The Scott-fetzer Company

Anthony W Quinn

Donald S McKee

Richard B Rader

A roll control mechanism of a retractable awning assembly includes spring clutches to operatively control the rotation of the roll bar in each of the two opposite rotational directions. Selective locking to prevent unrolling or extension of the canopy in one situation or to prevent the rolling or winding up of the canopy in another situation is achieved. A selector device for controlling the operation of the spring clutches is located on the support arm intermediate the top end connected to the roll bar and the bottom end adapted for contacting a support surface. Control of the roll control mechanism during set-up of the awning assembly is conveniently achieved. A support locking mechanism is also included within the selector device for fixing the length of two telescope support members of the support arm. Fixing the operative length occurs simultaneously as the roll control mechanism is controlled. An improved latching mechanism for connecting the bottom end of the support arm to a vertical support surface is manually actuated to selectively release the pivotable connection of the bottom end of the support arm, includes a shelf-like extension for guiding the support arm guiding end into a latching relationship, and includes a receptacle for receiving an outer end of the brace member to prevent a catch piece of the latching mechanism from disconnecting the bottom end of the support arm. The power wind-up spring of the awning assembly is formed from a sheet of spring material coiled radially within the roll bar.

Growing community of inventors

Westminster, CO, United States of America

Anthony W Quinn