Abstract:
An example canopy according to this disclosure includes, among other things, a column, and support including a track extending in a longitudinal direction. The support is connected to the column. The canopy further includes a frame member, and at least one follower connected to the frame member. The at least one follower is received in the track such that the frame member is slidable in the longitudinal direction.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/888,056, filed Oct. 8, 2013, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Boats are often stored on a hoist adjacent a dock. Such hoists may include a fixed canopy covering the boat from above. In other examples, boats are moored in a body of water (e.g., not on a hoist) under a fixed canopy. In either case, the canopy is intended to protect the boat from the sun, wind, rain and other elements. 
     SUMMARY 
     An illustrative example canopy includes a column, and a support including a track extending in a longitudinal direction. The support is connected to the column. The canopy further includes a frame member, and at least one follower connected to the frame member. The at least one follower is received in the track such that the frame member is moveable in the longitudinal direction. 
     Another example canopy includes a support having a track extending in a longitudinal direction, and a frame member moveable in the longitudinal direction. In this example canopy, a horizontal dimension of the frame member is adjustable. 
     A further example canopy includes a support extending in a longitudinal direction. The canopy also includes a first frame member connected to a first trolley. The first frame member is moveable in the longitudinal direction between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The canopy additionally includes a second frame member connected to a second trolley. The second frame member is moveable in the longitudinal direction between the collapsed position and the expanded position. In this example, when the first and second frame members are in the collapsed position, the first and second trolleys at least partially overlap one another in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an example hoist. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example hoist. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a canopy support and a plurality of frame members in a collapsed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a canopy with the frame members in an expanded position. In  FIG. 4 , a fabric layer is provided over the frame members, which are shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a first canopy support arrangement. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a second canopy support arrangement. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the followers of the canopy support of  FIG. 6  within a respective track. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another canopy support arrangement. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example track including a side curtain channel and a light channel. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a canopy having an adjustable width frame member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an example hoist  20 . The hoist  20  includes a plurality of columns  22  extending upward from a sea or lake bottom  24 . The hoist  20  may include a vertically moveable boat support  26 , which may be operated by a known manual or automatic lifting mechanism. 
     A slip  28  is defined between the columns  22 . The columns  22  are spaced-apart from one another to provide the slip  28  with a width W corresponding to an expected width, or horizontal dimension, of a boat  30 . As known, the boat  30  enters and exits the slip  28  in a longitudinal direction, along the length L of the slip  28 . 
     A canopy support  32  is supported near the top of the columns  22 . The canopy support  32  in this example includes a pair of longitudinal supports  32 L extending substantially parallel to the length L of the slip  28 , and a pair of cross supports  32 W extending between the longitudinal supports  32 L in the direction of the width W of the slip  28 . In some examples, the cross supports  32 W are not required. In examples where the cross supports  32 W are included, the cross supports  32 W may be removable or retractable. 
     The canopy support  32  supports a retractable canopy  34 . Use of the term “canopy” in this document refers to the retractable canopy  34  and the corresponding support structure, including components of the canopy support  32  and the corresponding supports associated with the hoist  20 . 
     The retractable canopy  34  is configured to be selectively expanded and collapsed to cover and expose the deck of the boat  30 , respectively. In particular, the effective length of the retractable canopy  34  is adjustable between a collapsed length L 1  (seen from above in  FIG. 3 ) and a fully expanded length L 2  (seen from above in  FIG. 4 ). The fully expanded length L 2  in one example is substantially equal to the length of the longitudinal supports  32 L. The effective length of the retractable canopy  34  may further be adjusted to any length between the collapsed length L 1  and the fully expanded length L 2  to selectively expose a desired portion of the deck of the boat  30 . While the retractable canopy  34  is situated above the hoist  20 , it should be understood that the canopy could be situated in another location where adjustability of a covering is desired, such as in applications where a boat is covered adjacent a dock without being placed on a hoist. 
     The retractable canopy  34  may be expanded and collapsed manually or automatically. In the former case, a user may physically slide the retractable canopy  34  using a tool or the user&#39;s hands, as examples. In the latter case, the retractable canopy  34  may be fit with one or more actuators, a reel, and a cable, for example, to selectively move the canopy in response to commands from a user-controlled interface. 
     The example retractable canopy  34  includes a plurality of frame members  36  (perhaps best seen in  FIG. 2 ) supporting a fabric layer  38  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The frame members  36  generally resemble an inverted U-shape. In one example, the fabric layer  38  is canvas, although other suitable fabrics may be used. The fabric layer  38  may be a single piece of fabric, or may include several pieces of fabric. 
     The frame members  36  are configured to travel in the longitudinal direction L along the canopy support  32  to facilitate adjusting the effective length of the retractable canopy  34 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , each frame member  36  includes a trolley  40  near the two ends of the frame member  36 . Each trolley  40  includes followers  42 , which in this example are wheels. The followers are configured to move along, and “follow” the track. The followers  42  do not need to be wheels, and could be another type of slider or roller. 
     In this example, the track  44  is integrated into one of the longitudinal supports  32 L. In one example, the longitudinal supports  32 L are extruded pieces of aluminum, and the track  44  is integrally formed during the extrusion process. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to extruded aluminum, however. Other manufacturing techniques, and other materials, such as steel, may be used. 
     The frame members  36  may be moveable independent from one another, or may be linked together (e.g., by a semi-rigid connector or the fabric layer  38 ) for increased stability. Further, while the illustrated trolleys  40  include two followers  42 , the trolleys  40  may include any number of followers, although having at least two followers  42  may provide increased stability relative to a trolley  40  having only one follower. 
     The example of  FIG. 5  includes a fixed frame member  36 F provided at one end of the canopy support  32 . In this example, the fixed frame member  36 F does not translate along the canopy support  32 , and remains fixed in place near one end of the longitudinal supports  32 L. Some example embodiments do not include a fixed frame member  36 F. It may be desirable for all of the frame members  36  to be moveable, to selectively expose different portions of the boat  30  at different times (e.g., depending on the location of the sun). 
     While a single track  44  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the longitudinal supports  32 L can include multiple tracks. For instance, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7 , the longitudinal supports  32 L include vertically aligned tracks. As illustrated, the longitudinal supports include a first, upper track  44 A and second, lower track  44 B arranged vertically below the first track  44 A. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a first frame member  36 A is connected to a first trolley  40 A, which is moveable along the first, upper track  44 A. The second frame member  36 B is connected to a second trolley  40 B, which is moveable along the second, lower track  44 B. While the frame members  36 A,  36 B are illustrated as being separate from the trolleys  40 A,  40 B, the frame members  36 A,  36 B could be integrally formed with the trolleys  40 A,  40 B. 
     When the retractable canopy  34  is collapsed, the first trolley  40 A is positioned vertically above the second trolley  40 B. Accordingly, when the retractable canopy  34  is collapsed, the first and second frame members  36 A,  36 B are situated relatively close to one another in the longitudinal direction L when compared to the example of  FIG. 5  (where there is only a single track). The closer longitudinal positions of the frame members  36  in this example provides the retractable canopy  34  with a reduced collapsed length L 1 . Providing at least a partial vertical overlap between adjacent trolleys or trolley followers reduces the length of the canopy in the collapsed position. It should be understood that while only two frame members  36 A,  36 B are illustrated in  FIG. 6 , any number of frames can be included along the length of the canopy support  32 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment for packaging adjacent trolleys  40 A,  40 B. In this example, the longitudinal supports  32 L include horizontally aligned, side-by-side tracks  46 A,  46 B. The frame member  36 B is attached to a horizontal adapter  48 , such that the trolley  40 B is horizontally offset, in the direction of the width W, from the trolley  40 A. Similar to  FIGS. 6-7 , the trolleys  40 A,  40 B do not interfere with one another, and are arranged horizontally side-by-side when the retractable canopy  34  is collapsed. Again, this provides a reduced collapsed length L 1  for the retractable canopy  34  compared to example where both trolleys  40 A,  40 B would have their followers in the same track. 
     It should be noted that, while  FIGS. 6-8  show the longitudinal supports  32 L as having only two tracks (e.g.,  44 A,  44 B and  46 A,  46 B), the longitudinal supports  32 L could include additional tracks. Additional tracks may allow for tighter packaging of trolleys in some examples, which in turn leads to a reduced collapsed length L 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the longitudinal supports  32 L may optionally include a side curtain channel  49  and a light channel  50 . The side curtain channel  49  may support a side curtain  52  of a desired (or adjustable) length, to cover the sides of the boat  30  or otherwise establish a vertical barrier along the edges of the area beneath the retractable canopy  34 . The light channel  50  is configured to support a light  54 , such as an LED rope, which may be used to illuminate the interior of the slip  28 . 
     The channels  49 ,  50  are formed integrally with the respective longitudinal support  32 L during an extrusion process, in one example. The cross supports  32 W may also include side curtain channels  49  and light channels  50 . The longitudinal and cross supports  32 L,  32 W may also include channels configured to receive fasteners to connect the supports  32 L,  32 W to one another, and to the columns  22 . 
     The disclosed retractable canopy  34  may be retrofit to an existing hoist, or sold together with a new hoist. In the example where the retractable canopy  34  is retrofit to an existing hoist  20 , the width of the retractable canopy  34  may be adjustable to accommodate different hoist sizes. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each of the frame members  36  may be provided with a width adjustment feature  56 . The width adjustment feature  56  in this example is provided by a first telescopic member  36 T 1  which is configured to at least partially telescopically receive a moveable second telescopic member  36 T 2 . A third telescopic member (not illustrated) may be positioned on the opposite side of the frame  36 , although the third frame member is not required in all examples. 
     An inner one of the first and second telescopic members  36 T 1 ,  36 T 2  may include a biased pin, and the other of the first and second telescopic members  36 T 1 ,  36 T 2  may include a plurality of openings to receive the biased pin. Other adjustment mechanisms for setting a desired width of the frame members  36  may be used instead of a biased pin. 
     In examples where the frame member  36  is adjustable in the direction of the width W, the retractable canopy  34  may include one or more fabric shingles  58 . While not illustrated, another shingle may be provided on the opposite side of the frame member  36  to accommodate additional width adjustment. In one example, a fabric shingle  58  is provided by a relatively rigid flap  60  secured to a first piece of fabric  38 A. The flap  60  vertically overlaps a second piece of fabric  38 B. This overlap is shown at “0” in  FIG. 10 . As the frame member  36  is adjusted in the direction of the width W, the pieces of fabric  38 A,  38 B remain vertically overlapped. The flap  60  further provides a ventilation feature allowing the egress of air A from within the slip  28 , which minimizes stresses from wind and prevents mold formation. Further, providing multiple pieces of fabric may reduce the expense of maintaining the retractable canopy  34 , as the smaller individual pieces of fabric (e.g.,  38 A,  38 B) can be replaced (if needed over time) as opposed to a larger single piece of fabric. 
     The example canopy sufficiently covers and protects a boat when expanded, while also allowing for exposure of the boat deck to sunlight, for example, to allow individuals to use the boat deck as an enjoyable outdoor space while the boat is in the hoist area, or to allow the boat to be moored while air-drying. 
     Some of the illustrated features provide tight packaging for the trolleys, to minimize the collapsed length of the retractable canopy, which leads to increased deck exposure. Further, the retractable canopy may include an adjustable width, which increases the ease of retrofitting the canopy to an existing hoist. 
     Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, other embodiments are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. 
     One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.