Modular boat lift canopy assembly and kit

Abstract

A boat lift canopy comprises a truss type framework with a base frame that may be rectangular, comprised of side and end horizontal members. The framework is comprised of channel-ridge interlocking extruded components, enabling easy construction with minimal or no welded parts. Joined to the base frame and circumscribed by it is a tie bar frame, which may be discontinuous. A fabric cover snugly encloses the outside of the framework, wrapping around the base frame and secured to the tie tube frame with canopy ties. The boat lift canopy is held above the boat lift by vertical members connecting to supporting legs. The canopy is releasably coupled to the vertical members at the tie tube frame, facilitating adjustable extension of canopy overhang or length by the addition of frame members extending the canopy framework. The framework of the canopy employs a truss design such as Howe kingpost to maximize framework strength to support substantial cantilevered canopy overhangs. Modular, easily assembled components enable provision of the canopy as a kit of components for user assembly.

1 . A framework for boat lift canopies, comprising: 
 a rectangular base comprising: 
 four horizontal members comprising side horizontal members and end horizontal members, each horizontal member with ridged channels along its length; and  
 base corner connectors, connecting parallel side horizontal members at right angles to parallel end horizontal members, the base corner connectors engaging the horizontal members by channel-ridge engagement of the ridged channels in the side horizontal members and the end horizontal members, forming a rectangle of horizontal members; and  
 tie bar connectors, retaining tie bars within the interior of the rectangular base, the tie bar connectors engaging the horizontal members by channel-ridge engagement of the ridged channels in the horizontal members;  
   a ridgepole with a ridged channels along its length;    at least one ridgepole center connector engaging the ridgepole by channel-ridge engagement of a ridged channel in the ridgepole;    at least one pair of central rafters connected to and depending from each ridgepole center connector;    a plurality of ridgepole end connectors engaging the ridgepole by channel-ridge engagement of a ridged channel in the ridgepole;    a plurality of lateral rafters connected to and depending from each ridgepole end connector, at least some of which connect to base corner connectors in the rectangular base;    a plurality of base side connectors, each engaging a side horizontal member by channel-ridge engagement of a ridged channel in the side horizontal member, each base side connector further connected to a central rafter depending from a ridgepole center connector, each base side connector further connected to two lateral struts depending from a ridgepole end connector;    a plurality of upright member connectors, each engaging a horizontal member by channel-ridge engagement;    an upright member depending from each upright member connector; and    a leg connector affixed to each upright member.    
     
     
         2 . A canopy for boat lifts, comprising: 
 a truss type framework comprising 
 a ridgepole having at least one ridged channel;  
 a plurality of ridge connectors engaged with the ridgepole by channel-ridge engagement;  
 a rectangular base comprised of members with ridged channels;  
 a plurality of tie bar connectors engaged with the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement, retaining tie bars within the rectangular base;  
 a plurality of base connectors engaged with the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement; and  
 a plurality of struts, each strut depending at one end from a ridge connector, the strut connecting at the other end to one of the base connectors;  
   a plurality of upright member connectors engaged with the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement; and    an upright member depending from each upright member connector.    
     
     
         3 . A canopy according to  claim 2 , wherein the framework is configured as a Howe kingpost truss.  
     
     
         4 . A kit of components suited to forming a canopy for boat lifts, comprising: 
 a ridgepole having at least one ridged channel;    a plurality of ridge connectors adapted to engage the ridgepole by channel-ridge engagement;    a plurality of rectangular base members having ridged channels;    a plurality of tie bar connectors adapted to engage the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement, the tie bar connectors further adapted to engage tie bars;    tie bars;    a plurality of base connectors adapted to engage the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement; and    a plurality of struts, each strut having two ends, one end adapted to connect to a ridge connector, the other end adapted to connect to a base connector.    
     
     
         5 . A kit of components according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of upright members, and    a plurality of upright member connectors adapted to engage the rectangular base members by channel-ridge engagement, the upright member connectors each further adapted to retain an upright member.