# US 2022/0033036 A1 · Dual folding boat tower > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0033036 A1 - Document ID: US20220033036A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/983,061 - Filed: 2020-08-03 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-03 - Inventors: Scott J Mills; Richard W. Hord - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033036A1 ## CPC - B63B 15/00: Superstructures {, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like}; Arrangements or adaptations of masts {or spars, e.g. bowsprits}(loading or unloading equipment B63B27/00; masts and staying in general E04H; sails, running rigging B63H; {mounting ladders or the like on masts B63B29/205}) - B63B 17/02: Awnings {, including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract This invention relates to a dual folding boat tower and especially to a boat tower and boat tower top assembly for folding the boat tower and tower top from a storage or down position to an erect or running position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dual folding boat tower and tower top comprising: a pair of gunwale brackets for attachment to the gunwales of a boat; a pair of upwardly extending arms, each arm being hingedly attached to one said gunwale bracket, each said arm having an upper and a lower portion; a lower arm actuator located in said lower portion of each said upwardly extending arm and being operatively connected to one said gunwale bracket for driving each said upwardly extending arm from a lower storage position to a generally upright position; a tower top hingedly attached to each said upwardly extending arm upper portion; a tower top actuator located in each said upper extending arm upper portion operatively connected to said tower top for rotating said tower top from a folded storage position to an operative covering position while said upwardly extending arm is going from a folded storage position to a generally upright position; whereby a dual folding boat tower and tower top may be moved between a folded storage position and raised operative positions with an extended tower top. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dual folding beat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 1 in which said lower arm actuator is an electric motor having an extendable and retractable rod. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 2 in which said upper arm actuator is an electric motor having an extendable and retractable rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 3 in which each said gunwale bracket has a stop member attached thereto positioned to limit the rotation of each said upwardly extending arm when said upwardly extending arm is being moved to a storage position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 4 in which said tower top has a stop member attached thereto positioned to limit the rotation of said tower top when said dual folding tower is being moved to a storage position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 5 in which each said upwardly extending arm has a strut extending between the upper and lower portions thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 3 in which each said electric actuator has a screw shaft rotated by its electric motor to extend and retract each extendable and retractable rod. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 7 in which each said arm lower portion has a groove formed therein shaped to wedge a gunwale bracket tongue therein when said arm is in a raised position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 8 in which each said gunwale bracket tongue has an elongated polymer member attached to each side thereof for wedging into said tapered wedge insert on said arm lower portion groove. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The dual folding boat tower and tower top in accordance with claim 3 in which each said upwardly extending arm lower portion electric actuator extendable rod is rotatably attached to a gunwale bracket actuator attachment. ### Claim 11 A dual folding boat tower and tower top comprising: a pair of gunwale brackets for attachment to the gunwales of a boat; a pair of upwardly extending arms, each arm being hingedly attached to one said gunwale bracket, each said arm having an upper and a lower portion; a lower arm electric motor actuator located in said lower portion of each said upwardly extending arm and attached to sale lower portion of each said upwardly extending arm and being operatively connected to one said gunwale bracket for driving each said upwardly extending arm from a lower storage position to a generally upright position; a tower top hingedly attached to each said upwardly extending arm upper portion; a tower top electric motor actuator located in each said upper extending arm upper portion attached to said upwardly extending arm upper portion and operatively connected to said tower top for rotating said tower top from a folded storage position to an operative covering position while said upwardly extending arm is going from a folded storage position to a generally upright position; whereby a dual folding boat tower and tower top may be moved between a folded storage position and raised operative positions with an extended tower top.