Awning clamping assembly

Abstract

A clamping assembly for securing the canopy of a retractable awning mounted on a recreational vehicle, including one or more clamp members, each having a top section and a bottom section positioned in face opposed relation with each section having a back surface and a front surface. Each back surface includes a protruding member with an opening adapted, when aligned, to receive a means to attach the clamp member to support arms. The front surfaces form a pair of projecting face opposed clamping flanges with a space in between the two to engage the canopy material. Also provided is a pair of spring-loaded lever arms adapted for pivotal movement between a vertical position to enable the flanges to engage the canopy material in a releasable grip and a horizontal position to enable the flanges to separate and release their grip on the canopy. Rotating the lever arms in opposite directions act to adjust the tightness of the grip the flanges have on the canopy material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of awnings used with recreational vehicles and, more particularly, to an improved assembly for grabbing and stabilizing an awning canopy to eliminate or at least minimize the flapping of the canopy material and the loud and annoying flapping sounds normally associated therewith.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]A preliminary patentability and novelty search in connection with the present invention has revealed the existence of the following U.S. patents:[0005]1. U.S. Pat. No. D386,076: This reference is directed to the ornamental design for an awning clamp as shown in FIGS. 1-6. The structure is a U-shaped clamp with textured jaws to grip the awning. The clamp is apparently opened by being resilient and closed by means of a thumb screw located halfway between the jaws and the U bend.[0006]2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,850: This reference is directed to a dual grip c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a clamping assembly for securing the canopy of a retractable awning mounted on a recreational vehicle. The assembly includes retractable support arms, clamp members with projecting clamping flanges, lever arms, and a spring-loaded mechanism for adjusting the tightness of the clamping flanges. The clamping assembly maximizes its effectiveness by engaging a larger surface area of the canopy material and provides superior control over the rapid and annoying flapping of the canopy material. It is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and can be relocated at various positions along the canopy edges with ease and convenience."

Problems solved by technology

However, the side edges of the canopy material are not typically secured to the braces leaving the relatively loosely held material exposed to the effects of the wind.

When the winds pick up, they tend to cause the canopy material to rapidly flap up and down, which creates loud and annoying sounds.

Yet most, if not all, are either too complex in structure and / or too inadequate in size and function to operate effectively and achieve the intended objective.

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