Retractable Tow Rope Apparatus
First Claim
1. A retractable tow rope apparatus for use with a boat, said retractable tow rope apparatus comprising:
- a hollow spool having opposed first and second ends and a first flange extending outwardly from said first end, said first flange defining a plurality of indentations;
an outer casing surrounding said hollow spool and having opposed first and second ends and a front side defining a front opening, said first end of said casing defining an aperture complementary to said plurality of indentations in said first flange;
a retraction spring inside said spool, said spring being coupled to said spool and said casing for selectively moving said spool relative to said casing;
a spool brake coupled to said outer casing and having a configuration for selectively passing through said outer casing aperture and engaging each said indentation in said first flange, respectively;
a drive screw coupled to said outer casing and extending along said outer casing front opening;
a moving fairlead coupled to said drive screw for relative movement therealong;
a drive assembly selectively associating said drive screw with said hollow spool, whereby movement of said hollow spool causes movement of said drive screw when said drive screw is associated with said hollow spool;
a tow rope passing through said moving fairlead and having one end coupled to said hollow spool; and
means for coupling said outer casing to said boat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable tow rope apparatus according to the present invention includes a hollow spool mounted for rotational movement inside a casing. A retraction spring is positioned inside the spool and is coupled to the spool and to the casing for selectively moving the spool therein. One end of the spool includes a flange defining a plurality of grooves. A spool brake is mounted to the casing for selective engagement with a respective groove, whereby to selectively stop the spool from paying out or retracting the tow rope. A retractable handle is mounted to the casing and coupled to the spool, enabling a user to manually turn the spool. The casing includes a handle for carrying the device. A bracket may be attached to the casing for releasably mounting the device to a boat.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A retractable tow rope apparatus for use with a boat, said retractable tow rope apparatus comprising:
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a hollow spool having opposed first and second ends and a first flange extending outwardly from said first end, said first flange defining a plurality of indentations; an outer casing surrounding said hollow spool and having opposed first and second ends and a front side defining a front opening, said first end of said casing defining an aperture complementary to said plurality of indentations in said first flange; a retraction spring inside said spool, said spring being coupled to said spool and said casing for selectively moving said spool relative to said casing; a spool brake coupled to said outer casing and having a configuration for selectively passing through said outer casing aperture and engaging each said indentation in said first flange, respectively; a drive screw coupled to said outer casing and extending along said outer casing front opening; a moving fairlead coupled to said drive screw for relative movement therealong; a drive assembly selectively associating said drive screw with said hollow spool, whereby movement of said hollow spool causes movement of said drive screw when said drive screw is associated with said hollow spool; a tow rope passing through said moving fairlead and having one end coupled to said hollow spool; and means for coupling said outer casing to said boat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A retractable tow rope apparatus for watersports, said retractable tow rope apparatus comprising:
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an outer casing having a front side and opposed first and second ends, said outer casing first end defining a hole and said outer casing front side defining a front opening; an internal spool mounted inside said outer casing for rotational movement relative to said outer casing, said internal spool having opposed first and second ends and said spool first end defining a plurality of grooves; a retraction spring coupled to said spool and said outer casing for selectively rotating said spool relative to said outer casing; a spool brake coupled to said outer casing for selectively passing through said hole in said outer casing first end and engaging a respective groove of said spool first end; a drive screw coupled to said outer casing and extending adjacent said outer casing front opening; a moving fairlead coupled to said drive screw; a drive assembly selectively associating said drive screw with said spool, whereby movement of said spool causes movement of said drive screw when said drive screw is associated with said spool; a tow rope passing through said moving fairlead, said tow rope having an end coupled to said spool; a squeegee guide coupled to said outer casing adjacent said front opening for removing liquid from said tow rope and reducing an amount of liquid that would otherwise enter said outer casing; and a mounting device coupled to said outer casing for selectively mounting said outer casing. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A retractable tow rope apparatus for use with a boat, said retractable tow rope apparatus comprising:
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an outer casing having a front side and opposed first and second ends, said outer casing first end defining a hole and said outer casing front side defining a front opening; an internal spool mounted inside said outer casing for rotational movement relative to said outer casing, said internal spool having opposed first and second ends and said spool first end defining a plurality of grooves; a retraction spring coupled to said spool and said outer casing for selectively rotating said spool relative to said outer casing; a spool brake coupled to said outer casing for selectively passing through said hole in said outer casing first end and engaging a respective groove of said spool first end; a tow rope having an end coupled to said spool, said tow rope passing through said front opening of said front side of said outer casing; and a mounting device coupled to said outer casing for selectively mounting said outer casing to the boat.
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Specification