Dometic Corporation

White Consolidated Industries, Inc.

Gregory J Baka

Dale Gene Malott

A lock assembly for an awning roller adapted for having an awning rolled thereon and rotationally supported by a rod includes first and second pawls. The first pawl prevents relative rotation between the roller and the rod in one direction and the second pawl prevents relative rotation between the roller and the rod in the other direction. An end cap is mounted on an end of the roller and forms a gear which rotates with the roller. The gear has teeth forming stops. A cup-shaped housing faces the end of the roller at the gear and is secured to the rod to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The first and second pawls are pivotally mounted to said support for engaging the stops and engaging generally opposite sides of the gear. A leaf spring biases the first and second pawls toward engagement with the stops. A selector lever is engageable with the first and second pawls for selectively disengaging either of the first and second pawls from the stops to permit rotation of the roller a respective one of the directions. Alternatively, the selector lever engages neither of the pawls to prevent rotation in either direction. The selector lever has a handle which extends through the housing near the bottom of the housing and does not rotate with the roller so that the handle remains easily accessible at all times.

Non-rotating awning lock

An improved awning assembly for a recreational vehicle has the awning rolled around a roller tube and stowed against a wall. Support arms pivot upwardly to a stowed and latched position parallel with the roller tube and pivot downwardly therefrom. The support arms are attached to hooks or a latching assembly on the vehicle. Rafter arms slide in a channel at the wall and are positioned to tension the awning. The awning provides a compact and attractive assembly in the stowed position and is easily erected by one person.

Shifting roll awning assembly with stowable support arms

An improved awning assembly for a recreational vehicle has the awning rolled around a roller tube. A lead rail is attached to an edge of the awning. Support arms are stowed and latched in the lead rail and pivot downwardly therefrom. A sliding and pivoting latch mechanism holds the lead rail in the retracted position. The support arms are attached to feet on the vehicle with a spring latch mechanism. Spring loaded rafter arms slide in a channel on the back of the lead rail and are positioned to tension the awning. The awning provides a compact and attractive assembly in the stowed position and is easily erected by one person.

Awning assembly with stowable support arms

A header bar is secured to the roof of a van by adjustable suction cups. The awning has one edge fastened to the header bar and an opposite edge fastened to a roller tube. The roller tube is supported by a pair of adjustable support poles. The awning is held in tension by spring loaded rafters located between the header bar and the roller tube. The suction cups are slidable in a pair of parallel channels of the header bar. The suction cups are also vertically adjustable. The parts can be disassembled and stored in a storage bag or tube.

Portable awning assembly

A method of using a returnable and reusable shipping and storing system for elongated members, such as rolled awnings. The system includes a cart upon which a series of awning support plates are stacked. Each support plate has a wave-like structure which cooperates with vertically adjacent support plates to define a series of elongated channels. The channels are adapted to slidably receive the rolled awnings, and allow individual rolled awnings to be removed from the stack of support plates regardless of their vertical position within the stack. The awnings project in a cantilever fashion from the support plates, the projecting ends being protected and supported by awning end bags. The awning support plates are nestable to reduce the vertical height required for storage and re-shipment to the awning manufacturer, thereby reducing the inventory and shipping expenses of the system. The end bags preclude the awnings from moving longitudinally, and thereby prevent the awnings from sliding out of the elongated channels during shipment thereof.

Method of using a returnable packaging system for awnings

Housing for an awning

A returnable and reusable shipping and storing system for elongated members, such as rolled awnings. The system includes a cart upon which a series of awning support plates are stacked. Each support plate has a wave-like structure which cooperates with vertically adjacent support plates to define a series of elongated channels. The channels are adapted to slidably receive the rolled awnings, and allow individual rolled awnings to be removed from the stack of support plates regardless of their vertical position within the stack. The awnings project in a cantilever fashion from the support plates, the projecting ends being protected and supported by awning end bags. The awning support plates are nestable to reduce the vertical height required for storage and re-shipment to the awning manufacturer, thereby reducing the inventory and shipping expenses of the system. The end bags preclude the awnings from moving longitudinally, and thereby prevent the awnings from sliding out of the elongated channels during shipment thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Kendallville, IN, United States of America

Gregory J Baka