Canopy mounting apparatus

Abstract

A canopy mounting apparatus (100) for mounting a canopy (200) to an item of outdoor furniture (300), the apparatus comprising: a body (110); at least one mounting projection (120) extending, along a first axis (122), from the body for engagement in a corresponding mounting socket (310) of the item of outdoor furniture, wherein engagement of the at least one mounting projection with the socket prevents relative rotation, about the first axis, of the body relative to the item of furniture; a plurality of canopy ribs (320, 320', 320'', 320'''), or canopy rib mounts (130, 130', 130'', 130''') for mounting canopy ribs (320, 320', 320'', 320''') to the body, each of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts being hingedly connected to the body for angular movement about a respective hinge axis (132, 132', 132'', 132'''), wherein: the hinged connection between an operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body has a first torque resistance sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib (320''') or canopy rib mount (130''') against angular movement about the respective hinge axis in the absence of application of an external force.

Description

"Canopy mounting apparatus"Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Applications No. 2023904257 filed on 30 December 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Technical Field

[0002] The disclosure herein relates to a canopy mounting apparatus for mounting a canopy to an item of outdoor furniture such as a daybed, outdoor sofa or the like.Background

[0003] It is known to provide a canopy on items of outdoor furniture such as daybeds, outdoor sofas and the like. Typically, the canopy is permanently attached to the item of furniture, for example by welds or rivets, and is not designed to be removed from or attached to the item of furniture by an end user. Accordingly, it is it tends to be very difficult to add a canopy to an item of furniture after manufacture and to remove the canopy for maintenance, repair, replacement or upgrade.

[0004] Moreover, the design of known canopies typically means that the canopy can only be configured in a very limited number of configurability; for example a fully extended configuration and a fully retracted configuration.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.Summary

[0006] Throughout this specification the words "comprise" and “include”, and variations such as "comprises", “includes”, "comprising" and “including”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0007] Disclosed herein is a canopy mounting apparatus for mounting a canopy to an item of outdoor furniture, the apparatus comprising: a body; at least one mounting projection extending, along a first axis, from the body for engagement in a corresponding mounting socket of the item of outdoor furniture, wherein engagement of the at least one mounting projection with the socket prevents relative rotation, about the first axis, of the body relative to the item of furniture; a plurality of canopy ribs, or canopy rib mounts for mounting canopy ribs to the body, each of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts being hingedly connected to the body for angular movement about a respective hinge axis, wherein friction between an operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body is sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount against angular movement about the respective hinge axis in the absence of application of an external force.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a canopy mounting apparatus for mounting a canopy to an item of outdoor furniture, the apparatus comprising: a body; at least one mounting projection extending, along a first axis, from the body for engagement in a corresponding mounting socket of the item of outdoor furniture, wherein engagement of the at least one mounting projection with the socket prevents relative rotation, about the first axis, of the body relative to the item of furniture; a plurality of canopy ribs, or canopy rib mounts for mounting canopy ribs to the body, each of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts being hingedlyconnected to the body for angular movement about a respective hinge axis, wherein the hinged connection between an operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body has a torque resistance sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount against angular movement about the respective hinge axis in the absence of application of an external force.

[0009] The at least one mounting projection may extend from a first side of the body and the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts may be hingedly connected to an opposite second side of the body.

[0010] An upper bearing may be provided at the hinged connection between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, the upper bearing being configured to facilitate the friction between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, or the torque resistance, being of a desired magnitude. The upper bearing may be elastically deformable in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. The friction between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, or the torque resistance, may be adjusted by adjusting the extent to which the upper bearing is elastically deformed in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. The upper bearing may be configured to inhibit an end user from adjusting: (i) the friction between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body; or (ii) the torque resistance. The upper bearing may comprise a disc spring washer.

[0011] A lower bearing may be provided at the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, the lower bearing being configured to facilitate the friction between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, or a torque resistance of the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, being of adesired magnitude. The lower bearing may be elastically deformable in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. The friction between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, or the torque resistance of the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, may be adjusted by adjusting the extent to which the lower bearing is elastically deformed in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. The lower bearing may be configured to inhibit an end user from adjusting: (i) the friction between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body; or (ii) the torque resistance of the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body. The lower bearing may comprise a disc spring washer.

[0012] The canopy mounting apparatus may comprise an abutment surface associated with a respective one the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, wherein engagement of said respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts with the abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of said at least one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts about the respective hinge axis. Each of two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts may have an associated respective abutment surface, wherein engagement of each of the two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts with the associated respective abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of each of the two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts about the respective hinge axis. The abutment surface associated with a respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts may be defined by an end of another of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. Each said abutment surface may be defined by an end of one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts that is adjacent to the abutment surface’s respective canopy rib or canopy rib mount. The abutment surface may engage a recessed portion of the respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. Each of two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts may have a recessed portion configured to engage the associated respective abutment surface.

[0013] The canopy mounting apparatus may comprise a first abutment surface associated with an operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the first abutment surface being defined by a projection extending, parallel to the first axis, between the body and the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount, wherein engagement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount with the first abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount about its hinge axis. Engagement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount with the first abutment surface may limit a range of the angular movement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount about its hinge axis to no lower than horizontal or substantially horizontal. The first abutment surface may be defined on an abutment component that is removably connected to the body. A first mounting formation may be defined at an end of the body nearest the operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and a second mounting formation may be defined at the end of the body nearest the operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the first mounting formation and the second mounting formation both being configured to be removably engaged by the abutment component. Accordingly, a handedness of the apparatus may be changed by removably engaging the abutment component with the second mounting formation rather than the first mounting formation and rotating the apparatus by 180 degrees about the first axis such that the lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts becomes the uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, and vice versa.

[0014] An operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts may be angularly moveable about its hinge axis between horizontal or substantially horizontal and at least 15 degrees above horizontal. When the operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is angularly moved about its hinge axis to its operatively forwardmost position and the operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is horizontal, a predetermined angle of at least 135 degrees may be defined between the operatively lowermost and operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts. The predetermined angle may be up to 180 degrees.

[0015] A detent may extend laterally between the at least one mounting projection and the socket to releasably secure the at least one mounting projection in the socket. The detent may be laterally moveable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, and may be resiliently biased toward the extended configuration. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting projection may be configured to be releasably secured in the socket via frictional engagement with walls of the socket. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting projection may be releasably secured in the socket via frictional engagement with walls of the socket and via a said detent. The canopy mounting apparatus may comprise the socket.

[0016] Also disclosed herein is an item of outdoor furniture comprising: a structural frame; a socket fixedly connected relative to the frame and having an opening at a peripheral surface of the item of outdoor furniture; a canopy for the item of furniture; and a canopy mounting apparatus as defined in paragraph

[0007] or

[0008] above, optionally comprising any combination of the additional limitations set out in paragraphs

[0009] to

[0015] above, the canopy mounting apparatus releasably connecting the canopy to the structural frame via engagement of the at least one mounting projection in the socket.

[0017] Also disclosed herein is an invention comprising any two or more of the steps, features, integers, compositions and / or compounds disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application.Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] One or more embodiment of principles disclosed herein will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a canopy mounting apparatus in a retracted configuration;FIG. 2 is a side view of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 in theretracted configuration;FIG. 3 is a front view of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 in the retracted configuration;FIG. 4 is a top view of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 in the retracted configuration;FIG. 5 is a side view of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 in an extended configuration and with its lowermost canopy rib mount oriented horizontally;FIG. 6 is a side view of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 in an extended configuration and with its lowermost canopy rib mount angled upwardly;FIG. 7 is a partial, side view of an item of outdoor furniture having a variation of the canopy mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted thereto; andFIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a canopy mounting apparatus in the retracted configuration.Description of Embodiments

[0019] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a canopy mounting apparatus 100 for mounting a canopy 200 to an item of outdoor furniture 300. Apparatus 100 comprises a body 110, a mounting projection 120 extending, along a first axis 122, from the body 110 for engagement in a corresponding mounting socket 310 of the item of outdoor furniture 300. Engagement of the mounting projection 120 in the socket 310 prevents relative rotation, about the first axis 122, of the body 110 relative to the item of furniture 300, for example via the mounting projection 120 and socket 310 being of complimentary, non-circular cross sectional shape. Each of a plurality of canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130’” for mounting canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320’” to the body 110 is hingedly connected to the body for angular movement about a respective hinge axis 132, 132’, 132”, 132”’. The mounting projection 120 extends from a first side of the body 110 and the canopy rib mounts 130 are hingedly connected to an opposite second side of the body. Torque resistance of the hinged connection between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” and the body 110 is sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” against angular movement about the respective hinge axis 132’” in the absence of application of anexternal force. The torque resistance may be generated in part or in full by friction between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130”’ and the body 110. Whilst a canopy mounting apparatus 100 for attaching one end of the canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320’” to one side of the item of outdoor furniture 300 is shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that a mirror image of the canopy mounting apparatus 100 is used to attach the other end of the canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320’” to the other side of the item of outdoor furniture 300.

[0020] In other embodiments, the canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130”’ are omitted and the canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320’” are hingedly connected to the body 110 directly, with torque resistance of the hinged connection between an operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs 320’” and the body 110 being sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 320’” against angular movement about the respective hinge axis 132’” in the absence of application of an external force. The torque resistance may be generated in part or in full by friction between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs 320’” and the body 110.

[0021] An upper bearing, which in the illustrated embodiments comprises a pair of disc spring washers (also known as Belleville washers, cupped spring washers and conical spring washers) 140a, 140b, is provided at the hinged connection between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” and the body 110. The upper bearing 140a, 140b is configured to facilitate the torque resistance between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” and the body 110 being of a desired magnitude. The upper bearing 140a, 140b is elastically deformable in the direction of the hinge axis 132’” of the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’”. The torque resistance between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” and the body 110 can be adjusted by adjusting the extent to which the upper bearing 140a, 140b is elastically deformed in the direction of the hinge axis 132’”. In some embodiments, the upper bearing 140a, 140b is configured to inhibit an end user from adjusting the torque resistance between the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” and the body 110. For example, adjustment of the elastic deformation of the upper bearing 140a,140b in the direction of the hinge axis 132”’ may be via adjustment of a tamper-proof nut or bolt.

[0022] A lower bearing substantially identical to the upper bearing and comprising a pair of disc spring washers 150a, 150b is provided at the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost canopy rib mount 130 and the body 110. In some embodiments, bearings substantially identical to the first and lower bearings are provided at the hinged connection between each of the canopy rib mounts and the body 110.

[0023] Each of the canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130’” is engageable with at least one abutment surface to limit the range of angular movement of the canopy rib mounts about their respective hinge axes 132, 132’, 132”, 132’”. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 7, canopy rib mount 130 has an associated first abutment surface defined by a projection 160 extending, parallel to the first axis 122, between the body 110 and canopy rib mount 130. Engagement of canopy rib mount 130 with the first abutment surface defined by projection 160 limits a range of the angular movement of canopy rib mount 130 about its hinge axis to no lower than horizontal or substantially horizontal. Canopy rib mount 130 has an associated second abutment surface 170 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130’.Engagement of canopy rib mount 130 with the second abutment surface 170 defined by the end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130’ limits a range of the angular movement of canopy rib mount 130 about its hinge axis to a predetermined angle that is at least 15 degrees above horizontal. Canopy rib mount 130’ has an associated first abutment surface 180 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130 and an associated second abutment surface 190 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130”. Canopy rib mount 130” has an associated first abutment surface 192 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130’ and an associated second abutment surface 194 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130’”. Canopy rib mount 130’” has at least an associated first abutment surface 196 defined by an end of the adjacent canopy rib mount 130”. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 8, some of the abutment surfaces 170, 180, 190, 192, 194, 196 engage a recessed portion 134,134’, 134”, 134’” of the adjacent canopy rib mount(s) 130, 130’, 130”, 130’”. The projection 160 may be removably connected to the body 110, for example by one end of the projection 160 having an external thread that is threadedly engageable with an internally threaded opening 162 in the body 110. The body 110 may have such an internally threaded opening at both ends to facilitate conversion of the apparatus 100 between a configuration as shown in FIG 8 for attachment to the left hand side of an article of outdoor furniture 300 to a configuration for attachment to the right hand side of an article of outdoor furniture 300 by simply installing the projection 160 at one end or the other of the body 110 and rotating the body by 180 degrees about axis 122.

[0024] The relative configurations of the canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130’” and abutment surfaces 170, 180, 190, 192, 194, 196 and / or the length of the canopy fabric (not shown) extending between each of the canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320’” is / are such as to result in an angle 0 of a predetermined size, such as at least 135 degrees, being defined between the operatively lowermost 130 and operatively uppermost 130’” canopy rib mounts when the operatively uppermost canopy rib mount 130’” is angularly moved about its hinge axis 132’” to its operatively forwardmost position and the operatively lowermost canopy rib mount 130 is horizontal. In some embodiments, the predetermined angle 9 may be up to 180 degrees.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting projection 120 is releasably secured in the socket 310 via frictional engagement with walls of the socket. In some embodiments (not shown), the mounting project! on(s) 120 may be releasably secured in the socket(s) 310 by a detent, such as a spring-loaded ball detent. The detent may be laterally moveable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, and may be resiliently biased toward the extended configuration, for example by a helical spring. In some embodiments (not shown), the mounting projection(s) 120 may be releasably secured in the socket(s) 310 via frictional engagement with walls of the socket(s) and by a detent such as a spring-loaded ball detent.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the illustrated canopy mounting apparatus 100 provides a number of advantages, including:• the recessed portions 134, 134’, 134”, 134’” allow the hinge axes of the canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130’” to be located closer together, thereby facilitating canopy mounting apparatus 100 being more compact, without reducing the range of angular movement of the canopy rib mounts;• with the canopy in an extended or partially extended configuration in use, the lower end of canopy can be opened, for example to allow air flow through the lower end of the canopy, by rotating the canopy rib mount 130 and the associated lowermost canopy rib 320 upwardly by up to the predetermined angle 0;• being easy to connect to and disconnect from the item of outdoor furniture 300;• facilitates ease of removal of the canopy 200, for example for storage and / or transport and / or for replacement of or maintenance on the canopy 200;• the canopy 200 being removable and the ease with which it can be removed facilitates ease of removing and / or replacing the canopy fabric and / or other components of the canopy and / or the entire canopy;• facilitates retrofitting a canopy 200 to an existing item of outdoor furniture 300;• the canopy ribs 320, 320’, 320”, 320”’ being removable from the canopy rib mounts 130, 130’, 130”, 130’” facilitates the apparatus 100 being adaptable to suit various use requirements, such as: (i) canopy ribs of the appropriate length can be installed in the canopy rib mounts to configure the apparatus 100 for use with canopies of various sizes; and / or (ii) canopy ribs having the appropriate mechanical and / or material properties can be installed in the canopy rib mounts to configure the apparatus 100 for use different environments, such as in higher load conditions, in commercial environments and / or in harsher climates; and• being of adjustable handedness, which simplifies manufacturing and reduces inventory.

[0027] It will be appreciated that the features of the various embodiments described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 can be combined. For example, the canopy mounting apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8 can have a first abutment surface 160 as shown in the FIG. 7 embodiment. Moreover, aside from any differences specifically mentioned above, the FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 embodiments have the same features as and operate in the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6.

[0028] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of such variations and / or modifications include, but are not limited to those mentioned above and / or:• there being two or more spaced apart mounting projections 120, each being engageable in a corresponding mounting socket 310 of the item of outdoor furniture 300, the mounting projections 120 and corresponding sockets 130 being of complimentary circular or non-circular cross sectional shape.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A canopy mounting apparatus for mounting a canopy to an item of outdoor furniture, the apparatus comprising: a body; at least one mounting projection extending, along a first axis, from the body for engagement in a corresponding mounting socket of the item of outdoor furniture, wherein engagement of the at least one mounting projection with the socket prevents relative rotation, about the first axis, of the body relative to the item of furniture; a plurality of canopy ribs, or canopy rib mounts for mounting canopy ribs to the body, each of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts being hingedly connected to the body for angular movement about a respective hinge axis, wherein: the hinged connection between an operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body has a first torque resistance sufficient to secure the operatively uppermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount against angular movement about the respective hinge axis in the absence of application of an external force.

2. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting projection extends from a first side of the body and the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is hingedly connected to an opposite second side of the body.

3. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 1 of claim 2, comprising an upper bearing at the hinged connection between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, the upper bearing being configured to facilitate the first torque resistance between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body being of a desired magnitude.

4. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the upper bearing is elastically deformable in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively uppermost ofthe plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the upper bearing optionally comprising or being a disc spring washer.

5. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein adjusting the extent to which the upper bearing is elastically deformed in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts adjusts the first torque resistance between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body.

6. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the upper bearing is configured to inhibit an end user from adjusting the first torque resistance between the operatively uppermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body.

7. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a lower bearing at the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body, the lower bearing being configured to facilitate the hinged connection between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body having a second torque resistance of a magnitude to inhibit angular movement of the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts about the respective hinge axis in the absence of application of an external force.

8. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lower bearing is elastically deformable in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the lower bearing optionally comprising or being a disc spring washer.

9. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 8, wherein adjusting the extent to which the lower bearing is elastically deformed in the direction of the hinge axis of the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts adjusts thesecond torque resistance between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body.

10. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the lower bearing is configured to inhibit an end user from adjusting the second torque resistance between the operatively lowermost of the plurality of canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and the body.

11. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an abutment surface associated with a respective one the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, wherein engagement of said respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts with the abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of said at least one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts about the respective hinge axis.

12. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts has an associated respective abutment surface, wherein engagement of each of the two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts with the associated respective abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of each of the two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts about the respective hinge axis.

13. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the abutment surface associated with a respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is defined by an end of another of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts.

14. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of two or more to all of said abutment surfaces is defined by an end of one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts that is adjacent to the abutment surface’s respective canopy rib or canopy rib mount.

15. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein at least one of the abutment surfaces engages a recessed portion of the respective one of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts.

16. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of two or more to all of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts has at least one said recessed portion configured to engage an associated said respective abutment surface.

17. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a first abutment surface associated with an operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the first abutment surface being defined by a projection extending, parallel to the first axis, between the body and the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount, wherein engagement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount with the first abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount about its hinge axis.

18. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 17, wherein engagement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount with the first abutment surface limits a range of the angular movement of the operatively lowermost canopy rib or canopy rib mount about its hinge axis to no lower than horizontal or substantially horizontal.

19. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the projection is removably connected to the body.

20. The canopy mounting apparatus of claim 19, comprising a first mounting formation defined at an end of the body nearest the operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts and a second mounting formation defined at the end of the body nearest the operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, the first mounting formation and the second mounting formation both being configured to be removably engaged by the projection, such that a handedness of the apparatusmay be changed by removably engaging the projection with the second mounting formation rather than the first mounting formation and rotating the apparatus by 180 degrees about the first axis such that the lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts becomes the uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts, and vice versa.

21. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein an operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is angularly moveable about its hinge axis between horizontal and at least 15 degrees above horizontal.

22. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein, when the operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is angularly moved about its hinge axis to its operatively forwardmost position and the operatively lowermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts is horizontal, an angle of at least 135 degrees is defined between the operatively lowermost and operatively uppermost of the canopy ribs or canopy rib mounts.

23. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 22, comprising a detent extending laterally between the at least one mounting projection and the socket to releasably secure the at least one mounting projection in the socket.

24. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the at least one mounting projection is configured to be releasably secured in the socket via frictional engagement with walls of the socket.

25. The canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 24, comprising the socket.

26. An item of outdoor furniture comprising: a structural frame; a socket fixedly connected relative to the frame and having an opening at a peripheral surface of the item of outdoor furniture;a canopy for the item of furniture; and the canopy mounting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 25, the canopy mounting apparatus releasably connecting the canopy to the structural frame via engagement of the at least one mounting projection in the socket.

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