Abstract:
A low sun angle shade preferably adapted to be attached to and carried on a rigid side or end margin of a bimini top, T-top and the like for a boat. The sunshade includes an elongated shade panel formed of substantially opaque material and pivotal connectors on one longitudinal margin of the shade panel adapted for attachment to, and selected pivotal movement of, the shade panel with respect to the side or end margin of the bimini top or T-top. The shade panel is thereby selectively pivotally moveable about a pivotal axis passing through the pivotal connectors between a deployed or outstretched downwardly extending position with respect to the bimini top or T-top wherein low-to-the-horizon sun is substantially block from a boat operators or passengers eyes and a stored position doubled over and positioned against a corresponding side or end portion of the bimini top or T-top. Collapsible embodiments are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to bimini tops and T-tops for boats and open-sided generally horizontal shade cover assemblies for vehicles, and more particularly to a low sun angle sunshade attachable to a side or end margin of such tops. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Horizontally disposed sun covers for boats and other conventional land vehicles are well known and in widespread use. With respect to boats, such sun covers are in the form of flexible fabric bimini tops having rigid aluminum or stainless steel tubular bows for structural support or T-tops formed of rigid segments of tubular welded aluminum or stainless steel which provide a more rigid permanent overhead weather and sun cover structure therefor. With respect to conventional land vehicles, completely open-sided sun covers are also well known for utility vehicles such as lawn mowers, tractors and the like, providing sun protection for the operator of such land vehicles. A number of prior art devices associated with overhead shade cover assemblies and devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
         U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,150 Murphy   U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,604 Clark   U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,703 Smith   U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,411 Kolb   U.S. Pat. No. 2,032,046 Coonradt   U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,020 Byers   U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,824 Hernandez   U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,381 Van Rogue   U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,613 Larson   U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,666 Hastings   U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,797 Rogers       

   Of particular interest is the sun cover assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,150 by Murphy. This disclosure teaches a sun cover assembly adapted to be carried on the tower of a boat positioned above the cockpit area. 
   A sunshade attachment invented by Van Rogue in U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,381 teaches a sunshade attachment for a lounging chair formed of tubular aluminum structure suitable for attachment thereto at the upper transverse portion of the support back area of such chairs. 
   A clear view hard curtain device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,703 invented by Smith. This invention is directed to a plurality of separable frames each including one semi-rigid clear flat panel and a flexible frame surrounding the panel. A pivotal visor for marine vessels is disclosed by Clark in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,604 teaching a visor/windshield assembly for mounting on a vessel. 
   During the early morning and late evening time periods, the sun, being low to the horizon, causes sunlight to strike the eyes and face of a boat or vessel operator even when positioned beneath a bimini top or a T-top. These tops are typically substantially horizontally oriented to shield passengers and operator primarily from direct overhead sunlight during the central part of the day. Additionally, even during the mid portion of the day, sunlight reflecting from the water surface will also shine into the eyes and face and upper torso of a user causing undesired sunburns and sore eyes and obstructed vision. 
   The present invention specifically this heretofore unsatisfied need of providing sunshade into the face and eyes of a user both with respect to low sun angle, the elements, and reflected light form the water&#39;s surface. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to a low sun angle sunshade preferably adapted to be attached to and carried on a rigid side or end margin of a bimini top or T-top for a boat. The shade includes an elongated shade panel formed of substantially opaque material and pivotal connectors on one longitudinal margin of the shade panel adapted for attachment to, and selected pivotal movement of, the shade panel with respect to the side or end margin of the bimini top or T-top. The shade panel is thereby selectively pivotally moveable about a pivotal axis passing through the pivotal connectors between a deployed or outstretched downwardly extending position with respect to the bimini top or T-top wherein low-to-the-horizon sun is substantially blocked from a boat operators or passenger&#39;s eyes and a stored position doubled over and positioned against a corresponding side or end portion of the bimini top or T-top or frame therefor. Collapsible embodiments are also provided. 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an accessory attach ment to either a bimini top or a T-top of a boat and other sun cover assemblies for land vehicles and the like which provides eye and face protection primarily from the sun when at a very low angle as during early morning and evening time periods. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide a shade and weather shade which is attachable to and deployably downwardly from a rigid support margin of a bimini top or a T-top which will also provide protection to the eyes and face from rain when the boat is underway. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shade attachable to the rear margin of a T-top which also includes fishing devices attached to the rearward end of the T-top and which rearwardly extends therefrom. 
   Still yet another object of this invention is to provide a shade attachable to a side or end margin of a bimini top or a T-top of a boat which is easily pivotable, foldable or collapsible into a stored or not-in-use position or con figuration so as to be otherwise unobtrusive when stored. 
   In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial schematic view of one aspect of the present invention in use on a flexible bimini top of a boat. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another aspect of the invention attached along both side margins and end margins of a rigid framed T-top of a boat. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a collapsible embodiment of the invention in the deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing this embodiment in a collapsed or stored configuration. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a rigid framed embodiment of the invention attached to a rigid side or end margin of a T-top. 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the pivotal storing movement of this embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention attached to and positioned rearwardly of fishing devices attached to the rigid rearward margin of a T-top. 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  showing the pivotal deployment thereof from the stored position above the T-top. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another collapsible embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , one aspect of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  10  in conjunction with a conventional flexible fabric bimini top  12  having frame formed tubular bows attached to the gunnel D of a boat B. The bimini top  12  typically includes flexible fabric material which is stretched and held in place over the tubular frame of bimini top  12 . 
   In this embodiment  10 , a low sun angle shade  14  is provided attached to the rearward tubular bow  16  of the bimini top  12  as described in more detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A side sunshade  18  is also pivotally connected to a side margin  20  of the bimini top  12 . Each of the shades  14  and  18 , when pivotally or collapsibly downwardly deployed as shown, provides substantial eye and face protection for occupants of the boat B from low angle sun, reflected sunlight and rain when the boat B is underway. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a typical rigid-framed T-top  30  is there shown which is formed of rigid tubular members E welded together into the structure shown which is anchored to the deck of the boat and positioned above the console and central area of the boat. Opaque fabric  26  is typically stretched and held taught across the frame of such T-tops  30  for economy, serviceability and lighter weight structure. 
   In this embodiment  24  of  FIG. 2 , a shade  28  having a rigid open frame  36  covered with opaque material such as flexible canvas, plastic, vinyl or fiberglass sheet, is pivotally attached to and rearwardly positioned from fishing devices  40  which are attached to the rearward tubular margin  38  of the T-top  30 . Two spaced extension brackets  32  and  34  are attached at forwardly ends thereof to the rearward margin  38  of the T-top  30  and are described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   Side sunshades  50  and  60  also having rigid or semi-rigid open perimeter frames  52  and  62 , respectively, are each pivotally connected by lockable pivotal members  56  and  66  to the side tubular margins  54  and  64 , respectively, of the T-top  30  to provide the adjustable pivotal support and positioning of each of these side sunshades  50  and  60 . A front sunshade  80  attached by pivotal locking connectors  86  to the forwardly tubular margin  84  of the T-top  30  is also provided. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one embodiment of a collapsible, as opposed to a pivotally deployable and storable, embodiment is there shown generally at numeral  14  and as previously generally described with respect to FIG.  1 . This embodiment  14  is formed having an elongated rigid or semi-rigid aluminum or plastic support member  96  which is attached to the rearward tubular frame member  16  of the bimini top  12 . Flexible canvas fabric  22  extends over the frame members of the bimini top  12  as previously described. 
   Two spaced connecting members  100  provide for both lateral positioning of the sunshade  14  laterally in the direction of arrow H with respect to the rear frame member  16  and also provide for some pivotal movement in establishing the desired downward orientation of support member  96 . Two downwardly pivotable elongated side frame members  92  and  94  are connected to the ends of support member  96  at pivotal connections  102  and  104  whereby the side frames  92  and  94  are pivotable to the deployed position in the direction of arrows F and G and are pivotable to the stored position shown in  FIG. 4  in the direction of arrows J and K, respectively. 
   A flexible shade panel  90  formed of opaque material as previously described is attached along three of its generally rectangular margins along support member  96  and along side frames  92  and  94 . When deployed as shown in  FIG. 3 , the free distal lower margin  110  is tensioned by tensioning members  106  and  108  which are pivotally attached between the lower distal end of each of the side frames  92  and  94  and to a central portion along the support members  96  as shown. In  FIG. 4 , VELCRO securing straps  98  hold the side members  92  and  94  and the flexible shade panel  90  in the stored position along side of the support member  96 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  110  attached to a rearward or sideward tubular frame member  118  of a T-top  112 . The shade  110  is formed having a rigid or semi-rigid aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, plastic or the like open rectangular perimeter frame  114  and having a flexible opaque canvas panel  116  taughtly stretched thereacross and held in place by plastic lacing material as shown. One longitudinal margin of the perimeter frame  114  is attached by two spaced connectors  122  of a conventional design which are both pivotable and then lockable in any desired relative angular orientation about axis  126  by locking handle  124 . One end of each connector  122  is rigidly attached to the perimeter frame  114  while the other end of each connector  122  is attached adjacent to the side or end of tubular frame member  118  of bimini top  112 . By this slight offset arrangement of each end of each locking connector  122 , the sunshade  110  is pivotally connectable about axis  126  from the deployed to the stored position as depicted in  FIG. 6  in the direction of arrow L 1  or L 2 , respectively, while offset adjustment is achievable about axis  128  of connectors  122  attached to T-top frame member  118 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 6 , the sunshade  110  may be stored by pivotal movement in the direction of arrow L 1  and finally down to and against the upper surface  120  of T-top  112  in the direction of arrow M. However, the sunshade  110  may also be pivotally storable in the direction of L 2  to a position against the underside of the T-top surface  120 . The embodiment of the locking pivotal members  122  are in the form of an antenna base having a locking adjustment utilized for VHF boat antennas. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the previously generally described embodiment of the sunshade  28  in  FIG. 2  is there shown in detail. This sunshade embodiment  28  is also formed of a rigid open perimeter frame  36  having a canvas or plastic opaque central surface  146  held in place by lacing material as shown. 
   This form of T-top  30  commonly includes fishing devices  144  which may be in the form of trolling fishing rod holders or what are referred to as “rocket launchers”. These fishing devices  144  are typically permanently attached as by welding or clamping devices to the rear tubular margin  142  of the T-top  30 . To provide adequate clearance for the proximal longitudinal margin  148  of perimeter frame  36 , two spaced rigid extension arms  32  and  34  are provided. A proximal end of each of these arms  32  and  34  is connected to the tubular perimeter frame of the T-top  30  in the vicinity of the ends of the rearward T-top frame member  142  as shown. These connectors  132  have locking handles  136  which operatively engage mating serrations or teeth such as are found in a support base for VHF antennas as previously referenced. This form of connector  132  generally provides both rotational adjustability about axis  140  of the angular positioning of each of the extension arms  32  and  34  and then the locking engagement of the selected rotational orientation thereafter. 
   The distal or rearward portion of the extension arms  32  and  34  are likewise lockably positionable by connectors  130  having locking handles  134  associated therewith which operate in the same fashion as do the locking connectors  132  previously described. By this arrangement, the sunshade  28  is pivotally positionable and lockable in any desired deployed or stored position about a second transverse pivotal axis  138  which is spaced apart from, and preferably oriented parallel to the first pivotal axis  140 . 
   As thus best seen in  FIG. 8 , the sunshade  28  is pivotally deployable from a stored position either above the T-top fabric  26  or therebeneath in the direction of arrow N so as to provide non-interfering clearance with respect to the fishing devices  144 . 
   Referring lastly to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a collapsible aspect of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  150 . This sunshade embodiment  150  includes an elongated rigid support member  166  which is attached to the connectors  100  or  122  to frame member  16  of bimini top  12  as previously described. This sunshade  150  includes two elongated flexible, resilient hollow bows  152  and  154  which are connected to the ends of frame member  166  at pivotal connections  158  and  160 , respectively. Bow  152  is larger in diameter than bow  154  so as to provide operative overlapping telescopic engagement therebetween in the area of  156 . Locking pin  162  interacts between mating aligned apertures in the overlapping bow portions at  156  to secure the deployed configuration of these support bows  152  and  154  as shown. A sheet of flexible opaque material  164  is attached to the support member  166  and to each of the bows  152  and  154  in slidable sleeve-like fashion. 
   To deploy this sunshade  150 , the user simply detaches VELCRO straps  98  and then pulls the central portion  156  downwardly in the direction of arrow P from the stored position of the bows  152  and  154  and opaque fabric material  164  (shown in phantom) and, when pin  162  is biasingly urged through preselected aligned apertures in the two distal portions of each of the bows  152  and  154 , deployment is established. Pivotal storage of the collapsed configuration (shown in phantom) is further enhanced by the loosening of connectors  100  or  122  about bimini frame members  16  to allow for further pivotal movement about transverse pivotal axis  168 . 
   While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.