Lateral arm actuator for extendable awning

Abstract

A lateral arm actuator for an extendable awning includes a gas spring, a fitting connected to the gas spring, and an awning knuckle including a first connector coupled to the gas spring and a second connector that is pivotable relative to the first connector. A cable formed into a continuous loop is positioned over the fitting, along the gas spring, and across the awning knuckle. An extendable awning assembly also incorporates the lateral arm actuator to extend and retract the awning via a motorized roller.

1 . A lateral arm actuator for an extendable awning, comprising:
 a gas spring;   a fitting connected to the gas spring;   an awning knuckle including a first connector coupled to the gas spring and a second connector that is pivotable relative to the first connector; and   a cable formed into a continuous loop and positioned over the fitting, along the gas spring, and across the awning knuckle.   
     
     
         2 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas spring comprises a cylinder and a rod that is displaceable relative to the cylinder, and wherein the rod is biased toward an extended position. 
     
     
         3 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 2 , wherein the fitting is connected to a distal end of the rod. 
     
     
         4 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a groove, and wherein the cable is disposed in the groove. 
     
     
         5 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable is inelastic. 
     
     
         6 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is pivotable relative to the first connector across about 165°. 
     
     
         7 . An extendable awning assembly comprising:
 a motorized roller;   an extension bar;   an awning secured between the motorized roller and the extension bar; and   an extension arm assembly coupled with the extension bar, the extension arm assembly including a first pivot arm pivotably connected to a second pivot arm, and a lateral arm actuator disposed between the first and second pivot arms, the lateral arm actuator comprising:
 a gas spring, 
 a fitting connected to the gas spring, 
 an awning knuckle including a first connector coupled to the gas spring and a second connector that is pivotable relative to the first connector, and 
 a cable formed into a continuous loop and positioned over the fitting, along the gas spring, and across the awning knuckle, 
   wherein the first pivot arm is secured to the first connector of the lateral arm actuator, and wherein the second pivot arm is secured to the second connector of the lateral arm actuator.   
     
     
         8 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 7 , comprising at least two extension arm assemblies acting on the extension bar. 
     
     
         9 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a pair of base support brackets attachable to a structure, wherein the motorized roller is connected between the base support brackets, and wherein the first pivot arm of each of the extension arm assemblies is pivotably connected to a respective one of the base support brackets. 
     
     
         10 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the gas spring comprises a cylinder and a rod that is displaceable relative to the cylinder, and wherein the rod is biased toward an extended position. 
     
     
         11 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the extendable awning assembly is configured such that the awning in a stowed position maintains the extension arm assembly in a retracted position against the bias of the rod, and wherein the extendable awning assembly is further configured such that activation of the motorized roller in a first direction releases the awning, and the extension arm assembly is displaced toward an extended position by the bias of the rod. 
     
     
         12 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the extendable awning assembly is further configured such that activation of the motorized roller in a second direction opposite from the first direction draws the awning toward the retracted position against the bias of the rod. 
     
     
         13 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the fitting comprises a groove, and wherein the cable is disposed in the groove. 
     
     
         14 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the cable is inelastic. 
     
     
         15 . An extendable awning assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the second connector is pivotable relative to the first connector across about 165°. 
     
     
         16 . A lateral arm actuator for an extendable awning, comprising:
 a gas spring displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position;   an awning knuckle including a first connector coupled to the gas spring and a second connector, the second connector being pivotable relative to the first connector between an open position and a closed position; and   a cable formed into a continuous loop and positioned along the gas spring and across the awning knuckle,   wherein the gas spring is biased toward the extended position, and wherein displacement of the gas spring from the retracted position toward the extended position pivots the second connector relative to the first connector toward the open position.   
     
     
         17 . A lateral arm actuator according to  claim 16 , wherein the second connector comprises a hook, and wherein the cable engages the hook.