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US4893577A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tow rope pylon with rotatable bushing

Assignee: MASTER CRAFT BOAT Co (TN CORPORATION)
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Filing: 1988-05-18
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Granted: 1990-01-16
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Expires: 2008-05-18
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Abstract

Abstract A pylon for a tow rope for water skiing and the like includes a bushing rotatably mounted on the upper end of the pylon for reducing friction between the tow rope and the pylon. The bushing includes a cylindrical central portion and radially enlarged upper and lower ends for maintaining the tow rope on the central portion. A rod on the upper end of the pylon extends through an opening in the bushing, and a cap is threadedly attached to the rod for retaining the bushing on the rod.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael D. Jennings

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 10:34
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/60; B63B34/67

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
A pylon for a tow rope comprising: a base having upper and lower ends for mounting the pylon on a support structure, a bushing rotatably mounted on the upper end of the base, the bushing having a tubular central portion and radially enlarged upper and lower ends for restraining movement of a tow rope off of the tubular central portion, said base including an elongated body portion, a transversely enlarged support flange adjacent the upper end of the base for supporting the bushing, and a rod portion which extends through the tubular central portion of the bushing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
A pylon for a tow rope comprising: a base having upper and lower ends for mounting the pylon on a support structure, a bushing rotatably mounted on the upper end of the base, the bushing having a tubular central portion and radially enlarged upper and lower ends for restraining movement of a tow rope off of the tubular central portion, said base including an elongated body portion, a transversely enlarged support flange adjacent the upper end of the base for supporting the bushing, and a rod portion which extends through the tubular central portion of the bushing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The structure of claim 1 including a cap positioned above the upper end of the bushing and threadedly attached to the rod portion of the base for retaining the bushing on the base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The structure of claim 2 in which the cap is generally spherical and the enlarged upper end of the bushing forms a continuation of the spherical shape of the cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 91 words
A pylon for a tow rope comprising: an elongated pole having a lower end adapted to be attached to a support structure and an upper end, the upper end of the pole having a transversely enlarged support flange and a cylindrical rod extending upwardly from the flange, a tubular bushing having a cylindrical opening, the bushing being rotatably supported by the support flange and the rod extending through the cylindrical opening in the bushing, and a cap above the bushing attached to the rod for retaining the bushing on the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 91 words
A pylon for a tow rope comprising: an elongated pole having a lower end adapted to be attached to a support structure and an upper end, the upper end of the pole having a transversely enlarged support flange and a cylindrical rod extending upwardly from the flange, a tubular bushing having a cylindrical opening, the bushing being rotatably supported by the support flange and the rod extending through the cylindrical opening in the bushing, and a cap above the bushing attached to the rod for retaining the bushing on the rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
The structure of claim 4 in which the bushing includes a cylindrical central portion for holding a rope and radially enlarged upper and lower end portions for restraining movement of the rope off of the central portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The structure of claim 5 in which the bushing is made of polymeric material.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US2793740A Cited
US3285572A Cited
GB1190288A Cited
US3890918A Cited
US4587921A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-01-15 1993-07-17 1994-01-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-01-15 1997-07-17 1998-01-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-01-15 2001-07-17 2002-01-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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