USRE37823E1 - Water sport towing apparatus and method - Google Patents
Water sport towing apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE37823E1 USRE37823E1 US09/613,154 US61315400A USRE37823E US RE37823 E1 USRE37823 E1 US RE37823E1 US 61315400 A US61315400 A US 61315400A US RE37823 E USRE37823 E US RE37823E
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- attaching
- extending
- sides
- operator station
- 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
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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
- B63B15/00—Superstructures, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like; Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars, e.g. bowsprits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B34/00—Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure; Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure
- B63B34/60—Arrangements for towing, e.g. for use with water-skis or wakeboards
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B2207/00—Buoyancy or ballast means
- B63B2207/02—Variable ballast or buoyancy
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to towing of a performer by a vessel, and more particularly to enhancing performance of the performer using a water sport implement while maintaining stability of the vessel.
- Wakeboarding has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
- the sport of wakeboarding there is an ever increasing need for the tow boat to create a larger wake to ride.
- the performer on a wakeboard is looking for as large a wake as possible.
- anchoring the tow line at a high elevation above the boat deck the greater the ability of the performer to lift higher into the air, whether with a ski or wakeboard.
- Tow rope pylons are known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,577 to Jennings and U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,597 to Paxton.
- a typical skiing and wakeboarding pylon has a height of approximately three feet to eight above the floor of the boat. Pylon heights have increased to accommodate the ever increasing height of jumps across the wake by wakeboarders.
- the extended pylons run a cable from the top of the pylon to the bow of the boat as a guy wire. This wire interferes with movement inside the boat. Further, these extended height pylons have not satisfied wakeboarders with their performance.
- the guy wire provides support when the skier is pulling straight back, but offers less support when the skier is pulling from the side.
- the simplest way to increase the size of the wake is to increase the amount of weight inside a boat. Typically, this has been done by adding lots of people.
- the industry's response has been to include water bladders in the boat or other weighting materials such as buckets filled with concrete, rocks, or sand.
- a liner is placed inside of a canvas sack or bag. Filling the liner full of water by use of a bilge pump with hoses, wires and clips, can add weight to the back of a boat. However, this process is awkward and cumbersome.
- Another attempt at adding weight to the back of a boat is believed to include two gates on a transom of a boat. A cable is pulled to open the two gates and thereby flood two tanks located behind the transom of the boat. The tanks are drained by opening the gates. This system required a four foot high boat hull, where typical sports towing boats have a transom or hull height of only thirty inches from bottom to top of the gunwale.
- ballast pumps are used to control the amount of water within the ballasting, as described, by way of example, with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,025 to Talmor.
- the wake will become bigger and better.
- the shape of the wake is as important as the size.
- the perfect slope, length and hardness of the lip of a wake are also important to enable the performer to release from the wake and achieve a desired launch into the air. Further, it is important that wake control be done in a relatively rapid and timely manner, not available with use of a typical ballast pump.
- a method aspect of the invention 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, and 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, at a height substantially above the level of the operator station.
- a tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion, and the vessel is operated in a body of water while towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion.
- first and second generally vertically extending support structures are pivotally attached to the respective sides of the vessel, 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.
- An apparatus of the present invention comprises a vessel behind which the performer is to be towed, the vessel including a bow, a stern and an operator station between opposing sides, a first relatively rigid vertical support structure fitted to a first one of the sides of the vessel, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to a second one of the sides of the vessel, and a generally horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending support structures, at a height substantially above the level of the operator station.
- 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.
- the apparatus further comprises pivotally attaching means for 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 support structures to be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.
- 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 transversely extending bars between each of the forward and aft vertical support elements.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vessel and performer in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 with rear ballast tanks illustrated;
- FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the ballast tanks carried within the vessel
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a towing element of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrating an operating erected position and a rotated storing position of a towing structure of the present invention
- FIG. 7 is a partial side view of an attachment portion of the towing structure of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a partial front view of FIG. 7;
- FIG. 9 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 10 is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 11 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 12 is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11;
- FIG. 13 is a partial side view of yet another embodiment of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic of a ballast tank control system of the present invention.
- a preferred embodiment of the present invention is herein described, by way of example, by a water sports system 10 for improving aerial characteristics of a performance by a performer 12 using a water sports implement such as a wakeboard 14 .
- the system 10 comprises a vessel 16 behind which the performer 12 is to be towed.
- the vessel 16 includes a bow 18 , a stern 20 , and an operator station 22 between opposing starboard and port sides 24 , 26 .
- a towing structure referred herein as a vertical support unit 100 is fitted to the vessel 16 .
- the vertical support unit 100 includes an upper portion 102 at a height above the level of the operator station 22 and is adapted for securing a tow rope 28 thereto.
- the tow rope 28 is attached to the upper portion 102 of the vertical support unit 100 for towing the performer 12 , as illustrated again with reference to FIG. 1 .
- the system 10 further includes a ballast assembly 200 which includes starboard and port ballast tanks 202 , 204 fitted onboard and only aft, preferably within only the stern 20 , extending from the transom toward amidships of the vessel 16 , unlike typical ballast systems which fully extend bow to stern. Alternate embodiments include a single ballast tank.
- An extractor 206 is fitted to the hull of the vessel 16 and is in fluid communication with the body of water 30 within which the vessel operates for forcing water 208 into the ballast tanks 204 , 202 and weighting down the aft portion of the vessel 16 , thus lowering the vessel and controlling a wake 32 created by the vessel.
- ballast tanks for extending the tank from the transom area to toward amidships to provide a desirable wake.
- Simply weighting down the vessel stern only proximate the transom leads to excess plowing of the vessel and an undesirable wake.
- displacement boats having ballast from stern to bow typically do not permit planing, desirable in a sports towing vessel. As a result, a certain amount of planing is to be maintained.
- the vertical support unit 100 With regard to the vertical support unit 100 , reference being made again to FIG. 2, the vertical support unit comprises a first relatively rigid vertical support structure 104 fitted to the starboard side 24 of the vessel 16 , a second relatively rigid vertical support structure 106 fitted to the port side 26 , and a generally horizontal bridging portion 108 extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending support structures at a desired height above the level of the operator station 22 .
- the vertical support unit 100 forms a skeletal frame, as illustrated again with reference to FIG. 2, which has a forward relatively rigid U-shaped support structure 110 and an aft relatively rigid U-shaped support structure 112 , both fitted across the beam of the vessel 16 .
- Longitudinally extending rigid bars 114 are attached between the forward and aft U-shaped structures.
- the bars are generally horizontal and parallel to the floor 34 of the vessel 16 , as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 2, by way of example.
- Such a frame transfers forces generated by towing the performer to the gunwales, by way of example, and provides a rigid anchoring of the tow rope to the vessel for improving over typical single tow bar devices referred to earlier in this specification.
- the bridging portion 108 is separable from the vertical support structures 104 , 106 at connections 116 .
- the preferred embodiment is made from generally rigid aluminum tubing with elements of the unit 100 welded to each other to form a generally rigid skeletal frame.
- the vertical support unit 100 comprises a pylon 118 extending from the floor 34 of the vessel 16 and having an upper portion adapted for securing the tow rope 28 thereto.
- a tow rope connecting element 120 is attached to the upper portion of the vertical support unit 100 , preferably to the horizontal bridging port 108 of the aft U-shaped support structure 112 for attaching the tow rope 28 thereto.
- the tow rope connecting element is mounted at a height 36 between 6′ 3′′ and 7 feet above the floor 34 of the vessel 16 , but it is expected that other heights will be selected by those skilled in the water sports arts.
- the skeletal frame is an improvement over the pylon by providing a generally more rigid unit 100 secured to four mounting locations 122 at sides 24 , 26 of the vessel 16 .
- the vertical support unit 100 as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 2, and to FIGS. 6-8, the system 10 further comprises attaching the vertical support unit 100 to vessel deck portions and gunwales 38 , so as to permit the unit to be rotated when the vessel needs to pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house, by way of example.
- anchoring plates 124 are located about the operator station 22 .
- the anchoring plates 124 each include a shaft 126 which terminates in a free end 128 having a through hole for receipt of a pivot pin or bolt 130 .
- an alternate arrangement includes mounting the plates 124 to the floor 34 of the vessel 16 .
- the unit 100 is rotatable to a position 134 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 or is removable entirely from the vessel 16 .
- the pin or bolt 130 is removed from the appropriate anchoring plates 124 for rotating the unit 100 onto the forward deck of the vessel or aft at the convenience of the operator.
- portions of the unit 100 to stow various pieces of equipment such as a life vest 40 or wakeboard 42 and other equipment as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 .
- various pieces of equipment such as a life vest 40 or wakeboard 42 and other equipment as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 .
- the convenient mounting of stereo speakers is also accomplished.
- Such equipment is also conveniently stowed out of the way when unit 100 is in the erect position 136 as earlier described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
- a clear line of sight is provided for individuals sitting in the seats 44 so as not to interfere with the steering of the vessel 16 or the maneuvering of passengers onboard.
- various embodiments for the unit 100 of the present invention are possible without deviating from the intent and value of the present invention.
- a lower most portion 210 of each of the ballast tanks 202 , 204 is preferably fitted at the waterline 212 of the vessel 16 when the tanks are empty, typically the floor 34 for towing vessels as herein described.
- the ballast tanks are enclosed and each have an opening arranged through vent lines 214 , 216 for venting air into and out of each of the enclosed tanks 202 , 204 respectively.
- an air control valve 218 is within easy reach by the vessel operator for manually controlling air venting to each of the ballast tanks. It is anticipated that electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated control valves may be appropriate.
- the extractor 206 includes a water scoop 220 positioned below the water line 212 and on the hull 46 of the vessel 16 for extracting the ballast water 208 from the body of water 30 as the vessel 16 moves through the body of water and delivering the ballast water 208 through a water intake line 221 connected between the scoop 220 and ballast tanks 202 , 204 .
- a two way pump 222 is placed within the line 221 and used for enhancing the extracting and dumping of the ballast water 208 .
- a shut off valve 223 is fitted within the line 221 . As illustrated again with reference to FIGS.
- the ballast tanks 204 , 208 comprise starboard and port enclosed ballast tanks wherein each of the starboard and port enclosed ballast tanks comprises a generally L-shaped tanks having a first elongated leg 224 fitted beneath quarter gunwales 26 of the vessel 16 and a second leg 228 fitted along an inboard side of the transom 230 .
- the inlet line 221 leads to a water scoop 220 which collects the ballast water 208 as the vessel 16 is moved forward through the body of water 30 .
- the water 208 collected in the scoop 220 is fed through the intake line 221 upon proper positioning of the valves 218 , 223 . If the shut off valve 223 is closed, no water 208 will be allowed to be fed into ballast tanks 202 , 204 . In addition, water 208 , if already in ballast tanks 202 , 204 will not be allowed to leave the tanks.
- the shut off valve 223 must be opened and in addition, the respective air line control valve 218 , independently controlling each of the air lines 214 , 216 must be opened to allow air to escape from the ballast tanks as the water is being scooped up and fed into the tanks.
- the air line control valve 218 is open, water 208 will be forced into ballast tanks 202 , 204 as the boat is moving forward until the ballast tanks are full or the valves are closed. Excess water is forced through the air lines 214 , 216 past the air line control valve 218 as one indication that the tanks are full.
- water level indicators 232 are used.
- tank overflow tubes 234 fitted with one way check valves 236 deliver excess water overboard, as illustrated again with reference to FIG. 14 .
- the overflow tubes 234 limit the maximum pressure in the tanks to a maximum static head.
- the check valves 236 stop air from flowing back in the tanks when the air control valve 218 is closed.
- the vessel comes to a stand still in a preferred method of dumping the ballast water.
- the shutoff valve 223 is then opened, with the opening of the air control valve 218 for allowing air into the air lines 214 , 216 .
- the water 208 flows out of the tanks 202 , 204 through the intake line 221 and out through the opened shutoff valve 223 to the surrounding body of water 30 .
- the amount and shape of the wake 32 , illustrated with reference again to FIG. 1, produced by the vessel 16 can be precisely controlled by the operator.
- the wake 32 is produced to a controlled degree for optimum and desirable wakeboarding.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (49)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/613,154 USRE37823E1 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 2000-06-30 | Water sport towing apparatus and method |
US13/974,679 US9701366B2 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 2013-08-23 | Water sports towing vessel and method |
US14/726,932 US9315237B2 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 2015-06-01 | Water sports towing vessel and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29/078,494 USD409972S (en) | 1997-10-27 | 1997-10-27 | Boat tower |
US09/036,826 US5979350A (en) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-03-09 | Water sport towing apparatus and method |
US09/613,154 USRE37823E1 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 2000-06-30 | Water sport towing apparatus and method |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/036,826 Reissue US5979350A (en) | 1997-10-27 | 1998-03-09 | Water sport towing apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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USRE37823E1 true USRE37823E1 (en) | 2002-09-03 |
Family
ID=26713541
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/613,154 Expired - Lifetime USRE37823E1 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 2000-06-30 | Water sport towing apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | USRE37823E1 (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6666159B2 (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 2003-12-23 | Correct Craft, Inc. | Water sport towing apparatus |
US20040144295A1 (en) * | 2004-02-26 | 2004-07-29 | Bierbower William John | Watersport towers |
US7234408B1 (en) | 2004-07-12 | 2007-06-26 | John Dale Clemmons | Water sport tow attachment with recoil |
US20070176377A1 (en) * | 2006-02-02 | 2007-08-02 | Peek Allen S | Land based towing apparatus |
US20080000412A1 (en) * | 2006-07-03 | 2008-01-03 | Michael Mazzei | Actuated warning flag for boating |
US20080289561A1 (en) * | 2007-05-25 | 2008-11-27 | Michael Seipel | Elevated Water Sport Tow Extension Apparatus |
US7536971B1 (en) | 2008-02-20 | 2009-05-26 | John Fry | Lowerable water sport tow attachment |
US20100319603A1 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2010-12-23 | Roswell Wake-Air | Water sports foldable towing apparatus and method |
US20110139057A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Xtreme Tower Products, A Corporation Of Delaware | Wakeboard tower system |
US20110209654A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Malibu Boats Llc | Wake towers and methods of use and manufacture thereof |
USD666135S1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2012-08-28 | Malibu Boats Llc | Wake tower |
US9272752B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-03-01 | Correct Craft Ip Holdings, Llc | Boat with reconfigurable running surface for wake adjustment |
US9302742B2 (en) | 2010-12-09 | 2016-04-05 | Xtreme Marine Corporation | Wakeboard tower |
US9580155B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2017-02-28 | Mastercraft Boat Company, Llc | Apparatus for towing a water sports performer |
US9611006B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-04-04 | Correct Craft Ip Holdings, Llc | Boat with reconfigurable running surface for wake adjustment |
US9731797B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2017-08-15 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. | Tow pylon assembly for a watercraft |
US10150540B2 (en) | 2016-06-27 | 2018-12-11 | Mastercraft Boat Company, Llc | Apparatus for towing a water sports performer |
US10286982B2 (en) | 2016-06-27 | 2019-05-14 | Mastercraft Boat Company, Llc | Bimini top |
US10597121B2 (en) | 2017-05-31 | 2020-03-24 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. | Support structure |
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