Awning tensioning structure

Claim 1

An awning system including a plurality of vertical support posts, at least one horizontal member extending between a pair of the support posts, an awning of a flexible sheet material secured at one end thereof and having a free marginal edge at an opposed end thereof, and a tensioning assembly, said horizontal member having a of flange segment extending downwardly therefrom, each of said flange segments having a plurality of vertical portions and a horizontal portion at a distal end of said vertical portions, said tensioning assembly comprising a tensioning member having a pair of side walls, an upper wall and a bottom wall, said tensioning member having an internal cavity, a slot in said upper wall communicating with said internal cavity, said tensioning member being mounted on said flange segments such that said tensioning member is vertically moveable thereon while being retained by said horizontal flange segments, said bottom wall having a channel formed therein to receive said free marginal edge of said sheet material, said channel opening towards the area covered by said awning, and a plurality of adjustment screws, each adjustment screw being threadedly engaged with said flange segments, each adjustment screw being located intermediate said horizontal portions of said flange segments, the arrangement being such that when said free marginal edge of said flexible sheet material is inserted in said channel in said bottom wall of said tensioning member, said sheet material covers said bottom wall and the portions of said tensioning member opposite said area covered by said awning and said horizontal member.