Adjustable Water Ski Ramp With Stable Anchoring and Wake Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water ski ramps are intimidating for novice jumpers due to their large size, lack of adjustable STW elevation, inadequate anchoring systems, and insufficient back-wash protection, leading to poor design and short lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A water ski ramp with a floating dock and adjustable lift mechanism allowing for selective adjustment of STW elevation, enhanced anchoring through multiple anchor lines, and back-wash protection via extendable bumpers and side curtains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water ski ramp size is reduced to minimize intimidation for novices, then participation increases, but the ramp becomes woefully inadequate in design and construction with short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the ramp height adjustable through a hydraulic lift system. The ramp can be configured at different heights (e.g., 18 inches or 36 inches STW) to adapt to different skill levels. This allows the ramp to maintain appropriate intimidation levels for novices while preserving construction quality and durability through proper anchoring systems that work at any height setting.
2Ease of operation
If the STW elevation is fixed at a low level to help novices, then ease of jumping improves, but the ramp cannot adapt to different skill levels or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic lift system enables the ramp height to be dynamically adjusted between different settings (e.g., 18 inches or 36 inches STW). This allows the ramp to provide easy jumping conditions for novices at lower heights while being capable of increasing to higher heights for more advanced skiers, thus achieving both ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of STW elevation through the hydraulic lift mechanism, allowing the ramp height to be modified based on user skill level or water conditions. This parameter adjustment capability enables the same ramp structure to serve different purposes - providing beginner-friendly low heights when needed while being capable of higher configurations for advanced users.
3Device complexity
If rudimentary anchoring systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ramp lacks stability and back-wash protection
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into multiple independent anchor lines (e.g., first anchor line and second anchor line) that can be independently adjusted and positioned. Each anchor line can be separately configured to provide optimal stability and back-wash protection, allowing the system to achieve high reliability without requiring a single complex integrated anchoring mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a less intimidating experience for beginners by adjusting ramp height and angle, ensuring stable anchoring, and protecting against boat wakes, thus improving user safety and ramp durability.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable lift including a first end operatively connected to the first dock portion and a second end operatively connected to the jumping platform
Implementation Method 2
a floating dock comprising a first dock portion and a second dock portion operatively connected to the first dock portion
Data Source
AI summary
A water ski ramp that can be selectively adjusted to provide a variety of launch heights for a jumper is provided. The water ski ramp includes a floating dock comprising a first dock portion and a second dock portion operatively connected to the first dock portion, in which the first dock portion and the second dock portion define an obtuse angle ‘α’ therebetween. The water ski ramp also includes a jumping platform operatively connected to the second dock portion via a dock-to-surface hinge. The water ski ramp may also include an adjustable lift including a first end operatively connected to the first dock portion and a second end operatively connected to the jumping platform, in which the adjustable lift and the first dock portion define an acute angle ‘β’ therebetween.