US3650237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-03
•
Granted: 1972-03-21
•
Expires: 1990-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A towing device for use behind a boat to tow a pair of water skiers. Pulley apparatus is provided through which a tow rope is provided. Locking means is provided for preventing rotation of the pulley and relative movement between the pulley and the tow rope during initial start up of the water skiers and at other times. Engaging means are provided for engaging the locking means with the pulley and rope when desired. The pulley apparatus is secured to the boat by a swivel which permits rotation of the pulley apparatus relative to the boat. Desirable, biasing means are included to maintain the locking means in a normally nonengaging position.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip L Hartman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:01
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/60; B63B34/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A towing device for attachment to a boat for use in pulling a pair of water skiers behind said boat comprising: a. a towrope including at each end thereof means for water skiers to manually grip the same; b. pulley apparatus including a pulley wheel for passing the tow towrope therethrough, said pulley apparatus comprising towrope; i. means for locking said tow rope so as to prevent said two rope from being payed out in either direction relative to said pulley wheel regardless of the relative drag caused by the water skiers at their respective ends of said tow rope; ii. means for engaging said locking means; and c. means for attaching said pulley apparatus to said boat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A towing device for attachment to a boat for use in pulling a pair of water skiers behind said boat comprising: a. a towrope including at each end thereof means for water skiers to manually grip the same; b. pulley apparatus including a pulley wheel for passing the tow towrope therethrough, said pulley apparatus comprising towrope; i. means for locking said tow rope so as to prevent said two rope from being payed out in either direction relative to said pulley wheel regardless of the relative drag caused by the water skiers at their respective ends of said tow rope; ii. means for engaging said locking means; and c. means for attaching said pulley apparatus to said boat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A towing device as in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a brakeshoe for frictionally engaging said towrope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A towing device as in claim 2 wherein said locking means additionally includes biasing means for maintaining said brakeshoe in a normally nonengaging position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A towing device as in claim 1 wherein said locking means additionally includes rope gripping members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A towing device as in claim 3 wherein said brakeshoe includes generally pointed engaging teeth attached along the rope engaging portion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A towing device as in claim 4 wherein said locking means additionally includes biasing means for maintaining said brakeshoe in a normally nonengaging position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A towing device as in claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises an offcentered cam and means for rotating said cam into and out of engagement with said locking means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A towing device as in claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises an electrically energized solenoid having an armature engageable with said locking means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A towing device as in claim 8 including biasing mEans for maintaining said locking means in a normally nonengaging position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A towing device as in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises a swivel capable of allowing unlimited rotation of the remainder of said towing device relative to the boat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |