Bimini top assembly

Abstract

A bimini top assembly for providing a partial cover for the operators of a vehicle. The bimini top assembly generally includes a tower connectable to the vehicle. The assembly further provides at least one support member, a plurality of adjustment assemblies having a connector assembly attached to the tower and an eye-end connected to the at least one support member, and a bimini top attached to the at least one support member.

1 . A bimini top assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a tower connectable to the vehicle;   a plurality of adjustment assemblies connected to the tower, each adjustment assemblies comprising:
 a connector assembly attached to the tower; and 
 an eye-end which can be selectively positioned relative to the connector assembly; 
   at least one support member supported by each of the adjustment assemblies via the eye-ends thereof; and   a bimini top supported by the at least one support member.   
   
   
       2 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of adjustment assemblies further comprise a lockable tension control assembly for adjusting the eye-end relative to the connector assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 2  wherein the lockable tension control assembly comprises a first body member and a second body member, one of the first and second body members having a plurality of teeth and the other body member having at least one tooth engaged with the teeth of the one of the first and second body member, the first body member supporting the eye-end and the second body member supported by the connector assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 3  wherein the lockable tension control assembly further comprises a third body member having a first side and a second side, each side of the third body member having a plurality of teeth wherein the plurality of teeth of the first side of the third body member are engagable with the plurality of teeth of the one of the first and second body member supporting the eye-end and the plurality of teeth of the second side of the third body member are engagable with the tooth of the other body member supported by the connector assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of adjustment assemblies further comprises a bias assembly for forcing the engagement of the teeth of the one of the first and second body member and the other body member having the tooth. 
   
   
       6 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of adjustment assemblies further comprises a bias assembly for forcing the engagement of the plurality of teeth of the one of the first and second body member with the plurality of teeth of the first side of the third body member and the tooth of the other body member with the plurality of teeth of the second side of the third body member. 
   
   
       7 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 1  wherein the eye-end's cross-sectional shape is selected from the group consisting of circular, polygonal, quadrilateral, and ellipsoidal. 
   
   
       8 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tower is positioned above the vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . The bimini top assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector assembly comprises a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the first clamping member attachable to the second clamping member for attaching the connector assembly to the tower. 
   
   
       10 . A method of making a bimini top assembly on a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing a vehicle having a tower;   attaching a plurality of adjustment assemblies to the tower, each of the adjustment assemblies having a connector assembly and an eye-end;   attaching at least one support member to the eye-ends of at least two of the plurality of adjustment assemblies; and   attaching a bimini top to the at least one support member.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of adjustment assemblies further comprise a lockable tension control assembly for adjusting the eye-end relative to the connector assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the lockable tension control assembly comprises a first body member and a second body member, one of the first and second body members having a plurality of teeth and the other body member having at least one tooth engaged with the teeth of the one of the first and second body member, the first body member supporting the eye-end and the second body member supported by the connector assembly. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of adjustment assemblies further comprises a bias assembly for forcing the engagement of the teeth of the one of the first and second body member and the other body member having the tooth. 
   
   
       14 . A bimini top assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a tower connectable to the vehicle;   a plurality of adjustment assemblies, each of the adjustment assemblies having a connector assembly, an eye-end, and a lockable tension control assembly, the connector assembly having a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the eye-end having a cylindrical cross-section, and the lockable tension control assembly having a first crown gear, a second crown gear, a flange member, and a body member, the first clamping member of the connector assembly attachable to the second clamping member such that the plurality of adjustment assemblies can be connected to the tower, the circular cross-section of the eye-end of the connector assembly supported by the flange of the lockable tension control assembly, the first crown gear supported by the body member of the first clamping member, and the second crown gear supported by the flange of the lockable tension control assembly, the first crown gear engagable with the second crown gear so that the eye-end of the connector assembly is adjustable relative to the position of the connector assembly;   at least one support member supported by the eye-ends of the plurality of adjustment assemblies;   a bias assembly positioned through an opening in the flange supporting the second crown gear, positioned within the first crown gear supported by the first clamping member of the connector assembly, and threadably engaged within an inner portion of the first clamping member of the adjustable connector assembly whereby the second crown gear supported by the flange forcibly engages the first crown gear supported by the first clamping member of the connector assembly; and   a bimini top supported by the at least one support member.