Retractable Boat Tower Connector for Ski Pylon Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Boats equipped with both a ski pylon for water skiing and a tower for wakeboarding face interference issues with the tow line, particularly when water skiers swing out to the side, as the tower legs can obstruct the ski pylon attachment point.
Innovation Solution
A retractable and pivotable tower system with mounting plates attached to the port and starboard gunwales, featuring a retractable tower connector that detaches and rotates to minimize interference, allowing easy conversion between water skiing and wakeboarding modes by adjusting the tow-line attachment height and preventing snagging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both a ski pylon and a tower are installed on the boat, then the boat can support both water skiing and wakeboarding, but the tower legs interfere with the ski pylon tow line when the skier swings out to the side
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is made dynamically reconfigurable through a retractable mechanism that allows it to transition between an extended position (for wakeboarding) and a retracted position (for water skiing). This dynamic adjustment eliminates the static interference problem while preserving both water sports capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower structure is divided into separable components that can be independently positioned. The retractable tower connector allows the tower to be segmented into storable and operational configurations, enabling the tow line to pass freely during water skiing while providing structural support for wakeboarding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tower is installed for wakeboarding, then wakeboarding capability is enabled, but the tower structure adds weight to the boat
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable tower design allows the heavy tower structure to be deployed only when needed for wakeboarding. During water skiing, the tower is retracted, effectively removing its weight from the boat's operational load and improving performance for that activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower's physical parameters (position, extension state) are changed based on the required activity. By transitioning between retracted and extended states, the system optimizes the weight parameter for different water sports, reducing drag and improving efficiency during water skiing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tower connector is made retractable and pivotable, then interference with the ski pylon is reduced, but the connector mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates pivotable and retractable mechanisms that enable dynamic repositioning of the tower. This dynamic capability allows the connector to clear the ski pylon tow line path while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical design through the use of standard hinge and telescoping components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for towing a water sports performer includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a tower. The first mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a port gunwale of a boat. The second mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a starboard gunwale of the boat. The tower is pivotably and detachably secured to the first and second mounting plates. Each of the first and second mounting plates includes a retractable tower connector that, when retracted, is positioned at or below a substantially flat upper surface of the mounting plate, and, when not retracted, extends above the upper surface of the mounting plate to pivotably and detachably secure the tower to the mounting plate.