CA2075119A1 - Canopy - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A free standing cantilevered canopy primarily for boats comprises at least two spaced upright support legs secured to a supporting surface such as a dock by supporting feet that are designed to brace the legs against lateral deflection. A cover of the canopy is carried by an overhead frame that is supported by the legs in a generally horizontal disposition and is coupled to the legs so as to form a cantilever on the legs.
Preferably, the frame and legs form a unitary assembly of glass reinforced plastic tubes and "plug together"
couplings.

Description

~7~9 BP ~ile No. 6993-001 Title: CANOPY

FIELD OF ~IE I~VENTIOl~
This invention relat2s to ca~opies primarily, but not exclusively, for co~ering boats while they are at a dock or other mooring location.
BACK~GROUND OF T~ INVENTION
Protective covers for moored boats are available in a wide variety of ~ypes, ranging from permanent boat houses, to flexible fabric covers that are fitted directly onto the boat and must be taken off whenever the boat is to be used. Boat houses are expensive to construct and maintain and are really suitable only for private docking areas.
Fitted boat covers are often inconvenient and awkward to use and genexally do not allow people to sit in the boat under cover.
In many ways, a permanent canopy erected over a mooring site would provid~ an ideal protective cover. The boat can simply be driven into and out of the mooring.
The canopy protects the moored boat and any occupants while allowing good access and air flow around the boat.
Generally, it should be possible to construct a canopy at much less cost than a permanent boat house. However, a disadvantage is that exi~ting canopy designs require that the canopy straddle the mooring location. As such, existing canopies are really suitable only where a dock or at least a firm surface i~ accessi~le on both sides of the mooring location.
SUMMARY OF T~E I~V~NTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved canopy suitable for protecti.ng a moored boat, which addresses these disadvantages of the prior art.
Broadly considered, the invention provides a free-standing cantilevered canopy suitable for mounting on a dock or other support surfac2 adjacent to a mooring location. More specifically, the canopy includes at least .

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2075~.9 two spaced, upright support legs and means for securing each leg to a supporting surface so that the leg extends upwardly from the surface. The securing means is designed to brac~ the leg against lateral deflection in use. A
frame is adapted to be suppor~ed by ~he legs in an overhead, generally horizontal disposition and is coupled to the leg so as ~o form a cantilever on the legs. The frame defines an area to be covered by the canopy and a cover is secured to the frame.
The fact that the canopy is of cantilever design allows the canopy to be mounted at almost any mooring location. Since the canopy does not straddle the boat, there is no need to have access to a dock or other supporting surface on both sides of the boat. The boat can be simply driven into and out of the mooring location without the need for anything to be done to the canopy.
Passengers can enter and leave the boat freely between the support legs. Structurally, the canopy is to be contrasted with canopies of the type that have been used to cover a patio or other area adjacen~ to, say, a house or recreational vehicle~ in which the canopy is aktached to the house or ~ehicle and relies on it for support.
Such canopies have typically also been provided with supporting legs adjacent the outer edge of the canopy.
Canopies of this type are not truly cantilevered.
The canopy provided by the invention on the other hand is a true cantilever design, is completely free standing and does not rely on any other structure or associated support.
The canopy should be of sufficiently robus~
design to withstand winds and other climatic effects likely to be encountered in the area in which the canopy is erected. To this end, at least the suppork legs of the canopy are preferably of so-called "ladder frame"
construction comprising a pair of uprights connected by-cross members, with the uprights lying in a common plane that extends transversely of the canopy, i.e. at right .
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Preferably, the cover supporting frame also includes ladder-frames ~hat extend outwardly from the respective legs and each of which comprises a pair of vertically spaced parallel horizontal frame members joined by short vertical members. In other words, each leg comprises an uprigh~ ladder frame and a ladder frame ~beam~ extends horizontally outwardly from the upper end of the leg and forms part of the cover support frame. The beams are, in turn, interconnected by longi~udinal frame members that may also be of ladder frame construction.
While the canopy support legs and frame may be assembled from frame members made of various materials, glass fibre reinforced plastic resin tubing has been found particularly suitable. Tubing of this type is commercially availa~le in various different diameters and wall thicknesses that can be selected to provide the support le~s and frame with the required degree of rigidity. Appropriate lengths of tubing can be interconnected using suitable couplings, as will be explained in more detail later.
BRIEF DESCRIP~IO~ OF DRA~I~GS
In order that the inven~ion may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a number of preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the support legs and cover support frame of a canopy in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the canopy modified by the addition of extra braces for the suppoxt legs;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a canopy in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the support legs and horizontal frame members are of `: ' - ' , ' ' .', ': . ' ' ; ; ~. ' : :
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ladder frame construction;
Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the frame and support legs of the canopy of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 comprises a series of elevational views showing a number of the couplings used in the frame of Fi~. 4;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the junction between one of the ladder frame support legs and the associated horizontal frame beam in the embodiment of Fig. 3, illustra~ing a method of reinforcing the junction;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating an embodiment of the invention in which the support legs are vertically adjustable;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing an embodiment of the invention which is particularly suitable for a canopy having a metal support frame; and, Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating ~he frame of the canopy of Fig. 8.
DESCRIPTION OP PREFERR~D EMBODIMRNTS
Referring first to Fig. 1, a free-standing cantilevered canopy is generally indicated by reference numeral 20 and is shown mounted on a dock 22 to which a boat indicated at 24 is moored. Canopy 20 includes a series of spaced, uprigh~ support legs 26 which are secured to the dock 22 adjacent an outer edge 22a ~hereof by respective mounting blocks or "feet" 28. As will be explained in more detail later, the feet 28 secure the legs to the dock so that each leg extends upwardly from the top surface of the dock and LS braced against lateral deflection.
A frame 30 is supported by the legs in an overhead generally horizontal d.ispo~ition and is coupled to the legs so as to form a cantilever on the legs. rrhe frame defines an area to be covered by the canopy and a cover, which is indicated in ghost outline at 32, is secured to the frame. The cover ha~ not been shown specifically but may comprise a sheet of solid or "; ~ ' ' ,.. , ' .
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perforated plastic material such as vinyl and may be secured to the frame using ties or other fastening means extending through reinforced eyelets in the cover, and the side members of the frame.
The support legs 26 and the frame 30 are assembled from lengths of glass fibre reinforced plas~ic resin tubing of circular cross-section. As noted previously, this material is commercially available in various ~iameters and wall thicknesses. The tubing is made by a technique that is known as ~pultrusion", in which continuous lengths of glass fibres (as compared with ~chopped~ fibres) are incorporated into a resin/cat~lyst ormulation. ~he ~ubing has charac~eristics of flexibility coupled with high strength when subjected to bending forces.
In Fig. 1, some of the individual lengths of the tubing are indicated by reerence numeral 34. Couplings for ~oining the lengths of tubing are indicated at 36.
The couplings are injection moulded in polypropylene reinforced with long glass fibres. Fig. 5 shows a number of specific couplings that are used in ConneGtion with the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 and will be described later.
For present purposes, it is sufficien~ to note that the couplings are designed to provide tubular sockets that are complimentary to the cross-sectional shape of the tubing and into which the lengths of ~ubing are "plugged~'. The tubing is then held in place in each socket by a self-tapping screw (not shown) that is driven through a preformed opening in the socket and into the wall of the tube~
Referring to Fig. 1, examples of various couplings of different configurations are shown. For example, reference numeral 36a denotes couplings ~hat comprise two tubular sockets disposed mutually at right angles. The couplings indicated at 36b have three sockets in a T-configuxati~n. Couplings that have three sockets disposed mutually at right angles are used at the tops of .
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the endmost support legs 26 and are denoted by reference numeral 36c. On the other hand, at some locations, two lengths of tubing are joined together coaxially by a coupling such as is shown a~ 36d tha~ has two in-line sockets.
At other locationsl couplings having angled sockets are used. For example, inclined braces 38 are used between each of the support legs 26 and the frame 30.
At each end of each brace is a coupling 36e having a socket that is angled with respect to a sleeve that in effect forms a straigh~-through socket that receives the support leg tube or horizontal frame member as the case may be. It is believed that the conigurations of the various other couplings used in the canopy will be apparent from a consideration of the configuration of the particular location in the frame at which the coupling is used.
Each of the feet 28 is a precision metal casting (for example of an aluminum-magnesium alloy) and includes a vertically extending socket portion 23a and a flange 2~b forming a flat base of the castingO The flange has openings (not shown) for receiving lag bolts that are screwed into the wood surface of the dock for securing the feet in place. The socket in portion 28a of casting 28 is sized to closely receive the support leg 2~ and is of a sufficient length to brace the leg against lateral deflection in use. In this embodiment, the leg is secured within the socket by a set screw that bears against the leg.
Fig. 2 shows khe frame of Fig. 1 fitted with additional braces that are used when the canopy is to be erected in areas that are subjected to unusually high winds. The braces are indicated by reference numeral 40.
It will be seen that each brace includes an auxiliary vertical leg 42 that is positioned parallel to and outwardly of the main leg 26 at the side opposite to the overhead frame 30. The auxiliary leg is anchored by a ` . ,,: ~ - ' . :
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foot 44 ~hat is essentially the same as one of the feet 28 used for the ~ain support legs 26. The auxiliary leg 42 is coupled to the main support leg by a horizontal member 46 at the top of the auxiliary leg 42 and by intermediate angled members 48. The same tubing and couplings are used for the braces 40 as for ~he o~her components of the structure.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a canopy in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. This canopy incorporates certain improvements which, for a canopy of equivalent size, make the canopy better able to withstand wind pressures without the need for inclined braces. In some situations, such braces can hamper boat access.
The canopy of Figs. 3 and 4 has the same principal components as ~he canopy of Figs. 1 and 2 and the components are of essentially similar form, namely glass reinforced plastic resin tubing and moulded couplings. However, as compared with the previous embodiment, each of the support legs 26 has a ladder-form structure comprising inner and outer upright leg members 50 and 52 respectively joined by horizontal intermediate members 54. The two upright members of each of the support legs are arranged in a common plane at right angles to the length of the canopy [i.e. at right angles to a plane joining the leg6) so as to provide good resistance to bending of the legs that would result from up or downward movement of the top of the canopy such as it might undergo in high winds.
The lower end portions of the upright members 50 and 52 of each leg are received in respective feet 28 that are essentially similar to the feet 28 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 (though of somewhat different external appearance) and mounted on a common base plate 28a. Thus, each of the feet essentially comprises an upwardly ext2nding socket which receives the lower end of the relevant upright. The base pl~te 28a has openings (not shown~ fvr recei~ing lag bolts by which the feet are secuxed to the de~k.

, In contrast ~o the preceding embodim~n~s, the upright members 50 and 52 are held in the sockets by respective cross pins that extend through pre-formed openings in the socket portions and corresponding cross-drilled holes in the uprights 50, 52. A typical cross pinis shown in an expl~ded position at ~'P" in Fig. 3. This allows the height of the canopy to be adjusted down from a maximum height as manufactured, by cutting down the tubes that form the uprights 50 and 52 of all of the legs and re-drilling the holes to receive the cross pins. The canopy can also easily be removed (e.g. for winter storage) by pulling out the cross pins and lifting the legs 26 out of the feet 28.
As in the previous embodiment, the canopy has a rectangulax top frame that is can~ilevered on the support legs. However, in this embodiment, the frame incorporates respective ladder frame structures 56 ~hat in effect form horizontal continuations of the support legs 26. Thu~, referring to the left hand end of the canopy as seen in Fig. 3, ladder frame structure 56 comprises upper and lower frame members 58 and 60 joined by upright intermediate members 62. The two frame members S8 and 60 extend from the outer edge of the canopy to the rear-most one (52) of the two support leg members 50, 52 and both members are also coupled to the inner support leg member 50. The two other ladder frame structures 56 are essenti~lly the same and are coupled to the o~.her two support legs in the same fashion.
Upper and lower lonyitudinal frame members 64 and 66 extend along the outer edge of the canopy and interconnect the three ladder frame structures 56.
Similar longitudinal members b8 and 70 extend along the inne.r edge of the frame and also connect the structuxe~
56. Intermediate the structures the two upper longitudinal members 64 and 68 are joined by two transverse frame members 72 and 74 respectively. Short uprights 76 connect the upper and lower longitudinal frame - . . ~ :
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members at the outer edge of the frame while corresponding uprights 78 are provided at the inner edge.
In this embodimen~, the canopy is provided with a fitted cover (not shown) which extends over the top, sides and ends of the frame and is secured in place using switchable ties (not shown). The top of the cover is capable of adopting a convex configuration as seen from the end. The top is held in this configuration by a series of flexible rods 80 that extend transversely of the frame below the cover, each in an upwardly arched configuration. Each of the transverse frame members at the top of the frame (58 and 72~ is provided with one of these cover supporting rods. The rods are made of the same glass reinforced material as the tubes from which the frame itself is assembled but are solid instead of tubular. The rods are cut to lengths slightly longer than the lengths of the tra~s~erse frame members above which they are positioned and end portions of the rods are simply push-fitted into respective sockets in frame member couplings of the orm described previously in connection with Fig. 1. The rods are not mechanically retained in their respective sockets.
For ease of illustxation, in FigO 3, the tube couplings 36 have not been shown. In fact, the support legs and frame are made of entirely straight sections of tube joined by couplings generally as described in connection with the preceding embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the frame and support legs of Fig. 3 sho~ing all of the couplings in somewhat diagrammatic form. As was explained in connection with the first embodiment, each coupling essentially comprises two or more sockets into which the straight tube sections are "plug~ed" and held by self-tapping screws.
Fig. S shows in some detail the area of the intersection between one of the support legs 26 and one of the horizontal ladder frame structures 56 in the 2 ~

~ 10 --e~bodimen~ of Fig. 3. In other words, Fig. 5 may be considered as an enlaxged view of one of the areas in Fig.
1 at which couplings 36 are shown. The couplings ar0 denoted respectively 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d. Sections of tubing extending between the various couplings are individually denoted by reference numeral 84.
Each of the couplings is a glass fibre reinforced plastic injection moulding. Coupling 36a has a generally T-shaped configuration and essentially includes three sockets, namely a downwardly directed socket 86 and two laterally directed sockets 88 and 90 that combine to form a single tubular passageway through the coupling. Instead of extending righ~ through the coupling, the socket 86 has a shoulder 86a at its inner lS end against which a tube in~erted into the socket will seat. As described previously tbut not shown) ~he sockets are provided with openings in their walls to receive self-tapping screws that are driven into the tubes seated in the sockets.
Respective webs 92 and 94 extend between the sockets to maintain their relative angular orientation, even under load. In this connection, it will be noted that the passageway defined by the sockets 88 and 90 is not disposed exactly at right angles to socket 86 but is angled upwardly somewhat towards the left hand side. The sockets Qf the other couplings are correspQndingly angled, with the result that the tubes are initially angled upwardly slightly as they leave the couplings 36a and 36c.
This causes the frame as a whole to be angled slightly, counteracting its weight. As a result, the frame will adopt a substantially horizontal disposi~ion in the installed condition. In a preferred embodiment, a 2 inclination is provided.
Coupling 36b has two sockets 96 and 98, each with a blind inner end, and a stiffening web 100.
Coupling 36c has the configuration of a cross with one upwardly directed socket 102 and a corresponding .

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downwardly directed socket 104 and ~wo lateral sockets 106 and 108 that combi~e to form a single through passage.
Webs 110, 112, 114 and 116 are provided between the sockets.
Socket 36d has a T-sh~ped configuration with respective upwardly and downwardly directed sockets 118 and 120 and a single laterally directed socket 122. All of these sockets have ~houlders at their inner ends.
Stiffening webs 1~4 and 126 are provided between the sock~ts.
Based on the content of Fig. 5 and the accompanying description, it is believed that the configurations of the other couplings used in the canopy will be apparent to a person skilled in the art~ bearing in mind the overall "layout" of the tubes shown in Figs.

3 and 4.
Figs. 3 and 4 show two feet 28 for each of the uprights of the respective support legs mounted on a common base plate 28a. It should be noted that, for some installations, it may be convenient to use this mounting technique, for example where support footings have to be constructed for the canopy, as opposed to moun~ing the canopy on an existing deck. However, individual feet as shown in Fig~. 1 and 2 could be used for each upright.
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a technique that may be used to reinforce the tubes in the area of the intersection between the support legs and the frame (for exampler the area represented in Fig. 5). In Fig. 6, upper portions of two of the uprights of the support leg are represented at 50 and 52 as solid tubular members. End portions of the horizontal frame members 58 and 60 are shown in their normal tubular form but havQ
been reinforced by adding internally additional tubular members 132 and 134 of progressively smaller diameter and, finally, a solid rod 136 forming the "core" of the member.
The tubular members 132 and 134 and rod 136 are made of the same material as the outer tube 58 or 60 and are sized . . . .

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to exactly fit within one another so that ~he respective tubes make close surface-to surface contact and form an effective reinforcement. Suitable adhesives may be used to hold the tubes in place.
of course, it may not be necessary to use all three pieces of internal reinforcement. The partic~lar pieces used can be ~elected accoxding to the degrees of stifness required~ As an alternative~ a single solid core of plastic, metal or wood could be used to completely fill the core of the tube. The reinforcement need not extend over the full length of the tube. For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, the reinforcement could extend to the location of the intermediate vertical member 62.
Referring back to Fig. 6, the uprights 50 and 52 need not be solid as shown but could also be tubes reinforced in similar fashion to the tubes 58 and 60. It would not be desirable to use solid tubes throughout because of the additional cost and weight that this would involve.
Fig. 7 shows a canopy that is generally similar to the canopy shown in Fig. 3 except tha~ the support legs 26 are vertically adjustable. Also, a canopy cover 32 has been shown; essentially the same cover can be used in the Fig. 3 embodiment. Apart from the support legs, the remainder of the canopy of Fig. 7 may be considered to essentially the same as the canopy shown in Fig. 3.
Again, the support legs and the frame for the canopy top are assembled from glass reinforced plastic resin tubes and couplings of the general form described previously although the couplin~s themselves are not shown.
Each of the support legs 26 comprises a lower portion 26a that is mounted in a fixed position on a dock or other support structure and an upper portion 26b that carries the top frame 30 and is ~ertically adjus~able with respect to the lower portion 26a. The two parts of the support ley-are constructed in the general fashion of a ladder frame in a plane at right angles to a plane joining . . .
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~7~.t~3 the three legs, as in the pre~ious embodiment. Thus, the lower part 26a includes inner and outer tubular uprigh~s 138 and 140 xespectively joined by a horiæontal top member 142 and inclined braces 144. The upper part o the leg includes corresponding upright members 146 and 148 arranged to slide ~elescopically within the lower upright members 138 and 140. Again, the uprights are joined by a transverse member 150 (this time at the lower end of the top portion 26b) and angled members 152.
Corresponding sets of openin~s are provided in vertically spaced positions along ~he telescoping uprights, for receiving a pin that can be inserted through aligned ones of the openings for holding the uprights in an adjusted position. For convenience of illustration, the openings and pins have not been shown. It should however be noted that the canopy is shown in its lowest position in Fig. 7.
As noted previously, while reference has been made to the use of glass reinforced plastic resin tubing for assembling the frame and support legs of the canopy, and while this type of material has the great advantages of lightness coupled with high strength and flexibility, other materials can be used. To this end, Fiys. 9 and 10 show a canopy made in accordance with the invention using rectangular section aluminum tubing. Fig. 9 shows a complete skeleton frame for the canopy that incorporates three support legs 26 welded to respective base plates 28a. Respective elongate cover support members 153 extend outwardly from the respective legs ~6 and form part of a horizontal top frame 30. The frame is a welded assembly made largely from straight lengths of rectangular section aluminum tubing but with formed curved sections in upper regions of the suppork legs, generally in the areas indica~ed at 154. It will be noted that the support legs are essentially also of ladder frame construction as described previously. Howevér, because of the characteristics of the material used, inclined braces 156 2 ~ 7 ~ .9 are used between the legs and ~he members 153. Again, a fitted top cover is used as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 also illustrates ~he fact that the support legs 26 can be made as fixed lower sections 26a and upper sections 26b that telescope within the lower sections where height adjustability is required.
It will of course be understood that the preceding description relates to particular preferred embodimen~s and that many modifications are possible within the broad scope of the invention. Some of those modifications have been indicated previously and others will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Possible modifications include changes in the number of support legs depending primarily on the size of the canopy and the type of cover used and changes in the configuration and design of the cover supporting frame. Also, while a boat canopy has been described and illustrated, a canopy in accordance with the invention can be used in other environments, for example over a patio.

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Claims (19)

1. A free-standing canopy, comprising:
at least two spaced, upright support legs;
means for securing each leg to a supporting surface so that the leg extends upwardly from the surface, said securing means being adapted to brace the leg against lateral deflection;
a frame adapted to be supported by the legs in an overhead, generally horizontal disposition, the frame being coupled to the legs so as to form a cantilever structure, and the frame defining an area to be covered by the canopy; and, a cover secured to the frame.

2. A canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said support leg comprises a ladder frame including inner and outer upright members disposed in a common upright plane at right angles to an upright plane joining the support legs, and a plurality of transverse members joining the upright members.

3. A canopy as claimed in claim 2, wherein said overhead frame includes frame portions that extend outwardly from the respective support legs as horizontal continuations of those legs, each of said portions itself comprising a horizontal ladder frame structure comprising upper and lower horizontal members and intervening vertical members.

4. A canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said support legs is vertically adjustable.

5. A canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame and support legs comprise a unitary assembly of frame members.

6. A canopy as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said frame members is a glass-fibre reinforced plastic resin tube and wherein the tubes are interconnected by coupling members having respective sockets into which the tubes are plugged, to form said unitary assembly.

7. A canopy as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tubes were made by a pultrusion technique.

8. A canopy as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least some of said tubes are internally reinforced, by at least one internal reinforcing member in each tube, said reinforcing member being of a cylindrical shape selected to fit closely with the tube.

9. A canopy as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said horizontal ladder frame members is a glass-fibre reinforced plastic resin tube which is internally reinforced in the area at which the tube meets the support leg, by at least one reinforcing member of a cylindrical shape selected to fit closely within the tube.

10. A canopy as claimed in claim 5, wherein said frame members are oriented with respect to one another so that, at its junction with the support legs, the frame inclines upwardly in a direction away from said legs.

11. A canopy as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame members in said unitary assembly are made of metal and are joined together by welding.

12. A canopy as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said leg includes at least one upright tubular member, and wherein said means for securing each leg to a supporting surface includes a base for attachment to said surface, and a tubular socket extending upwardly from said base and rigidly coupled thereto, said socket being dimensioned to closely receive said upright tubular member.

13. A canopy as claimed in claim 12, wherein each said upright tubular member is retained in the associated socket by a cross pin extending through aligned pre-formed holes in the socket, and corresponding cross-drilled holes in the tubular member, whereby the tubular members are removable from the sockets after withdrawing the cross-pins, and the height of the canopy can be changed by cutting all of the tubular members and cross drilling them at new locations to receive the pins.

14. A free-standing cantilevered canopy comprising at least two upright legs, a cover, and cover support means cantilevered on said legs.

15. A canopy as claimed in claim 14, wherein said cover support means includes elongate cover support members extending outwardly from the respective legs below the canopy.

16. A canopy as claimed in claim 15, further comprising an inclined brace extending between each leg and the associated elongate cover support member.

17. A canopy as claimed in claim 16, wherein each leg and the associated elongate cover support member and brace comprise metal tubes, and wherein the metal tubes are coupled together by welding.

18. A canopy as claimed in claim 17, wherein each leg is welded to a base plate by which the canopy can be attached to a supporting surface.

19. A canopy as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cover support members form part of an overhead frame supported by said legs and to which said cover is secured.