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:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Provisional patent application for FTT Clamp 60/546001 dated Feb. 22, 2004  
                                                           5,520,139   King   1996           409,972   Todd   1999           60/269634   Jones   Feb. 20, 2001                      
 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     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.  
         [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     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 a typical 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.  
       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 Trampoline Top (FTT) Clamp are, the FTT 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 FTT (boat canopy) on or off the water. The structural integrity of the tower and FTT frame is not compromised by need for drilling holes for fasteners through the framework. It makes the installation of the FTT easier. It makes the FTT possible for the professionals and consumer to install. It allows for fme tuning and minor adjustments during and after instillation. The heavy duty clamps designed for the application do not wear out with boat vibration. Front lever with quick pin eliminates the need to align pins through holes. 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 are easy to operate when deploying/collapsing the FTT. 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 FTT in a tower with relationship to a boat.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  clamp assembly  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  clamp assembly exploded view  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  clamp apparatus  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  clamp apparatus with clamping lever  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  clamp apparatus bottom view  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  clamp apparatus top view  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  clamp apparatus adjustment rotation  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  pivot mount assembly  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  pivot mount assembly exploded view  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  pivot mount back view  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  pivot mount end view  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  pivot mount adjustment rotation  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  pivot mount bracket alternate  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  pivot mount bracket alternate  
       REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 boat 
                 12 tower 
               
               
                 14 FTT (folding trampoline top) 
                 16 A-B clamping assembly 
               
               
                 18 A-B pivot mount assembly 
                 20 main clamp 
               
               
                 22 clamp assembly 
                 24 fastening device 
               
               
                 26 A-B fastening device 
                 28 mounting base 
               
               
                 30 main clamp bracket 
                 32 main clamp brackets 
               
               
                 34 fastening device 
                 36 A-B adjustable fastening slots 
               
               
                 38 clamp lever 
                 40 A-B fastening holes 
               
               
                 42 pivot point 
                 44 clamp base 
               
               
                 46 pivot bracket 
                 48 A-B fastening devices 
               
               
                 50 fastening device 
                 52 A-B adjustable fastening slots 
               
               
                 54 fastener hole 
                 56 tower framework 
               
               
                 58 canopy framework 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     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 FTT (Folding Trampoline Top) as described in provisional patent 60/269634 Feb.  20 ,  2001 . This top is specifically designed to fit within the boat tower. One way to fasten the FTT 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 FTT 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 finctions 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. Misalignment of locking pin holes with any flexing of the rear bolts. It does not have the ability to provide proper structural strength with the spacing on the rear or front legs of the tower. It is impossible to remove the FTT from the tower with out permanent holes/damage to the tower. The pins are awkward to use and align when deploying the FTT. The overall appearance of the craftsmanship looks substandard.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a boat  10  with a tower  12 . It shows a boat canopy  14  otherwise known as a FTT being secured to the boat tower  12  with clamp assembly  16  A-B and pivot assembly  18  A-B.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of clamp assembly  16  showing the clamp assembly  22  securing to the canopy framework  14  with a fastener the main clamp  20  is secured to the tower framework  12  the clamp assembly  22  is secured to the main clamp  20  with fasteners  26 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the clamp assembly  16  the fastening devices  26  A-B secure the clamp assembly  22  with the mounting slots  36  to the mounting base  28  fastening device  34  secures the main clamp bracket  32  to the mounting base  30 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the clamp assembly  22  with clamp lever  38  and clamp base  44  with fastening slots  36  A-B.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates an open side view of clamp assembly  22  the motion of clamp lever  38  connected with a pivot point  42  to clamp base  44  with the FTT framework  14  being secured with the motion of lever  38  and further secured by a fastener through the fastening holes  40  A-B.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates a closed side view of clamp assembly  22  with clamp lever  38  connected to clamp base  44  with the securing hole  40 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates a closed side view of clamp assembly  22  with clamp lever  38  connected to clamp base  44  with the pivot point  42 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates the infinite rotation of the clamp assembly  22  in conjunction with the main clamp  20 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  illustrates a pivot mount assembly  18  secured to the framework of a boat tower  12  with a pivot mount  46  mounted to a main clamp  20  with fasteners  48  A-B.  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded view of rear pivot assembly  18  the fasteners  48  A-B secure the pivot bracket  46  to the mounting base  28  the fasteners  34  secure the main clamp bracket  32  to the main clamp base  30  the fastener  50  secures the pivot assembly  18  to the canopy.  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the pivot bracket  46  with the adjustable mounting slots  52  A-B and a fastening hole  54 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the pivot bracket  46  with a fastening hole  54 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 13  illustrates the infinite rotation of pivot bracket  46  in conjunction with main clamp  20 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 14  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the pivot bracket  46  with the adjustable mounting slots  52  A-B and a fastening hole  54 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 15  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the pivot bracket  46  with the adjustable mounting slots  52  A-B and a fastening hole  54 .