US3817364A - Floating platform from which to start water skiing - Google Patents

Floating platform from which to start water skiing Download PDF

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Publication number
US3817364A
US3817364A US00238043A US23804372A US3817364A US 3817364 A US3817364 A US 3817364A US 00238043 A US00238043 A US 00238043A US 23804372 A US23804372 A US 23804372A US 3817364 A US3817364 A US 3817364A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
launcher
recited
water ski
main body
water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00238043A
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English (en)
Inventor
P Cormier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AQUA SKI LAUNCH CORP
Original Assignee
AQUA SKI LAUNCH CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AQUA SKI LAUNCH CORP filed Critical AQUA SKI LAUNCH CORP
Priority to US00238043A priority Critical patent/US3817364A/en
Priority to FR7310479A priority patent/FR2177886B3/fr
Priority to DE2315057A priority patent/DE2315057A1/de
Priority to IT22156/73A priority patent/IT998096B/it
Priority to JP48034181A priority patent/JPS4919597A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3817364A publication Critical patent/US3817364A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
    • B63B32/70—Accessories not specially adapted for a particular type of board, e.g. paddings or buoyancy elements

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An ppa to facilitate the of n er is [58] Field of Search 272/565; 193/35 R, 1 R,
  • This invention is also an improvement over my previously known starter shown in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,978 issued Mar. 17, 1970.
  • the slideway is provided with flotation,-eliminating the need for support by stationary legs.
  • the present invention relates to water ski starting devices like that shown in my aforementioned patents but is distinguished from these known devices in providing tioned patents, a critical speed is required to produce.
  • This invention makes it possible to accomplish the necessary acceleration from a dead start to hydro-dynamic support speed as smoothly as possible and minimizes jerking and straining in order to make the take-off easy and safe. It is also operative to minimize any disturbance to the skiers balance which might be expected to be felt upon the transition from the starter apparatus to the full water support of the skier.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the starter apparatus in use
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the starter apparatus
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus
  • FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the rear part of the apparatus
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-section view along the line VI-VI
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-section view along the line VIIVII
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along line VIII--Vlll
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-section view along the line IX-IX,
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-section view along the line X-X
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-section view along line XIXI.
  • the starter apparatus for water skiers here shown is adapted to float in the water and thus ensures that the skier takes off exactly on the plane of the waters surface.
  • the preferred form of the apparatus includes a body 10 constructed of high density polyethylene and forming a hollow chamber for flotation of the apparatus.
  • the body is relatively long, wide and flat thereby giving stability to the apparatus and smoothing out the effects of choppiness in the water or running waves.
  • the flotation is of such magnitude that the bodys floating characteristics are not greatly affected by the weight of the skier.
  • the hollow body 10 is constructed of an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12.
  • the shells contact, by nesting peripheral, concave, downwardly directed flanges 36 and 37 provided on each shell (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
  • this flange connection provides not only a strong, rigid air-tight seal, but also a peripheral handle.
  • the body is made even more strong and rigid by centrally located ribs (see FIGS. 6 and 7). These ribs are formed by contact of the open ended guide slots 21 and 22, which are formed longitudinally and concave, upwardly directed in the upper shell, and the skegs l3 and 14 formed in the lower shell 12. These ribs can be used to divide the body into airtight compartments.
  • impressions 15 that rise. from the lower shell to contact the upper shell.
  • the ski tracks 38 and 39 are formed of parallel impressions in the upper shell running longitudinally of the body.
  • Each of the two ski tracks 38 and 39 consists of an open-ended guide slot 21 or 22, two horizontal floor elements 17 and 18 or 19 and 20, adjacent and parallel to the slot, and guide walls.
  • the guide walls include a center guide wall 23 and inside guide walls 34 and 35.
  • the ski tracks are so impressed and related to the flotation center of the body, that although the front end of the track is at water level, the rear end is considerably above the water level.
  • the track is sloped downwardly from rear to front. This slope not only helps in skier acceleration but also compensates for slight rear end dips that accompany the start of acceleration.
  • rollers 25 are provided in aperture 24 at the take-up portion of the track.
  • the upper surface is also provided with holes 40 5 through the body for securing it in position, hand holds
  • the upper surface is also provided with a positioner 29 consisting of a seat 44 and legs 45 that position the seat over the tracks.
  • the flotation gear is designed to have good stability when a person is on the top side of the apparatus as it floats in the water. It is also arranged to float sufficiently deep in the water such that the water level floods the slots 21 and 22 and the floor elements l7, 18, 19 and 20 at the front end. This relationship is evident upon inspection of the left end of the representation included in FIG. 1.
  • the skier mounts the apparatus, which can be held stationary by stakes as shown in FIG. 1, and takes his seat on positioner 29.
  • the skis are set on rollers 25 to be positioned over the respective floor elements 17 and 18, and 19 and 20.
  • the two skis are thus each loosely positioned to be moved between the inside walls 34 and 35 of flotation element and the center guide wall 23.
  • the skier inserts his feet in the harness on the skis and is ready for take-off.
  • a boat may be gently moved into position and may even be allowed to drift into position to take up the slack in the tow rope.
  • the motor is gunned and takeoff begins.
  • the skier As the skier is pulled forwardly he slides off the seat as the skis begin to move on rollers 25.
  • the keels of the respective skis are guided by slots 21 and 22 and as the skiers body begins to move forwardly, there is a transfer of weight from the positioner to the skis when the buttocks leave the seat, which change in weight distribution nudges the skis forwardly and down the slope of the tracks.
  • the flotation gear always supports the end of the floor elements in position to be just at the level of the water, it is apparent that the skier is guided on his way at least in the beginning with a proper positioning of the knees, body and arms, and is delivered from the end of the starter apparatus with sufficient speed to continue his journey with a minimum liability of tumbling into the water and consequently being ducked at the beginning of a run as so frequently happens to the inexperienced skier.
  • the positive control of ski action coupled with the smooth pull generated when a boat is started from an idling position, provides an ideal arrangement for starting the water skier on his journey.
  • a single ski may be used by a more experienced skier and if required at the start, a second balancing ski can be used in the other channel during take-off.
  • this flotation ski start apparatus may be utilized at any location either in deep water or shallow. It may be allowed to drift or may be anchored. The apparatus is designed to have sufficient length and weight to be considered a permanent fixture to be left in the water the same as an outboard boat and where tides or changing water level conditions are present, always floats at the water level to be ready at all times for immediate use.
  • the apparatus can easily be adapted for use with water sleds, but for all of the reasons apparent from reading the description above, it finds particular use for guiding water skiers on take-off.
  • the apparatus here disclosed is particularly useful for teaching beginners the art of water skiing. It is extremely difficult to master the balance required for an unassisted take-off from a position in the water and otherwise a sudden jerk type of pull must be mastered if a start is to be made from the shore line.
  • the problems associated with such take-offs are very difficult for beginners to contend with, as more fully set forth in my earlier patents mentioned above.
  • the improvement provided by this invention is of great value to the beginner because of the assured smooth glide from the supported engagement of the skis on the apparatus to the fully water supported hydro-dynamic ride. With the new apparatus, the transition from the floating means to the hydrodynamic support is automatically controlled and is always perfect.
  • the flotation gear is preferably provided with a wide spread so that the apparatus will not tip over easily.
  • a rather flat tank be provided, laid flatwise in the water. Such disposition controls the depth to which the apparatus sinks when skiers of different weights climb aboard and the difference between maximum and minimum submersion is kept within very close limits by such disposition of the tank.
  • the length of the guideway and float apparatus is not critical. It can be shortened when more powerful boats are used to accelerate the skier or a longer run can be provided if boats with a slower pick-up are to be used.
  • a water ski launcher comprising a. an elongated main body of substantial flotation throughout and formed of hollow plastic, and having broad upper and lower surfaces,
  • each track consisting of flat surfaces on either side of a groove and sloping with respect to said lower surface from the said one end to the other.
  • a water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the tracks are provided with longitudinal grooves.
  • each of the surfaces has an upper face and a lower face, and the opposed lower face of the upper surface and the upper face of the lower surface are spaced a substantial distance from one another except that the groove forms a downwardly-directed protuberance in the upper surface which contacts the upper face of the lower surface.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US00238043A 1972-03-27 1972-03-27 Floating platform from which to start water skiing Expired - Lifetime US3817364A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00238043A US3817364A (en) 1972-03-27 1972-03-27 Floating platform from which to start water skiing
FR7310479A FR2177886B3 (de) 1972-03-27 1973-03-23
DE2315057A DE2315057A1 (de) 1972-03-27 1973-03-26 Schwimmende startplattform fuer den wasserskilauf
IT22156/73A IT998096B (it) 1972-03-27 1973-03-27 Piattaforma galleggiante di par tenza per sci acquatico
JP48034181A JPS4919597A (de) 1972-03-27 1973-03-27

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00238043A US3817364A (en) 1972-03-27 1972-03-27 Floating platform from which to start water skiing

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3817364A true US3817364A (en) 1974-06-18

Family

ID=22896265

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00238043A Expired - Lifetime US3817364A (en) 1972-03-27 1972-03-27 Floating platform from which to start water skiing

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3817364A (de)
JP (1) JPS4919597A (de)
DE (1) DE2315057A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2177886B3 (de)
IT (1) IT998096B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5213443A (en) * 1992-03-12 1993-05-25 Hemperly Mike K Flexible windsurfing ramp

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53105395U (de) * 1977-01-27 1978-08-24
JPH0137611Y2 (de) * 1985-12-28 1989-11-13
JPS62155837A (ja) * 1985-12-28 1987-07-10 徳田　安章 多数ポイント用の皮膚試験器具
JPH04501212A (ja) * 1987-05-29 1992-03-05 ニュー・サウス・ウェールズ州 医療試験器具

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2439649A (en) * 1946-06-04 1948-04-13 Cohn Irwin Toy propelled boat
US2991726A (en) * 1960-01-06 1961-07-11 Clarence D Miller Water-borne carrier and glider
FR1303040A (fr) * 1961-07-24 1962-09-07 Lacollonge Flexone Piste et tremplin pour saut à ski
US3179222A (en) * 1964-10-02 1965-04-20 Paul L Cormier Starter for use with water skis
US3264780A (en) * 1964-06-17 1966-08-09 Fisher Price Toys Inc Wheel for toy
US3500978A (en) * 1968-05-16 1970-03-17 Paul L Cormier Floating platform from which to start water skiing

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2439649A (en) * 1946-06-04 1948-04-13 Cohn Irwin Toy propelled boat
US2991726A (en) * 1960-01-06 1961-07-11 Clarence D Miller Water-borne carrier and glider
FR1303040A (fr) * 1961-07-24 1962-09-07 Lacollonge Flexone Piste et tremplin pour saut à ski
US3264780A (en) * 1964-06-17 1966-08-09 Fisher Price Toys Inc Wheel for toy
US3179222A (en) * 1964-10-02 1965-04-20 Paul L Cormier Starter for use with water skis
US3500978A (en) * 1968-05-16 1970-03-17 Paul L Cormier Floating platform from which to start water skiing

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5213443A (en) * 1992-03-12 1993-05-25 Hemperly Mike K Flexible windsurfing ramp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2177886B3 (de) 1976-03-19
FR2177886A1 (de) 1973-11-09
DE2315057A1 (de) 1973-10-11
IT998096B (it) 1976-01-20
JPS4919597A (de) 1974-02-21

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