The disclosure relates generally to a foldable covering device, and more particularly to a foldable covering device for transportation devices.
Conventional covering devices used for transportation devices may have limited coverage and rigidity. Such limited coverage and rigidity may cause undesirable performance and require the use of additional support structures.
Accordingly, a covering device that is capable of effectively increasing coverage and rigidity would be desirable.
Disclosed is a tower system for a transportation device, the tower system including a tower including a first tower leg, a second tower leg, and a center tower section connecting said first tower leg and said second tower leg; and a frame configurable with a cover, said frame including at least one mount for affixing said frame to said center tower section at at least one affixing point on said. tower section, wherein said at least one affixing point is disposed at an interior of said area of said center tower section, away from said first tower leg and said second tower leg.
Further disclosed is a foldable covering device configurable to be attached to a tower for a transportation device, the tower including a first tower leg side and a second tower leg side, the foldable covering device including a center frame including wing portions disposed at laterally opposed sides of said center frame and rotatably affixed thereto, wherein said. wing portions extend laterally beyond extents of the tower at both the first tower leg side and the second tower leg side in an open position.
Further disclosed is a tower system for a transportation device, the tower system including a tower; and a frame including at least one mount configured to rotatably mounting said frame to said tower, about a rotation point.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
The following disclosure will detail particular embodiments according to the present invention, which provides a foldable covering device, particularly a foldable covering device for transportation devices. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the disclosure.
Referring to
Referring to
Center frame 4 includes frame beams 5 which are attached to tower 22 via attachment mounts 10 and project forward a desired length to connect laterally along the beam width at a center bow 6 and to delimit center frame 4. Center frame 4 is further supported by trusses 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the center frame 4 has a generally tubular construction formed into a generally “U” shape.
The frame beams 5 converge generally to attach to center bow 6. In an exemplary embodiment and as best shown in
The trusses 8 further increase the rigidity of center frame 4 and foldable covering device 2 generally. As best shown in
The center bow 6 further enhances rigidity of the center frame 4 while connecting frame beams 5 of center frame 4. Due to the inboard attachment mounts 10, the converging shape of frame beams 5, and the trusses 8, the center frame 4 experiences enhanced rigidity compared to conventional devices without the use of additional support structures. As a result, the use of a single center bow 6 is sufficient to allow for the desired rigidity. Accordingly, the enhanced rigidity allowed by the design allows for higher vehicle operation speeds while withstanding the stresses of the enhanced extension provided by the center frame 4.
Since wings 12,14 allow for suitably wide coverage along the beam width of the boat or vehicle, the center frame 4 does not need to provide complete coverage in the beam width direction. The unique shape of center frame 4 allows for foldable covering device 2 to project forward further compared to conventional devices. This unique shape is particularly beneficial when foldable covering device 2 is attached to a rear swoop tower 22, since a rear swoop tower has a longer distance from the front surface of the tower 22 to the top edge of the windshield compared to a tower 22 that may provide less distance between the windshield and the top of the tower 22. The enhanced projection of center frame 4 and consequently foldable covering device 2 allows for enhanced coverage performance that may project to the windshield or at least further than conventional covering devices, which may not provide adequate coverage. In at least one embodiment, the furthest point of center frame 4 may project forward from the tower 22 at a length of at least 30 inches, at least 40 inches, or at least 50 inches. In an exemplary embodiment, the furthest point of center frame 4 may project forward from the tower 22 at a length of 53 inches.
Left wing 12 and right wing 14 are rotatably and foldably attached to center frame 4. Wings 12,14 may be disposed at laterally opposed sides of center frame 4. Wings 12,14 may be attached to center frame 4 via attachment mounts 16. Wings 12,14 are shaped and configured to provide suitable coverage in a beam width direction along the projection length of center frame 4. Particularly, wings 12,14 allow for greater coverage width outboard of attachment mounts 10. Further, wings 12,14 allow for greater coverage width than convectional devices. In an exemplary embodiment, wings 12,14 are of a generally tubular construction with a “D” shaped configuration.
Wings 12, 14 may be stowed or closed as shown in
When full coverage of foldable covering device 2 is desired, wings 12, 14 may be deployed or opened. When deployed or opened, as shown in
Wings 12, 14 may rotate freely on rotation points 16 between a stowed position and a deployed position. The range of motion of wings 12,14 may be limited in both an inboard direction and an outboard direction when wings 12,14 contact tower 22, stopping their rotation beyond a stowed position or a deployed position.
In order to attach foldable covering device 2, center frame 4 is associable or attached to tower 22 via attachment mounts 10 at a center tower section 33 Attachment mounts 10 are generally of billet construction. Attachment mounts 10 as previously discussed are disposed inboard of the widest points of deployed wings 12,14, and are generally attached to the frame beams 5 of center frame 4. Trusses 8 may further attach to attachment mounts 10 via attachment mount subframe 25. The position of attachment mounts 10 provides rigidity as previously discussed.
Attachment mounts 10 may be configured to attach to tower 22 by clamping tubular sections of tower 22 at a center tower section 33. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment mounts 10 may have a tower connection section 11, wherein the tubular sections of tower 22 are retained by clamping tubular sections of tower 22. Attachment mount 10 also retains center frame 4 at multiple areas, particularly frame beams 5 in rotation retention point 26 (via hand knob 24 and attachment mount subframe 25) and rotation/release point 28.
Center frame 4 may be selectively released from tower connection section 11 to allow rotation of center frame 4 or to quickly disconnect center frame 4 (along with wings 12,14) from tower connection section 11 and tower 22.
In order to free center frame 4 to freely rotate about rotation/release paint 28, attachment mount subframe 25 must be released. Hand knob 24 threadedly couples the tower connection section 11 to attachment mount subframe 25 to act as a retainer to prevent rotation about rotation/release point 28. When hand knob 24 is removed, center frame 4 and attachment mount subframe 25 are allowed to rotate freely about rotation/release point 28, which rotatably retains frame beams 5 of center frame 4. In at least one embodiment, center tower section 33 may be the axis of center frame 4 rotation.
Tower 22 may also rotate along tower rotation paint 30. Tower 22 may be selectively rotationally and removably retained by any suitable mechanism to retain tower 22 to the boat, other marine vehicle, or other transportation device. Referring to
Referring to
Alternatively instead of rotating center frame 4, after attachment mount subframe 25 is released, the center frame 4 (along with wings 12,14) may be quickly disconnected from tower connection section 11 and tower 22. As shown in
Similarly, center frame 4 (along with wings 12,14) may be quickly reattached by aligning frame beams 5 with rotation/release points 28 and inserting pins 29. Similarly, rotation and removal of center frame 4 may be constrained by replacing hand knob 24 as a retainer to couple attachment mount subframe 25 to tower connection section 11 to prevent removal of foldable covering device 2 and rotation of foldable covering device 2.
As shown in
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/920,589 filed on Dec. 24, 2013, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference,