Abstract:
A canopy apparatus for a kayak comprises a bracket configured to be mounted to a kayak deck and a canopy. The canopy has a base member adapted to engage the bracket to releasably secure the canopy to the kayak deck and a cover pivotally connected to the base member. The cover is selectively movable between collapsed and expanded positions. The forward edge of the cover may further be adapted to carry a plurality of lights, preferably LEDs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/759,205 filed on Jan. 31, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a canopy apparatus, and more particularly, to a canopy apparatus for use with a kayak. Specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible canopy apparatus removably mounted on a kayak, the canopy being expandable to provide shade to a kayaker upon demand, collapsible when not needed and removable when the kayak is being transported. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Kayaks are water-borne recreational vehicles and are generally comprised of a covered deck situated on a hull and generally include one or more cockpits for seating the kayaker/paddler. Propulsion, aside from river or ocean currents, and maneuverability of the kayak are typically controlled by the kayaker through the use of a double bladed paddle. When seated within the cockpit, the kayaker&#39;s head and torso generally extend above the surface of the covered deck. In this manner, the kayaker&#39;s arms are free to swing the paddle as desired/required for propulsion or turning. However, by projecting above the deck, the kayaker&#39;s head and torso are exposed to the elements. 
         [0004]    Exposure to the elements may lead to dangerous conditions for a kayaker. In particular, kayakers (especially inexperienced recreational kayakers) are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, often without realization. Besides the prolonged exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays which may lead to skin conditions such as sunburn or even skin cancer, this extended sun exposure can lead to more immediate adverse health effects such as dehydration, sunstroke/heatstroke or even more severe instances of hyperthermia. 
         [0005]    To alleviate kayaker exposure to the sun, canopy devices have been designed and implemented. However, a number of these designs necessitate rigidly securing a canopy frame to the body of the kayak with a cloth covering subsequently secured to that frame. While these designs satisfactorily provide shade, these devices also generate a number of significant drawbacks. First, the rigid frame is generally time-consuming to assemble and mount to the kayak deck (and similarly time-consuming to dismount and disassemble after use). These frames also generally require the use of tools and other hardware for proper mounting and structural support. Second, these frames tend to be bulky and disrupt the weight and balance of the kayak such that the kayak is unable to perform as efficiently or as safely as originally provided by the kayak&#39;s designer. Third, the canopy cover material often used to provide the desired shade further upsets the kayak&#39;s balance by acting as a sail. Fourth, once installed on a kayak, these designs stay employed even if weather conditions change during the course of an outing. Lastly, the current systems are kayak model specific thereby requiring a retailer to stock a large number of canopy devices so as to ensure product availability. 
         [0006]    As such, there is a need for a kayak canopy which is selectively expandable or collapsible while also being quickly and easily mounted to/dismounted from a kayak deck (preferably without requiring the use of tools), utilizes a cover material which does not act as a sail when deployed, and is of a universal design so as to enable adoption of the canopy across an array of kayak designs or manufacturers. The present invention addresses these and other needs. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In general, one embodiment the present invention is directed to a collapsible canopy apparatus removably mounted on a kayak. The canopy apparatus is expandable to provide shade to a kayaker upon demand, but can be collapsed when not needed. The canopy apparatus is releasably mounted onto brackets secured to the kayak deck such that the canopy apparatus can be removed when the kayak is being transported. 
         [0008]    Preferably, an embodiment of a canopy apparatus for a kayak of the present invention comprises 1) a bracket configured to be mounted to a kayak deck and 2) a canopy. The canopy has a base member adapted to engage the bracket to releasably secure the canopy to the kayak deck. A canopy cover is pivotally connected to the base member and is selectively movable between collapsed and expanded positions. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment, the cover is constructed of a permeable fabric so as not to act as a sail. 
         [0010]    In yet a further embodiment, the bracket includes a swivel mechanism whereby the bracket can selectively pivot such that substantially all of the base member rests upon the kayak deck. 
         [0011]    In still a further embodiment, the bracket is mounted to the kayak deck with screws. And still further, elastic washers are secured between the screws and the bracket to ensure a watertight seal. 
         [0012]    A further embodiment has a gasket located between the bracket and the kayak deck to further ensure a watertight seal. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment includes a canopy having a plurality of ribs, wherein the cover is secured to the ribs through reinforcing panels. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment, the canopy further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the bracket to selectively control pivotal movement of the cover. 
         [0015]    In yet a further embodiment, the forward edge of the cover is adapted to carry a plurality of lights. And more preferably these lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs). And still more preferably, these lights are water-proof solar powered lights. 
         [0016]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention with the canopy in the open/expanded position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention, with the canopy in the collapsed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a detailed exploded view of a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a section view of a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a detailed section view of a canopy employed by a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a section view of a canopy apparatus in accordance with present invention, taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the canopy in the collapsed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a canopy apparatus in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . Canopy apparatus  10  is mounted to kayak deck  36  by way of opposing brackets  14 . Preferably, brackets  14  are positioned on the kayak deck  36  on either side of cockpit  38 , and more preferably are position in the latter third of the opening of cockpit  38  (i.e. toward the stern of the kayak). In this manner, when the canopy  12  is in the fully expanded (opened) position, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , forward edge  16  of the canopy extends the canopy to cover only a portion of the cockpit area. More preferably, the fully expanded canopy  12  covers that portion of the cockpit  38  which is situated above the head and/or shoulders of the kayaker seated within the cockpit. In this manner, a kayaker seated within the cockpit will not have his or her peripheral vision impeded by the canopy fabric, but will be protected from direct exposure to the sun should the sun be located directly overhead or behind the kayaker. In preferred embodiments, the fabric cover of canopy  12  is constructed of a permeable fabric which will allow breezes to pass through the cover fabric without generating drag or imparting a sail effect. More preferably, the permeable fabric is constructed of UV protective material and is fade resistant. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , shown are detailed views of an embodiment of the canopy apparatus  10  with canopy  12  in the collapsed position. When in the collapsed position, the canopy  12  is situated behind cockpit  38  with forward edge  16  lying proximate the kayak deck  36 . Canopy  12  includes a canopy base member  30  which is releasably secured within brackets  14 . In a preferred embodiment, canopy base member  30  is a rigid yet flexible tube-like member formed into a generally C-shaped semi-circle or semi-ellipse. Canopy base member  30  is preferably rigid enough to maintain its structure but remain flexible enough such that the opening angle and/or distance between opposing ends may be flexibly adjusted so as to fit kayak decks/cockpits having different widths. In this manner, a single canopy (with flexible canopy base member) can be utilized by any number of differing kayak styles or designs. 
         [0026]    As shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 3 , bracket  14  is a generally Y-shaped member comprised of a bracket base  20  and bracket channel  18  connected by a bracket post  21 . In preferred embodiments, canopy base member  30  is proportioned so as to releasably seat within channel  18 . Bracket channel  18  is preferably a tubular member having a generally C-shaped cross-section wherein opposing ends of the channel form a gap. More preferably, the width between the opposing ends of the channel forming the gap is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the tube. Canopy base member  30  preferably has an outer diameter slightly larger than the gap formed between the opposing ends of the channel but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube. In this manner the opposing ends of the open channel can flex outwardly to allow passage of canopy base member through the gap such that the canopy base member seats within the channel. The opposing ends can then relax, thereby contracting the gap opening and securing the base member within the bracket. To remove the base member, the kayaker will need to exert sufficient upward force on the canopy base member  30  so as to cause the opposing ends of bracket channel  18  to flex and widen the gap a sufficient degree to allow passage of the base member. 
         [0027]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , bracket base  20  includes one or more mounting holes  26  through which pass bracket screws  22 . Preferably, to prevent damage to the kayak deck  36  when mounting the brackets, kayak deck  36  includes complementary pilot holes  28  which accept bracket screws  22 . To ensure a watertight seal, bracket screws  22  may carry elastic washers  24  which seal mounting holes  26  upon tightening of the screws. An additional, optional, watertight seal may be created using a gasket  27  which is sized to seat between bracket base  26  and kayak deck  36  upon mounting of the bracket. It is further envisioned that a watertight seal may be made using a caulk around the edges of the mounted bracket  14 . In a preferred embodiment, bracket post  21  includes a locking swivel mechanism thereby allowing bracket channel  18  to rotate and/or pivot relative to the bracket base  20  which is secured to the kayak deck  36 . In this manner, the bracket channel  18  can be oriented such that substantially all of the canopy base member  30  rests upon kayak deck  36 . Thus, bracket  14  is able to accommodate kayaks having differently sloped deck bodies. 
         [0028]    A more detailed description of the operation of the canopy apparatus will be made with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 .  FIG. 4  is a section view of a canopy apparatus  10  in accordance with present invention, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , showing canopy  12  in the expanded position. As shown in  FIG. 4 , canopy  12  is secured proximate the kayak deck  36  at canopy base member  30 . Respective distal ends of each of a plurality of canopy ribs  32  and forward edge  16  are pivotally secured to canopy base member  30  proximate the respective distal ends of the base member  30 . In this manner canopy  12  extends in a generally arcuate manner by pivoting forward edge  16  over cockpit  38  (see  FIG. 1 ) such that the canopy ribs  32  fan out and support the fabric cover of canopy  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the forward edge and ribs are pivotally secured to the base member through a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism prevents, or at least inhibits, unintentional or unwanted expansion or collapsing of the canopy. That is, to adjust the degree of canopy opening, whether to be fully collapsed, fully expanded, or to an intermediate point, the kayaker must first unlock the mechanism to permit free pivoting of the forward edge/canopy ribs. Once the canopy is opened to the desired position, the locking mechanism is re-engaged thereby restricting any further pivoting of the canopy. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , each rib  32  is preferably supported within a dedicated reinforced rib pocket formed between canopy  12  and a reinforcing fabric panel  34 . Collapsing of the canopy (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) entails a generally stepwise collapse of the canopy ribs (and associated cover fabric  12 ) in an accordion-like manner. As such, canopy  12  is able to compactly collapse the forward edge  16  rearwardly so as to minimize any sight obstructions when the canopy is stowed. 
         [0030]    Also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6  is a further enhancement to the canopy apparatus  10 . In this embodiment, forward edge  16  is constructed of a water-proof light rope (with the fabric cover of canopy  12  secured thereto). The water-proof light rope is configured to carry a plurality of lights  17 . In preferred embodiments, these lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs) and can be any color or combination of colors as selected by the kayaker. More preferably, the LED light rope is solar powered. To that end, it is envisioned that the canopy cover material may operate as the solar energy collector used to charge the LED device. 
         [0031]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain aspects thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the aspects contained herein. 
         [0032]    All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.