Apparatus for increasing the number of utility slots in an awning tube utility track

Abstract

An apparatus having a track mount sized to be received by an awning tube utility track is described. The apparatus has a track mount and at least two utility tracks coupled with and parallel to the track mount.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a track mount sized to be received by an awning tube utility track; and   at least two utility tracks coupled with and parallel to said track mount.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each utility track comprises a first opening parallel to said track mount and a second opening orthogonal to said track mount. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each utility track comprises a first opening parallel to said track mount and a second opening oriented approximately 45 degrees to said track mount. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said track mount has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped and T-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each utility track has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped, square-shaped and octagonal-shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the number of utility tracks is two, and wherein said first opening of one utility track is separated by an angle of approximately 60 degrees from said first opening of the other utility track. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the number of utility tracks is at least three, and wherein the cross-sectional centers of all utility tracks are co-planar. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the number of utility tracks is at least three, and wherein the cross-sectional centers of all utility tracks are non-planar. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said track mount and all utility tracks are comprised of substantially the same material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said track mount and all utility tracks are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of rigid polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic, fiberglass and a metallic species. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said track mount and all utility tracks are comprised of a metallic species selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the number of utility tracks is two, wherein the width of said apparatus is approximately 0.84 inches, wherein the height of said apparatus is approximately 0.94 inches, wherein each utility track has an outer diameter of approximately 0.46 inches and an inner diameter in the range of 0.28-0.30 inches, wherein said first opening has a width of approximately 0.15 inches, and wherein said track mount has a length of approximately 3 feet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said track mount has a circular-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the utility tracks is sized to receive another like apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising a track mount and at least two utility tracks coupled with and parallel to said track mount; and   inserting the apparatus into an awning tube utility track to increase the number of utility slots in the awning tube utility track.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said track mount has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped and T-shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each utility track has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped, square-shaped and octagonal-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said track mount and all utility tracks are comprised of substantially the same material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the number of utility tracks is two, wherein the width of said apparatus is approximately 0.84 inches, wherein the height of said apparatus is approximately 0.94 inches, wherein each utility track has an outer diameter of approximately 0.46 inches and an inner diameter in the range of 0.28-0.30 inches, wherein said first opening has a width of approximately 0.15 inches, and wherein said track mount has a length of approximately 3 feet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a second apparatus comprising a second track mount and at least two utility tracks coupled with and parallel to said second track mount; and   inserting said second apparatus into said apparatus.