FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[01] The present invention relates to a support structure for an inflatable awning for a caravan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] Caravan awnings have long been known as a means for increasing the habitable space available to the caravan user. Following their assembly, the awning is generally affixed to one exterior side of the caravan via a caravan awning rail on the exterior side. The awning may then be tied down with guy ropes.

[03] To increase the speed and ease of assembly of such a caravan awning, which may be being assembled in heavy precipitation for example, awning designers and manufacturers have created inflatable awnings comprising a support structure made from a network of inflatable bladders. Such an awning can simply be inflated when required, and removes the need for potentially complicated and time-consuming construction involving rods and poles, requiring less time and effort by the user.

[04] However, such an awning may still be time-consuming to assemble, especially if pumped by hand, and so may require considerable effort. Additionally, it is known that the inflatable bladders may require periodic repair or replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[05] The invention provides a support structure for a caravan awning for attaching to a side of a caravan, comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders, each of the plurality of inflatable bladders being connected via a flexible pipe so as to fluidly connect the flexible pipe and the plurality of inflatable bladders, the flexible pipe configured to run along (i.e. extend generally parallel to) the side of the caravan when in use, each of the plurality of inflatable bladders being spaced apart and extending away from the flexible pipe, wherein the flexible pipe remains flexible and each of the plurality of inflatable bladders becomes substantially rigid when the flexible pipe and the plurality of inflatable bladders are filled with compressed gas (i.e. gas with a higher pressure than ambient atmospheric pressure).

[06] By taking advantage of the support provided by the caravan, the invention may make use of the flexible pipe rather than additional inflatable bladders adjacent the caravan side. Since the flexible pipe substantially does not inflate, this may reduce the time and physical effort required in inflating the support structure for the caravan awning. Also by using fewer inflatable bladders, the number of more fragile parts of the awning which may require repair or replacement may be reduced.

[07] In this context, the term "inflatable bladder" is used to mean a hollow bag or chamber that may be filled with compressed gas so as to become substantially rigid in shape.

[08] The term "flexible pipe" is used to mean a hollow tube or conduit that remains flexible even when filled with compressed gas. The flexibility of the pipe when filled with compressed gas contrasts the rigidity of the bladders when they are filled with compressed gas. The terms "flexible" and "rigid" are used relative to one another.

[09] The term "caravan awning" may refer to a full awning, a porch awning or a canopy awning, for example, all for attachment to the side of a caravan.

[10] The inflatable bladders may be generally ellipsoidal in shape. Alternatively, they may be generally cylindrical in shape, or any other suitable shape.

[11] The flexible pipe may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the inflatable bladders.

[12] The volume occupied by the flexible pipe may not substantially change when it is filled with compressed gas, compared to when it is empty. The volume occupied by an inflatable bladder may substantially increase when it is filled with compressed gas compared to when it is empty/deflated. The flexible pipe and/or the inflatable bladder may be made of substantially inelastic material such that it does not stretch appreciably when filled with compressed gas.

[13] When attached to the side of the caravan in use, the flexible pipe may run in a direction generally parallel to the ground.

[14] The support structure may comprise one or more inflation ports for inserting compressed gas into the support structure.

[15] The one or more inflation ports may be located on one or more of the plurality of inflatable bladders. Alternatively, the one or more inflation ports may be located on the flexible pipe.

[16] An inflation port may be located on each of the plurality of inflatable bladders.

[17] The support structure may comprise one or more valves, each valve capable of closing the flexible pipe. Alternatively, the support structure may comprise any other means for closing the flexible pipe, such as a peg, crimp or a constricting band.

[18] A valve may be located substantially in the middle between the ends of the flexible pipe.

[19] A valve may be located at either end of the flexible pipe.

[20] The inflatable bladders and the flexible pipe are preferably detachable from one another. The detachment may be by a quick release fluid coupling, for example.

[21] The inflatable bladders may include one or more of PVC and vinyl coated nylon.

[22] The flexible pipe may include one or more of synthetic rubber and plastics material.

[23] The flexible pipe and the inflatable bladders may include different materials. [24] The sidewall of the flexible pipe may be thicker than the sidewall of the inflatable bladder. The thickness of the sidewalls of the flexible pipe may be between l-5mm. The thickness of the sidewalls of the inflatable bladders may be between 0.2- lmm.

[25] There is preferably no inflatable bladder extending between the plurality of inflatable bladders.

[26] A further aspect of the invention provides an awning for attaching to a side of a caravan comprising an awning material and a support structure according to the present invention, wherein the support structure provides structural support for the awning material.

[27] The awning material preferably comprises an edge rail attachment configured to be received by an awning rail on the side of a caravan. The edge rail attachment may span the length of the awning.

[28] The term "awning rail" refers to the channel groove spanning the side of a typical caravan. The channel groove may be adapted to receive a corresponding profile strip or edge of the awning. For example, the channel may be generally C- shaped and receive a fabric wrapped core inserted from one end of the channel groove.

[29] The awning may further comprise attachment means for attaching the awning material and the support structure.

[30] The attachment means may comprise one or more of: sleeves, hoops, loops, hook and loop fasteners, ropes, adhesives, and male and female connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[31] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[32] Figure 1 is a support structure for a caravan awning; [33] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an awning having the support structure of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[34] Referring first to Figure 1, a support structure for a caravan awning is shown generally at 10. The support structure 10 comprises a plurality of inflatable bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, each connected at one end via a flexible pipe 14. The connection is such that the interiors of the hollow inflatable bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and the hollow flexible pipe 14 are in continuous fluid communication with one another.

[35] Each of the bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d may include PVC or vinyl coated nylon, and the flexible pipe 14 may include synthetic rubber or plastics material.

[36] When filled this compressed gas, the bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are inflated and become rigid, thereby becoming capable of providing structural support. However, the pipe 14 remains flexible when filled with compressed gas and very little, if any, inflation is experienced. Here, the term "compressed gas" is used to mean gas with a higher pressure than ambient atmospheric pressure.

[37] The inflatable bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are all spaced apart along the length of the flexible pipe 14, and all extend away from the flexible pipe 14.

[38] Each inflatable bladder 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d includes an inflation port 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d for inserting compressed gas into the bladder.

[39] Several valves 18 may be mounted on the flexible pipe 14, each valve 18 capable of closing the flexible pipe 14, such that the fluid communication either side of the closed valve is broken.

[40] The valves 18 will generally be two-way valves, and may be any of a gate valve, a ball valve, a plug valve, a piston valve, a diaphragm valve, a butterfly valve or a pinch valve, for example. [41] A valve 18 may be located in the middle of the pipe 14 between two bladders 12b, 12c. Alternatively or additionally, two valves 18 may be located either side of a bladder 12c. Alternatively or additionally, one valve 18 may be located at either end of the pipe 14.

[42] Referring now to Figure 2, a system is shown generally at 110. The system 110 comprises an awning 112 attached to the side of a caravan 114. The awning 112 comprises a support structure 10 and a sheet of awning material 116, whereby the support structure 10 provides integral structural support for the awning 112.

[43] The awning 112 is attached to the caravan 114 via an edge rail attachment 1 18 of the awning 112, which is received in an awning rail 120 of the caravan 114. This attachment provides further support and stability for the awning 112, and ensures that the awning 112 remains firmly affixed to the caravan.

[44] Further support and stability is provided by tensile wires, such as guy ropes 122, attached to the exterior of the awning 112 at one end, and pegged to the ground at the other end.

[45] Despite being covered with the awning material 116, access to the support structure 10, and specifically to the inflation ports 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, may be provided in the form of access covers 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d in the awning material 116. Such covers 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d may comprise cut-out portions in the awning material 116 covered by flaps of material.

[46] The awning 112 may be purchased by a user in a state in which the awning material 116, the pipe 14 and the bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are pre-connected, or it may require full assembly. The components of the awning 112 are connectable and detachable. For example, each of the inflatable bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d may be detached from the flexible pipe 14, after which they may be reconnected or replaced. The connections between the ends of the flexible pipes 14 and the inflatable bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d may each include a quick release fluid connector. [47] If full assembly of the awning 112 is required, the inflatable bladders may arrive in the purchased awning set fully deflated. In this case the bladders may be substantially flat and compact, and may be packaged and transported conveniently. The flexible pipe 14 will not be substantially flat, even if it is not filled with compressed gas, as it is generally made from a more rigid material which will retain its intended shape whether it is filled with compressed gas or not. To facilitate easy transport, the flexible pipe 14 may be coiled or folded.

[48] The support structure 10 may be assembled first, and its inflation may be controlled and managed using the valves 18.

[49] For example, if all valves 18 are turned to their open positions, it will be appreciated that the interior network defined by the hollow bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and pipe 14 will be completely open and uninterrupted. All of the inflation ports may be closed except for one, which is left open. Inflation means may then be connected to this one open inflation port and the support structure 10 may be inflated as a whole, as the entire interior of the support structure is in fluid communication.

[50] As an alternative example, each of the valves 18 may be turned to their closed positions, such that each bladder 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d is fluidly isolated from the other bladders. Each bladder 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d may then be inflated individually through its respective inflation port 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d. In this way, if required by the user, certain individual bladders may not be inflated, whilst the remainder are.

[51] Inflation may take place through a number of inflation means that are attachable to and detachable from the inflation ports 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d. Such inflation means may comprise hand pumps or electric air pumps for example.

[52] The awning material 116 may lie on top of the support structure 10, held in place by gravity. However, it is more preferable that the awning material 116 be attached to the support structure 10 via attachment means once the support structure 10 has been fully assembled. Such attachment means may include sleeves for receiving the bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, hoops, loops, hook and loop fasteners, ropes, adhesives, or male and female connectors. Instead of lying over the top of the support structure, the awning material may be supported by the support structure external to the awning material.

[53] The edge rail attachment 118 of the awning 112 may then be received in the awning rail 120 of a caravan, and guy ropes 122 may be pegged in place to secure the awning 112.

[54] The edge rail attachment 118 may be provided on an edge of the awning material 1 16, or it may be a separate component. The edge rail attachment 118 may be fed into the awning rail 120 at one end to bring it into position. The edge rail attachment 118 may then be held captive by the awning rail 120, such that it cannot be pulled out of the awning rail 120.

[55] When attached to the caravan via the edge rail attachment 118, the awning rail 120 of the caravan provides the support along the side of the caravan and the inflated bladders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d provide support in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side of the caravan and vertically. The flexible pipe 14 does not provide substantial support to the awning material 116 and remains a flexible pipe even when the support structure is inflated with the compressed gas. The pipe may be held by a pouch or a sleeve, to prevent it from dangling freely, which may be an inconvenience to the user.

[56] Bladders of the type used in this invention have been known to fail over time or become punctured, and it may therefore be necessary to repair or replace them under such circumstances. By closing valves either side of the failed bladder, it is possible to fluidly isolate the failed bladder from the rest of the system, which may be desirable if the support system is fully inflated when the failure occurs, as the fluid isolation substantially reduces any deflation in the rest of the system i.e. the portion of the system that has not failed.

[57] Once the appropriate valves have been closed and the failed bladder has been fluidly isolated, the failed bladder may be detached from the support system and replaced with a functioning bladder. If this functioning bladder has not yet been inflated, it may be inflated individually before the valves are reopened.

[58] The nature of the flexible pipe 14 is such that it is robust and unlikely to fail, due to its material and relatively thick side wall. The inclusion of this pipe therefore means that the system as a whole has one less thing that is liable to fail. Additionally, as the pipe 14 itself does not provide any structural support, it is allowed to be a flexible pipe, meaning that the likelihood of failure is further reduced.

[59] The pipe 14 also does not need to be, and indeed substantially cannot be, inflated beyond a normal uncompressed state - thus reducing the number of components requiring inflation, and therefore also reducing the time and/or physical effort required for assembly of the support system 10 and therefore awning 112.

[60] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims