Method for Protecting an Area from Sun and Precipitation

Abstract

A method for protecting an area from sun and precipitation using a retractable awning with an automated pitching gable or automated pitching arch is disclosed. An awning sheet extends using articulating hinged arms. A first end of each articulating arm is hingedly affixed to a surface. The articulating arms provide vertical support for the awning. Swiveling hinge interfaces connect the ends of the articulating arms to the ends of the front support member. In one embodiment, the front support member is an upwardly biased flexible spring member. In another embodiment, the front support member is a left member and right member movably connected by a hinge coupled to an upwardly biased spring. Upon extending the awning, the upwardly biased spring automates pitching the awning into a gable or arch. Upon retracting, the awning sheet is wrapped substantially around the roller, thereby counteracting the automated pitching gable or automated pitching arch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for protecting an area from sun and precipitation, the method comprising:
 providing a retractable awning; the retractable awning comprising a flexible sheet, a front support member, a roller, a frame, a housing, a left articulating arm having a left proximal member movably connecting to a left portion of the frame by a first left hinge, a left distal member, the left proximal member movably connecting to the left distal member by a second left hinge forming a left joint, a right articulating arm having a right proximal member movably connecting to a right portion of the frame by a first right hinge, a right distal member, the right proximal member movably connecting to the right distal member by a second right hinge forming a right joint;   affixing a front edge portion of the flexible sheet to a top portion of the front support member;   affixing a back edge portion of the flexible sheet to the roller;   securing the frame to a fixed surface or securing the frame to a recreational vehicle;   affixing the housing to the frame;   rotatably affixing the roller to the housing;   turning the roller in a first direction along its axis;   responsive to turning, the roller extending the flexible sheet substantially from the roller, the roller extending the left articulating arm from the frame, the roller extending the right articulating arm from the frame, and the roller extending the front support member;   responsive to extending the front support member, the front support member automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet without user action into an arch or a gable;   turning the roller in a second direction along its axis;   responsive to turning the roller in the second direction, retracting the flexible sheet substantially onto the roller; and,   responsive to retracting the flexible sheet substantially onto the roller, counteracting the automatically pitching front edge portion of the flexible sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the front support member is an upwardly biased flexible spring member, and wherein the step of automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet includes extending all four of the following: the left articulating arm, the right articulating arm, the upwardly biased flexible spring member, and the flexible sheet, thereby urging the upwardly biased flexible spring member and automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet into the arch. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the front support member further comprises a left front member and a right front member, and wherein the left front member and the right front member are movably connected by a hinge coupled with an upwardly biased spring, and wherein the step of automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet includes extending all seven of the following: the left articulating arm, the right articulating arm, the left front member and the right front member movably connected by the hinge coupled with the upwardly biased spring, and the flexible sheet, thereby urging the left front member and the right front member out of horizontal alignment without user action automatically pitching the front edge portion of the flexible sheet into the gable. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the front support member is rotatably affixed to the left distal member by a first swiveling hinge interface, and wherein a second end of the front support member is rotatably affixed to the right distal member by a second swiveling hinge interface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of counteracting the automatically pitching front edge portion of the flexible sheet comprises the front support member, wherein the front support member is an upwardly biased flexible spring member, and the step of retracting the flexible sheet substantially onto the roller further comprises: retracting the left articulating arm substantially to the frame, retracting the right articulating arm substantially to the frame, and retracting the upwardly biased flexible spring member substantially to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of counteracting the automatically pitching front edge portion of the flexible sheet comprises the front support member, wherein the front support member further comprises a left front member and a right front member movably connected by a hinge coupled with an upwardly biased spring, and wherein the step of retracting the flexible sheet substantially onto the roller further comprises: retracting the left articulating arm substantially to the frame, retracting the right articulating arm substantially to the frame, and retracting each of the left front member and the right front member movably connected by the hinge coupled with the upwardly biased spring member substantially to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of turning the roller in the first direction and the step of turning the roller in the second direction is performed by a motor coupled to the roller.