LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.

A canopy extension system is cooperable with a support structure and includes a canopy arm securable pivotably to the support structure and a roller arm securable pivotably to the support structure. A roller is secured on the roller arm. A canopy is connected to the canopy arm at a distal end, is connected adjacent the support structure at a proximal end, and is connected to the roller between the distal end and the proximal end. A variation connects the canopy arm to a radar arch or the like with a spring-biased secondary canopy arm.

A fold assist bimini top includes a bimini frame with a front bow, a front support, a rear bow, and a rear support. The bimini frame is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position. A canopy secured over the bimini frame is displaceable with the bimini frame between the extended position and the retracted position. A pair of assist straps are configured to facilitate displacement of the bimini frame from the extended position to the retracted position. One of the pair of assist straps is manually displaceable, and one of the assist straps is elastic and is secured at ends thereof to the bimini frame. The elastic assist strap biases the bimini frame toward the retracted position.

A shallow water anchor system incorporates a four-bar linkage displaceable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The four-bar linkage includes a drive arm pivotally secured at a proximal end on a first fixed pivot point, a pivot arm pivotally secured at a proximal end on a second fixed pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, and a link pivotally connected between distal ends of the drive arm and the pivot arm. A connector is secured between the drive arm and the pivot arm, and a ground spike is coupled with the link. The connector is configured to bias the ground spike downward.

A combined radar arch and bimini top assembly includes a radar arch pivotable between a stowed position and a radar position, and a bimini arm cooperable with the radar arch. The bimini arm is pivotable with the radar arch between the stowed position and the radar position and to an extended position. A canopy is connected between the bimini arm and the radar arch, and a drive system engages the bimini arm to drive the bimini arm among the stowed, radar and extended positions. The radar arch is biased by a bias force toward the radar position, and the bimini arm displaces the radar arch from the radar position to the stowed position against the bias force. The radar arch and the bimini arm are thus individually actuated while also being used in tandem to deploy the canopy, the radar arch, and the bimini arm.

A shallow water anchor system includes a motor, a four-bar linkage displaceable by the motor between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a ground spike coupled with the four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage maintains an orientation of the ground spike regardless of a position of the four-bar linkage.

A fold assist bimini top includes a bimini frame with a front bow, a front support, a rear bow, and a rear support. The bimini frame is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position. A canopy secured over the bimini frame is displaceable with the bimini frame between the extended position and the retracted position. A pair of assist straps are configured to facilitate displacement of the bimini frame from the extended position to the retracted position. One of the pair of assist straps is manually displaceable, and one of the assist straps is elastic and is secured at ends thereof to the bimini frame. The elastic assist strap biases the bimini frame toward the retracted position.

A boat lift includes posts and linear actuators, each attached to one of the posts. Each linear actuator includes an extendable and retractable member oriented for extension and retraction substantially parallel to the post. Ends of a first pair of the extendable and retractable members are connected to a first carrier, and ends of a second pair of the extendable and retractable members are connected to a second carrier. A cradle or platform is supported by the first and second carriers. The boat lift may be supported by the ground, by a structure, for example, a dock, a sea wall or a wall of a boat house, or by pontoons.

A drive mechanism for a bimini top with a pair of bimini arms supporting the bimini top includes a motor, a worm screw coupled with the motor for rotation by the motor, and a driven gear coupled with the worm screw. One of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the driven gear, and the driven gear is configured for displacement between a stowed position and an extended position by operation of the motor. A pivot hub engages the driven gear via an intermediate hub, and the other of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the pivot hub. The pivot hub and intermediate hub are configured for displacement between a down position and an up position by operation of the motor through the driven gear and the intermediate hub. A first arc spanned by the driven gear between the stowed position and the extended position is greater than a second arc spanned by the pivot hub between the down position and the up position.

A shade system includes a first linear actuator attachable to a structure, and a second linear actuator spaced from the first linear actuator and attachable to the structure. The first and second linear actuators are each displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position. A canvas connected between the first and second linear actuators is fixed to distal ends and to proximal ends of the first and second linear actuators and is free-floating between the distal and proximal ends. The canvas is configured to retract into an accordion configuration when the first and second linear actuators are displaced from the extended position to the retracted position.

A drive mechanism for a bimini top with a pair of bimini arms supporting the bimini top includes a motor, a worm screw coupled with the motor for rotation by the motor, and a driven gear coupled with the worm screw. One of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the driven gear, and the driven gear is configured for displacement between a stowed position and an extended position by operation of the motor. A pivot hub engages the driven gear via an intermediate hub, and the other of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the pivot hub. The pivot hub and intermediate hub are configured for displacement between a down position and an up position by operation of the motor through the driven gear and the intermediate hub. A first arc spanned by the driven gear between the stowed position and the extended position is greater than a second arc spanned by the pivot hub between the down position and the up position.