Awning Motor Override

{
  "publication_number": "US2013333846A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Awning Motor Override",
  "abstract": "A retractable awning having a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or off the roller. The motor includes a protective housing, with a manual motor override on the motor within the housing. An aperture in the housing proximate the override is aligned with and permits access to the override through the aperture.",
  "claims": [
    "1. In a retractable awning for mounting to a wall, the awning including a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or off the roller, the motor including a protective housing, the improvement comprising a. a manual motor override on the motor within the housing, and b. an aperture in the housing proximate said override aligned with and permitting direct access to said override through said aperture. 2. The retractable awning according to claim 1, in which said manual motor override extends from the motor and includes a connector. 3. The retractable awning according to claim 2, in which said connector comprises a connection head shaped to engage a manual override tool. 4. The retractable awning according to claim 1, including a removable cap for said aperture. 5. The retractable awning according to claim 4, in which said cap comprises a plug. 6. The retractable awning according to claim 1, in which said manual motor override comprises a worm wheel operatively connected to said roller, a worm gear engaged with said worm wheel, and a connector connected to said worm gear. 7. The retractable awning according to claim 6, in which said manual motor override is substantially located in an override housing proximate the motor."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to retractable awnings and, particularly, to a motor-driven awning having an override for manually driving the motor should it fail.\n\nRetractable awnings are used to create a shaded space. While the invention is described in relation to an awning having particular utility in relation to a recreational vehicle, it can also be used in connection with a stationary awning on a structure, such as awning extensible over a patio.\n\nIn such awnings, a flexible, typically fabric canopy is secured at one end to a wall and has an opposite end secured to a roller. The roller is supported at its ends by opposite support arms which are displaceable between an extended position for the awning, where the awning is deployed, and a retracted position, where the awning is rolled onto the roller for storage.\n\nTypically the awning is driven by an electric motor. Should the motor fail for any reason, whether a mechanical failure or loss of electrical power to drive the motor, without some means of mechanically operating the roller, it can become problematic, particularly if the awning is in the extended position.\n\nAwnings are usually extended in a fairly horizontal manner so as to provide maximum shading beneath the awning canopy when it is extended. A biasing means, such as a fluid strut, maintains that orientation.\n\nThe invention provides a retractable awning for mounting to a wall, with the awning including a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or of the roller.",
  "cpc": [
    "E04F 10/0614",
    "E04F 10/0603",
    "E04F 10/0625",
    "E04F 10/0648",
    "E04H 15/08",
    "E06B 9/70",
    "E06B 9/74"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E04F 10/06",
    "E04H 15/08",
    "E06B 9/70",
    "E06B 9/74"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lippert Components Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jeffrey K. Albrecht",
    "Christopher S. Greer",
    "Brian M. Worthman"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-06-14",
  "publication_date": "2013-12-19",
  "priority_date": "2012-06-14",
  "application_number": "US-201213523522-A",
  "family_id": "49754820",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US2718395A",
    "US2758834A",
    "US5561948A",
    "US6971433B2",
    "US20100126544A1"
  ]
}