Foldable frame for a boat cover
A collapsible frame for a cloth or canvas-like top for a boat, having latching members which retain the collapsible frame to a plurality of mounting brackets secured to the boat frame. The latching members allow for the boat frame to be quickly orientated in either an open position, providing protection to the occupants of the boat, a closed position, used to store the frame on the boat when not in use, or a travel position, securing the boat cover frame in a manner sufficient to allow movement of the boat on a trailer. In changing the position of the frame, the latching member may be disconnected from the mounting brackets without the use of tools or removable parts that may be lost or misplaced. Additionally, the latching members include a pair of wings including retaining ridges which allow a latching of frame members to one another, securing frame members not in use during various configurations of the collapsible frame.
1. A collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover in an open position and a closed position, said collapsible structure being mounted to a boat and comprising:
a frame assembly including a plurality of frame rails, at least one first frame rail being pivotally connected to a portion of a boat, and at least one second frame rail being pivotally connected to a mid portion of said first frame rail, with a free end being latchably connectable to the boat;
a first latching member being attached to the boat; and
a second latching member being affixed to said second frame rail free end;
wherein said first and second latching members are latchable to each other without the use of fasteners, to position said frame in an upright position, and are disconnectable to position said frame in a collapsed position.
2. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second latching member includes a pivot area, an opening, and a retaining ridge located between said pivot area and said opening.
3. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said first latching member is in the form of a mounting bracket having a latching pin.
4. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said second latching member latches to said latching pin whereby said pin is received into said pivot area through said opening, and said latching pin is retained within said pivot area by said retaining ridge.
5. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said second latching member further includes a release arm and a cavity, said release arm being located adjacent said retaining ridge and movement of said release arm into said cavity creates movement of said retaining ridge toward said cavity thereby allowing movement of said latching pin from said pivot area and through said opening.
6. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said latching pin has a smooth outer surface facilitating movement of said pin through said opening and into said pivotable area.
7. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second latching member is further profiled to affix said second frame rail to said first frame rail, in a back to back latched condition.
8. The collapsible structure for supporting a boat cover as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said second latching member further comprises a pair of flexible members, each said flexible member having a ridge complementary to a plurality of grooves located with said first frame rail, said latching member being affixed to said first frame rail as said ridges after said ridges are located within said grooves.
9. A latching assembly for latching a collapsible boat cover frame to a deck of a boat comprising:
a first latching member, comprising:
a mounting portion for fixedly mounting said first latching member to a boat; and
a first latching portion;
a second latching member, comprising:
a connection end for fixably connecting the second latching member to a rotatable frame member; and
a latching end comprising a second latching portion, latchable to the first latching portion, without the use of fasteners;
whereby the rotatable frame member may be rotated with the second latching member aligned with the first latching member, and the rotatable frame member may be latchably attached to the boat, latched between the first and second latching members.
10. The latching assembly of claim 9 , wherein said first latching portion of said first latching member includes a transversely extending, horizontally oriented pin.
11. The latching assembly of claim 10 , wherein said latching end of said second latching portion includes a transverse slot for receiving said transversely extending pin.
12. The latching assembly of claim 11 , wherein said first latching portion is defined by a base wall with two upright walls forming a substantial H-shaped member cross-sectionally.
13. The latching assembly of claim 12 , wherein said transversely extending pin is mounted between said upright walls in the portion above said base wall, and the spacing between said upright walls, is profiled to receive said second latching member.
14. The latching assembly of claim 12 , wherein the portion below said base wall is profiled for receipt over a frame rail on a boat.
15. The latching assembly of claim 11 , wherein said transverse slot is partially cylindrical and said flexible latching arm extends tangentially of said transverse slot, and includes a detent boss partially circumscribing a circumference of said transverse slot.
16. The latching assembly of claim 15 , wherein said second latching portion has a flexible latching arm for retaining said transverse pin in said transverse slot.