U.S. patent application number 10/845372 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for boat lift canopy assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to IPO L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Basta, Samuel T..
Application Number | 20050252542 10/845372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308259 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Basta, Samuel T. |
November 17, 2005 |
Boat lift canopy assembly
Abstract
A boat lift canopy comprises a truss type framework with a base
frame. Joined to the base frame and circumscribed by it is a tie
tube frame, which may be discontinuous. A fabric cover, which in
preferred embodiments is decorative as well as functional, snugly
encloses the outside of the framework, wraps around the base frame
and is secured to the tie tube frame. The boat lift canopy is held
above the boat lift vertical members, which in some embodiments are
vertical extensions of the legs of the boat lift. Advantageously,
the canopy is releasably coupled to the vertical members at the tie
tube frame, thereby enabling simple adjustment of the position of
the canopy with respect to the vertical members, permitting
adjustment of canopy overhang or length with ease. Embodiments of
the canopy allow adjustment of the length of the canopy by the
addition of frame members extending the canopy framework, such
adjustment facilitated by the releasable coupling of the canopy to
the vertical members. The framework of the canopy employs an
improved truss design such as Howe Kingpost to maximize framework
strength, thereby enhancing endurance of the canopy and permitting
substantial cantilevered canopy overhangs.
Inventors: |
Basta, Samuel T.; (Bellevue,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony Claiborne
849 136th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue
WA
98005
US
|
Assignee: |
IPO L.L.C.
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
35308259 |
Appl. No.: |
10/845372 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 5/00 20130101; B63B
17/02 20130101; E04H 15/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/156 |
International
Class: |
E04H 015/34; E04H
015/42 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A framework for boat lift canopies, comprising: a truss type
outer framework comprising a polygonal base; a tie bar framework
affixed to and circumscribed by the polygonal base; and a plurality
of vertical upright leg members joined to the tie bar framework,
retaining the canopy above the boat lift.
2. A canopy for boat lifts, comprising: a truss type outer
framework comprising a polygonal base; a tie bar framework affixed
to and circumscribed by the polygonal base; a plurality of vertical
upright leg members joined to the tie bar framework, retaining the
canopy above the boat lift; and a cover wrapped around the outer
framework and under the polygonal base.
3. A canopy according to claim 2, wherein the cover is secured to
the tie bar framework.
4. A canopy according to claim 2, wherein the leg members are
releaseably joined to the tie bar framework.
5. A canopy according to claim 2, wherein the leg members are
extensions of legs on a boat lift.
6. A canopy according to claim 2, wherein the truss type outer
framework further comprises sections that may be inserted and
removed to adjust the length of the canopy.
7. A canopy according to claim 2, wherein the truss type outer
framework comprises a Howe Kingpost truss.
8. A canopy for boat lifts, comprising: a truss type outer
framework comprising a base of base members; an inner tie portion
retained within the outer framework and displaced from the base
members; substantially vertical leg members; means for joining the
leg members to the canopy at the tie portion; and a cover wrapped
around the outer framework.
9. A canopy according to claim 8, wherein the leg members are
releaseably joined to the tie portion.
10. A canopy according to claim 8, wherein the cover is secured to
the tie portion.
11. A canopy according to claim 8, wherein the inner tie portion is
integral to extruded base members.
12. A canopy for boat lifts, comprising: a truss type outer
framework comprising a rectangular base; a tie bar framework
affixed to and circumscribed by the rectangular base; a plurality
of vertical upright leg members releaseably joined to the tie bar
framework, retaining the canopy above the boat lift; and a cover
wrapped around the outer framework and under the polygonal base and
secured to the tie bar framework.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to truss type framework canopies to
provide shelter for boats. More particularly, this invention
relates to an improved canopy structure mounted above a boat
lift.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Users of watercraft have need to shelter docked boats from
the elements. While boat houses can provide such shelter, they are
expensive and often impractical. Users of watercraft also have need
to lift their watercraft from the water, for example for
maintenance or in preparation for land transportation of the
watercraft, along with a need to lower their watercraft into the
water, for example for launching or simply for flotation at dock.
Answering such needs, the prior art has provided lift devices
employed to raise and lower watercraft with canopies to protect the
watercraft from the elements while the watercraft is docked at or
engaged by the lift.
[0005] Typical of boat lift canopies in the prior art is the canopy
claimed and described by Griffith in U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,026.
Framework for such canopies generally comprises prefabricated parts
of galvanized steel or aluminum tubing. The canopy is assembled as
a truss type frame, typically an "A" frame, which is affixed to the
boat lift and covered with a water tight and sunlight resistant
decorative canopy cover of durable fabric material, such as canvas,
which is pulled taught against frame elements and affixed to the
frame.
[0006] Examining prior art canopy construction in more detail, the
Nieman Deluxe Canopy, manufactured by Sierra Manufacturing Company
of Monroe, Wash., and the similar canopy manufactured as the
Sunstream Deluxe Canopy by Sunstream Corporation of Kent, Wash.,
may be exemplary. An "A" frame is constructed, comprised of a
rectangular base to which are joined a number of rafters angled
upward, each joining a ridgepole along its length, the ridgepole
thereby forming the apex of the "A" frame. Disposed within the "A"
frame toward its base, and joined therewith, is a rectangular tie
tube frame, of dimensions somewhat smaller than the dimensions of
the "A" frame base, so that the "A" frame base circumscribes the
tie tube frame on all sides at a distance of 2 to 6 inches or so.
Frame sections may be joined by telescoping engagement, in some
cases by way of junction pieces fabricated for such purpose;
alternatively, frame sections may be joined by welding.
[0007] In any case, in such exemplary prior art, the cover material
is affixed to the canopy frame by stretching the material over the
entire frame, folding the material over and around the rectangular
base of the canopy frame, and then tying the edges of the cover,
preferably through grommets disposed therein, within the canopy
frame to the tie tube frame.
[0008] The canopy is fixed above the boat lift on vertical legs
rising above the lift, which are most commonly simply extensions of
the legs of the boat lift itself. In the prior art, the vertical
legs are joined to the canopy at points along members of the
rectangular base of the canopy frame. Typically, a hole is drilled
in the rectangular base member at each point meeting a leg and a
screw or bolt is inserted and secured through such hole into the
leg or a junction piece affixed or integral thereto, thereby
securing the canopy to the leg. Alternatively, the rectangular base
member is welded to the leg or a junction piece for the leg.
[0009] Such prior art design of boat lift canopies presents several
significant shortcomings. Because the cover fabric wraps around the
rectangular base members, it would be desirable for the base
members to present an unbroken smooth surface about which the
fabric can wrap. Unless, however, screws or bolts securing the base
members to the legs are counter-sunk in some manner, their ends
present protrusions in the surface of the member, to the detriment
of both the aesthetics of the wrapped canopy cover and the
integrity of its fabric.
[0010] Even when the base member is secured in a fashion that does
not present protrusions, such as by counter-sinking screws or by
welding, the cover cannot wrap around the member where the member
is joined to the leg unless the cover is between the member and the
leg. Limiting the cover so that it does not wrap around the member
at leg junctions, as when the members are welded to the legs, has
the result either of requiring specially tailored, non-rectangular
covers, at considerable expense, or permitting only incomplete
wrapping of the base members with the cover fabric, reducing the
aesthetic appeal of the cover. If, on the other hand, the cover is
wrapped between the member and the leg, a screw, bolt or similar
fastener joining the leg to the member must pass through the cover
fabric, diminishing the integrity of the fabric and preventing
removal or replacement of the cover without disassembling the
canopy from the legs.
[0011] A further limitation of the prior art boat lift canopy is
that it is often desirable to change the length of a canopy, as
when, for example, the lift is used for a boats of a different
length. Further, it is often desirable to adjust the position of
the canopy with respect to the legs, adjusting for more or less
overhang on one side of the lift depending upon the needs for
providing shelter for docked watercraft. As is clear from the
foregoing description, however, the prior art canopy is not easily
moved with respect to the legs. In the case of canopies secured to
the legs by screws, the screws must be removed, new screw holes
drilled in the base members, the canopy moved and then the screws
reinserted. In the case of canopies secured to the legs by welding,
it often is simply not possible at all to move the canopy with
respect to the legs after the canopy is attached.
[0012] A further limitation of the prior art boat lift canopy is
that, in general, it is not designed to maximize the structural
integrity possible in truss type framework structures. Long
unsupported overhangs, which have become increasingly popular,
require that the canopy possess considerable structural strength
and rigidity. However, many prior art canopies simply do not
possess sufficient strength for long cantilevered overhangs.
[0013] What is needed is a boat lift canopy that has base frame
members presenting an unbroken smooth surface about which the
fabric can wrap. What is further needed is a way of mounting the
canopy to the legs that does not interfere with the wrapped fabric.
What is further needed is a way of mounting the canopy to the legs
that permits the canopy to be easily resized or moved with respect
to the legs. What is yet further needed is a canopy design with the
foregoing features that also maximizes the canopy's structural
integrity, so that it is suitable for long overhangs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is a boat lift canopy, comprising a
truss type framework with a base frame that may be rectangular.
Joined to the base frame and circumscribed by it is a tie tube
frame, which may be discontinuous. A fabric cover, which in
preferred embodiments is decorative as well as finctional, snugly
encloses the outside of the framework, wraps around the base frame
and is secured to the tie tube frame. The boat lift canopy is held
above the boat lift by vertical members, which in some embodiments
are vertical extensions of the legs of the boat lift.
Advantageously, the canopy is releasably coupled to the vertical
members at the tie tube frame, thereby enabling simple adjustment
of the position of the canopy with respect to the vertical members,
permitting adjustment of canopy overhang or length with ease.
Embodiments of the canopy allow adjustment of the length of the
canopy by the addition of frame members extending the canopy
framework, such adjustment facilitated by the releasable coupling
of the canopy to the vertical members. The framework of the canopy
employs an improved truss design such as Howe Kingpost to maximize
framework strength, thereby enhancing endurance of the canopy and
permitting substantial cantilevered canopy overhangs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other objects, advantages, features and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as methods, operation and function
of related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of deployment, will become apparent upon consideration of
the following description and claims with reference to the
accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention in conjunction with a boat lift;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the frame base of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a manner of securing the tie
bars to base frame members;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the truss structure of
embodiments of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a coupling joining ridgepole sections
with rigid perpendicular rafters;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of coupling between angled
rafters and ridgepole or base members; and
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a means of coupling the canopy to upright
members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 1, depicted is an embodiment of the
present invention. Canopy 102 sits over a watercraft lift 104. Lift
104 may be any form of watercraft lift designed to be affixed to
the bottom of a body of water, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,908,264 to Hey or U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,914, issued to the inventor
of the present invention and which is incorporated herein by
reference. Alternatively, lift 104 may be a floating lift as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,798 to Samoian et al., or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/816,992 by the inventor of the
present invention, incorporated herein by reference.
[0024] Canopy 102 is suspended above lift 104 by upright members
106. Lifts affixed to the bottom of the body of water, such as '264
and '914 cited above, generally sit upon legs 108, and in such case
upright members 106 may simply be vertical extensions of legs 108.
Alternatively, members 106 may be affixed to some other part of
lift 104, or members 106 themselves may be affixed to the bottom of
the body of water. In any case, as will be described in more detail
below in reference to FIG. 7 below, upright members 106 are joined
to canopy 102, fixedly holding it above lift 104.
[0025] Canopy 102 is constructed as a truss type framework,
comprised of a rectangular base of horizontal members 110, to which
are joined rafters 112, which angle upward to be joined along
ridgepole 114, thereby forming an "A" frame. As is clear to those
of skill in the art, while a rectangular base is illustrated, and
while generally rectangular canopies are common in the prior art,
polygonal shapes in general, whether regular or not, may be
employed for the base of the canopy, including triangles, squares,
rectangles, rhomboids, hexagons, etc. It will be understood that
the present invention encompasses all such bases.
[0026] Turning to FIG. 2, depicted are details of the construction
of the base of the canopy according to the present invention. In
FIG. 2a, the base comprises a frame 202 of parallel lengthwise
members 204 joined to parallel widthwise members 206, thereby
forming a rectangle. The present invention comprises a tie portion
that lies interior to the frame base. In the depicted embodiment,
tie bars 208 are held within the frame, adjacently spaced and
parallel to members, by connectors 210, treated in more detail in
reference to FIG. 3 below.
[0027] Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention may
implement lengthwise members 204 as a plurality of members with
connected tie portions (tie bars in the depicted embodiment),
members 204 releasably joined as by telescoping, so that the length
of frame 202 may be modified by adding or removing lengthwise
members. As illustrated, lengthwise member 204 comprises two
sections, 204a and 204b, telescopically engaged by retaining bolts,
crimp bolts, locking clamps or other means well known to those of
skill in the art.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2b, telescoping members 204a and 204b
have been decoupled and the length of frame 202 increased by
insertion thereinbetween of extension members 204c, connected to
their own tie bar sections 208. As will be clear to those of skill
in the art, this design facilitates adjustment of canopy length,
which can take place dockside.
[0029] Turning now to the connectors joining the tie bars to the
rectangular base of the canopy, FIG. 3 depicts tie bar 302 firmly
welded to "L" bracket connector 304, which is in turn affixed to
frame member 306, as depicted by rivets 308. The fabric cover of
the canopy will wrap around and under member 306, so that its edges
may be tied to tie bar 302. Accordingly, the spacing between tie
bar 302 and member 306 is such that there is sufficient room to
pull the cover under member 306 and tie its edge securely to tie
bar 302. A spacing on the order of 4 inches or so is sufficient for
this purpose, but, as will be clear to those of skill in the art,
embodiments may be constructed of widely varying spacing between
frame members and tie bars that are within the scope of this
invention.
[0030] Many other ways of achieving the result of spacing a tie
area inward from the rectangular base of the canopy will be evident
to those of skill in the art. For example, members of rectangular
base may be extruded with an integral tie portion that lies
interior to the assembled base. It is intended that all such
embodiments, wherein a tie portion is interior to the canopy frame,
be within the scope of the present invention.
[0031] Turning now to the preferred construction of the truss type
framework of the canopy, FIG. 4a depicts a rectangular base portion
402, shown here comprised of members 402a and 402b telescopically
joined as discussed previously in reference to FIG. 2. Joined to
base 402 are rafters 404, angled upward to join along ridgepole
406. As depicted, ridgepole 406 is shown here comprised of two
joined sections, 406a and 406b. Advantageously, extending
perpendicularly upward from base 402 is rigid rafter 408, which
joins ridgepole 406 at coupling 410, discussed in greater detail in
reference to FIG. 5 below. In preferred embodiments, rafter 408 may
be of a heavier-weight stock than that employed for rafters 404. As
will be clear to those of skill in the art, the framework as
depicted and described forms a truss of the Howe Kingpost pattern,
a truss design vastly superior in strength to that employed in the
prior art considered herein. Because of its ability to handle
forces of compression and tension, such design is much better
adapted than the prior art to cantilevered applications, such as
long unsupported overhangs.
[0032] As discussed earlier in reference to FIG. 2, the base of the
frame may be comprised of a plurality of telescopically joined
sections permitting adjustment of the length of the frame. In FIGS.
4a and 4b, sections 402a and 402b represent such joined sections of
the frame base. Corresponding to 402a and 402b are sections 406a
and 406b of ridgepole 406, depicted as joined in FIG. 4a by
coupling 410. Turning to FIG. 4b, when the length of base 402 is
extended by the addition of a section 402c between 402a and 402b,
ridgepole 406 may be extended by the addition of a section 406c
between ridgepole sections 406a and 406b. Now two couplings 410a
and 410b are used to join the ridgepole sections 406a, 406c and
406b, with two rigid perpendicular rafters 408a and 408b. Two
additional angled rafters 412 are added to complete the truss.
[0033] Turning now to the couplings used to join ridgepole sections
with rigid perpendicular rafters, FIG. 5 depicts a preferred form
of such coupling. Coupling 502 is comprised of three appropriately
cut sections of rectangular bar welded together to make a cruciform
shape with two arms extending downward at an angle as depicted in
FIG. 5a. Holes are drilled at appropriate points in coupling 502 so
that, turning to FIG. 5b, ridgepole sections 504a and 504b and
rigid perpendicular rafters 506a and 506b may be secured to the
coupling telescopically by bolts 508 passing through such holes,
secured by nuts.
[0034] As will be clear to those of skill in the art, angled
rafters may be secured to frame base members and to the ridgepole
in any number of ways. FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment wherein angled
rafter 602 is pivotally connected to an angle bracket 604 with a
bolt (not depicted), the angle bracket riveted to ridgepole 606.
While certain embodiments have been depicted, all other means of
securing the rafters to other members known to those of skill in
the art, whereby the rafters provide truss strength to the canopy
framework, are intended to be within the scope of this
invention.
[0035] Turning now to the means of coupling the canopy to the
upright members, the present invention advantageously does so by
way of the tie portion of the canopy rather than by way of the base
frame members as practiced in the prior art. In FIG. 7a, the
coupling is inserted into upright member 702, which, as stated
earlier, may simply be an extension of a boat lift leg for some
embodiments of the invention. In this embodiment, the coupling
comprises a telescoping upright pipe 704 welded to a section of
stock rectangular bar 706, cut at an angle on one end. Welded to
the top of bar 706 is half pipe 708, disposed to receive the tie
bar. As depicted in FIG. 7b, tie bar 710 rests in half pipe 708,
advantageously releasably secured by clamp 712, which may be a hose
clamp or other suitable clamp known to those of skill in the art.
As illustrated in FIG. 7c, tie bar 710 is spaced a distance from
frame base member 714 by "L" bracket 716, as previously described
in reference to FIG. 3. Because coupling 706 connects to the tie
bar rather than directly to the frame base, frame base member 714
is clear of coupling 706 and the upright member 704, permitting the
canopy cover to wrap unimpeded around base member 714 for securing
and tying to tie bar 710.
[0036] As will be clear to those of skill in the art, many other
means of coupling the tie portion of the canopy to upright
supporting members are possible while in keeping with the spirit of
the present invention. If, for example, the upright members are
disposed directly below the tie area, the cantilevered coupling
depicted in FIG. 7 is not necessary, a simpler support directly
below the tie area sufficing to achieve the desired coupling. The
invention requires only that the coupling of the upright members be
to the tie portion, preferably releaseably, so that in any case the
fabric may wrap around the frame base members unimpeded by coupling
with the upright members.
[0037] Conclusions, Ramifications and Scope
[0038] Accordingly, it can be seen that the invention described
herein provides an improved boat lift canopy, allowing fabric to be
wrapped unimpeded around the canopy framework, providing
embodiments whose length and overhang is easily adjusted, with a
truss framework of improved strength allowing substantial
cantilevered overhangs.
[0039] Although the detailed descriptions above contain many
specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other
embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope, a
number of which are discussed in general terms above. It is
intended that the scope of the present invention encompass all
means known to those of skill in the art for practicing the
invention according to its teachings.
[0040] While the invention has been described with a certain degree
of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may
be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set
forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be reasonably
included within the scope of the invention. The invention is
limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *