US20050103371A1

US20050103371A1 - Retractable terrace canopy

Info

Publication number: US20050103371A1
Application number: US10/715,007
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary Childres; Stuart Dwork
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-17
Filing date: 2003-11-17
Publication date: 2005-05-19

Abstract

An awning assembly including a first support leg, a second support leg, and a horizontal truss brace. The awning assembly further includes a roller tube attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a first and second glide rail attached the first and second support legs, respectively. First and second raising/lowering mechanisms are adapted for raising and lowering a first glide block along the first glide rail, and a second glide block along the second glide rail, respectively. The awning assembly further includes first and second front arms having hinged attachments to the first and second glide blocks and further attachments to a front bar, and a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved awning structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional retractable awnings suffer from a number of deficiencies. Conventional retractable awnings are typically cumbersome, as well as very time consuming, to deploy from their stowed state. The present invention provides for a retractable awning that may be extended or retracted easily and quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an awning assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the frame assembly of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the roller tube of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the roller tube 20 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate embodiment of the roller tube assembly 18 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the front bar 30 a of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the first glide block 24 a of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the first glide block 24 a of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5C illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the first glide block 24 a of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 in a fully retracted position;
FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 in a partially extended position;
FIG. 6C illustrates the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 in a fully extended position;
FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7B illustrates another perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7C illustrates still another perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10;
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having an integrated misting device;
FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which the awning assembly 10 is affixed to a table 70; and
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an awning assembly 110 having a single canopy in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the Drawings wherein like reference characters denote like or similar parts throughout the various Figures. Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an awning assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The awning assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a frame assembly comprised of a first support leg 12 a and a second support leg 12 b attached to and supporting a horizontal truss brace 14. Although not required, a first curved truss brace 15 a and a second curved truss brace 15 b may be further attached between the first support leg 12 a and the horizontal truss brace 14, and the second support leg 12 b and the second curved truss brace 15 b, respectively, to provide additional support. A first base plate 16 a may be attached to the first support leg 12 a and a second base plate 16 b may be attached to the second support leg 12 b in order to provide increased stability to the awning assembly 10. In one embodiment, the first base plate 16 a can further be provided with mounting holes in order to facilitate the mounting of the awning assembly 10 to a mounting surface. The awning assembly 10 further includes a roller tube assembly 18 having a roller tube 20 attached to a top surface of the horizontal truss brace 14. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the roller tube 20 can be attached to the first support leg 12 a and the second support leg 12 b, and the horizontal truss brace 14 can be eliminated.
A first glide rail 22 a and a second glide rail 22 b are attached to an inner side of and extend along a portion of the vertical length of the first support leg 12 a and the second support leg 12 b, respectively. The first glide rail 22 a is adapted to allow a first glide block 24 a to slide along the first glide rail 22 a, and the second glide rail 22 b is adapted to allow a second glide block 24 b to slide along the second glide rail 22 b. These glide rails can be integral to the support legs or made as a separate piece. Alternately, the guide rails may be in the form of a grooved arrangement within the support legs.
In this embodiment, the awning assembly 10 further includes a first glide block ribbon 25 a having a first end attached to the first glide block 24 a and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 10 further includes a second glide block ribbon 25 b having a first end attached to the second glide block 24 b and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. The first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b in combination/cooperation with each other and the first glide block ribbon 25 a and the second glide block ribbon 25 b serve as a raising lowering mechanism. It should be understood that other raising/lowering mechanisms may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b instead of the first glide block ribbon 25 a and the second glide block ribbon 25 b used in this embodiment. Other raising/lowering mechanisms that may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b could include, for example, the use of tapes, cords, chains, screw drives, either alone or in combination, or the like.
The awning assembly 10 further includes a first end of a first front arm 26 a and a first end of a first rear arm 28 a attached to opposing sides of the first glide block 24 a via hinged attachment points. A first end of a second front arm 26 b and a first end of a second rear arm 28 b are attached to opposing sides of the second glide block 24 b via hinged attachment points. A second end of the first front arm 26 a and a second end of the second front arm 26 b are attached to opposite ends of a front bar 30 a, ideally in a semi or completely rigid manner. In a substantially similar manner, a second end of the first rear arm 28 a and a second end of the second rear arm 28 b are attached to opposite ends of a rear bar 30 b, ideally in a rigid manner. Although they may be hinged at one or more of their endpoints, the first front arm 26 a, the second front arm 26 b, the first rear arm 28 a, and the second rear arm 28 b are preferably constructed in such a manner that they are rigid (i.e. not hinged) along their entire length. This eliminates a potential point of failure of conventional awning arms that may have one or more articulations positioned in or along their length.
The front bar 30 a and rear bar 30 b may additionally be provide with slots for the attachment of a front valance 33 a and rear valance 33 b, respectively. The awning assembly 10 further includes a front canopy material 32 a, comprised of a flexible material such as fabric or plastic, having a first end attached to the front bar 30 a and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 10 includes a rear canopy material 32 b having a first end attached to the rear bar 30 b and a second end attached to the roller tube 20. The front canopy material 32 a and rear canopy material 32 b are adapted to provide protection against sunlight, rain, etc. when in a deployed configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a plan view of the frame assembly of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated.
Referring now to FIG. 3A, an embodiment of the roller tube 20 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The roller tube 20 includes a mechanism for attaching of the front canopy material 32 a to the roller tube 20, ideally this can be a first slot 21 extending along the length of the roller tube 20 for attachment of the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b. The roller tube 20 is adapted to allow the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b to be wound and unwound around the roller tube 20 at a single point of attachment.
Referring now to FIG. 3B, another embodiment of the roller tube 20 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The roller tube 20 includes a mechanism for attaching of the front canopy material 32 a to the roller tube 20, ideally this can be a first slot 21 extending along the length of the roller tube 20. The roller tube 20 further includes a includes a mechanism for attaching of the rear canopy material 32 b to the roller tube 20, ideally this can be a second slot 23 extending along the length of the roller tube 20. The roller tube 20 is adapted to allow the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material to be wound and unwound around the roller tube 20 at attachment points on opposing sides of the roller tube 20. Although slot arrangement(s) are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, other attachment methods could be employed.
Referring now to FIG. 3C, an alternate embodiment of the roller tube assembly 18 of FIG. 1. The roller tube assembly 18 of FIG. 3C includes two counter rotating rollers consisting of a first counter-rotating roller tube 35 a and a second counter-rotating roller tube 35 b. In this embodiment the front canopy material 32 a is attached to the first counter-rotating roller tube 35 a, and the rear canopy material 32 b is attached to the second counter-rotating roller tube 35 b. Accordingly, during extension and retract of the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b, the first counter-rotating roller tube 35 a and the second counter-rotating roller tube 35 b rotate in directions counter to each other. Additionally, in yet another embodiment, the two rollers need not be counter-rotating.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the front bar 30 a of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The front bar 30 a includes a front arm slot 40 a for attachment of the first front arm 26 a and the second front arm 26 b. The front bar 30 a further includes at least one of a first slot 42 a, and second slot 44 a, and a third slot 46 a for selective attachment of the front canopy material 32 a and the front valence 33 a. For example, in one embodiment, the front canopy material 32 a may be attached to the front bar 30 a at the third slot 46 a, and the front valence 33 a may be attached to either one of the first slot 42 a or the second slot 44 a in accordance with whether it is desired to have a portion of the front bar 30 a visible or covered by the front valence 33 a. It should be understood that the rear bar 30 b of the present invention can be constructed in a manner that is substantially similar to that of the front bar 30 a.
It should be understood that other configurations of the front bar 30 a and rear bar 30 b could used. Although a slot arrangement for the attachment of the front canopy material 32 a and/or front valence 33 a is shown in FIG. 4, other attachment methods could be employed. For example, an alternate embodiment of the front bar 30 a can be used such that the front canopy material 32 a and the front valence 33 a are attached to the front bar 30 a using fasteners and/or adhesive material.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, a front view, a side view, and a top view, respectively of an embodiment of the first glide block 24 a of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The first glide block 24 a may be constructed of a hollow steel tube 50 a having a substantially rectangular cross section. The first glide block 24 a further includes, for example, a steel pipe 52 a attached to an inner surface of and oriented along an axis extending from a top to a bottom of the hollow steel tube 50 a. The first glide block 24 a further includes, for example, a fiberglass pipe 54 a in contact with an inner surface of the steel pipe 52 a in order to allow the first glide block 24 a to slide along the first glide rail 22 a. In one embodiment of the first glide block 24 a one or more bolts can be used in order to secure the attachment of the steel pipe 52 a to the inner surface of the follow steel tube 50 a. The second glide block 24 b may be constructed in a substantially similar manner to that of the first glide block 24 a.
Referring now to FIG. 6A-6C, the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in various stages of deployment. The awning assembly 10 operates such that as the roller tube 20 is rotated so as to deploy the canopy, each of the first glide block ribbon 25 a and second glide block ribbon 25 b, used as an exemplary raising/lowering mechanism, are wound around the roller tube 20, resulting in the first slide block 24 a and second glide block 24 b being pulled in an upward direction along the first glide rail 22 a and the second glide rail 22 b, respectively. Simultaneous with the winding of the first glide block ribbon 25 a and second glide block ribbon 25 b around the roller tube 20, the front canopy material 32 a and rear canopy material 32 b are unwound from the roller tube 20. A hinged movement of the first front bar 26 a and second front arm 26 b as the first glide block 24 a and second glide block 24 b move upward results in the outward movement of the front bar 30 a thereby deploying the front canopy material 32 a into its fully extended position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinged attachment of the first front arm 26 a and the second front arm 26 b to the first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b may optionally be spring loaded such that outward pressure is placed upon the first front arm 26 a and the second front arm 26 b to facilitate the extension of the front canopy material 32 a.
In addition, as each of the first glide block 24 a and second glide block 24 b are pulled upward, the hinged movement of the first rear arm 28 a and second rear arm 28 b results in the outward movement of the rear bar 30 b thereby deploying the rear canopy material 32 b into its fully extended position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinged attachment of the first rear arm 28 a and the second rear arm 28 b to the first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b may be optionally spring loaded such that outward pressure is placed upon the first rear arm 28 a and the second rear arm 28 b to facilitate the extension of the rear canopy material 32 b. The extension of the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b results in the formation of a protective canopy.
When it is desired to return the awning assembly to its fully retracted position, the roller tube 20 is rotated in a counter direction to that of extension. As the roller tube 20 is rotated in the counter direction, the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b are wound around the roller tube 20. In addition, the first glide block ribbon 25 a and the second glide block ribbon 25 b are unwound from the roller tube 20 as the roller tube 20 is rotated in the counter direction, resulting in the downward movement of the first glide block 24 a and the second glide block 24 b along the first glide rail 22 a and the second glide rail 22 b, respectively.
A variety of suitable mechanisms may be used to rotate the roller tube 20 in order to facilitate the retraction and extension of the awning assembly 10. For example, a hand crank located along an outer surface of one of the first support leg 12 a and the second support leg 12 b having a worm gear attachment to the roller tube assembly 18 may be used such that a user may rotate the hand crank in alternate directions in order to extend or retract the awning assembly. In another example, a electric motor can be used to rotate the roller tube 20 in opposing directions in order to alternately extend and retract the awning assembly 10. These mechanisms can be linked to the raising/lowering mechanisms or can be independent of them.
Referring now to FIG. 6A, a side view of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a fully retracted position. In the fully retracted position of the awning assembly 10, the first glide block 24 a is positioned at the lowest point of its movement along the first glide rail 22 a and the first glide block ribbon 25 a is substantially unwound from the roller tube 20. The first front arm 26 a and first rear arm 28 a are folded into an upright position, and the front canopy material 32 a and rear canopy material 32 b are substantially wound on the roller tube 20.
Referring now to FIG. 6B, a side view of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a partially extended position. In the partially extended position of the awning assembly 10, the first glide block 24 a has been moved upward along the first glide rail 22 a by the first glide block ribbon 25 a being partially wound on the roller tube 20. The first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a have move outward into a partially extended position, and the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b are partially unwound from the roller tube 20.
Referring now to FIG. 6C, the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a fully extended position. In the fully extended position of the awning assembly 10, the first glide block 24 a has moved upward to the highest point along the first glide rail 22 a, and the first glide block ribbon 25 a is substantially wound on the roller tube 20. The first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a are extended outward at their fullest extension, and the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b are substantially unwound from the roller tube 20. It should be understood that the term “extension” as discussed in regard to the first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a is meant to refer to the lifting of the first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a by the first glide block 24 a, and the resulting increase in the angle of the first front arm 26 a and first rear arm 28 a with respect to the first support leg 12 a, during deployment of the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b. The term “extension” as discussed in regard to the first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a is not meant to refer to an increase in the length of the first front arm 26 a and the first rear arm 28 a during deployment of the front canopy material 32 a and the rear canopy material 32 b.
Referring now to FIG. 7A, a perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In FIG. 7A is illustrated a portion of the first support leg 12 a, a portion of the first front arm 26 a, a portion of the first rear arm 28 a, a portion of the first glide block ribbon 25 a, a portion of the first glide rail 22 a, the first glide block 24 a, and the first base plate 16 a when the awning assembly 10 is in a fully retracted position.
Referring now to FIG. 7B, another perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In FIG. 7B is illustrated a portion of the first support leg 12 a, a portion of the first front arm 26 a, a portion of the front bar 30 a, a portion of the first glide block ribbon 25 a, a portion of the horizontal truss brace 14, a portion of the first curved truss brace 15 a, and a portion of the roller tube 20 when the awning assembly 10 is in a fully retracted position.
Referring now to FIG. 7C, still another perspective view of a portion of the awning assembly 10 of FIG. 1 illustrated. In FIG. 7C is illustrated a portion of the first support leg 12 a, a portion of the first front arm 26 a, a portion of the first rear arm 28 a, a portion of the first glide block ribbon 25 a, a portion of the first glide rail 22 a, the first glide block 24 a, and when the awning assembly 10 is in an extended position.
Referring now to FIG. 8, an embodiment of the present invention having an integrated misting device is illustrated. FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of the frame assembly of the awning assembly 10 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a misting device 60 is affixed to the horizontal truss brace 14. A supply hose 62 having a first end connected to the misting device 60 and a second end connected to a source of liquid, such as water, supplies the liquid to the misting device 60 so that it may be dispensed in the form of a mist, thus providing cooling to persons positioned under the awning assembly 10.
Referring now to FIG. 9, an embodiment of the present invention in which the awning assembly 10 is affixed to a table 70 is illustrated. The embodiment of FIG. 9 provides an integrated table and awning assembly such that persons seated or standing at the table 70 may be provided with protection by the canopy, while also providing for more compact storage when not in use. The table 70 may also be provided with wheels and/or a handle to aid in the movement of the table 70 and awning assembly 10. Further, the table 70 can act to eliminate use of the optional first base plate 16 a and second base plate 16 b shown in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a perspective view of an awning assembly 110 having a canopy material 132 a in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The awning assembly 110 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a frame assembly comprised of a right support leg 112 a and a left support leg 112 b attached to and supporting a second horizontal truss brace 114. A first curved truss brace 115 a and a second curved truss brace 115 b may be further attached between the right support leg 112 a and the horizontal truss brace 114, and the left support leg 112 b and the second curved truss brace 115 b, respectively, to provide additional support. A first base plate 116 a is attached to the right support leg 112 a and a second base plate 116 b is attached to the left support leg 112 b in order to provide increased stability to the awning assembly 110. In one embodiment, the first base plate 116 a and second base plate 116 b can further be provided with mounting holes in order to facilitate the mounting of the awning assembly 110 to a mounting surface. Alternately, the awning assembly 110 can be mounted in an offset manner to a vertical surface, such as the side of a recreational vehicle, and the left support leg 112 a and the right support leg 112 b would not need to extend to the ground, but merely would have to extend to the closed position. In still another embodiment, the first glide rail 22 a and the second glide rail 22 b can be mounted directly to the vertical surface and the left support leg 112 a and the right support leg 112 b can be omitted. The awning assembly 110 further includes a roller tube assembly 118 having a roller tube 120 attached to a top surface of the horizontal truss brace 114.
A first glide rail 122 a and a second glide rail 122 b are attached to an inner side of and extend along a portion of the vertical length of the right support leg 112 a and the left support leg 112 b, respectively. The first glide rail 122 a is adapted to allow a first glide block 124 a to slide along the first glide rail 122 a, and the second glide rail 122 b is adapted to allow a second glide block 124 b to slide along the second glide rail 122 b. The awning assembly 110 further includes a first glide block ribbon 125 a having a first end attached to the first glide block 124 a and a second end attached to the roller tube 120. In a substantially similar manner, the awning assembly 110 further may include a second glide block ribbon 125 b having a first end attached to the second glide block 124 b and a second end attached to the roller tube 120.
The awning assembly further includes a first end of a first arm 126 a attached to the first glide block 124 a via a hinged attachment point. A first end of a second arm 126 b is attached to the second glide block 124 b via a hinged attachment point. A second end of the first arm 126 a and a second end of the second arm 126 b are rigidly attached to opposite ends of a front bar 130 a. The front bar 130 a may additionally be provided with a slot for the attachment of a valance 133 a.
The awning assembly 110 further includes canopy material 132 a, comprised of a flexible material such as fabric or plastic, having a first end attached to the front bar 130 a and a second end attached to the roller tube 120.
It should be understood that other raising/lowering mechanisms may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 124 a and the second glide block 124 b instead of the first glide block ribbon 125 a and the second glide block ribbon 125 b used in this embodiment. Other raising/lowering mechanisms that may be used to raise and lower the first glide block 124 a and the second glide block 124 b include the use of tapes, cords, chains, screw drives or the like.
Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An awning assembly comprising:

a first support leg;

a second support leg;

a horizontal truss brace having a first end portion attached to an upper portion of the first support leg, and a second end portion attached to an upper portion of the second support leg;

a roller tube attached to the horizontal truss brace;

a first glide rail associated with the first support leg;

a second glide rail associated with the second support leg;

a first glide block movably positioned along the first glide rail;

a first raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the first glide block along the first glide rail;

a second glide block movably positioned along the second glide rail;

a second raising/lowering mechanism adapted for raising and lowering the second glide block along the second glide rail;

a first front arm including a first portion at an end of the first front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;

a second front arm including a first portion at an end of the second front arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;

a front bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first front arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second front arm; and

a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar;

a first rear arm including a first portion at an end of the first rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the first glide block;

a second rear arm including a first portion at an end of the second rear arm, the first portion being hingedly attached to the second glide block;

a rear bar having a first portion attached to a second portion of the first rear arm, and a second portion attached to a second portion of the second rear arm; and

a second canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the rear bar.

2. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block.

3. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.

4. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:

the first raising/lowering mechanism pulls the first glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the first front arm and the first rear arm;

the second raising/lowering mechanism pulls the second glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing a simultaneous extension of the second front arm and the second rear arm;

the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube; and

the second canopy material is unwound from the roller tube, the extension of the first front arm and the second front arm facilitating the extension of the first canopy material, and the extension of the first rear arm and the second rear arm facilitating the extension of the second canopy material.

5. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

the first raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the first glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;

the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm; and

the first canopy material and the second canopy material are wound upon the roller tube.

6. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.

7. The awning assembly of claim 6, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

the first glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the first glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm and the first rear arm;

the second glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the second glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm;

8. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rotational mechanism for rotating the roller tube in a desired direction.

9. The awning assembly of claim 8, wherein the rotational mechanism comprises at least one of a hand crank and an electric motor.

10. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first base plate attached to a lower portion of the first support leg; and

a second base plate attached to a lower portion of the second support leg.

11. The awning assembly of claim 10, wherein the first base plate and the second base plate are adapted for mounting onto a table.

12. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first support leg and the second support leg are adapted for mounting onto a table.

13. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a misting device attached to the horizontal truss brace for dispensing a liquid mist.

14. The awning assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the first support leg; and

a second curved truss brace having a first portion attached to the horizontal truss brace, and a second portion attached to the second support leg.

15. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and the second canopy material.

16. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and a second slot for attachment of the second canopy material.

17. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the first glide block comprises:

a hollow steel tube having a substantially rectangular cross section;

a steel pipe attached to an inner surface of and oriented along an axis extending from a top to a bottom of the hollow steel tube; and

a fiberglass pipe in contact with an inner surface of the steel pipe in order to allow the first glide block to slide along the first glide rail.

18. An awning assembly comprising:

a roller tube;

a first glide rail;

a second glide rail;

a first glide block movably positioned along the first glide rail;

a second glide block movably positioned along the second glide rail;

a first canopy material having a first portion attached to the roller tube, and a second portion attached to the front bar.

19. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first glide rail and the second glide rail are adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface.

20. The awning assembly of claim 18 further comprising:

a first support leg associated with the first glide rail;

a second support leg associated with the second glide rail; and

a horizontal truss brace having a first end portion attached to an upper portion of the first support leg, and a second end portion attached to an upper portion of the second support leg, wherein the roller tube is attached to the horizontal truss brace.

21. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block.

22. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.

23. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:

the first raising/lowering mechanism pulls the first glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the first front arm;

the second raising/lowering mechanism pulls the second glide block in an upward direction, thereby causing an extension of the second front arm; and

the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube, the extension of the first front arm and the second front arm facilitating the extension of the first canopy material to form a canopy.

24. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

the first raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the first glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm;

the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm; and

the first canopy material is wound upon the roller tube.

25. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.

26. The awning assembly of claim 25, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

the first glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the first glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the first front arm;

the second glide block ribbon is unwound from the roller tube allowing the second glide block to move in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm; and

the first canopy material is wound upon the roller tube.

27. The awning assembly claim 18, further comprising:

28. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a first direction:

the first canopy material is unwound from the roller tube; and

29. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

the second raising/lowering mechanism facilitates movement of the second glide block in a downward direction, thereby causing a retraction of the second front arm and the second rear arm;

30. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first raising/lowering mechanism comprises a first glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the first glide block, and the second raising/lowering mechanism comprises a second glide block ribbon having a first portion attached to the roller tube and a second portion attached to the second glide block.

31. The awning assembly of claim 30, wherein upon rotation of the roller tube in a second direction:

32. The awning assembly of claim 18, further comprising a rotational mechanism for rotating the roller tube in a desired direction.

33. The awning assembly of claim 32, wherein the rotational mechanism comprises at least one of a hand crank and an electric motor.

34. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:

a first base plate attached to a lower portion of the first support leg; and

a second base plate attached to a lower portion of the second support leg.

35. The awning assembly of claim 34, wherein the first base plate and the second base plate are adapted for mounting onto a table.

36. The awning assembly of claim 20, wherein the first support leg and the second support leg are adapted for mounting onto a table.

37. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:

38. The awning assembly of claim 20, further comprising:

39. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material.

40. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and the second canopy material.

41. The awning assembly of claim 27, wherein the roller tube includes a first slot for attachment of the first canopy material and a second slot for attachment of the second canopy material.

42. The awning assembly of claim 18, wherein the first glide block comprises:

a hollow steel tube having a substantially rectangular cross section;