Human towing device and sports based on the device

• US 20080083363A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hart L. Adam
• Original Assignee: Hart L. Adam
• Inventors: Hart, L. Adam
• Application Number:
  US11/544,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/253
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 11/10 Apparatus for towing skis ski-lifts B61B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/60 Arrangements for towing, e.g. for use with water-skis or wakeboards

Abstract

Glided sporting activities can be performed by pulling a person associated with a glide element. The pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle or harness at one end. An operator controls the speed and braking. The towing device has a brake and throttle to control the rotation of the spool of rope. A rope guide guides the ropes motion at the front of the towing device.

Claims

1. A method for performing a glided sporting activity, the method comprising pulling a person associated with a glide element wherein the pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle at one end gripped by the person or having a harness attached to the person, wherein an operator controls the speed and braking.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sport is water boarding, water skiing, snow skiing, surfboarding, wakeboarding, wake skating, snowboarding, kite boarding, skim boarding, mountain boarding, skate boarding or kayaking.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the speed is at least about 10 miles per hour.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the person is pulled along a surface with a grade of no more than about 10 degrees.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor in an internal combustion engine with at least about 5 horse power.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein an operator applies a brake to stop the rotation of the spool.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein operator adjusts the speed of the spool with a manual throttle.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the spool is mounted on a frame comprising a rope guide connected to an extension to hold the rope guide from about 2.5 feet to about 6 feet from the ground.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sport is a water sport.

10. A human towing device comprising:

a frame comprising a front support element;

a motor having at least about 5 horse power and a throttle to control the motor speed;

a spool assembly comprising a spool, an axle fixed to rotate with the spool, a mount connected to the frame that engages the axle in a rotatable configuration relative to the frame, and drive element operably connecting the motor to the axle;

a rope comprising a handle or a harness at a first end, wherein the rope is connected to the spool at a second end;

a rope guide comprising an opening, wherein the rope guide is supported by the front support element and wherein the rope extends through the opening; and

a brake to stop the rotation of the spool.

11. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame has attached wheels and a handle for attachment to a vehicle towing hitch, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground.

12. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame has a resting surface to support the frame at a stationary location wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the resting surface.

13. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame comprises a mount to secure the device on a vehicle towing hitch suspended from the ground, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground support when the device is suspended on a 2006 General Motors pick up trunk.

14. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine.

15. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor has at least about 5 horse power.

16. The human towing device of claim 10 further comprising a cover over the spool and drive assembly.

17. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the drive assembly comprises a centrifugal clutch or a continuously variable transmission.

18. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the rope comprises a handle and wherein the handle comprises a loop or rope with tube over a portion of the loop, the tube comprising a gripping surface.

19. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor is mounted on the frame.

20. The human towing device of claim 10 further comprising a clutch wherein the spool freely rotates with the clutch in neutral when the motor is at idle speeds.

21. A sporting course comprising a corridor having a grade of no more than 10% and a stationary towing device configured to pull a person with a glide element along the corridor using a rope.