Combination awning clamp and rafter arm lock with canopy tensioning capabilities

摘要

A system for automatically tensioning an awning canopy while deploying a clamp arm for operative engagement with the side edge of an awning canopy, includes a clamp arm pivotally mounted on the outermost component of a telescoping rafter arm also having an innermost component. The innermost component slidably receives a gripping system that engages the inner component and becomes releasably locked thereto upon initial pivotal movement of the clamp arm. A link arm interconnects the clamp arm with the outer telescoping component such that further pivotal movement of the clamp arm causes a longitudinal extension of the rafter arm to apply tension to the awning canopy.