Wakesurfing systems and methods

• US 10,640,181 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2019
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sam Travis Decker
• Original Assignee: Sam Travis Decker
• Inventors: Decker, Sam Travis
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A
• Application Number:
  US16/278,536
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 114254
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2021/566 comprising running ropes or chains, e.g. endless, driven by ground-borne equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/56 Towing or pushing equipment tugs B63B35/66; towing arrangements for water sports use B63B34/60
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/67 Connection means on the towing watercraft, e.g. pylons, side poles or winches

Abstract

Many embodiments described herein prevent damage to a surf rope and/or watercraft due to a surf rope remaining in the water after it is released by a wakesurfer. The wakesurfing system may include a first and second reel assembly arranged and configured to retract a discarded surf rope. The first reel assembly may have a telescoping and rotatable boom and may be coupled to a side of the watercraft. The second reel assembly may be coupled to a tower, pylon, or ski hook of the watercraft. The first reel assembly may have a first cord reel coupled to a handle of the surf rope, and the second reel assembly may have a second cord reel coupled to a proximal location of the surf rope. The first and second cord reels, and the surf rope, may be in a retracted position when not in use, and in an extended position when used by a wakesurfer.

Claims

1. A wakesurfing system, comprising:

a first reel assembly arranged and configured to couple to a first location on a watercraft;

a first cord reel having a first end arranged and configured to couple to the first reel assembly and a second end arranged and configured to couple to a distal location of a surf rope;

a second reel assembly arranged and configured to couple to a second location on the watercraft; and

a second cord reel having a first end arranged and configured to couple to the second reel assembly and a second end arranged and configured to couple to a proximal location of the surf rope.

2. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the distal location of the surf rope is located adjacent to a handle of the surf rope, and wherein the proximal location is between the distal location and the second reel assembly.

3. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the first reel assembly and second reel assembly are arranged and configured to retract after a rider releases the surf rope.

4. The wakesurfing system of claim 3, wherein the first reel assembly is arranged and configured to retract the handle back so that the handle is adjacent the first reel assembly.

5. The wakesurfing system of claim 3, wherein the second reel assembly is arranged and configured to retract the proximal location of the surf rope back so that the proximal location is adjacent the second reel assembly and that the surf rope is not located along a side or rear surface of the watercraft.

6. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the first location is a cleat located on the watercraft and the second location is a tower extending above the watercraft.

7. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the first reel assembly is arranged and configured to be located closer to a water surface than the second reel assembly.

8. The wakesurfing system of claim 6, wherein the first reel assembly comprises a clamp arranged and configured to couple to the cleat.

9. The wakesurfing system of claim 6, wherein the first reel assembly comprises a boom arranged and configured to allow the first cord reel to pass through an internal portion of the boom.

10. The wakesurfing system of claim 9, wherein the boom comprises one or more guides located along a length of the boom to thereby guide the first cord reel through the boom.

11. The wakesurfing system of claim 10, wherein the boom comprises one or more rollers located at a distal end of the boom to thereby guide the first cord reel out and away from the distal end of the boom.

12. The wakesurfing system of claim 9, wherein the boom is arranged and configured to telescope such that when the boom is in an elongated position the boom defines a first length and when the boom is in a retracted position the boom defines a second length that is shorter than the first length.

13. The wakesurfing system of claim 9, wherein the boom defines a length of about 4 feet.

14. The wakesurfing system of claim 9, wherein the boom is arranged and configured to extend perpendicular to the side of the watercraft.

15. The wakesurfing system of claim 14, wherein the first reel assembly comprises a first pivot mechanism located along a proximal portion of the first reel assembly.

16. The wakesurfing system of claim 15, wherein the first pivot mechanism is arranged and configured to allow for a plurality of rotation positions.

17. The wakesurfing system of claim 15, wherein the first pivot mechanism is arranged and configured to rotate the first reel assembly and boom upward so that the first reel assembly protrudes up and away from the watercraft.

18. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the first reel assembly is arranged and configured to rotate along a first axis and the second reel assembly is arranged and configured to rotate along a second axis that is different than the first axis.

19. The wakesurfing system of claim 1, wherein the first reel assembly comprises a first spring reel and the second reel assembly comprises a second spring reel.

20. The wakesurfing system of claim 19, wherein the first spring reel produces a tension of about 5 pounds on the first cord reel.