Awning Reinforcement
Patent Information
- Application Number
- AU2025202628
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AU · AU
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-29
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reinforcing or repairing an awning. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for attachment to 5 an awning sheet to reinforce and / or repair a corner of the awning, and a method of repair. Background of the Invention The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common 10 general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventor(s) and in the understanding of the invention. Awnings are used on caravans to provide a retractable or removable shelter extending 15 from a channel attached to the caravan. A caravan may be moved to a site, whereupon an awning structure can be attached to a side of the caravan to form a shelter for an area immediately adjacent the caravan. Awnings typically comprise a flexible sheet attached to a bead, and a channel attached to the caravan, a plurality of supports such as poles, and an awning sheet. The awning sheet is often constructed from a relatively 20 thin sheet of plastics material such as vinyl or canvas. The material is often sufficiently flexible to be rolled when in storage, but largely inelastic to enable the awning sheet to be tensioned during deployment to resist wind and rain. The awning sheet may incorporate a thick bead along one edge to slip into the channel, where the bead is of a larger diameter than the channel opening, allowing the awning to slide into place 25 but be tensioned by forces lateral to the channel and caravan, thus forming a roof. A problem that can occur is that the sheet will over time start to separate from the bead at a corner of the sheet. When this happens the separation, such as a tear, will progress along the bead / sheet interface, causing the area of the sheet separated from the bead to flap and eventually fail. 30 Solutions may be employed such as applying tape or other material to the end of the awning sheet where the bead has separated from / torn the sheet. Whilst this may temporarily fix the problem, it is not a long term solution given the awning sheet is exposed to sun and rain, and varying forces from wind. 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an awning reinforcement which can be applied to an awning to eliminate or reduce the problems of damaged awning sheets here described. 5 It is also an object to provide an awning reinforcement that can be applied to an awning to prevent the problems here described. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of repairing or reinforcing an awning. Summary of the invention 10 The invention according to one or more aspects is described herebelow and further defined in the independent claims. Some optional and / or preferred features of the invention are described herebelow and further defined in the dependent claims. In one form there is provided an awning reinforcement having a reinforcement bead, a channel cover and at least one awning material support, wherein the awning 15 material support is adapted to attach to an awning having an awning bead, the reinforcement bead and the awning bead adapted to fit a channel to support the awning, with the channel cover covering the channel. Preferably there are two awning material supports and a slot therebetween to accommodate the awning. The device of the present invention may be engaged with 20 an awning sheet to reinforce the awning sheet by placing the awning material into the slot such that the reinforcement bead and awning bead align. Where an awning requires repair, this can be achieved by cutting a section of bead from the awning sheet adjacent the edge of the awning, and cutting a corresponding portion of the reinforcement bead from the awning reinforcement device. The awning sheet may 25 then be slid into the slot within the reinforcement material supports of the awning reinforcement device until the cut end of the awning bead abuts or is close to and aligned with the cut end of the awning reinforcement bead. Preferably the reinforcement material support includes an attachment means to attach to the awning sheet. In this way the awning sheet is held secure between the 30 flaps and the flaps are attached to the reinforcement bead. In another form the present invention is directed to an awning reinforcement having a bead, bead support, a channel cover and at least one awning support, wherein the awning support is adapted to attach to an awning having an awning bead, the bead 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 and the awning bead adapted to fit a channel to support the awning, with the channel cover covering the channel. Preferably the reinforcement bead and channel cover extend from awning support. Preferably this extension is lateral to the awning material to provide additional support 5 to the awning material. It has been found that using an extension can reduce the stress in the awning material, particularly along an edge, where tears start. Preferably the reinforcement bead is attached to a reinforcement bead support to locate the reinforcement bead within the channel cover. The invention also relates to a method of repairing an awning having a tear resulting 10 in a separated bead and awning material, using an awning reinforcement having a reinforcement bead, awning supports and reinforcement channel including the steps of: cutting at least a portion of the bead that has separated from awning material; cutting a corresponding amount of reinforcement bead from the awning 15 reinforcement; locating the cut end of the reinforcement bead adjacent to the cut end of the awning bead; attaching the awning material to the awning supports to locate the awning material in place. 20 Preferably there are two awning material supports and a slot therebetween, including the step of placing the awning material in a slot between the awning material supports prior to attaching the awning material supports to the awning material. In another form of the invention, there is provided an awning reinforcement having pair of first and second parts, each part comprising an opposable plate adapted to be 25 attached to an edge of an awning sheet on one side thereof. The first opposable plate is attachable to the second opposable plate of the other member of the pair of parts to form a clamp on either side of the awning sheet. The first of the pair of parts may include a first channel shaped portion adapted to fit around an upper portion of a sail track of an awning channel. 30 Advantageously, the second of the pair of parts may include a complementary or mirror image second channel shaped portion adapted to fit around the portion of the sail track. The first and second opposable plates may combine to clamp the edge of 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 the awning sheet and a zone of the awning sheet immediately adjacent the edge and the bead of the awning. The first and second channel shaped portions may be adapted to form a part-cylindrical clamp about the portion of the sail track. The parts may be in the form of first and second brackets that together are adapted 5 to form a channel cover and an awning material support. The awning material support may be in the form of the first and second opposable plates which are adapted to reinforce an awning attachable to a vehicle’s awning channel or sail track. The awning typically includes an awning bead along one side of the material to be fed through the sail track. The awning material support is adapted to attach near the 10 awning bead and sail track in situ either side of a corner of the awning material adjacent the awning bead. The first and second channel portions are adapted to clamp around the awning channel of the vehicle to support the corner of the awning, with the channel cover covering and clamped and / or fastened to or over the sail track. The awning reinforcement may have outer portions that are adapted, when 15 assembled and attached to the awning, to extend beyond an outer edge of the awning. The pouter portions may be extensions of the plates and may be adapted to be opposed. The opposed outer portions may be attachable to each other. The outer portions may be adapted to in situ extend from the opposable plates adjacent to and beyond an awning sheet corner. The outer portions may be shaped to extend 20 diagonally from the corresponding channel portion. The outer portions may be shaped to extend passed the edge of the awning material towards or to the outermost ends of the first or second channel portions. The awning reinforcement of the third embodiment includes the channel portion forming a cover extending from the opposable plate of the first part of the awning 25 support. The awning reinforcement of the third embodiment may be provided without a reinforcement bead, simply being adapted to extend over a portion of the sail track or awning channel. The two parts may be in the form of two halves of the awning support that may be attachable together to form the awning support. The first and second parts may be 30 adapted to be fastened together. The first and second parts may be symmetrical. The first and second parts are preferably mirror images of each other. The opposable plates are preferably adapted to provide awning material support that may be adapted to extend away from the channel portions. When the awning is paid out, the awning material support is preferably adapted to extend parallel with the 35 plane of the awning sheet adjacent the awning bead housed in the sail track. The 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 awning material support may be adapted to clamp together with fasteners that apply joining force to the opposable plates either side of the awning. The awning material support may be adapted to cover and support corners of the awning sheet attached to a vehicle or other structure. The awning support may be adapted to prevent wear, 5 fraying, tears or rips or other damage, in the corner edge of the material or adjacent thereto. Damage commonly occurs at corners of the awning sheet adjacent awning bead housed in the awning channel in operation mounted to a wall, SUV, caravan or other structure supporting the awning. An outer portion of the awning reinforcement may be adapted to extend a distance X 10 beyond the edge of the awning. The widest part of the opposable plate may extend length L. X distance may be between 0.1L and 0.5L. The awning reinforcement may be adapted to overhang the awning on the outside edge of the awning. The overhang may have a dimension of distance X. It will be appreciated that any of the features described herein can be used in any 15 combination, and that the invention as described in respect of the second aspect may have the specific features referred to above in respect of the invention as described in respect of the first aspect. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description 20 of preferred embodiments, in which: Figure 1 shows an example of an awning channel suitable for use with the present invention; Figure 2 shows an example of an awning suitable for use with the present invention; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of an awning reinforcement in 25 accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a second isometric view of the awning reinforcement shown in figure 3; Figure 5 shows an end view of the awning reinforcement of figure 3; Figure 5a shows an end view of an awning reinforcement similar to that shown in Fig. 30 5, but excluding the reinforcement bead; 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 Figure 6 shows a side view of the awning reinforcement of figure 3; Figure 7 shows a top view of the awning reinforcement of figure 3. Figure 8 is a front view of the awning reinforcement according to a third embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 9 is a front view of the awning reinforcement according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the awning reinforcement according to the third embodiment shown attached to an awning; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of the unassembled awning reinforcement according 10 to the third embodiment. Detailed Descriptions of the Drawings Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be 15 construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In describing the various embodiments of the invention, like features will be referred to using like references, with references for features of each embodiment generally preceded by 1, 2, 3, or followed by a Roman numeric sequence, such as i, ii, iii, etc. or an alphabetical sequence such as a, b, c, relative to the corresponding feature of the first embodiment. 20 For example, a feature 10 of the first embodiment may represented as 110, 210, 310, (or n10), or 10a, 10b, 10c, (or 10x) or 10i, 10ii, 10iii, (or 10r) etc. in second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively. Referring now to figures 1 and 2, a channel strip 10 includes a channel flange 16 that may be affixed to a vehicle such as caravan (not shown) to support, mount and / or 25 locate an awning 20. In the example of figure 1, the channel strip 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as “the channel 10”) includes a channel portion 11 having an elongate aperture 12 extending the length of the channel 10. The aperture 12 is an elongate recess with openings in the form of an end mouth 15 and a slot 14. The slot 14 forms an opening defining a consistent gap along the length of the aperture 12. 30 Through the mouth 15 and slot 14 of the aperture 12, the aperture 14 is adapted to receive a bead 22 of an awning 20. The awning 20 is shown in figure 2. Awning 20 has the awning bead 22 and an awning material 24, which in this case surrounds and is attached to a rope-like length 21 forming a core of the bead 22. In particular, the 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 awning material 24 includes a material bead portion 23 that surrounds and contains the rope 21 to form the bead 22. Channel 10 has the channel aperture 12 to receive the bead 22, wherein the awning material 24 extends along the channel slot 14. In this way the awning 20 extends from 5 and is located within the channel aperture 12. The channel 10 includes the elongate flange 16 unitarily connected and cast or extruded as one with the channel portion 11. The awning material 24 is in the form of a main sheet body 25 of the awning 20. The main sheet body 24 extends from the bead 22. When the awning 20 is mounted, the bead portion 22 is located within the aperture 12. 10 In the present example the channel 10 is constructed of a rigid material such as aluminium, the awning material 24 is flexible but largely inelastic, such as vinyl, and the bead core 21 is rope-like, being flexible but inelastic, and made from a woven plastics material. Over time the elements such as sun and wind can cause damage to the awning 15 material 24. Typical damage may present as a tear in the awning material 24 adjacent to an awning edge 26, typically along an awning material 24 - bead 22 interface 28. Once a tear starts it may progress more rapidly along the awning material - bead interface 28 due to tension in the awning material 24, and wind causing movement / flapping of the awning material 24. 20 An awning reinforcement 30 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 3. Awning reinforcement 30 includes a reinforcement bead 32 which may be attached to the awning reinforcement 30 via a reinforcement bead support 34. The reinforcement bead 32 extends part way along a channel cover 36. In the present embodiment, the reinforcement bead 32 and its corresponding 25 reinforcement bead support 34 extends from an intermediary end 32a, to a distal end 32b. In other embodiments (not shown) the reinforcement bead may extend along the entire length of the channel cover 36 or part of the way. Such an arrangement may be advantageous in repairing awnings where the bead 22 has separated from the awning material 24, and it further described below. The extension of the awning 30 reinforcement 30 from the edge of the awning assists in placing the awning reinforcement and awning 20 into the channel aperture 12. This also reduces the stress at the awning edge 26 by distributing it over a wider area. In the embodiment in figures 3 to 7, awning reinforcement 30 has the channel cover 36 attached to the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40. Each reinforcement 35 material support 38 and 40 is attached to a side of the channel cover 36 and a slot 42 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 is formed therebetween, as shown in figure 4, 5 and 7. Also attached to the channel cover 36 is a web 44 that connects to both reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 as shown in figure 3 and 6. The web 44 provides additional support to the awning reinforcement 30 to distribute stress from tension in the awning material 24. In an 5 embodiment (not shown) the web 44 may extend to the entire length of the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40, and / or to the end of the awning reinforcement towards the distal end of the reinforcement bead 32b. The web 44 may be straight or curved (not shown). In figures 3, 4 and 6, apertures 50 are provided to accommodate screws, bolts or other 10 attachment devices, piercing the awning and / or applying clamping forces to the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 and thereby to the awning material 24 located therebetween. In figure 3, 4 6 and 7, the channel cover 36 has a number of apertures 52 adapted to engage with the channel 10 to provide additional support to the awning reinforcement 15 30. The apertures 52 allow the channel cover 36 to be secured to the awning reinforcement 30 by mechanical attachment means (not shown) such as screws or bolts. In one embodiment, self-tapping screws are used to attach the awning reinforcement to the channel 10. Adhesive may be used as an alternative or in addition to the mechanical attachment means. 20 The awning reinforcement 30 may be made from a flexible material such as rubber. In another form the material may be an elastomeric polymer, including silicone. Preferably the flexible material may flex and twist but not stretch laterally more than the awning 20 to prevent localised stresses. More preferably the flexible material is of similar flexibility to the awning material near the awning bead 22. In one embodiment, 25 a portion of the awning reinforcement 30 such as the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40, is a flexible material comprising a rubber like material in combination with a woven material to reduce lateral stretching whilst not making the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 too stiff. In other embodiments (not shown) an adhesive may be applied to the awning material 30 24 and / or reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 to ensure there is minimal movement between the awning material and reinforcement material supports. Also, as shown in Fig. 5a, the reinforcement bead 32 may be omitted (relative to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5) so that it is not necessary to cut the portion of the bead 22 requiring repair. 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 The use of a reinforcement bead 32 attached to a channel cover 36 in conjunction with the existing awning bead provides increased support for the awning bead 22, awning material 34 and awning 30 itself. In use, the awning reinforcement 30 may be applied to an awning 20 by sliding the 5 awning bead 22 and awning material 24 along the slot 42 between reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 until the awning bead 22 is in contact or adjacent to intermediary reinforcement bead 32b. The awning material 24 may be fixed or attached to the reinforcement material supports 38 and 40 by attachment means as described above. The channel cover 36, reinforcement bead support 34 and 10 reinforcement bead 32 extend wider than the width of the awning 20. This reduces the load on the awning edge 26 and the awning material bead interface 28. The awning reinforcement 30, with awning 20 attached, may then be slid into the channel aperture 12 along the channel 10 until the full width of the reinforcement bead and awning bead 22 is within the channel 10. 15 To repair an awning 20 that has a tear such as along awning material bead interface 28, the awning bead 22 that has separated from the awning material 24, may be cut off. One method includes repairing an awning having a tear resulting in a separated bead and awning material, using an awning reinforcement 30 having a reinforcement bead 32, awning reinforcement supports 38 and 40 and channel cover 36 including the 20 steps of: cutting at least a portion of the bead 22 that has separated from awning material 24; cutting a corresponding amount of reinforcement bead 32 from the awning reinforcement 30; 25 locating the cut end of the reinforcement bead 32 adjacent to the cut end of the bead 22; attaching the awning material 24 to the awning reinforcement supports 38 and 40 to locate the awning material 24 in place. Preferably there are two awning reinforcement supports 38. However, in some 30 situations it is possible to include a single awning reinforcement support and to use adhesive to secure the awning material 24. A second embodiment of an awning reinforcement (not shown) may be used. In this embodiment, an awning reinforcement bead and reinforcement bead support extends 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 across the entire width of the channel cover. To repair the awning, part of the reinforcement bead and reinforcement bead support is cut, and a torn portion of the bead 22 is cut off, so that the cut ends of the bead and reinforcement bead can be butted up against each other. 5 In a third embodiment of the invention there is provided an awning reinforcement 130 having pair of opposable brackets comprising a channel portion 132 and an opposable plate 134, the brackets together adapted to form a channel cover 140 and an awning material support 150, the awning material support 150 being in the form of the opposable plates 151a,b which are adapted to reinforce an awning 190 attachable to 10 a vehicle’s awning channel (also called a sail track) and including an awning bead along one side of the material, wherein the awning material support 150 is adapted to attach to the awning bead either side of a corner 262 of the awning material 191 adjacent the awning bead, the channel portions 132 adapted to clamp around the awning channel of the vehicle to support the corner of the awning 190, with the channel cover 15 140 covering and clamped and / or fastened to the sail track, the channel cover 140 and the opposable plates 151a,b having outer portions 152 that extend beyond an outer edge of the awning corner 262, the plate outer portion 152 adapted to extend diagonally from the edge 226 of the awning material to the outermost end of the outer channel 232 and towards the outermost end of the awning channel 11. 20 The awning reinforcements 130,230 of the third and fourth embodiments do not include a reinforcement bead. The awning reinforcements 130,230 include a channel cover 132,140,232 made up of two opposed halves that each extend from their respective opposable bracket (corresponding the two halves of the awning support) 131a,b. 25 The two halves 131a,b of the awning support 131a,b may be attached together to form the awning material support 150. The two halves of the awning material support 150 may be adapted to be fastened together, for example using a set of nuts and bolts. The two halves 131a,b of the awning material support 150 are mirror images of each other. 30 In assembled form, the awning reinforcement 130 includes the awning material support 150 that extends from the channel cover 140 outwards and parallel with the awning sheet material 191. The two parts 131a,b of the awning material support 150 are adapted to clamp together with fasteners either side of the awning material 191. The awning material support 150 is adapted to cover and support the awning corner 35 262 of the awning 190 attached to a structure. Therefore, the awning reinforcement 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 130 is adapted to prevent or reduce damage at corners 262 of the awning 190 adjacent the wall, caravan or other structure supporting the awning. Each plate part 131a,b of the awning reinforcement 130 includes an outer portion 152 adapted to extend a distance X beyond the awning. The plate 131a,b may be a length 5 L at its widest portion. Distance X is preferably between 0.1L and 0.5, and most preferably 0.3L. The outer portion 152 is adapted to overhang the awning edge 226. A fourth embodiment of the awning reinforcement 230 is shown in Figs. 9 - 11. With reference to Fig. 8, the awning reinforcement 230 is identical to the third embodiment of the awning support 130 that has a longitudinal extension135 for use on awnings 10 190 where the dimensions of the awning drum or roller permit extra length on the awning material support 130. However, the longitudinal extension 135 may be too long for some installations, preventing neat or satisfactory retraction and rolling up of the awning material 191. Accordingly, the third embodiment of the awning support 130 may provide an option to dispense with the long extension 135. This may be 15 achieved by providing instructions to the user to cut off the long extension 135 along a cut off line 170. The fourth embodiment of the awning reinforcement 230 is either provided as a result of modifying a awning reinforcement 130 by cutting off the long extension 135, or by manufacturing the awning reinforcement 230 in the form shown in Figs. 9 - 11. The awning reinforcement 230 is adapted to be sized for more compact 20 awning reels. An exploded view of the awning reinforcement 230 of the fourth embodiment is shown in situ in Figure 11, with two mirrored half splates 231a,b of the awning reinforcement 230 adapted to be bolted onto an awning support rail 11. The fourth embodiment awning reinforcement includes outer portions 252 laterally and outwardly extending beyond the awning material edge 226. The distance X in this 25 instance is about 0.2L. The third and fourth embodiments of the invention are adapted to be attached to the awning with bolts 280 and nuts 281. However, the channel portions and opposed plates 231a,b may be clamped by one or more clamps that extend from the awning material edge 226 and force the plates 231a,b and channel portions 232 together with 30 nonpenetrating means. Definitions, Meanings, Qualifications And Explanations Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and 35 its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. In the present specification, terms such as “apparatus”, “means”, “device” and 5 “member” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an “apparatus”, “means”, “device” or “member” or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall 10 within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an “apparatus”, “assembly”, “means”, “device” or “member” is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. In the present specification, the phrase “and / or” refers to severally or any combination 15 of the features. For example, the phrase “feature 1, feature 2 and / or feature 3” includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3. The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms such as “flexed”, “normal”, 20 “parallel”, “horizontal”, “vertical” or “fully” includes the preceding qualifier “substantially or almost”, unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated. Qualifying relative terms, such as “relatively”, “sufficiently”, “near”, “almost” or “substantially”, may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between 0° and 10° or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, “near 25 horizontal” may be taken to mean any orientation between 0° and 10° relative to the horizontal. Where the word “for” is used to qualify a use or application of an object term, the word “for” is only limiting in the sense that the device or component should be “suitable for” that use or application. 30 In the present specification, the term “integral” means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term “integrally formed” means formed of the one body without post-forming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, “integrally formed” and the similar term “unitarily formed” mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by 35 means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods. 2025202628 14 Apr 2025 Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually mean that the channel 5 cover 36 is aligned horizontally, unless a different orientation is apparent from the context. In the present specification, the term “integral” means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term “integrally formed” means formed of the one body without post-forming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, 10 “integrally formed” and the similar term “unitarily formed” mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods. The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” 15 means one element or more than one element. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and / or 20 depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment 25 in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing 30 from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.
Claims
1. An awning reinforcement having pair of opposable brackets comprising a channel portion and an opposable plate, the brackets together adapted to form a channel cover and an awning material support, the awning material support5 being in the form of the opposable plates which are adapted to reinforce anawning attachable to a vehicle’s awning channel or sail track and including an awning bead along one side of the material, wherein the awning material support is adapted to attach to the awning bead either side of a corner of the awning material adjacent the awning bead, the channel portions adapted to10 clamp around the awning channel of the vehicle to support the corner of theawning, with the channel cover covering and clamped and / or fastened to the sail track, the channel cover and the opposable plates having outer portions that extend beyond an outer edge of the awning corner, the plate outer portion adapted to extend diagonally from the edge of the awning material towards the15 outermost end of the outer channel and awning channel.
2. The awning reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement bead and the channel cover extend from awning support.
3. The awning support of claim 2 or 3, wherein the awning support includes a reinforcement bead support to locate the reinforcement bead within the20 channel cover.
4. The awning reinforcement of claims 2 to 4, wherein there are two awning material supports and a slot therebetween to accommodate the awning.
5. A method for repair of an awning having a tear resulting in a partially separated bead and awning material, the method using an awning reinforcement25 including a reinforcement bead, awning supports and a reinforcement channelincluding the steps of:cutting at least a portion of the bead that has separated from awning material;cutting a corresponding amount of reinforcement bead from the awning30 reinforcement;locating the cut end of the reinforcement bead adjacent to the cut end of the awning bead;2025202628 14 Apr 2025attaching the awning material to the awning supports to locate the awning material in place.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein there are two awning material supports and a slot therebetween, including the step of placing the awning material in a slot5 between the awning material supports prior to attaching the awning materialsupports to the awning material.
7. The awning reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the awning support extends past the awning.