US3786778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal device for water skiing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-18
•
Granted: 1974-01-22
•
Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A pivotable flag or signal device for water skiing is provided to warn other boats when a skier is down in the water. An over centered spring mechanism securely positions the signal device in either an operative upright position or a storage horizontal position. The signal device is mounted on an extendable shaft for varying the height of the signal device and to insure a compact storage in an inoperative position.
Inventors
- 👤 S Palmer
- 👤 G Palmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:24
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F17/00; G09F2017/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18888; Y10T74/18896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A signal apparatus for use in combination with a boat to indicate the operative position of a water skier being towed by said boat comprising: a base member for attachment to said boat including an upper member connected to said base member comprising a support means; a pivot shaft attached to said upper member; a staff member having a lower curved portion with a bore for mounting said curved portion on said pivot shaft and an extendable telescoping portion connected to said lower curved portion; a signal device attached to said staff member; abutment means laterally spaced on said upper member for supporting said staff member respectively in an operative signal position and a storage position, and biasing means connected to said lower curved portion of said staff member and said support means for biasing said staff member with a substantially equal force on either side of an over center position against said abutment means whereby the operator can manually manipulate said staff member into either the operative or storage position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A signal apparatus for use in combination with a boat to indicate the operative position of a water skier being towed by said boat comprising: a base member for attachment to said boat including an upper member connected to said base member comprising a support means; a pivot shaft attached to said upper member; a staff member having a lower curved portion with a bore for mounting said curved portion on said pivot shaft and an extendable telescoping portion connected to said lower curved portion; a signal device attached to said staff member; abutment means laterally spaced on said upper member for supporting said staff member respectively in an operative signal position and a storage position, and biasing means connected to said lower curved portion of said staff member and said support means for biasing said staff member with a substantially equal force on either side of an over center position against said abutment means whereby the operator can manually manipulate said staff member into either the operative or storage position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said staff member has at least one prong positioned above said upper member for attachment to said biasing means and fastening means are provided for removably attaching said base member to said boat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the biasing means includes a pair of springs connected to said upper member and staff member; a strengthening rib connects said upper member and said base member, and removable wing nuts are adaptable to fasten said base member to said boat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said upper member has at least one prong for attachment to said biasing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said lower curved portion includes a lower base that is straight below said staff member prong.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein an additional prong is positioned on the opposite side of each prong on said upper member and said staff member, said biasing means including a pair of springs respectively attached to said prongs on each side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said abutment means includes four wall portions forming a cavity for receiving one end of said staff member, two of said walls being parallel and supporting said pivot shaft while the other two walls are substantially parallel to each other and traverse to said other walls to form a pair of stops thereby limiting the pivotal movement of said staff member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 6 further including strengthening means that includes a rib member connected between said base member and upper member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2271609A
Cited
US2802622A
Cited
US2856891A
Cited
US3063741A
Cited
US3191898A
Cited
US3287548A
Cited
US3479982A
Cited
US3520273A
Cited
US3602188A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |