Attachment Device For Interconnecting Canopy to Modular Floating Platform

An attachment device for interconnecting a canopy to a modular floating platform includes an elongate first mounting plate defining a distal opening for receiving a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the modular floating platform and an attachment opening for receiving a second fastener for attaching a leg of the canopy to the first mounting plate and a second mounting plate attached to the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate. A system includes such an attachment device, a modular floating platform, and a canopy, with the attachment device interconnecting the canopy to the modular floating platform.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an attachment device, in particular, to an attachment device for interconnecting a canopy to a modular floating platform, such as an inflatable modular floating platform, by employing a plurality of elongate mounting plates.

BACKGROUND

Modular floating platforms, such as those available from Bote, LLC (Miramar Beach, Florida) under the trade name “BOTE,” are often used for recreation on open water. However, such modular floating platforms are uncovered, making such modular floating platforms susceptible to direct sunlight. As such, use of such modular floating platforms may be less enjoyable for those sensitive to the sun.

Therefore, there is a need for an attachment device for interconnecting a canopy (e.g., a foldable pop-up canopy) to a modular floating platform such that the canopy provides desirable shade and comfort when the modular floating platform is deployed outdoors.

SUMMARY

In one example, an attachment device is provided. The attachment device is configured to interconnect an associated canopy to an associated modular floating platform. The attachment device includes an elongate first mounting plate. The first mounting plate extends from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The first mounting plate defines a distal opening. The distal opening is adjacent the distal end of the first mounting plate. The distal opening is configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the associated modular floating platform. The first mounting plate further defines an attachment opening. The attachment opening is adjacent the proximal end of the first mounting plate. The attachment opening is configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the associated canopy to the first mounting plate. The attachment device further includes an elongate second mounting plate. The second mounting plate extends from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The proximal end of the second mounting plate is configured to be attached to the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate.

In some examples, the first mounting plate may further define a plurality of proximal openings. The proximal openings may be adjacent the proximal end of the first mounting plate. The proximal end of the second mounting plate may be configured to be attached to the first mounting plate by a plurality of third fasteners. The third fasteners may pass through respective ones of the proximal openings of the first mounting plate.

The second mounting plate may, in some examples, define a notched portion. The notched portion of the second mounting plate may be defined along an outer edge at the proximal end of the second mounting plate. The notched portion may be configured to be aligned with the attachment opening of the first mounting plate when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another. The second fastener may be at least partially received within the notched portion when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another.

The attachment device may include a bracket. The bracket may be attached to an upper surface of the first mounting plate. The bracket may be configured to further operatively attach the associated canopy to the first mounting plate. In some examples, the bracket may be a C-shaped bracket. The attachment device may include a carabiner. The carabiner may be between the bracket and the associated canopy. The first mounting plate may further define a plurality of bracket openings. The bracket openings may be configured to receive respective ones of a plurality of fourth fasteners for attaching the bracket to the upper surface of the first mounting plate.

The attachment device may include a strap. The strap may be attached to at least one of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The strap may be configured to further operatively connect the associated modular floating platform to the attachment device.

In examples, each of the first and second mounting plates may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, and/or the like, including combinations thereof.

The first fastener may, in certain examples, be is a wing screw.

The first mounting plate may have a length of about 17″. The length of the first mounting plate may be measured in a first direction along the first mounting plate from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. The first mounting plate may have a width of about 6″. The width of the first mounting plate may be measured in a second direction across the first mounting plate perpendicular to the first direction.

The second mounting plate may have a length of about 7″. The length of second mounting plate may be measured in a first direction along the second mounting plate from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. The second mounting plate may have a width of about 6″. The width of the second mounting plate may be measured in a second direction across the second mounting plate perpendicular to the first direction.

In another example, a system is provided. The system includes a modular floating platform, a canopy including a plurality of legs, and an attachment device as described herein. The modular floating platform is attached to the first mounting plate by a first fastener passing through the distal opening of the first mounting plate, and one of the plurality of legs of the canopy is attached the first mounting plate by a second fastener passing through the attachment opening of the first mounting plate, such that the attachment device interconnects the modular floating platform and the canopy. In some examples, the canopy may be a 10′×10′ foldable pop-up canopy.

In a further example, a system is provided. The system includes a modular floating platform, a canopy including a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, and a first attachment device, a second attachment device, a third attachment device, and a fourth attachment device. The first, second, third, and fourth legs of the canopy are spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform. The first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices are spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices includes an elongate first mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The first mounting plate of each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices defines a distal opening adjacent the distal end thereof and configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the modular floating platform. The first mounting plate of each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices further defines an attachment opening adjacent the proximal end thereof and configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the canopy to the first mounting plate. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices further includes an elongate second mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The proximal end of the second mounting plate of each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices is configured to be attached to the corresponding first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate. The modular floating platform is attached to each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices, the first leg of the canopy is attached to the first attachment device, the second leg of the canopy is attached to the second attachment device, the third leg of the canopy is attached to the third attachment device, and the fourth leg of the canopy is attached to the fourth attachment device, such that each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices interconnects the modular floating platform and the canopy. In some examples, the canopy may be a 10′×10′ foldable pop-up canopy.

In another example, an attachment device is provided. The attachment device is configured to interconnect an associated canopy to an associated modular floating platform. The attachment device includes an elongate first mounting plate. The first mounting plate extends from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The first mounting plate defines a plurality of proximal openings. The proximal openings are adjacent the proximal end of the first mounting plate. The first mounting plate further defines a distal opening. The distal opening is adjacent the distal end of the first mounting plate. The distal opening is configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the associated modular floating platform. The first mounting plate further defines an attachment opening. The attachment opening is adjacent the proximal end of the first mounting plate. The attachment opening is configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the associated canopy to the first mounting plate. The attachment device further includes an elongate second mounting plate. The second mounting plate extends from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The proximal end of the second mounting plate is configured to be attached to the first mounting plate by a plurality of third fasteners passing through respective ones of the proximal openings of the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate. The attachment device further includes a bracket. The bracket is attached to an upper surface of the first mounting plate. The attachment device further includes a carabiner. The carabiner is between the bracket and the associated canopy. The carabiner is configured to further operatively attach the associated canopy to the first mounting plate via the bracket. The first mounting plate may further define a plurality of bracket openings. The attachment device further includes a strap. The strap is attached to a strap attached to at least one of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The strap is configured to further operatively connect the associated modular floating platform to the attachment device.

The second mounting plate may, in some examples, define a notched portion. The notched portion of the second mounting plate may be defined along an outer edge at the proximal end of the second mounting plate. The notched portion may be configured to be aligned with the attachment opening of the first mounting plate when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another. The second fastener may be at least partially received within the notched portion when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another. The first mounting plate may, in some examples, define a notched portion. The notched portion of the first mounting plate may be defined along an outer edge at the proximal end of the first mounting plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the illustrative examples may be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is understood that potential examples of the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to those depicted.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first mounting plate according to one example;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a second mounting plate according to one example;

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of an attachment system in use interconnecting a canopy to a modular floating platform according to one example;

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the attachment system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a system including a modular floating platform, a canopy, and the attachment system of FIG. 3 according to one example; and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a system including a modular floating platform, a canopy, and a plurality of attachment systems according to one example.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting and are for explanatory purposes. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and shown in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, each of which are explicitly contemplated and form a part of this disclosure.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, an example attachment device 100 is shown. The attachment device 100 is generally configured to interconnect a shield or covering, such as a canopy (e.g., a foldable pop-up canopy) to a platform, such as a modular floating platform (e.g., an inflatable modular floating platform). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the attachment device 100 may be employed to interconnect a variety of different items, and the attachment device 100 may be removably or permanently employed to interconnect such items. By way of non-limiting example, the attachment device 100 may advantageously allow a user to quickly and conveniently connect a canopy to a modular floating platform for providing cover or shelter for the modular floating platform, with such attachment being selectively reversible to disconnect the canopy from the modular floating platform, as desired to suit particular applications. The attachment device 100 generally includes a first mounting plate 110 (refer to FIG. 1) and a second mounting plate 120 (refer to FIG. 2).

With specific reference to FIG. 1, the first mounting plate 110 may be an elongate mounting plate extending from a proximal end 110a to a distal end 110b thereof. In other words, the proximal end 110a and the distal end 110b of the first mounting plate 110 may be spaced apart from one another along a length of the first mounting plate 110.

The first mounting plate 110 may define a distal opening 112. The distal opening 112 may be positioned adjacent the distal end 110b of the first mounting plate 110. In some examples, the distal opening 112 may be positioned centrally along a width of the first mounting plate 110, although other examples are not so limited. The distal opening 112 may generally be configured to receive a fastener 130 for attaching the first mounting plate 110 to the modular floating platform 300 (refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first mounting plate 110 may be attached to the modular floating platform 300 by any suitable fastener, and the distal opening 112 defined in the first mounting plate 110 may be sized and shaped accordingly to suit a desired application. By way of non-limiting example, the first fastener 130 for attaching the first mounting plate 110 to the modular floating platform 300 may be a wing screw. As may be appreciated, the modular floating platform 300 may generally include a female threaded hole configured to receive the first fastener 130 in threaded engagement therein. In examples, the distal opening 112 may be circular or elliptical, although other examples are not so limited.

The first mounting plate 110 may also define an attachment opening 114. The attachment opening 114 may be positioned adjacent the proximal end 110a of the first mounting plate 110. In some examples, the attachment opening 114 may be positioned centrally along a width of the first mounting plate 110 and may be axially aligned with the distal opening 112 along a central axis extending between the proximal end 110a and the distal end 110b of the first mounting plate 110 (i.e., along a length of the first mounting plate 110), although other examples are not so limited. The attachment opening 114 may generally be configured to receive a fastener 140 for attaching the first mounting plate 110 to the canopy 200, such as by attaching the first mounting plate 110 to a leg 202 of the canopy 200 (refer to FIG. 4). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first mounting plate 110 may be attached to the canopy 200 by any suitable fastener, and the attachment opening 114 defined in the first mounting plate 110 may be sized and shaped accordingly to suit a desired application.

The first mounting plate 110 may also define one or proximal openings 116, such as a plurality of proximal openings 116. The proximal opening(s) 116 may be positioned adjacent the proximal end 110a of the first mounting plate 110. In some examples, a pair of proximal openings 116 may be provided, with the proximal openings 116 spaced apart from one another along opposing sides of the attachment opening 114, although other examples are not so limited. In some examples, the proximal opening(s) 116 may be axially aligned with the attachment opening 114 along an axis extending side-to-side across the first mounting plate 110 (i.e., along a width of the first mounting plate 110), although other examples are not so limited. Each proximal opening 116 may generally be configured to receive a fastener 150 for attaching the first mounting plate 110 to the second mounting plate 120, such as for attaching a proximal end 120a of the second mounting plate 120 (refer to FIG. 2) to the first mounting plate 110 adjacent the proximal end 110a of the first mounting plate 110 (refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first mounting plate 110 may be attached to the second mounting plate 120 by any suitable fastener, and the proximal opening(s) 116 defined in the first mounting plate 110 may be sized and shaped accordingly to suit a desired application.

The first mounting plate 110 may also define one or bracket openings 118, such as a plurality of bracket openings 118. The bracket opening(s) 118 may generally be spaced apart from the attachment opening 114, such as closer to the distal end 110b of the first mounting plate 110 than the attachment opening 114. In some examples, a pair of bracket openings 118 may be provided, with the bracket openings 118 spaced apart from one another along opposing sides of the attachment opening 114, although other examples are not so limited. Each bracket opening 118 may generally be configured to receive a fastener 160 for attaching a bracket 170 to an upper surface 110f of the first mounting plate 110 (refer to FIG. 4). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bracket 170 may be attached to the first mounting plate 110 by any suitable fastener, and the bracket opening(s) 118 defined in the first mounting plate 110 may be sized and shaped accordingly to suit a desired application.

The first mounting plate 110 may generally be of any size, shape, and/or material as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the first mounting plate 110 may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, and/or the like, including combinations thereof. By way of further non-limiting example, the first mounting plate 110 may have a length L110 of about 17″ as measured in a first direction from the proximal end 110a to the distal end 110b of the first mounting plate 110 (i.e., direction 6 along the first mounting plate 110) and/or a width Win of about 6″ as measured in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., direction 2 across the first mounting plate 110). Such dimensions may be particularly suited for interconnecting a 10′×10′ canopy (e.g., a foldable pop-up canopy) to a 10′×10′ modular floating platform (e.g., an inflatable modular floating platform).

In examples, the first mounting plate 110 may be defined by a distal portion 110c, a main body portion 110d, and a proximal portion 110e with the main body portion 110d positioned between the distal portion 110c and the proximal portion 110e, although other examples are not so limited. In examples, the distal portion 110c of the first mounting plate 110 may be generally semicircular, although other examples are not so limited. The distal portion 110c of the first mounting plate 110 may define the distal opening 112, and the proximal portion 110e of the first mounting plate 110 may define the attachment opening 114 and/or the proximal opening(s) 116. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the main body portion 110d of the first mounting bracket 110 may define the bracket opening(s) 118, although other examples are not so limited and the bracket opening(s) 118 could be defined in any portion of the first mounting bracket 110 as desired to suit a particular application.

In examples, the first mounting plate 110 may further define an aperture 117 immediately adjacent an outer edge 119 at the proximal end 110a of the first mounting plate 110 (i.e., within the proximal portion 110e of the first mounting plate 110). The aperture 117 may generally be defined between the outer edge 119 at the proximal end 110a of the first mounting plate 110 and the attachment opening 114.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the second mounting plate 120 may be an elongate mounting plate extending from a proximal end 120a to a distal end 120b thereof. In other words, the proximal end 120a and the distal end 120b of the second mounting plate 120 may be spaced apart from one another along a length of the second mounting plate 120.

As discussed above, the proximal end 110b of the second mounting plate 110 may generally be configured to be attached to the first mounting plate 110 (e.g., by fasteners 150). The second mounting plate 120 may generally extend substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate 110 (refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). In examples, an axis through the longest dimension of the first mounting plate 110 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis through the longest dimension of the second mounting plate 120.

The second mounting plate 120 may generally be of any size, shape, and/or material as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the second mounting plate 120 may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, and/or the like, including combinations thereof. By way of further non-limiting example, the second mounting plate 120 may have a length L120 of about 7″ as measured in a first direction from the proximal end 120a to the distal end 120b of the second mounting plate 120 (i.e., direction 6 along the second mounting plate 120).

In examples, the second mounting plate 120 may be defined by a distal portion 120c and a proximal portion 120d, although other examples are not so limited. In examples, the proximal portion 120d of the second mounting plate 120 may have a width W122 as measured in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., direction 2 across the second mounting plate 120) that is greater than a width W124 of the distal portion 120c of the second mounting plate 120 as measured in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., direction 2 across the second mounting plate 120). By way of specific non-limiting example, the proximal portion 120d of the second mounting plate 120 may have a width W122 of about 6″ as measured in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., direction 2 across the second mounting plate 120).

In examples, the second mounting plate 120 may further define a notched portion 217 along an outer edge 219 at the proximal end 120a of the second mounting plate 120 (i.e., within the proximal portion 120d of the second mounting plate 120). The notched portion 217 of the second mounting plate 120 may generally be configured to be aligned with the attachment opening 114 of the first mounting plate 110 when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another such that the second fastener 140 is at least partially received within the notched portion 217.

With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a strap 190 may be provided. The strap 190 may be attached to the second mounting plate 120 and/or the first mounting plate 110. The strap 190 is generally configured to operatively connect the modular floating platform 300 to the attachment device 100, such as by operatively connecting the modular floating platform 300 to the second mounting plate 120 and/or the first mounting plate 110. For example, the modular floating platform 300 may include its own strap 302 (e.g., at a corner thereof), and the strap 190 may be configured to be at least partially wrapped about and/or interwoven with the strap 302 of the modular floating platform 300, thereby operatively connecting the modular floating platform 300 to the second mounting plate 120 and/or the first mounting plate 110. In examples, the strap 190 may be configured to extend along the second mounting plate 120 (i.e., in the first direction from the proximal end 120a to the distal end 120b of the second mounting plate 120) and may be configured to extend substantially perpendicular to a crosswise-extending strap 302 of the modular floating platform 300, although other examples are not so limited. In examples, a portion of the strap 190 may pass through and/or be at least partially wrapped about about the aperture 117 defined in the first mounting plate 110, thereby operatively connecting the modular floating platform 300 to the first mounting plate 110.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the bracket 170 attached to the upper surface 110f of the first mounting plate 110 may generally be configured to operatively attach the canopy 200 to the first mounting plate 110. For example, the canopy 200 may include a rope 204 or similar component that may be operatively attached to the bracket 170 for further operatively attaching the canopy 200 to the first mounting plate 110, such as with the rope 204 extending from a frame of the canopy 200. In examples, a carabiner 180 or similar component (e.g., loop, hook, shackle) may be provided. In examples, carabiner 180 may serve to interconnect the bracket 170 and the canopy 200, such as by interconnecting the bracket 170 to the rope 204 of the canopy 200. The carabiner 180 may advantageously provide a user with a quick and easy way to selectively connect and disconnect a rope 204 of the canopy 200 to the first mounting plate 110 via the bracket 170, as desired. In other examples, the carabiner 180 may be omitted and the bracket 170 and the canopy 200 may be directly connected to one another, such as attaching the rope 204 of the canopy 200 to the bracket 170. As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bracket 170 and the carabiner 180 may be of any suitable size, shape, and/or type as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the bracket 170 may be a C-shaped bracket attached to the upper surface 110f of the first mounting plate 110 by a pair of fasteners 160 (refer to FIG. 4).

The canopy 200 may be interconnected to the modular floating platform 300, such as by attaching the modular floating platform 300 to the first mounting plate 110 by a first fastener 130 passing through the distal opening 112 of the first mounting plate 110 attaching one of the plurality of legs 202 of the canopy 200 to the first mounting plate 110 by a second fastener 140 passing through the attachment opening 114 of the first mounting plate 110. As also described herein, the canopy 200 may be further operatively connected to the first mounting plate 100 by operative connecting the canopy 200 to the bracket 170 attached to the upper surface 110f of the first mounting plate 110, such as by connecting a rope 204 of the canopy 200 directly to the bracket 170, or, alternatively, connecting a rope 204 of the canopy 200 to a carabiner 180 attached to the bracket 170. Further yet, as described herein, the modular floating platform 300b may be operatively connected to first mounting plate 110 and/or the second mounting plate 120 using a strap 190 attached to the first mounting plate 110 and/or the second mounting plate 120.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an example system 10 is shown. The system 10 generally includes a modular floating platform 100, a canopy 200 including a plurality of legs 202, and an attachment device 100 as described herein. As described herein, attachment device 100 may interconnect the canopy 200 to the modular floating platform 300.

As may be appreciated, any number of attachment devices may be provided as desired to suit a particular application. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the system 10 may include a first attachment device 100, a second attachment device 100′, a third attachment device 100″, and a fourth attachment device 100′″. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″ may generally be structured and function as attachment device 100 described herein. The first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″ may generally be spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform 300, such as by positioning respective ones of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″ at corresponding corners of the modular floating platform 300. The canopy 200 may include a first leg 202, a second leg 202′, a third leg 202″, and a fourth leg 202″. The first, second, third, and fourth legs 202, 202′, 202″, 202′″ of the canopy 200 may generally be spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform 300, such as by positioning respective ones of the first, second, third, and fourth legs 202, 202′, 202″, 202′″ of the canopy 200 at corresponding corners of the modular floating platform 300. As described herein, the modular floating platform 300 may be attached to each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″, the first leg 202 of the canopy 200 may be attached to the first attachment device 100, the second leg 202′ of the canopy 200 may be attached to the second attachment device 100′, the third leg 202″ of the canopy 200 may be attached to the third attachment device 100′″, and the fourth leg 202′″ of the canopy 200 may be attached to the fourth attachment device 200′″, such that each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″ interconnect the first, second, third, and fourth legs 202, 202′, 202″, 202′″ of the canopy 200 to the modular floating platform 100 at each corner of the modular floating platform 300.

It should be noted that the drawings and descriptions of the examples are for exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various examples. Additionally, it should be understood that the concepts described above with the above-described examples may be employed alone or in combination with any of the other examples described above. It should further be appreciated that the various alternative examples described above with respect to one illustrated example can apply to all examples as described herein, unless otherwise indicated.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” preceded the value or range. The terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood as describing a range that is within 15 percent of a specified value unless otherwise stated.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include, while other examples do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples or that one or more examples necessarily include these features, elements and/or steps. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth.

While certain examples have been described, these examples have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and articles described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and articles described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the inventions disclosed herein.

It will be understood that reference herein to “a” or “one” to describe a feature such as a component or step does not foreclose additional features or multiples of the feature. For instance, reference to a device having or defining “one” of a feature does not preclude the device from having or defining more than one of the feature, as long as the device has or defines at least one of the feature. Similarly, reference herein to “one of” a plurality of features does not foreclose the invention from including two or more, up to all, of the features. For instance, reference to a device having or defining “one of a X and Y” does not foreclose the device from having both X and Y.

Claims

1. An attachment device configured to interconnect an associated canopy to an associated modular floating platform, the attachment device comprising:

an elongate first mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the first mounting plate defining: a distal opening adjacent the distal end thereof and configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the associated modular floating platform; and an attachment opening adjacent the proximal end thereof and configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the associated canopy to the first mounting plate; and
an elongate second mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the proximal end of the second mounting plate configured to be attached to the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate.

2. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first mounting plate further defines a plurality of proximal openings adjacent the proximal end thereof.

3. The attachment device of claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the second mounting plate is configured to be attached to the first mounting plate by a plurality of third fasteners passing through respective ones of the proximal openings of the first mounting plate.

4. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the second mounting plate defines a notched portion along an outer edge at the proximal end thereof, the notched portion configured to be aligned with the attachment opening of the first mounting plate when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another such that the second fastener is at least partially received within the notched portion.

5. The attachment device of claim 1, further comprising a bracket attached to an upper surface of the first mounting plate and configured to further operatively attach the associated canopy to the first mounting plate.

6. The attachment device of claim 5, wherein the bracket is a C-shaped bracket.

7. The attachment device of claim 5, further comprising a carabiner between the bracket and the associated canopy.

8. The attachment device of claim 5, wherein the first mounting plate further defines a plurality of bracket openings configured to receive respective ones of a plurality of fourth fasteners for attaching the bracket to the upper surface of the first mounting plate.

9. The attachment device of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to at least one of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate and configured to operatively connect the associated modular floating platform to the attachment device.

10. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second mounting plates are made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.

11. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is a wing screw.

12. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first mounting plate has a length of about 17″ as measured in a first direction along the first mounting plate from the proximal end to the distal end thereof and the second mounting plate has a length of about 7″ as measured in a first direction along the second mounting plate from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.

13. The attachment device of claim 12, wherein the first mounting plate has a width of about 6″ as measured in a second direction across the first mounting plate perpendicular to the first direction and the second mounting plate has a width of about 6″ as measured in a second direction across the second mounting plate perpendicular to the first direction.

14. A system, comprising:

a modular floating platform; and
a canopy including a plurality of legs;
the attachment device of claim 1,
wherein the modular floating platform is attached to the first mounting plate by a first fastener passing through the distal opening of the first mounting plate and one of the plurality of legs of the canopy is attached the first mounting plate by a second fastener passing through the attachment opening of the first mounting plate, such that the attachment device interconnects the modular floating platform and the canopy.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the canopy is a 10′×10′ foldable pop-up canopy.

16. A method of interconnecting a canopy to a modular floating platform, the method comprising:

providing a modular floating platform, a canopy including a plurality of legs, and the attachment device of claim 1;
attaching the modular floating platform to the first mounting plate by a first fastener passing through the distal opening of the first mounting plate; and
attaching one of the plurality of legs of the canopy to the first mounting plate by a second fastener passing through the attachment opening of the first mounting plate.

17. A system, comprising:

a modular floating platform; and
a canopy including a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth legs are spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform;
a first attachment device, a second attachment device, a third attachment device, and a fourth attachment device, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices are spaced apart from one another about the modular floating platform and each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices comprises: an elongate first mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the first mounting plate defining: a distal opening adjacent the distal end thereof and configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the modular floating platform; and an attachment opening adjacent the proximal end thereof and configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the canopy to the first mounting plate; and
an elongate second mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the proximal end of the second mounting plate configured to be attached to the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate,
wherein the modular floating platform is attached to each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices, the first leg of the canopy is attached to the first attachment device, the second leg of the canopy is attached to the second attachment device, the third leg of the canopy is attached to the third attachment device, and the fourth leg of the canopy is attached to the fourth attachment device, such that each of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment devices interconnects the modular floating platform and the canopy.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the canopy is a 10′×10′ pop-up canopy.

19. An attachment device configured to interconnect an associated canopy to an associated modular floating platform, the attachment device comprising:

an elongate first mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the first mounting plate defining: a plurality of proximal openings adjacent the proximal end thereof; a distal opening adjacent the distal end thereof and configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first mounting plate to the associated modular floating platform; and an attachment opening adjacent the proximal end thereof and configured to receive a second fastener for attaching a leg of the associated canopy to the first mounting plate;
an elongate second mounting plate extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the proximal end of the second mounting plate configured to be attached to the first mounting plate by a plurality of third fasteners passing through respective ones of the proximal openings of the first mounting plate such that the second mounting plate extends substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate;
a bracket attached to an upper surface of the first mounting plate;
a carabiner between the bracket and the associated canopy and configured to further operatively attach the associated canopy to the first mounting plate via the bracket; and
a strap attached to at least one of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate and configured to further operatively connect the associated modular floating platform to the attachment device.

20. The attachment device of claim 19, wherein:

the second mounting plate defines a notched portion along an outer edge at the proximal end thereof, the notched portion configured to be aligned with the attachment opening of the first mounting plate when the first and second mounting plates are attached to one another such that the second fastener is at least partially received within the notched portion; and
the first mounting plate defines a notched portion along an outer edge at the proximal end thereof.
Patent History
Publication number: 20240083550
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 14, 2022
Publication Date: Mar 14, 2024
Inventors: Philip Thompson (Deland, FL), Juddson Tyler Spore (Deland, FL)
Application Number: 17/932,196
Classifications
International Classification: B63B 17/02 (20060101); E04H 15/02 (20060101);