Rooftop canopy system

Abstract

A canopy support for coupling a tarp to a roof at a desired tarp position spaced from the roof can include a base configured for secured attachment to the roof; and an elongate post comprising a proximal end configured for attachment to the tarp, and an opposed distal end rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis, and wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about and between a lowered post position and a raised post position.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A canopy support for coupling a tarp to a roof at a desired tarp position spaced from the roof, the canopy support comprising:
 a base configured for secured attachment to the roof; and   an elongate post comprising a proximal end configured for attachment to the tarp, and an opposed distal end rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis, and wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about and between a lowered post position and a raised post position.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , wherein in the lowered post position a longitudinal axis of the post is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base, wherein in the raised post position, the longitudinal axis of the post is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the base, and wherein the canopy support further comprises a pinning element configured to secure the post at a desired first post position relative to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , further comprising a compression strut configured to secure the post at a desired first post position relative to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The canopy support of  claim 3 , wherein the compression strut comprises a first member rotatably coupled to the base, a second member rotatably coupled to the post and slidably coupled to the first member, and a screw configured to selectively move the second member relative to the first member. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a base arm defining a longitudinal base axis substantially normal to the rotation axis, a roof engaging surface configured to engage the roof, and an opposed upper surface spaced from the roof engaging surface, and wherein the base further comprises a base plate coupled to and extending away from the upper surface of the base arm. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy support of  claim 5 , wherein a bore is defined through a sidewall in the base arm, and wherein the bore is sized and configured so that a fastener is insertable through the base arm and into the roof. 
     
     
         7 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a base arm and a base plate coupled to and extending away from an upper surface of the base arm, the base arm comprising a longitudinal base axis substantially normal to the rotation axis, and wherein a slotted pinning aperture is defined through the base plate. 
     
     
         8 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , wherein a rotation notch defining a longitudinal notch axis is defined in the distal end of the post, wherein the rotation notch extends from a distal edge of the post towards the proximal end of the post a predetermined notch distance, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the rotation notch is substantially normal to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         9 . The canopy support of  claim 8 , wherein the rotation notch has a first sidewall at an acute angle relative to a second sidewall of the rotation notch, and wherein the rotation notch is configured to allow the post to rotate in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         10 . The canopy support of  claim 9 , wherein the rotation notch is configured to allow the post to rotate in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis about and between a first rotation position, in which the first sidewall of the notch contacts the first plate surface of the base plate, and a second rotation position, in which the second sidewall of the notch contacts the second plate surface of the base plate. 
     
     
         11 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , further comprising a platform coupled to the base and positioned in a plane at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base. 
     
     
         12 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle configured to couple the tarp to the proximal end of the elongate post. 
     
     
         13 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tension straps, each tension strap having a first end coupled to the base arm and a second end coupled to the post, wherein the amount of tension in each tension strap is selectively adjustable by a user, wherein the post is secured to the base at a desired first post position, wherein a first tension strap of the plurality of tension straps is configured to urge the proximal end of the post from the desired first position in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis to a second post position, and wherein a second tension strap of the plurality of tension straps is configured to urge the proximal end of the post from the second post position in a second direction that is substantially normal to the rotation axis to a third post position. 
     
     
         14 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a hinged base having a first base member hingedly coupled to a second base member, wherein each of the first base member and the second base member comprise a planar surface and at least one sidewall extending upwards away for the planar surface, and wherein the first base member is configured to be positioned on one side of a ridge of the roof, and the second base member is configured to be positioned on the other side of the ridge of the roof. 
     
     
         15 . The canopy support of  claim 14 , wherein the base further comprises a post mounting member coupled to the planar surface of the second base member and extending upward away from the planar surface a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         16 . The canopy support of  claim 1 , further comprising a bowed arm configured to rotate relative to the post and to raise and tension the tarp, the bowed arm comprising a distal end coupled to the post and an opposed proximal end extending away from the post, and wherein the bowed arm is arcuate in shape such that a longitudinal axis of the distal end of the bowed arm is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the proximal end. 
     
     
         17 . A canopy support system for covering at least a portion of a roof with a canopy spaced from the roof, the canopy support system comprising:
 a plurality of canopy supports, wherein each canopy support comprises:
 a base configured for secured attachment to the roof; and 
 an elongate post comprising a proximal end configured for attachment to the tarp and an opposed distal end rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis, and wherein the post is rotatable relative to the base about and between a lowered post position and a raised post position; and 
   a tarp coupled to the proximal end of each canopy support of the plurality of canopy supports.   
     
     
         18 . The canopy support system of  claim 17 , further comprising a pinning element configured to secure the post at a desired first post position relative to the base. 
     
     
         19 . The canopy support system of  claim 17 , further comprising a compression strut configured to secure the post at a desired first post position relative to the base. 
     
     
         20 . The canopy support system of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of drain holes are defined in the tarp, wherein the plurality of drain holes are arranged in substantially parallel rows spaced apart a predetermined distance, wherein a gutter is coupled to a bottom side of the tarp under each drain hole, and wherein the gutter is configured to direct water falling through the drain holes away from the tarp.