Stowable Bimini Top

Abstract

Disclosed is a slide piece for a stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the slide piece including a slide piece body portion, at least one frame association structure extending from the body portion, the at least one frame association structure being configured to slidingly associate the bimini frame with the slide piece body portion, and an affixing surface of the slide piece body portion, the affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating the slide piece body portion with the tower structure of the watercraft.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A slide piece for a stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the slide piece comprising:
 a slide piece body portion operably coupled to the tower structure;   at least one frame association structure extending from said body portion, said at least one frame association structure being configured to slidingly associate the bimini frame with said slide piece body portion; and   an affixing surface of said slide piece body portion, said affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating said slide piece body portion with the tower structure of the watercraft, wherein said slide piece encloses a portion of the bimini frame to support the bimini frame and limit separation of the bimini frame from said tower structure.   
     
     
         18 . A stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the bimini frame comprising:
 a first frame portion;   a second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge;   a slide piece in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece; and   an affixing surface of said slide piece, said affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating said slide piece with the tower structure of the watercraft, wherein said slide piece is configured to enclose a portion of the bimini frame to support the bimini frame and to limit separation of the bimini frame from said tower structure.   
     
     
         19 . A bimini top system for a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a tower structure extending the watercraft;   a stowable frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge; and   a slide piece affixed to said tower structure and in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece, said slide piece being configured to enclose a portion of the stowable frame to support the bimini frame and to limit separation of the stowable frame from said tower structure;   wherein said sliding association allows said stowable frame to be configured between an openable position extended relatively away from said tower structure and a stowable position disposed in relative proximity to said tower structure via a sliding of the stowable frame relative to said slide piece and said tower structure to which said slide piece is affixed.   
     
     
         20 . A slide piece for a stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the slide piece comprising:
 a slide piece body portion operably coupled to the tower structure;   at least one frame association structure extending from said body portion, said at least one frame association structure being configured to slidingly associate the bimini frame with said slide piece body portion; and   an affixing surface of said slide piece body portion, said affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating said slide piece body portion with the tower structure of the watercraft such that said first frame portion is slidable relative to said slide piece while the stowable bimini frame is coupled to the tower structure.   
     
     
         21 . A stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the bimini frame comprising:
 a first frame portion;   a second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge;   a slide piece in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece; and   an affixing surface of said slide piece, said affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating said slide piece with the tower structure of the watercraft such that said first frame portion is slidable relative to said slide piece while the stowable bimini frame is coupled to the tower structure.   
     
     
         22 . A bimini top system for a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a tower structure extending the watercraft;   a stowable frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge; and   a slide piece affixed to said tower structure and in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece;   wherein said sliding association allows said stowable frame to slide relative to the slide piece and the tower when the slide piece is affixed to the tower structure such that the stowable frame is configured to slide between an openable position and a stowable position while coupled to the tower structure.   
     
     
         23 . A stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the bimini frame comprising:
 a first frame portion;   a second frame portion;   a cover portion extending from said first frame portion to said second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge;   a slide piece in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece; and   an affixing surface of said slide piece, said affixing surface being positioned and configured for associating said slide piece with the tower structure of the watercraft such that when the stowable frame is in an openable position, the cover portion is supported solely by the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the tower structure.   
     
     
         24 . A bimini top system for a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a tower structure extending the watercraft;   a stowable frame including a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a cover portion extending between the first frame portion and the second frame portion;   a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second frame portion being foldable in a direction of said first frame portion via rotation about said hinge; and   a slide piece affixed to said tower structure and in sliding association with said first frame portion via at least one frame association structure extending from said slide piece;   wherein said sliding association allows said stowable frame to be configured between an openable position and a stowable position via a sliding of the stowable frame relative to said slide piece and said tower structure to which said slide piece is affixed, wherein when the stowable frame is in said openable position, the cover portion is supported solely by the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the tower structure.