RETRACTABLE SUN SHADE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to sun shades. In particular, this invention relates to a retractable sun shade for a porch, patio, deck or the like.

Background of the Invention

Sun shades are commonly used to shade outdoor living areas such as sun decks. In many climates prolonged exposure to the sun is dangerous, and often the usability of an outdoor living area can be enhanced by shading the area from direct sunlight.

However there are times when a sun shade is not desirable, for example where the warmth or tanning effects of the sun are desired, or at night when a sun shade can block all or part of the night sky.

Retractable awnings are known. Such awnings are conventionally mounted to a vertical structure, such as the wall of a house or commercial premises, and can be extended and retracted by actuation of a gear train which extends and retracts articulating arms that support the awning fabric. The arms typically have a central pivot point, and bend as the awning is retracted to draw the fabric toward the structure; or alternatively unfold as the awning is extended, unfurling the awning fabric and stretching it taut. However, such awnings are typically supported only on one end, and unless the other end is supported by cables or the like from a significantly higher point (which is not always possible), they can practically extend only few meters from the structure before the weight of the extended awning applies too much torque to the mounting point to safely support the awning. Also, when such an awning is extended it can only be retracted by actuation of the gear train, and therefore a high wind catching the awning in the wrong direction can damage the frame or tear the awning away from the structure.

In awnings that are supported on a frame along their depth, the booms are driven at both ends. This leads to frequent jamming, since the ends cannot always be driven at exactly the same rate, especially where a wood supporting frame is used because the shape of the frame and in particular the alignment between joists changes over time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a retractable sun shade according to the invention in a fully retracted position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the sun shade of Figure 1 in a partially extended position.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the sun shade of Figure 1 in a fully extended position.

Figure 4 is an end view of the sun shade shown in the partially extended position of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sun shade of Figure 1 with the frame removed for purposes of illustration, showing the cabling arrangement.

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a track showing the path of the cable.

Figure 7 is a schematic exploded view showing the preferred manner of winding the cable around the crank drums.

Figure 8 is a partially cut away view of the crank.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the crank.

Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a runner engaged in a track in the sun shade of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of a boom in the sun shade of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional elevation of the boom of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional elevation showing the runner engaged in the track.

Figure 14 is a cross sectional end elevation of a further embodiment of the sun shade of the invention in which the fabric is disposed beneath the frame.

Figure 15 is a partial perspective view of the retractable sun shade of Figure 14 in a fully retracted position.

Figure 16 is a partial perspective view of the sun shade of Figure 14 in an extended position. Figure 17 is a partial perspective view of a suspending mechanism for the boom in the sun shade of Figure 14.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional elevation of the track showing the freedom of motion of the boom suspended as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a side elevation of the sun shade of Figure 14 in a partially extended position.

Figure 20 is a side elevation of a sun shade supported by a bracket affixed to a structure.

Detailed Description of the Invention In an embodiment a retractable sun shade is provided. The shade comprising at least one fabric section affixed to a boom, the boom supported and slideably engaged to a track at an intermediate portion of the boom, the track supported by a frame, and at least one flexible drawing element affixed to the boom at the intermediate portion, for drawing the boom in a first direction along the track to extend the sun shade and for drawing the boom in an opposite direction along the track to retract the sun shade.

In an embodiment the frame may comprise a bracket affixed to a structure.

Alternatively, the sun shade may further comprise a plurality of booms supported and slideably engaged to the track at an intermediate portion of each of the booms, each boom connected to a neighbouring boom by at least one fabric section. One of the booms may comprise a drawing boom, the at least one flexible drawing element affixed to the drawing boom, and the remaining booms are drawn along the track as the drawing boom is drawn by the at least one flexible drawing element.

In an embodiment a retractable sun shade is provided. The sun shade may comprise a track supported by a frame; a plurality of runners slideably engaged to the track, a lead runner slideably engaged to the track at an extension end of the runners; a plurality of booms, each of the booms affixed to one of the runners and the lead runner at an intermediate portion of each of the booms; at least one fabric section affixed to, and extending between, adjacent booms; a flexible drawing element affixed to the lead runner, for drawing the lead runner and its affixed lead boom in a first direction along the track to extend the sun shade and for drawing the lead boom in an opposite direction along the track to retract the sun shade. In an embodiment the at least one fabric section drawn by the lead boom may draw the adjacent booms along the track to extend the sun shade.

In an embodiment of the sun shade the booms are disposed above the track. In the embodiment boom supports maybe provided for supporting ends of the booms.

In an alternate embodiment of the sun shade the booms are disposed below the track. In the alternate embodiment the booms may be pivotally mounted to the runners. The booms may be affixed such that they are constrained to follow the lead runner along the track, but are free to free to pivot except as constrained by the at least one fabric section.

In an embodiment a method is provided for supporting and actuating a sun shade. In the embodiment the sun shade may consist of at least a lead boom affixed to at least one fabric section, the fabric section further affixed to a retraction point such that there is slack in the fabric when the lead boom is located at the retraction point, the method comprising slideably supporting an intermediate portion of the lead boom between the retraction point and an extension point; and, sliding the lead boom from the retraction point to the extension point by drawing the lead boom from the intermediate portion.

In an alternate embodiment a method is provided for supporting and actuating a sun shade. In the alternate embodiment, the sun shade may consist of a plurality of booms

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arranged parallel to one another with an intermediate portion of each of the plurality of booms in-line, a lead boom arranged parallel with the plurality of booms, an intermediate portion of the lead boom arranged in-line with the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of booms, the lead boom located between the plurality of booms and an extension point, at least one fabric section affixed to, and extending between, adjacent booms, the fabric section further affixed to a retraction point such that there is slack in the fabric when booms are located at the retraction point, the method comprising slideably supporting an intermediate portion of the booms in-line between the retraction point and the extension point; sliding the lead boom by drawing the lead boom from the intermediate portion of the lead boom; successively sliding the plurality of booms by drawing the at least one fabric section with the lead boom.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment of the invention having a fabric sections 70 retractably disposed on top of a frame 10. The frame 10 may for example comprise a plurality of joists 12 supported by posts 14 as necessary to support the weight of the sun shade and comply with building code requirements. The joists 12 comprise track- supporting joists 12a interspersed with boom-supporting joists 12b.

The track-supporting joists 12a preferably provide a groove or rut 13 into which a track 50 nests. In the embodiment illustrated the track-supporting joists 12a are composed of lumber, for example a pair of 2 x 8 boards 16 of a suitable wood (such as spruce) separated by a spacer 18. The boom-supported joists 12b may optionally be identical to the track-supporting joists 12a, so that a single configuration of joists can be used for both the track-supporting joists 12a and the boom-supporting joists 12b, which reduces inventory requirements and simplifies construction and installation; however, as will be described below, the boom-supporting joists 12b merely support the ends of the booms 40 to limit the rocking motion of the booms 40 under the influence of the environment and therefore merely need to be wide enough to avoid the ends of the booms 40 from slipping off the joists 12b and from interfering with laterally adjacent booms 40 if multiple sun shade sections are provided, for example as shown in Figure 5.

In a preferred embodiment the boom-supporting joists 12b only provides support to the ends of the booms 40 if they tip or flex during actuation of the boom 40 or under the effect of wind or other elements. In an alternate preferred embodiment, described below, the ends of the booms 40 are unrestrained and may tip or flex in response to their environment. The frame 10 may be supported at one end by a structure such as the wall of a house or commercial premises (not shown), or may be supported on posts 14 along both ends and, if required to support the weight, as required at intermediate points along each joist 12a or 12b. The frame 10 may be as wide as desired, and can extend any practical distance from the structure, for example up to 40 feet or even longer, using standard lumber.

hi an embodiment, the booms 40 are provided along one face with a groove 40a into which a section of fabric 70 may be secured by a spline 72 (as best seen in Figure 12). In the embodiment illustrated the booms 40 are formed from a plastic extrusion which has grooves 40a on each face for convenience. This also allows the same extrusion to be used for the track 50 described below, and may be advantageous when used with an under- frame embodiment illustrated in Figure 14. However, it is sufficient to provide a single groove 40a along a single face of the boom 40. Depending upon the size of the boom 40, it may be desirable to insert a reinforcing member such as a steel rod or tube (not shown) into the plastic extrusion for additional strength and/or rigidity.

The spline 72 may be a conventional rubber or foam spline, which is compressed sufficiently to hold the weight of the fabric sections 70. The fabric sections 70 may be formed separately or from a single sheet, and composed of any fabric suitable for the intended use (i.e. wholly or partially impervious to sunlight). The fabric may be waterproof if desired.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 the booms 40 are each provided with two fabric sections, one on either side of the track supporting joist 12a. The ends of the booms 40 are supported above the boom-supporting joists 12b. The boom 40 is slideably affixed to the track 50, for example by a runner 60, shown in Figure 10, affixed to the boom 40 and slideably engaged to the track 50. The runner 60 may for example comprise a block of plastic engaged to the boom 40 at an intermediate point of the boom. In a

preferred embodiment illustrated, the runner 60 is engaged to the boom 40 generally centrally, for example into the groove 40a, as by bonding or suitable fasteners. The runner 60 may alternatively comprise an attachment point for the boom 40 and be slideably engaged to track 50 through the use of rollers, ball bearings, or other rotating element. In the embodiment shown the runner 60 comprises a "T"-shaped rib 62 engaged into a complementary channel 52 in the track 50. Like the boom 40, in the embodiment shown the track 50 is composed of a plastic extrusion which has grooves along all four faces, however this is solely a convenience and a single "T"-shaped channel 52 will suffice.

The runner 60 may either be rigidly connected to the boom 40, or alternatively may provide for limited movement of the boom 40 provided it constrains the boom in a direction of drawing along the track 50. Allowing for limited movement of the boom 40 may be desirable in embodiments where the ends of the boom 40 are unconstrained and it is desired to allow for some movement or flexing of the shade in response to the environment.

Thus, while the runner 60 is fixed to the boom 40, it is slideably engaged to the track 50 for purposes of drawing the boom 40 along the track 50, extending and retracting the fabric sections 70, as will be described below. The booms 40 are thus able to slide along the track 50, and their orientation is maintained by the engagement of runner 60 in groove 52 of track 50. The runner 60 is provided with a hole 64 oriented in the direction of the track 50, for accepting a flexible drawing element such as a cable 80 which draws the boom 40 and extends and retracts the fabric sections 70 in the manner described below.

A crank 90 is provided to actuate the cable 80. Alternative cranks or drive mechanisms may be used, either manual or power operated (for example via an electric motor).

A preferred embodiment of the crank 90 is illustrated in Figures 5 to 9. The crank 90 comprises a handle 92 rotationally fixed to a drive gear 94. Projecting from the drive gear 94 is a spindle 96 over which is mounted a free-rolling control drum 98. The drive gear 94 drives an actuating gear 100 which is rotationally fixed to an actuating

drum 102. Each of the drums 98, 102 is provided with slots, for example V-shaped slots 98a and 102a, respectively, for receiving and frictionally engaging the cable 80 which may be wound generally in the manner illustrated in Figure 7. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the crank 90 may be conveniently mounted on post 14 supporting the track supporting joist 12a, which reduces the amount of cable 80 required to move the booms 40.

Any number of sun shade sections such as that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 may be arranged side by side. Each such section may have its own crank 90 (or other actuating mechanism), or the side by side sections may be actuated by the same mechanism if desired, for example as shown in Figure 5.

The cable 80 forms a closed-loop, allowing the crank 90 to both extend and retract the fabric sections 70 in the manner described below. As illustrated in Figure 9, the cable 80 extends through all of the runners 60 except for the leading runner 60' (see Figure 4). Both ends of the cable 80 are fixed to the lead runner 60. From the trailing end of the leading runner 60' the cable extends so as to slide freely through the remaining runners 60, over a first rear pulley 85 and down to the crank 90. The cable 80 extends around the free-rolling control drum 98 and actuating drum 102, for example in the manner illustrated in Figure 7, in order to allow the cable 80 to be paid out in both directions without winding over itself and thus inhibit payout in the opposite direction, and to provide reliable and consistent frictional resistance in both directions. The cable may in this embodiment be a 1/16" steel cable, and in the arrangement illustrated will not slip substantially during retraction or extension of the sun shade.

The drums 98, 102 are preferably contained within a housing or frame 91, which is attached to the post 14 as by brackets 93. As shown in Figure 9, the cable extends back up to the frame 12 and over a second rear pulley 87. The cable extends through the rut 13 beneath the ribs 62 of the runners 60 and spaced therefrom so that the cable 80 can move freely, extends around front pulley 89, and is then tied to the leading end of the leading runner 60'.

hi operation, the retracted sun shade is in the position illustrated in Figure 1. A user rotates the handle 92 of the crank 90, which rotates drive gear 94 and in turn actuating

gear 100. Actuating gear 100 rotates actuating drum 102 which, co-acting with the free-rolling control drum 98, frictionally engages the cable 80 sufficiently to move the cable 80. The cable 80 draws the leading runner 60' along the track 50, moving boom 40 toward the opposite side of the frame 10 (in the embodiment shown, furthest from the structure). As the lead boom 40' moves, the fabric section 70 between the lead boom 40' and the immediately succeeding boom 40 starts to come under tension, as illustrated in Figure 4. When the fabric section 70 between the two booms 40 is taut it begins to draw the next succeeding runner 60 and boom 40 towards the extended position, which starts to tension the next succeeding fabric section 70, etc. until all fabric sections 70 have been drawn taut and the sun shade extends fully across the frame 10 from the front end (at the left in Figure 9) to the rear.

As the booms 40 move into the extended position, the ends of each boom 40 are supported on the boom supporting joists 12b, and the weight and tension of the fabric sections 70 keep the booms 40 substantially perpendicular to the track 50.

To retract the sun shade, the user rotates the handle 92 in the reverse direction, so that the other end of the cable 80 (which runs freely through all runners 60 except for the lead runners 60') starts to draw the lead runner 60' and the boom 40 supported thereon back to the retracted position (at the right in Figure 9). The fabric section 70 droops as the lead boom 40' moves, until the lead boom 40' eventually contacts the next succeeding boom 40 and starts to push it toward the retracted position, and each additional boom 40 in turn, until the sun shade returns to the fully retracted position shown in Figure 1.

A sun shade according to the invention can be self-closing in high winds, i.e. a gust of wind that might be strong enough to tear or damage the sun shade will instead overcome the factional engagement of the drums 98, 102 against the cable 80 as the fabric sections 70 billow, allowing the booms 40 to collapse upon each other toward the retracted position and avoiding possible damage. The alignment of the booms 40 during extension and retraction is essentially self correcting, because the weight and tension of the fabric sections maintain the booms 40 approximately parallel and generally perpendicular to the track 50.

The fabric sections 70 may be attached to the end of the frame 10, either directly or to a stationary boom 41 attached to the end of the frame 10, as illustrated in Figure 3. The boom 40 maybe provided with an end cap 43, illustrated in Figure 11, for aesthetic and/or weatherproofing purposes.

Figures 14 to 19 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the runner 60 is disposed beneath the track 50. In this embodiment, as best seen in Figure 15, the fabric section 70 may extend fully across the entire lateral length of the frame 10 without requiring spaces between fabric sections 70 to accommodate the track supporting joists 12a (unlike in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3). hi the embodiment of Figures 14 to 19 the use of a waterproof or water-resistant material may be desirable, as the water will be diverted off of the ends of the sun shade. The embodiment shown is extended and retracted by a motor 120 activated by a button 122, for convenience, however as in the previous embodiment any other suitable means of extension and retraction may be provided.

In this embodiment the track 50 may be affixed to the underside of a single joist 12, for example by screws or other suitable fasteners, and the ends of the boom 40 are unsupported. A runner 110 is slideably engaged to the track 50 for purposes of extending and retracting the fabric sections 70, as in the previous embodiment, via "T"-shaped rib 116 engaged into a complementary channel 52 in the track 50. It is advantageous in this embodiment to provide the runner 110 with brackets 112 depending from the runner block 114 between which the boom 40 is suspended with the ability to pivot somewhat, as shown in Figure 18. The boom 40 is thus affixed to the brackets 112 by a pin 118, for example.

If desired, the fabric 70 can be allowed to drape or billow by tying a cord or "slave cable" (not shown) that is slightly shorter than the fully extended fabric section, between the lead boom 40 and the fixed boom 40 at the other end of the fabric section 70. hi this fashion the fabric section 70 is prevented from fully extending, and the intermediate booms 40 will settle into a generally equally spaced arrangement with a generally uniform drape between booms 40. If desired the intermediate booms 40 can be affixed to the slave cable at the desired positions, to ensure the desired amount of

draping between each adjacent pair of booms 40. Use of a slave cable allows for operation where tension is not applied to the fabric section 70 to actuate the shade.

Since in the embodiments illustrated the booms 40 are driven from their centres, and are not driven from or affixed at their ends, changes in the shape of the frame 10 and misalignment of drive means do not affect the ability of the booms 40 to slide freely along the tracks 50, thereby allowing for trouble-free extension and retraction.

In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 20, track 50 may be affixed directly to a support structure, such as a wall 205 of a building 200, for instance where the frame 10 comprises a bracket 210. In the embodiment illustrated, the track 50 is integrally formed into a support beam 250, such as an aluminum or plastic beam. The beam 250 may be solely supported at bracket 210, or alternatively, one or more supports (not shown) may extend from an upper portion of the wall 205 to provide additional support along the length of the beam 250. In an embodiment support beam 250 may be pivotally mounted to bracket 210 to allow the beam 250 to be pivoted into substantial alignment with the wall 205 for storage.

In a preferred embodiment the runners 110 may be alternatively stowed at either end of the track 50, or at an intermediate portion of the track 50, and the booms 40 are pivotally mounted to the runners 110 to allow the booms 40 to rotate into near alignment with the beam 250. In such a fashion the booms 40 may be retracted and stowed at a portion of the track 50 remote from the retraction point and rotated into near alignment with the beam 250 to allow the beam 250 to be pivoted into substantial alignment with the wall 205 for stowage. Preferably the pivotal mount of booms 40 has at least a partial locking when the sunshade is extended to prevent excess movement in response to the environment.

Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.