Clamp assembly for mounting a boat canopy

Abstract

This invention is an apparatus designed to secure members of one frame work to members of another framework most commonly found when trying to secure a boat canopy to a boat tower. The clamping apparatus is fully adjustable to allow for the many different configurations of towers and canopies.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for securing a framework of a boat canopy to a boat tower, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting plate, said mounting plate having at a plurality of holes therein;    a first clamp coupled to the mounting plate;    a second clamp;    wherein the second clamp is mountable in any one of the plurality of holes such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a third and a fourth clamp.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the mounting plate comprises at least sixteen holes, wherein the second clamp is selectively mountable in any one of the at least sixteen holes.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the at least sixteen holes comprise a row of holes extending approximately from a front portion of the mounting plate to a rear portion of the mounting plate.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is removably coupled to the mounting plate.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is rotatably coupled to the mounting plate.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is movably positionable on the mounting plate.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the clamps is comprised of two semi-circular pieces.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for providing cover to occupants of a boat, the apparatus comprising: 
 a boat canopy having a framework;    a boat tower;    a mounting plate for mounting the framework of the boat canopy to the boat tower;    a first clamp coupled to the mounting plate, the first clamp engaging the boat tower; and    a second clamp, the second clamp engaging the boat tower;    wherein the second clamp is mountable to the mounting plate at any one of multiple locations such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable to thereby accommodate the boat tower.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising third and fourth clamps, the third and forth clamps operable to secure the framework of the boat canopy to the mounting plate.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the mounting plate comprises a top edge, a leading edge and a bottom edge.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the multiple locations comprise holes in the mounting plate.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising at least sixteen locations for selectively mounting the second clamp.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for securing a framework of a boat canopy to boat towers of varying design, said apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a top edge, a side edge and a bottom edge;    a plurality of holes in the mounting plate;    a first hole in the mounting plate;    a first clamp, the first clamp having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a second clamp, the second clamp having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a first fastener for rotatably mounting the first clamp to the mounting plate at the first hole; and    a second fastener for rotatably mounting the second clamp to the mounting plate at any one of the plurality of holes such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 a second hole in the mounting plate;    a third hole in the mounting plate;    third and fourth clamps; and    a pair of fasteners for mounting the third and the forth clamps to the mounting plate at the second and third holes, respectively.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the first hole is disposed proximate a junction of the side edge and the bottom edge; the second hole is disposed proximate a junction of the side edge and the top edge; and the third hole is disposed proximate a junction of the top edge and the bottom edge.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the first and second clamps each comprise two semi-circular pieces coupled together via a pair of fasteners; the first and second clamps each further comprising a flat mounting base for engaging the mounting plate.