Folding canopy support bracket
OwnerWarren S. P. Cooper, Stephen J. Carrinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bracket mounts against a rigid support surface for pivotally supporting an end of a tubular element of a frame for a folding awning or canopy. The pivot pin that engages the frame element is supported by a pivot pin support member that is in turn supported by two end elements that fasten to the support surface. The pivot pin support member and the two end elements are so constructed that they are free to rotate relative to one another about an axis transverse to the axis of the pivot pin. This provides greater flexibility in the folding motion of the frame element and facilitates mounting of the bracket on a non-planar surface.
Claims9
A bracket for pivotally supporting an end of a long tubular frame element on a rigid support surface, the bracket comprising:
- A) a rigid pivot pin having a first long axis for friction free pivotal connection to an end of the long tubular frame element;
- B) a rigid pivot pin support member having a pair of parallel opposed projections for receiving therebetween the end of the tubular frame element and for supporting said pivot pin, said pivot pin support member having an elongate second axis transverse to said first long axis;
- C) a first rigid end element having means for fastening to said a rigid support surface;
- D) a second rigid end element having means for fastening to said rigid support surface;
- E) said first and second end elements supporting said pivot pin support member at opposed ends of said pivot pin support member and being freely rotatable relative to one another and to said pivot pin support member about said elongate second axis, to thereby enable the bracket to support friction free movement of said tubular frame element through more than a single plane and to facilitate fastening the bracket to a non-planar rigid surface.
A bracket for pivotally supporting an end of a long tubular frame element on a rigid support surface, the bracket comprising:
- A) a pivot pin having a first long axis for pivotal connection to an end of the long tubular frame element;
- B) a pivot pin support member on which said pivot pin is mounted, said pivot pin support member having an elongate axis transverse to said first long axis;
- C) a first end element having means for fastening to said a rigid support surface;
- D) a second end element having means for fastening to said rigid support surface;
- E) said first and second end elements supporting said pivot pin support member at opposed ends of said pivot support member, and being rotatable relative to one another and to sail pivot pin support member about said elongate axis, to thereby enable the bracket to support movement of said tubular frame element through more than a single plane and to facilitate fastening the bracket to a non-planar rigid surface;
- and wherein said pivot pin support member is provided with a cylindrical passage for receiving therein a cylindrical member attached to said first end element, and said cylindrical member is provided with a cylindrical channel for receiving therein a cylindrical element attached to said second end element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.