A VEHICLE AWNING MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates primarily to mounting assemblies for mounting a an awning, such as a shade or wet weather awning, to a vehicle. The present invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to vehicle awnings for recreational vehicles such as four-wheel-drive vehicles (4WDs).

BACKGROUND

Figure 1 depicts a 4WD vehicle 2, including a roof rack 4, as is well known in the prior art. With the vehicle parked at a desired location, a standard awning 6 has been attached along one side of roof rack 4. The awning provides shade, or shelter from bad weather while the vehicle is parked at a camping ground for example.

Alternatively, or in addition, an awning may also be attached to the rear of the vehicle as shown in Figure 2. The decision whether to place the awning at the side of the vehicle or at the rear, will typically depend on a number of factors. For example, it may be preferable to set the awning up at the rear during mealtimes so that ready access can be made to the storage area of the vehicle where food and cooking utensils are stored. Alternatively, if the vehicle is parked in one position for a long time then the sun may have moved so that the awning has to be repositioned from the rear to the side in order to once more provide adequate shade.

It will be realized that a difficulty that users of awnings for 4WDs encounter is that of having to dismantle and reposition awnings of the type described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle awning mounting assembly that facilitates the repositioning of an awning from side to rear of a vehicle in order to address the above-described problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an awning mounting assembly including: a means for engaging a support structure; a swing arm pivotally coupled to the means for engaging a support structure; and an awning support member pivotally coupled to the swing arm.

Preferably the means for engaging a support structure comprises a clamp for engagement to a vehicle. For example, the clamp may be arranged to engage a roof-rack of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment the awning mounting assembly includes corresponding locking features arranged on the swing arm and the awning support member to hold the swing arm and the awning support fast in one or more predetermined positions.

The corresponding locking features will preferably be located equidistant from a point about which the swing arm pivots about the awning support member.

In the preferred embodiment the corresponding locking features comprise a pair of locking pins mounted on the awning support member and a locking hole formed in the swing arm.

The awning mounting assembly may be provided in combination with an awning roll. Typically the awning roll is fixed along the awning support member.

Straps or belts, for example Velcro® straps, may be included to assist in holding the awning roller fast with the support structure.

Preferably the means for engaging the support structure includes a clamp arranged to receive the swing arm.

A pair of attachment means are preferably included to secure the support arm at first and second orientations to the support structure respectively.

Preferably the attachment means each include retaining features to engage corresponding ones of the locking features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 depicts a prior art awning mounted to a side of a vehicle.

Figure 2 depicts a prior art awning mounted to the rear of a vehicle.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an awning mounting assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the awning mounting assembly in use in a first orientation.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the awning mounting assembly in a first stage of transition from the first orientation to a second orientation.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the awning mounting assembly in a second stage of transition from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the awning mounting assembly in the second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

With reference to Figure 3, an awning mounting assembly according to the invention includes a swing arm 6 which is pivotally connected at one end to swing arm clamp 8 and at the other end is connected to an awning support member 10. In the present embodiment the awning support member comprises a U-shaped piece of aluminum section. An end of the swing arm terminates approximately half-way along the inside of the support member and is connected to the support member by a pivot 12. The support arm 12 includes holes along its side to receive bolts for attaching a roller awning 14.

Roller awnings are well known in the prior art.

Spring loaded locking pins 16 and 18 are located along the topside of support arm 10. The locking pins are biased so that normally they penetrate through support arm 10. A corresponding locking hole 20 is formed into swing arm 6 to receive either one or other of the spring loaded locking pins during operation of the awning mounting assembly. The spring loaded locking pins

16 , 18 and the locking hole 20 are all located equidistantly from pivot 12 and are one example of locking features suitable for holding the swing arm fast within the support member in a predetermined position.

The awning mounting assembly includes a pair of roof-rack clamps 22 and 24. The roof-rack clamps each include a flange with a hole formed through it so that roof-rack clamp 22 can retain locking pin 16 and, in an alternative mode of operation, roof-rack clamp 24 can retain locking pin 18.

The operation of the awning mounting assembly will now be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

Initially, as shown in Figure 4, swing arm 6 is pivoted about clamp 8 so that the swing arm is brought to a first orientation parallel with the left-hand side of roof-rack 4. It will be realized that the roof rack functions as a support structure for the clamp 8. Similarly, clamp 8 is an example of a means for engaging the support structure.

In this first orientation support arm 10 lies collinearly with the swing arm along the side of the roof-rack. Furthermore, the locking pin 18 engages the locking hole 20 so that the swing arm and the support member are held fast together. Locking pin 16 engages roof-rack clamp 22. Consequently the awning roll 14, which is bolted to support member 10 is securely held fast with the roof rack and so the awning may be extended at the side of the vehicle.

The first orientation shown in Figure 4 is preferred when the vehicle is traveling since the rolled up roller awning does not protrude far, if at all, outside the border of the vehicle. The awning mounting assembly may include straps or belts to assist in retaining the roller awning close to the roof rack. These straps or belts will typically incorporate Velcro® or another suitable hook-and-loop fabric fastener for ease of use.

In order to bring the awning about to a second orientation along the rear of the roof rack, locking pins 16 and 18 are withdrawn from roof-rack clamp 22 and swing arm locking hole 20 respectively. The swing arm 10 is then pivoted counterclockwise about swing arm clamp 8 taking with it support member 10

and awning roll 14. As the swing arm pivots counterclockwise it passes through the positions shown in Figures 5 and 6 before it finally arrives at a second orientation, being the rear mounted position shown in Figure 7.

With reference to Figure 7, in this position support arm 10 lies collinearly with the swing arm 6 along the rear of the roof-rack. Locking pin 16 engages the locking hole 20 so that the swing arm 6 and the support member 10 are held together. Locking pin 18 engages roof-rack clamp 24. Consequently the awning roll 14, which is bolted to support member 10, is securely held fast with the roof rack and so the awning may be extended out from the rear of the vehicle.

The present invention is advantageous for a number of reasons. For example, installed the weight of the roller awning is largely supported as the awning is pivoted from its first orientation to its second orientation. Consequently not as much strength is needed for an operator to move the awning from the side of the vehicle to the rear, or vice versa, than would previously have been the case.

It will be realized that many variations and further embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, in the previously described embodiment the awning support assembly is attached to a roof-rack of the vehicle. However, the awning support assembly might instead be connected directly to the body of the vehicle. Furthermore, while the primary application of the invention is in relation to recreational vehicles, it may also find uses with certain temporary or permanent buildings.

In the embodiment described above, the swing arm 6 was pivoted so as to be brought to a first orientation parallel with the left-hand side of roof-rack 4. Alternatively, the swing arm 6 can be mounted with clamp 8 and pivoted so as to be brought to a second orientation parallel with the right-hand side of roof-

rack 4. The swing arm 6 can then be pivoted clockwise about swing arm clamp 8.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art,

The word "comprises" and its derivatives and variations, including "comprising" is used herein and in the appended claims in an inclusive sense and should not be taken to mean "to the exclusion of other integers" or "consisting only of or the like.