CANOPY FOR WEATHER PROTECTION ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR A BOAT OR PLEASURE VESSEL

Abstract

The invention relates to a canopy for protection against elements. It is especially relevant for a boat or a pleasure vessel but may also be used in places where protection from the sun is desirable, e.g. terraces. The canopy has a centrally located anchoring point for a line and at least one side anchoring rope. The canopy comprises a continuous resilient frame arranged in a channel around the circumference of the canopy. The central anchoring point comprises an in-the-canopy-located plate through which the central line is led and a splint that constitutes the anchoring point for the line.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A canopy for weather protection especially suitable for a boat or pleasure vessel comprising a canopy having a centrally located anchoring points for a line and at least one side anchoring rope arranged between the side (30) of the canopy and the boat’s deck or railings, wherein the canopy comprises a continuous resilient frame arranged in a channel around the circumference of the canopy and that the central anchoring point comprises an in the canopy located plate through which the central line is led with a splint that constitutes the anchoring point for the line and that the plate is located in a pocket of the canopy where the underside of the pocket is made of a mesh material.

11. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the resilient frame comprises a glass fiber rod.

12. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the resilient frame results in a popup effect upon mounting.

13. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the resilient frame can be folded away for storage.

14. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the resilient frame comes preassembled and ready for use.

15. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the canopy is made of a polyester material.

16. The canopy according to claim 15, wherein the material on the topside is coated with material for UV protection.

17. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the side anchoring rope is led through holes in the circumferential area of the canopy and fastened to the frame.

18. The canopy according to claim 10, wherein the central anchoring point further comprises a splint joined to the plate and to which the line is fastened.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be described in more detail while referring to the accompanying drawings where

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the canopy in the mounted position on the boat

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the canopy from above.

[0015] FIG. 3 anchoring point with pocket and plate

[0016] FIG. 4 shows detailed view of plate

[0017] FIG. 5 shows cross-section of part of the canopy with anchoring plate and glass fibre rod

[0018] FIGS. 6 - 8 show the assembly of the canopy to its mounted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a canopy 10 according to the invention mounted above a deck on a boat 1. As also shown in FIG. 2 the canopy has a roughly oval circular shape. The canopy 10 is held in place using an overhead boom 12 with a line 14 that is fastened to the centre 20 of the canopy. The canopy is held in its preferred position by the line 14 anchored in the rig or boom 12 of the boat. The method of fastening will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 3 to 5. The canopy preferably is also fastened to railings 4 with at least one side anchoring rope 16.

[0020] The canopy is preferably made of a thick textile such as a waterproof polyester. A larger thickness confers more stability and avoids the canopy moving in the wind. The polyester textile can have a polyurethane coat on the bottom side that will protect the canopy from water ingress and an aluminium coating on the upper side for protection against UV rays.

[0021] The centrally located anchoring point 11 has a pocket 17 into which is sown a plate 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The underside of the pocket is preferably made of a mesh material to facilitate ventilation to avoid collection of water and /or humidity.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, plate 18 is preferably made of a hard plastic to be strong but lightweight. Plate 18 has the same oval circular shape and orientation as the canopy 10. The line 14 is threaded through a hole 15 in the centre of the plate 18 and fastened below the canopy with a splint 19 that is crosswise positioned against the plate 18.

[0023] The plate 18 has two main functions. Firstly, it is the anchoring point holding the canvas up. This keeps the canopy in tension and in the correct position. The plate also will stabilize the textile that makes up the canopy. It will also help to distribute the forces through the canopy.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows how around the circumference of the canopy the textile is preferably doubled over, both for increased strength and to create a channel. Preferably this area 30 is about 10 cm wide. This extra thickness around the periphery also confers better stability. A rod 32, preferably made of a glass fibre material is inserted into the channel. The flexible rod is inserted into this channel and is pre-loaded during manufacture of the canopy.

[0025] As also shown in FIG. 5, side anchoring ropes 16 are attached to rods 32 through a hole in the circumferential area 30. This enables a more secure fastening than if the ropes were attached to the textile.

[0026] FIGS. 6 - 8 show the sequence when unfolding the canopy. When not in use the canopy is folded and placed in a bag that can be stowed away. When taking the canopy out of the bag it will naturally unfold itself completely, due to the flexibility of the glass fibre rod.