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

Abstract

An apparatus for increasing the number of utility slots in an awning tube utility track is described. The apparatus includes a track mount and a first utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the first utility track having a first inner radius. The apparatus also includes a second utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the second utility track having a second inner radius different from the first inner radius.

1 . An apparatus for increasing the number of utility slots in an awning tube utility track, the apparatus comprising:
 a track mount;   a first utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the first utility track having a first inner radius; and   a second utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the second utility track having a second inner radius different from the first inner radius.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each utility track comprises a first opening parallel to the track mount and a second opening orthogonal to the track mount. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the track mount has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped and T-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the track mount and the first and second utility tracks are comprised of substantially the same material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the track mount and the first and second 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. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the width of the apparatus is approximately 1 inch, wherein the height of the apparatus is approximately 1.12 inches, wherein the first 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 the first opening of the first utility track has a width of approximately 0.15 inches, wherein the second utility track has an outer diameter of approximately 0.64 inches and an inner diameter in the range of 0.47-0.49 inches, wherein the first opening of the second utility track has a width of approximately 0.43 inches, and wherein the track mount has a length of approximately 3 feet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first utility track is configured and sized to receive another like apparatus for increasing the number of utility slots in an awning tube utility track. 
     
     
         9 . A method of increasing the number of utility slots in an awning tube utility track, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising:
 a track mount; 
 a first utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the first utility track having a first inner radius; and 
 a second utility track coupled with and parallel to the track mount, the second utility track having a second inner radius different from the first inner radius; and 
   inserting the apparatus into an awning tube utility track.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the track mount has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped and T-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each utility track has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped, square-shaped and octagonal-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the track mount and the first and second utility tracks are comprised of substantially the same material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each utility track comprises a first opening parallel to the track mount and a second opening orthogonal to the track mount. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the width of the apparatus is approximately 1 inch, wherein the height of the apparatus is approximately 1.12 inches, wherein the first 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 the first opening of the first utility track has a width of approximately 0.15 inches, wherein the second utility track has an outer diameter of approximately 0.64 inches and an inner diameter in the range of 0.47-0.49 inches, wherein the first opening of the second utility track has a width of approximately 0.43 inches, and wherein the track mount has a length of approximately 3 feet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a second apparatus comprising a second track mount and two or more utility tracks coupled with and parallel to the second track mount; and   inserting the second apparatus into the apparatus.