Abstract:
Disclosed is a ratchet for a frame system including at least a first frame section and a second frame section, the ratchet including a ratchet mount affixable to the first frame section; a ratchet hinge that is rotatably associated with said ratchet mount, said ratchet hinge being affixable to the second frame section; and a ratchet locking device configured to releasably lock said ratchet hinge at desirable angles relative to said ratchet mount. Further disclosed is a frame system with foldable features, the system including a first frame section rotatably associated with a second frame section via a ratchet, said ratchet allowing said first frame section and said second frame section to be foldable towards and away from each other, wherein said ratchet is configured to releasably lock said second frame section at desirable angles relative to said first frame section.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/740,918 filed on Dec. 21, 2012. The contents of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/740,918 are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates generally to a ratchet for use in a frame system, and more particularly to a ratchet for use in a frame system with foldable or rotatable elements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Foldable frames are useful in various applications, such as those involving stowable canopy tops for recreation vehicles (particularly wake/arch towers and boat decks used on boating vessels). These frames are typically foldable between “open” and “closed” positions, with the open position requiring extendable support structures that hold the frame in an open position, and with the closed position requiring the support structure to be stowed. These support structures, such as support poles, are adequate at holding a frame in the open position, but can detract from aesthetic appeal and can be difficult to stow. In addition, support structures in the form of maneuverable poles may only provide for configurability into an open position and a closed position Indeed, such support structures typically offer very little option for configuring the frame in a position(s) “between” the open and closed position. 
         [0004]    For at least the above reasons, a foldable frame with less cumbersome support structures and a greater selection of support positions would be desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Disclosed is a ratchet for a frame system including at least a first frame section and a second frame section, the ratchet including a ratchet mount affixable to the first frame section; a ratchet hinge that is rotatably associated with said ratchet mount, said ratchet hinge being affixable to the second frame section; and a ratchet locking device configured to releasably lock said ratchet hinge at desirable angles relative to said ratchet mount. 
         [0006]    Further disclosed is a frame system with foldable features, the system including a first frame section rotatably associated with a second frame section via a ratchet, said ratchet allowing said first frame section and said second frame section to be foldable towards and away from each other, wherein said ratchet is configured to releasably lock said second frame section at desirable angles relative to said first frame section. 
         [0007]    Further disclosed is a ratchet for a frame system including at least a first frame section and a second frame section configurable between an open, separated position and closed, compacted position, the ratchet including a ratchet mount affixable to the first frame section; and a ratchet hinge that is rotatably associated with said ratchet mount, said ratchet hinge being affixable to the second frame section; wherein said ratchet mount and ratchet hinge are configured to support the frame system in the open, separated position absent assistance from one or more additional support devices. 
         [0008]    Further disclosed is a frame system with foldable features, the system including a first frame section rotatably associated with a second frame section via a ratchet, said ratchet being configured to allow said second frame section to fold towards said first frame section into a closed position, and allow said second frame section to unfold away said first frame section into an open position, wherein said ratchet is configured to support said first frame section and said second frame section in said open position absent assistance from one or more additional support devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art frame in an open position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a prior art frame in a closed position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a foldable frame system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side elevation view of a foldable frame system such as that shown in  FIG. 3  in an open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side elevation view of a foldable frame system such as that shown in  FIG. 3  in a closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side elevation view of a foldable frame system such as that shown in  FIG. 3  in an open position with an alternative frame configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a ratchet such as that shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a ratchet such as that shown in  FIG. 3  in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a ratchet such as that shown in  FIG. 3  in a closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a foldable frame system in accordance with another alternate embodiment; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a foldable frame system in accordance with another alternate embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following disclosure will detail particular embodiments according to the present invention, which provides a ratchet for use in a frame system, and more particularly to a ratchet for use in a frame system with foldable or rotatable elements. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the disclosure. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a prior art version of a boat tower  10  is shown. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the tower  10  includes a foldable frame  12  that is supported in an open position  14  by support poles  16 , which act to tension and secure the top. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the poles  16  may create a cluttered appearance. Further, referring to  FIG. 2 , poles  16  must be stowed when the top/frame is in a stowed/closed position  18 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-9 , a foldable frame system  20  including a ratchet  22  that eliminates the need for the above discussed support poles is shown. Similarly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame system  20  is shown in use with a boat tower. The wake/arch towers of  FIGS. 3-6  include a foldable frame  24  with a first frame section  26  and a second frame section  28 . These sections are rotatably associated via the ratchet  22 . A description of the ratchet  22  and frame system  20  follows below. 
         [0024]    As is shown best in  FIGS. 7-9 , the ratchet  22  includes a ratchet mount  30  and a ratchet hinge  32  that is rotatably associated with the ratchet mount  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ratchet hinge  32  and ratchet mount  30  may utilize any ratcheting device, such as but not limited to a ratchet spline and pawl mechanism. The spline and pawl mechanism may be used in conjunction with a locking handle  40  to allow releasably locking rotation in a desired direction. Locking handle  40  may be moved between detents  33  and  35  to determine the selected direction of rotation between ratchet hinge  32  and ratchet mount  30 , wherein the ratchet spline mechanism does not allow rotation in the non-selected direction. Detents  33  and  35  may be configured to limit rotation to a clockwise  39  or counterclockwise  37  direction contingent on the detent  33 , 35  selected by locking handle  40 . Detents  33 , 35  may be configured to limit or lock rotation in either rotational direction  37  or  39 . 
         [0025]    For example, if detent  33  is selected by locking handle  40  to allow clockwise rotation  39  (and not allow counterclockwise rotation  37 ), ratchet hinge  32  may rotate relative to ratchet mount  30  freely in a clockwise direction  39 , but would be rotationally locked from rotating in a counterclockwise rotation direction  37 . If counterclockwise rotation  37  of ratchet hinge  32  relative to ratchet mount  30  is then desired, detent  35  may be selected by locking handle  40  to allow counterclockwise rotation  37  of ratchet hinge  32  relative to ratchet mount  30 . When detent  35  is selected, ratchet hinge  32  would be rotationally locked from rotating in a clockwise rotation  39  direction relative to ratchet mount  30 . 
         [0026]    The ratchet mount  30  may include a concavity corresponding to the curvature of a mounting surface, such as the surface of first frame section  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The concavity of ratchet mount  30  assists in associating the mount  30  with a curved or tubular frame section, such as a wake/arch tower (or portion thereof). With the body of the first frame potion  26  nested within the concavity of the mount  30 , the ratchet  22  may be affixed to the first frame section  26  via any known releasable or more permanent means for fixing, such as but not limited to frictional fitting, a locking mechanism, a threaded association, welding, adhesive, or thread and loop associations. 
         [0027]    In addition, the ratchet hinge  32  includes a cavity section  34  that defines pole cavity  36  that is shaped for accepting an end  38  of the second frame section  28  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Similarly to the first section  26 , the ratchet  22  may be affixed to the second frame section  28  via any known releasable or more permanent means for fixing, such as but not limited to frictional fitting, a locking mechanism (such as a pin extending across and through the widths/diameters of both elements), a threaded association, welding, adhesive, or thread and loop associations. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-9 , in an exemplary embodiment, first frame portion  26 , which may be a wake/arch tower, is associated with mount  32  of ratchet  22 , while second frame portion  28  is associated with hinge  32  of ratchet  22 . By respectively associating the first and second frame potions  26 ,  28  with the mount  30  and hinge  32  of the ratchet  22 , the first and second frame potions  26 ,  28  are allowed to rotate relative to each other in a direction  37  or  39  selectable by locking handle  40  and detents  33 , 35 . 
         [0029]    As best shown by  FIGS. 4 and 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, second frame portion  28  may be considered the front bow portion  28  of the frame system  20 . Further, a center bow portion  29  may slide along front bow portion  28  to provide structure and support to top  21 . Center bow portion  29  may selectably rotate along with front bow portion  28 , but is not configured to provide support for the for the front bow portion  28 . 
         [0030]    This selectable rotation further allows the second frame section  28  and center bow portion  29  to fold towards and unfold away of the open and closed positions  14 ,  18 . As previously discussed, the ratchet  22  is equipped with a locking handle  40  (associated with any known ratchet locking device internal to the ratchet  22 , including a ratchet spline mechanism) that allows the second section  28  to be releasably locked in the open or separated position  14 , when locking handle  40  selects the appropriate detent  33 , 35 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  8 . When the second section  28  is releasably locked in the open or separated position  14 , the locking mechanism of ratchet  22  may support second section  28  absent any assistance from external support structures or devices. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , second section  28  may be configured to be locked into the open or separated position  14  wherein tension is applied to top  21 , wherein top  21  may be made of canvas. The tension of top  21  may apply a force in a direction resisted by locked ratchet  22  (since locked ratchet  22  will only rotate in a direction to increase tension on top  21 ) to minimize movement of ratchet  22  and top  21 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 9 , ratchet  22  allows the second section  26  to be releasably locked into the closed or compacted position  18  when locking handle  40  selects the opposite appropriate detent  33 , 35 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , top  21  is effectively stowed when frame system  20  is in the closed or compacted position  18 . When the second section  28  is releasably locked in the closed or compacted position  18 , the locking mechanism of ratchet  22  may support second section  28  absent any assistance from external support structures or devices. Additionally, ratchet  22  allows for second section  26  to be releasably locked into any position therebetween or beyond the closed or compacted position  18  (e.g. approximately 180 degrees about the ratchet  22 ). In this manner, the cavity section  34  and therefore the second frame section  26  can be positioned and held at essentially any desirable angle within 180 degrees. Similarly, when the second section  28  is releasably locked or held in any desirable angle, the locking mechanism of ratchet  22  may support second section  28  absent any assistance from external support structures or devices. 
         [0032]    In alternative embodiments, the disclosed foldable frame system  20  with ratchet  22  can be used with other recreational vehicles and/or storage compartments, such as but not limited to ATVs, motorized carts, canopies intended to create storage compartments, and cooler lids. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates foldable frame system  41  with ratchet  22  used to releasably lock a tonneau style lid  44  for a recreation vehicle in an open, closed, or any position therebetween. In this embodiment, first frame portion  42 , which may be a body portion of a container or recreation vehicle, is associated with mount of ratchet  22 , while second frame portion  44 , which may be a tonneau style lid  44  is associated with hinge of ratchet  22 . By respectively associating the first and second frame potions  42 , 44  with the mount and hinge of the ratchet  22 , the first and second frame potions  42 , 44  are allowed to rotate relative to each other in a direction selectable by the locking handle. 
         [0034]    This selectable rotation further allows the second frame section  44  to fold into and out of the open and closed positions. As previously discussed, the ratchet  22  is equipped with a locking handle  40  (associated with any known ratchet locking device internal to the ratchet  22 ) that allows the second section  44  to be releasably locked in the open position (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). Further, ratchet  22  allows the second section  44  to be releasably locked into the closed position or any position therebetween or beyond the closed position (e.g. approximately 180 degrees about the ratchet  22 ). In this manner, the second frame section  44  can be positioned and held at essentially any desirable angle within 180 degrees. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  illustrates foldable frame system  45  with ratchet  22  used to releasably lock a rear door  48  for a storage compartment in an open, closed, or any position therebetween. In this embodiment, first frame portion  46 , which may be a body portion of a vehicle or a body portion of a storage compartment, is associated with mount of ratchet  22 , while second frame portion  48 , which may be a rear door  48  is associated with the hinge of ratchet  22 . By respectively associating the first and second frame potions  46 , 48  with the mount and hinge of the ratchet  22 , the first and second frame potions  46 , 48  are allowed to rotate relative to each other in a direction selectable by the locking handle. 
         [0036]    This selectable rotation further allows the second frame section  48  to fold into and out of the open and closed positions. As previously discussed, the ratchet  22  is equipped with a locking handle (associated with any known ratchet locking device internal to the ratchet  22 ) that allows the second section  48  to be releasably locked in the open position. Further, ratchet  22  allows the second section  48  to be releasably locked into the closed position  18  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) or any position therebetween or beyond the closed position (e.g. approximately 180 degrees about the ratchet  22 ). In this manner, the second frame section  48  can be positioned and held at essentially any desirable angle within 180 degrees. 
         [0037]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0038]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0039]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.