Patent ID: 7571691

Claim:
A retractable bimini top device intended for use in mounted attachment to a rooftop member on a boat, comprising: a length of a cover having respective opposite ends and made of flexible material capable of shading sunlight; a support frame for said cover mounted in substantial proximity to the rooftop member and moveable in opposite linear directions of travel substantially parallel thereto, said support frame being connected to one end of the length of said cover; a spring roller for said cover rotatably mounted upon the rooftop member and disposed having the rotational axis thereof substantially transverse to the linear directions of travel of said support frame, said spring roller being connected to the opposite end of the length of said cover; drive means operatively mounted upon the rooftop member for automatically moving said support frame in opposite linear directions of travel relative to the rooftop member so that said cover may be alternately extended and retracted upon said support frame in cooperation with said spring roller, said drive means comprising reversible motor means operatively connected to said support frame to drive movement of said support frame in the opposite linear directions of travel, said reversible motor means comprising a reversible motor having an extended drive shaft threaded along the length thereof; and housing means operatively connected to said reversible motor means for guiding movement of said support frame in the opposite linear directions of travel, said housing means comprising a housing tube member formed to contain movement of said support frame; a first bearing member fitted and fixed to one end of said housing tube member to provide sliding engagement of said support frame with said housing tube member; and a second bearing member slidingly disposed within said housing tube member and formed for threaded engagement with the drive shaft of said reversible motor for moving said support frame in the opposite linear directions of travel through said housing tube member.