Readily detachable water ski towline pay-out and retrieval apparatus

Abstract

Abstract Water ski towline reel apparatus is disclosed which may be detachably affixed to a semi-permanently fixed bracket disposed at the rear of a towboat. An elongated rod is provided with two right angle bends directed such that the rod ends are parallel to one another. An outer rod end is adapted to receive the reel acting as the shaft therefor. The inner rod end is welded to a channel member after being inserted through aligned holes in opposite sides and near one end thereof. The channel member is provided with a pair of notches near its other end and is adapted to pass vertically through a pair of apertures in a U-shaped mounting bracket affixed to the rear of a towboat. The length of the channel member is sufficient for the end carrying the reel shaft to clear the upper surface of the upper bracket leg when the notches engage the lower bracket leg. Spring loading means bearing on the side of the channel member urge the notches into such engagement until it is desired to remove the reel apparatus from the bracket. When such removal is to be effected, the channel member is pushed against the spring means to disengage the notches from the lower bracket arm such that the channel member and reel assembly may be lifted through the apertures in the channel arms for remote storage. A three position friction brake variably bears against one side of the reel to achieve locking, restraining, and free-running operation as may be required during use of the apparatus. The rope is fed through the channel member beneath the inner rod end in order to provide a safety factor in which a knot in the rope near the attached end is stopped, because of its size, between the rod end and the upper surface of the upper bracket leg. Thus, any sudden strain resulting from complete pay-out of the towline from the reel is taken by the bracket rather than the reel.

Inventors

• 👤 J Pickrell

Bibliographic Details