Convertible water ski tow apparatus
First Claim
1. A convertible water ski tow apparatus for a boat having an upright ski tow pylon, comprising:
- a main tube having an upper end and a lower end;
a mounting bracket;
support rigging;
said mounting bracket including means for securely affixing said mounting bracket to said upright ski tow pylon, and a male connector pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and extending therefrom so as to be pivotable in a vertical plane;
said lower end of said main tube being sized to slide over said pylon in a first position to engage said mounting bracket and to function as an upright extension of said pylon, and said male connector being sized to receive said lower end of said main tube in a second position so as to extend generally horizontally over the gunnel of the boat to function as a ski tow boom; and
said support rigging extending from said upper end of said main tube to the bow of the boat, and being adjustable in tension and length so as to stabilize said main tube in either said first position or said second position against rearwardly directed forces imposed by a trailing water skier being towed by said main tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A convertible water ski tow apparatus for a ski boat is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main tube and a bracket which are attachable to the conventional fixed ski tow pylon found in virtually all ski boats. The bracket affixes the main tube to the tow pylon and permits the main tube to positioned in either of two positions. In an upright position, the main tube acts as a vertical extension of the pylon, so as to facilitate and enhance wakejumping on conventional wakeboards, water skis, or other devices. In a horizontally extending position, the main tube extends outwardly from the boat, where it can be used for instructional skiing, barefoot skiing, and other applications. The apparatus is readily convertible in the field from one position to another, and is stabilized with adjustable rigging extending to the bow of the boat.
54 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A convertible water ski tow apparatus for a boat having an upright ski tow pylon, comprising:
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a main tube having an upper end and a lower end; a mounting bracket; support rigging; said mounting bracket including means for securely affixing said mounting bracket to said upright ski tow pylon, and a male connector pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and extending therefrom so as to be pivotable in a vertical plane; said lower end of said main tube being sized to slide over said pylon in a first position to engage said mounting bracket and to function as an upright extension of said pylon, and said male connector being sized to receive said lower end of said main tube in a second position so as to extend generally horizontally over the gunnel of the boat to function as a ski tow boom; and said support rigging extending from said upper end of said main tube to the bow of the boat, and being adjustable in tension and length so as to stabilize said main tube in either said first position or said second position against rearwardly directed forces imposed by a trailing water skier being towed by said main tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A convertible water ski tow apparatus for a boat having an upright ski tow pylon, comprising:
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a main tube having an upper end and a lower end; a mounting bracket; support rigging; said mounting bracket including a pair of opposing plates configured to securely engage said upright ski tow pylon and means for clamping said plates together about said pylon, and a male connector pivotably connected to said plates and extending therefrom; said lower end of said main tube being sized to slide over said pylon in a first upright position to engage said mounting bracket and to function as an upright extension of said pylon, and said lower end of said main tube being sized to slide over said male connector in a second horizontal position so as to extend generally horizontally over the gunnel of the boat to function as a ski tow boom; and said support rigging extending from said upper end of said main tube to the bow of the boat, and being adjustable in tension so as to stabilized said main tube in either said first position or said second position against rearwardly directed forces imposed by a trailing water skier being towed by said main tube. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification