Canopy tensioning device

Abstract

A canopy tensioning device to facilitate the tensioning and loosening of a canopy onto a frame. The canopy tensioning device may include an elongated body with a drive mechanism disposed at least partially inside the elongated body. Actuating the drive mechanism moves an engagement member longitudinally along the elongated body. The engagement member is connected to the canopy through the opening in the elongated body such that moving the engagement member in one direction tensions the canopy onto the frame and moving the engagement member in another direction loosens the canopy.

1 . A canopy tensioning device, comprising: 
 (a) an elongated body, the elongated body comprising an opening disposed along at least part of a length of the elongated body;    (b) a drive mechanism at least partially disposed in an interior portion of the elongated body along at least part of the length of the elongated body; and    (c) an engagement member for at least indirectly engaging a canopy through the opening in the elongated body; wherein the engagement member is associated with the drive mechanism in a moveable manner;    wherein actuating the drive mechanism in a first direction moves the engagement member towards a distal end of the elongated body; and    wherein actuating the drive mechanism in a second direction moves the engagement member towards a proximal end of the elongated body.    
     
     
         2 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the engagement member extends through the opening in the elongated body.  
     
     
         3 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the engagement member extending through the opening comprises a hook.  
     
     
         4 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a threaded rod; and wherein actuating the drive mechanism comprises causing the rotation of the threaded rod.  
     
     
         5 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the engagement member that is associated with the drive mechanism comprises a threaded aperture.  
     
     
         6 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 4 , further comprising a cap disposed over an end of the drive mechanism and secured to the elongated body in a removable manner.  
     
     
         7 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 6 , wherein the cap is disposed over the end of the drive mechanism and secured to the elongated body by a tamper resistant fastener.  
     
     
         8 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 7 , wherein the tamper resistant fastener interacts with the end of the drive mechanism to secure the cap to the elongated body in the removable manner.  
     
     
         9 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 6 , wherein the cap further comprises a drainage port.  
     
     
         10 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 9 , wherein the cap and the elongated body are configured such that securing the cap to the elongated body in the removable manner positions the drainage port proximate a lower portion of the canopy tensioning device.  
     
     
         11 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 10 , wherein the cap includes a locator pin that interacts with the opening in the elongated body to position the drainage port proximate a lower portion of the canopy tensioning device when the cap is secured to the elongated body in the removable manner.  
     
     
         12 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated body further comprises a pair of plates, each plate comprising an aperture for receiving portions of the drive mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the plates of the elongated body receive at least a portion of the drive mechanism in a removable manner.  
     
     
         14 . The canopy tensioning device of  claim 4 , wherein the threaded rod further comprises a nut located proximate an end of the threaded rod; wherein the nut facilitates rotating the threaded rod.  
     
     
         15 . A canopy structure, comprising: 
 (a) a canopy;    (b) at least two substantially horizontal members supporting the canopy;    wherein at least one of the substantially horizontal members comprises at least one canopy tensioning device, the canopy tensioning device comprising: 
 (i) an elongated body, the elongated body comprising an opening disposed along at least part of a length of the elongated body;  
 (ii) a drive mechanism at least partially disposed in an interior portion of the elongated body along at least part of the length of the elongated body; and  
 (iii) an engagement member for at least indirectly engaging the canopy through the opening in the elongated body; wherein the engagement member is associated with the drive mechanism in a moveable manner;  
 wherein actuating the drive mechanism in a first direction facilitates tensioning the canopy; and wherein actuating the drive mechanism in a second direction facilitates loosening the canopy; and  
   (c) at least one substantially vertical support supporting at least one of the substantially horizontal members.    
     
     
         16 . The canopy structure of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the engagement member extends through the opening in the elongated body.  
     
     
         17 . The canopy structure of  claim 15 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a threaded rod; and wherein actuating the drive mechanism comprises rotating the threaded rod.  
     
     
         18 . The canopy structure of  claim 15 , wherein the canopy tensioning device further comprises a cap disposed over an end of the drive mechanism and secured to the elongated body in a removable manner.  
     
     
         19 . The canopy structure of  claim 15 , wherein the canopy tensioning device further comprises a drainage port.  
     
     
         20 . The canopy structure of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated body receives at least a portion of the drive mechanism in a removable manner.  
     
     
         21 . A canopy, comprising: 
 (a) fabric;    (b) a plurality of tubes supporting the fabric; and    (c) at least one fabric tensioning mechanism, comprising: 
 (i) a tube extension for telescoping attachment to one of the tubes,  
 (ii) a threaded rod rotatably secured within the tube extension, and  
 (iii) a hook threaded onto the rod, projecting through a longitudinal slot in the tube extension, and attached to the fabric so that rotation of the rod slides the hook within the slot to increase or decrease tension on the fabric.  
   
     
     
         22 . The canopy of  claim 21 , wherein the threaded rod is centered within the tube extension.  
     
     
         23 . A canopy fabric tensioning mechanism, comprising: 
 (a) a tube;    (b) a threaded rod rotatably secured within the tube extension; and    (c) a hook threaded onto the rod and projecting through a longitudinal slot in the tube for attachment to the fabric so that rotation of the rod slides the hook within the slot to increase or decrease tension on the fabric.    
     
     
         24 . A canopy tensioning device, comprising: 
 (a) an elongated body, the elongated body comprising an opening disposed along at least part of a length of the elongated body;    (b) an engagement member for at least indirectly engaging a canopy through the opening in the elongated body;    (c) a drive mechanism; wherein actuating the drive mechanism moves the engagement member along the opening in the elongated body; and    (d) a flexible cover disposed substantially over the opening; wherein the flexible cover comprises a slot through which the engagement member at least indirectly engages the canopy.