Patent Application
20240101225
Stowing a bimini top for a tower structure that is associable with a watercraft can be difficult and inefficient from a standpoint of both a time and storage space. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a bimini top that can be easily and efficiently stowed.
Watercraft are commonly equipped with adjustable awnings such as, for example, a convertible bimini top. Typically, a bimini top includes a collapsible frame assembly supporting a flexible cover. In many designs, the bimini top can be arranged in multiple positions including a closed position and a fully deployed position. In the closed position, the frame and cover are collapsed and may be held together via a boot that wraps around the collapsed cover. In the fully deployed position, the front support structure is positioned upwardly toward the bow of the boat while the rear support is positioned upwardly toward the stern, thus deploying the cover and providing shelter thereunder. Deployment of these convertible bimini tops is typically performed manually. However, these bimini tops can be large and cumbersome, and therefore difficult to maneuver.
According to an embodiment, a bimini top for a watercraft includes a bimini frame having at least one bow and at least one support leg rotatable relative to the at least one bow. The bimini frame is transformable between a retracted position and a stowed position. An actuator is operable to automatically transform the bimini frame between the retracted position and the stowed position. The actuator forms the at least one support leg.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments in the retracted position, the at least one support leg is extended relative to the rear bow and in the stowed position, the at least one support leg is collapsed relative to the rear bow.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments in the stowed position, the at least one support leg is arranged parallel to the rear bow.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one bow further comprises a front bow and a rear bow and the actuator is pivotally coupled to the rear bow.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the actuator further comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion, the stationary portion being pivotally coupled to the rear bow.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments an end of the movable portion is rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the end of the movable portion is rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket via a quick-release connection.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the actuator further comprises a motor for moving the movable portion of the actuator, a sensor operable to monitor a parameter of the actuator and/or of the bimini frame and a controller operably coupled to the motor and to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to adjust operation of the motor in response to the parameter being monitored by the sensor.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the parameter being monitored by the sensor is a temperature of the motor.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the parameter being monitored is a position of the movable portion of the actuator.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the controller is configured to communicate with an output device to indicate to a user operational data of the actuator including the parameter being monitored by the sensor.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a mount, wherein in the stowed configuration, a portion of the actuator is receivable within the mount.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the portion of the actuator receivable within the mount has a first configuration and an upper surface of the mount has a second configuration, the first configuration being complementary to the second configuration.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the bimini frame is mountable to a deck of the watercraft.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the bimini frame is mountable to a tower structure of the watercraft.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
With reference now to
The bimini top may include at least one support component 24 operably coupled to the bimini frame. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the bimini top includes a substantially identical first support component 24a and second support component 24b coupled to a structure of a vehicle, such as the deck 12 of a watercraft or boat for example. The first support component 24a and second support component 24b may be coupled to the structure 12 directly, or alternatively, may be coupled to the structure 12 of the vehicle indirectly through another component, such as a side plate or bracket for example.
The bimini frame 22 includes at least one bow 26. The at least one bow 26 may be connected to and extend between the first support component 24a and the second support component 24b. For example, each bow 26 typically includes a tubular member formed in a substantially U-shaped configuration having a central portion extending between opposite side legs which are connected to the support members. However, a bow having another configuration is also contemplated herein.
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the bimini frame 22 includes a rear bow 26r and a front bow 26f. As shown, both the rear bow 26r and the front bow 26f are coupled to the first and second support components 24a, 24b. However, in other configurations, the front bow 26f may be pivotally mounted at its opposing ends 32 directly to a portion of the rear bow 26r. In an embodiment, the front bow 26f is pivotally mounted to a centralized portion of the rear bow 26r, at a location vertically offset from the ends of the rear bow 26r. However, embodiments where the front bow 26f is pivotally mounted to the ends of the rear bow 26r, are also within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that the bimini frame 22 illustrated and described herein is intended as an example only, and that a bimini frame 22 having any suitable configuration is within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the bimini frame 22 may have any number of bows, or alternatively, may have one or more bows 26 coupled to the first and/or second support components 24a, 24b individually. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the bimini frame 22 need not include the support components 24. In such embodiments, the at least one bow 26 may be mounted to a tower, arch, or other vertically extending support structure of the watercraft.
The bimini frame 22 may additionally include one or more support bows 28. In an embodiment, the bimini frame 22 includes a generally u-shaped rear support bow 28r pivotally attached to the rear bow 26r. Because the height of the rear support bow 28r is less than the height of the rear bow 26r, for example less than half the height of the rear bow 26r, the rear support bow 28r may be connected to the rear bow 26r at a location closer to the bend or horizontally oriented portion than the ends of the rear bow. The horizontal portion of the rear support bow 28r may be arranged generally within the same plane as the horizontal portion of the rear bow (as shown), or alternatively, may be slightly vertically offset therefrom. In embodiments where the horizontal portion of the rear support bow 28r is elevated relative to the horizontal portion of the rear bow 26r, the bimini top 20 may have a slightly curved contour.
Alternatively, or in addition, the bimini frame 22 includes a generally u-shaped front support bow 28f pivotally attached to the front bow 26f. The height of the front support bow 28f is less than the height of the front bow 26f. As noted above, the horizontal portion of the front support bow 28f may be aligned with, or alternatively, may be vertically offset from the horizontal portion of the front bow 26f. Further, the pivotal connection between the front support bow 28f and the front bow 26f may, but need not be, arranged in the same horizontal plane as the pivotal connection between the rear support bow 28r and the rear bow 26r. It should be understood that embodiments including no support bows, a single support bow or more than two support bows are also contemplated herein.
The bimini top 20 may additionally include a permanent or removable cover 30 (see
The bimini top 20 is transformable between a plurality of configurations including a first open or extended configuration, (
In the retracted configuration, the rear support bow 28r is rotated about its pivot axis to a position substantially parallel to the rear bow 26r and the front support bow 28f is pivoted to a position substantially parallel to the front bow 26f. Further, the front bow 26f is rotated about its pivot to a position where the front bow 26f is oriented substantially parallel to the rear bow 26r.
In an embodiment, the bimini top 20 is also movable to a stowed configuration. To transition the bimini top 20 from a retracted configuration to a stowed configuration, the rear bow 26r, rear support bow 28r, front bow 26f, and front support bow 28f in the retracted configuration, may be rotated as a single body about the pivot axis defined by the ends 25 of the rear bow 26r, in the direction indicated by arrow S toward the structure 12.
The bimini top 20 may be configured to transform between one or more of the extended configuration, the retracted configuration, and the stowed configuration manually and/or automatically. In embodiments where the transformation is automatic, one or more actuators or other movement mechanisms may be operably coupled to any suitable portion of the bimini frame 22 for movement in a known manner. For example, at least one actuator (not shown) may be operably coupled to the rear bow 26r and at least one actuator may be operably coupled to the front bow 26f to transform the bimini frame 22 between the retracted and extended configurations.
Further, although not shown, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the bimini top 20 may includes a gathering system configured to automatically gather the material of the cover 30 as the bimini top 20 transforms from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Examples of suitable gathering systems, such as including a gathering roller or a hand-pulled roller operably coupled to tension straps affixed to the cover 30 are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/409,414 filed on May 10, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
With continued reference to
The at least one support leg 34a, 34b is pivotally mounted to the rear bow 26r, such as via pin for example, and is rotatable between an extended position (
It should be understood that that bimini top 20 illustrated and described herein is intended as an example only and that a bimini top having any suitable configuration is within the scope of the disclosure. For example, in an embodiment, the bimini frame 22 may have only two bows. In addition, it should be appreciated that although the bimini system 20 is illustrated in each of the FIGS. with the rear bow 26r being arranged closest to the stern or rear of the watercraft and the front bow 26f being positioned closest to the bow of the watercraft, embodiments where the entire bimini system 20 is rotated 180 degrees such that the rear bow 26r is facing the bow and the front bow 26f is facing the stern are also within the scope of the disclosure
With reference now to
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the second portion of the actuator is pivotably coupled to the rear bow 26r, such as via a pin for example. Further, the first movable portion of the actuator my also be pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket 38 mounted to the deck 12. The distal end 36 of the piston 52 is connectable to the mounting bracket 38 via a quick-release connection. With continued reference to
The actuator 50 is operable to transform the bimini frame 22 between a retracted configuration and a stowed configuration. When the bimini frame 22 is in the retracted configuration, the piston of the actuator 50 is extended relative to the stationary portion of the actuator. To lower the bimini frame 22 to the stowed configuration, the actuator 50 translates the piston, such as to a position in which all or at least a portion of the piston is received with an interior of the stationary portion of the actuator. As the piston slides into the interior of the stationary portion, the length of the actuator 50 forming the support leg 34a, 34b decreases, causing the actuator 50 to pivot relative to both the deck 12 and the bimini frame 22, respectively. Similarly, to raise the bimini frame 22 to the retracted configuration from the stowed configuration, the piston translates out of the stationary portion, thereby increasing the axial length of the actuator 50 forming the support leg 34a, 34b. This increase in length similarly causes the actuator 50 to pivot relative to both the deck 12 and the bimini frame 22, respectively.
The stationary portion 54 of the actuator 50 includes a hollow shaft 70 and a housing 72 mounted to the shaft 70, such as formed from a plastic material for example. The housing 72 may contain the motor and in some embodiments, one or more electronic components associated with operation of the actuator 50. Although the housing 72 is illustrated as being at the end 74 of the shaft 70 closest to the bimini frame 22 it should be appreciated that the housing 72 may be located at any suitable position. In an embodiment, when the bimini frame 22 is in the stowed configuration, the housing 72 of the actuator 50 is receivable within a corresponding mount 80 extending from the deck 12. In an embodiment, the portion 76 of the housing 72 facing towards the deck 12 has a first configuration and the upper surface 82 of the mount 80 has a second configuration, complementary to the first configuration. Accordingly, when the bimini frame 22 is in the stowed configuration, the portion 76 of the housing 72 is configured to nest within the upper surface 82 of the mount 80. By applying a preload to the motor of the actuator 50 when the housing 72 is nested within the mount 80, the engagement therebetween may restrict or limit unintended movement of the bimini frame 22.
With reference now to
To ensure coordinated movement of both actuators 50, one or more sensors S may be mounted to each of the support legs 34a, 34b or the rear bow 26r of the bimini frame 22. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors S are position sensors operable to monitor a position of the movable portion 52 of the actuator 50 or the rear bow 26r. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor S may be a temperature sensor, for example operable to monitor a temperature of or adjacent to the motor, such as to detect overheating of the motor. Overheating of the motor may indicate a failure of the actuator 50. The controller 90 may be configured to adjust operation of one or both of the actuators 50 based on the information detected by the sensors.
A bimini top 20 as illustrated and described herein provides the benefit of being automatically movable while strategically integrating the actuators 50 for performing the movement of the bimini frame 22 into the bimini frame 22.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/409,402, filed Sep. 23, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63409402 | Sep 2022 | US |
