U.S. patent application number 16/596960 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-09 for integrated boot.
The applicant listed for this patent is Taylor Made Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald A. Zirkelbach.
Application Number | 20200108895 16/596960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70050908 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200108895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zirkelbach; Donald A. |
April 9, 2020 |
INTEGRATED BOOT
Abstract
A bimini top includes a top member displaceable between an
expanded position and a retracted position, a securing panel
connected to the top member, and a cover member sized to fit over
the top member with the top member in the retracted position. The
cover member is contained by the securing panel when not in
use.
Inventors: |
Zirkelbach; Donald A.;
(Bradenton, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Taylor Made Group, LLC |
Gloversville |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70050908 |
Appl. No.: |
16/596960 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62743018 |
Oct 9, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 17/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/02 20060101
B63B017/02 |
Claims
1. A bimini top comprising: a top member displaceable between an
expanded position and a retracted position; a securing panel
connected to the top member; and a cover member sized to fit over
the top member with the top member in the retracted position,
wherein the cover member is contained by the securing panel when
not in use.
2. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the securing panel is
fixed at one end to the top member and is selectively securable at
an opposite end to the top member.
3. A bimini top according to claim 2, wherein the securing panel is
selectively securable to the top member at the opposite end via a
zipper or a hook and loop fastener.
4. A bimini top according to claim 3, wherein the securing panel is
sewn at the one end to the top member.
5. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is
foldable on itself, and with the cover member in a folded position,
the securing panel secures the folded cover member adjacent the top
member.
6. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the cover member
defines an enclosure with open ends and comprises a zipper that is
configured to connect the open ends to enclose the top member in
the retracted position.
7. A bimini top according to claim 6, wherein the cover member
comprises multiple zippers.
8. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the securing panel
comprises one end integrated with the top member.
9. A method of securing a boot to a bimini top, the bimini top
including a top member displaceable between an expanded position
and a retracted position, a securing panel connected to the top
member, and a cover member, the method comprising: (a) releasing
the cover member from the securing panel; (b) unfolding the cover
member; and (c) with the top member in the retracted position,
positioning and securing the cover member in a position over the
top member.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein step (a) is practiced by
detaching one end of the securing panel from the top member.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the detaching step
comprises unzipping the one end of the securing panel from the top
member.
12. A method according to claim 9, wherein securing the cover
member over the top member comprises connecting open ends of the
cover member together.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein connecting the open
ends of the cover member together comprises zipping the open ends
together.
14. A method according to claim 9, further comprising removing and
storing the cover member by: (d) unsecuring the cover member and
removing the cover member from the position over the top member;
(e) displacing the top member to the expanded position; (f) folding
the cover member into a position engaging the top member; and (g)
securing the folded cover member with the securing panel.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein unsecuring the cover
member is practiced by detaching open ends of the cover member from
each other.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein step (g) is practiced
by surrounding the cover member with the securing panel and then
attaching a free end of the securing panel to the top member.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein attaching the free end
of the securing panel to the top member is practiced by zipping.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/743,018, filed Oct. 9, 2018, the entire
content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (NOT APPLICABLE)
BACKGROUND
[0003] The invention relates to a bimini top and, more
particularly, to a bimini top with an integrated storage boot.
[0004] A typical bimini top is foldable into a retracted position
when not in use, and a bimini boot may be secured over the folded
canvas for storage. Existing boots, however, can be easily
misplaced or lost. Additionally, existing bimini boots may be
stored in an area of the boat that is wet or dirty, making it more
difficult to install the bimini boot.
SUMMARY
[0005] An integrated storage boot can be stored adjacent the cover
member to prevent the storage boot from being misplaced or lost. A
securing panel holds the cover member in place adjacent the bimini
top, which facilitates installation. When the bimini is in use, the
integrated boot disappears into the open top. When needed, the boot
is at the user's fingertips to be quickly and easily installed.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a bimini top includes a top
member displaceable between an expanded position and a retracted
position, a securing panel connected to the top member, and a cover
member sized to fit over the top member with the top member in the
retracted position. The cover member is contained by the securing
panel when not in use.
[0007] The securing panel may be fixed at one end to the top member
and may be selectively securable at an opposite end to the top
member. The securing panel may be selectively securable to the top
member at the opposite end via a zipper or a hook and loop
fastener. The securing panel may be sewn at the one end to the top
member. The cover member may be foldable on itself, and with the
cover member in a folded position, the securing panel may secure
the folded cover member adjacent the top member. The cover member
may define an enclosure with open ends and may include a zipper or
multiple zippers configured to connect the open ends to enclose the
top member in the retracted position. The securing panel may
include one end integrated with the top member.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of securing a boot
to a bimini top includes the steps of (a) releasing the cover
member from the securing panel; (b) unfolding the cover member; and
(c) with the top member in the retracted position, positioning and
securing the cover member in a position over the top member. Step
(a) may be practiced by detaching one end of the securing panel
from the top member. The detaching step may include unzipping the
one end of the securing panel from the top member. Securing the
cover member over the top member may include connecting open ends
of the cover member together such as by zipping the open ends
together.
[0009] The method may further include removing and storing the
cover member by: (d) unsecuring the cover member and removing the
cover member from the position over the top member; (e) displacing
the top member to the expanded position; (f) folding the cover
member into a position engaging the top member; and (g) securing
the folded cover member with the securing panel.
[0010] Unsecuring the cover member may be practiced by detaching
open ends of the cover member from each other. Step (g) may be
practiced by surrounding the cover member with the securing panel
and then attaching a free end of the securing panel to the top
member. Attaching the free end of the securing panel to the top
member may be practiced by zipping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other aspects and advantages will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the integrated boot in a stowed
configuration;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows the integrated boot with the cover member
released from the securing panel;
[0014] FIGS. 4-7 show the process for installing the cover member
onto a bimini top in its retracted position; and
[0015] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the process of restoring the cover member
to its stowed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] With reference to the images, a bimini top includes a top
member 10 that is provided with an integrated storage boot 12. The
storage boot 12 includes a securing panel 14 and a cover member 16.
When not in use, the cover member 16 is folded on itself and held
in the top member 10 by the securing panel 14.
[0017] As is well known, the top member 10 of the bimini top is
displaceable between an expanded position (e.g., FIG. 1) and a
retracted position (e.g., FIG. 4). The securing panel 14 is
connected to the top member 10. Specifically, the securing panel 14
is fixed at one end to the top member 10 via sewing, ultrasonic
welding or the like and is selectively securable at an opposite end
to the top member 10 via a zipper or a hook-and-loop fastener or
the like.
[0018] With the top member 10 in the expanded position shown in
FIGS. 1-3, the free end of the securing panel 14 can be released
from the zipper or hook-and-loop connection or the like to the top
member 10, and the cover member 16 can be unfolded (see FIGS. 2-3).
Once unfolded, the cover member 16 can be fit over the retracted
top member 10 and secured as shown in FIGS. 4-7. The cover member
16 defines an enclosure with open ends 16A, 16B. The zipper
sections 18 are configured to connect the open ends 16A, 16B to
enclose the top member 10 in the retracted position (see, e.g.,
FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the cover member 16 is provided with
multiple zipper sections 18 to secure the cover member 16 across
the width of the top member 10.
[0019] When it is desired to remove the storage boot 12, the steps
are reversed by first unzipping the zipper sections 18 and removing
the cover member 16 from the top member 10. The top member 10 can
then be expanded to its open position as shown in FIG. 8. The cover
member 16 can then be folded on itself and rolled, and the securing
panel 14 can be secured to the top member 10 to conveniently hold
the cover member 16 adjacent the top member 10 (FIG. 9).
[0020] With the integrated storage boot of the described
embodiments, the storage boot can no longer be misplaced or lost.
The storage boot is always attached while being removable if
replacement is needed. The securing panel holds the cover member in
place adjacent the top member, which facilitates installation. When
the bimini is in use, the integrated boot disappears into the open
top. When needed, the boot is readily accessible to be quickly and
easily installed.
[0021] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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