Patent Publication Number: US-6666163-B2

Title: Adjustable boat top

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to boat tops that can be adjusted. More specifically, the present invention includes an adjustable boat top that can be lowered sufficiently close to the surface of the boat, for example, to permit the boat to travel under bridges and other obstructions that would otherwise preclude the movement and passage of a boat due to the height of a boat top. 
     Conventional boat tops provide protection from rain, intense sunlight, and other environmental factors. However, in many instances, a boat top may be a hindrance to a boater. A boat top can make the boat taller than it otherwise would be. Sometimes a boat cannot travel to a particular destination because of a bridge, low hanging tree branches, or other obstruction. It is often desirable to have the option of lowering the boat top to avoid such obstructions, while still allowing the boat to function in a normal manner. 
     Some adjustable boat tops are known, but there are several significant limitations with the existing art. Many such adjustable tops or covers do not permit the boat to operate in its normal manner when the top is adjusted or lowered. It is desirable for an adjustable top to have minimal impact on the operation of the boat. 
     Further, many adjustable tops or covers require that the top be folded, substantially altered, or even removed entirely from the boat in order to lower the top or cover. The lowering or raising of such boat tops or covers often requires a significant amount of time and effort on the part of the boater. Such functionality can also limit the potential strength of the boat top. It is desirable that an adjustable boat top require minimal time and effort to raise or lower the boat top. It is also desirable for the ability to raise or lower the boat top to have minimal impact with respect to the strength or rigidity of the boat top. 
     Moreover, adjustable tops in the existing art often impede a boater&#39;s use of the sides of the boat when the top is lowered. For example, in some prior art boat tops, one cannot fish off the side of a boat that has a lowered boat top. Such boats commonly have tops connected at the outermost edges of the boat. It is desirable for an adjustable boat top to be connected to the surface of the boat within the outer edges of the boat so that the sides of the boat are usable even when the boat top is in a fully lowered position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to an adjustable boat top, which can be lowered closer to the surface of the boat in order to permit the boat to travel under bridges and other obstructions that may otherwise preclude the movement of the boat. 
     The boat top is lowered as the boat top slides forward towards the front to the boat. The top frame of the boat top is supported by a forward frame and a rearward frame, both of which are connected to pivot structures on the deck surface. The pivot structures are unlocked so that the forward frame and rearward frame can pivot forward, allowing the boat top to be lowered. The process can be reversed, raising the top by pivoting the forward frame and rearward frame rearward. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the raising and lowering of the boat top is powered by a hydraulic piston. In alternative embodiments, the raising and lowering of the boat top can be done manually. The area of the boat vertically down from the pivots up to the top frame, and horizontally in from the pivot structures out to the edges of the boat, may be left unimpeded or obstructed by the boat top in either raised or lowered positions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an angled side view of the boat top in a partially lowered position, and a partial view of a boat. 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first side of the boat top in a fully raised position. 
     FIG. 2A shows a view of the slide mounts in the top frame. 
     FIG. 3 shows a side view of the first side of the boat top in a fully lowered position. 
     FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a boat and the boat top in a fully raised position. 
     FIG. 5 shows a front view of a boat and the boat top in a fully lowered position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A. Boat Top Structure 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses an example of an angled side view of a boat  10  and a boat top  17  in a partially lowered position. At the top of the boat top  17  is a top frame  30  which is supported by a forward frame  20  and a back or rearward frame  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the forward frame  20  includes a first forward leg  22  and a second forward leg  24 . Similarly, the rearward frame  50  preferably includes a first rearward leg  52  and a second rearward leg  51 . In alternative embodiments, the forward and rearward frames  20  and  50  may have as few as one leg, or as many legs as desired (i.e., to the extent that the raising and lowering of the top to sufficient heights is not materially impeded). If desired, the forward frame  20  may even have a different number of legs than the rearward frame  50 . 
     The top frame  30 , forward frame  20 , and rearward frame  50  are preferably comprised primarily of hollow aluminum pipe. However, the frames  20 ,  30 , and  50  are not material dependent and can utilize various different physical structures and can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials such as plastic, fiberglass, metal, wood, or any other substance capable of appropriately supporting the structure of the boat top  17 . The top frame  30  can be covered in a cloth, plastic, wood, or virtually any other form of cover to achieve the environmental protection desired from the boat top  17 . The boat top  17  can incorporate a symmetrical design from front view or rear view perspective, with the first side or starboard side of the boat top  17  being a mirror image of the second side or port side of the boat top  17 . The structure of the forward frame  20  can also be identical or substantially similar to the rearward frame  50 , but such an embodiment is not preferred because the lowering of the boat top  17  in a more “horizontal” manner relative to the deck, is preferably achieved by the coordinated pivoting forward of the rearward frame  50 , the forward frame  20 , and the top frame  30 . Often, this is facilitated by including an angle or bend in the legs of one of the frames  20 ,  50  (for an example see the bend in the rearward leg  52  in FIG. 2) 
     A top  26  portion of the first forward leg  22  supports and is connected to the top frame  30 . Similarly, a top portion  28  of the second forward leg  24  supports and is connected to the top frame  30 . The first forward leg  22  and the second forward leg  24  can be connected by a forward cross member  42 , hidden from view in FIG. 1 by the boat  10 . The forward cross member  42  can also be referred to as the “third cross member.” Preferably, the forward cross member  42  can be slidably adjusted upwards or downwards, allowing a boater to adjust how far forward and downward the boat top  17  can be lowered, as generally described in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, a first cross member  46  and a second cross member  47  connect the forward frame  20  to the rearward frame  50 . Such cross members  46 ,  47  are further described below, and can be viewed in FIGS. 2,  2 A and  3 . 
     Although not a requirement, the boat  10  can be controlled or operated from a control area  14 . When the boat top  17  is in a fully raised position, the control area  14  is preferably covered by the boat top  17  and the top frame  30 . When the boat top  17  is in a fully raised position, a rearward edge  58  of the boat top  17  is preferably to the rear of the control area  14  and a forward edge  59  is preferably closer to the forward side of the boat  10  than the control area  14 . When the boat top  17  is in a lowered position, the control area  14  is preferably to the rear of both the forward edge  59  and the rearward edge  58  of the boat top  17 . Regardless of whether the boat top  17  is in a fully raised or fully lowered state, or even in some in-between state; the locations the first edge  19  and second edge  18  of the top frame  30  are preferably independent of direct connection to the surface area or the railings  37  of the boat  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the position of the outer edges of the boat  10  are to the outside of positions of the first and second edges  19  and  18  of the boat top  17 . This permits the area from the outer edges  19  and  18  of the boat top  17  to the outer edges of the boat to be unimpeded and unaffected by the raising or lowering of the boat top  17 . 
     Beneath the forward frame  20  and rearward frame  50  is the surface of the boat. It can be desirable but not necessary for the top frame  30  to be substantially parallel with the surface of the boat  10 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base of the first forward leg  22  includes a first forward pivot structure  32  and the base of the second forward leg  24  includes a second forward pivot structure  34 . Similarly, the base of the first rearward leg  52  preferably includes a first rearward pivot structure  44  and the base of the second rearward leg  51  preferably includes a second rearward pivot structure  45 . Examples of the pivot structures can be viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. The unlocking of the pivot structures  32  and  34  on the surface  36  of the boat can facilitate the lowering or raising of the boat top  17 . A wide variety of pivot structures are known in the art, and may be used with the present invention. 
     If desired, the raising and lowering of the boat top  17  can be assisted by one or more assist mechanisms connecting the top frame  30  to either the forward frame  20  or the rearward frame  50 . For example and without limitation, a first assist  54  can connect the first forward leg  22  to the top frame  30 . A second assist  55  can connect the second forward leg  24  to the top frame  30 . In alternative embodiments, no assists are necessary, but such embodiments may include one, three, or even more than three assists. The assist mechanisms  54  and  55  can include hydraulic pistons filled with gas and accompanied by spring mechanisms. If desired, the pistons can be activated in a powered and automatic fashion with the push of a button. Further, numerous powered or manual mechanisms may be used to assist a boater in the raising or lowering of the boat top  17 . Assist mechanisms can incorporate a wide variety of conventional structures and components to accomplish the aforementioned tasks. However, the present invention does not require assist mechanisms in order to function. 
     B. Side View of Boat Top in a Fully Raised Position 
     FIG. 2 discloses an example of view of a first side of the boat top  17  in a fully raised position. In a preferred embodiment, the second side of the boat top  17  is identical or substantially similar to the first side of the boat top  17 . Thus, the top frame  30 , forward frame  20 , and rearward frame  50  can be symmetrical when viewed from the front, e.g. the right and left sides may be mirror images of each other. Thus, each of elements and components on the first, right, or starboard side of the boat top  17  can block from view in FIG. 2, a symmetrical element or component on the second, left, or port side of the boat top  17  when the boat top  17  is viewed from the side. 
     At the top of the boat top  17  is the top frame  30 . The top frame  30  is preferably supported by and connected to the top of the forward frame  20  and the top of the rearward frame  50 . It is preferable but not necessary for the top frame  20  to be substantially parallel with the deck surface of the boat  10 . The boat top  17  can function properly with an irregular deck surface or with an irregular shaped top frame  30 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the top frame  30  includes a first slide mount  56  and a second slide mount  57 . The first slide mount  56  is preferably supported by the first forward leg  22  and the first rearward leg  52 . Preferably, the first forward leg  22  is connected to the first slide mount  56  by the top  26  portion of the first forward leg  22  and the first rearward leg  52  is connected to the first slide mount  56  by the top  27  portion of the first rearward leg  52 . A second slide mount  57  can be similarly connected to the second forward leg  24  and the second rearward leg  51 . 
     Further, in a preferred embodiment, the first forward pivot structure  32  connects the first forward leg  22  to the surface of the boat  10 . The first rearward pivot structure  44  can connect the first rearward leg  52  to the surface of the boat  10 . A second rearward leg  53  can be connected to the surface of the boat  10  by a second rearward pivot structure  45 , and a second forward leg  34  can be connected to the surface of the boat  10  by a second forward pivot structure  34 . 
     Preferably, a first cross member  46  connects the first forward leg  22  to the first rearward leg  52 . In an embodiment with symmetrical left and right sides, a second cross member  47  can connect the second forward leg  24  to the second rearward leg  51 . The slidably adjustable forward cross member  42  connects the first forward leg  22  to the second forward leg  24 . Alternative embodiments can incorporate numerous different variations with respect to cross members. Cross members are often useful for facilitating the coordinated raising or lowering of the boat top  17 , but are not needed for the present invention to function. The third cross member  42  (which can also be called the slidably adjustable forward cross member  42 ) can allow a boater to control or adjust the ratio of horizontal to vertical distances involved in the lowering of the boat top  17 . The lowering of the boat top  17  can move the boat top  17  in a forward direction as the boat top  17  is lowered. 
     Attached to the first rearward leg  48  is preferably the top end of a first brake  48 . The bottom end of the first brake  48  does not touch other components of the boat top  17  while the boat top  17  is in a fully raised position in a preferred embodiment. A second brake  49  can be attached to the second rearward leg  51 . VELCRO straps, string, rope, or other mechanical constraints may be used to restrain the unattached end of the brakes  48  and  49  when the boat top  17  is in a fully raised position, until such time as the boat top  17  is to be lowered. 
     When the boat top  17  is in a fully lowered position, the bottom end of the first brake  48  can rest against the first forward pivot structure  32  and the second brake  49  can rest against the second forward pivot structure  34 . It can serve to resist the force of the pivot structures  32  and  34  against the brakes  48  and  49  and prevent movement of the boat top  17  beyond a desired fully lowered position. 
     In order to facilitate the raising and lowering of the boat top  17 , one or more assist mechanisms can be connected to the top frame  30 . An assist can be attached at one end to the top frame  30  and to the front  20  or rearward  50  frame on the other end of the assist. More than one assist  54  can be used. The first assist  54  can be connected to the first front leg  22  and the first slide mount  56  and the second assist  55  can be connected to the second front leg  24  and the second slide mount  57 . The piston assists  54  can be gas filled hydraulic pistons with a spring mechanism, but alternative embodiments can utilize other forms and degrees of automation. The assists are generally described above. 
     C. Slide Mount View 
     FIG. 2A discloses an example a view of a slide mount representative of both the first slide mount  56  and the second slide mount  57 . A roller  62  can permit movement along a rail  60 . Preferably, the roller  62  includes a first rail  60  for the first slide mount  56  and a second rail  60  for the second slide mount  57 . In most instances, at least two rollers  60  are used for each slide mount to facilitate the lowering and raising of the boat top  17 . Alternative embodiments may utilize fewer than two rollers  60 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the lowering of the boat top  17  involves moving the boat top  17  in a forward direction as the rollers  62  roll forward in the first and second rails  60 , connected respectively in the first and second slide mounts  56  and  57 . There are many potential different configurations of rails to slide mounts that could be incorporated by an embodiment of the invention. 
     D. Lowering the Boat Top 
     To facilitate the lowering of the boat top  17 , the pivot structures  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  37  connecting the boat top  17  to the surface  37  of the boat can be released or unlocked to permit rotation. The pivots structures  32 ,  42 ,  36 , and  37  can incorporate a wide variety of different techniques and structures for permitting or precluding movement of the boat top  17 . Any pivot structure capable of being locked/unlocked to either permit or not permit movement by the boat top  17  can be used. The unlocking or release of the pivot structures  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  37  can be accomplished by either manual or powered means. If powered means are used, the same triggering mechanism for triggering the assists  54  and  55  can also be used to trigger the unlocking of the pivot structures  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  37 . Unlocking the pivot structures permits the forward frame  20  and rearward frame  50  to pivot towards a forward section  64  of the boat and boat surface  36 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the top frame  30  remains “substantially rigid” while in a fully raised position, a fully lowered position, in a state of being lowered, or a state of being raised. As used herein, the term “substantially rigid” means that the structure of the top frame  30  remains substantially unaltered, i.e., not folded, rolled up, bent, twisted, collapsed etc., so as to maintain substantially the same overall dimensions and measurements in the lowered position as in the fully raised position. 
     Upon unlocking or release, the forward frame  20  and rearward frame  50  may be pivoted towards the forward section  64  of the boat. In a preferred embodiment, all portions of the boat top  17  are pivoted in a coordinated manner. This movement of the boat top  17  can be aided by whatever assistance  54  mechanism is incorporated into the particular embodiment of the invention. This process can involve pivoting forward all of the legs  20 ,  22 ,  50 , and  51  included in the forward frame  20  and rearward frame  50 . While the frames  20  and  50  are pivoting forward, rollers  62  allow the top frame  30  to be lowered while the top frame  30  moves towards the forward section  64  of the boat. The top frame  30  preferably remains rigid and substantially parallel with surface  36  of the boat as the boat top  17  is lowered. In alternative embodiments, the top frame  30  does not need to be substantially parallel with the surface  36  of the boat and the top frame  30  can be subject to folding or other manipulation. The areas between the out edges of the boat top  17  and the boat  10  itself can remain unimpeded and unblocked during the lowering of the boat top  17 , as is described in greater detail below. 
     The boat top  17  can continue to be lowered while moving towards the forward section  64  of the boat surface until further pivoting movement is prohibited by one or more brakes  48  and  49 , some other structure in the boat top  17 , or by some form of recess or external means associated with the front of the boat, such as a pedestal, horizontal formation, brace, stand or a “catch” on the front of the boat  10  that prohibits further forward movement by the boat top  17  and/or secures the top  17 . When the boat top  17  is in a fully lowered position, a rear member  58  on the top frame  30  can be positioned horizontally closer to the forward section of the boat than the forward pivots  44  and  32 . The boat can be controlled from the section of the boat underneath the boat top  17  and top frame  30  while the boat is being raised or lowered, and when the boat top  17  is in a fully raised or fully lowered position. 
     E. Side View of the Boat Top in a Fully Lowered Position 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an examples of a first side view of the boat top  17  in a fully lowered position. FIG. 3 is an example of a first side of a boat top in a fully lowered position. In the example in FIG. 3, the first side of the boat top  17  is symmetrical with the second side of the boat top  17 , and thus the first side blocks the second side from view in the Figure. However, the present invention does not require symmetrical sides in order for the invention to function. Moreover, the invention does not require two-legged front and rear frames  50  and  20  in order for the boat top  17  to function. 
     A rear member  58  of the top frame  30  can be horizontally closer to the forward section  64  of the boat  10  than the first forward pivot structures  32  and  34 . All four legs  22 ,  24 ,  51 , and  52  can be pivoted as far in the forward direction as the brakes  48  and  49 , or other intended obstruction permit. 
     The coordinated fashion of the pivoting of the frames can be evidenced by the continued symmetrical nature of the first and second sides of the boat top  17  even when the boat top is in a fully lowered position. In a preferred embodiment, the second slide mount  57  is symmetrical with the first slide mount  56  and the second forward leg  24  is symmetrical with the first forward leg  22 . Preferably, the second rearward leg  51  is symmetrical with the first rearward leg  52  and the second assist  55  is symmetrical with the first assist  54 . The second cross member  47  is also preferably symmetrical the first cross member  46 , but need not be. Alternative embodiments may utilize different frame structures including a non-symmetrical frame structures as discussed above, and thus the first side of the boat top  17  need not always be symmetrical with the second side of the boat top  17 . 
     F. Raising the Boat Top 
     Raising the boat top  17  can be essentially the same process as lowering the boat top  17 , except with the steps generally reversed. In a preferred embodiment, the assists  54  and  55  are used to power the pivoting backwards of the boat top  17 . The same ends may be accomplished through a variety of manual or other means in alternative embodiments. Pivoting the boat top  17  in the rearward direction will preferably release the pressure on the brakes  48  and  49  or other form of intentional obstruction (if any) from needing to restrain the forward and rearward frames  20  and  50 . As the boat top  17  is raised, it also moves in a rearward direction towards the rear of the boat top  17  and the boat. Rollers  62  may move rearward along the rails  60 . 
     The top frame  30  can remain substantially parallel with the deck surface  36  during the raising of the boat top  17 . The top frame  30  can remain substantially rigid during the raising of the boat top  17 . When the boat top  17  reaches a fully raised position, the pivots  32 ,  34 ,  44 , and  45  can preclude any more movement in the rearward direction, and the pivots  32 ,  34 ,  44 , and  45  can then be locked. 
     G. Attachment of the Boat Top to the Boat 
     Unlike some prior art flexible boat tops, the present invention does not require the boat top  17  to be attached to the outer side or rail of the boat  10 . FIG. 4 is an example of a boat top  17  in a fully raised position. The boat top  17  can be attached to the surface  36  of the boat  10 , and thus does not need to be attached to the outer railing of the boat  37 . Preferably, the outer right edge  37  of the boat  10  is further to the right than the right edge  19  of the top frame  30  and the outer left edge  37  of the boat  10  is further to the left than the left edge  18  of the top frame  30 . The lowering of the boat top  17  can be accomplished without impeding a boater&#39;s use of areas between the right edge  19  of the top frame  30  and the right edge  37  of the boat  10 , and between the left edge  18  of the top frame  30  and the left edge  37  of the boat  10 . 
     The unimpeded areas can be seen in FIG. 5, which is an example of a boat top  17  in a fully lowered position. The unimpeded areas can be as large or small as desired. On the port side of the boat  10 , the area between the edge  18  of the boat top  17  and the surface  37  of the boat  10  can be unimpeded. On the starboard side of the boat  10 , the area between the edge  19  of the boat top  17  and the surface of the boat  10  can be unimpeded. 
     Raising of the boat top  17  does not affect use of the first area  40  of the second area  38 . The boat can be controlled from the area under the top frame  30  and the boat top  17  during the raising of the boat top  17 . 
     While exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, such disclosure is by way of illustration and not limitation. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments, as shown and/or described above, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims, which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.