FIN ARRANGEMENT FOR CANTED TOWER SUPPORT

Abstract

An apparatus (206), including: a support (206) having: a strut (204) with a sleeve (214) disposed at a lower end (212); and a base (200) configured to be secured to the strut via a pivot joint (210) therebetween. The base has a fin (202) configured to fit within and cooperate with the sleeve to enable the strut to pivot about an axis of rotation (220) of the pivot joint while maintaining a cant angle (222) that is less than 90 relative to the axis of rotation. The fin includes a first fin section (230) that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation and a second fin section (232) that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation. The second fin section is disposed axially offset from the first fin section and radially outward from the first fin section relative to the axis of rotation.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a starboard support configured to support an upper structure and comprising: a starboard strut comprising a starboard lower sleeve disposed at a lower end of the starboard strut; and a starboard lower fin configured to be secured to a common structure and configured to fit within and cooperate with the starboard lower sleeve to enable the starboard strut to pivot about a lower common axis of rotation at a starboard lower pivot joint; and a port support configured to support the upper structure and comprising: a port strut comprising a port lower sleeve disposed at a lower end of the port strut; and a port lower fin configured to be secured to the common structure and configured to fit within and cooperate with the port lower sleeve to enable the port strut to pivot about the lower common axis of rotation at a port lower pivot joint; wherein the starboard strut and the port strut are canted towards each other and when pivoting each maintains a respective cant angle that is less than 90 relative to the lower common axis of rotation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a starboard base comprising the starboard lower fin and configured to be secured to the common structure; and a port base comprising the port lower fin and secured to the common structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the common structure comprises a hull of a boat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the starboard support further comprises: a starboard upper sleeve disposed at an upper end of the starboard strut; and a starboard upper fin configured to be secured to the upper structure and configured to fit within and cooperate with the starboard upper sleeve to enable the upper structure to pivot about an upper common axis of rotation; wherein the port support further comprises: a port upper sleeve disposed at an upper end of the port strut; and a port upper fin configured to be secured to the upper structure and configured to fit within and cooperate with the port upper sleeve to enable the upper structure to pivot about the upper common axis of rotation; and wherein the upper common axis of rotation is parallel to the lower common axis of rotation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the starboard lower fin comprises a first lower fin section; wherein the starboard lower sleeve comprises a first lower sleeve section that sandwiches the first lower fin section therein; and wherein the first lower fin section guides the first lower sleeve section to ensure the starboard strut maintains the cant angle while pivoting about the lower common axis of rotation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first lower fin section defines first lower fin section contact surfaces that extend circumferentially relative to the lower common axis of rotation; and wherein the first lower sleeve section defines first lower sleeve section contact surfaces that sandwich therebetween the first lower fin section contact surfaces and that cooperate with the first lower fin section contact surfaces to ensure the starboard strut maintains the cant angle while pivoting about the lower common axis of rotation.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein in a cross section taken at a plane that extends radially from and axially along the lower common axis of rotation: the first lower fin section contact surfaces define a first lower fin section contact surfaces cross-sectional profile; and the first lower sleeve section contact surfaces define a first lower sleeve section contact surfaces cross-sectional profile that at least partially mirrors a shape of the first lower fin section contact surfaces cross-sectional profile.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first lower fin section contact surfaces comprise two first lower fin section surfaces that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation; and wherein the first lower sleeve section contact surfaces comprise two first lower sleeve section surfaces that are parallel to the two first lower fin section surfaces.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the starboard lower fin further comprises a second lower fin section that is connected to the first lower fin section, that is disposed axially offset from the first lower fin section along the lower common axis of rotation in a direction of a cant of the starboard strut, and that is disposed radially outward from the first lower fin section relative to the lower common axis of rotation; wherein the starboard lower sleeve further comprises a second lower sleeve section that sandwiches the second lower fin section therein; and wherein the second lower fin section guides the second lower sleeve section to ensure the starboard strut maintains the cant angle while pivoting about the lower common axis of rotation.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a starboard base comprising the starboard lower fin and configured to be secured to the common structure; wherein the starboard base, the starboard lower fin, and the starboard strut are all canted in the direction of the cant of the starboard strut; wherein the first lower fin section defines first lower fin section contact surfaces that are configured to contact the first lower sleeve section and that are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation; and wherein the second lower fin section defines second lower fin section contact surfaces that are configured to contact the second lower sleeve section and that are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the starboard lower fin further comprises a third lower fin section that is connected to the second lower fin section, that is disposed axially offset from the second lower fin section along the lower common axis of rotation in the direction of the cant of the starboard strut, and that is disposed radially outward from the second lower fin section relative to the lower common axis of rotation; wherein the starboard lower sleeve further comprises a third lower sleeve section that sandwiches the third lower fin section therein; and wherein the third lower fin section guides the third lower sleeve section to ensure the starboard strut maintains the cant angle while pivoting about the lower common axis of rotation.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a starboard base comprising the starboard lower fin and configured to be secured to the common structure; wherein the starboard base, the starboard lower fin, and the starboard strut are all canted in the direction of the cant of the starboard strut; wherein the first lower fin section defines first lower fin section contact surfaces that are configured to contact the first lower sleeve section and that are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation; and wherein the second lower fin section defines second lower fin section contact surfaces that are configured to contact the second lower sleeve section and that are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation.

13. An apparatus, comprising: a support configured to support an upper structure and comprising: a strut comprising a sleeve disposed at a lower end of the strut; and a base configured to be secured to the strut via a pivot joint therebetween, to be secured to a common structure, and comprising a fin configured to fit within and cooperate with the sleeve to enable the strut to pivot about an axis of rotation of the pivot joint while maintaining a cant angle that is less than 90 relative to the axis of rotation; wherein the fin comprises a first fin section that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation and a second fin section that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation, wherein the second fin section is connected to the first fin section, is disposed axially offset from the first fin section in a first direction along the axis of rotation, and is disposed radially outward from the first fin section relative to the axis of rotation.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the sleeve comprises a first sleeve section that sandwiches the first fin section therein, and a second sleeve section that sandwiches the second fin section therein.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, the fin further comprising: a third fin section that is connected to the second fin section, that is disposed axially offset from the second fin section along the axis of rotation in the first direction, and that is disposed radially outward from the second fin section relative to the axis of rotation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sleeve comprises a first sleeve section that sandwiches the first fin section therein, a second sleeve section that sandwiches the second fin section therein, and a third sleeve section that sandwiches the third fin section therein.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first fin section comprises two first fin section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the sleeve; wherein the second fin section comprises two second fin section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the sleeve; and wherein the third fin section comprises two third fin section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the sleeve.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sleeve comprises: two first sleeve section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the two first fin section surfaces; two second sleeve section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the two second fin section surfaces; and two third sleeve section surfaces that are parallel to each other, that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and that are configured to contact the two third fin section surfaces.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the sleeve comprises a wear pad in contact with the first fin section.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the strut, the base, and the fin are all canted in the first direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates operating principles associated with collapsible towers.

[0010] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2G are various closeup views of an example embodiment of a support disclosed herein.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an assembly that includes the support of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2G.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows an alternate example embodiment of an assembly that includes alternate example embodiments of the supports.

[0013] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D show an alternate example embodiment of a support disclosed herein.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a closeup view of yet another example embodiment of a support disclosed herein.

[0015] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are closeup front views of other example embodiments of a support disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present inventors have created a unique and innovative support for an upper structure that can be used with a variety of motor vehicles, including marine vessels such as pleasure boats and the like. The support disclosed herein enables raising and lowering of canted supports and an upper structure connected thereto using a compact fin and sleeve arrangement that allows for more compact supports while providing excellent control of the motion and excellent lateral stability throughout an entire range of motion of the canted supports and the upper structure.

[0017] FIG. 2A is a rear view, FIG. 2B is a top view, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D are outside perspective views, and FIG. 2E is a front view showing an example embodiment of a base 200, a fin 202, and a strut 204 of an example embodiment of a support 206 disclosed herein. FIG. 2F is the front view of the base 200 and fin 202 of FIG. 2E with the strut 204 removed. FIG. 2G is a front view of the strut 204 removed from FIG. 2F. The

[0018] In an example embodiment, the support 206 is a starboard lower support and could be secured to, for example, a gunwale on a starboard side of a boat. A hull of the boat may be a common structure to both the starboard support and a port strut.

[0019] The base 200 is configured to be secured to the strut 204 via a pivot joint 210 therebetween and may be directly or indirectly secured to the gunwale of the boat. A lower end 212 of the strut 204 includes a sleeve 214. The fin 202 is configured to fit within and cooperate with the sleeve 214 to enable the strut 204 to pivot about an axis of rotation 220 of the pivot joint 210 while maintaining a cant angle 222 (toward the port support) that is less than 90 relative to the axis of rotation 220 (when viewed from the rear as in FIG. 2A or front as in FIG. 2E). The base 200 is also shown as canted but need not be.

[0020] The fin 202 includes multiple sections that form a stepped stack 224. Starting at the pivot joint 210, the stepped stack 224 cants in a manner that allows the multiple sections to remain inside a sweep of the strut 204 as the strut 204 pivots around the axis of rotation 220.

[0021] The multiple sections include a first fin section 230 that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220 and a second fin section 232 that extends circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220. The second fin section 232 is connected to the first fin section 230, is disposed axially offset from the first fin section in a first direction 234 (toward the port support) along the axis of rotation 220 and is disposed radially outward from the first fin section 230 relative to the axis of rotation 220.

[0022] The multiple sections further include a third fin section 236 that is connected to the second fin section 232, that is disposed axially offset from the second fin section 232 along the axis of rotation 220 in the first direction 234, and that is disposed radially outward from the second fin section 232 relative to the axis of rotation 220.

[0023] The multiple sections further include a fourth fin section 238 that is connected to the third fin section 236, that is disposed axially offset from the third fin section 236 along the axis of rotation 220 in the first direction 234, and that is disposed radially outward from the third fin section 236 relative to the axis of rotation 220.

[0024] The multiple sections further include a fifth fin section 240 that is connected to the fourth fin section 238, that is disposed axially offset from the fourth fin section 238 along the axis of rotation 220 in the first direction 234, and that is disposed radially outward from the fourth fin section 238 relative to the axis of rotation 220.

[0025] While the example embodiment of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F show five sections, there may be more sections and there may be fewer sections in various other embodiments.

[0026] As can best be seen in FIG. 2F, the first fin section 230 includes a first fin section outside surface 2500 and a first fin section inside surface 250i, both of which extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220. In this example embodiment, the first fin section outside surface 2500 and the first fin section inside surface 250i each lie within a respective plane (are flat), but they need not lie within respective planes. In this example embodiment, the first fin section outside surface 2500 and the first fin section inside surface 250i are parallel to each other, but they need not be. For example, they could be canted toward or away from each other etc. In this example embodiment, the first fin section outside surface 2500 and the first fin section inside surface 250i are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 220, but they need not be. For example, they could be canted toward or away from each other etc.

[0027] Similarly, the second fin section 232 includes a second fin section outside surface 2520 and a second fin section inside surface 252i, both of which extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220. The third fin section 236 includes a third fin section outside surface 2540 and a third fin section inside surface 254i, both of which extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220. The fourth fin section 238 includes a fourth fin section outside surface 2560 and a fourth fin section inside surface 256i, both of which extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220. The fifth fin section 240 includes a fifth fin section outside surface 2580 and a fifth fin section inside surface 258i, both of which extend circumferentially about the axis of rotation 220.

[0028] As with the first fin section outside surface 2500 and the first fin section inside surface 250i, in each fin section the respective surfaces lie within a respective plane, but they need not, are parallel to each other, but they need not be, and are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 220, but they need not be. Also, there may be more than one outside surface and more than one inside surface for each fin section. For example, a fin section may include several circumferentially extending arcuate raised ribs at different radial distances from the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective outside surface. Likewise, a fin section may include several circumferentially extending arcuate raised ribs at different radial distances from the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective inside surface. In another example, a fin section may have more than one raised pad at different circumferential positions around the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective outside surface. Likewise, a fin section may have more than one raised pad at different circumferential positions around the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective inside surface. In addition, in any given section, the inside surface and the outside surface need not be the same as each other.

[0029] As can best be seen in FIG. 2G, for each section of the fin 202 there is a correspondingly positioned sleeve section 270, 272, 274, 276, 278 of the sleeve 214. Each sleeve section 270, 272, 274, 276, 278 receives and sandwiches therein a respective fin section 230, 232, 236, 238, 240. This sandwiching/clamping action between the fin sections and the sleeve sections provides excellent lateral stability to the strut 204 as the strut 204 pivots about the axis of rotation 220 through its entire range of motion.

[0030] The sleeve sections have sleeve section outside surfaces 2800, 2820, 2840, 2860, 2880, that correspond to the fin section outside surfaces 2500, 2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, and inside surfaces 280i, 282i, 284i, 286i, 288i that correspond to the fin section inside surfaces 250i, 252i, 254i, 2561, 258i. In this example embodiment, the sleeve section outside surfaces directly contact the fin section outside surfaces and the sleeve section inside surfaces directly contact the fin section inside surfaces. However, the sleeve 214 may include an intervening component that contacts the fin section such as, for example, a friction/wear pad and the like.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2G, in each sleeve section the respective surfaces lie within a respective plane, but they need not, are parallel to each other, but they need not be, and are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 220, but they need not be. Also, there may be more than one outside surface and more than one inside surface for each sleeve section. For example, a sleeve section may include several circumferentially arcuate raised ribs at different radial distances from the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective outside surface. Likewise, a sleeve section may include several arcuate raised ribs at different radial distances from the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective inside surface. In another example, a sleeve section may have more than one raised pad at different circumferential positions around the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective outside surface. Likewise, a sleeve section may have more than one raised pad at different circumferential positions around the axis of rotation 220, each having a respective inside surface. In addition, in any given section, the inside surface and the outside surface need not be the same as each other. A shape of the sleeve section inner and outer surfaces may match the shape of the fin section inner and outer surfaces entirely or partially. At a minimum, the sleeve section surfaces must cooperate with the fin section surfaces to ensure the strut 204 maintains the cant angle 222 as the strut 204 pivots around the axis of rotation 220.

[0032] As can be best seen in FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, which also represent cross sectional views taken at a plane that extends radially from and axially along the axis of rotation 220 (coplanar with the sheet), the fin section surfaces of each fin section define a respective fin section cross-sectional profile. Together, the fin section surfaces of all the fin sections define a fin cross-sectional profile.

[0033] Similarly, the sleeve section surfaces of each sleeve section define a respective sleeve section cross-sectional profile. Together, the sleeve section surfaces of all the sleeve sections define a sleeve cross-sectional profile.

[0034] The sleeve section cross-sectional profile may fully or partially mirror fin section cross-sectional profile of a corresponding fin section sandwiched therein. For example, if the fin section cross-sectional profile includes flat surfaces, the sleeve section cross-sectional profile may include corresponding flat surfaces that fully or partially cooperate with the flat surfaces of the fin section cross-sectional profile to enable the pivoting action.

[0035] If the fin section cross-sectional profile includes convex surfaces, the sleeve section cross-sectional profile may include corresponding concave surfaces that fully or partially cooperate with the flat surfaces of the fin section cross-sectional profile to enable the pivoting action. If the If the fin section cross-sectional profile includes concave surfaces, the sleeve section cross-sectional profile may include corresponding convex surfaces that fully or partially cooperate with the flat surfaces of the fin section cross-sectional profile to enable the pivoting action. (See FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.)

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an assembly 300 that includes the support 206 of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2G as a starboard support 302S. The assembly 300 further includes a port support 302P and an upper structure 306 secured between the starboard support 302 and the port support 302P. The upper structure can be moved between an upper position 308U and a lower position 308L.

[0037] The starboard support 302S is configured to support the upper structure 306S and includes: a starboard strut 310S including a starboard lower sleeve 312S disposed at a lower end 314S of the starboard strut 310S; and a starboard lower fin 316S configured to fit within and cooperate with the starboard lower sleeve 312S to enable the starboard strut 310S to pivot about a lower common axis of rotation 320 at a starboard lower pivot joint 322S. The starboard lower fin 316S is part a starboard lower base 324S which is configured to be secured to a common structure 326 such as a boat via a starboard gunwale 328S of the boat.

[0038] The port support 302P is configured to support the upper structure 306 and includes: a port strut 310P including a port lower sleeve 312P disposed at a lower end 314P of the port strut 310P; and a port lower fin 316P configured to fit within and cooperate with the port lower sleeve 312P to enable the port strut 310P to pivot about the lower common axis of rotation 320 at a port lower pivot joint 322P. The port lower fin 316P is part a port lower base 324P which is configured to be secured to the common structure 326 via a port gunwale 328P of the boat.

[0039] The starboard strut 310S and the port strut 310P are canted towards each other and when pivoting each maintains a respective cant angle 340S, 340P (when viewed from behind as shown in FIG. 3) that is less than 90 relative to the lower common axis of rotation. In this example embodiment, the cant angles 340S, 340P are the same, but they need not be. So long as the starboard strut 310S and the port strut 310P connect to the upper structure 306 at a same radial distance from the common axis of rotation 320, the cant angles 340S, 340P can be the same as each other or different from each other.

[0040] The starboard lower fin 316S, the starboard lower sleeve 312S, and the starboard strut 310S operate as disclosed in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2G. The port lower fin 316P, the port lower sleeve 312P, and the port strut 310P are a mirror image of the starboard lower fin 316S, the starboard lower sleeve 312S, and the starboard strut 310S as viewed in FIG. 3 but otherwise operate as the starboard lower fin 316S, the starboard lower sleeve 312S, and the starboard strut 310S operate, mutatis mutandis. Collectively, these components allow the upper structure 306 to move between the upper position 308U and the lower position 308L. This is possible because points 342S, 342P on the upper structure 306 are free to move within planes 344S, 344P, and these planes 344S, 344P are perpendicular to the common axis of rotation 320. As a result, the points can maintain the same Distance therebetween as the upper structure 306 is raised and lowered.

[0041] The starboard support 302S further optionally includes a starboard upper sleeve 350S disposed at an upper end 352S of the starboard strut 310S; and a starboard upper fin 354S configured to be secured to the upper structure 306 and configured to fit within and cooperate with the starboard upper sleeve 350S to enable the upper structure 306 to pivot about an upper common axis of rotation 356. The starboard upper fin 354S is part a starboard upper base 358S which is configured to be secured to the upper structure 306. However, the starboard upper fin 354S can be secured directly to the upper structure 306.

[0042] The port support 302P further optionally includes a port upper sleeve 350P disposed at an upper end 352P of the port strut 310P; and a port upper fin 354P configured to be secured to the upper structure 306 and configured to fit within and cooperate with the port upper sleeve 350P to enable the upper structure 306 to pivot about the upper common axis of rotation 356.

[0043] The port upper fin 354P, the port upper sleeve 350P, and the port strut 310P are essentially the same as the starboard lower fin 316S, the starboard lower sleeve 312S, and the starboard strut 310S that have been flipped upside down and rotated to face out of the page instead of into the page. Similarly, the starboard upper fin 354S, the starboard upper sleeve 350S, and the starboard strut 310S are essentially the same as the port lower fin 316P, the port lower sleeve 312P, and the port strut 310P that have been flipped upside down and rotated to face out of the page instead of into the page. These components allow the upper structure 306 to be pivoted about the upper common axis of rotation 356. The pivoting of the upper structure 306 around the upper common axis of rotation 356 is independent of the pivoting of the starboard strut 310S and the port strut 310P about the lower common axis of rotation 320. Pivoting of the upper structure 306 about the upper common axis of rotation 356 permits, for example, an attitude of the upper structure 306 to be maintained regardless of whether the upper structure is in the upper position 308U, the lower position 308L, or anywhere therebetween.

[0044] When the optional starboard upper fin 354S, the optional starboard upper sleeve 350S, the optional port upper fin 354P, and the optional port upper sleeve 350P are not present, the starboard strut 310S and the port strut 310P can be directly connected to the upper structure 306. In such example embodiments, the orientation of the upper structure 306 will simply change as the upper structure 306 is raised and lowered.

[0045] FIG. 4 an alternate example embodiment of an assembly 400 that includes alternate example embodiments of the starboard support 402S and the port support 402P. In this example embodiment, the starboard support 402S does not have a starboard lower base. Instead, the starboard lower fin 404S is connected directly to the starboard gunwale 328S of the boat. The starboard upper base 406S is not canted like the starboard upper base 358S of the example embodiment of FIG. 3. Similarly, the port lower base 404P and the port upper base 406P are not canted like the port lower base 324P and the port upper base 358P of the example embodiment of FIG. 3. The canted bases of FIG. 3 are more compact along the axes of rotation compared to the bases of FIG. 4.

[0046] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D show an alternate example embodiment of a starboard support 500. The starboard support 500 includes starboard lower sleeve 502 disposed at a (transparent as shown) lower end 504 of the starboard strut 508; and a starboard lower fin 510 configured to fit within and cooperate with the starboard lower sleeve 502 to enable the starboard strut 508 to pivot about a lower common axis of rotation 512 at a starboard lower pivot joint 514. The starboard lower fin 510 is part a starboard lower base 516.

[0047] FIG. 5A shows the starboard support 500 from the outside looking in. FIG. 5B to FIG. 5D show the starboard support 500 from the inside looking outward. The (transparent) lower end 504 of the starboard strut 508 is visible in FIG. 5B and is removed in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D. The starboard lower fin 510 has a first fin section 520, a second fin section 522, a third fin section 524, and a fourth fin section 526.

[0048] The starboard lower sleeve 502 includes a first sleeve section 530 that receives therein the first fin section 520, a second sleeve section 532 that receives therein the second fin section 522, a third sleeve section 534 that receives therein the third fin section 524, and a fourth sleeve section 536 that receives therein the fourth fin section 526.

[0049] In this example embodiment, the second fin section 522, includes a second fin section raised pad contact surface 542. The third fin section 524 includes a third fin section raised pad contact surface 544, and the fourth fin section 526 includes a fourth fin section raised pad contact surface 546.

[0050] The second sleeve section 532 includes a second sleeve section wear pad 552. The third sleeve section 534 includes a third sleeve section wear pad 554. The fourth sleeve section 536 includes a fourth sleeve section wear pad 556.

[0051] As viewed in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, a backside of the second fin section wear pad 552 has a second fin section wear pad contact surface 552CS. A backside of the third fin section wear pad 554 has a third fin section wear pad contact surface 554CS. A backside of the fourth fin section wear pad 556 has a fourth fin section wear pad contact surface 554CS.

[0052] FIG. 5C shows the starboard strut 508 in a first position which is associated with the upper structure being in the upper position. FIG. 5D shows the starboard strut 508 in a second position which is associated with the upper structure being in the lowered position. As can be seen between FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, raised pad contact surfaces 542, 544, 546 are planar, (though they need not be), and are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation 512 (though they need not be). Likewise, the wear pad contact surfaces 552CS, 554CS, 556CS are planar, (though they need not be), and are oriented perpendicular to the lower common axis of rotation 512 (though they need not be).

[0053] This configuration allows the raised pad contact surfaces 542, 544, 546 to contact and slide along the wear pad contact surfaces 552CS, 554CS, 556CS respectively as the starboard strut 508 pivots about the lower common axis of rotation 512. The interaction of the raised pad contact surfaces 542, 544, 546 with the wear pad contact surfaces 552CS, 554CS, 556CS provides for smooth, controlled pivoting motion while also providing lateral stability for the starboard strut 508.

[0054] The fin sections 522, 524, 526 can be made of the same material or of different materials as the wear pads 552, 554, 556. For example, the wear pads 552, 554, 556 can be made of a material that is softer than a material of the fin sections 522, 524, 526. Regardless of what material the wear pads 552, 554, 556 are composed of, the wear pads 552, 554, 556 can be replaced if they become worn. A force with which the wear pads 552, 554, 556 press on the fin sections 522, 524, 526 can also be adjusted to adjust the friction therebetween to provide the desired resistance to the pivoting motion.

[0055] Wear pads may be present on one side of the starboard lower sleeve 502 as shown. Alternately, wear pads may be on both sides of the starboard lower sleeve 502. In various example embodiments, when present, there may be as few as one wear pad, a wear pad for each side of every sleeve, or anything in between.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a closeup view of yet another example embodiment of front view of a support 600 (shown with a dash dot line). The support 600 includes a base 602, a fin 604 that is composed of a lone fin section 606 that is straight, and a strut 608. These are superimposed on the front view of the support 206 of FIG. 2E. The support 600 with a lone fin section 606 (that is straight) would also enable the raising and lowering of the upper structure. However, a width 620 of the strut 608 is significantly greater than a width 622 of the strut 204 that is required to accommodate the stacked fin 202 of the example embodiment of FIG. 2E. The stacked fin 202 thereby allows for a more compact support 206.

[0057] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are closeup front views of other example embodiments of a support disclosed herein. FIG. 7 shows a support 700 having a fin 702, a strut 704, and a sleeve 706. Instead of having flat contact surfaces, fin sections 710, 712, 714 have convex features 710F, 712F, 714F that increase the contact area of the fin section. Sleeve sections 720, 722, 724 have corresponding concave features 720F, 722F, 724F that mirror the shape of the convex features 710F, 712F, 714F of the fin sections 710, 712, 714.

[0058] FIG. 8 likewise shows a support 800 having a fin 802, a strut 804, and a sleeve 806. Fin sections 810, 812, 814 have different convex features 810F, 812F, 814F and the sleeve section 820, 822, 824 have corresponding concave features 820F, 822F, 824F that mirror the shape of the convex features 810F, 812F, 814F of the fin sections 810, 812, 814.

[0059] While FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show embodiments where the fin sections have convex features and the sleeve sections have corresponding concave features, this can be reversed. Alternately, or in addition, there may be a mix of concave and convex features on each of the fin sections and/or each of the sleeve sections. In addition, there need not necessarily be a corresponding convex feature for every concave feature and vice versa. Nor do the shapes of the sections have to be identical to each other. Each section may be different than every other section. Still further, there may be slots or holes in the fin or in the sleeve as needed for other purposes, such as for access, for cooling, for lubricant and the like. So long as the sleeve sections sandwich the fin sections therein, and the fin sections and the sleeve sections cooperate to guide the strut as the strut pivots about the pivot axis, the fin contact surfaces, and the sleeve contact surfaces can take any shape consistent with the principles disclosed herein.

[0060] While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, swapping of features among embodiments, changes, and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.