Boat canopy

A canopy for use an open-topped vehicle such as a boat, tractor, or the like having two spaced-apart, substantially parallel, side rails, said canopy comprising:

• first and second U-shaped support members each including a cross bar and first and second support legs;
• first and second coupling means for pivotally intercoupling said first legs and said second legs respectively remote from said cross bars, said coupling means being adapted for coupling with the side rails,
• said cross bars being substantially parallel to one another, said coupling means allowing said bars to move alternately between spaced apart and adjacent positions relative to one another;
• tarpaulin mean for intercoupling said bars, for limiting the distance said bars may spread apart, and for spanning the area therebetween;
• and
• connecting means including first and second resilient connectors coupled respectively with said first and second members, said connectors being adapted for slidably coupling with the side rails and being under resilient tension when so coupled,
• said canopy having an upright position when used on said vehicle whereby said first and second coupling means are coupled respectively to said side rails, said bars are in said spaced apart position with said tarpaulin spanning the area therebetween, said tarpaulin is substantially horizontal relative to said side rails, and said first and second connectors are coupled to said side rails on opposed sides respectively of said coupling means,
• said canopy having a collapsed position when used on said boat whereby said first and second coupling means are coupled respectively to the said side rails, said bars are in said adjacent position, and said members are resting on said side rails on the same side of said coupling means,
• said canopy being movable from said upright position to said collapsed position when an object strikes one of said bars.