Water sport towing apparatus

• US 6,192,819 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings LLC (Correct Craft Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Correct Craft Incorporated
• Inventors: Snook, William N., Larson, Borden M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULDOON, PATRICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/399,683
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 114/253, 114/89, 114/66, 114/65.R, 114/83, 114/384, 114/361, 114/242, 114/254, 440/33, 440/34, 441/68
• US Class Current: 114/253
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 15/00 Superstructures , deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like; Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars, e.g. bowspritsloading or unloading equipment B63B27/00; masts and staying in general E04H; sails, running rigging B63H; mounting ladders or the like on masts B63B29/205
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/60 Arrangements for towing, e.g. for use with water-skis or wakeboards

Abstract

The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard is enhanced by a towing apparatus which includes vertical supports rigidly attached starboard and port side gunwales of the vessel at a location generally outboard an operator station. A frame including rigid U-shaped bridging supports transversely extends across the beam of the vessel. The frame is pivotally fitted to a forward portion of the vertical supports for rotation from an operating position to a stored position on the deck of the vessel. The U-shaped bridging supports extend substantially above the level of the operator station. One of the U-shaped bridging supports is readily removably attached to the vertical support. A ball assembly is carried by detachable ends of the frame, while a socket assembly is carried by the vertical support. A shaft extends through the socket and has one end threaded for engaging a threaded bore of the ball. An opposing end of the shaft includes a knob for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the frame with the vertical supports. As a result, the frame can be rotated downwardly onto the deck of the vessel, reducing the elevation of the vessel for passing underneath a bridge or into a garage when being carried by a trailer. A tow rope is attached to a horizontally extending bridging support portion for towing the performer.

Claims

1. A towing apparatus for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement, the towing apparatus comprising:

a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel having a bow, a stern, starboard and port side gunwales extending longitudinally therebetween, and an operator station positioned amidships between the starboard and port side gunwales;

a first elongate vertical support rigidly attached to the starboard side gunwale of the vessel at a location generally outboard the operator station;

a second elongate vertical support rigidly attached to the port side gunwale of the vessel at a location generally outboard the operator station and transversely opposing the first elongate support;

a frame extending upwardly from and between the first and second elongate vertical supports to a height substantially above the level of the operator station, wherein a first proximal end of the frame is readily removable attached to each of the first and second elongate vertical supports, and a second proximal end of the frame is pivotally attached thereto for rigidly securing the frame in an operating position when the first proximal end is attached, while permitting the frame to be rotated about the second proximal end to a stored position on a deck of the vessel when the first proximal end is detached; and

a tow rope connecting element at a distal end of the frame for attaching a tow rope thereto used in towing a performer from the frame while operating the vessel in a body of water.

2. A towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical supports each comprise:

an upwardly extending forward portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel;

an upwardly extending aft portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel; and

a middle portion extending between distal ends of the forward and aft portions.

3. A towing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distal end of the aft portion extends to a higher elevation above the gunwale than the distal end of the forward portion.

4. A towing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling assembly operable between the first proximal end of the frame and at least one of the first and second vertical supports.

5. A towing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a ball attached to the first proximal end of the frame and a socket carried by the at least one of the first and second vertical supports.

6. A towing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a shaft extending through the socket, the shaft having a distal end for engaging the ball and a proximal end for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the frame with the vertical supports.

7. A towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame, in the operating position, comprises forward and aft, rearwardly angled and vertically extending arms, and wherein the aft arm is shorter in length than the forward arm.

8. A towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises, in the operating position, forward and aft U-shaped supports.

9. A towing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the forward U-shaped support is pivotally attached to the first and second vertical supports, wherein the aft U-shaped support is readily removably attached thereto, and wherein the forward U-shaped support is rigidly attached to the aft U-shaped support.

10. A towing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising at least one support member extending between the forward and aft U-shaped supports.

11. A towing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of anchoring plates for attaching the first and second vertical supports to the vessel.

12. A towing apparatus for a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the vessel having a bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station located amidships between the opposing sides, the towing apparatus comprising:

a first elongate vertical support rigidly attached to one side of the vessel at a location generally outboard the operator station;

a second elongate vertical support rigidly attached to the opposing side of the vessel at a location generally outboard the operator station;

a first rigid U-shaped bridging support transversely extending across the beam of the vessel and pivotally fitted to the first and second vertical supports at a point longitudinally spaced from the operator station, the first rigid U-shaped bridging support extending substantially above the level of the operator station;

a second rigid U-shaped bridging support rigidly attached to the first rigid U-shaped bridging support, the second rigid U-shaped support transversely extending across the beam of the vessel and readily removably attached to the first and second vertical supports at a point longitudinally spaced from the operator station opposing the first rigid U-shaped bridging support and extending substantially above the level of the operator station; and

tow rope attaching means at an upper portion of the skeletal frame for attaching a tow rope thereto.

13. A towing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first and second vertical supports each comprise:

an upwardly extending forward portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel;

an upwardly extending aft portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel; and

a middle portion extending between distal ends of the forward and aft portions.

14. A towing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the distal end of the aft portion extends to a higher elevation above the gunwale than the distal end of the forward portion.

15. A towing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a coupling assembly operable between the second U-shaped bridging support and at least one of the first and second vertical supports.

16. A towing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a ball and a socket carried by the second U-shaped bridging support and the at least one of the first and second vertical supports.

17. A towing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

a shaft extending through the socket, the shaft having a distal end for engaging the ball and a proximal end for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the second U-shaped bridging support with the vertical supports.

18. A towing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of the first and second U-shaped bridging supports, in the operating position, is rearwardly angled, and wherein the second U-shaped bridging support is shorter in length than the forward arm.

19. A towing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising at least one support member extending between the forward and aft U-shaped supports.

20. A towing tower for permitting a towed performer to achieve improved aerial characteristics, the towing tower comprising:

first and second elongate vertical supports dimensioned for extending forward and aft of an operator station of a vessel and for rigidly attaching outboard the operator station to the starboard and port sides thereof;

a rigid frame including at least four spaced, generally vertically-extending legs, two of the legs rotatably attached at rotatable attachment points on the first and second elongate vertical supports, the other two legs readily removably attached to the first and second elongate vertical supports at removable attachment points opposing the rotatable attachment points, wherein the rigid frame is rotatable from a rigidly secured operating position extending above the operator station to a rotated and stored position resting on a deck of the vessel; and

a tow rope receiver fitted to the frame at a location substantially above the operator station when the frame is in the operating position.

21. A towing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first and second vertical supports each comprise:

an upwardly extending forward portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel;

an upwardly extending aft portion having a proximal end rigidly mounted to the gunwale of the vessel; and

a middle portion extending between distal ends of the forward and aft portions.

22. A towing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the distal end of the aft portion extends to a higher elevation above the gunwale than the distal end of the forward portion.

23. A towing apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a coupling assembly operable between the at least two rotatably attached legs of the frame and each of the first and second vertical supports.

24. A towing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a ball and a socket assembly, each ball and socket assembly carried by each of the at least two rotatably attached legs of the frame and each of the first and second vertical supports.

25. A towing apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising:

a shaft extending through the socket, the shaft having a distal end for engaging the ball and a proximal end for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the frame with the vertical supports.

26. A towing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the at least four generally vertically extending legs form forward and aft U-shaped supports.

27. A towing apparatus for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement, the towing apparatus comprising:

a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel having a bow, a stern, and an operator station positioned therebetween;

a vertical support rigidly attached to the vessel at a location proximate the operator station;

a frame extending upwardly from the vertical support to a height substantially above the level of the operator station, the frame including a tow rope connecting element at a distal end thereof for attaching a tow rope thereto used in towing a performer from the frame while operating the vessel in a body of water; and

coupling means for operably coupling the frame to the vertical support, the coupling means rigidly attaching the frame to the vertical support in an operating position for towing the performer, while permitting the frame to be rotated about the vertical support into a stored position on a deck of the vessel for reducing a height clearance of the vessel.

28. A towing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the coupling means comprise:

a ball and socket assembly carried by a first proximal end of the frame, the ball and socket assembly including a ball carried by the frame, a socket carried by the vertical support, and a shaft extending through the socket, the shaft having a distal end for engaging the ball and a proximal end for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the frame with the vertical supports; and

a pivotal linkage assembly operable between the frame and vertical support positioned for rotating the frame about the vertical support when the shaft is disengaged from the ball.

29. A towing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising;

a knob attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and

a compression spring carried by the shaft and positioned between the knob and the socket for biasing the proximal end away from the socket.

30. A towing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the frame comprises, in the operating position, forward and aft U-shaped supports.

31. A towing apparatus for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement, the towing apparatus comprising:

a vertical support rigidly dimensioned for rigidly attaching to a vessel at a location proximate an operator station of the vessel;

a frame for extending upwardly from the vertical support to a height substantially above the level of the operator station; and

attaching means for attaching the frame to the vertical support, the attaching means rigidly attaching the frame to the vertical support in an operating position for towing the performer, while permitting the frame to be rotated about the vertical support into a stored position on a deck of the vessel for reducing a height clearance of the vessel.

32. A towing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the coupling means comprise:

a ball and socket assembly carried by a first proximal end of the frame, the ball and socket assembly including a ball carried by the frame, a socket carried by the vertical support, and a shaft extending through the socket, the shaft having a distal end for engaging the ball and a proximal end for manipulating the shaft into and out of engagement with the ball for readily removable attachment of the ball with the socket and thus the frame with the vertical supports; and

a pivotal linkage assembly operable between the frame and vertical support positioned for rotating the frame about the vertical support when the shaft is disengaged from the ball.

33. A towing apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising;

a knob attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and

a compression spring carried by the shaft and positioned between the knob and the socket for biasing the proximal end away from the socket.

34. A towing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the frame comprises, in the operating position, forward and aft U-shaped supports.

35. A towing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tow rope connecting element attached at a distal end of the frame for attaching a tow rope thereto used in towing a performer from the frame while operating the vessel in a body of water.