Boat accessory rack

Abstract

A boat accessory rack has a frame typically including at least two members, one of which is movable. An actuation device such as a manually operated actuator, a hydraulically operated actuator or a pneumatically operated actuator applies an actuation force to the movable member thereby moving the movable member from an unclosed position into a closed position in which the wakeboard is secured. A releasable locking mechanism such as a ratcheting mechanism, an interlocking ring mechanism, a ball bearing system or an over-centering system maintains the movable member in the closed position until a user desires to remove the wakeboard from the rack. Also, a cam mechanism transfers the actuation force to the movable member in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the accessory is secured between a rotating wedge mechanism and a second member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 781,139 filed Mar. 10, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment racks. More particularly, it relates to racks for securing and retaining a boating accessory. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY [0003] Historically, boat design requires careful consideration regarding space allocation of boat components and boating accessories. Such consideration is necessary in order to provide occupants with space for movement around the cockpit and sitting areas of a boat. Space considerations become increasingly important for high speed boats used to pull sports enthusiasts using water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and inner tubes. Boat mass and streamline water flow engineering considerations help minimize turbulence and allow for higher speed travel thr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The sport of wakeboarding is very similar to the sports of waterskiing, kneeboarding, and tubing. A wakeboarder or person riding a wakeboard is towed behind the boat by a rope. Typically, waterskiing, kneeboarding, and tubing use a rope secured to a stem mount on either or both sides of the motor of the boat. However, in the sport of wakeboarding, the rope is typically attached to a mount connected to a tower. The mount on the tower provides a much higher connection point for the tow rope and provides vertical component force on the tow rope held by a wakeboarder thus allowing the wakeboarder to more easily perform aerial stunts and maneuvers. Furthermore, the physical structure of a wakeboard is different than that of a ski. A ski is narrow and long whereas a wakeboard is relatively short and wide. Also, a kneeboard allows the rider to kneel on the board and face frontward whereas a wakeboarder straps into special boots mounted on the wakeboard such that his or her feet align in the major axis of the wakeboard. Such a configuration lends itself to the wakeboarder using body torque, specifically twisting of the hips to, improve stunts both on and out of the water.

[0007] A boat accessory rack meets such needs by providing a functional, resilient, readily visible and aesthetically pleasing apparatus for securing a wakeboard or other accessory to a boat. In one embodiment, an accessory rack for securing an accessory such as a wakeboard to a boat has a frame member and a movable frame member that engages the frame member. The movable member has a cam follower that follows the cam channel of a cam mechanism. The movable member rotates about a pivot point and moves in relation to the frame member, and the accessory is placed between the movable member and the frame member. The cam mechanism rotates about an axis when a user provides an activation force to an activation device engaging the cam mechanism. The activation force causes the cam mechanism to rotate resulting in the movable member moving from an unclosed position to a closed position in which the accessory is secured between the movable member and the frame member with a clamping force.

Problems solved by technology

Further, such high speed recreational and competitive boats are generally very powerful, small, and heavy in order to leave a large wake.

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