Tower for a Boat

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/662,059, filed Jun. 20, 2024, and titled “TOWER FOR A BOAT,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure generally relates to a top shade for a boat and a tower for a boat.

Boats, including recreational boats, can be equipped with towers. Some of these towers may be used as a tow point for a water sports participant. These towers may also include a shade to provide protection to the passengers of the boat from the elements, such as the sun and rain. The shade may be a generally open structure that is positioned over passenger areas of a boat, such as a cockpit of the boat.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a top shade assembly for a boat. The top shade assembly can be a convertible top shade assembly and/or part of a tower and shade assembly. The top shade assembly includes a top shade, and the top shade can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position with the top shade maintaining a generally horizontal orientation as the leg rotates between the raised position and the lowered position. The top shade can be supported by one or more legs, and the legs can be part of a tower, such as a tower equipped with a towline attachment structure for watersports.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a convertible top shade assembly for a boat. The convertible top shade assembly includes a base, a leg, a top shade, and a linkage. The leg has an upper portion, a lower portion, and an interior volume. The lower portion of the leg is pivotably attached to the base at a leg pivot to rotate between a raised position and a lowered position. The top shade is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the leg at a shade pivot. The linkage is provided within the interior volume of the leg. The linkage is pivotably connected to the base at a linkage base pivot and pivotably connected to the top shade at a linkage top shade pivot to connect the top shade with the base and rotate the top shade about the shade pivot to maintain the top shade in a generally horizontal orientation as the leg rotates between the raised position and the lowered position.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a tower and shade assembly for a boat. The tower and shade assembly includes a tower, and a top shade. The tower includes a left base, a left leg, a right base, a right leg, and a header. The left leg has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the left leg is pivotably attached to the left base at a left leg pivot to rotate between a raised position and a lowered position. The right leg has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the right leg is pivotably attached to the right base at a right leg pivot to rotate between a raised position and a lowered position. The header spans between the left leg and the right leg and is attached to the upper portion of each of the left leg and the right leg. The header has a towline-attachment structure. The top shade is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the left leg at a left shade pivot and to the upper portion of the right leg at a right shade pivot. The top shade pivotably attached to the upper portion the left leg and the right leg separately from the header. The top shade pivots at the left shade pivot and the right shade pivot to maintain the top shade in a generally horizontal orientation as the left leg and the right leg rotate between the raised position and the lowered position.

In a still another aspect, the invention relates to a tower and shade assembly for a boat. The tower and shade assembly includes a tower, a top shade, and a linkage. The tower includes a left base, a left leg, a right base, a right leg, and a header. The left leg has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the left leg is pivotably attached to the left base at a left leg pivot to rotate between a raised position and a lowered position. The right leg has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the right leg is pivotably attached to the right base at a right leg pivot to rotate between a raised position and a lowered position. The header spas between the left leg and the right leg and is attached to the upper portion of each of the left leg and the right leg. The header has a towline-attachment structure. The tower includes a tower upper portion with the header. The upper portion of the right leg, and the upper portion of the left leg being provided in the upper portion of the tower. The top shade is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the tower and extending therefrom. The linkage is pivotably connected to one of the left base or the right base at a linkage base pivot and pivotably connected to the top shade at a linkage top shade pivot to connect the top shade with one of the left base and the right base and rotate the top shade to maintain the top shade in a generally horizontal orientation as the left leg and the right leg rotate between the raised position and the lowered position.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a boat including any of the convertible top shade assemblies, or the tower and shade assemblies discussed herein.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

As noted above, a shade can be positioned over passenger areas of a boat, such as a cockpit of the boat, to provide protection from the elements, such as the sun and rain. The shade can be a top shade that covers at least a portion of a deck of the boat at a height suitable for passengers to pass underneath while standing. The top shade can be part of a tower and shade assembly with the shade supported by the tower. Because of its height, the tower with the top shade in a raised position may interfere with transportation and storage of the boat. Therefore, the tower, together with the top shade, is movable to a lowered position. The tower and shade assembly discussed herein has a dual-folding motion, with the legs folding and the top shade pivoting to remain parallel with the deck of the boat. In some embodiments, this dual-folding motion occurs as a result of a single action. For example, in those embodiments, as the legs pivot, the top shade automatically folds simultaneously with the movement of the legs, such as via an internal (e.g., hidden) linkage.

show a boatthat includes a tower and shade assembly.

is a perspective view of the boat, andis a top view of the boat. The boatincludes a hullwith a bow, a transom, a port side, and a starboard side. The boathas a deckincluding a floor. Collectively, the bow, the transom, and the port sideand the starboard sidedefine an interiorof the boat.

The port and starboard sides,, have port and starboard gunwales,, respectively. In some embodiments, such as for fiberglass boats, the boatcan be formed from a hull molding, forming at least a portion of the hull, and a deck molding, forming at least a portion of the deckand the floor. The top edge of the hull side, such as a top edge of the hull molding where the hull molding comes into contact with the deck molding, defines a sheerline of the boat. The port and starboard gunwales,can be a generally horizontal surface of the deck molding (generally horizontal deck surface). Alternatively, the port and starboard gunwales,can be formed as part of the hulland, more specifically, as part of the hull molding. The port and starboard gunwales,can be a top perimeter surface of the deckor hull.

The boathas a longitudinal centerlinerunning down the middle of the boat, halfway between the port and starboard sides,. A longitudinal direction is defined parallel to the longitudinal centerline, and the longitudinal direction can be a fore and aft direction. A transverse direction is defined transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the transverse direction can be a port and starboard direction.

The boatis depicted inas a bowrider, having both a bow seating areapositioned in the bowof the boatand a primary seating area(sometimes also referred to as the cockpit) positioned aft of a windshield. The boatshown inalso has a pair of aft-facing seats, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,650,117, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Within the boat's interioris a control consolefor operating the boat. Here, the control consoleis positioned on the starboard side of the boat, proximate to and aft of the windshield. Although described in reference to a bowrider, the embodiments discussed herein may be used with any suitable boat, including cuddies, center consoles, and cruisers, for example. Various embodiments discussed herein may also be suitable for use with other boats, such as pontoon boats.

The boatincludes a horizontal swim platformattached to the transomto make it easier for people to get into the water from the boator into the boatfrom the water. A top view of the swim platformis shown in, but the swim platform is omitted fromfor clarity. The swim platformshould be capable of supporting a human, and the swim platformis preferably capable of supporting at least 500 lbs. and, even more preferably 1250 lbs. The swim platformmay be constructed from any suitable material that may be used in a marine environment, including, for example, fiberglass or teak. In this embodiment, the swim platformis attached to the transomof the boatusing two brackets screwed to the transom; however, the swim platformmay be attached to the transomby any suitable means. While the swim platformis described as an attachable/detachable platform, it is not so limited. For example, the swim platformmay be integrally formed with the sternof the boat.

The boatshown inis a recreational boat and, more specifically, a recreational sport boat that may be used for water sports, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, wake foiling, and tubing. The boatthus may be equipped with water sport accessories or systems to facilitate the use of the boatwith such activities. These water sport accessories and systems include, for example, devices that interact with the water and are capable of enhancing or otherwise adjusting the wake produced by the boatand tow points for towing water sports participants.

The boatmay include the capability to add ballast. Ballast may be used to increase the weight and displacement of the boatand increase the size of the wake for water sports, such as wakeboarding or wake surfing. Any suitable means to add ballast may be used, including ballast bags (sacks) or ballast tanks. The boatshown inincludes three ballast tanks. The boatincludes a stern, and preferably, two ballast tanks are positioned in the sternof the boat near the bottom of the hull, one on each side of the boat (a port ballast tankand a starboard ballast tank), and a third ballast tank (not shown) is positioned along the boat's centerline near the bottom of the hull, forward of the two stern ballast tanks,. Ballast bags may be used in addition to the ballast tanks and may be plumbed into the ballast system of the boat. Preferably, the ballast bags are positioned above the stern ballast tanks,in a compartment underneath the aft-facing seats. Both the ballast tanks and the ballast bags operate similarly, in that water may be pumped into the tank or bag by ballast pumps to add weight. Any suitable ballast system and arrangement of tanks, bags, and the like may be used, including, for example, the ballast systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,254,391, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The boatmay be equipped with surf devices,, which may be used to shape the wake of the boat for wake surfing. Suitable surf devices include, for example, the port and starboard wake-modifying devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,286, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Each of the port and starboard surf devices,includes a plate-like member that is pivotably attached to the transomof the boat. Each plate-like member pivots about a pivot axis to move between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. In this embodiment, the pivot axes are hinges. Here, the hinges are piano hinges that are welded to a leading portion of each plate-like member and attached to the transomof the boatusing screws. Other pivotable connections can be used can may be affixed to the transomof the boatand the port and starboard surf devices,using other suitable means, including but not limited to bolts, screws, rivets, welding, and epoxy. Each of the port and starboard surf devices,also may include one or more downturned and/or upturned surfaces, such as downturned surfaces at the trailing edge of the plate-like members that are angled at a downward angle relative to the plate-like member. As noted above, other surf devices can be used, and other suitable surf devices can include, for example, the port and starboard wake-modifying devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,802,684, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As shown in, the boatis also equipped with a central trim device (center tab) positioned to span the longitudinal centerlineof the boat. Any suitable trim device may be used, but in this embodiment the center tabis a generally rectangular trim tab that is pivotably attached to the transomof the boat. The center tabincludes a plate-like member and pivots about a pivot axis to move between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. Like the pivot axes of the surf devices,, the pivot axis of the center tabmay be any suitable pivotable connection affixed to the transomof the boat.

Each of the surf devices,and the center tabis movable between the deployed position and the non-deployed position by a drive mechanism. In the embodiment shown, one drive mechanismis used for each surf device,and the center tab, allowing them to be independently operated. Each of the drive mechanismsshown in this embodiment is a linear actuator. The linear actuator may be an electric linear actuator or an electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA). A suitable electric linear actuator may be one from Lenco Marine of Stuart, Florida, and a suitable electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) may be one available from Parker Hannifin of Marysville, Ohio. One end of the linear actuator is connected to the transomof the boat, and the other end is connected to the surf device,or center tab. Other suitable means that can be used to move the surf devices,and the center tabbetween the deployed and non-deployed positions include, but are not limited to, hydraulic linear actuators, gas assist pneumatic actuators, and electrical motors.

The boat includes a propulsion system. The boatof this embodiment is an inboard boat. However, the embodiments discussed herein can be utilized with other types of boats and propulsion systems, including but not limited to outboard motors, sterndrives, jet drives, and the like. The propulsion system includes a motor, such as a combustion engine or an electrical motor, operatively coupled to a propulsor, such as a propeller, to drive the propulsor. The motorcan be located within the interiorof the boatand be connected to the propellerby a drive shaft that extends through the hull bottom. The propellercan be positioned beneath the hull bottomand forward of the transom. The propulsion system, specifically the motorand the drive shaft, can be arranged in a V-drive arrangement, allowing the engine to be located aft in the sternof the boatand further increasing the displacement of the sternof the boatfor water sports, such as wake surfing or wake boarding. The propulsion system can be arranged in other inboard arrangements, such as a direct drive arrangement, which may be preferred for water ski boats where increased displacement is not desired.

A rudderfor turning the boatcan be positioned behind (e.g., aft of) the propeller. A user may turn the boatby rotating a steering wheel() located at the control console. The steering wheelis coupled to the ruddersuch that turning the steering wheelrotates the rudder. Any suitable steering system may be used, including mechanical rack-and-pinion systems connected to the rudderby mechanical linkages, hydraulic steering systems, electronic steering systems, or the ruddersystem shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In other embodiments, for example, the steering wheelmay rotate the marine drive for outboard or sterndrives, or the nozzle for jet drives.

In this embodiment, the motorand the propellermay be operated by a user at the control console. The control consolecan include a control lever that operates the speed of the motor, such as a throttle for the engine that engages the motorwith the drive shaft. The control consolecan be used to support and enclose various controls for operating the boat. As noted above, the steering wheeland the control lever may be located at the control console.

As shown schematically in, the boatcan include a controllerconfigured to operate various onboard systems. The controllercan be housed within the control consoleand can be configured to manage components of the boat. In some embodiments, the controllermay be a standalone unit or integrated with other control systems onboard the boat.

The controllercan be a computing device comprising one or more processorsand memory. The processorscan be any suitable processing devices, including, but not limited to, microprocessors, microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The memoryincludes one or more computer-readable media, such as non-transitory computer-readable media, flash memory, RAM, ROM, or other storage devices. The memorystores data and computer-readable instructions executable by the processorsto perform various operations and control functions.

The instructions stored in memoryenable the controllerto manage and coordinate the operation of the boat's systems, including controlling a powered actuator() that adjusts the position of a tower and shade assembly. These instructions may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, and may be executed in multiple threads or logical sequences to optimize system performance and flexibility. Furthermore, the architecture of the controllercan support distributed or combined control schemes across multiple computing devices as needed, allowing for scalable and modular system design.

The control consolecan also include at least one display screen. The display screencan visually render information, such as information retrieved from the controller, on the display screento present a variety of information about the status and operation of the boat. The control consolecan include input devicesthat are used to select various functions or options and operate various features and systems of the boat. Such input devicesmay be operator controls. The input devicescan include a display screen, such as touchscreen display that has a plurality of user-selectable elements (or controls) that are displayed on the display screen. Other input devicescan include other static buttons and switches. These static buttons and switches are another example of user-selectable elements (or controls). Further input devicescan include the steering wheeland the control lever, and portions thereof. The controllercan interface with the input devices, including the display screen. The input devicescan include a touchscreen display with user-selectable elements, physical buttons, switches, the steering wheel, and control levers. These devices enable an operator to select functions, adjust settings, and command system operations to operate the boatand components and systems thereof. The display screencan provide real-time visual feedback, presenting system status, operational parameters, and alerts retrieved from the controller.

The boatis also equipped with an apparatus for towing a water sports participant. As shown in, the towing apparatus can be a towerthat can be used for towing a wakeboarder, for example. The towerincludes two legs: a left legand a right leg. The left legis attached on the port side of the longitudinal centerlineof the boatand can also be referred to as a port leg. The right legis attached on the starboard side of the longitudinal centerlineof the boatand can also be referred to as a starboard leg. As depicted in, the left legand the right legare attached to the top perimeter surface of the deckor hull. For example, the left legcan be attached to the port gunwaleby a left base, and the right legcan be attached to the starboard gunwaleby a right base. The left baseand the right basecan be directly attached to the top perimeter surface of the deckor hull, such as the port gunwaleand the starboard gunwaleusing any suitable means including, for example, bolts, fasteners, welding, and the like. More specifically, the left legincludes an upper portionand a lower portion, and the lower portionis directly attached to the left base. Similarly, the right legincludes and upper portionand a lower portionand the lower portionis directly attached to the right base.

The toweralso includes a header. The headeris located in an upper portionof the tower. More specifically, the headeris attached to the upper portionof the left legand the upper portionof the right leg. The headerspans the interiorof the boat, such as from the upper portionof the left legto the upper portionof the right leg, at a height suitable for passengers to pass underneath while standing. In addition, the towerhas a towline-attachment structurein the upper portionof the tower(the headerin this embodiment). This towline-attachment structurecan be used to connect a towline suitable for towing a water sports participant, such as a wakeboarder. The towline-attachment structurecan be, for example, the towline-attachment assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,886, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The boatincludes a top shade. As depicted herein, the top shadeis connected to the towerand, together with the tower, forms a tower and shade assembly. The following description will reference various features of the top shadein conjunction with the tower, such as the left leg, the right leg, the left base, and the right base. Such features may also be applicable as a standalone shade assembly apart from the tower, such as without the headerand the towline-attachment structure. The top shadecan thus be referred to more generally as being part of a top shade assembly.

The top shadecan be used to protect the occupants of the boatfrom the elements (e.g., sun and rain). The top shadehas a top shade coverto provide protection from the elements. The top shade, including the top shade coveror portions thereof, can be a hardtop where the top shade is a rigid material, such as aluminum or a composite material like fiberglass or a polymeric matrix composite (e.g., carbon-fiber composite). Alternatively, the top shade covercan be a flexible top shade cover and the top shadecan be formed by stretching the top shade coverover a frame, which is referred to herein as a top shade frame. The flexible top shade cover can be a canvas, such as a weather-proof or weather-resistant canvas, or other fabric material. The top shade coveris depicted inbut omitted from the other figures herein for clarity.

The top shadecan be positioned on the boatto cover at least a portion of the deck. For example, the top shadecan be positioned directly over one or more of the seating areas of the boat, such as the primary seating area. The top shadecan extend over at least a majority (e.g., greater than 50%) of the primary seating area. For example, in some embodiments the top shadeextends over the entire extent of the primary seating areaforward of the tower, including the control console. The top shademay extend over at least a majority of the width of the boatover the seating areas, such as over the entire width of the boatfrom the port sideto the starboard side. The top shadecan extend over the full beam width of the boat, or over a portion of the full beam width, as measured at the widest extent from the port sideto the starboard side. For example, if a port edge of the top shadeand a starboard edge of the top shadeare located above the port gunwaleand the starboard gunwale, respectively, then the top shade coverprovides cover to the full beam width of the boat.

The top shade framecan include a plurality of supports for the top shade cover. With the top shade coverremoved, the features of the top shade framecan be seen in. The top shade framecan include a left support armand a right support arm. Each of the left support armand the right support armcan be connected to the upper portionof the towerand extend therefrom. In this way the top shadealso is connected to the upper portionof the towerand extends therefrom. More specifically, the left support armcan be attached, such as directly attached, to the upper portionof the left legand extends from the left leg. Similarly, the right support armcan be attached, such as directly attached, to the upper portionof the right legand extends from the right leg. Here, each of the left support armand the right support armextends forward from the tower. More specifically, each of the left support armand the right support armextends forward from the left legand the right leg, respectively. The left support armand the right support armcan be located above the port gunwaleand the starboard gunwale, respectively.

As noted above, the top shadecan include a top shade cover. The top shade covercan span from the left support armto the right support arm. With the left support armand the right support armbeing connected to the upper portionof the tower, the top shade covercan be located at a height suitable for passengers to pass underneath while standing.

The plurality of supports can also include a plurality of transverse supportsspanning from the left support armto the right support arm. The transverse supportscan be used to support, such as directly support, the top shade coverwhen the top shade coveris a flexible cover, and the flexible cover can be stretched taut over the transverse supports. Each transverse supportcan extend laterally between the left support armand the right support armat a height suitable for passengers to pass underneath while standing. Each transverse supportcan be spaced apart from adjacent supports to provide distributed support for the length of the top shade cover. In some implementations, the transverse supportscan be formed as rigid structural elements having a variety of cross-sectional profiles. For example, the transverse supportscan include round tubular elements, square or rectangular hollow profiles, or other polygonal cross-sections depending on desired strength, weight, or aesthetic characteristics. The transverse supportscan be fixedly or removably coupled to the left and right support arms,using fasteners, brackets, or integrated slots or channels, for example. The transverse supportscan be contoured or arched along their length to promote water runoff or to accommodate the natural sag of the flexible cover (i.e., the top shade cover) when tensioned. Additionally, the number and spacing of the transverse supportscan be selected to ensure the top shade coverremains taut and sag-free under tension or wind load. Additionally, the aft-most transverse supportis shaped to have a recess, such as in the middle of the span, to accommodate the towline-attachment structure. As depicted in, the recess extends inwardly from the back edge of the top shade.

are elevational views of the tower and shade assemblyin a raised position.is a side view showing the right side of the tower and shade assembly, andis a rear view of the tower and shade assembly, showing the right side of the tower and shade assembly. The following discussion of the features of the tower and shade assemblywill reference the right side of the tower and shade assembly, such as the right leg, the right base, and the right support arm. The left and right sides of tower and shade assemblycan be mirror images of each other, and thus the following discussion also applies to the left side of the tower and shade assembly, such as the left leg, the left base, and the left support arm. Additionally, in the following discussion, certain features and components will be described using 300-series reference numerals and will be described with respect to the right side of the tower and shade assembly. These 300-series features and components are described without the adjectives “left” or “right.” However, within this disclosure, the terms “left” or “right” may be added to indicate the feature's use or position on the left or right side of the tower and shade assembly. In other embodiments, however, the left and right side, such as the left legand the right leg, can have asymmetric constructions. For example, the following discussion can apply to the left side or the right side.

When the boatis in use with passengers in the interiorof the boat, the tower and shade assemblyand the top shadecan be positioned in a raised position. Various features of the tower and shade assemblyin the raised position are discussed above, including the positioning of the top shadeto allow passengers to walk underneath.

As noted above, because of its height, the tower and shade assemblymay interfere with transportation and storage of the boatwhen in a raised position. The tower and shade assemblyis convertible, and the towertogether with the top shadeis movable to a lowered position. In embodiments without the tower, the top shade assemblyis convertible and the top shadeis movable to a lowered position in a manner similar to that described below.

Each transverse supporthas a chord linebetween opposing mounting points on the left support armand the right support arm. The transverse supportsdefine a reference planebased on the chord linesof the transverse supports. While most transverse supportslie in the reference plane, one or more transverse supportscan be positioned at a different vertical elevation, and such transverse supportsdo not form part of the reference plane. In the raised position, the top shade(more specifically, the reference plane) is generally parallel with respect to the floorof the boat. Similarly, the top shade(more specifically, the reference plane) is generally horizontal.

depict the tower and shade assemblymoving from the raised position to a lowered position.shows the tower and shade assemblyin the raised position, andshows the tower and shade assemblyin the lowered position.depicts the tower and shade assemblyin an intermediate position between the raised position and the lowered position. The tower and shade assemblyhas a dual-folding motion, with the left legand the right legfolding and the top shadepivoting to remain generally horizontal and generally parallel with the floorof the boat.

As noted above, the right leghas an upper portion. The right legalso includes a lower portion. The lower portionof the right legis pivotably attached to the right baseat a leg pivot() to rotate about a leg pivot axisbetween the raised position and the lowered position. The leg pivot axiscan extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal centerlineof the boat, such as perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline, and the right legcan pivot in a forward direction or an aft direction (or a backwards direction) to move from the raised position to the lowered position. As shown in, for example, the right legrotates in direction A about the leg pivot axisto move from the raised position to the lowered position. In the depicted embodiment, direction A is an aft direction (a backward direction) and the upper portionrotates aft (or backward) and downward to move from the raised position to the lowered position.

As the legs (e.g., the right leg) pivot, the top shadeautomatically folds simultaneously with the movement of the legs (e.g., the right leg). This dual-folding motion occurs as a result of a single action, which in this embodiment is a manual operation that involves pulling down on the legs (e.g., the right leg). As will be shown in more detail in the figures discussed below, an internal (e.g., hidden) linkage(), such as a tie-bar link, allows the dual-folding motion with only a single action. More specifically, the top shadeis pivotably attached to the upper portionof the right legat a shade pivot() about a shade pivot axis. The shade pivot axiscan be oriented parallel to the leg pivot axis, and the shade pivot axisthus extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal centerlineof the boat, such as perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline. As the right legmoves from the raised position to the lowered position, the top shadefolds toward the legs (e.g., the right leg) by rotating about the shade pivot axisin direction B. The top shadecan pivot to remain generally horizontal and generally parallel with the floorof the boatthroughout the tower and shade assemblymoving between the raised position and the lowered position.

To move the tower and shade assemblyfrom the lowered position () to the raised position () the process and directions are reversed. In the lowered position, the top shadeis located closer to the deck, such as closer to the floor, than in the raised position. Likewise, the upper portionof the right legis located closer to the deck, such as closer to the floor, than in the raised position, and the upper portionof the right legis located closer to the top perimeter surface of the deckor hull, such as closer to the starboard gunwale, than in the raised position.

show the right baseand the connection of the lower portionof the right legthereto. The right legand the right basecan be constructed to have a frame structure defining a leg interior volume() and a base interior volume. The right legcan include one or more leg cover panels() to enclose the leg interior volume, and the right basecan include one or more base cover panels() to enclose the base interior volume.is a detail view of the right basewith one of the base cover panelsremoved to show the base interior volume. More specifically,shows an inboard side of the right basewith the inboard base cover panelsremoved.is a cross-sectional view of the right basewith the right legin the raised position, andis a cross-sectional view of the right basewith the right legin the lowered position. Each ofare taken from a perspective similar to.

As noted above, the lower portionof the right legis pivotably attached to the right baseat the leg pivotto rotate about the leg pivot axisbetween a raised position and a lowered position. This pivotable movement is facilitated by a pivot mechanismhoused within the right baseand coupled to the right leg. The pivot mechanismmay include mechanical and actuator components that facilitate or control rotation about the leg pivot axis.

The leg pivotcan include a pivot pinextending through aligned apertures or bores in the lower portionof the leg and the right base, defining the leg pivot axis. The pivot pincan be supported by bushings or bearings, such as sleeve bushings, ball bearings, or roller bearings, to facilitate smooth and durable rotation about the leg pivot axis. In some implementations, a clevis and tang arrangement may be used, where a forked clevis portion of the base receives a tang of the leg, and a pivot pin spans the clevis to define the axis of rotation. Washers or spacers may be used to maintain alignment and reduce axial play. Other types of pivotable connections can be used.

In this embodiment, the tower and shade assemblyis manually moved between the raised and lowered position. A user can manually pivot the right legabout the leg pivot axisto raise or lower the tower and shade assembly. The pivot mechanismcan include a biasing member that is configured to exert a biasing force on the right legto assist movement of the right legtoward the raised position. The biasing member can be a gas springoperatively coupled between the right baseand the right leg. The gas springapplies a force, such as a biasing force, in direction C along a line of actiondefined by its connection points to the right baseand the right leg, such as a base connection pointand a leg connection point. A line of pivotis defined by the leg pivot axisand the base connection point. The leg connection pointis vertically offset below the leg pivot axis, such that the line of actiondoes not intersect the leg pivot axis. This offset geometry ensures that the gas springapplies a continuous rotational moment (e.g., in direction A′, which is opposite direction A discussed above) about the leg pivot axiswhen the right legis in the lowered position, thereby assisting a user in raising the tower and shade assembly. The line of actiondoes not cross, and in the depicted embodiment, remains below, the line of pivot. The force provided by the gas spring(i.e., the biasing force) may be selected to be near neutral, counterbalancing the weight of the right legand other movable components of the tower and shade assemblyso that manual input is still required to move the right legbut with reduced effort.

The gas springcan be housed at least partially within the right base. The gas springis described as an example, and other biasing members may be used, including mechanical springs (e.g., coil springs or torsion springs), elastic bands, or pressurized hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. In some embodiments, as will be discussed further below, the biasing member may be supplemented or replaced by a powered actuator, such as an electric, hydraulic, or electro-hydraulic linear actuator, configured to actively rotate the pivot mechanismabout the leg pivot.

The pivot mechanismcan include a lockto selectively secure the right legin one or more fixed positions, such as the raised position, the lowered position, or both. The lockensures stability and prevents unintended movement of the right legabout the leg pivotduring use or transport. The lockcan include, for example, a locking pinthat engages with one or more openingsformed in the right leg. Each openingof the one or more openingscan correspond to one of the fixed positions. The locking pincan be biased by a biasing member, such as a spring. The locking pincan be biased by the springto engage with one of the openings, such as by being inserted into the opening. The locking pincan be operable by a lever. The locking pincan be withdrawn, via the lever, from the openingto permit movement of the right leg. Other examples of suitable locks include latch assemblies, cam locks, toggle locks, and quick-release pins. In some embodiments friction-based or threaded fasteners may be used, and in others electromechanical solutions such as solenoid-actuated pins may be employed. The lockmay be partially or fully enclosed and optionally can include indicators to show locked or unlocked status.