Tension Load Tow Rope Booster Device for Water Sports

Abstract

A device for attachment of a tow rope to a boat for enhancing the performance of a user engaged in a water sport activity. The device comprises a booster assembly, a housing, a pivot joint assembly for rotatably connecting the device to the boat, a tow knob for attaching the tow rope to the device, and a handle component. A method of using the device includes applying a load to the device to generate a resistance, displacing the bias element, and releasing the resistance from the device. The force generated, when the load applied to displace the bias element is released, provides the user with a boost sling-shot effect. The resulting boost may provide the user with longer airtime thus enabling one to perform better acrobatic maneuvers in the air inside or outside the wake. The recoil properties of the apparatus provide the user with softer landing capabilities. The apparatus further provides no stretch or pull while turning into the wake or when landing a jump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 906,576, filed Feb. 24, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a device for towing a person engaged in water sports such as wakeboarding or water skiing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many modern day water sports necessitate the use of a tow rope or ropes and tow rope accessories for participating in such sports as wakeboarding, water skiing, and foilboarding. Persons participating in water sports where they are being towed by a boat typically use a tow rope or tow line attached to a motor boat. [0004] The problem with using conventional tow ropes is that the tow rope often goes slack and then tightens abruptly when the boat changes direction or speed. This causes a jerking force to be applied to the rider. Particularly in wake boarding where the rider is committing aerial jumps and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention solve the problems and address the drawbacks of the approaches in the above description. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a tension load tow rope booster device for attachment between a boat and a water sport rider which enhances the performance of the rider by providing the rider with a boost thus enabling the rider to have more aerial, technical, free-style capabilities. The device is comprised of a booster assembly, a housing for enclosing the booster assembly, a pivot joint assembly for rotatably connecting the device to a boat, a tow knob for attaching a tow rope, and a handle component. The booster assembly comprises sliding members and guide rods inserted into openings of a stabilizing member. The sliding members and guide rods are securely fastened into the housing. Bias elements are fixed along the sliding members. The tow knob is secured to the stabilizing member by a tow knob mount. One end of a tow rope is secured to the tow knob and the opposite end of the tow rope is secured to a handle component. The pivot joint assembly is adapted to allow the booster device to follow the water sport rider in any direction, thus providing the rider with a wider range of motion.

Problems solved by technology

The problem with using conventional tow ropes is that the tow rope often goes slack and then tightens abruptly when the boat changes direction or speed.

Particularly in wake boarding where the rider is committing aerial jumps and tricks, the tow rope becomes fairly slack resulting in tightening of the rope and jerking when the rider lands.

The jerks or shocks experienced by water sports riders can lead to loss of control or injury.

The problem with this device is that it must be used with a boat equipped with an extended pylon.

The ski handle system does not provide a means to improve vertical leaping capabilities of the skier.

The problem with the aquatic tow rope is that it has a number of removeable metallic parts.

Such parts are prone to rusting.

While some of the prior art provide a means to allow for higher jumps than would normally be possible, they cannot provide maneuverability outside the wake and not much stretching in the actual towrope.

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