Stowable bimini top

Abstract

A swing arm for a stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of watercraft is provided including a body associated with the bimini frame. The body is rotatable relative to the tower structure between a first position and a second position. An engagement mechanism selectively engages the body to retain the body in at least one of the first position and the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swing arm for a stowable bimini frame associable with a tower structure of a watercraft, the swing arm comprising:
 a body coupled to the bimini frame, the body being rotatable relative to an exposed surface of the tower structure between a first position and a second position; and   an engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the body to retain the body in at least one of the first position and the second position;   wherein the body includes a first connector and a second connector, wherein when the body is in the first position, the engagement mechanism engages the first connector and when the body is in the second position, the engagement mechanism engages the second connector.   
     
     
         2 . The swing arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first connector and a second connector, wherein when the body is in the first position, the engagement mechanism engages the first connector and when the body is in the second position, the engagement mechanism engages the second connector. 
     
     
         3 . The swing arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are substantially identical. 
     
     
         4 . A stowable bimini top 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 portion and said second portion, said second portion being foldable in a direction of said first portion via rotation about said hinge, wherein the bimini frame is rotatably coupled to an exposed surface of the tower structure between a first position and a second position, the bimini frame being coupled to the tower structure adjacent a distal end of the tower structure.   
     
     
         5 . The stowable bimini top according to  claim 4 , further comprising a swing arm connected to at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion, the swing arm being rotatably mounted to the tower structure. 
     
     
         6 . The stowable bimini top according to  claim 5 , further comprising an engagement mechanism that selectively engages the swing arm to retain the bimini frame in one of the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The stowable bimini top according to  claim 6 , wherein the swing arm includes a first connector and a second connector, wherein when the bimini frame is in the first position, the engagement mechanism engages the first connector and when the bimini frame is in the second position, the engagement mechanism engages the second connector. 
     
     
         8 . The bimini frame according to  claim 6 , wherein the engagement mechanism is configured to releasably lock the swing arm when the bimini frame is in first position and the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The bimini frame according to  claim 4 , wherein when the bimini frame is in the first position relative to the tower structure, the bimini frame is in one of an open configuration, folded configuration, or a first stowed configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The bimini frame according to  claim 9 , wherein when the bimini frame is in the second position, the bimini frame is in a second stowed configuration, offset from horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The bimini frame according to  claim 10 , wherein in the second position, the bimini frame is arranged generally parallel to the tower structure. 
     
     
         12 . The bimini frame according to  claim 5 , wherein the first frame portion is arranged in sliding association with said swing arm via at least one frame association structure. 
     
     
         13 . The bimini frame of  claim 12 , wherein said sliding association allows said bimini frame to be configured between a folded position, wherein a front end of said bimini frame is spaced from said tower structure and a stowed position, wherein said front end of said bimini frame is disposed adjacent said tower structure via a sliding of the bimini frame relative to said frame association. 
     
     
         14 . The bimini frame of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said first frame portion and said second frame portion are configured for attachment of a cover extending across at least one of said first frame portion and said second frame portion. 
     
     
         15 . A bimini top system for a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a tower structure extending the watercraft; and   a stowable frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion, the stowable frame being coupled to an exposed surface of the tower structure adjacent a distal end of the tower structure such that the stowable frame is rotatable relative to the tower structure between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the stowable frame is mounted to the tower structure via a swing arm. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an engagement mechanism configured to cooperate with the stowable frame to releasably lock the stowable frame one of the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the swing arm includes a first connector and a second connector, and when the stowable frame is in the first position, the first connector is operably coupled to the engagement mechanism and when the stowable frame is in the second position, the second connector is operably coupled to the engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a fastener and the first connector and the second connector are substantially identical slots formed in a first side of the arm. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a spring pin.