Awning opening and closing device

Abstract

An opening and closing device (D) for operating an awning retracting and extending mechanism comprises a casing ( 14 ) and a motor ( 22 ) therein, an elongated member ( 10 ) extending from the casing and adapted to be removably connected at a distal end thereof to the awning retracting and extending mechanism, and a handle ( 16 ) also extending from the casing ( 14 ). Therefore, upon rotation of the motor ( 22 ), the motor ( 22 ) is adapted to rotatably drive the elongated member ( 10 ); also, upon actuation of the handle ( 16 ), the elongated member ( 10 ) is caused to rotate. The elongated member ( 10 ) and the handle ( 16 ) extend from opposite sides of the casing ( 14 ). The motor ( 22 ) is connected to the elongated member ( 10 ), and the handle ( 16 ) is fixedly secured to the casing ( 14 ), whereby the motor ( 22 ) is adapted to directly drive the elongated member ( 10 ) in a motorised operation mode of the device (D), whereas, in a manual operation mode of the device (D), the handle ( 16 ) is adapted, upon rotation thereof, to cause the casing ( 14 ) and the elongated member ( 10 ) to rotate therewith. The motor ( 22 ) is powered by at least one battery ( 24 ) provided in a battery pack ( 23 ) of the casing ( 14 ) and, more particularly, the battery ( 24 ) is a rechargeable battery, and a battery charger ( 18 ) is provided with the device (D) being adapted to be detachably connected to the battery charger ( 18 ) for charging the battery ( 24 ).

I claim:  
     
         1 . An opening and closing device for operating an awning retracting and extending mechanism, comprising a casing and a motor therein, an elongated member extending from said casing and adapted to be removably connected at a distal end thereof to the awning retracting and extending mechanism, a handle also extending from said casing, wherein upon actuation of said motor, said motor is adapted to rotatably drive said elongated member, and wherein upon actuation of said handle, said elongated member is caused to rotate.  
     
     
         2 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated member and said handle extend from opposite sides of said casing.  
     
     
         3 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said motor is connected to said elongated member, and said handle is fixedly secured to said casing, whereby said motor is adapted to directly drive said elongated member in a motorised operation mode of said device, whereas, in a manual operation mode of said device, said handle is adapted, upon rotation thereof, to cause said casing and said elongated member to rotate therewith.  
     
     
         4 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said motor is powered by at least one battery provided in said casing.  
     
     
         5 . A device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery, and wherein a battery charger is provided with said device being adapted to be detachably connected to said battery charger for charging said battery.  
     
     
         6 . A device as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising at least one battery pack containing said at least one battery.  
     
     
         7 . A device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said battery pack is detachably mounted to said casing.  
     
     
         8 . A device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said handle comprises proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being adapted to be grasped by the user and said distal end being fixedly mounted to a proximal end of said casing.  
     
     
         9 . A device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said casing comprises a holding block, securely mounted in said proximal end of said casing, said distal end of said handle being secured to said holding block by at least one fastener.  
     
     
         10 . A device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said proximal end is freely rotatable about a rod of said handle.  
     
     
         11 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a gearbox provided in said casing is connected to said motor, an output shaft of said gearbox being fixed to a connector extending outwardly of said casing, said elongated member being adapted to be mounted to said connector such as to be driven by said output shaft.  
     
     
         12 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated member comprises at a distal end thereof a hook adapted to detachably be engaged to the awning retracting and extending mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated member comprises at least two rod sections adapted to be detachably mounted together in an end-to-end relation.  
     
     
         14 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a three-position switch is provided on said casing for operation of said motor, said switch including idle, forward and reverse positions.