Adjustable awning

Abstract

An adjustable support for an awning has first and second attachment points for mounting to a building structure on both sides of an opening, such as a door or window opening. Each of the attachment points receive a complimentary pivotable fastener, which can be locked into a fixed position. An elongate top rail is mounted on the building above the door or window opening, and supports an upper side of the awning. Two arms are connected by a cross bar that supports a lower side of the awning. Each of the two arms include the complimentary pivotable fastener on one end for engaging the attachment points. As such, the awning is positionable in a plurality of angles relative to the building structure by pivoting the fasteners in the attachment points and locking the fasteners at the desired position.

1 . An adjustable support for an awning comprising: 
 (a) first and second attachment points for mounting on a structure, said attachment points adapted for receiving a complimentary pivotable fastener and having means for locking said complimentary pivotable fastener in a fixed position;    (b) an elongate rail for mounting to a structure, said rail having means for supporting an upper side of an awning; and    (c) first and second arms connected by a cross bar, said cross bar for supporting a lower side of the awning, each of said first and second arms having said complimentary pivotable fastener on one end thereof for engaging one of said attachment points, whereby the awning is positionable in a plurality of angles relative to the building structure by pivoting said fasteners in said attachment points and locking said fasteners at a desired position.    
   
   
       2 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for adjusting a total length of each of said first and second arms, whereby the adjustable support can accommodate awnings of varying size by adjusting the length of said first and second arms.  
   
   
       3 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second arms comprises a first segment telescopically positioned within a second segment, said first segment defining a plurality of spaced-apart apertures and said second segment defining at least one aperture, whereby a total length of each of said arms is adjustable by aligning the aperture of said second segment with any one of said plurality of apertures of said first segment and positioning a single fastening member therethrough.  
   
   
       4 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 3 , wherein said first segment defines six spaced-apart apertures.  
   
   
       5 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongate rail and said attachment points are releasably mounted to the building structure, whereby the awning is positionable at a plurality of heights on the structure.  
   
   
       6 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said attachment points comprise a camel-back hinge, and said complimentary fastener comprises a protruding member sized to fit within said hinge, said protruding member defining a bore therein for receiving a locking member inserted through said hinge and said bore, whereby said protruding member is pivotable within said hinge and can be locked into place by tightening said locking member.  
   
   
       7 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , wherein the structure defines an opening over which the elongate rail is mounted, and said first and second attachment points are mounted below the rail on opposite sides of the opening.  
   
   
       8 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 7 , wherein said opening comprises an opening for a door or window.  
   
   
       9 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 7 , wherein said first and second attachment points are horizontally aligned.  
   
   
       10 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 9 , further comprising third and fourth attachment points, said third attachment point mounted on the structure above said first attachment point and said fourth attachment point mounted on the structure above said second attachment point and horizontally aligned with said third attachment point.  
   
   
       11 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said complimentary fasteners releasably engages one of said attachment points, whereby the awning is positionable in a plurality of heights and angles relative to the building structure by positioning the fasteners in different attachment points.  
   
   
       12 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said rail is C-shaped and defines an area therein for positioning the upper side of the awning.  
   
   
       13 . An adjustable support for an awning according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support rafter connected to said cross bar and said rail for supporting the awning and preventing sagging.  
   
   
       14 . A method for mounting an awning on a structure at a predetermined height and angle comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an adjustable support for the awning comprising: 
 (i) first and second attachment points for mounting on the structure, said attachment points adapted for receiving a complimentary pivotable fastener and having means for locking said complimentary pivotable fastener in a fixed position,  
 (ii) an elongate rail for mounting to the structure, said rail having means for supporting an upper side of the awning, and  
 (iii) first and second extendable arms connected by a cross bar, said cross bar for supporting a lower side of the awning, each of said first and second arms having said complimentary pivotable fastener on one end thereof for engaging one of said attachment points, whereby the awning is positionable in a plurality of angles relative to the building structure by pivoting said fasteners in said attachment points and locking said fasteners at a desired position;  
   (b) mounting the rail on the structure at a predetermined height above an opening defined by the structure;    (c) mounting the first and second attachment points on the structure on opposite sides of the opening;    (d) positioning each of the pivotable fasteners in one of the attachment points; and    (e) pivoting the fasteners such that the arms are positioned at a desired angle relative to the structure, and locking the fasteners in place.    
   
   
       15 . A method for mounting an awning according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of adjusting a total length of each of said arms to accommodate the awning.