the awning attachment of the present invention , which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 , is shown in fig1 . it is comprised of a framework 12 which supports a fabric covering 14 . framework 12 is comprised of a series of u - shaped rib members 16 , 18 , 20 and 22 , each having ends 16 ′, 16 ″, 18 ′, 18 ″, 20 ′, 20 ″, 22 ′ and 22 ″, respectively . while additional , or fewer , rib members may be employed , four rib members provides the optimum number to adequately provide support for the fabric covering and give it a pleasing , gently arcuate shape . the respective rib member ends are connected together by bolts 24 and 26 , as shown in fig1 and 3 , to create common pivot points 25 and 27 , respectively , by which the rib members may be moved relative to each other . bushings 28 are provided along bolts 24 and 26 between the rib member ends to provide adequate separation thereof to facilitate relative movement of the rib members when fanned out . a sufficient amount of fabric covering 14 is provided to enable the awning , when deployed , to extend arcuately from the rear edge section 30 of the roof of the cart to a point slightly beyond the rear edge of the cart , and to a level approximately even with the seats of the cart , so as to effectively cover the top of a golf club bag 32 held upright in the storage compartment as shown in fig4 . sleeves are disposed on the forward and rear edges and underneath side of fabric cover 14 by sewing or the like to receive the rib members as shown in fig1 and 2 . the sleeves allow a certain freedom of movement of the fabric cover along the rib members to facilitate deployment and retraction of the awning . sleeve 50 is formed around the perimeter front lateral edge of fabric cover 14 and receives arms 34 and cross piece 36 of rib member 16 . sleeves 52 and 54 receive arm 38 and cross piece 40 , respectively , of rib member 18 . a corresponding sleeve 52 on the opposite interior side of fabric 14 receives the other arm 38 . similarly , sleeves 56 and 58 receive arms 42 and cross piece 44 , respectively , of rib member 20 . sleeve 60 is formed around the perimeter rear lateral edge of fabric cover 14 and receives arms 46 and cross piece 48 of rib member 22 . each successive rib member after the first top rib member has an incrementally shorter dimension with respect to both its length and width so that the entire framework may lie substantially flat in a nesting relationship when in the closed retracted position shown in fig6 . as further shown in fig1 rib member 16 comprises arms 34 and cross piece 36 . rib member 18 comprises arms 38 , which are around ½ to one inch shorter than arms 34 of rib member 16 , and cross piece 40 , which is around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 36 of rib member 16 . likewise , rib member 20 comprises arms 42 and cross piece 44 , which are respectively around ½ to one inch shorter than arms 38 and around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 40 of rib member 18 . further , rib member 22 comprises arms 46 and cross piece 48 , which are respectively around ½ to one inch shorter than arms 42 and around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 44 of rib member 20 . the dimensions may vary due to the thicknesses of the rib members and fabric cover 14 held between the rib members . this arrangement allows each successive rib member to be nested within the forwardly preceding rib member in a planar relationship . rib members 16 - 22 are substantially flat in cross section which facilitates their side - by - side placement at pivot points 25 and 27 and also allows the nesting relationship shown in fig3 and 6 . bushings 28 keep the rib members spaced apart to provide room for the fabric sleeve material sandwiched between the rib members . the awning attachment is fitted on to a golf cart as shown in fig4 . the forward edge of the frame structure , at the top edge of rib member 16 , is connected to the underneath side of the rear section 30 of the cart &# 39 ; s roof . such connection can be made by providing drill holes in both the rib member and the roof to allow screwing or bolting the rib member directly into the roof section , or by any other appropriate connection means known to those skilled in the art . preferably , the rib member should lie flush with the rear edge of the roof so that the awning remains as unobtrusive as possible . the frame is further secured to the cart &# 39 ; s upright , vertical support posts 62 and 64 through mounting clamps 66 and 68 . these mounting clamps , as shown in fig5 each comprise a metal strap 70 having a clamp 72 for engaging the cart &# 39 ; s support post 62 or 64 . clamp 72 may comprise an open faced c - shaped channel having inwardly biased edges for holding support post in tight engagement . alternately , a clamp having a tightening fastener , such as a threaded c - clamp , may be used . mounting clamps 66 and 68 each have an end 74 for mounting at pivot points 25 and 27 for the rib members of framework 12 as shown in fig3 . it is to be understood that the configuration of the vertical support posts of carts of different manufacturers may vary , with the posts being set wide in some cart models and set narrow in other cart models . as such , the distance of the pivot points 25 and 27 to the cart &# 39 ; s supports will vary . to accommodate such different dimensions , the mounting clamps may be provided with different lengths of straps 70 . to hold the loose fabric material of cover 14 in a neat bundle when the awning is in the closed , retracted position , a gathering flap 76 is provided on the top section of cover 14 . fig1 shows flap 76 extending along the substantial width of cross piece 36 of rib member 16 , being secured to the fabric by sewing or the like along that end . the free end is provided with snaps or hook and loop fastening material . when the awning is in the open , deployed position , gathering flap 76 lies loosely on the top of fabric covering 14 on the back of the awning . it is not long enough , however , so that it dangles below the rear bottom edge of the awning . when the awning is folded up into its closed , retracted position , gathering flap is wrapped around the nested rib members and secured by its snaps or hook and loop fastening means to corresponding fastening means on the forward lateral edge of the framework of the awning or to the underneath side of the roof of the cart as shown in fig6 and 7 . by having the gathering flap extend the substantial width of the framework , it avoids unsightly bulging out of material that would be present if narrow gathering strips were instead used . as an additional advantage , the wide gathering flap allows for printed material to be placed thereon which presents a useful marketing tool for advertisers during golf tournaments . the retractable awning of the present invention provides a useful attachment to the rear of a golf cart to keep equipment dry during rainy periods . it is very simply employed by pulling apart the rib members in fan - like fashion to create the arcuate structure of the awning . when a golfer needs to access her equipment and reach for a club , she need merely raise the edge of the awning to a sufficient degree to be able to reach in to the golf bag . when the rainy conditions no longer exist , the framework is simply pivoted into its closed retracted state . the nesting arrangement of the rib members allows for a neat , compact arrangement . gathering flap 76 is then wound around the rear end of the rib members and brought around underneath the roof section to neatly bundle the fabric material . the awning of the instant invention , however , need not only be used for rainy conditions ; it can also be used as a screen to protect the cart occupants from the rays of the sun . thus , the awning can be kept in its open deployed state all the time . if desired , a window 78 may be formed in the rear of the awning using transparent plastic or the like . various changes and modifications may be made within this invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art . such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto .