Foldable Awning for Attachment to a Vehicle

This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/571,785 filed on 29 Mar. 2024, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Awnings are utilized on a number of different vehicles—including trucks, SUVs, and motorhomes—to provide shade and protection from precipitation for individuals outside of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked, such as at a campground. The typical awning comprises a frame structure which is attached to a surface—typically at or near the roof of the vehicle—and which extends outwardly from the vehicle. A thin opaque material—typically cloth, canvas, durable plastic, or the like—extends between the various members of the frame to provide shade and protection from precipitation. Most often, the awning is configured to retract or fold in on itself when the vehicle is being driven.

Many different structures have been utilized to connect an awning frame to a surface of a vehicle. Typically, these structures amount to little more than a bolt or related fastener which passes through one of the frame members and into a surface of the vehicle. In practice, the existing structures used to connect an awning frame to a vehicle surface require precise alignment and are not adaptable to vehicles having different heights, lengths, and surface features.

Additionally, many different mechanisms have been utilized to retract and extend an awning which is attached to a vehicle. The simplest of which involves one or more hinges and latches which—when the latches are released—allow the user to pull one or more of the frame members away from the vehicle to extend the awning. When retracting the awning, the user then pushes one or more of the frame members towards the vehicle until it is in an alignment where the latch can be resecured. In practice, these mechanisms require significant physical labor on the part of the user and are often prone to jamming or breaking during extension and/or retraction.

Some mechanisms to retract and extend an awning attached to a vehicle utilize one or more complex gear and chain or pulley and belt systems—with or without a drive motor configured to extend and retract the chain/belt. When these mechanisms do not include a drive motor, the user must operate the gear/pulley system by hand requiring significant physical labor. Alternatively, when these mechanisms include a drive motor, that drive motor may be prone to failure. In either event, the gear and chain/pulley and belt system is also prone to jamming or breaking during extension and/or retraction.

The need exists, therefore, for an improved awning configured to attach to a vehicle which may be attached to different vehicles having different heights, lengths, and surface features; requires little or no physical effort on the part of a user to extend and/or retract; and is less prone to jamming or breaking during extension and/or retraction.

Described herein is an awning for attachment to a vehicle. The awning includes a frame, a first cover member, and an attachment structure.

The frame includes a base frame member, a first perpendicular frame member, a second perpendicular frame member, a first outer frame member, a first linear actuator, and a second linear actuator. The base frame member has a base frame member first end and a base frame member second end.

The first perpendicular frame member is pivotably connected to the base frame member first end and has a first perpendicular frame member distal end. The second perpendicular frame member is pivotably connected to the base frame member second end and has a second perpendicular frame member distal end.

The first outer frame member is pivotably connected to the first perpendicular frame member distal end or the second perpendicular frame member distal end. The first outer frame member is extendable between the first perpendicular frame member distal end and the second perpendicular frame member distal end.

The first linear actuator is configured to extend between a base frame member first location proximate to the base frame member first end and a first perpendicular frame member first location located between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the first perpendicular frame member distal end and a first perpendicular frame member proximal end.

The second linear actuator is configured to extend between a base frame member second location proximate to the base frame member second end and a second perpendicular frame member first location located between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the second perpendicular frame member distal end and a second perpendicular frame member proximal end.

The first cover member foldably extends between the base frame member, the first perpendicular frame member, the second perpendicular frame member, and the first outer frame member.

The attachment structure is configured to connect the base frame member to a first vehicle surface.

In some embodiments, the first linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator. In certain embodiments, the second linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator.

In certain embodiments, the attachment structure may include a longitudinal plate connected to the base frame member and a first plurality of L brackets configured to connect the longitudinal plate to the first vehicle surface. In some embodiments, the first vehicle surface may be a first side edge of a vehicle roof.

In some embodiments, the frame may further include a second base frame member, a third perpendicular frame member, a fourth perpendicular frame member, a second outer frame member, a third linear actuator, and a fourth linear actuator. In such embodiments, the awning may further include a second cover member, a third cover member, and a second attachment structure.

When present, the second base frame member may include a second base frame member first end and a second base frame member second end. The third perpendicular frame member may be pivotably connected to the second base frame member first end and may have a third perpendicular frame member distal end. The fourth perpendicular frame member may be pivotably connected to the second base frame member second end and may have a fourth perpendicular frame member distal end.

When present, the second outer frame member may be pivotably connected to the third perpendicular frame member distal end or the fourth perpendicular frame member distal end. The second outer frame member may be extendable between the third perpendicular frame member distal end and the fourth perpendicular frame member distal end.

When present, the third linear actuator may be configured to extend between a second base frame member first location proximate to the second base frame member first end and a third perpendicular frame member first location located between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the third perpendicular frame member distal end and a third perpendicular frame member proximal end.

When present, the fourth linear actuator may be configured to extend between a second base frame member second location proximate to the second base frame member second end and a fourth perpendicular frame member first location located between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the fourth perpendicular frame member distal end and a fourth perpendicular frame member proximal end.

When present, the second cover member may foldably extend between the second perpendicular frame member and the third perpendicular frame member. The third cover member may foldably extend between the second base frame member, the third perpendicular frame member, the fourth perpendicular frame member, and the second outer frame member.

When present, the second attachment structure may be configured to connect the second base frame member to a second vehicle surface.

In some embodiments, when present, the third linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator. The fourth linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator.

In certain embodiments, when present, the second attachment structure may include a longitudinal plate connected to the base frame member and a first plurality of L brackets configured to connect the longitudinal plate to the first vehicle surface. In some embodiments, the second vehicle surface may be a rear edge of a vehicle roof.

In some embodiments, the frame may further include a third base frame member, a fifth perpendicular frame member, a sixth perpendicular frame member, a third outer frame member, a fifth linear actuator, and a sixth linear actuator. In such embodiments, the awning may further include a fourth cover member, a fifth cover member, and a third attachment structure.

When present, the third base frame member may include a third base frame member first end and a third base frame member second end. The fifth perpendicular frame member may be pivotably connected to the third base frame member first end and may have a fifth perpendicular frame member distal end. The sixth perpendicular frame member may be pivotably connected to the third base frame member second end and may have a sixth perpendicular frame member distal end.

When present, the third outer frame member may be pivotably connected to the fifth perpendicular frame member distal end or the sixth perpendicular frame member distal end. The third outer frame member may be extendable between the fifth perpendicular frame member distal end and the sixth perpendicular frame member distal end.

When present, the fifth linear actuator may be configured to extend between a third base frame member first location proximate to the third base frame member first end and a fifth perpendicular frame member first location located between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the fifth perpendicular frame member distal end and a fifth perpendicular frame member proximal end.

When present, the sixth linear actuator may be configured to extend between a third base frame member second location proximate to the third base frame member second end and a sixth perpendicular frame member first location locate between about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the sixth perpendicular frame member distal end and a sixth perpendicular frame member proximal end.

When present, the fourth cover member may foldably extend between the fourth perpendicular frame member and the fifth perpendicular frame member. The fifth cover member may foldably extend between the third base frame member, the fifth perpendicular frame member, the sixth perpendicular frame member, and the third outer frame member.

When present, the third attachment structure may be configured to connect the third base frame member to a third vehicle surface.

In some embodiments, when present, the fifth linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator. The sixth linear actuator may be selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, and a spring actuator.

In certain embodiments, when present, the third attachment structure may include a longitudinal plate connected to the base frame member and a first plurality of L brackets configured to connect the longitudinal plate to the first vehicle surface. In some embodiments, the third vehicle surface may be a second side edge of a vehicle roof.

Disclosed herein is an awning for attachment to a vehicle. As described herein and in the claims, the following numbers refer to the following structures as noted in the Figures.

refers to an awning.

is a perspective view of an embodiment of an awning () attached to a vehicle ()—which in this case is a sport-utility vehicle (SUV). As shown in, the awning comprises at least a frame (), a first cover member (), and an attachment structure (). While the Figures show the vehicle as an SUV, the awning may be attached to any number of vehicles including (but not limited to) SUVs, Cross-overs, light-duty trucks (with or without a bed cap), and side-by-side utility vehicles (UTVs).

shows a partially exploded top view of the embodiment of an awning () fromin which additional details of the frame () are visible. As shown in, the frame may comprise a base frame member (), a first perpendicular frame member (), a second perpendicular frame member (), a first outer frame member (), a first linear actuator (), and a second linear actuator ().

The base frame member () may take many forms. Preferably, the base frame member will be an elongate structure in the form of a tube, strip, cylinder, or the like. As such, the base frame member will have two opposing end points, referred to herein as a base frame member first end () and a base frame member second end ().

Like the base frame member (), the first perpendicular frame member () may also take many forms. Preferably, the first perpendicular frame member will be an elongate structure in the form of a tube, strip, cylinder, or the like. As such, the first perpendicular frame member will have two opposing end points, referred to herein as a first perpendicular frame member distal end () and a first perpendicular frame member proximal end ().

The first perpendicular frame member () may be pivotably connected to and horizontally extendable from the base frame member first end (). The connection between the first perpendicular frame member and the base frame member may take the form of a hinge or similar fastener which joins between the base frame member first end and the first perpendicular frame member proximal end (). When the first perpendicular frame member is extended from the base frame member first end, an angle (α) may be formed between the first perpendicular frame member and the base frame member. Preferably, said angle will be about or exactly 90°, although in certain embodiments the angle may be in a range of between 30° and 150°.

Like the base frame member () and the first perpendicular frame member (), the second perpendicular frame member () may also take many forms. Preferably, the second perpendicular frame member will be an elongate structure in the form of a tube, strip, cylinder, or the like. As such, the second perpendicular frame member will have two opposing end points, referred to herein as a second perpendicular frame member distal end () and a second perpendicular frame member proximal end ().

The second perpendicular frame member () may be pivotably connected to and horizontally extendable from the base frame member second end (). The connection between the second perpendicular frame member and the base frame member may take the form of a hinge or similar fastener which joins between the base frame member second end and the second perpendicular frame member proximal end (). When the second perpendicular frame member is extended from the base frame member second end, an angle (α) may be formed between the second perpendicular frame member and the base frame member. Preferably, said angle will be about or exactly 90°, although in certain embodiments the angle may be in a range of between 30° and 150°.

Like the base frame member () and the two perpendicular frame members (and), the first outer frame member () may also take many forms. Preferably, the first outer frame member will be an elongate structure in the form of a tube, strip, cylinder, or the like. As such, the first outer frame member will have two opposing end points.

The first outer frame member () may be pivotably connected to the first perpendicular frame member distal end () or the second perpendicular frame member distal end (). The connection between the first outer frame member and the first perpendicular frame member or second perpendicular frame member may take the form of a hinge or similar fastener which joins between the respective perpendicular frame member distal end (or) and an end of the first outer frame member. When the first outer frame member extends between the first perpendicular frame member distal end and the second perpendicular frame member distal end, the resulting structure—in combination with the base frame member () may take the shape of a rectangle or square as shown in. Other shapes in which the base frame member and the first outer frame member are substantially parallel with one another—such as a parallelogram or a trapezoid—may also be achieved. In some embodiments, the base frame member and the first outer frame member may not be substantially parallel with one another, such as when the first outer frame member has a curved profile extending between the first perpendicular frame member distal end and the second perpendicular frame member distal end.

In some embodiments, one or more of the base frame member (), the first perpendicular frame member (), the second perpendicular frame member (), and/or the first outer frame member () may include an embedded lighting element therein. The embedded lighting element may be in the form of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) including corresponding electronics such as a switch (for turning the embedded lighting element on and off), wiring, and/or a dimmer knob (for adjusting the brightness of the lighting element).

illustrates an assembled bottom view of the embodiment of an awning () shown inincluding the first linear actuator () and the second linear actuator (), each of which may be a hydraulic linear actuator, a pneumatic linear actuator, an electromechanical linear actuator, a piezoelectric linear actuator, or a spring actuator.

As shown in, the first linear actuator () may be configured to extend between a base frame member first location proximate to the base frame member first end () and a first perpendicular frame member first location (). Said first perpendicular frame member first location is preferably located about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the first perpendicular frame member distal end () and the first perpendicular frame member proximal end (). When the first perpendicular frame member is released from the folded position in which the first perpendicular frame member is substantially parallel with the base frame member (shown in), the first linear actuator applies a force to the first perpendicular frame member first location extending the first perpendicular frame member away from the base frame member until the first perpendicular frame member and the base frame member form an angle (α) of about or exactly 90° as shown in.

Similarly, the second linear actuator () may be configured to extend between a base frame member second location proximate to the base frame member second end () and a second perpendicular frame member first location (). Said second perpendicular frame member second location is preferably located about 30% and about 70% of the distance between the second perpendicular frame member distal end () and the second perpendicular frame member proximal end (). When the second perpendicular frame member is released from the folded position in which the second perpendicular frame member is substantially parallel with the base frame member (shown in), the second linear actuator applies a force to the second perpendicular frame member first location extending the second perpendicular frame member away from the base frame member until the second perpendicular frame member and the base frame member form an angle (α) of about or exactly 90° as shown in.

Further shown inis the first cover member (). As shown in, the first cover member extends between the base frame member (), the first perpendicular frame member (), the second perpendicular frame member (), and the first outer frame member (). The first cover member may be manufactured of any number of flexible materials such as canvas, nylon, polyester, and the like. The first cover member may be connected to the respective frame members by inserting the frame members through one or more loops in the edges of the first cover member, or by other attachment mechanisms such as ties and grommets.