RETRACTABLE SHADE STRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for protecting an area from sun and rain, and, more particularly, to such systems and methods for boats and the general slip area of the boat.

Description of Related Art

Boat docks are known that include a base extending substantially linearly, and having pairs of parallel "finger piers" extending perpendicular from the base to form slips, each slip adapted to admit one or two boats thereinto for docking. Most boats spend most of their time unoccupied and stationary, exposed to the elements. The sun in particular is damaging to the boat's paint and other constituents such as fabric elements.

Boat owners and users are known to use boats for entertainment and relaxation without taking the boat from the slip. Inclement weather and strong sunshine can be a negative factor in such an experience, although there are times during which direct exposure to the elements would be considered desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for protection of boats and their occupants from inclement weather and overexposure to the sun, while also providing the opportunity to easily remove such protection as desired.

The invention is directed to a retractable shade structure positionable and usable in covering relation to a boat. The shade structure comprises a pair of generally parallel, substantially horizontal rails supportable above a surface of a body of water. A collapsible shade is suspended between the rails and is movable between an extended position wherein the shade covers at least a portion of the water body surface defined by the rails and a retracted position wherein the shade is folded upon itself to

expose at least some of the water body surface portion. Means are affixed to the rails and the shade for moving the shade between the extended and the retracted positions. Means are also provided for remotely controlling the moving means.

The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the shade structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front/side perspective view of the shade structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top/rear/side perspective view of the shade structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the shade structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear/side perspective view of the shade structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan schematic of another embodiment of the shade structure moving between the extended and the retracted positions.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the shade structure in a retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the shade structure.

FIG. 9 is a top/side perspective view of the shade structure. FIG. 10 is a top/front perspective view of a portion of the invention where two shade structures meet.

FIG. 11 is a top/side perspective view of the shade structure with the shade retracted.

FIG. 12 is another top/side perspective view of the shade structure with the shade retracted.

FIG. 13 is a schematic of the pulley and bearing assembly.

FIG. 14 is a top plan schematic view of the shade structure frame.

FIG. 15 is a front schematic view of the drive mechanism. FIG. 16 is a top plan view of two abutting pulleys of two shade structures. FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of two abutting pulleys of two shade structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1-17.

The retractable shade structure 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, is positionable and usable in covering relation to a boat 11. The shade structure 10 comprises a pair of generally parallel, substantially lateral rails 12,13, a horizontal inner frame member 14, and a horizontal outer frame member 15, which together form a substantially rectangular frame. The frame defines a plane that may be parallel with the water surface 16 beneath or may be sloped relative thereto. In a preferred embodiment, each of the frame elements 12-15 comprises a pair of generally horizontal ladder-like elements (see, for example, FIGS. 4, 8, 11, 12, and 14), each including two parallel rods 17,18;19,20 joined by a strengthening element such as cabling or struts 21, although this is not intended as a limitation. Cabling 22 may also be used to add stability between the pairs of ladder-like elements. The frame elements comprise substantially rigid elements comprising, for example, galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.

The lateral rails 12,13 comprise the inner, top lateral rods in the respective set of four horizontal rods, and include a slot 23 extending the length of the lateral rails 12,13. The slot 23 may be positioned, for example, along an inwardly facing portion of the lateral rails 12,13.

The frame is supportable above the water surface 16, for example, adjacent the tops 24 of four pilings 25, although this is not intended as a limitation. The pilings are positioned to define the four corners of the slip 26 in which a boat 11 may reside.

In generally parallel relation to and in spaced-apart relation from the lateral rails 12,13 extend at least one, and preferably two, guide wires 27,28, which are in turn in

spaced relation from each other. The ends 29 of each wire 27,28 are supported above the plane of the frame by brackets 30.

A collapsible shade 31 is suspended between the rails 12,13. The shade 31 comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a flexible fabric material having the characteristics of reducing a penetration of at least ultraviolet light. In other embodiments the shade 31 may comprise a plurality of hinged, less flexible panels, that are foldable upon each other. The shade composition may comprise, for example, fabric, sheet metal, plywood, or a composite sandwich panel material, although these are not intended as limitations. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a plurality of hinged support ribs 32 are affixed beneath the shade 31 in parallel and spaced-apart relation to each other and generally perpendicular to the lateral rails 12,13. In the embodiment having a pair of guide wires 27,28, each rib is doubly hinged, the hinges positioned to coincide with the guide wires 27,28. Each rib 32 comprises at each outer end 33 a slide 34 that fits in sliding relation within the rail slots 23. Each rib 32 is further affixed through the shade 31 to a sliding member comprising a suspension element 35, which is slidable along the guide wires 27,28. The slides 34 may also include a length-adjusting feature for retensioning the shade 31 as needed.

In an alternate embodiment 10' of the shade 31" (FIGS. 6 and 7), each panel is supported by crossed ribs 32' that meet in the middle of the panel, at the point at which the ribs 32' are affixed to the suspension element 35. In this case, there is a unitary guide wire. Here the panels may also include a secondary rib 32" that is not connected to the slot 23. These ribs 32" are adapted to pull the shade 31' downward during retraction to assist in the folding process to be described in the following. Means are provided for moving the shade 31 between an extended position wherein the shade covers at least a portion 36 of the water body surface 16 defined by the frame and a retracted position wherein the shade 31 is at least partially folded upon itself to expose at least some of the water body surface portion 36. Such means may include, for example, a pulley-type system wherein one or more of the outermost slides 34 and the outermost suspension elements 35. A motor 37, for example, can be used to pull the pulley in either direction to effect retraction or extension.

Alternate means of moving the shade 31 may also be envisioned by one of skill in the art, such as, but not intended to be limited to, draw cables, tracks, hydraulics, pneumatics, or electrical systems.

Means are also provided for remotely controlling the motor 37, such as, but not intended to be limited to, an entertainment-type remote control.

Means may also be provided for securing the shade 31 in the retracted position to protect the shade 31 against adverse weather conditions, for example.

In a particular embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a drive shaft 50 that is supported generally perpendicular to the lateral rails 12,13 adjacent opposed lateral edges 51 of the shade 31. A motor 52 is positioned in rotatably driving relation to the drive shaft 50. A pulley 53, preferably two pulleys, are affixed to the drive shaft 50 between the lateral rails 12,13. An elongated flexible loop member, for example, a cord

54, is looped around each of the pulleys 53 and around a pulling member 55 that is affixed adjacent the shade's outer edge 56 in substantially parallel relation to and between the lateral rails 12,13.

As discussed above, the ribs 57 have an inner slide member 58 having an aperture 59 therethrough. The inner slide member 58 is positioned between the lateral edges 51 and above the sheet 31. An elongated secondary support 60 extends in slidable relation through the inner slide member apertures 59, and the secondary support 60 is affixed at an inner end 61 to the inner rail 14 and at an outer end 62 to the outer rail 15. The inner slide members 58 can comprise pulley members, for example, although this is not intended as a limitation.

Another feature of the present invention comprises a tensioning member 63 that comprises a substantially rigid connecting member 64 positioned adjacent the pulley 53 and having a top 65 and a bottom 66 aperture therein. Each of the apertures 65,66 is positioned in surrounding relation to a respective top 67 and bottom 68 portion of the loop member 54. A biasing member, such as a spring 69, has a top end 70 that is affixed adjacent a bottom end 71 of the connecting member 64 and a bottom end 72 that is affixed, for example, via a chain 73, to the inner rail 14, for tensioning the loop member 54.

In another embodiment (FIGS, 8, 10, 14, 16, and 17), the retractable shade structure 80 is constructable for two boats. This system 80 comprises two generally parallel, substantially horizontal, spaced-apart lateral rails 12,13 supported above a surface of a body of water. An inner rail 14 is affixed in bridging relation to the lateral rails 12,13 between outer ends 81,82 thereof. Two collapsible shades 31 are suspended between the lateral rails 12,13. Each of the shades 31 has an inner edge 83 adjacent the inner rail 14 extending in opposite directions toward the respective outer ends 81,82 of the lateral rails 12,13. Each of the shades 31 is separately movable between an extended position wherein the shade 31 covers at least a portion of the water body surface defined by the lateral rails 12,13 and a retracted position wherein the shade 31 is folded upon itself to expose at least some of the water body surface portion.

A pair of drive mechanisms is affixed to the inner rail 14 and is adjacent an outer edge 56 of the respective shade 31 for moving the respective shade 31 between the extended and the retracted positions. Means such as a remote control 84 in signal communication with the motor 52 are also provided for controlling the drive mechanisms.

The present invention will be seen by one of skill in the art to be useful for a multitude of purposes, and not only for covering boat slip areas. In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the system illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.