Apparatus for towing skiers

Claim 2

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: at least one front wheel; a pair of rear wheels; a housing supported on such wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing; steering means connected between said boom and said selfpropelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means comprising: a telescoping tubular rod extending the length of said telescoping boom and including two telescoping, interengaging tubular parts keyed to each other for transmitting torque from one of said parts to the other, said tubular parts being positioned along the longitudinal axis of said telescoping boom and mounted in said boom for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof; a rotating hand grip disposed at the other end of said boom from said housing; means for rotating said tubular rod about its longitudinal axis connected between said tubular rod and said hand grip; and a linkage connected to the end of said tubular rod adjacent said housing for rotation with said tubular rod about the longitudinal axis thereof, and adapted for connection to said engine; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle, including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said other end of said boom.

Claim 3

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: at least one front wheel; a pair of rear wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing; a boom mounting assembly movably connecting said telescoping boom to said vehicle, said mounting assembly comprising: a casting having a central bore rotatably receiving the end of said boom; a pair of upright posts on opposite sides of said casting pivotally supporting said casting for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a carrier casting supporting said upright posts; and a mounting sleeve pivotally receiving said carrier casting for rotation of the carrier casting about a vertical axis, and mounted on said housing; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means further including a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said housing; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end connected to said housing through said boom mounting assembly.

Claim 4

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: at least one front wheel; a pair of rear wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing; a boom mounting assembly movably connecting said telescoping boom to said vehicle, said mounting assembly comprising: a casting having a central bore rotatably receiving the end of said boom; a pair of upright posts on opposite sides of said casting pivotally supporting said casting for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a carrier casting supporting said upright posts; and a mounting sleeve pivotally receiving said carrier casting for rotation of the carrier casting about a vertical axis, and mounted on said housing; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means further including a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said housing; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end connected to said housing through said boom mounting assembly.

Claim 5

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: at least one front wheel; a pair of rear wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a Vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; a steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means comprising: telescoping tubular means extending the length of said telescoping boom and including a pair of telescoping, interengaging tubular parts keyed to each other for mutual rotation about a common longitudinal axis for transmitting torque from one of said tubular parts to the other, said tubular parts being positioned along the longitudinal axis thereof independently of the rotation of said boom about the longitudinal axis thereof; a moveable hand grip disposed at said other end of said boom; means for rotating the telescoping tubular means of said throttle means about its longitudinal axis connected between one of said telescoping tubular parts and said hand grip for rotating said one tubular part when said hand grip is moved; and linkage means connected between the end of said telescoping tubular means adjacent said housing and said engine for adjusting the speed of said engine when said telescoping tubular means is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of the boom from the end connected to said housing.

Claim 6

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: at least one front wheel; a pair of rear wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a Vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; a steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means comprising: telescoping tubular means extending the length of said telescoping boom and including a pair of telescoping, interengaging tubular parts keyed to each other for mutual rotation about a common longitudinal axis for transmitting torque from one of said tubular parts to the other, said tubular parts being positioned along the longitudinal axis thereof independently of the rotation of said boom about the longitudinal axis thereof; a moveable hand grip disposed at said other end of said boom; means for rotating the telescoping tubular means of said throttle means about its longitudinal axis connected between one of said telescoping tubular parts and said hand grip for rotating said one tubular part when said hand grip is moved; and linkage means connected between the end of said telescoping tubular means adjacent said housing and said engine for adjusting the speed of said engine when said telescoping tubular means is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of the boom from the end connected to said housing.

Claim 7

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said vehicle for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; a boom mounting assembly moveably connecting the telescoping boom to said vehicle and including: a rigid member having a bore therein rotatably receiving the end of the boom; a pair of upright posts on opposite sides of said rigid member pivotally supporting said rigid member for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a carrier element supporting said upright posts; and a mounting sleeve pivotally receiving said carrier element for rotation of the carrier element about a vertical axis, and mounted on said housing; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending along said boom from one end thereof to the other, and having one of its ends connected to said engine and having a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said engine; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of the boom from the end connected to said housing.

Claim 8

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said vehicle for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; a boom mounting assembly moveably connecting the telescoping boom to said vehicle and including: a rigid member having a bore therein rotatably receiving the end of the boom; a pair of upright posts on opposite sides of said rigid member pivotally supporting said rigid member for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a carrier element supporting said upright posts; and a mounting sleeve pivotally receiving said carrier element for rotation of the carrier element about a vertical axis, and mounted on said housing; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending along said boom from one end thereof to the other, and having one of its ends connected to said engine and having a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said engine; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of the boom from the end connected to said housing.

Claim 9

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing, said boom being connected to said housing for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending along the length of said boom and including: control means extending the length of said boom and including a pair of elongated, relatively slideable parts rotatably keyeD to each other for mutual rotation about a common longitudinal axis, and axially slideable in relation to each other for extending and foreshortening the length of said control means, said control means being positioned along the longitudinal axis of the telescoping boom and mounted in the boom for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof independently of the rotation of said boom about the longitudinal axis thereof; manually actuated means at the end of said boom remote from said housing for rotating said control means about its longitudinal axis; and linkage means connected between said engine and the end of said control means which is adjacent said housing, for adjusting the speed of said engine when said control means is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end thereof connected to said housing.

Claim 10

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a housing supported on said wheels; and a motor mounted in said housing; an elongated, telescoping boom having one end movably connected to said housing, said boom being connected to said housing for movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon movement of said boom relative to said housing; throttle means extending along the length of said boom and including: control means extending the length of said boom and including a pair of elongated, relatively slideable parts rotatably keyeD to each other for mutual rotation about a common longitudinal axis, and axially slideable in relation to each other for extending and foreshortening the length of said control means, said control means being positioned along the longitudinal axis of the telescoping boom and mounted in the boom for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof independently of the rotation of said boom about the longitudinal axis thereof; manually actuated means at the end of said boom remote from said housing for rotating said control means about its longitudinal axis; and linkage means connected between said engine and the end of said control means which is adjacent said housing, for adjusting the speed of said engine when said control means is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle including a brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end thereof connected to said housing.

Claim 11

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; and a motor supported above and drivingly connected to said wheels; an elongated, telescoping control boom; a boom mounting assembly movably connecting one end of said elongated boom to said vehicle for movement of the boom in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement of the boom sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation of the boom and about its longitudinal axis; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon rotation of said boom about its longitudinal axis; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means further including a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said self-propelled vehicle; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle, including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end connected to said self-propelled vehicle through said boom mounting assembly.

Claim 12

Apparatus for towing a skier comprising: a self-propelled vehicle including: a plurality of ground engaging wheels; and a motor supported above and drivingly connected to said wheels; an elongated, telescoping control boom; a boom mounting assembly movably connecting one end of said elongated boom to said vehicle for movement of the boom in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, for movement of the boom sideways about a vertical axis, and for rotation of the boom and about its longitudinal axis; steering means connected between said boom and said self-propelled vehicle for steering said self-propelled vehicle upon rotation of said boom about its longitudinal axis; throttle means extending through said boom and having one end connected to said engine, said throttle means further including a manual throttle control at the opposite end of said boom from its end connected to said self-propelled vehicle; and means for braking said self-propelled vehicle, including a manually actuated brake energizing device disposed at said opposite end of said boom from the end connected to said self-propelled vehicle through said boom mounting assembly.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said steering means comprises: a cable ring mounted on said boom for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis thereof; and cables secured to said ring and responsive to the rotation thereof for steering said vehicle.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said throttle means comprises: a telescoping tubular rod extending the length of said telescoping boom and including two telescoping, interengaging tubular parts keyed to each other for transmitting torque from one of said parts to the other, said tubular parts being positioned along the longitudinal axis of said telescoping boom and mounted in said boom for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof; a rotating hand grip disposed at said other end of said boom; means for rotating said tubular rod about its longitudinal axis connected between said tubular rod and said hand grip; and a linkage connected to the end of said tubular rod adjacent said housing for rotation with said tubular rod about the longitudinal axis thereof, and adapted for connection to said engine.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for braking said self-propelled vehicle comprises: a pair of hydraulic brakes for braking a pair of said wheels and each including: a hydraulic cylinder; a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder; a piston rod secured to said piston and projecting from said cylinder; electrical circuitry including: said manually actuated energizing device; a pair of solenoids each of which is associated with one of said hydraulic brakes; and circuit means connected between said manually actuated energizing device and said solenoids for energizing said solenoids when said energizing device is actuated; and mechanical linkages interconnecting Each of said solenoids to one of said piston rods for reciprocating said piston rods when said solenoids are energized.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further characterized as including a control handle subassembly secured to said opposite end of said boom, said control handle subassembly comprising: a rigid frame extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said boom and secured to said opposite end of said boom; and hand grips at opposite ends of said frame, one of said hand grips constituting the rotating hand grip of said throttle means.