Abstract:
This invention is an apparatus designed to secure members of one frame work to members of another framework most commonly found when trying to secure a boat canopy to a boat tower. The clamping apparatus is fully adjustable to allow for the many different configurations of towers and canopies.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This invention relates to securing various types of frame components to one another, most commonly found when securing a framework of a boat canopy, to a boat tower.  
         [0002]     In order to create a shelter on a boat, most consumers purchase a bimini top and mounted it to the gunwales of the boat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,139 to King 1996 shows a typical bimini top used for ski boats. A bimini top is a form of a sun shade with 2 to 4 inverted U-shaped bows held together with hinges to create a collapsible frame work that supports material for shelter.  
         [0003]     In the past most ski ropes have been attached to the transom of the boat or to a ski pylon located in the center of the boat. The rope has been generally located about one to two feet above the water surface. With the popularity of wake boarding and the desire to enhance water sports performance, boat manufactures now mount a metal framework called a tower to the gunwales of the boat that extends upwards to create a mounting point for the rope relatively centered over the boat about six to eight feet above the water surface, thus enhancing an upward pull for the performer. U.S. patent Des. 409,972 to Todd 1999 shows atypical tower used for towing water sports activities. The framework of a typical tower consequently interferes with the framework of a traditional bimini top thus rendering it useless.  
         [0004]     Patent application Ser. No. 11/037768 to Jones Jan. 19, 2005 shows an alternate method for securing an improved type of sunshades directly to boat towers.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     In accordance with the present inventions, a boat canopy consists of a collapsible or non collapsible framework mounted by means of fastening with screws, bolts or pins to a boat or a boat tower.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0006]     Accordingly, the advantages of the Folding Canopy Top (FCT) Clamp are, the FCT Clamps provide an overall stronger union between members of the framework. It provides for ease and speed of set up and take down of the FCT (boat canopy) on or off the water. The structural integrity of the tower and FCT frame is not compromised by need for drilling holes for fasteners through the framework. It makes the installation of the FCT easier. It makes the FCT possible for the professionals and consumer to install. It allows for fine tuning and minor adjustments during and after instillation. The heavy duty clamps designed for the application do not wear out with boat vibration. Heavy duty adjustable clamps provide adequate strength when filling the gap between members of the framework. Clamps allow for removal of the top with out permanent structural damage to the tower. The clamps allow for easy opporation when deploying/collapsing the FCT. Overall structural appearance of the top is improved. Further objects and advantages are to provide a top that is inexpensive, streamline, quiet, and is easily removed for maintenance or repairs. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  shows clamps holding a FCT on a tower with relationship to a boat.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  round clamp and plate assembly  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  mounting plate side view  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  round clamp side view  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  round clamp top view  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  round clamp bottom view  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  round clamp and plate assembly rotational adjustment  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  round clamp and plate exploded view  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  plate alternate method side view  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  fork clamp side view  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  fork clamp top view  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  fork clamp end view  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  fork clamp exploded view  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0000]    
       
           10  boat  
           12  tower  
           14  FCT (folding canopy top)  
           16  A-D round clamp assembly  
           18  A-B fork clamp assembly  
           20  A-B mounting plate  
           22  FCT framework  
           24  A-T mounting plate fastening holes  
           26  round clamp fastening hole  
           28  round clamp fastening base  
           30  A-B fastening hole  
           32  A-C fastening devices  
           34  A-B fastening hole  
           36  lanyard  
           38  fastening pin  
           40  fastening slot  
           42  fastening device  
           44  A-B fastening bolts  
           46  fastening hole  
           48  FCT support  
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]     As discussed, the framework of a typical boat tower interferes with the framework of a traditional bimini top thus rendering the two incompatible. The present invention solves this problem by creating a FCT (Folding Canopy Top). This top is specifically designed to fit over the boat tower. One way to fasten the FCT to the tower is drilling holes through the frame of the tower and the top and then using bolts and removable pins to hold the top in place. This approach has several disadvantages. The structural integrity of the tower and FCT frame is severely compromised by drilling holes through the framework. It is also difficult for consumers and professionals to install. It is difficult to drill and align holes so the top functions and fits properly. There is no adjustment once the holes have been drilled. The thin wall tubing allows the holes wear down from the vibration of the boat and pins can eventually fall out. The bolting method does not have the ability to provide proper structural strength when filling the gap between the two frameworks. It is impossible to remove the FCT from the tower with out permanent holes/damage to the tower. The overall appearance of the craftsmanship looks substandard.  
         [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a boat  10  with a tower  12 . It shows a boat canopy  14  otherwise known as a FCT being secured to the boat tower  12  with round clamps  16  A-D, fork clamps  18  A-B and mounting plates  20  A-B.  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of round clamps  16  and mounting plate  20  securing the FCT framework  22  to the tower framework  12 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the mounting plate  20  with the mounting holes  24  arranged in a manner to allow various mounting positions.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the round clamp assembly  16  with plate mounting hole  26 , plate mounting base  28  and clamp mounting holes  30  A-B  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the round clamp assembly  16  with plate mounting hole  26  and plate mounting base  28   
         [0046]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the round clamp assembly  16  with clamp mounting holes  30  A-B  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the mounting plate  20  with the various positions and rotational adjustment of round clamp assemblies  16 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the mounting plate  20  and the round clamp assembly  16  secured with fastening devise  32  C fastened to round clamp assembly  16  through fastening hole  26  and the second half of the round clamp  16  fastened to the first half with fastening bolts  32  A-B secured in to fastening holes  30  A-B.  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the mounting plate  20  with alternate positions of mounting holes  24 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the fork clamp assembly  18  with mounting slot  40  fastening device  38  secured to the clamp with lanyard  36  secured to the clamp by fastening device  42  the fastening device  38  fits through fastening hole  46  one half of the fork clamp is secured to the other half thorough fastening holes  34  A-B.  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the fork clamp assembly  18  with fastening holes  34  A-B with the fastening hole  46  the lanyard tab is fastened to the clamp with fastening bolt  42 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 12  illustrates a end view of the fork clamp assembly  18  with mounting slot  40  and fastening hole  46 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of the fork clamp assembly  18  with fastening bolts  44  A-B fastening bolt  42  lanyard  36  fastening pin  38  and mounting slot  40  secured to FCT support