Adjustable automotive awning mounting

Abstract

Provided is an automotive awning mounting 10 comprising a vehicle leaf portion 12 configured for operative mounting to a vehicle, the vehicle leaf portion 12 comprising at least one gudgeon 14 defining a plurality of tapered teeth 16, and an awning leaf portion 18 configured for operatively supporting an automotive awning, the awning leaf portion 18 comprising at least one gudgeon 14 defining a plurality of tapered teeth 16. The mounting 10 also includes a pin 20 passed via the gudgeons 14 to coaxially align said gudgeons 14 and connect the leaf portions 12 and 18, and a spring 22 arranged to bias said gudgeons 14 together so that the respective tapered teeth 16 mesh to form a Hirth coupling 24. In this manner, the respective leaf portions 12 and 18 are respectively pivotable with a force required to overcome the resulting spring-biased Hirth coupling 24 determined by a spring constant of said spring and a teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling 24.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates broadly to the general automotive field, and more specifically to an adjustable automotive awning mounting. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Applicant has developed an automotive awning, as described in U.S. patent no. 12,017,517 and Australian patent no. 2021232204, which is configured for operatively shielding an automotive cabin of a vehicle, such as a truck, from the elements such as sunlight, rain, snow or other forms of precipitation, wind, and / or the like.

[0004] One shortcoming with the use of an automotive awning or related automative accessories that require fixing to a vehicle, is inadvertent impact damage where the awning or related accessory impacts an object as the vehicle is moving. For example, when parking a truck, a driver is often preoccupied with positioning the vehicle properly, especially in a tight space, and any projecting accessory is at risk of impacting a wall, another vehicle, or the like, which can result in damage to the accessory.

[0005] In light hereof, the Applicant has identified a need in the art for an adjustable mounting which facilitates supporting an awning which can be heavy, but also accommodates adjustment and minor impacts without causing permanent damage to the awning or a mounting supporting said awning on a vehicle .

[0006] The current invention was conceived with this goal in mind in an attempt to ameliorate the practice of mounting an awning or related accessory to a vehicle, such as a truck. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that reference herein to an 'automotive awning' is made in a broad and inclusive manner and may also include further typically externally mounted vehicle accessories, such as mirrors, lights, cameras, or the like.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an automotive awning mounting comprising: a vehicle leaf portion configured for operative mounting to a vehicle, said vehicle leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth; an awning leaf portion configured for operatively supporting an automotive awning, said awning leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth; a pin passed via the gudgeons coaxially to align said gudgeons and connect the leaf portions; and a spring arranged to bias said gudgeons together so that the respective tapered teeth mesh to form a Hirth coupling, wherein the respective leaf portions are respectively pivotable with a force required to overcome the resulting spring-biased Hirth coupling determined by a spring constant of said spring and a teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling.

[0009] In an embodiment, the vehicle leaf portion is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a suitable mounting surface defining mounting apertures via which fasteners are passable to fasten the mounting surface to a vehicle.

[0010] In an embodiment, the vehicle leaf portion is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a mounting surface defining a hook portion along an edge thereof distal from the gudgeon, said hook portion shaped and dimensioned to catch hold of a top edge of a door of the vehicle with the mounting surface abutting against a side of said door to fasten the vehicle leaf portion to the vehicle.

[0011] In an embodiment, the hook portion of the mounting surface defines a predetermined profile to accommodate different configurations of vehicle doors.

[0012] In an embodiment, the mounting surface of the vehicle leaf portion comprises a non-abrasive layer or coating to minimise abrasion to the vehicle door when said vehicle leaf portion is mounted to the door.

[0013] In an embodiment, the awning leaf portion is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a suitable mounting surface defining mounting apertures via which fasteners are passable to fasten the mounting surface to an awning.

[0014] In an embodiment, the at least one gudgeon of either the vehicle or awning leaf portion projects from the respective leaf portion complementarily to engage the at least one other gudgeon.

[0015] In an embodiment, the spring is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0016] In an embodiment, the teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0017] In an embodiment, a leaf portion defines at least two gudgeons so that at least one gudgeon of the other leaf portion is coaxially captured therebetween via the pin, the spring arranged between the gudgeons to form the Hirth coupling.

[0018] In an embodiment, the leaf portions are configured so that the connected gudgeons are interspaced along the pin to allow manual pivoting of the leaf portions by urging the gudgeons coaxially along the pin to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0019] In an embodiment, the automotive awning mounting includes an adjustor configured to adjust the bias applied by the spring on the gudgeons.

[0020] In an embodiment, the adjustor comprises a nut threaded onto the pin and threadable to increase or reduce the bias applied by the spring on the gudgeons.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle having an automotive awning mounting comprising: a vehicle leaf portion mounted to the vehicle, said vehicle leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth; an awning leaf portion supporting an automotive awning, said awning leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth; a pin passed via the gudgeons coaxially to align said gudgeons and connect the leaf portions; and a spring arranged to bias said gudgeons together so that the respective tapered teeth mesh to form a Hirth coupling, wherein the respective leaf portions are respectively pivotable with a force required to overcome the resulting spring-biased Hirth coupling determined by a spring constant of said spring and a teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling.

[0022] In an embodiment, the at least one gudgeon of either the vehicle or awning leaf portion projects from the respective leaf portion complementarily to engage the at least one other gudgeon.

[0023] In an embodiment, the spring is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0024] In an embodiment, the teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0025] In an embodiment, a leaf portion defines at least two gudgeons so that at least one gudgeon of the other leaf portion is coaxially captured therebetween via the pin, the spring arranged between the gudgeons to form the Hirth coupling.

[0026] In an embodiment, the leaf portions are configured so that the connected gudgeons are interspaced along the pin to allow manual pivoting of the leaf portions by urging the gudgeons coaxially along the pin to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

[0027] In an embodiment, the automotive awning mounting includes an adjustor configured to adjust the bias applied by the spring on the gudgeons.

[0028] In an embodiment, the adjustor comprises a nut threaded onto the pin and threadable to increase or reduce the bias applied by the spring on the gudgeons.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an automotive awning mounting and a vehicle comprising such an automotive awning mounting, substantially as herein described and / or illustrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of one embodiment of an automotive awning mounting, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side-view representation of the automotive awning mounting of Figure 1, showing respective tapered teeth of the Hirth coupling meshed together; Figure 3 is diagrammatic bottom-view representation of the automotive awning mounting of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side-view representation of the automotive awning mounting of Figure 1, showing respective tapered teeth of the Hirth coupling manually biased apart to manually pivot the leaf portions; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic bottom-view representation of the automotive awning mounting of Figure 4; Figures 6A shows a diagrammatic side-view representation of an embodiment of an automotive awning mounting defining a hook portion shaped and dimensioned to catch hold of a top edge of a door of a vehicle for mounting purposes; Figure 6B shows a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of the automotive awning mounting of Figure 6A with a non-abrasive layer or coating on a mounting surface thereof; and Figures 7A to 7C show diagrammatic perspective-view representations of different automotive awning mountings each having respective predetermined profiles to accommodate different configurations of vehicle doors for mounting purposes . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several nonlimiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above.

[0031] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout. Additionally, features, mechanisms and aspects well-known and understood in the art will not be described in detail, as such features, mechanisms and aspects will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee.

[0032] Additionally, the accompanying figures do not represent engineering or design drawings, but provide a functional overview of the invention only. As a result, features and practical construction details required for various embodiments may not be indicated in each figure, but such construction requirements will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee.

[0033] Broadly, the present invention provides for an automotive awning mounting 10 which is adjustable and able to support an awning or similar attachment which may be heavy, but is also able to accommodate adjustment and minor impacts without causing permanent damage to the awning or the mounting 10 supporting said awning on a vehicle.

[0034] With reference now to the accompanying figures, there is shown different embodiments of such an automotive awning mounting 10. The mounting 10 broadly comprises a vehicle leaf portion 12, an awning leaf portion 18, a pin 20 and a spring 22 specifically arranged as described below.

[0035] The vehicle leaf portion 12 is typically configured for operative mounting to a vehicle, (not shown) , such as a truck, or the like. The vehicle leaf portion 12 also comprises at least one gudgeon 14 which defines a plurality of tapered teeth 16. In the exemplified embodiment, the vehicle leaf portion 12 comprises two gudgeons 14, as shown, with an upper gudgeon defining the tapered teeth 16. Of course, variations hereon are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0036] The mounting 10 also includes the awning leaf portion 18 which is configured for operatively supporting an automotive awning (not shown), or a similar vehicle accessory, with the awning leaf portion 18 also comprising at least one gudgeon 14 which defines a plurality of tapered teeth 16.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, different examples of which are shown in Figures 6 and 7, the vehicle leaf portion 12 is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a mounting surface 26 defining a hook portion 28 along an edge thereof distal from the gudgeon 14, as shown, said hook portion 28 shaped and dimensioned to catch hold of a top edge 32 of a door 30 of the vehicle with the mounting surface 26 abutting against a side of said door 30 to fasten the vehicle leaf portion 12 to the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle leaf portion 12 can be hung from a vehicle door 30 and supported thereby in a removable manner, i.e. the automotive awning mounting 10 may be removed without damage or alteration to the vehicle door 30.

[0038] In one embodiment, the hook portion 28 of the mounting surface 26 defines a predetermined profile to accommodate different configurations of vehicle doors. Different examples of such predetermined profiles are shown in Figure 7, but the skilled addressee will appreciate that variations hereon are possible and expected, and that different embodiments may comprise other predetermined profiles as well.

[0039] In one embodiment, the mounting surface 26 of the vehicle leaf portion 12 comprises a non-abrasive layer or coating 34 to minimise abrasion to the vehicle door 30 when said vehicle leaf portion is mounted to the door. For example, a cloth or rubber pad or the like may be included to prevent any scratches or damage to the vehicle door 30, or the like. Similarly, such non-abrasive layer or coating 34 may comprise a double-sided tape or similar mounting tape to facilitate adhesion of the mounting surface 26 to the vehicle door 30, or the like.

[0040] In another embodiment, the vehicle leaf portion 12 is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including the suitable mounting surface 26 which defines mounting apertures (not shown) via which fasteners are passable to fasten the vehicle leaf portion 12 to a vehicle. Such mounting via fasteners is generally more permanent requiring alteration to the vehicle door. Similarly, in one embodiment, the awning leaf portion 18 is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a suitable mounting surface 26 defining mounting apertures via which fasteners are passable to fasten the awning leaf portion 18 to an awning. Of course, variations hereon are possible and expected.

[0041] In the exemplified embodiment, the at least one gudgeon 14 of either the vehicle or awning leaf portion 12 or 18 projects from the respective leaf portion 12 or 18 complementarily to engage the at least one other gudgeon 14, as shown. Such an arrangement provides a compact and neat interlocking between the leaf portions 12 and 18, as will be appreciated by the skilled addressee.

[0042] The mounting 10 further includes a pin 20 which is passed via the gudgeons 14, as shown, coaxially to align said gudgeons 14 and connect the leaf portions 12 and 18. Importantly, mounting 10 also includes a spring 22 which is arranged to bias the gudgeons 14 together, particularly the gudgeons with tapered teeth 16, so that the respective tapered teeth 16 mesh or engage each other to form a Hirth coupling 24, as shown. As known in the art of mechanical engineering, a Hirth joint or Hirth coupling 24 is a type of mechanical connection named after its developer, Albert Hirth. Such a Hirth coupling is used to connect two pieces of a shaft or similar portions together and is characterised by tapered teeth that mesh together on the end faces of each portion, as shown.

[0043] In the manner described, the respective leaf portions 12 and 18 are respectively pivotable with a force required to overcome the resulting spring-biased Hirth coupling 24 determined by a spring constant of the spring 22 and a teeth profile angle of the meshed tapered teeth 16 of the Hirth coupling.

[0044] Accordingly, in one embodiment the spring 22 is selected to determine such a force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling 24. Similarly, in one embodiment, the teeth profile angle of the meshed tapered teeth 16 of the Hirth coupling 24 is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling 24. The skilled addressee will appreciate that such selection or the spring 22 and an angle of the meshed tapered teeth 16 allows design of the mounting to require a specific force to allow the Hirth coupling to pivot according to requirements.

[0045] In one embodiment, both leaf portions 12 and 18 define at least two gudgeons 14 so that at least one gudgeon 14 of the other leaf portion 18 and 12, respectively, is coaxially captured therebetween via the pin 20, the spring 22 further arranged between the gudgeons 14 to form the Hirth coupling 24. In the exemplified embodiment, the vehicle leaf portion 12 defines two gudgeons 14 which are captured between two gudgeons of the awning leaf portion 18, as shown. Of course, variations hereon are possible and anticipated.

[0046] In the exemplified embodiment, the leaf portions 12 and 18 are configured so that the connected gudgeons 14 are interspaced along the pin 20 to allow manual pivoting between the leaf portions 12 and 18 by urging the gudgeons 14 coaxially along the pin 20 to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling 24. This manual adjustment is more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4, where pressing the vehicle leaf portion 12 downward relative to the awning leaf portion 18 overcomes the bias force of the spring 22 to disengage the meshed teeth of the Hirth coupling 24, thereby allowing the gudgeons to pivot on the pin 22 .

[0047] In one embodiment, the automotive awning mounting 10 may also include an adjustor 36 which is configured to adjust the bias force applied by the spring 22 on the meshed gudgeons 14 of the Hirth coupling 24. In one embodiment, the adjustor 36 may comprise a nut threaded onto the pin 20 and threadable to increase or reduce the bias force applied by the spring 22 on the gudgeons 14. Of course, other configurations are possible and will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0048] In the manner described, the automotive awning mounting 10 is able to withstand and accommodate impact thereon, as an impact of sufficient magnitude will overcome the bias force applied by the spring 22 to the Hirth coupling to thereby allow the leaf portions 12 and 18 to pivot when impacted. The mounting 10 can be returned to a desired position following such impact via manual adjustment, as described. As a result, but predetermining the spring 22 and angle of the meshed tapered teeth 16, it is possible to design the mounting 10 to accommodate particular impacts, for example impacts that exceed a breaking impact of the awning, or the like.

[0049] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for an automotive awning mounting 10 which is adjustable and able to support an awning or similar vehicle attachment which may be heavy, but is also able to accommodate adjustment and minor impacts without causing permanent damage to the awning or the mounting 10 supporting said awning on a vehicle. The automotive awning mounting 10 may also be removably-mounted to the door of a vehicle, as described herein.

[0050] In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee. Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0051] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and / or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise .

[0052] Variations (e.g. modifications and / or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor(s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0053] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and / or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter .

[0054] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the contrivance in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The contrivance may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. An automotive awning mounting comprising:a vehicle leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth, said vehicle leaf portion configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a mounting surface defining a hook portion along an edge thereof distal from the gudgeon, said hook portion shaped and dimensioned to catch hold of a top edge of a door of the vehicle with the mounting surface abutting against a side of said door to fasten the vehicle leaf portion to the vehicle;an awning leaf portion configured for operatively supporting an automotive awning external to the vehicle, said awning leaf portion comprising at least one gudgeon defining a plurality of tapered teeth;a pin passed via the gudgeons coaxially to align said gudgeons and connect the leaf portions; anda spring arranged to bias said gudgeons together so that the respective tapered teeth mesh to form a Hirth coupling, wherein the respective leaf portions are respectively pivotable with a force required to overcome the resulting spring-biased Hirth coupling determined by a spring constant of said spring and a teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling;wherein one of the leaf portions defines at least two gudgeons so that at least one gudgeon of the other leaf portion is coaxially captured therebetween via the pin, the spring arranged between the gudgeons to form the Hirth coupling so that the connected gudgeons are interspaced along the pin to allow manual pivoting of the leaf portions by urging the gudgeons coaxially along the pin to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling; andwherein  the automotive awning mounting  includes anadjustor in the form of a nut threaded onto the pin andthreadable to increase or reduce the bias applied by the spring on the gudgeons.

2. The automotive awning mounting of claim 1, wherein the vehicle leaf portion is configured for operative mounting to a vehicle by including a suitable mounting surface defining mounting apertures via which fasteners are passable to fasten the mounting surface to a vehicle.

3. The automotive awning mounting of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the hook portion of the mounting surface defines a predetermined profile to accommodate different configurations of vehicle doors.

4. The automotive awning mounting of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting surface of the vehicle leaf portion comprises a non-abrasive layer or coating to minimise abrasion to the vehicle door when said vehicle leaf portion is mounted to the door.

5. The automotive awning mounting of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the awning leaf portion is configured for operative mounting to an awning by including a suitable mounting surface defining mounting apertures via which fasteners are passable to fasten the mounting surface to an awning.

6. The automotive awning mounting of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one gudgeon of either the vehicle or awning leaf portion projects from the respective leaf portion complementarily to engage the at least one other gudgeon.

7. The automotive awning mounting of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spring is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.

8. The automotive awning mounting of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the teeth profile angle of the Hirth coupling is selected to determine the force required to overcome the spring-biased Hirth coupling.9.A vehicle comprising anautomotive awning mountingin accordance with any of claims 1to 8.

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