US3080164A

US3080164A - Boatless water skiing facility

Info

Publication number: US3080164A
Application number: US184089A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wallace C Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-04-02
Filing date: 1962-04-02
Publication date: 1963-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 1980-03-05

Description

W. C. DAVIS BOATLESS WATER SKIING FACILITY March 5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2 1962 I. EH I m V NTOR WALLACE C. DAVIS March 5, 1963 w; c. DAVIS 3,080,164

BOATLESS WATER SKIING FACILITY Filed April 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 52 Ill Fig. 5

I Will INVENTOR. .III I I WALLACE C. DAVIS Pig's March 5, 1963 w. c. DAws 3,080,164

BOATLESS WATER S KIING FACILITY Filed April 2, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. WALLACE C. DAVIS United Estates Patent 3,080,164 BOATLESS WATER KHNG FAQILITY Wallace C. Davis, San Diego, Qalif. (6214 Bonner Drive, Hazel Del, Vancouver, Wash.) Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,089 Claims. (Cl. 272-32) The present invention relates generally to sports and more particularly to a boatless water skiing facility.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a facility for water skiing without the use of boats, skiers being towed around a closed channel by a power driven cart unit under complete control at all times.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water skiing facility which will allow a number of skiers to Ski simultaneously, any of the skiers being free to leave the channel at any time, but the facility being operable for continuous skiing for prolonged periods.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water skiing facility having provision for picking up fallen skiers as rapidly as possible.

A further object of this invention is to provide a Water skiing facility having training sections for teaching the basic principles of skiing before graduating to the continuous channel.

Finally, it is an object to provide a water skiing facility of the aforementioned character which is safe and convenient to operate with a minimum of personel and supervision.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings which form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the complete facility;

FEGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FlGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a portion of FIGURE FEGURE 6 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 3, showing an alternative structure;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIGURE 1; and

PZGURE 8 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrows d-5 of FIGURE 1.

The water skiing facility is, of necessity, of considerable size, but may be constructed by conventional methods on a suitable plot of land, the major portions of the structure being of concrete or equivalent materials. The facility includes a main channel it), preferably in the form of an oval to provide straight-aways and semi-circular ends, although any other closed course may be used. The channel iii has an upright inner Wall 12 and an upwardly and outwardly sloping bed 14, which may be of sand to reduce cost, the channel being filled with water to a suitable depth and the bed sloping up beyond the water line to provide a peripheral landing area 16 for skiers to leave the water, as in FIGURE 2. On top of the inner wall 12 is a continuous track 18, of rails or similar guide means, following the main channel and riding on said track is a wheeled tow cart 2% powered by any suitable motor or propulsion means. The tow cart 20 has a seat 22 for an operator, so that skiers being towed can be observed at all times in case of falls or accidents. The

. tracted as needed, the drums being Efiddihd Patented Mar. 5, lhiifi exact configuration of the tow cart will depend on the power and size needed and the type of power unit used.

Extending outwardly from the tow cart Zil is a rigid arm or frame 24 having a central longitudinal beam 26, the frame being suitably braced to withstand the loads. The inner end of frame 24 is attached to the tow cart 20 by corner brackets '23 and held by pins 3i), as in FIGURE 4, the outer end being supported by cables 32 extending from the top of said tow cart. Spaced along beam 26 are a plurality of yokes 34 pivotal on vertical pins 36, as in FlGURES 3 and 5. In each yoke 34- is secured a swivel fitting 38 pivotal about a horizontal axis, and attached to each swivel fitting is a tow cable 4t} having a hand grip 42 at the other end thereof. Fixed to each tow cable 4t? adjacent its yoke 34 is a clip 44, from which a pair of limit cables 46 extend to lugs 48 fixed on either side of the yoke. The limit cables as have a certain amount of slack but limit the swing of the tow cable and yoke, as indicated in broken line in FIGURE 5.

At one position in the inner wall 12, preferably near the center of one of the straight portions of main channel Ill, is an inclined starting ramp so from which skiers can start. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the ramp 5% extends down below the water level, allowing skiers to pick up initial speed near the surface, the ramp being inclined on both sides so that skiers can start in either direction. To facilitate continuous skiing without obstruction, the ramp 50 is retractable into a cavity 52 in the inner wall 12, retraction being manual or power operated depending on the size of the ramp.

Several skiers at a time can be towed, the actual number depending on the width of the main channel it) and the length of frame 24. From the starting ramp Ell, the tow cart 29 accelerates the skiers to the required speed, after which the ramp can be retracted. The pivoting yokes 34 allow the skiers to swing out around the ends of the course, but the swing is limited to a safe a .ount by limit cables 46. If a skier desires to stop he merely releases the hand grip 42 and rides outwardly to the landing area 16, as in the usual beaching maneuver.

If skiers should fall or spill it is desirable that they be picked up immediately to prevent interruption of skiing. For this purpose a retrieving cart 54 also rides on track 18 a short distance behind tow cart 26, said retrieving cart also being power driven and having an outwardly extending arm as from which are suspended ladders 58, preferably pivoted at the top by hinges 60, as in FIG- URE 8. Tie cords 62 can be attached to the ladders 58 for securcment of loose skis. To return skiers to the inner wall 12 the arm 56 can be swung inwardly on hinges '64 at the inner end thereof as indicated in broken line in FIGURE 8, allowing the skiers to climb the ladders to the top of the Wall.

The tow cart 2%, as illustrated, carries tow cables of a fixed length suitable for normal skiing. If adjustable length is required the arrangement shown in FIGURE 6 may be used, in which the tow cart 64 is basically similar to that previously described, but has a rigid arm 66 carrying a plurality of cable drums 63 in brackets '74). Tow cables i2 wound on drums 68 may be extended or repower driven, spring wound, or manually operated according-to requirements.

With the arrangement illustrated, skiers can be towed in either direction around the main channel it), enabling them to practice turns in both directions. On the tow cart 20 the tow cables 4% can be swung over the top of frame 24 to extend on the other side, as indicated in broken line in FIGURE 5. The cables 72 on tow cart 64 are easily extended to either side of drums 68, although the arm 66 can be made reversible if necessary. When the retrieving cart '54 is not needed it may be stored on a short siding track 74 at a convenient location along track 1 allowing the tow cart to pass by.

To make the facility complete it is desirable to have provision for training skiers in the basic principles of the sport. The space enclosed by the main channel 10 is ample for several straight training channels 76 having integral ramps 78 each end, three such channels being illustrated as an example. At the sides of each training channel '76 aretracks 80 on which is a small towcart 82 having a rigid tow bar 84 extending across the-channel, as in FIGURES 1 and 2. The tow bar'84 carries a plurality of short tow cables 86 having hand grips 88 and being attached to brackets 90, as in FIGURE 7. The tow carts 82 pull skiers in a straight line from one end of a training channel 76 to the other, providing practice in starting, balance and landing. After completing a run, the tow cables 86 are swung over to the other side of tow bar 84 and the tow cart is ready for a return run. The ramps 78at either end handle starting and landing.

While

tow cables

40 and 86 are described as flexible cables; it is also feasible to use rigid or semi-rigid rods in their place, particularly in place of the short tow cables 86. The arrangement of the limit cables 46 would still apply to red elements and could be used on the shorter tow elements extending from training tow carts 82, so allowing limited freedom of swing in the training channe'ls.

The complete facility thus provides preliminary training in the straight channels and advanced training in the main channel, under supervision of the tow cart operator. The main channel can also be used for continuous pleasure skiing, without the inconvenience of turbulence from a boat, the danger of other boats, or the danger of deep water for non-swimmers. In a large installation several tow carts could be used at spaced intervals to handle several groups of skiers simultaneously.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawings are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled channel;

a track coextensive in length with said channel and adjacent said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operatively mounted on said track; said vehicle having an arm extending. over said channel;

and a pluralityof towing cables attached to said arm to be grasped by individual skiers.

2. A water skiing facility according to claim 1 wherein said channel has an outwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending" beyond the water line and providing a peripheral inclined landing area.

3. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner wall and an outwardly and upwardly inclined bed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclined landing area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

and a plurality of towing cables attached to said arm for grasping by individual skiers.

4. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

a track on said inner wall coextensive withand adjacent.

to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

said cablesbeing. pivotally secured to swing laterally;

and limiting means connected tosa-id cables. to limit the swing thereof.

5. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main" channel;

said channel having an inner wall; and an outwardly and upwardly inclined bed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclined landing area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjasent to' said channel;

arpowered towing vehiclev operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

a ramp mounted on said inner wall and extending partially acnoss said channel;

said ramp being incl-ineddownwardly below the water in said channel.

6. A water skiing facility according to claim 5 wherein said ramp is retractable into said inner wall.

7. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

atrack on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached tosaid arm;

a powered recovery vehicle operable on said tracks;

said recovery vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

and ladder means depending from said last mentioned arm for accessibili-t yto skiers in the water.

8. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner Wall and anoutwardly and upwardly inclined bed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclined landing area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

a substantially straight training channel in the area enclosed by said main channel;

longitudinal track-s adjacent to said training channel;

a powered towing vehicle on said longitudinal tracks and having a towing bar extending across said'training channel;

and a plurality of short, skier towing cables attached to said towing bar.

9. A water skiing facility according to claim 8 wherein saidtnaining channel has integral inclined ramps at both ends thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,604,055 Snowdcn July 22, 1952 2,918,280- Torbett et a1 Dec. 22, 1959-- 3,052,470 Pomagalski Sept.;4, 1962

Claims

1. A WATER SKIING FACILITY, COMPRISING: A CLOSED, CONTINUOUS, SUBSTANTIALLY WATER FILLED CHANNEL; A TRACK COEXTENSIVE IN LENGTH WITH SAID CHANNEL AND ADJACENT SAID CHANNEL; A POWERED TOWING VEHICLE OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID TRACK; SAID VEHICLE HAVING AN ARM EXTENDING OVER SAID CHANNEL;