Power lift assist for bimini

Abstract

A bimini top for a watercraft includes a bimini frame having at least one bow and at least one support leg rotatable relative to the at least one bow. The bimini frame is transformable between a retracted position and a stowed position. An actuator is operable to automatically transform the bimini frame between the retracted position and the stowed position. The actuator forms the at least one support leg.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bimini top for a watercraft comprising:
 a bimini frame including at least one bow and at least one support leg rotatable relative to the at least one bow, the bimini frame being transformable between a retracted position and a stowed position; and   an actuator operable to automatically transform the bimini frame between the retracted position and the stowed position, wherein the actuator forms the at least one support leg.   
     
     
         2 . The bimini top of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         3 . The bimini top of  claim 1 , wherein in the stowed position, the at least one support leg is arranged parallel to the rear bow. 
     
     
         4 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bow further comprises a front bow and a rear bow and the actuator is pivotally coupled to the rear bow. 
     
     
         5 . The bimini system of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator further comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion, the stationary portion being pivotally coupled to the rear bow. 
     
     
         6 . The bimini system of  claim 5 , wherein an end of the movable portion is rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The bimini system of  claim 6 , wherein the end of the movable portion is rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket via a quick-release connection. 
     
     
         8 . The bimini system of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator further comprises:
 a motor for moving the movable portion of the actuator;   a sensor operable to monitor a parameter of the actuator and/or of the bimini frame; and   a controller operably coupled to the motor and to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to adjust operation of the motor in response to the parameter being monitored by the sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The bimini system of  claim 8 , wherein the parameter being monitored by the sensor is a temperature of the motor. 
     
     
         10 . The bimini system of  claim 8 , wherein the parameter being monitored is a position of the movable portion of the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The bimini system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with an output device to indicate to a user operational data of the actuator including the parameter being monitored by the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mount, wherein in the stowed configuration, a portion of the actuator is receivable within the mount. 
     
     
         13 . The bimini system of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the actuator receivable within the mount has a first configuration and an upper surface of the mount has a second configuration, the first configuration being complementary to the second configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the bimini frame is mountable to a deck of the watercraft. 
     
     
         15 . The bimini system of  claim 1 , wherein the bimini frame is mountable to a tower structure of the watercraft.