arm being rotated advantageously allows the awning canopy to extend without causing the lead rail 412 to impact or abut structures underlying or residing below the awning canopy.

[0076] Advantageously, the connector 282, the freedom connector 284, and the lead rail pivot connector 250 are usable with the pivot elbows 222, 322, and 422. Further, the pivot elbows 222, 322, and 422 allow for awnings to extend and retract while avoiding impacting or abutting structures either below or above the awning as desired.

[0077] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

[0078] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.

[0079] Reference in this specification to one implementation, an implementation, some implementations, various implementations, certain implementations, other implementations, one series of implementations, or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase in one implementation or in an implementation in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation, nor are separate or alternative implementations mutually exclusive of other implementations. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an implementation or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some implementations, but also variously omitted in other implementations. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some implementations, but not other implementations.

[0080] An element proceeded by comprises . . . a, has . . . a, includes . . . a, or contains . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms a and an are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms substantially, essentially, approximately, about or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term coupled as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0081] The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Other implementations, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.