Adjustable coupler for awning having articulating support arm

Abstract

An articulating coupler includes first and second pivot members that may be pivoted with respect to each other. A locking member and a locking lever are configured to selectively lock the first pivot member to the second pivot member in a plurality of relative positions. The locking member is configured to float over a pivot range in a first direction with the locking lever in a lock position.

1 . An adjustable coupler comprising:
 a first pivot member including a first shank configured to engage a first member of a support arm, and including a first hub portion;   a second pivot member pivotably associated with the first pivot member, the second pivot member including a second shank configured to engage a second member of the support arm, and including a fork;   a locking member pivotably associated with the first pivot member and the second pivot member, the locking member received by the first hub portion and the fork in pivotable engagement;   a locking lever pivotably engaged with the second pivot member, the locking lever configured for selective locking engagement with the locking member; and   a cover comprising a second hub portion, the second hub portion configured for pivotable engagement with the first pivot member,   wherein the locking lever is configured to selectively lock the locking member to the second pivot member in any of a plurality of predetermined orientations, and   wherein the locking member, when selectively locked to the second pivot member, is rotatable within a predetermined range with respect to the first pivot member.   
     
     
         2 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hub portion comprises a first key feature, and wherein the second hub portion comprises a second key feature in complement with the first key feature. 
     
     
         3 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 1 , wherein the second pivot member is sandwiched between the first pivot member and the cover. 
     
     
         4 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking member comprises a bore therethrough, and wherein the fork of the second pivot member comprises an aperture therethrough, the locking member being positioned in the fork with the bore in alignment with the aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 4 , further comprising a bushing having an opening therein disposed in the bore and the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 5 , wherein the first hub portion of the first pivot member is disposed in the opening in the bushing, and wherein the second hub portion of the cover is disposed in the opening, the first hub portion engaging the second hub portion through the bushing. 
     
     
         7 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 6 , further comprising a connector extending through the cover and the second hub portion, through the bushing, and into the first hub portion. 
     
     
         8 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking lever is displaceable between a lock position in which the locking lever engages the locking member and a release position in which the locking lever is disengaged from the locking member. 
     
     
         9 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 8 , further comprising a lever biasing member disposed between the locking lever and the second pivot member, the lever biasing member biasing the locking lever toward the lock position. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 1 , further comprising a unit biasing member connected between the locking member and the first pivot member, the unit biasing member biasing the locking member toward the first pivot member. 
     
     
         11 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined range is defined by an extended length of the unit biasing member. 
     
     
         12 . An adjustable coupler comprising:
 a first pivot member including a first hub portion;   a second pivot member pivotably associated with the first pivot member, the second pivot member including a fork;   a locking member pivotably associated with the first pivot member and the second pivot member, the locking member received by the first hub portion and the fork in pivotable engagement;   a locking lever pivotably engaged with the second pivot member; and   a cover comprising a second hub portion, the second hub portion configured for pivotable engagement with the first pivot member,   wherein the locking lever is displaceable between a lock position in which the locking lever engages the locking member and a release position in which the locking lever is disengaged from the locking member,   wherein with the locking lever in the release position, the first pivot member is freely pivotable relative to the second pivot member, and   wherein with the locking lever in the lock position, the locking member and the second pivot member are rotatable within a predetermined range with respect to the first pivot member.   
     
     
         13 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 12 , further comprising a lever biasing member disposed between the locking lever and the second pivot member, the lever biasing member biasing the locking lever toward the lock position. 
     
     
         14 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 12 , further comprising a unit biasing member connected between the locking member and the first pivot member, the unit biasing member biasing the locking member toward the first pivot member. 
     
     
         15 . An adjustable coupler according to  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined range is defined by an extended length of the unit biasing member.