Lift assist bimini

Abstract

A bimini system for a watercraft includes at least one support member and a bimini frame including at least one bow operably coupled to the at least one support member. A lift-assist device is configured to control movement of the at least one bow of the bimini frame. The lift-assist device is associated with the at least one support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bimini system for a watercraft comprising:
 at least one support member;   a bimini frame including at least one bow operably coupled to the at least one support member; and   a lift-assist device configured to control movement of the at least one bow of the bimini frame, the lift-assist device being associated with the at least one support member.   
     
     
         2 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the lift-assist device includes a gas shock. 
     
     
         3 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support member is mountable to a support structure of the watercraft. 
     
     
         4 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bow further comprises a front bow and a rear bow, wherein both the front bow and the rear bow are rotatably mounted to the at least one support member. 
     
     
         5 . The bimini system of  claim 4 , wherein the front bow is rotatable relative to the rear bow. 
     
     
         6 . The bimini system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one support member further comprises a support bracket, the support bracket being rigidly coupled to the rear bow, wherein both the support bracket and the front bow are rotatable about an axis. 
     
     
         7 . The bimini system of  claim 6 , wherein the lift-assist device is operably coupled to the support bracket to rotate the support bracket about the axis. 
     
     
         8 . The bimini system of  claim 7 , wherein the lift-assist device further comprises a body and movable component movable relative to the body, wherein the body is coupled to the support bracket and the movable component is coupled to a base of the at least one support member. 
     
     
         9 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the bimini frame is movable between a retracted position and a stowed position and a force generated by the lift-assist device is applicable to the bimini frame to move the bimini frame from the stowed position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . The bimini system of  claim 9 , wherein the force generated by the lift-assist device is applicable to the bimini frame to control a lowering of the bimini frame from the retracted position to the stowed position. 
     
     
         11 . A bimini frame for a watercraft comprising:
 a rear bow;   a front bow operably coupled to the rear bow;   at least one support leg rotatably coupled to the rear bow; and   a stanchion mounted to the at least one support leg;   wherein the bimini frame is transformable between a retracted position and a stowed position, the stanchion being configured to support a portion the bimini frame in both the retracted position and the stowed position.   
     
     
         12 . The bimini frame of  claim 11 , wherein in the retracted position, the at least one support leg is extended relative to the rear bow and in the stowed position, the at least one support leg is collapsed relative to the rear bow. 
     
     
         13 . The bimini frame of  claim 11 , wherein in the stowed position, the at least one support leg is arranged parallel to the rear bow. 
     
     
         14 . The bimini frame of  claim 12 , wherein the stanchion further comprises a first side and a second side, wherein a length of the first side is different than a length of the second side. 
     
     
         15 . The bimini frame of  claim 12 , wherein the stanchion further comprises a first side, a second side, and a third side, wherein a length of the second side is different than a length of the third side. 
     
     
         16 . The bimini frame of  claim 15 , wherein the second side of the stanchion is engaged with the rear bow in the retracted position, and an interface between the second side and the third side of the stanchion is configured to support the bimini frame in the stowed position. 
     
     
         17 . The bimini frame of  claim 16 , wherein the interface between the second side and the third side of the stanchion is connectable to a bracket in the stowed position. 
     
     
         18 . The bimini frame of  claim 17 , wherein the interface between the second side and the third side of the stanchion further comprises a contoured region and a shape of the contoured region is configured to cooperate with the bracket. 
     
     
         19 . The bimini frame of  claim 18 , wherein the contoured region includes a recess and a pin of the bracket is receivable within the recess. 
     
     
         20 . A clip connectable to a bracket, the clip comprising:
 a body having a slot formed therein;   a latch arranged within the body, the latch having an opening for receiving a post of the bracket, the latch being rotatable relative to the body between a first unlocked position and a second locked position;   wherein the latch is configured to automatically rotate from the first unlocked position to the second locked position in response to receipt of the post within the slot and the opening.