AWNING FOR CAMPING VEHICLES AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION

Abstract

The invention relates to an awning (1) for camping vehicles (100), comprising at least one awning wall (10) in which a rollable or foldable opening element (11) is incorporated, and wherein the awning wall (10) has at least one bottom strip (12) that forms a bottom closure of the awning wall (10). According to the invention, the at least one bottom strip (12) has at least one closing means (13) and is designed such that the bottom strip (12) at least partially encloses the opening element (11) in the rolled-up or folded state and the enclosing can be secured with the closing means (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an awning for camping vehicles, comprising at least one awning wall in which a rollable or foldable opening element is incorporated, and wherein the awning wall has at least one bottom strip that forms a bottom edge of the awning wall. The invention further relates to a method for operating an awning for camping vehicles. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Awning tents can be attached to so-called cassette awnings or bag awnings, which in turn are mounted on caravans or motorhomes, or the cassette awnings or bag awnings are already an integral part of the caravan or motorhome. Cassette awnings are distinct from bag awnings; they feature an awning cassette from which a bottom rail extends. This bottom rail is connected to the awning cassette via folding arms. When the bottom rail is extended from the awning cassette, an awning fabric is pulled out. This fabric is wound onto an awning roller inside the cassette and forms the roof.

[0003] With bag awnings, the awning fabric, which forms a flexible sheet, is wound onto the awning shaft and stored in a bag on the vehicle, which can usually be closed with a zipper.

[0004] Once the flexible panel is fully unfurled, the end profile forms a front edge, under which the front canopy wall can be braced down to the ground. Braces can be attached to the sides, allowing the side canopy wall to be mounted on at least one of the two sides.

[0005] German patent DE 88 06 262 U1 discloses an awning for camping vehicles, comprising at least one awning wall in which a roll-up or foldable opening element, such as a window or a passage panel, is incorporated, and wherein the awning wall has at least one ground strip that forms a bottom edge of the awning wall and thus constitutes a so-called mud flap. Mud flaps are generally laid on the ground facing inwards into the awning and are covered, for example, with another interior covering, such as a mat or the like. On the outside, the awning walls often have cover strips that extend just to the ground and conceal the guy lines of the awning wall.

[0006] It is often the case that when the weather changes, for example from sunny to rainy weather, the opening element needs to be quickly reattached to the awning wall. These opening elements are usually attached to the awning wall with zippers, although Velcro or magnetic strips are also common. Especially when using zippers, the opening element must be positioned at least at the lower corners of the opening in the awning wall, and the zipper threaded through to close it and reinsert the opening element into the awning wall in a watertight manner.The removable opening element is often stored inside or underneath the camper van so that it can be quickly retrieved in case of a rapid change from sun to rain, the zipper re-threaded, and the opening element reinserted with the zipper closed. If the weather changes from rain to sunshine, many users remove the opening element completely from the awning wall and store it together with the groundsheet. It is also known to remove the opening element from underneath, leaving the groundsheet in place.

[0007] The ground strip can form a mud flap, with the cover strips forming a covering for the guying of the awning wall on the outside, whereas the mud flap usually lies on the ground facing inwards.

[0008] DE 17 57 638 A discloses an awning consisting of a collapsible frame, which can be covered by a tent fabric, and an elongated container, open at the top and optionally closable, for holding the frame and the tent fabric. One transverse edge of the tent fabric is attached to a roller device located in the container. The tent fabric, which forms both the awning wall and the roof, can thus be rolled up onto the frame and stowed away again using the roller device. A disadvantage is that the awning cannot be accessed without barriers through an opening in the awning wall; rather, the side walls must either form a passageway or remain open.

[0009] DE 199 41 549 C1 discloses a multifunctional tarpaulin comprising a roof tarpaulin and a bottom tarpaulin, wherein both the roof tarpaulin and the bottom tarpaulin are rectangular, and wherein both the roof tarpaulin and the bottom tarpaulin have a length of approximately 2 m, the bottom tarpaulin having a width of approximately 1 m, whereas the width of the roof tarpaulin is approximately twice the width of the bottom tarpaulin, wherein the bottom tarpaulin is attached to the roof tarpaulin in such a way that one of the two longitudinal edges of the bottom tarpaulin is attached to one of the two longitudinal edges of the roof tarpaulin, and wherein the roof tarpaulin has a head opening arranged substantially in the middle, wherein the multifunctional tarpaulin further comprises a cover strip with which the bottom tarpaulin can be covered and held in a rolled-up position.

[0010] The opening element can be a window or a passageway, specifically a type of door that can be partially or fully opened and removed. The opening element can therefore only fill a specific height or, preferably, a floor-to-ceiling opening in the awning wall. Particularly with floor-to-ceiling openings, the opening element, with its closure (e.g., a zipper), can be opened all the way to the floor, allowing it to be removed. When the opening element is reinserted, it closes the opening in the awning wall. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose an awning for camping vehicles and a method for operating an awning in which quick removal and quick reinsertion of the opening element in the recess of the awning wall is made possible.

[0012] This problem is solved starting from an awning according to the preamble of claim 1 with the characterizing features of claim 1 and with the method according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] The invention includes the technical teaching that the at least one bottom strip has at least one closing means and is designed such that the bottom strip at least partially encloses the opening element in the rolled-up or folded state and the enclosing can be secured with the closing means.

[0014] The basic idea of ​​the invention is the incomplete removal of the opening element from the awning wall, insofar as a lower, bottom-side area of ​​the opening element remains clamped in the awning wall. If the opening element is rolled up or folded in this state, the rolling or folding occurs towards the ground, so that the opening element, in a spatially reduced form, can ultimately be placed on the ground strip or between the two ground strips. The ground strip can then be folded around the rolled-up or folded ground element, and the closing means according to the invention can be used to close the ground strip in such a way that the covering of the rolled-up or folded opening element remains in position.

[0015] For example, in sunny weather, the bottom strip with the integrated opening element can form a kind of threshold that can even be stepped on – although this isn't strictly necessary. The resulting roll of the bag remains on the ground at both ends, and if the weather changes from sunny to rainy, the user simply needs to open the fastener on the bottom strip, unfold the bottom strips, and then close the opening element again using the pre-threaded zipper or the pre-positioned Velcro strip. In particular, the user doesn't need to completely remove the opening element from the awning wall, stow it elsewhere, or reattach it.

[0016] At least one of the floor strips can be designed as a mud flap and have a depth such that the mud flap rests on the ground, at least partially. Furthermore, one or at least one other floor strip can be designed as an outward-facing cover strip, while the floor strip in the form of the mud flap rests on the ground facing inwards, i.e., towards the living area inside the awning.

[0017] In particular, two soil strips can be provided: a first, inward-facing strip acting as a damp-proof course, and a second, outward-facing, usually somewhat smaller strip forming a cover strip. The cover strips generally serve to cover guy wires that anchor the pre-existing wall to the ground.

[0018] The at least one closing means can be arranged on the rot strip and / or alternatively or additionally on the cover strip, so that the rot strip can be closed with and / or against the cover strip, while the opening element is rolled or folded in and enclosed within a sleeve formed by the rot strip and the cover strip. The closing means on the two strips can be sealed against each other, particularly in a moisture-tight manner, or the rot strip can slightly overlap the cover strip; alternatively, the cover strip can overlap the rot strip, so that in the area of ​​the overlap the at least one closing means exerts its closing effect and forms the closed sleeve to enclose the opening element.

[0019] The floor strip has a width that corresponds to the width of the opening element. This width refers to a direction of extension along the course of the awning wall, while the depth of the floor strip is dimensioned such that the floor strip can either completely enclose the rolled-up or folded opening element on its own or in conjunction with the other front floor strip, namely the cover strip.

[0020] The ground strip cannot extend completely along the entire width of the awning wall, as this would prevent it from fully enclosing the opening element when rolled up or folded. It is also possible for the ground strip to connect to the adjacent section of the ground strip with a connecting element, such as another magnetic strip or similar. When the opening element is wrapped within the ground strip, the connecting element to the adjacent section can be released.

[0021] The opening element forms a passageway or window in the awning wall and is secured to the awning wall with a closure element such as a zipper, magnetic strip closure, or Velcro fastener. The closure element is designed to open from top to bottom, ensuring that a lower end near the ground remains closed. This keeps the opening element in the awning wall in its fixed position, even when folded or rolled up and covered with at least one ground strip.

[0022] The locking element can have a residual section that remains closed after the opening element is rolled or folded, keeping a section of the opening element at the bottom connected to the awning wall on both sides. However, the residual section of the locking element can also be designed so that the opening element can be completely separated from the awning wall if necessary.

[0023] The fastening mechanism on at least one bottom strip, i.e., the gusset or the top strip, can be a magnetic strip, a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, a button placket, or a studded closure strip. In particular, it can be advantageous to select a fastening mechanism that is resistant to moisture and dirt, so that studded closure strips (like those on the back of a baseball cap) or magnetic strips can be used.

[0024] The mud flap and / or the cover strip intended to form the casing can have a depth such that both strips form an overlapping section when the rolled or folded opening element is enclosed. Particularly when the closing mechanism is attached to the respective mud flap or cover strip in the area of ​​the overlapping section, a particularly effective closure of the closing mechanism can be achieved, especially when combined with a waterproof casing, so that the opening element is not exposed to moisture even in heavy rain.

[0025] The invention further relates to a method for operating an awning for camping vehicles, comprising at least one awning wall in which an opening element is incorporated, which is rolled up or folded in, for example, when the weather changes, and wherein the awning wall has at least one bottom strip that forms a bottom-side closure of the awning wall, wherein at least the following further steps are provided for the method: attaching at least one closing means to the bottom strip, rolling up or folding in the opening element towards the ground, enclosing the bottom-rolled or folded opening element with the bottom strip, and securing the bottom strip with the closing means to form a cover for the rolled up or folded opening element.

[0026] Regarding the procedure, it may further be provided that the opening element is drawn into the awning wall by means of a locking element, whereby when the locking element is opened to roll or fold the opening element towards the ground over a residual section on the ground side, the locking element is left in the closed state. PREFERRED EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of an awning attached to a camping vehicle with a closed awning wall. Fig. 2 the awning according to Fig. 1 in arrangement on a camping vehicle with a partially opened opening element, Fig. 3 the awning according to Fig. 2 with a fully folded or rolled-up opening element in a bottom-side storage compartment, Fig. 4 A side view of the rolled-up opening element in a floor-side position with the floor strips still open and Fig. 5 the rolled-up opening element in a bottom position with a mud flap and a cover strip, which form a covering of the rolled-up opening element and which are closed against each other with a closing means, so that a sack roll is formed.

[0028] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figures 2 each show an awning 1 arranged in front of a camping vehicle 100 with an awning wall 10, wherein the awning wall 10 has opening elements 11, one opening element 11 being in Fig. 1 in the closed arrangement and in Fig. 2 is shown in a partially opened arrangement.

[0029] The underside of the awning wall 10 is closed off with a floor strip 12, and on the upper side a roof 18 of an awning of the awning 1 forms a roof termination.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows the opening element 11 in a slightly rolled-up state, having previously opened the closure element 17 in the form of a zipper. The zipper 17 is opened towards the ground until only a residual section 20 remains closed near the ground. The closure element 17, in the form of the zipper, can optionally also release this residual section 20, so that, if necessary, the opening element 11 can be completely removed from the awning wall 10. However, according to the present invention, the closure element 17 is only opened to the point just before the residual section 20, and the opening element 11 is rolled up until it can be laid down on the ground. Of course, the opening element 11 can also be folded inwards and laid down on the ground with the same result.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows the state of the opening element 11 in the awning wall 10 of the awning 1, wherein the floor strip 12 forms a mud strip 14 at the rear and a cover strip 16 at the front. Between these two floor strips 12, the opening element 11 is shown in a rolled-up state, and the illustration further shows closing means 13 on the floor strips 12, which can be closed against each other in a further step.

[0032] This condition according to Fig. Figure 3 is also shown again in a side perspective in Fig. Figure 4 shows the awning 1 attached to the camping vehicle 100. It has a roof 18 on its upper side and an awning roller 19 at the front, beneath which the awning 10 is attached. The opening element 11 has been detached from the awning wall 10, but a lower section remains connected to the awning wall 10 and is in a rolled-up state. The two floor strips 12, designed as mud flaps 14 at the rear and cover strips 16 at the front, each have closing devices 13 that also rest on the floor 15.

[0033] In Fig.Finally, the covering for the rolled-up opening element 11 was formed, so that the mud flap 14 and the cover strip 16 were closed together by means of the closing device 13. This allows a user to pass through the awning wall 10, so that the resulting bag roll 21, with the enclosed opening element 11, mud flap 14, and cover strip 16, can be crossed. The closing device 13 is designed to hold the two strips 14 and 16 together, while the bag roll 21, resting on the ground 15, can also be walked on.

[0034] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which utilize the solution presented even in fundamentally different designs. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including design details or spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention, both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list: 1 awning 10 Awning wall 11 Opening element 12 ground strips 13 locking devices 14 Fault strips 15 Floor 16 cover strips 17 Locking element 18 roof 19 Awning shaft 20 Remaining section 21 sack rolls 100 camping vehicles

Claims

[1] Awning (1) for camping vehicles (100), comprising at least one awning wall (10) in which a rollable or foldable opening element (11) is incorporated, and wherein the awning wall (10) has at least one floor strip (12) which forms a bottom termination of the awning wall (10), characterized by , that the at least one bottom strip (12) has at least one closing means (13) and is designed such that the bottom strip (12) at least partially encloses the opening element (11) in the rolled-up or folded state and the enclosing can be secured with the closing means (13). [2] Awning (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one soil strip (12) is formed as a rotting strip (14) and has a depth which is determined such that the rotting strip (14) rests at least partially on the soil (15). [3] Awning (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the or a further bottom strip (12) is designed as an outwardly directed cover strip (16). [4] Awning (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a first inward-facing soil strip (12) is formed as a rotting strip (14) and a second soil strip (12) is formed as an outward-facing cover strip (16). [5] Awning (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that a closing means (13) is arranged on the fault strip (14) and / or a closing means (13) is arranged on the cover strip (16) such that the fault strip (14) can be closed with and / or against the cover strip (16), while the opening element (11) is rolled up or folded in a sheath formed with the fault strip (14) and the cover strip (16). [6] Awning (1) according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by , that the floor strip (12) has a width that corresponds to the width of the opening element (11). [7] Awning (1) according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by , that the opening element (11) forms a passage element or a window element in the awning wall (10) and can be retracted into the awning wall (10) with a closure element (17) such as a zipper, a magnetic strip closure or a Velcro closure. [8] Awning (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the locking element (17) has a bottom-side residual section (20) which remains closed after the opening element (11) has been rolled up or folded in and keeps a bottom-side section of the opening element (11) connected to the awning wall (10) on both sides. [9] Awning (1) according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by , that the closing device (13) has a magnetic strip, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a button placket or a studded closure strip. [10] Awning (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized by, that the rotting strips (14) and the covering strips (16) form an overlap section to form the covering. [11] Method for operating an awning (1) for camping vehicles (100), comprising at least one awning wall (10) in which an opening element (11) is incorporated, which is rolled up or folded in, for example, when the weather changes, and wherein the awning wall (10) has at least one bottom strip (12) which forms a bottom termination of the awning wall (10), wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: - Attaching at least one locking device (13) to the floor strip (12), - Rolling or folding the opening element (11) towards the floor (15), - Enclosing the bottom-rolled or folded opening element (11) with the bottom strip (12) and - Securing the bottom strip (12) with the closing means (13) to form a cover for the rolled-up or folded opening element (11). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by , that the opening element (11) is inserted into the awning wall (10) by means of a closure element (17), wherein when the closure element (17) is opened to roll or fold the opening element (11) towards the ground (15) over a remaining section (20) on the ground side, the closure element (17) is left in the closed state.

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