Portable fence supported awning

• US 6,796,359 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kraig R. Knutson
• Original Assignee: Kraig R. Knutson
• Inventors: Knutson, Kraig R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEV, BRUCE ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/322,913
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 160/45, 160/46, 160/66, 160/67, 160/68, 160/156, 135/88.07, 135/88.12, 248/499
• US Class Current: 160/156
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/04 with material fixed on sections of a collapsible frame especially Florentine blinds
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/0603 with telescopic arms
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/0614 whereby the pivot axis of the articulation is parallel to the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/0618 whereby the pivot axis of the articulation is perpendicular to the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/08 Trailer awnings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/58 Closures; Awnings; Sunshades
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/163 using wired panels with frame

Abstract

A portable fence supported awning includes a flexible sheet mounted on a frame that has a rear frame cross member and two sets of lateral frame members. The two sets of lateral frame members are attached to the fence and can support the awning in various positions to provide the desired cover. The lateral frame members can be pivoted into and the flexible sheet can be folded into a compact state for carrying and storage.

Claims

1. A portable fence supported awning, comprising:

a flexible sheet;

the flexible sheet having a front edge, a rear portion, and first and second lateral edge portions extending between the front edge and the rear portion;

a rear frame cross member, the rear frame cross member extending between the first and second lateral edge portions of the flexible sheet;

the rear frame cross member having a first end adjacent the first lateral edge portion of the flexible sheet;

the rear frame cross member having a second end adjacent the second lateral edge portion of the flexible sheet; and

the rear frame cross member extending parallel to the front edge of the flexible sheet;

a first lateral frame member;

the first lateral member having first and second ends and a length;

a first pivoting means comprising a first fixed hinge plate secured in a fixed position to the first end of the rear frame cross member;

the first lateral frame member being pivotally joined to the first plate whereby the first end of the first lateral frame member is pivotally joined to the first end of the rear frame cross member so that the first lateral frame member can be pivoted from a first stored position extending generally parallel to the rear frame cross member to a second in use position extending generally perpendicular to the rear frame cross member;

the first lateral edge portion of the flexible sheet being secured to the first lateral frame member and extending from about the first end to about the second end of the first lateral frame member;

quick release fastening means at the second end of the first lateral frame member and extending beyond the front edge of the flexible sheet for securing the first lateral frame member to chain links of a fence;

a second lateral frame member;

the second lateral frame member having first and second ends and a length;

a second pivoting means comprising a second fixed hinge plate secured in a fixed position to the second end of the rear frame cross member;

the second lateral frame member being pivotally joined to the second fixed plate whereby the first end of the second lateral frame member is pivotally joined to the second end of the rear frame cross member so that the second lateral frame member can be pivoted from a first stored position extending generally parallel to rear frame cross member to a second in use position extending generally perpendicular to the rear frame cross member;

the second lateral edge position of the flexible sheet being secured to the second lateral frame member and extending from about the first end to about the second end of the second lateral frame member;

quick release fastening means at the second end of the second lateral frame member and extending beyond the front edge of the flexible sheet for securing the second lateral frame member to chain links of a fence;

a third lateral frame member;

the third lateral frame member having first and second ends and a length about equal to or greater than the length of the first lateral frame member;

the first pivoting means including a first pivoting plate hinged to the first fixed plate;

the third lateral frame member being pivotally joined to the first pivoting plate whereby the first end of the third lateral frame member is pivotally joined to the first end of the rear frame cross member so that the third lateral frame member can be pivoted from a first stored position generally parallel to the rear frame cross member to a second in use position extending generally perpendicular to the rear frame cross member;

the first pivoting means pivotally joining the first end of the third lateral frame member to the first end of the first lateral frame member so that the first and third lateral frame members can be pivoted relative to each other for mounting the awning on a fence and the first pivoting plate being pivotal from a first position extending downward from the first fixed plate that enables the third lateral frame member to extend to a fence below the first lateral frame member to a second position extending upward from the first fixed plate that enables the third lateral frame member to extend to a fence above the first lateral frame member;

quick release fastening means at the second end of the third lateral frame member for securing the third lateral frame member to chain links of a fence; and

a fourth lateral frame member;

the fourth lateral frame member having first and second ends and having a length about equal to or greater than the length of the second lateral frame member;

the second pivoting means including a second pivoting plate hinged to the second fixed plate;

the third lateral frame member being pivotally joined to the second pivoting plate whereby the first end of the fourth lateral frame member is pivotally joined to the second end of the rear frame cross member so that the fourth lateral frame member can be pivoted from a first stored position extending generally parallel to the rear frame cross member to a second in use position extending generally perpendicular to the rear frame cross member;

the second pivoting means pivotally joining the first end of the fourth lateral frame member to the first end of the second lateral frame member so that the second and fourth lateral frame members can be pivoted relative to each other for mounting the awning on a fence and the second pivoting plate being pivotal from a first position extending downward from the second fixed plate that enables the fourth lateral frame member to extend to a fence below the second lateral frame member to a second position extending upward from the second fixed plate that enables the fourth lateral frame member to extend to a fence above the second lateral frame member;

quick release fastening means at the second end of the fourth lateral frame member for securing the fourth lateral frame member to chain links of a fence.

2. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the flexible sheet is a sunscreen.

3. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the flexible sheet is sunscreen and is water-repellant.

4. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the flexible sheet is opaque.

5. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the flexible sheet is opaque and is water-repellant.

6. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the rear portion of the flexible sheet includes a flap that is draped over the rear frame cross member that may be used to wrap the awning when the lateral frame members are pivoted into and the flexible sheet is folded into a stored state.

7. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the third and fourth lateral frame member are adjustable in length for adjusting the altitude of the awning when the awning is mounted on a fence.

8. The portable awning according to claim 7, wherein:

the flexible sheet is a sunscreen.

9. The portable awning according to claim 7, wherein:

the flexible sheet is a sunscreen and is water-repellant.

10. The portable awning according to claim 7, wherein:

the flexible sheet is opaque.

11. The portable awning according to claim 7, wherein:

the flexible sheet is opaque and is water-repellant.

12. The portable awning according to claim 7, wherein:

the rear portion of the flexible sheet includes a flap that is draped over the rear frame cross member that may be used to wrap the awning when the lateral frame members are pivoted into and the flexible sheet is folded into a stored state.

13. The portable awning according to claim 1, wherein:

the quick release fastening means are snap fasteners.