Canopy System

The present disclosure relates to a canopy system, and more particularly to a canopy system with a force distribution assembly, which enables the boat structure to have an anti-overturning capability and stably operate on oceans, lakes, and rivers.

At present, most of the river float crafts, such as kayaks or canoes, are designed to be long and narrow to achieve better performance at a higher speed, but the stability of the narrow and long kayak body can be greatly influenced, once athletes encounter large storms on the water surface during competition or training, the river float craft is very easy to overturn, a large amount of physical energy can be consumed during training, and if the athletes fall into the water in a storms manner, the difficulty of escape and self-rescue of the athletes can be increased under the action of the storms on the water surface, so that more serious consequences can be easily caused.

Generally, when the river float crafts are rowing through the water, the water opposes the craft's movement. And this opposition is generally represented as wave resistance. In addition, weight is also represented as weight resistance during rowing. If more weight is added to the river float crafts, more weight resistance is dragging on the river float craft.

Moreover, winds are also a challenge for the athletes. The intensity of the challenges and level of safety risks largely depend on the direction of the wind. Therefore, the wind resistance might capsize their crafts.

There may exist a desire to develop a river float craft with an anti-turnover ability to provide a safer rowing experience.

All referenced patents, applications, and literature are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. The disclosed embodiments may seek to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned desires. Although the present embodiments may obviate one or more of the above-mentioned desires, it should be understood that some aspects of the embodiments might not necessarily obviate them.

In a general implementation, the canopy system upon a floating structure may comprise a cover detachably coupled on a body of the floating structure; and a connector instantly detachable coupling the body with the cover having at least one force distribution assembly, wherein the at least one force distribution assembly move substantially freely in respective to a connection point on the body and independent from a floating motion of the body of the floating structure so that a wind force received by the cover is reduced to be transferred to the body.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, at least one of the one of the force distribution assemblies may comprise a side affixing strap detachably coupled with the connection point on the body.

Further, it is contemplated that one of the force distribution assemblies may comprise a retainer attached to the connection portion of the body of the floating structure, at least one frame unit coupled with cover, and a hook coupled to the retainer and being inserted into the frame unit.

In the alternative, the one of the force distribution assemblies may comprise a retainer attached to the connection portion of the body of the floating structure, a frame unit, a ring unit rotatably coupled with the retainer, and a hook movably coupled to the ring unit, wherein the hook is inserted into the frame unit to guide the force distribution assembly to be rotational and gliding along a surface of the body of the floating structure and is moved along a periphery of the ring unit.

It is still further contemplated that the connector may comprise at least one frame unit and each of the frame units has a frame distal end coupled to a hook of the force distribution assembly and a frame proximal end opposite of the frame distal end, wherein the frame proximal end is connected to the cover.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the body of the floating structure comprises a front portion, a rear portion opposite of the front portion, a middle portion integrally extended between the front portion and the rear portion, a first transition portion integrally extended between the front portion and the middle portion, and a second transition portion formed between the rear portion and the middle portion, wherein the cover is suspended above the middle portion of the floating structure.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the connector comprises a first force distribution assembly and a second force distribution assembly arranged on a first transition portion of the body of the floating structure, and a third force distribution assembly and a fourth force distribution assembly arranged on a second transition portion of the body of the floating structure.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, one of the force distribution assemblies comprises at least one side affixing strap, wherein each of the side affixing straps having a first side affixing strap end coupled to the cover and a second affixing strap end detachably coupled to a ring unit of the force distribution assembly, wherein the second affixing strap end is moved along a peripheral of the ring unit.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the connector comprises a front strap coupled with the cover and detachably coupled to a front portion of the body of the floating structure and a rear strap coupled with the cover and detachably coupled to a rear portion of the body of the floating structure.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the one of the force distribution assemblies comprises a retainer having a main retainer portion attached to the connection point on the body of the floating structure and an elongated portion integrally extended from the main retainer portion to couple with a ring unit, wherein the elongated portion is not attached to the body of the floating structure.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the one of the force distribution assemblies comprises a ring unit and a hook having a round hook portion movably coupled to the ring unit and an elongated hook portion configured to be inserted into a frame distal end of a frame unit to guide the ring unit to be rotational and gliding along a surface of the body of the floating structure, wherein the round hook portion is configured to move along a periphery of the ring unit.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the one of the force distribution assemblies comprises a ring unit, and the connector comprises a retainer having a main retainer portion attached to the connection point of the body of the floating structure and an elongated portion integrally extended from the main retainer to couple with to the ring unit, wherein the elongated portion has a loop shape defined a loop through hole where the ring unit is passed through to guide the elongated portion to rotationally glide along a surface of the floating structure.

In another aspect that is combinable with the general implementation, the connector comprises a first frame unit and a second frame unit configured to overlappedly intersect and connect with the first frame unit at a first cross point.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the connector comprises a first frame unit having a first front frame end and a first rear frame end opposite to the first front frame end and a second frame unit having a second front frame end and a second rear frame end, wherein first front frame end is coupled with a first force distribution assembly of the connector and the second front frame end is coupled with a second force distribution assembly of the connector, wherein the first rear frame end is coupled with a third force distribution assembly of the connector and the second rear frame end is coupled with a fourth force distribution assembly of the connector.

Another aspect of the embodiment is directed to methods of reducing the instability of a floating structure may comprise steps of:

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the step of connecting a cover of the floating structure with the body of the floating structure through the force distribution assembly comprises steps of:

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the method of reducing instability of a floating structure may comprise steps of:

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the step of connecting a cover of the floating structure with the body of the floating structure through the force distribution assembly further comprises a step of:

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the step of making the cover move along at least a partial ring unit of the force distribution assembly independent from the floating motion of the body of the floating structure to reduce the wind force received by the cover further comprises steps of:

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above and below as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, example operations, methods, or processes described herein may include more steps or fewer steps than those described. Further, the steps in such example operations, methods, or processes may be performed in different successions than that described or illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

The different aspects of the various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and position terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention without undue experimentation, the preferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

generally depict a canopy systemupon a floating structureaccording to an aspect of the embodiment.

Referring to, the canopy systemmay comprise a coverdetachably coupled on a bodyof the floating structureand a connectorinstantly detachable coupling the bodywith the coverhaving at least one force distribution assembly, wherein the at least one force distribution assemblymoves substantially freely in respective to a connection pointon the bodyand independent from a floating motion of the bodyof the floating structureso that a wind force W received by the coveris reduced to be transferred to the body.

It should be noted that in order to prevent an overturn of the floating structure, all the forces acting on the bodycan be canceling each other out. The vertical forces are the downward gravitational force G exerted by the planet Earth and the water's buoyant upward force B from the water. F is the water's backward frictional force for reducing the speed of the floating structure. W is the wind force to reduce the stability of the floating structure. In other words, the force distribution assembliesmay be designed to transfer the wind force W to the bodyof the floating structureto be dissipated to prevent the overturn of the floating structure.

Referring to, one of the force distribution assembliesmay comprise a side affixing strapdetachably coupled with the connection pointof the body.

In some embodiments, as shown in further details inand, the force distribution assemblymay comprise a retainerattached to the connection portionof the bodyof the floating structure, a frame unitcoupled with cover(as shown in), and a hookcoupled to the retainerand being inserted into the frame unit.

In still some embodiments, the force distribution assemblymay comprise a ring unitrotatably coupled with the retainer, wherein the hookmay be instantly movably coupled to the ring unit, and in such a way, the hookmay be inserted into the frame unitto guide the force distribution assemblyto be rotational and gliding along a surface of the bodyof the floating structure. In other words, the hookmay be moved along a periphery of the ring unit.

In still some embodiments, as shown in further details in, the frame unitmay have a frame distal endcoupled to the hookof the force distribution assembly and a frame proximal endopposite of the frame distal end, wherein the frame proximal endmay be connected to the cover.

In still some embodiments, the bodyof the floating structuremay comprise a front portion, a rear portionopposite of the front portion, a middle portionintegrally extended between the front portionand the rear portion, a first transitionportion integrally extended between the front portionand the middle portion, and a second transition portionformed between the rear portionand the middle portion, wherein the coveris suspended above the middle portionof the floating structure.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the connectormay comprise a first force distribution assemblyA and a second force distribution assemblyB arranged on the two opposite sides of the first transition portionof the body of the floating structure, and a third force distribution assemblyC and a fourth force distribution assemblyD arranged on the two opposite sides of the second transition portionof the bodyof the floating structure. In some embodiments, the first force distribution assemblyA, the second force distribution assemblyB, the third force distribution assemblyC, and the fourth force distribution assemblyD are able to be identical.

In still some embodiments, each of the force distribution assemblies may comprise a side affixing strap, wherein each of the side affixing strapmay have a first side affixing strap endcoupled to the coverand a second affixing strap enddetachably coupled to the ring unitof the force distribution assembly. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the second affixing strap endmay be moved along the peripheral of the ring unit, and at the same time, the hookmay also be moved along the peripheral of the ring unit.

Continuing toand, the retainermay have a main retainer portionattached to the connection pointon the bodyof the floating structure and an elongated portionintegrally extended from the main retainer portionto couple with the ring unit, wherein the elongated portionis not attached to the bodyof the floating structure. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the main retainer portionis entirely sewn on the connection pointof the bodyof the floating structure.

Referring to, in still some embodiments, the hookmay comprise a round hook portionmovably coupled to the peripheral of the ring unitand the elongated hook portionconfigured to be inserted into the frame distal endof the frame unitto guide the ring unitto be rotational and gliding along the surface of the bodyof the floating structure, wherein the round hook portionmay be configured to move along the periphery of the ring unit.

In still some embodiments, the round hook portionmay have a loop shape defined as a loop through holewhere the ring unitmay be passed through to guide the hookto rotationally glide along the surface of the body of the floating structure.

In still some embodiments, the elongated portionof the retainermay be bent throughdegrees at a point to form a retainer loop through hole, wherein the ring unitmay be extended through the retainer loop through holeand may be moved along the main retainer portion.

andgenerally depict a front view and a rear view of the canopy system according to an aspect of the embodiments.

Referring to,, and, the connector may comprise a front strapcoupled with the coverand detachably coupled to the front portionof the bodyof the floating structureand a rear strapcoupled with the coverand detachably coupled to the rear portionof the bodyof the floating structure.

generally depicts the cover with at least one frame unit according to an aspect of the embodiments.

Referring toand, the connector may comprise a first frame unitA and a second frame unitB configured to overlappedly intersect and connect with the first frame unitA at a first cross point C.