Vented bimini top

Abstract

A vent or separation/s between the flexible material (10)(11)(12) which is attached to a bimini frame (12) will provide access for air flow therefore reducing the pressure exerted from air collection. The reduction of pressure will minimize the wear on the material (10)(11)(12) its stitching or adhesive and all related hardware and frame. This vent or separation may have a retraction mechanism (14) to re-align the material to a form that would provide protection from the elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/268,848, filed 2009 Jun. 17 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to material vents and bimini frames, specifically to the venting of the material attached to a bimini frame.

2. Prior Art

This relates to the material attached to a bimini frame U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,752 (Issued Jan. 13, 1998). The present material attached to a bimini frame is uniform in nature and when exposed to increased air pressure exerts exceptional strain to the material, stitching, and adhesives as well as the related hardware and bimini frame. This excessive strain reduces the useful life of all related parts.

Prior art includes Canopy Vent U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,816 (Issued Dec. 16, 2003) which has an application for a tent which is a vent in the material attached to a tent frame which is unlike the bimini frame.

Prior art also includes a Vented Umbrella U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,162 (Issued Jun. 26, 2001) which has an application to the umbrella which is a vent in the material attached to an umbrella frame which is unlike the bimini frame.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a vented bimini top would have separation/s in the material where excessive air pressure is exerted. The reduction of air pressure can reduce strain on the material, stitching and adhesive as well as the related hardware and bimini frame. This reduction of excessive strain will extend the useful life of all related parts.

The application of a connecting retraction mechanism such as an elastic cord between the vented materials will control the volume of air flow dependent upon exerted pressure. The retraction mechanism will also re-align the material to a form which provides protection from the elements.

DRAWINGS

Figures

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the vented bimini top identifying the separation locations and retraction mechanism layout.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the vented bimini top identifying separations between the materials and its relationship to the frame including anchoring points for the retraction mechanism.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Front Section        11 Middle Section
12 Rear Section         13 Frame
14 Retraction Mechanism 15 Weather Resistant Grommet
16 Anchor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2

First Embodiment

FIG. 1

One embodiment of the vented bimini top is illustrated by a plan identifying (10) a front section, (11) a middle section, and (12) a rear section of a vented bimini top. This example is based on a 4 member (13) frame as depicted in the figure where-as alternative embodiments of the design principals may be implemented dependent on the number of (13) frame members. The front portion of each section will be directly connected to the (13) frame where-as the rear portion of the section be connected by a (14) retraction mechanism which is woven through (15) weather resistant grommets in the rear portion of one section and the front portion of the next to allow for the sections to separate and retract dependent on air pressure. The (12) rear section will use the (14) retraction mechanism woven through the (15) weather resistant grommets and around the (13) frame to allow for the release of air pressure at the rear of this section.

FIG. 2

The same embodiment as identified in FIG. 1 is illustrated by a section of the vented bimini top identifying (10) a front section, (11) a middle section, and (12) a rear section of a vented bimini top. This example is based on a 4 member (13) frame as depicted in the figure where-as alternative embodiments of the design principals may be implemented dependent on the number of (13) frame members. The front portion of each section will be directly connected to the (13) frame where-as the rear portion of the section be connected by a (14) retraction mechanism which is woven through (15) weather resistant grommets in the rear portion of one section and the front portion of the next and (16) anchored down to the (13) frame. The separations will allow for the (17) air flow to pass between sections. The (12) rear section will use the (14) retraction mechanism woven through the (15) weather resistant grommets and around the (13) frame to allow for the release of air pressure at the rear of this section.

OPERATION

In operation one uses the bimini top in a normal manner. The bimini frame is to remain rigid so the vents will self operate under the pressure exerted by air flow. Adjustments can be made to size of the vents by the increasing or decreasing the strength of the retraction mechanism between the sections being vented.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The reader will see that, according to one embodiment of the invention I have provided a separation/s of the material attached to a bimini frame will allow air flow at excessive pressure points. The connecting retraction mechanism applied to these separations will re-align the material to a form which provides protection from the elements.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be constructed as limitations of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teaching of the embodiment. For example, bimini frames may be structured in various shapes with a various number of members and the application of a separation/s and/or connecting retraction mechanisms may be dependent on the shape and members of the frame.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Claims

1. The installation of a vent or separation in the material which is attached to a bimini frame.

2. The application of a retraction mechanism to the vent or separation in the material attached to a bimini frame.