DE102021105083A1 - Trailer head, trailer, wakeboard system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailer head (1) for a trailer (100) and for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system has a trailer head body (5) and a ball channel (10) for receiving and transporting a ball of the ball rope, the ball channel (10) containing the trailer head (1) and the follower head body (5) from an input end (2) to an output end (3) in a channel direction (K) penetrates. A cable channel (20) for receiving and transporting a cable section of the ball cable is designed in the form of a gap in a wall (11) of the ball channel (10) from the input end (2) to the output end (3) through the follower head (1). At least two spread fork arms (22) arranged on both sides of the cable channel (20) serve to receive a cable section adjacent to the ball of the ball cable. At least one of the fork arms (20) has at least one retaining step (23) to prevent a ball cable held between the fork arms (22) from slipping out against the channel direction (K).

Description

The invention relates to a trailer head, a trailer, a wakeboard system and a method for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system in a trailer head.

In a wakeboarding facility, a water sports enthusiast holding on to a dumbbell can be pulled across the water on a wakeboard, similar to water skiing. 1 shows a schematic representation of a ball rope 200, at one end of which such a dumbbell 201 is attached. The dumbbell 201, which the water sports enthusiast holds on to when wakeboarding, is attached to a dragline 202, which can be attached to a driven circulating cable of the wakeboard system via a ball 203 at the end. The circulating cable runs around several pylons, which are arranged in a polygon like masts in a lake or basin. For example, four to six pylons can be arranged in a square to hexagon along the lake or basin. When wakeboarding, the water sports enthusiast follows the powered circulating rope along the polygon over the water surface of the lake or basin.

At least one of the pylons is usually designed and provided for the water sports enthusiast to enter and/or exit the polygonal wakeboard track. A so-called wakeboard lift can be arranged on this pylon, from which a ball rope 200 with a towing line 202 and handle bar 201 attached to it can be transported from a bank position to a magazine on the pylon. On the magazine, a driver fastened to the circulating cable picks up the ball rope 200 so that the ball rope 200 is pulled along by the driver along the wakeboard track. Similarly, after traversing the wakeboard track, the ball rope 200 on the wakeboard lift can also be decoupled from the carrier again. For this purpose, a catch fork can be provided, which picks up the ball cable from the driver. The wakeboard lift thus serves for the water sports enthusiast to get in and/or out of the wakeboard track of the wakeboard facility.

The driver is firmly attached to the circulating cable and can pick up the ball cable 200, transport it and also release it again after the trip. Since the circulating rope is normally designed as a double circulating rope and has two circulating ropes driven parallel to one another along the wakeboard track, the driver can be attached to these two circulating ropes.

A conventional driver has a leader and a follower. Each of these two runners can be attached to both parallel circulating cables. The forerunner is attached to the circulating ropes just before the follower, which is why the forerunner “runs” through the wakeboard track just before the follower. A trailer head is fastened to the trailer, which in turn is designed for temporarily receiving and transporting the ball cable.

3 shows a photograph of a conventional trailer 100 with a trailer tube 140, which is shown schematically in 2 is shown. The trailer 100 has an upper fastening area 141 and a lower fastening area 142, on which the trailer 100 can be fastened to one of the two parallel circulating cables. These two fastening areas 141, 142 are spaced apart from one another by a spacer tube 142.

A follower head 101 is attached to the lower attachment area 142 . The follower head 101 has a ball channel 110 for receiving the end ball 203 of the ball cable 200 and two fork arms 122, between which a cable section 205 adjoining this end ball 203 (cf. 1 ) can be threaded.

The front end, which is not shown, can be designed similarly to the end step 100, but without the end step head 101.

A clutch lever 151 blocks the ball channel 110 as long as the water sports enthusiast is riding along the wakeboard track. The clutch lever 151 can be pivoted against the spring tension of a clutch spring 150 and release the ball channel 110 in order to let the end ball 203 slide through the ball channel 110 and thus decouple the ball cable 200 from the trailer 100 and thus the entire driver.

4 shows a photograph of an underside of the trailer head 101 of the conventional trailer 100 facing away from the clutch spring 150. In the direction of the fork tips of the fork arms 122, the cable section 205 is secured by means of a safety lever 160, which can be pivoted about a fastening 161 in the form of a screw. To accommodate the ball cable 200, the securing lever 160 can be pivoted in such a way that it opens up the gap between the fork arms 122 and can accommodate the cable section 205 therein. Then the safety lever 160 is pushed back into the in 4 Pivoted back to the position shown and secures the ball 203 at the end between the coupling lever 151 blocking the ball channel 110 on the one hand and the safety lever 160 on the other.

This previously known trailing head has the disadvantage that the safety lever can jam due to stress and is also exposed to heavy wear. This can lead to malfunctions when operating the wakeboard system.

The invention is based on the object of providing an improved trailer which makes it possible to reduce functional failures.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

One aspect relates to a trailer head for a trailer and for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system with a trailer head body and a ball channel for receiving and transporting a ball of the ball rope. The ball channel penetrates the follower head and the follower head body from an input end to an output end in a channel direction. A cable duct is designed for receiving and transporting a cable section of the ball cable, the cable duct being designed in a gap-like manner in a wall of the ball duct continuously from the input end to the output end through the follower head. At least two spread fork arms arranged on both sides of the cable channel are designed to receive a cable section adjoining the ball of the ball cable. At least one of the fork arms has at least one restraining stage to prevent a ball cable held between the fork arms from slipping out counter to the direction of the channel.

The follower head is designed and provided to be attached to the follower of a driver of a wakeboard system in an operating position. For this purpose, the trailer head can have a fastening area, which can be configured for fastening the trailer head to the trailer and/or a trailer tube of the trailer.

The follower head is also designed and provided for receiving a ball rope and transporting it along the wakeboard track of the wakeboard system. For this purpose, the trailer head has the trailer head body with its wall, in which both the ball channel and the cable channel are formed. The ball channel is formed substantially linearly along the channel direction and completely penetrates the slave head body of the slave head from the input end to the output end. The ball channel can be essentially tubular, with a clutch lever being provided inside the tube, which releases the ball channel only when the clutch lever is actuated, e.g. when pivoting against spring tension of a clutch spring. These elements of the trailer head can be designed similarly and/or identically to the conventional trailer described above.

The term "ball" of the ball rope does not necessarily have to refer to a completely rotationally symmetrical ball. Rather, the ball channel can also be designed to receive and transport another thickened portion of the ball cable arranged at the end, for example a slightly elliptical thickened portion. Usually, however, ball ropes are used in wakeboard systems, which have a substantially rotationally symmetrical ball as a thickened end. This can be a ball rope 200, for example, as shown in FIG 1 is shown schematically.

The wall can surround the ball channel in all directions perpendicular to the direction of the channel like a kind of cylinder jacket, leaving only the e.g. gap-shaped cable channel and/or a clutch lever channel free. The wall in the trailer head body can, but does not have to, be completely solid. In principle, it is sufficient that the wall impedes and/or prevents the ball from slipping out of the ball channel in all directions other than in and/or against the direction of the channel. The cable channel is narrower than the ball channel and/or than the diameter of the ball at the end, so that the ball at the end of the ball cable cannot slip through the cable channel.

When transporting a ball rope, a rope section of the ball rope can be arranged and/or transported in the rope channel. The cable section can be formed directly adjacent to a ball which is arranged at the end and which can be accommodated and transported in the ball channel. The ball channel can, for example, only be open at its input end, its output end and along the cable channel. In all other directions, the ball channel can be largely closed, ie surrounded by the wall and/or the follower head body.

The trailer head is designed to be attached to the trailer of the wakeboard system, for example via a fastening area, and via this to the circulating ropes of the wakeboard system. The fastening area can already have at least one fastening means, such as a depression, a groove, a drilled hole, a thread, a projection, a clamp and/or a screw. The follower head is designed for this det to be attached to the trailer in the operating position.

Similar to the conventional trailer head described at the outset, the trailer head according to the invention also has at least two spread fork arms arranged on both sides of the cable channel. These are used for threading and picking up the rope section of the ball rope adjoining the end ball.

In contrast to the previously known trailer heads, however, the trailer head according to the invention does not require a safety lever 160 (cf. 4 ). Thus, the follower head according to the invention can be designed without a safety lever. Instead, the follower head has at least one restraining stage, by means of which it can prevent the cable section of the ball cable held between the fork arms from slipping out counter to the direction of the channel.

The restraint stage can be formed in a fork arm, e.g. on a side of the fork arm facing the cable channel. Both fork arms preferably each have at least one restraining stage, specifically on the side of the respective fork arm facing the cable channel.

In this case, two or more restraint stages can also be formed in the fork arm, although one restraint stage can already be sufficient.

The at least one restraint stage is configured and directed in such a way that the cable section remains caught on this restraint stage and is thus restrained precisely when the end ball of the ball rope accommodated in the ball channel is moved counter to the direction of the channel. Since the rope section is loaded at least by the weight of the ball rope and usually also by the wakeboarder holding on to the handlebar, the rope section lies tightly against the inner walls of the fork arms and therefore remains reliably attached to the restraint stage.

The at least one restraining stage thus enables the ball cable to be reliably secured in the follower head and thus offers a low-wear solution for transporting the ball cable in the ball channel without moving components that are therefore prone to failure.

According to one embodiment, each of the two fork arms has at least one restraining step to prevent a ball cable accommodated between the fork arms from slipping out counter to the direction of the channel. These two restraint stages can each be formed on the side of the respective fork arm facing the cable channel. The reliability of the restraining effect can be increased by the arrangement of restraint stages on both sides.

According to one embodiment, the at least one restraining stage has a restraining depression directed counter to the direction of the channel and a restraining projection pointing in the direction of the channel, which are configured to receive and restrain the ball cable. When the cable section moves against the direction of the channel, the cable section gets caught in the retaining recess. In this case, the retaining recess is formed wider than the outer diameter of the cable of the cable section. As a result, the retaining recess can securely accommodate the rope section. The retaining projection can be formed on the side of the retaining recess that faces the cable channel, in order to prevent the cable section from slipping out of the retaining recess in the opposite direction to the channel. A movement of the rope section out of the retention recess in the direction of the channel can be permitted and/or released. This combination of retention indentation and retention projection can increase the effectiveness of the retention stage.

One aspect, which can also be embodied as an embodiment of the first aspect, relates to a follower head for a follower and for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system, with a follower head body and a ball channel for receiving and transporting a ball of the ball rope, the ball channel Follower head and the follower head body penetrates from an input end to an output end in a channel direction. A cable duct is designed for receiving and transporting a cable section of the ball cable, the cable duct being designed in a gap-like manner in a wall of the ball duct continuously from the input end to the output end through the follower head. At least two spread fork arms arranged on both sides of the cable channel are designed to receive a cable section adjoining the ball of the ball cable. The follower head has an inlet area of the ball channel facing the inlet end. The inlet area has an inlet wall which surrounds an inlet section of the spherical channel and tapers in the direction of the channel, and the inlet wall is approximately oval and/or elliptical in cross-section viewed in the direction of the channel.

According to this aspect, the follower head is preferably designed as an embodiment of the follower head according to the aspect described above. That's why they can Follower head statements made according to the preceding aspect also apply to the follower head with the inlet area and vice versa.

The inlet area can protrude from the follower body in the opposite direction to the channel direction and support and/or simplify threading of the end ball of the ball cable into the ball channel. The inlet area is thus formed at the inlet end of the ball channel. In this case, the inlet wall can surround the ball channel from all sides (with the exception of the side on which the cable channel is formed) in a cross section viewed in the direction of the channel.

In a conventional follower head, the inlet wall is essentially circular in this cross section, see for example the circular wall at the inlet of the ball channel 110 in FIG 3 . In contrast to this, the inlet area is not circular in cross-section, viewed in the direction of the channel, but rather is approximately oval and/or elliptical. In this cross-section, it is thus formed wider than the conventional circular inlet area, at least in one direction. For this reason, the lead-in area according to the invention can, at least in this direction, catch the ball at the end more easily and/or introduce it into the ball channel than the conventional lead-in area. In other words, the inlet area according to the invention has a broadening and/or widening on at least one side of its inlet wall, which can simplify the threading of the ball at the end.

In a further development, the inlet wall, viewed in the direction of the channel, is further spaced from a spherical channel center point at the inlet end on a side facing away from the cable channel than perpendicular thereto. The widening and/or widening is thus on the side of the inlet area facing away from the cable channel. This side is thus also turned away from the cable section adjoining the ball at the end. When threading the ball at the end into the ball channel, the ball can be arranged raised from the stiff cable section, e.g. consisting of a steel cable, precisely in this direction away from the cable channel. It is precisely in this direction that the inlet area is widened and can thus simplify the threading of the ball at the end.

In one embodiment, the inlet wall tapers more sharply on its side facing away from the cable channel in the direction of the channel than perpendicular thereto. In this way, the inlet area as a whole can taper, e.g. steplessly, to the ball channel, which is approximately circular in cross-section and generally approximately cylindrical, which enables low-wear threading of the ball.

In one embodiment, the inlet wall extends approximately parallel to the direction of the channel on a side facing away from the ball channel and widens in the direction of the channel towards the ball channel. This broadening can essentially correspond to the narrowing of the entrance area. The inlet wall is therefore designed to be relatively thick and/or strong, particularly at its base on the ball channel. As a result, that part of the follower head that is particularly stressed when the ball is picked up is particularly robust and/or solid and can therefore be particularly durable.

In one embodiment, the inlet area with the inlet wall is milled out of the trailing head body. The inlet area is designed as a very stable component of the trailing head, which is inseparably connected to the trailing head body and is therefore particularly durable.

In one embodiment, the follower head has a rivet channel through the follower head body to the ball channel such that a rivet head of a rivet fastened in this rivet channel forms a pressure projection in the ball channel, with the rivet channel ending on the wall of the ball channel at a position which is closer to a rope channel center point of the cable channel is arranged as on a side of the ball channel which faces away from the cable channel with respect to a channel center point. The rivet head can act as a counter-pressure point in the ball channel when the clutch lever is actuated. This point of the ball channel can be particularly stressed and therefore susceptible to wear, both when the clutch lever is actuated (cf. 3 ) as well as when pulling the wakeboard rider along the wakeboard track. The rivet therefore wears out relatively quickly and can be easily replaced without having to replace the remaining components of the trailer. The rivet is thus designed as an exchangeable wear component. According to the invention, the rivet channel ends somewhat closer to the cable channel than on the side facing away from the cable channel. It is precisely at this point that the load is particularly high, since the ball is pressed by the ball cable onto this wall section of the ball channel rather than onto one of the other wall sections of the ball channel. The rivet head can thus be positioned at a point that is particularly susceptible to wear, which means that the wear on the rest of the follower head can be reduced.

In a further development, the rivet channel ends on the wall of the ball channel at a position which is at least 3 mm closer to the cable channel center of the cable channel than on the side of the ball channel facing away from the cable channel with respect to the ball channel center. In a cross Viewed in section in the direction of the channel, a rivet channel alignment line through a cylinder axis of the rivet channel cannot come closer to the center point of the ball channel than at least 1.5 mm. Preferably, the rivet channel alignment line is spaced about 2 to 3 mm from the center of the ball channel. This leads to an optimized position of the rivet head at the part of the ball channel that is particularly affected by wear.

In one embodiment, the follower head body is designed in one piece, in particular milled. The follower head body can have at least the ball channel, the cable channel, a fastening area and possibly the inlet area. The fork arms may be welded to the trailer head body. The clutch lever, clutch spring, rivet, etc. (if present) may be formed as separate components and attached to the trailer head body.

In one embodiment, at least the trailer head body of the trailer head is made of ST37 steel, preferably even the entire trailer head. ST37 refers to a minimum tensile strength for mild steel, which can vary between about 340-470 N/square millimeter and is in particular at least 370 N/square millimeter. This enables the trailing head to be sufficiently resilient for wakeboarding.

One aspect relates to a follower of a driver of a wakeboard system, wherein a follower head according to one of the aspects described above is attached to the follower in such a way that it is configured to receive and transport a ball rope of a wakeboard system. The statements on the trailer head also apply to the trailer and vice versa. The trailer head can, for example, be attached via its fastening area to a trailer tube of the trailer, which can have fastening areas and a spacer tube, which are similar to those in 2 shown schematically can be formed. The trailer head can be screwed and/or welded to the trailer, for example. The trailer head can be fastened to the trailer in such a way that the fork tips of the fork arms and/or the input end of the ball channel point approximately in the direction of circulation of circulating cables to which the trailer can be fastened. The output end can point approximately in the opposite direction, ie opposite to the direction of rotation. In other words, the direction of the channel can be aligned approximately against the direction of circulation of the circulation cables.

One aspect relates to a wakeboard system with circulating ropes running around polyons, to which at least one driver with a trailer according to the preceding aspect is attached. The statements on the trailer also apply to the wakeboard system and vice versa. The wakeboard system can include other devices, such as at least one wakeboard elevator, at least one controller, ball ropes, etc.

• - Bereitstellen eines Nachläuferkopfkörpers;
• - Aufnehmen einer Kugel des Kugelseils in einen Kugelkanal, wobei der Kugelkanal den Nachläuferkopf und den Nachläuferkopfkörper von einem Eingangsende zu einem Ausgangsende in eine Kanalrichtung durchdringt;
• - Aufnehmen eines Seilabschnitts des Kugelseils in einem Seilkanal, wobei der Seilkanal durchgehend vom Eingangsende zum Ausgangsende durch den Nachläuferkopf spaltförmig in einer Wandung des Kugelkanals ausgebildet ist;
• - Aufnehmen eines an die Kugel des Kugelseils angrenzenden Seilabschnitts zwischen zumindest zwei beidseitig des Seilkanals angeordneten, gespreizten Gabelarmen; und
• - Behindern eines Herausrutschens des zwischen den Gabelarmen aufgenommenen Kugelseils entgegen der Kanalrichtung mittels zumindest einer Rückhaltestufe, welche in zumindest einem der Gabelarme ausgebildet ist.

One aspect relates to a method for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system in a trailer head of a trailer with the steps:

• - providing a trailer head body;
• receiving a ball of the ball rope in a ball channel, the ball channel penetrating the trailer head and the trailer head body from an input end to an output end in a channel direction;
• - Recording a cable section of the ball cable in a cable channel, the cable channel being formed continuously from the input end to the output end through the follower head in the form of a gap in a wall of the ball channel;
• - picking up a cable section adjacent to the ball of the ball cable between at least two spread fork arms arranged on both sides of the cable channel; and
• - Prevention of slipping out of the ball cable accommodated between the fork arms against the direction of the channel by means of at least one restraining step, which is formed in at least one of the fork arms.

The method can be carried out here in particular with a trailer head and/or a trailer and/or a wakeboard elevator according to the aspects of the invention described above. For this reason, all statements on the trailer head, the trailer and the wakeboard hoist also refer to the process and vice versa.

In the context of this invention, the terms “substantially” and/or “approximately” can be used in such a way that they include a deviation of up to 5% from a numerical value following the term, a deviation of up to 5° from one to the Direction following the term and/or from an angle following the term.

Unless otherwise specified, terms such as above, below, above, below, lateral, etc. refer to the reference system of the earth in an operating position of the subject matter of the invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kugelseils;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines vorbekannten Nachläuferrohres;
• 3 eine Fotografie eines vorbekannten Nachläufers;
• 4 eine Fotografie eines an einem vorbekannten Nachläuferkopf befestigten Sicherungshebels;
• 5 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Nachläuferkopfes;
• 6 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht eines Nachläuferkopfkörpers des in 5 gezeigten Nachläuferkopfes;
• 7 einen Querschnitt senkrecht zur Kanalrichtung durch den in 6 gezeigten Nachläuferkopfkörper; und
• 8 einen Querschnitt in Kanalrichtung durch den in 6 gezeigten Nachläuferkopfkörper.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in figures described. In this case, the same or similar reference symbols can identify the same or similar features of the embodiments. Individual features shown in the figures can be implemented in other exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a ball rope;
• 2 a schematic view of a prior art follower pipe;
• 3 a photograph of a prior art trailer;
• 4 a photograph of a safety lever attached to a previously known follower head;
• 5 a schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of a follower head;
• 6 a schematic perspective view of a trailer head body of the in 5 trailer head shown;
• 7 a cross section perpendicular to the channel direction through the in 6 trailer head body shown; and
• 8th a cross-section in the direction of the channel through the in 6 trailer head body shown.

1 shows a perspective view of a previously known ball rope 200 with a handle bar 201, which is attached to two balls 204 and 203 via a tow rope 202. The ball cable can be held on the retaining ball 204, for example in a magazine, in such a way that the cable section 205 between the retaining ball 204 and the end ball 203 protrudes from the magazine and can be picked up by fork arms of a trailer. This previously known ball rope 200 can also interact with the trailer head according to the invention and be accommodated by it. The holding ball 204 is offset in the direction of the handlebar 201 to the ball 203 at the end. This offset can be about 5 cm to about 40 cm, in particular about 10 cm to about 30 cm.

2 shows a schematic representation of a follower tube 140 of a previously known follower 100, which is shown in 3 shown as a photograph.

4 shows a photograph of a safety lever 160 of the previously known trailer 100. This safety lever 160 can become obsolete when using a trailer head according to the invention.

In the following 5 until 8th an embodiment of a follower head 1 according to the invention is shown, which, for example, instead of in 2 conventional trailer head 101 shown can be attached to the trailer tube 140.

5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a trailer head 1. The trailer head 1 has a fastening area 40 for fastening to a trailer pipe of a trailer, for example for fastening to the in 2 trailer tube 140 shown (without the conventional trailer head 101 shown there). A trailer with the trailer head 1 can be attached to the circulating ropes of a wakeboard system and can thus be used to pull a water sports enthusiast along a wakeboard track. To do this, the trailer head 1 can use the end ball 203 of the ball cable 200 (cf. 1 ) and transport it along the wakeboard track.

The trailer head 1 can thus be arranged essentially on an underside of a trailer on the circulating ropes of the wakeboard system and has a trailer head body 5 which is designed as a base and/or a main body of the trailer head 1 . The follower head body 5 encloses a tubular ball channel 10 and also forms an approximately gap- and/or slot-shaped cable channel 20 . The follower head body 5 encloses the approximately hollow-cylindrical spherical channel 10, which connects the follower head body 5 from an input end 2 to a (the viewer in 5 facing away) output end 3 (cf. 6 and 8th ) fully penetrated. The ball channel 10 runs in channel direction K through the follower head 1, which is better in the 6 and 8th indicated by a dashed arrow. In the operating position, the channel direction K can be arranged approximately parallel to the extension direction of the circulating ropes and in this case point approximately opposite to the circulating direction of the circulating ropes of the wakeboard system.

The trailing head 1 shown is designed and provided for receiving and transporting a ball 203 of a ball rope 200 arranged at the end in the interior of the ball channel 10 and at the same time receiving and transporting an adjoining cable section 205 of the ball cable 200 into the cable channel 20. A towing line 202 with a handle 201 can be attached to this rope section 205, to which a water sports enthusiast can hold on.

For this purpose, the trailer head 1 also has two fork arms 22, which are designed as fork arms 22 on both sides of the cable channel 20, similar to the tines of a fork. The fork arms 22 are designed to be spread open against the channel direction K, so that between them the cable section 205 of the Ball rope 200 can be threaded into the narrowing between the fork arms 22 cable channel 20. The tips of the fork arms point away from the center of gravity and/or center point of the trailer head body 5 approximately in the opposite direction to the channel direction K. The cable channel 20 has an approximately constant width along and adjacent to the ball channel(s) 10 .

In operation, the follower head 1 is used to pick up the ball rope 200 from a magazine of the wakeboard system and/or to release it to a catch fork. In the magazine, a ball cable 200 is regularly held on the retaining ball 204 in such a way that the end-side ball 203 of the ball cable 200 protrudes from the magazine at the cable section 205 . Ball ropes 200 are usually formed from solid metal ropes and have at least the end ball 203, so that due to the rigidity of the metal rope, the end ball 203 can be kept at a distance from the magazine. If the trailer head 1 is guided past the revolving cable on the magazine, the ball 203 at the end is picked up by the trailer head 1 and torn out of the magazine. The cable section 205 of the ball cable 200 is first threaded into the cable channel 20 between the fork arms 22 of the follower head 1 and the end ball 203 is inserted into the input end 2 of the ball channel 10 .

The ball channel 10 is basically dimensioned in such a way that the end ball 203 of the ball cable 200 can be guided completely through the ball channel 10 . However, a clutch lever (cf. clutch lever 151 in 3 ) arranged, which blocks the output end 3 of the ball channel 10. Due to the blocked exit, the ball 203 and thus the ball rope 200 and the towing line 202 attached to it as well as the dumbbell 201 are carried along by the follower head 1 inside the ball channel 10 and transported along the wakeboard track.

the inside 5 The clutch lever (not shown) can be arranged in a clutch lever channel 53 formed inside the follower head body 5 and mounted against the spring tension of a clutch spring 50, so that it can only be pivoted against the spring tension of this clutch spring 50 far enough out of the ball channel 10 that it Ball 203 releases and this can emerge from the output end 3.

The clutch lever can be essentially L-shaped and/or angled. A locking arm of the clutch lever protrudes through the clutch lever channel 53 and at least partially through the ball channel 10 up to a lever axis 54 about which the clutch lever can be mounted pivotably on the follower head 1 . A bolt and/or rivet may be provided at the lever axis 54 through the clutch lever, which may, for example, be located through its angular apex.

A spring leg of the clutch lever may be attached to one end of an eyebolt 52 which in turn may be attached to the clutch spring 50 at its opposite end. The clutch lever can thus only be pivoted against the spring force of the clutch spring 50 in such a way that it releases the ball channel 10 for decoupling the ball 203 at the end from the output end 3 .

The fork arms 22 can protrude approximately perpendicularly from the follower head body 5 against the channel direction K. At least one of the fork arms 22 can be fastened by means of a cross brace from the fork tip to the follower head body 5 . This increases the stability of this fork arm.

The cable channel 20 is widest at the fork tips of the fork arms 22 and narrows between the sides of the fork arms 22 facing the cable channel 20 , as a result of which the cable section 205 can be threaded into the cable channel 20 . In the embodiment shown, each of the fork arms 22 has a retaining step 23 on its side facing the cable channel 20 . Each retention step 23 can have both a retention projection 25 and a retention recess 24 . In this case, the retaining projection 25 secures and/or delimits the respectively immediately adjacent retaining recess 24 towards the cable channel 20 . The retaining recess 24 is directed approximately counter to the channel direction K, while the retaining projection 25 has a nose-like approximately in the channel direction K. As a result, the retaining steps 23 act as a kind of barbs on which the cable section 205 gets caught exactly when it is moved out of the cable duct 20 counter to the channel direction K.

The restraining steps 23 therefore provide a safety lever 160 (cf. 4 ) superfluous. The restraining steps 23 can be immovable and thus low-wear and fail-safe.

6 shows a schematic, perspective view of the trailer head body 5 of the 5 shown trailing head 1. This in 6 Follower head body 5 shown can be formed in one piece, for example milled from a piece of metal. This allows it to be used as a stable component be made. The trailer head body 5 can be made of ST37 steel, for example.

At the entry end 2 of the cable duct 10 , the follower head body 5 has an entry area 30 with an entry wall 31 , which facilitates and/or supports the introduction of the ball 203 at the end into the ball duct 10 . The inlet area 30 is designed as a collar-like extension opposite to the channel direction K and protrudes from a side of the follower head body 5, which also points opposite to the channel direction K.

The trailer head body 5 can be formed without the fork arms 22, which are initially produced as a separate component and can then be attached to the trailer head body 5, e.g. welded. For this purpose, the follower head body 5 can have a fork groove 26 into which the fork arms 22 can be inserted and then welded, for example. The fork groove 26 is interrupted by the cable channel 20 at an approximately central position.

In the trailer head body 5 there is also a drill hole for the bolt or the like on the lever axis 54, which penetrates the trailer head body 5 approximately parallel to the direction K of the channel.

A spring attachment 51 is formed on an end of the follower head body 5 facing away from the steep channel 20, to which the coupling spring 50 can be fastened and/or attached. The spring extension 51 can be designed in the form of a disk and thus provide a counter-pressure surface for the clutch spring 50, which can be designed as a helical spring. In the operating position, the coupling spring 50 can be arranged with its screw axis approximately perpendicular to the direction of the channel and pointing away from the cable channel 20 on the trailer head body 5 in such a way that its side facing the trailer head body 5 is supported on the spring attachment 51 (cf. 5 ). A hole for the eyebolt 52 can be formed in the center of the spring extension 51 (cf. 5 ).

Inner walls of the ball channel 10 are formed by a wall 11 which surrounds the ball channel 10 like a tube. On a side of the ball channel 10 opposite the coupling channel 53, a rivet channel 7 is formed within the wall, which breaks through the wall 11 and is formed to receive a rivet (not shown). This rivet can be fastened in the rivet channel 7 in such a way that the rivet head forms a counter-pressure point in the ball channel 10 . The rivet serves as a particularly stressed wearing part in the ball channel 10, on which the end ball 203 can strike, rub and press.

As in 6 shown, the follower head body 5 has a plurality of cavities, such as the ball channel 10, the cable channel 20, the clutch lever channel 53, the bore on the lever axis 54, the rivet channel 7 and possibly other cavities. The follower head body 5 is therefore not solid, but relatively light. For this reason, the trailer head body 5 can have one or more reinforcing ribs, which increase or enhance its stability.

7 shows a cross section through the follower head body 5, the cross-sectional area being arranged approximately perpendicularly to the channel direction K. Due to the high number of cavities in the interior of the trailing head body 5, there are relatively few cut surfaces which 7 are marked by hatched areas.

The rivet channel 7 runs through one of these cut surfaces and ends adjacent to the ball channel 10 in a rivet channel widening 8 in which the rivet head can be arranged in an operating state such that it protrudes a little into the ball channel 10 .

This cross-sectional view shows that the rivet channel 7 extends along a rivet channel alignment line NK, which runs through a central axis of symmetry and/or cylinder axis of the rivet channel 7 . The rivet channel alignment line NK does not intersect a centrally located ball channel center point 12 but passes adjacent thereto. In the case of previously known follower heads, it is customary to let the rivet channel run exactly to the center point of the ball channel. According to one aspect of the invention, the rivet channel 7 differs from this, with the rivet channel 7 being offset closer to the cable channel 20 and/or to a central point 21 of the cable channel than to the opposite side of the ball channel 10.

In other words, the rivet channel alignment line NK is arranged in such a way that in this cross section it intersects a connecting line VL from the center point of the ball channel 12 to the center point of the cable channel 21 at a distance from the center point of the ball channel 12, specifically at a distance of preferably at least 1.5 mm, particularly preferably from about 2 mm to about 3mm. The rivet head is therefore also arranged somewhat closer to the rope channel 20 than the center point of the ball channel 12 and thus to the point of the ball channel 10 that is subjected to the maximum load by the end ball 203. This is because the wakeboard rider pulls on the end ball 203 via the rope section 202 and the end-side ball 203 is thus more likely to be loaded in the direction of the cable channel 20 than in any other direction. This arrangement of the rivet channel 7 thus makes it possible to maximize the load on the rivet head as a wearing part and at the same time to reduce the wear of the trailer head 1.

8th shows a cross section in the channel direction K through the trailer head body 5 along the in 7 shown cutting line S.

Both the channel direction K and the cable channel run approximately parallel to the plane of the drawing, which is why the cable channel 20 is also marked by an arrow. The channel direction K runs through the spherical channel center 12.

The sectional plane shown runs through the inlet wall 31 of the inlet area 30. It is shown that the inlet wall 31 is formed approximately parallel to the channel direction on its side facing away from the ball channel 10 and thus approximately perpendicular to the side of the follower head body 5 directed opposite to the channel direction K. On its side facing the ball channel 10, the inlet wall 31 tapers down to the inlet of the ball channel 10, so that the approximately triangular shape of the inlet wall 31 results in the section shown.

The inlet area 30 is thus narrower at its end pointing towards the ball channel 10 than at its free end, which points away from the ball channel 10 . The ball 203 at the end can slide into the ball channel 10 along the tapering sloping inner side.

Since the spherical channel 10 can be formed approximately circularly around the ball channel center 12 in cross section perpendicular to the channel direction K (cf. also 7 ), the tapered end of the inlet area 30 can also be approximately circular in shape, since the inlet area 30 can, for example, merge seamlessly into the ball channel 10 . However, at its free end facing away from the ball channel 10, the inlet area 30 is not of circular design, but rather approximately oval and/or elliptical. This is already in the oblique, perspective view of the 6 shown, with the part of the inlet wall 31 facing away from the cable channel 20 being further away from the ball channel 10 and the part of the inlet wall 31 adjoining the cable channel 20.

in 8th The cross section shown has the free end of the inlet wall 31 a cable channel radius rs from the ball channel center 12 to the cable channel, which is smaller than a counter radius r _G from the ball channel center 12 in the direction of the cable channel 20 away. The inlet area 30 thus has a broadening and/or widening on the side facing away from the cable channel 20 . This spread can facilitate the threading and/or “catching” of the ball 203 at the end, which when introduced into the ball channel 10 is usually displaced furthest in this direction with respect to the ball channel center point 12 .

A right-starting trailer or trailer head is shown in the figures. A left-starting follower or follower head can be designed correspondingly mirror-inverted.

Reference List

1

trailer head

2

input end

3

exit end

5

trailer head body

7

rivet channel

8th

rivet channel widening

10

ball channel

11

wall

12

ball channel center

20

cable channel

21

center of cable channel

22

fork arm

23

containment level

24

retention recess

25

retaining projection

26

fork groove

30

inlet area

31

run-in expense

40

mounting area

50

clutch spring

51

spring approach

52

eyebolt

53

clutch lever channel

54

lever axis

100

follower

101

trailer head

110

ball channel

122

fork arm

140

follower pipe

141

upper mounting area

142

lower attachment area

143

spacer tube

150

clutch spring

151

clutch lever

160

safety lever

161

attachment

200

ball rope

201

barbell

202

towline

203

terminal ball

204

retaining ball

205

rope section

rS

cable channel radius

rG

counter radius

K

channel direction

NK

Rivet channel alignment line

S

cutting line

VL

connecting line

Claims (15)

Follower head (1) for a follower (100) and for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system - a trailer head body (5); - A ball channel (10) for receiving and transporting a ball of the ball rope, the ball channel (10) guiding the follower head (1) and the follower head body (5) from an input end (2) to an output end (3) in a channel direction (K) penetrates - a cable channel (20) for receiving and transporting a cable section of the ball cable, the cable channel (20) being continuous from the input end (2) to the output end (3) through the follower head (1) in the form of a gap in a wall (11) of the ball channel (10) is trained; and - at least two spread fork arms (22) arranged on both sides of the cable channel (20) for receiving a cable section adjacent to the ball of the ball cable; wherein at least one of the fork arms (20) has at least one retaining step (23) to prevent a ball cable held between the fork arms (22) from slipping out counter to the channel direction (K). Trailing head (1) after claim 1 , wherein each of the two fork arms (22) has at least one restraining step (23) to prevent a ball cable accommodated between the fork arms (22) from slipping out against the channel direction (K). Trailing head (1) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one restraining step (23) has a restraining depression (24) directed counter to the channel direction (K) and a restraining projection (25) pointing in the channel direction (K), which are configured to receive and restrain the ball cable. Follower head (1) for a follower (100) and for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system, in particular after claim 1 , with - a trailer head body (5); - A ball channel (10) for receiving and transporting a ball of the ball rope, the ball channel (10) guiding the follower head (1) and the follower head body (5) from an input end (2) to an output end (3) in a channel direction (K) penetrates - a cable channel (20) for receiving and transporting a cable section of the ball cable, the cable channel (20) being continuous from the input end (2) to the output end (3) through the follower head (1) in the form of a gap in a wall (11) of the ball channel (10) is trained; - at least two spread fork arms (22) arranged on both sides of the cable channel (20) for receiving a cable section adjacent to the ball of the ball cable; and - an inlet area (30) of the ball channel (10) facing the inlet end (2), the inlet area (30) having an inlet wall (31) which surrounds an inlet section of the ball channel (10) and tapers in the channel direction (K), and wherein the inlet wall (31) is approximately oval and/or elliptical in cross-section viewed in the channel direction (K). Trailing head (1) after claim 4 , wherein the inlet wall (31) viewed in the channel direction (K) at the inlet end (2) on a side facing away from the cable channel (20) is further spaced from a ball channel center (12) than perpendicular thereto. Trailing head (1) after claim 5 , the inlet wall (31) tapering more sharply on its side facing away from the cable channel (20) in the channel direction (K) than perpendicularly thereto. Trailer head (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , wherein the inlet wall (31) extends on a side facing away from the ball channel (10) approximately parallel to the channel direction (K) and widens in the channel direction (K) to the ball channel (10). Trailer head (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 7 , wherein the inlet area (30) with the inlet wall (31) is milled out of the follower head body (5). Follower head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a rivet channel (7) through the follower head body (5) to the ball channel (10) in such a way that a rivet head of a rivet fastened in this rivet channel (7) forms a pressure projection in the ball channel (10). , wherein the rivet channel (7) on the wall (11) of the ball channel (10) ends at a position which is arranged closer to a cable channel center point (21) of the cable channel (20) than to a cable channel (20) with respect to a channel center point ( 12) opposite side of the ball channel (10). Trailing head (1) after claim 9 , the rivet channel (7) ending on the wall (11) of the ball channel (10) at a position which is at least 3 mm closer to the cable channel center point (21) of the cable channel (20) than to the cable channel (20) with respect to the channel center (12) facing away from the ball channel (10). Trailer head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trailer head body (5) is designed in one piece, in particular is milled. Trailer head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the trailer head body (5) of the trailer head (1) is made of ST37 steel. Trailer (100) of a driver of a wakeboard system, wherein a trailer head (1) according to one of the preceding claims is attached to the trailer (100) in such a way that it is configured to receive and transport a ball rope of a wakeboard system. Wakeboard system with polyons circulating circulating ropes, on which at least one driver with a trailer (100) follows Claim 13 is attached. Method for receiving and transporting a ball rope of a wakeboard system in a trailer head (1) of a trailer (100), with the steps: - providing a trailer head body (5); - receiving a ball of the ball rope in a ball channel (10), the ball channel (10) penetrating the follower head (1) and the follower head body (5) from an input end (2) to an output end (3) in a channel direction (K); - Picking up a cable section of the ball cable in a cable channel (20), the cable channel (20) being formed continuously from the input end (2) to the output end (3) through the follower head (1) in the form of a gap in a wall (11) of the ball channel (10). ; - picking up a cable section adjacent to the ball of the ball cable between at least two spread fork arms (22) arranged on both sides of the cable channel (20); and - Preventing the ball cable accommodated between the fork arms (22) from slipping out against the channel direction (K) by means of at least one restraining step (23) which is formed in at least one of the fork arms (20).

Images