Adjustable tarpaulin support

Abstract

A support apparatus includes a rectilinear central pole having axially opposed end portions. The pole includes a plurality of oppositely spaced female portions and a male portion slid ably engageable therewith. Each female portion has a plurality of apertures equidistantly spaced along a longitudinal length thereof. The male portion is medially nested between the female portions wherein the female portions are telescopically movable. The apparatus further includes first and second pairs of telescopically adjustable and rectilinear leg members connected to the opposed end portions of the pole and extending away therefrom, respectively. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting each of the first and second leg members about a fulcrum axis centrally registered with the pole and extending parallel thereto. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting the first and second members along a unique arcuate path and about a fulcrum axis.

1 . An adjustable tarpaulin support apparatus for providing cover to boats when in storage, comprising: 
 a horizontally registered central pole having axially opposed end portions, wherein the pole is telescopically extendable and includes: 
 a plurality of oppositely spaced female portions, each female portion having a plurality of apertures disposed along a longitudinal length thereof; and  
 a male portion slidably engageable with the female portions, medially disposed between the female portions, and having a detent extending outwardly therefrom selectively insertable through the apertures of the female portion, wherein the female portions are telescopically movable along a longitudinal length of the male portion; and  
   first and second pairs of leg members each pivotally coupled to the opposed end portions of the pole, respectively, and extending outwardly therefrom, each first and second pairs of leg members including first and second members, respectively, each pivotally coupled to the first and second pairs of leg members, respectively.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pairs of leg members pivot about a fulcrum axis of the pole.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second members pivot about the fulcrum axis of the pole.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 3 , further comprising a leg member pair pivoting mechanism, disposed between the first and second pairs of leg members and the horizontally registered central pole, configured to pivotally couple the first and second pairs of leg members to the opposed end portions of the pole, respectively, wherein the leg member pair pivoting mechanism includes a ball joint.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 4 , further comprising a member pivoting mechanism, disposed between the first and second pairs of members and the first and second pairs of leg members, including: 
 first and second pairs of brackets rotatably coupled to the end portions of the pole; and    first and second latches coupled to the first pair of brackets, respectively, coupleable to the second pair of brackets, respectively, configured to lock the first and second pairs of brackets at biased positions, respectively.    
   
   
       6 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 5 , wherein the member pivoting mechanism further comprises third and fourth pairs of brackets rotatably coupled to the first and second pairs of brackets, respectively.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 6 , wherein each of the members is telescopically extendable.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 7 , wherein each of the members comprises: 
 a female member portion coupled to the member pivoting mechanism and extending outwardly therefrom, having a plurality of apertures disposed along a front and rear surface of the female member portion; and    a male member portion slidably coupled to an interior of the female member portion, having a plurality of apertures selectively registerable with corresponding apertures of the female member portions.    
   
   
       9 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 8 , wherein the members have a longitudinal length equal to one-half the longitudinal length of the pole.  
   
   
       10 . An adjustable tarpaulin support apparatus for providing cover to boats when in storage, comprising: 
 a horizontally registered central pole having axially opposed end portions, wherein the pole is telescopically extendable and includes: 
 a plurality of oppositely spaced female portions, each female portion having a plurality of apertures disposed along a longitudinal length thereof; and  
 a male portion slidably engageable with the female portions, medially disposed between the female portions, and having a detent extending outwardly therefrom selectively insertable through the apertures of the female portion, wherein the female portions are telescopically movable along a longitudinal length of the male portion; and  
   first and second pairs of leg members each pivotally coupled to the opposed end portions of the pole, respectively, and extending outwardly therefrom, each first and second pairs of leg members including first and second members, respectively, each pivotally coupled to the first and second pairs of leg members, respectively;    wherein the first and second pairs of leg members pivot about a fulcrum axis of the pole and the first and second members pivot about the fulcrum axis of the pole.    
   
   
       11 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 10 , further comprising a leg member pair pivoting mechanism, disposed between the first and second pairs of leg members and the horizontally registered central pole, configured to pivotally couple the first and second pairs of leg members to the opposed end portions of the pole, respectively, wherein the leg member pair pivoting mechanism includes a ball joint.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 11 , further comprising a member pivoting mechanism, disposed between the first and second pairs of members and the first and second pairs of leg members, including: 
 first and second pairs of brackets rotatably coupled to the end portions of the pole; and    first and second latches coupled to the first pair of brackets, respectively, coupleable to the second pair of brackets, respectively, configured to lock the first and second pairs of brackets at biased positions, respectively.    
   
   
       13 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 12 , wherein the member pivoting mechanism further comprises third and fourth pairs of brackets rotatably coupled to the first and second pairs of brackets, respectively.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 10 , wherein each of the members is telescopically extendable.  
   
   
       15 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 14 , wherein each of the members comprises: 
 a female member portion coupled to the member pivoting mechanism and extending outwardly therefrom, having a plurality of apertures disposed along a front and rear surface of the female member portion; and    a male member portion slidably coupled to an interior of the female member portion, having a plurality of apertures selectively registerable with corresponding apertures of the female member portions.    
   
   
       16 . The adjustable tarpaulin support of  claim 10 , wherein the members have a longitudinal length equal to one-half the longitudinal length of the pole.