Wind resistant awning

Abstract

A wind-resistant awning is disclosed. The awning includes a backing which allows wind to flow through it, such as a mesh netting or screen backing. A plurality of flaps are attached at one edge only to the backing. The flaps are preferably horizontally aligned in parallel and overlap one another. The flaps are closed when the wind level is low. In the event a potentially harmful gust of wind presents itself, a free end of the flaps opens such that the force of the wind goes through the backing and does not damage the awning. The flaps are preferably weather resistant. Optionally, the flaps may have weak attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners to keep the flaps attached to the backing under normal conditions. The awning can be used in multiple settings and may be retractable. In various embodiments, the awning includes windows of mesh material having window flaps which lift away from the windows to allow wind flow therethrough.

1 . A wind-resistant awning comprising:
 a backing through which a significant amount of air can pass freely,   a plurality of wind resistant flaps disposed upon said backing wherein said flaps are attached to said backing at a first edge and free of said backing at a second edge.   
     
     
         2 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said backing comprises a mesh material. 
     
     
         3 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of wind-resistant flaps are arranged on said backing in parallel to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of flaps lay substantially flat against said backing in a first relaxed position, and wherein said plurality of flaps become raised away from said backing at said free edge exposing said backing in a second position during exposure to wind. 
     
     
         5 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 4 , wherein, in said first relaxed position, said plurality of flaps substantially cover said backing. 
     
     
         6 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 5 , wherein the free edge of each of said plurality of flaps overlaps the first edge of an adjacent one of said plurality of flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 6 , wherein said free end of said plurality of flaps is weakly attachable to an adjacent one of said plurality of flaps via attachment means wherein said attachment means fails under the condition that a potentially harmful wind is present and allows said free end of said plurality of flaps to open into said second position, and wherein said attachment means enables said flaps to remain in said relaxed position for said awning to be retracted. 
     
     
         8 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 7 , wherein said attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said backing comprises a screen. 
     
     
         10 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flaps are comprised of water-resistant material. 
     
     
         11 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 10 , wherein said water-resistant material is nylon. 
     
     
         12 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 10 , wherein said water-resistant material is canvas. 
     
     
         13 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning further comprises support arms along sides of said awning. 
     
     
         14 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 13 , wherein said awning further comprises a support bar at a central portion of said backing. 
     
     
         15 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning is attached to a camper or recreation vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning is attached to a house or motor home. 
     
     
         17 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning is attached to a tent. 
     
     
         18 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning forms at least a portion of an umbrella. 
     
     
         19 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 1 , wherein said awning is retractable. 
     
     
         20 . A wind-resistant awning comprising:
 at least two supports disposed in spaced relation,   a plurality of wind resistant flaps disposed about said supports wherein said flaps are attached to said supports at a first edge and free of said supports at a second edge.   
     
     
         21 . A wind-resistant awning comprising:
 a substantially continuous awning layer adapted to extend from a rear end of said awning to a front end of said awning between right and left sides of said awning,   at least one awning window within said awning layer, said window comprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantially throughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backing layer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flow through said window.   
     
     
         22 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 21 , wherein said window flap is attached at a rear end of said window, and wherein said flap comprises guide straps attached at open ends wherein said straps limit the displacement of said window. 
     
     
         23 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 22 , wherein said flaps are removably attachable to edges of said window via hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         24 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 21 , wherein said awning further comprises at least one additional awning window within said awning layer, said additional window comprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantially throughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backing layer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flow through said window. 
     
     
         25 . The wind-resistant awning according to  claim 21 , said awning window being a first awning window, said awning further comprising a second window within said awning layer, said second window comprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantially throughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backing layer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flow through said window, and
 wherein said awning further comprises a third window within said awning layer, said third window comprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantially throughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backing layer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flow through said window, and   wherein said first and second windows are disposed in a rear region of said awning in spaced horizontal relation, and wherein said third window is positioned in a front region of said awning within a vertically oriented column position which extends between said first and second windows.