Water sport towing apparatus and method

• US RE37,823 E1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• 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: Todd, Robert, Snook, William N., Larson, Borden M.
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US09/613,154
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 114/253, 114/89, 114/66, 114/65.R, 114/83, 114/384, 114/361, 114/242, 114/254, 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 2035/855 Equipment or arrangements for generating waves, particularly adapted for surfing, waterskiing, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2207/02 Variable ballast or buoyancy
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/815 Towing devices

Abstract

The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard, and being towed by a vessel while maintaining stability of the vessel includes a first relatively rigid vertical support fitted to one side of the, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to an opposing side, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending supports, at a height substantially above a level of the operator station for the vessel. A tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water. By pivotally attaching the first and second supports to the respective sides of the vessel, they can be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.

Claims

1. A method for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a foredeck aft of the bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station positioned amidships between the sides;

fitting a first relatively rigid vertical support structure to a first one of the sides and fitting a second relatively rigid vertical support structure to a second one of the sides, and then extending a generally horizontal bridging portion between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending support structures, amidships and at a height substantially above the operator station;

pivotally attaching the first and second vertically extending support structures to the respective sides of the vessel and positioning the first and second vertically extending support structures for rotating to a generally horizontal position;

attaching a tow rope to the horizontally extending bridging portion; and

operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fitting step comprises the steps of:

providing each of the first and second vertical support structures with a forward vertical support element and an aft vertical support element; and

fixedly attaching a longitudinally extending bar between each of the forward and aft vertical support elements for forming a skeletal frame.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinally extending bar attaching step comprises the step of attaching the bar generally parallel to the floor of the vessel.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of rearwardly angling each of the forward vertical support elements.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second one of the sides correspond to starboard and port deck portions, respectively.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second one of the sides correspond to starboard and port floor portions, respectively.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the height above the level of the operator station is at least six feet above the vessel floor.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bridging portion comprises a tow rope connecting element for attaching the tow rope thereto, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the tow rope to the tow rope connecting element.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fitting step includes the step of providing forward and aft U-shaped support structures and forming a skeletal frame from a combination of the first and second vertical support structures and the horizontal bridging portion.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support structures and bridging portion are formed from aluminum.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching a plurality of anchoring plates to the vessel, and wherein the fitting step includes the step of fitting each of lower extremities of the vertical support structures to one of the plurality of anchoring plates.

12. A method for towing a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a foredeck aft of the bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station positioned amidships;

fitting a first relatively rigid U-shaped support structure across the beam of the vessel, amidships, and extending substantially above the level of the operator station;

rearwardly angling the first U-shaped structure;

fitting a second relatively rigid U-shaped support structure to the sides and across the beam of the vessel, amidships, and extending substantially above the level of the operator station, the first U-shaped support structure forward of the second U-shaped structure with the operator station located in an area between fittings of the first and second U-shaped structures at the respective sides;

attaching a plurality of longitudinally extending bars between the U-shaped support structures so that the first and second support structures form a skeletal frame extending above the operator station;

attaching a tow rope to an upper portion of the skeletal frame; and

operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of pivotally attaching at least one of the U-shaped structures to the respective sides of the vessel, so as to permit the skeletal frame to be rotated downwardly onto a deck portion of the vessel.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of downwardly rotating the skeletal frame onto the foredeck of the vessel.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the longitudinally extending bar attaching step comprises the step of attaching the bar generally parallel to the floor of the vessel.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching the U-shaped structures to starboard and port deck portions, respectively.

17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching the U-shaped structures to starboard and port floor portions, respectively.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the skeletal frame extends to a height above the level of the operator station that is at least six feet above the vessel floor.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching a tow rope connecting element to the upper portion of the skeletal frame for attaching the two rope thereto, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the tow rope to the tow rope connecting element.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the tower is formed from aluminum.

21. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching a plurality of anchoring plates to the vessel, and wherein the fitting step includes the step of fitting each of lower extremities of the U-shaped support structures to one of the plurality of anchoring plates.

22. 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 including a bow, a stern and an operator station positioned amidships between opposing sides;

a first relatively rigid vertical support structure fitted between the sides of the vessel at a point forward of the operator station;

a second relatively rigid vertical support structure fitted between the sides of the vessel aft of the first relatively rigid vertical support structure;

a generally horizontal bridging portion extending between upper portions of the first and second vertically extending support structures, at a height substantially above the level of the operator station; and

a tow rope attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising attaching means for attaching the first and second generally vertically extending support structures to the respective sides of the vessel, the attaching means operable so as to permit the first and second support structures to be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each of the first and second vertical support structures comprise a forward vertical support element and an aft vertical support element, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending bars fixedly attached between each of the forward and aft vertical support elements thus forming a skeletal frame.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending bars are generally parallel to the floor of the vessel.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the forward vertical support element is rearwardly angled for having its lower extremity forward of its upper extremity.

27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first and second one of the sides correspond to starboard and port deck portions, respectively.

28. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first and second one of the sides correspond to starboard and port floor portions, respectively.

29. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the height above the level of the operator station is at least six feet above the vessel floor.

30. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a tow rope connecting element attached to the bridging portion for attaching the tow rope thereto.

31. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the skeletal frame is formed from aluminum.

32. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a plurality of anchoring plates attached to the vessel, and wherein each of the lower extremities of the vertical supports are fitted to one of the plurality of anchoring plates.

33. 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 relatively rigid U-shaped support structure for fitting to the sides across the beam of the vessel at a point forward of the operator station and positioned amidships substantially above the level of the operator station;

a second relatively rigid U-shaped support structure for fitting to the sides across the beam of the vessel and positioned amidships substantially above the level of the operator station;

a plurality of bars extending between the U-shaped support structures so that the first and second U-shaped support structures in combination with the plurality of bars form a skeletal frame, and wherein the first U-shaped support structure is positioned forward of the second U-shaped support structure; and

tow rope attaching means fitted to the upper portion of the skeletal frame for attaching a tow rope thereto.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33 further comprising attaching means for attaching the skeletal frame to the vessel, so as to permit the skeletal frame to be rotated downwardly onto a deck portion of the vessel.

35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the longitudinally extending bars are generally parallel to the floor of the vessel.

36. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the tow rope attaching means comprises a tow rope connecting element fixedly attached to the upper extremity of the skeletal frame.

37. The apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a plurality of anchoring plates for attaching the skeletal frame to the vessel, and wherein each of lower extremities of the U-shaped supports is attached to one of the plurality of anchoring plates.

38. A method for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a foredeck aft the bow, a stern, opposing sides extending from the bow to the stern, and an operator station positioned amidships between the bow and stern, aft of the foredeck;

attaching a rigid vertical bridging support structure at attachment points on each side of the vessel adjacent and substantially abeam the operator station, with a generally horizontal bridging portion of the vertical bridging support structure positioned substantially directly above the operator station;

attaching a tow rope to the bridging portion;

imparting sufficient structural strength to the vessel sides, the vertical bridging support structure, the horizontal bridging portion, and the attachment points so as to maintain structural integrity while transferring those rearward forces generated towing the performer to the vessel sides; and

operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontal bridging portion.

39. The method for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer using a water sport implement and being towed behind a vessel while maintaining the stability of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a stern and an operator station between opposing sides;

fitting a first relatively rigid vertical support structure to a first one of the sides substantially abeam the operator'"'"'s station, and fitting a second relatively rigid vertical support structure to a second one of the sides substantially abeam the operator'"'"'s station, and then extending an elevated, generally horizontal bridge portion between the first and second vertically extending support structures, at a height substantially above the operator station;

attaching a tow rope to the horizontally extending bridging portion; and

operating the vessel in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of pivotally attaching the first and second generally vertically extending support structures to the respective sides of the vessel, so as to permit the first and second vertical support structures to be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boathouse.

41. A vessel and towing tower for permitting a towed performer to achieve improved aerial characteristics while transmitting rearward towing forces amidships to spaced sides of the vessel, comprising:

a vessel having a bow, a stern, opposing sides extending between the bow and the stern, a vessel operator station located amidships between the bow and the stern and a windshield forward of the operator station, a first portion of the windshield extending laterally across the vessel between the opposing sides;

a rigid towing tower including at least four spaced, generally vertically-extending legs, two of the legs comprising a forward leg pair, each leg of the forward leg pair removably attached to a corresponding side of the vessel at an attachment point forward of the laterally-extending first windshield portion, the other two legs comprising a rearward leg pair each of which is removably attached to a corresponding side of the vessel at an attachment point aft of the laterally-extending first windshield portion;

an overhead tow structure fitted with and supported by the forward and rearward leg pairs substantially above the operator station, the overhead tow structure including lateral and longitudinal members forming a rigid overhead frame;

a tow rope receiver fitted to an aft one of the lateral members of the overhead frame; and

wherein

the first and second leg pairs, the respective attachment points and the overhead tow structure are imparted with sufficient structural strength so as to maintain structural integrity while transferring rearward forces generated by towing the performer to the vessel'"'"'s sides.

42. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 41, further comprising:

other windshield portions extending along the sides; and

wherein

each attachment point for the rearward leg pair is adjacent a corresponding one of the other windshield portions.

43. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 41, further comprising:

each side of the vessel having a generally horizontal deck portion forward of the laterally-extending windshield portion; and

wherein

each attachment point of the forward leg pair is positioned on the horizontal deck portion of the corresponding side.

44. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 41, wherein each leg of the forward leg pair is angled upwardly and rearwardly toward the stern sufficiently to extend vertically over the operator station.

45. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 41, further comprising at least one support member extending between each leg of the forward leg pair rearwardly to a leg of the rearward leg pair which is attached to the same side of the vessel.

46. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 45, wherein the support member extends rearwardly in a plane generally parallel with the plane of the corresponding side.

47. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 46, further comprising plural rearwardly-extending support members between each leg of the forward leg pair and a corresponding leg of the second leg pair and lying in the plane generally parallel with the corresponding side.

48. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 41, wherein one leg pair and one of the lateral members of the overhead tow structure are formed together as a generally U-shaped support member.

49. The vessel and towing tower according to claim 48, wherein the first leg pair and a first one of the lateral members of the overhead tow structure together form a first generally U-shaped support structure, and wherein the rearward leg pair and a second one of the lateral members of the overhead tow structure together form a second generally U-shaped support structure.