WO2013139740A1 - Parasol cover for nautical canopies, bimini tops and the like - Google Patents

Description

PARASOL COVER FOR NAUTICAL CANOPIES, BIMINI TOPS AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like.

Nowadays sailboats have a high number of navigation instruments, such as for example sub-metric precision GPS systems, automatic pilot, electric winches and motorized handling of sails which are entering into normal use, or are even fitted as standard, even in small and medium sized vessels.

Such technological apparatuses make it possible to minimize crew costs and often they are accompanied by a myriad of accessory safety devices, such as fresh water pumps, lighting for the hold, cartographic GPS systems, VHF radio transmitters, wind station and echo sounder, all of which are essential for users who decide to remain at sea for a very long period, far from the coast.

Such navigation instruments and the aforementioned accessories function thanks to the electricity supplied by an auxiliary engine which is powered by a fuel (Diesel fuel, methane etc.) and which, in addition to enabling sailing without wind, charges a plurality of service batteries for powering electronic devices on board the vessel.

Such situation determines a substantial increase in electricity consumption which, added to the increasingly-common onboard electronic conveniences, such as refrigerators, televisions, hifi sound systems, videogame consoles, electronic computers, cellular phones etc., invalidates the battery life of such service batteries.

Moreover, users who select this means of propulsion, and who are driven especially by the desire for silence, by the joy of immersing themselves in the sound of the prow cutting through the waves and of breathing the pure air of the open sea, are forced to drop anchor in a location akin to paradise and to turn on the engine or the auxiliary generator in order to charge the batteries for mooring, or they will lack energy for the layover and especially for the safety afforded by the anchor light, thus wrecking the peace with the rumble of the engine and the odor of the exhaust fumes.

In the current state of the art, in order to prolong the battery life of the service batteries and at the same time in order to be able to sail in silence, while minimizing fuel consumption, canopies are sold which can be associated with the bridge of the vessel and which have, on the outer surface, photovoltaic elements which are connected to the service batteries.

In this manner, by drawing on an energy source that is ecological, renewable, and present in great quantities in the open sea, it is possible to cover fully, or nearly so, the energy needs of the day in order to later enjoy dinner and the evening in peace and calm without turning on polluting, noisy generators or engines.

Such canopies however, although they are also useful for protecting the user at the helm of the vessel from the sun, are not easily removable since they require the use of special tools, such as for example hexagonal keys and screwdrivers, for setting up and taking down, and they further necessitate space for stowage when not in use, such as for example in the event of bad weather, at night or during a regatta.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, which ensures an energy supply to the utilities provided on the vessel in a silent and ecological manner.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a parasol cover that is easily installable on structures already preexisting on the vessel and at the same time can be easily taken down as needed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a parasol cover that does not require dedicated spaces for its stowage when it is temporarily not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, which is made with components that are easily sourced on the market and using commonly-used materials, so as to be economically competitive when compared to the known art.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a folding awning, which is adapted to be interposed removably between a base awning associated with the frame of a canopy and a protective awning, and which has, on an upper face thereof, at least one pocket for accommodating corresponding photovoltaic elements which is provided with opening and closing means for the insertion and/or extraction of said photovoltaic elements.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of the parasol cover, according to the invention, mounted on a Bimini top of a sailing vessel;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the parasol cover according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded plan view from above of the parasol cover shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view from below of the parasol cover shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail of part of the parasol cover shown in Figure 2.

With reference to the figures, the parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, according to the invention, which is generally designated with the reference numeral 1 , comprises a folding awning 2, which is adapted to be interposed removably between a base awning, which is known per se and hence is not described in detail and is not shown in the accompanying drawings, associated with a frame 3 of a canopy installed on a sailing boat 100, and a protective awning 4, which is also known per se as a rainguard, and is commonly known as a "sheet fast".

Advantageously, the folding awning 2 is constituted by a perforated sheet of vapor-permeable technical fabric which is provided with means of fixing to the base awning and to the protective awning 4, so as to be easily applied to pre-existing structures on the vessel 100, which can comprise a first zipper 5 arranged on one side of the upper face 2a of the folding awning 2, corresponding for example to the side facing astern, and a second zipper 6, arranged on another side of an upper face 2a of the folding awning 2, corresponding for example to the side facing forward, in order to easily and detachably fasten the parasol cover 1 to the base awning in place of the protective awning 4.

Equally advantageously, the fixing means can comprise a third zipper

7 arranged on one side of a lower face 2b of the folding awning 2, corresponding for example to the side facing astern, and a fourth zipper 8, arranged on another side of the lower face 2b of the folding awning 2, corresponding for example to the side facing forward, in order to easily and detachably fasten the parasol cover 1 to the protective awning 4.

Other fixing systems, alternative or supplementary to the hinges, can be for example quick-release buttons 9, which are also known per se.

In more detail, the folding awning 2 has, on its upper face 2a, one or more accommodation pockets 10 for corresponding photovoltaic elements 11, which are provided with opening and closing means so that the user can insert, extract and/or replace the photovoltaic elements 11 during maintenance operations.

Advantageously, such photovoltaic elements 11 are provided by solar panels of the amorphous type with diode cells and are adapted to be connected to at least one service battery of the vessel 100, through a load stabilizer.

Such choice makes it possible to achieve the conversion of solar energy to electricity right from the first hours of dawn, as this type of solar panels is sensitive to solar rays with a minimum angle of incidence of 3°.

Moreover, such choice makes it possible for individual photovoltaic elements 11 to function independently of the others, thus even with partial obscuring of the cells thereof, by the boom or by any other overlying element, or in the presence of non-functioning cells or other nonfunctioning panels.

Conveniently, the accommodation pocket 10 can be opened and closed by way of means for opening and closure, such as for example a Velcro® coupling the two parts of which are, respectively, glued to the photovoltaic element 11 and sewn to the folding awning 2.

In particular, each accommodation pocket 10 has four pieces of cloth that are fixed separately to the folding awning 2 by way of stitching, so as to provide four two-centimeter-long Velcro® tabs that can be fastened one by one to the Velcro® glued to the individual photovoltaic element 11.

Moreover, it is possible to have a safety button, not shown in the accompanying figures, for the fastening of at least one of the four tabs to the folding awning 2, in order to prevent the wind from detaching the Velcro®.

Advantageously, the accommodation pockets 10 have a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the folding direction 13 of the canopy, which generally coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vessel 100 on which the canopy is installed.

Preferably, the folding awning 2 has at least one inspection window

12 made of optically transparent material for viewing through the parasol cover 1 from side to side, so as to enable the user to control the spanker and current maneuvers, during cruises or regattas.

Conveniently, the accommodation pockets 10 are substantially rectangular and are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a minimum mutual distance of substantially 3 millimeters, staggered with respect to each other so as to allow the concertina folding of the parasol cover 1 during its closure.

Preferably, each accommodation pocket 10 has passage holes 14 for connecting cables 15 between the photovoltaic elements 11 and the load stabilizer.

Advantageously, as shown in Figure 4, the lower face 2b of the folding awning 2 is provided with positioning pockets 16, which are fixed to the fabric of the folding awning 2 by way of perimetric stitching with one side open with a cover in the manner of a pillowcase, for the insertion and the substitution of rods 17 for reinforcing the photovoltaic elements 11.

The function of such reinforcement rods 17 is to support the photovoltaic elements 11 by acting as a structural skeleton, so as to provide a structure that can withstand the pressure exerted by an air current that strikes the parasol cover 1 , generated, for example, by the wind and/or by the motion of the vessel 100 on which the parasol cover 1 is installed.

Such reinforcement rods 17 can be made of polycarbonate or other material that has good robustness and elasticity.

Advantageously, for reasons of balancing the parasol cover 1, the reinforcement rods 17 are associated with the folding awning 2 in such a manner as to be uniformly distributed over it and in such a manner as to leave the folding regions of the parasol cover 1 free, so as to not be a hindrance to the concertina folding of the parasol cover 1.

Moreover, the reinforcement rods are inclined with respect to the folding direction with an inclination, preferably, of substantially 30°.

In the embodiment proposed, there are five series of four positioning pockets 16 and five accommodation pockets 10 for photovoltaic elements 11 for a total size of 282 centimeters in length by 38 centimeters in width, with an active surface of the cells of 264x34 centimeters.

Moreover, the difference between the active surface and the non- active surface is determined by a 20-millimeter lip defined along all of the perimeter of the individual photovoltaic element 11 and by a 137- millimeter-long strip, where the bulbs of the die-cast wiring of the photovoltaic element 11 are arranged.

In addition the parasol cover 1 can have eyelets 18 for the draining of water and/or for the venting of air, known per se.

Advantageously, there is a lateral pocket 19 which is attached to the folding awning 2 and is adapted to accommodate and protect the wiring of the electrical components of the parasol cover 1 from atmospheric agents and from the salinity of the sea.

More precisely, there can be a general wiring device, connecting all the individual positive and negative wires of the photovoltaic elements 11 in parallel, so as to be able to use the production of electricity under direct current form.

The pocket 19 is fixed to the sheet 4 by way of continuous stitching and has at least one slot 20 for the exit of the connecting cables 15 from inside the lateral pocket 19.

The pocket 19 can further have means for opening and closing 21, such as for example tear-off tabs with buttons, in order to facilitate repair or maintenance by the user, for managing the wiring and for executing the initial mounting.

All the structural and reinforcement stitching is preferably provided with waxed polyester thread.

More precisely, all the perimetric stitching of the Velcro® on all the tabs is linear, while the central reinforcement stitching is done with zig-zag stitching, as with the side stitching on the edges, as well as the stitching on the wiring pocket 19.

Operation and mounting of the parasol cover 1 is clear and evident from the description up to this point.

In particular, it should be emphasized that the connection of the photovoltaic elements 11 to the service battery enables the energy charging of the vessel 100 without switching on the auxiliary engine.

In the event of cloud cover, the canopy is closed by folding the arches that constitute its frame 3 onto each other: the shape structure of the parasol cover 1 just described makes it possible to follow this concertina folding, without disconnecting the photovoltaic elements 11 from the service battery.

At the time of possible reuse, the user reopens the arches by acting on the frame 3, in this manner making it possible for the parasol cover 1 to be unfolded and so making it possible to obtain electricity immediately.

From the foregoing description it can thus be seen that the parasol cover for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, according to the present invention, fully achieves the intended aim and objects and in particular attention is drawn to the fact that it enables the vessel to provide for its energy needs silently and with a low environmental impact by using solar energy, for practically zero cost not including the initial cost of the device.

In particular the possibility of detachably associating the cover with the frame of the canopy enables an easy mounting and dismounting thereof.

Another advantage of the invention consists in that the cover can be concertina folded like the frame of the Bimini top and therefore not only does it follow all the configurations in which the frame is arranged during the steps of opening and closure, but also it does not require additional space.

Last but not least, the use of means that are easily sourced on the market and the use of materials that are commonly used in the nautical sector render the parasol cover, according to the present invention, economically competitive with respect to the known art.

Also in comparison with the known art, which avails of solar devices to be positioned on the bridge of the vessel or in other places that are subject to the passage of passengers or of the crew of the vessel, the exploitation of a structure that is already present on the vessel makes it possible to not occupy additional space on board, thus leaving the bridge free from objects hazardous to the safety of the passengers or of the crew on board and to the overall safety of the vessel.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed as well as the dimensions may be any according to requirements, as long as they are consistent with the implementation aim.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. AR2012A000008 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A parasol cover (1) for nautical canopies, Bimini tops and the like, characterized in that it comprises a folding awning (2), which is adapted to be interposed removably between a base awning associated with the frame (9) of a canopy and a protective awning (4), which has, on an upper face (2a) thereof, at least one pocket (10) for accommodating corresponding photovoltaic elements (11) which is provided with opening and closing means for the insertion and/or extraction of said photovoltaic elements (11).

2. The parasol cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said folding awning (2) is constituted by a vapor-permeable awning made of technical fabric.

3. The parasol cover (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said photovoltaic elements (11) comprise solar panels of the amorphous type with diode cells.

4. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper face (2a) comprises at least one inspection window (12) made of optically transparent material for viewing through said parasol cover (1) from side to side.

5. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one accommodation pocket comprises holes (18) for the passage of the connecting cables (15) of said photovoltaic elements.

6. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one accommodation pocket (10) comprises a plurality of accommodation pockets (10) which have a substantially rectangular shape, are arranged substantially at right angles to the folding direction (13) of said parasol cover (1), are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a minimum mutual distance which is substantially equal to 3 millimeters, and are mutually offset so as to allow the concertina folding of said parasol cover (1) during its closure.

7. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on the lower face (2b) of said folding awning (2), positioning pockets (16) for rods (17) for the reinforcement of said photovoltaic elements (11) so as to provide a structure that withstands the pressure applied by an air current that strikes said parasol cover (1).

8. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcement rods (17) are associated with said folding awning (2) in a uniformly distributed manner thereon and in such a manner as to leave free the folding regions of said parasol cover (1).

9. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcement rods (17) are inclined with respect to said folding direction (13) with an inclination substantially equal to 30°.

10. The parasol cover (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a lateral pocket (19), which is connected to said folding awning (2) and is adapted to accommodate and protect the wiring of the electrical components of said parasol cover (1).