Vehicle awning

Abstract

A vehicle awning and method of erecting such an awning. The awning has a canopy configured to attach along at least one edge to the vehicle, preferably to a carriage having a track located on an underside of a boot or tray cover of a vehicle. One or more support members, typically in the form of poles erected on a ground surface, are provided to suspend at least one free end of the canopy above a ground level. At least one edge of the canopy is configured to attach to the vehicle and extend from a rear edge of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle to provide shelter therefrom.

Description

VEHICLE AWNINGFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to vehicle awnings. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to awnings that extend from a vehicle to provide shelter adjacent to the vehicle.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.

[0003] Awnings of various shapes, sizes, and configurations are often used to create shaded areas and provide protection from the elements, such as sun and rain. Many awnings extend from a fixed structure such as, for example, a house, fence, wall. Other awnings extend from movable structures such as, for example, the side or roof of a vehicle. Many awnings comprise just a canopy with open sides but it is known to close in one or more sides with a wall to provide additional protection from the sun, wind, and / or rain.

[0004] When attached to vehicles, awnings offer a versatile solution for enhancing the usability of outdoor spaces adjacent to the vehicle, making them ideal for picnics, camping, and other outdoor activities. Traditional vehicle awnings typically consist of a fabric or other flexible material that is extended and retracted from a housing mounted to the side of a vehicle above the doors. While relatively effective, such awnings are limited in size and can only shade or provide protection to one side of the vehicle. Further, anything or anyone located under the awning provides a potential obstruction the operation of the doors for vehicle access. Alternatively, the vehicle doors take up space under cover of the awning.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an aim of this invention to provide a vehicle awning which overcomes alleviates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative and / or commercial choice.

[0006] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a vehicle awning comprising: a canopy configured to attach along at least one edge to the vehicle; and at least one support member configured to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level; wherein the at least one edge of the canopy is configured to attach to the vehicle and extend from a rear edge of a boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

[0008] The canopy may comprise a cutout configured to extend around a perimeter of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The canopy may extend longitudinally from the vehicle in use. The canopy may extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in use. The canopy may extend perpendicularly from the vehicle in use. The canopy may comprise a cutout that corresponds to the perimeter of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The cutout may be substantially rectangular. The canopy may comprise wings which are configured to extend outwardly from sides of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle in use. The wings may be generally triangular in shape. The canopy may comprise at least one concave edge. The canopy may be in the form of a sail.

[0009] The canopy may comprise fixings to operatively connect with the at least one support member. The fixings may comprise one or more straps. The fixings may comprise one or more apertures configured to receive corresponding fixing portions of the at least one support member. Thecorresponding fixing portions of the at least one support member may comprise one or more protrusions receivable by one or more apertures. The one or more protrusions may be in the form of pins extending longitudinally from a body of the poles. The fixings of the canopy may comprise apertures with a reinforced perimeter. The perimeter of the apertures may be reinforced with eyelets. One or more apertures may be located around an edge of the canopy. One or more apertures may be centrally located in the canopy.

[0010] The vehicle awning may further comprise a mountable canopy retention system. The mountable canopy retention system may comprise a track. The mountable track may be affixed, or removably affixable, to the vehicle. The mountable track may be affixed, or removably affixable, to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The mountable track may be affixed, or removably affixable, to an inner surface of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The mountable track may be located in a boot or tray cavity of the vehicle when the boot or tray cover of the vehicle is in a closed position. The track may be configured to receive and retain an edge of the canopy. The mountable track may comprise a channel. The channel may have a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The channel may be formed from an elongate track member with a longitudinally extending slit or groove configured to receive and retain an enlarged edge portion of the canopy. The enlarged edge portion of the canopy may comprise beading. The enlarged edge portion of the canopy may be formed by a hem. The hem may contain a string, rope, and / or padding to form an enlarged edge portion of the canopy.

[0011] The at least one support member may comprise a plurality of poles. The poles may be removable. The at least one support member may comprise a support structure. The support structure may comprise a plurality of poles. The support structure may comprise one or more ropes, preferably ropes with length adjustment. The ropes may comprise guy ropes. The support structure may comprise both poles and ropes. The poles may be collapsible. The poles may each comprise a plurality of connectable sub-pole components to form a single pole. The sub-pole components may be independent. The sub-pole components may be telescopically collapsible. The telescopically collapsiblesub-pole components may be biased. The telescopically collapsible sub-pole components may be biased with an extension spring to assist with extending the telescope sub-pole components. The sub-pole components may be tethered to each other. The sub-pole components may be tethered by a flexible material. The flexible material may be elastic. The one or more poles may comprise a protrusion on one end. The protrusion may be configured to be received by an aperture of the canopy. The protrusion may be configured to retain the canopy thereto under tension. The at least one support member and / or support structure may comprise tailgate support poles. The tailgate support poles may extend between a tailgate of the vehicle and the canopy. In use, the tailgate support poles may extend the height of the canopy above the height of the rear edge of a boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The t least one support member and / or support structure may comprise one or more horizontal poles. The horizontal poles may be configured to provide additional support to the canopy. The horizontal poles may extend from a pole connector of the carriage to an upper end of the tailgate support poles.

[0012] The vehicle awning may further comprise a carriage. The carriage may comprise a storage cavity. The carriage may be configured to retain the at least one support member within its storage cavity. The carriage may be configured to retain the canopy within its storage cavity. The carriage may be affixed, or removably affixable, to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The carriage may be affixed, or removably affixable, to an inner surface of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The carriage may be located in a boot or tray cavity of the vehicle when the boot or tray cover of the vehicle is in a closed position. The carriage may be movably attached to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The carriage may be hingedly attached to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle. The carriage may be movable between an open and a closed position. The open position may allow access to the storage cavity and the closed position may substantially prevent access to the storage cavity. Alternatively, the carriage may be immovably mounted to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

[0013] The carriage may comprise at least one retention bracket. The at least one retention bracket may extend substantially perpendicularly to alongitudinal axis of the carriage. The carriage may comprise two retention brackets. The retention bracket may be configured to retain at least a portion of the support structure within the carriage. The one or more retention brackets may be configured to receive and retain poles or sub-pole components of the support structure. The retention bracket may comprise at least one opening to receive a portion of the at least one support member. The retention bracket may comprise a plurality of openings, preferably in the form of holes, to each receive and retain a protrusion from a plurality of poles or sub-poles.

[0014] The at least one retention bracket may comprise a catch. The catch may be in the form of a ledge. The catch may be configured to retain the at least one support member in the storage cavity along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carriage. The carriage may comprise a substantially planar body. The ledge may be configured to retain the at least one support member in the storage cavity along an axis that is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the planar body of the carriage. The carriage may have the mountable track affixed thereto. In use, the canopy may be retained by, and extend away from, the mountable track affixed to the carriage.

[0015] The canopy may be made of any suitable material. The canopy may be made of a generally non-stretchable material. The canopy may be made of fabric. The fabric may be natural or synthetic. The canopy may be made of a water resistant, or more preferably water proof, fabric.

[0016] The vehicle may be utility vehicle. The vehicle may have a ute tray with a rigid tray cover. The rigid tray cover may be liftable. The rigid tray cover may be liftable at a rear end of the vehicle. The rigid tray cover may be movable between a closed position where it seals the tray and an open position where it extends transversely to the tray. For a utility vehicle, the canopy is preferably configured to attach to, and extend from, adjacent a rear edge of the tray cover of the utility vehicle.

[0017] Alternatively, the vehicle may be a car in the form of a sedan, SUV, hatchback, or the like. For a car, the canopy is preferably configured to attach to, and extend from, adjacent a rear edge of the boot of the car.

[0018] In another form, there is provided a method of erecting an awning connected to a vehicle having a boot or tray, the method comprising: opening a boot or tray cover of the vehicle; removing one or more support members from a carriage located in the boot or tray of the vehicle; attaching a canopy to a track located on an underside of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle; and constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level.

[0019] Opening a boot or tray cover of the vehicle may comprise lifting the boot or tray cover. Lifting the boot or tray cover may comprise lifting an end of the boot or tray cover. The boot or tray cover may be lifted on an angle. The tray cover may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in a closed position and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in an open position. The carriage may be mounted on an underside of the boot or tray cover. The carriage may have the track mounted thereto. Attaching a canopy to a track located on an underside of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle may comprise attaching the canopy to a track located on the carriage located on the underside of the boot or tray cover.

[0020] Constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level may comprise supporting one or more free edges of the canopy with one or more of poles, ropes, and straps. Constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level may comprise supporting a plurality of free edges of the canopy rearward of the vehicle. Constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level may comprise supporting a plurality of free edges of the canopy one or both sides of the vehicle of the vehicle. Constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level may comprise supporting a plurality of free edges of the canopy both rearward and out both sides of the vehicle.

[0021] The method may further comprise dismantling the awning. Dismantling the awning may comprise separating the one or more support members from the canopy and placing the support members back into the carriage. Dismantling the awning may comprise separating the canopy from the track. Once separated from the track, the canopy may be folded or rolled for stowage.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle with awning in an open configuration;

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates another perspective view of the vehicle with awning in an open configuration;

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates yet another perspective view of the vehicle with awning in an open configuration;

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the awning canopy of figures 1 to 3 when lay flat;

[0028] Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view of an awning canopy shape;

[0029] Figure 6 illustrates a top plan view of another awning canopy shape;

[0030] Figure 7 illustrates a top plan view of yet another awning canopy shape;

[0031] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a carriage;

[0032] Figure 9 illustrates a top plan view of another carriage;

[0033] Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the carriage along axisA-A of figure 9;

[0034] Figure 11 illustrates a side elevation view of the carriage of figures 9 and 10;

[0035] Figure 12 illustrates a close up portion of the carriage of figure 11 with a canopy track;

[0036] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of another carriage;

[0037] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the carriage of figure 13 mounted to the underside of a vehicle tray cover;

[0038] Figure 15 illustrates a top plan view of another awning canopy;

[0039] Figure 16 illustrates a side elevation view of the awning canopy of figure 15;

[0040] Figure 17 illustrates an underside close up side perspective view of the vehicle with the awning canopy of figures 15 and 16 in an open configuration; and

[0041] Figure 18 illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle with the awning canopy of figures 15 and 16 in the open configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 illustrates a vehicle 10 with an assembled awning 100 having a canopy 120 and a support structure comprising poles 140 and ropes 160. The illustrated vehicle 10 is a utility vehicle or ‘ute’ (also known as a pickup truck in some countries) having a tray 12 with a rigid tray cover 14. It should be appreciated that although a utility vehicle 10 having a tray12 with a rigid tray cover 14 is shown, that the invention could be easily adapted for use with other vehicle types including cars such as SLIVs and hatchbacks.

[0043] The canopy 120 extends from the perimeter of the ute tray 12, in particularly from around the ute tray cover 14 such that the awning and ute traycover 14 collectively form a sheltered space. The canopy 120 is attached along edge 122 to a track 300 (not visible in figures 1 to 3) mounted to an underside of the tray cover 14. The canopy 120 has wing portions 124 that are substantially triangular in shape and extend from the sides of the tray cover 14. In use the wings 140 are angled downward to ensure any rain runoff is directed away from the ute tray 12.

[0044] Free ends of the canopy 120, being ends not directly supported by the vehicle 10, are supported by support members in the form of poles 140 and lines in the form of ropes 160. The poles 140 are telescopically extending poles, preferably made of a strong but lightweight material such as aluminium. The poles 140 may comprise spring loaded telescopic sub-pole components to allow easy retraction and extension of the poles 140. The poles 140 have protrusions in the form of pins 142 which can be received by apertures 128, or the like, in the canopy 120. The poles 160 may be erected between a ground level and the canopy 120 and held in place under tension between the canopy 120 and ropes 160. Although the ropes 160 are illustrated as being anchored into the ground, for example using tent pegs or the like, it should be appreciated that they could be tied onto adjacent structures, such as a tree, with or without the use of a pole 160. The ropes 160 are length adjustable with an adjuster 162. In this manner, the ropes 160 are effectively in the form of guy lines or guy ropes.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates the canopy 120 separate from the support structure. As seen more clearly in figure 4, the canopy 120 has a rectangular cutout 130 that corresponds to the perimeter of the tray cover 14 of the vehicle 10. The wings 124 are substantially triangular having one side bound by the cutout 130. The apexes of the wings 124 have ties 126 to enable them to be tied onto the vehicle to both secure the canopy 120 and also assist with keeping the perimeter of the cutout 130 abutting, or at least adjacent to, the tray cover 140. Edge 122 of the canopy 120 extends along the innermost side of the cutout 130 and is configured to abut, or at least sit adjacent to, the rearmost end of the tray cover 14. Edge 122 may have beading and / or a hem to form an enlarged portion receivable by the track 300 (see figure 12). The apertures 128may be reinforced with eyelets, preferably metal eyelets, to increase strength particularly when under tension with a pin 142 of a pole 140 received therein.

[0046] It should be appreciated that the canopy 120 could take various different shapes. Figures 5 to 7 illustrate diagrammatic plan views of three different shapes. Figure 5 illustrates a canopy 120 that is similar to that illustrated in figures 1 to 4 that is capable of extending from the rear and both sides of the vehicle 10. Figure 6 illustrates a larger canopy 120 that is more rectangular in general overall shape. Figure 7 illustrates a smaller canopy 120 that is generally pentagonal convex edges 126 and no cutout 130 or wings 124 such that it only meets at the rear of the tray cover 14. The canopy shapes 120 illustrated in figures 5 to 7 are by way of example shapes only. The shape and size of a canopy 120 can be chose according to practical and aesthetical requirements and no express limitation is meant thereby.

[0047] Figures 8 illustrates a carriage 200 mountable to the vehicle 10, preferably to an inner surface of the tray cover 14. The carriage 200 is elongate and configured to receive the poles 140, once collapsed, therein. The carriage 200 has two long sides 202 and two short ends 204 which generally define a storage cavity. The storage cavity of the illustrated carriage 200 is sized to receive six support members. The dimensions and configuration can be altered to accommodate more or less poles 140 and / or the canopy 120 as well. Disposed at each short end 204 is a retention bracket 206. The retention brackets 206 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the carriage 200. The carriage may comprise two retention brackets to retain the poles 140. One of the retention brackets 206 has openings in the form of holes 208 to receive ends of the poles 140, preferably when telescopically collapsed or as sub-pole components. The other of the retention brackets 206 has a catch in the form of a ledge 210 to catch and retain the non-protrusion end of the poles 140.

[0048] Figures 9 to 11 illustrate another carriage 200. It is similarto the one illustrated in figure 8 but both retention brackets 206 have a catch in the form of a ledge 210. At least one of the retention brackets 206 has openings in theform of holes 208 (see figure 11) to receive the protrusions 142 of poles 140 contained therein.

[0049] Figure 12 illustrates a close-up view of region ‘A’ of figure 11 with a track 300 mounted thereto. The track 300 is fixedly mounted to edge 212 of one of the long sides 202 of the carriage 200, but may be removably mounted. The track 300 is elongate with a substantially C-shaped channel configured to receive and retain edge 122 of the canopy 120.

[0050] Figure 13 illustrates another carriage 200 that is similar to the one illustrated in figures 9 to 11. The track 300 (not shown in figure 13) may be mounted to the long side 202A of the carriage 200 which has pole connectors 214. The pole connectors 214 provide an aperture 216 capable of receiving an end of a horizontal pole 146 therein to further support the canopy 120 (see figure 17). Furthermore, one or more accessories, such as LED lights (not shown), may be affixed to mounting points 218. Mounting points 218 in the illustrated embodiment comprise two affixing points on either side of a cable passthrough hole to allow wiring to be routed underneath the carriage 200.

[0051] Figure 14 illustrates a carriage mounted to the underside of a vehicle tray cover 14. A plurality of poles 240 are contained therein. LED lights 400 are also mounted to the mounting points 218 to provide illumination.

[0052] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a canopy 120 that is generally hexagonal in shape with square / rectangular cutout 130. The canopy 120 of figures 15 and 16 has centrally located apertures 128’ to receive tailgate support poles 144 that can provide additional height support for the canopy 120 once installed (see figures 16 to 18). In particular, figure 6 shows the extended height of the canopy 120 with tailgate support poles 144 relative to the maximum height ‘H’ of the tray 13. Horizontal poles 146 are also installed to provide additional support to the canopy 120. In particular, the horizontal poles 146 extend from the aperture 216 of the pole connectors 214 of the carriage 200 and an upper end of the tailgate support poles 144. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the vehicle 10 with assembled awning 100 of figures 13 to 16.

[0053] In use, the awning 100 may be dismantled and stored in the ute tray 12 (or boot of a car). The carriage 200 retains the poles securely and compactly. When deployment of the awning is sought, the ute tray 14 (or boot of a car) is raised and the poles 140 are removed from the carriage. The canopy 120 is unfolded, attached to the track 300, and the poles 140 are erected in a manner, where needed, to support the free ends of the canopy 120.Ropes 160 can be used to tension the canopy using either ground anchors such as pegs or similar, or adjacent structures such as, for example, a tree, tent, building, or the like. When shelter is no longer required, the awning can be readily collapsed in reverse and stowed away tidily.

[0054] Advantageously, the awning 100 provides a compact and versatile shelter from the rear of vehicles. This enables the vehicle tray 12 or boot space to form part of the shelter increasing its size and versatility. The canopy can be easily arranged to shelter a large area and the poles140 and ropes 160 can provide adaptable securement to the ground and / or adjacent structures.

[0055] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0056] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the presentinvention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above-described invention.

[0057] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0058] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A vehicle awning comprising: a canopy configured to attach along at least one edge to the vehicle; and at least one support member configured to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level; wherein the at least one edge of the canopy is configured to attach to the vehicle and extend from a rear edge of a boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle awning of claim 1 , wherein the canopy comprises a cutout configured to extend around a perimeter of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle awning of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the canopy extends longitudinally from the vehicle in use.

4. The vehicle awning of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the canopy comprises wings configured to extend outwardly from sides of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle in use.

5. The vehicle awning of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one support member comprises a support structure comprising a plurality of poles erectable between a ground level and the canopy.

6. The vehicle awning of claim 5, wherein the plurality of poles include collapsible poles held in place under tension between the canopy and one or more length adjustable ropes.

7. The vehicle awning of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the support structure comprises one or more tailgate support poles configured to extend between a tailgate of the vehicle and the canopy.

8. The vehicle awning of claim 7, wherein the tailgate support poles extend the height of the canopy above the height of the rear edge of a boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle awning of claims 7 or claim 8, wherein the support structure comprises one or more horizontal poles configured to provide additional support to the canopy.

10. The vehicle awning of claim 9, wherein the one or more horizontal poles extend from a pole connector of a carriage located on an underside of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle to an upper end of the tailgate support poles.

11. The vehicle awning of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the canopy comprises apertures configured to receive corresponding protrusions of the poles.

12. The vehicle awning of claim 11 , wherein one or more apertures are located around an edge of the canopy and one or more apertures are centrally located in the canopy.

13. The vehicle awning of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mountable canopy retention system affixed, or removably affixable, to the boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle awning of claim 13, wherein the mountable canopy retention system comprises a track configured to receive and retain an edge of the canopy.

15. The vehicle awning of claim 14, wherein the track comprises a channel configured to receive and retain an enlarged edge portion of the canopy.

16. The vehicle awning of any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a carriage having at least one retention bracket configured to retain at least a portion of the support structure.

17. The vehicle awning of claim 16, wherein the carriage is affixed, or removably affixable, to an inner surface of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle awning of claim 16 or 17, wherein in use the canopy is retained by, and extends away from, a mountable track affixed to the carriage.

19. The vehicle awning of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the vehicle is a utility vehicle having a ute tray with a rigid tray cover that is liftable at a rear end of the vehicle.

20. A method of erecting an awning connected to a vehicle having a boot or tray, the method comprising: opening a boot or tray cover of the vehicle; removing one or more support members from a carriage located in the boot or tray of the vehicle; attaching a canopy to a track located on an underside of the boot or tray cover of the vehicle; and constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground level.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the carriage is mounted to an underside of the boot or tray cover with the track mounted thereto, and opening a boot or tray cover of the vehicle comprises lifting an end of the boot or tray cover.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21 , wherein constructing the one or more support members to suspend a free end of the canopy above a ground levelcomprises supporting one or more free edges of the canopy with a plurality of poles erected between a ground level and the canopy and held in place under tension between the canopy and one or more of ropes and straps.

23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising dismantling the awning by separating the one or more support members from the canopy and placing the support members back into the carriage.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein dismantling the awning comprises separating the canopy from the track.

25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the awning is the vehicle awning of any one of claims 1 to 19.

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