Boat rope controller

• US 4,393,803 A
• Filed: 08/05/1980
• Issued: 07/19/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard W. Donalies
• Original Assignee: Richard W. Donalies
• Inventors: Donalies, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frankfort, Charles E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brahan, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US06/175,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 114/254, 114/210, 242/99, 242/86.5 A, 242/220, 242/155 R, 242/86.7, 254/325, 248/674, 70/18, 441/362, 441/364, 441/343
• US Class Current: 114/254
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/16 using winches winches per se B66D
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/67 Connection means on the towing watercraft, e.g. pylons, side poles or winches
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/35 Ropes, lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/537 Stopping the winding or unwinding of reels which do not feature spring motors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/425 attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4431 Manual stop or release button
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4442 acting on the reel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 242/904 Water ski reel

Abstract

A boat rope controller includes a framework comprising two substantially parallel support arms which are bolted to a mounting bracket secured to the rear transom of a power boat. A reel assembly including a gear is rotatably mounted near the center and between the two support arms and a guide pulley is rotatably mounted near the end of the support arms and aligned with the reel assembly. The gear of the reel assembly is selectively engaged by a ratchet control to allow rope to be fed-out from the reel over the guide pulley or to prevent rope from being fed-out from the reel. A service cover encloses the controller and a crank assembly is inserted through the service cover and one of the support arm to engage and manually rotate the reel assembly. A brake drum is attached to the reel assembly and a brake band is selectively actuated to engage the drum and stop the rotation of the reel assembly. A drag brake is included which progressively activates the reel brake to prevent backlash tangles of the rope on the reel. The crank is locked to the controller by an access lock pin which includes a first eye external to the controller. A mode lock pin is coupled to the ratchet control and includes a second eye external to the controller. A third eye is solidly mounted to the framework and is aligned with the first and second locking eyes. A padlock or pin is inserted through the three eyes to prevent operation of and access to the controller and to deter theft of the controller.

Claims

1. A boat rope controller for a boat rope which is used for water skiing or other related water sports, anchoring and general marine towing, said boat rope controller comprising:

mounting means attached to the rear of a boat for providing occupants of the boat with an uninterrupted view;

a framework including two substantially parallel support arms, one end of said framework engaging said mounting means at an angle to extend said framework generally upward from said mounting means and rearward of the boat;

a reel means mounted for free rotation to said framework between and near the central portion of said two support arms for containing said boat rope, said reel means including a shaft mounted for free rotation to said framework;

a pulley mounted for free rotation to said framework between and at the end of said two support arms opposite said mounting means, said pulley and said reel means being substantially aligned whereby said boat rope can readily pass to or from said reel means via said pulley;

mode control means operable with said reel means for selectively securing said reel means to prevent its rotation and for releasing said reel means to allow its rotation, said mode control means including a gear connected to said shaft and a ratchet assembly connected to said framework for selectively engaging said gear;

mode locking means operable with said mode control means for locking said mode control means in a mode which prevents the rotation of said reel means whereby inadvertent and unauthorized release of said reel means is prevented and further safety on the water is ensured, said mode locking means including ratchet locking means for preventing said ratchet assembly from disengaging said gear, said ratchet locking means including a rod, with an eye external to said framework, slidably inserted through said framework and pivotally connected to said ratched assembly, and said mode locking means further including means for selectively locking said eye to said framework when said ratchet assembly engages said gear;

driving means attached to said reel means for rotating said reel means, said driving means and said mode control means being operable from a safe position within the boat;

rope guide means cooperatively associated with said reel means and said pulley for restricting the movement of said boat rope relative to said reel means and said pulley and, thereby, preventing malfunctions due to tangling and knotting of the boat rope within the rope controller; and

a service cover mounted to said framework, said service cover, together with said framework, forming a substantially contiguous outer surface around said contained boat rope and any internal parts whereby said service cover and said framework protect the occupants of the boat from the potential danger of internal moving parts, shield the occupants from spewing water from rotating internal parts and the boat rope, deter unauthorized tampering and dismantling of the rope controller, and protect internal parts and the boat rope from environmental elements.

2. A boat rope controller for a boat rope which is used for water skiing or other related water sports, anchoring and general marine towing, said boat rope controller comprising:

mounting means attached to the rear of a boat for providing occupants of the boat with an uninterrupted view;

a framework including two substantially parallel support arms, one end of said framework engaging said mounting means at an angle to extend said framework generally upward from said mounting means and rearward of the boat;

a reel means mounted for free rotation to said framework between and near the central portion of said two support arms for containing said boat rope;

a pulley mounted for free rotation to said framework between and at the end of said two support arms opposite said mounting means, said pulley and said reel means being substantially aligned whereby said boat rope can readily pass to or from said reel means via said pulley;

mode control means operable with said reel means for selectively securing said reel means to prevent its rotation and for releasing said reel means to allow its rotation;

driving means attached to said reel means for rotating said reel means, said driving means being removable from said rope controller and said driving means and said mode control means being operable from a safe position with the boat;

rope guide means cooperatively associated with said reel means and said pulley for restricting the movement of said boat rope relative to said reel means and said pulley and, thereby, preventing malfunctions due to tangling and knotting of the boat rope within the rope controller;

a service cover mounted to said framework, said service cover, together with said framework, forming a substantially contiguous outer surface around said contained boat rope and any internal parts whereby said service cover and said framework protect the occupants of the boat form the potential danger of internal moving parts, shield the occupants from spewing water from rotating internal parts and the boat rope, deter unauthorized tampering and dismantling of the rope controller, and protect internal parts and the boat rope from environmental elements; and

cover locking means operable with said service cover for locking said service cover to said framework, said cover locking means including drive locking means for securing said driving means while allowing for removal of said driving means and said service cover being not removable when said driving means is secured, whereby inadvertent or unauthorized access to or dismantling of said rope controller is prevented.

3. The boat rope controller of claim 2

wherein said drive locking means includes a rod inserted through and slidably mounted to said framework, said rod having an eye external to said framework, and

wherein said cover locking means includes means for selectively locking said eye to said framework when said driving means is secured.

4. A rope controller for a boat rope which is used for water skiing or other related water sports, anchoring and general towing, said boat rope controller comprising:

mounting means attached to the rear of a boat;

a framework comprising two substantially parallel support arms for engaging said mounting means at an angle to extend generally upward from said mounting means and rearward of the boat;

a reel means comprising

a shaft mounted for free rotation to said framework between and near the central portion of said two support arms and

a reel firmly mounted to said shaft and having a central channel for receiving said boat rope;

a pulley mounted for free rotation to said framework between and near the end of said two support arms opposite said mounting means, said pulley and said reel means being substantially aligned;

control means operable with said reel means for selectively securing said reel means to prevent its rotation and for releasing said reel means to allow its rotation, said control means comprising

a gear connected to said shaft and

a ratchet assembly connected to said framework for selectively engaging said gear;

ratchet locking means connected to said framework for preventing said ratchet assembly from disengaging said gear, said ratchet locking means comprising a first rod inserted through said framework and connected to said ratchet assembly, said first rod including a first eye external to said framework;

driving means inserted through said framework and removable from said rope controller for rotating said reel means;

drive locking means connected to said framework for securing said driving means while allowing for removal of said driving means, said drive locking means comprising a second rod inserted through said framework and selectively engaging said driving means to prevent its removal from said controller, said second rod including a second eye external to said framework; and

a third eye firmly mounted to said framework and aligned with said first and second eyes when said ratchet locking means and said drive locking means are in their respective locked positions whereby a lock can be inserted through said first, second, and third eyes to prevent operation, access or theft of said rope controller.

5. The boat rope controller of claim 4 further comprising brake means connected to said framework for frictionally engaging said reel means to selectively stop the rotation thereof.

6. The boat rope controller of claim 4 further comprising drag brake means connected to said framework for controlling the freedom of rotation of said reel means.

7. The boat rope controller of claim 4 further comprising rope guide means connected to said framework for restricting the movement of a boat rope relative to said pulley and said reel means whereby said rope is smoothly retrieved by and fed-out from said rope controller.

8. The boat rope controller of claim 4 further comprising means for draining and ventilating said reel means whereby water is rapidly drained from said controller and must and mildew on the rope and in said controller is minimized.

9. The boat rope controller of claim 4 further comprising a safety hook connected to said framework at the end opposite from said mounting means for supporting an implement attached to the rope of said rope controller whereby potential jamming of the rope on said reel means during transportation and normal operation of the boat is prevented.