Wake tower   

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water sports such as wakeboarding. More particularly, the invention concerns an improved wake tower of novel construction for use with powerboats for towing a performer behind the boat using a tow rope that is connected to the wake tower, the improved wake tower including a navigation and tow module connected to the top portion of the wake tower for movement between a first position and a second position.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

In recent years the sport of wakeboarding has become very popular. As the name implies, the wake boarder intentionally rides the wake of the boat and prefers to have as large a wake as possible generated behind the boat. Experience has shown that to take full advantage of the wake generated by the boat, it is preferable to anchor the towline used to tow the wake boarder at a relatively high elevation above the deck of the boat. Accordingly, a large number of elevated wake towers of various constructions have been suggested in the past.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,350 issued to Larson, et al. illustrates and describes a typical type of prior art wake tower and illustrates a typical type of towline anchor that consists of a tow rope connector element that is fixedly mounted proximate the central portion of the top of the wake tower.

SUMMARY

By way of summary, one form of the improved wake tower assembly of the present invention for use in combination with a sports boat having first and second spaced-apart gunwales and a wake tower, comprises a first side connected to the first gunwale, a second side connected to the second gunwale and a top portion connected to and spanning the first and second sides, the improvement comprising a navigation and tow module that is connected to the top portion of the wake tower for movement between a first position and a second position and uniquely comprises both a light and a tow rope connector element. When the module is in a first position the tow rope connector is in a stowed position and the light extends upwardly to function as a running light. Conversely, when the module is in the second position, the tow rope connector is accessible and the light extends downwardly to illuminate the interior of the sports boat.

With the foregoing summary in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly attractive wake tower assembly of a unique, generally U-shaped configuration that can be readily mounted on powerboats of various constructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wake tower assembly of the aforementioned character that includes a novel navigation and tow module that comprises both a tow rope connector element and a light that can be positioned for use as a running light, or alternatively can be positioned for illuminating the cabin of the powerboat.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wake tower assembly as described in the preceding paragraphs that includes a novel navigation and tow module that is of a compact design and is of a simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wake tower assembly that includes a novel navigation and tow module that is easy to install, is easy to use and is reliable in operation.

The foregoing as well as other objects of the invention will be achieved by the novel wake tower assembly, the details of construction of which are described in the paragraphs which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, rear view of one form of the improved wake tower of the present invention shown affixed to the gunwales of a powerboat.

FIG. 1A is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of the area designated in FIG. 1 as “1A-1A”.

FIB. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 1B-1B of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one form of the navigation and tow module of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the navigation and tow module of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the navigation and tow module and interface block of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the navigation and tow module and interface block as they appear in the first position.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the navigation and tow module pivoted into an intermediate position.

FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the navigation and tow module pivoted into the second position.

As used herein the following terms have the following meanings:

“Tow rope connector” means a connector element that is disposed proximate the top of the wake tower and is readily accessible so that the tow rope can be readily connected thereto.

“Module” means a self-contained component of the wake tower of the sports boat, which has a well-defined interface to the other components of the wake tower and can be interchanged as a unit without disassembly of the module.

“Detent” means a catch which upon being removed initiates motion of a mechanism

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one form of the wake tower 14 of the invention is shown interconnected with a powerboat 16 of conventional construction having a bow portion 16a and a stern portion 16b. As shown in FIG. 1, the powerboat 16 also has first and second spaced-apart gunwales 18 and 20 respectively to which the wake tower is connected. In the present form of the invention the wake tower includes an upwardly extending first base member 22 connected to the first gunwale 18 and an upwardly extending second base member 24 connected to the second gunwale 20. The base members 22 and 24 are of a curved configuration and are preferably cast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum. Connected to first base member 22 is a curved side member 28 and connected to second base member 24 is a curved side member 30. Connected to and spanning the first and second curved side members is a rearwardly curved top portion 32. Top portion 32 includes a first curved segment 34 that is connected to side member 28 and a second curved segment 36 that is connected to side member 30. Curved top portion 32 also includes a generally centrally located interface block 38 that has first and second end portions 40 and 42 and an interconnected central portion 44 (FIG. 1A). Provided at the first end portion 40 are connector elements 46 and provided at the second end portion 42 are connector elements 48. As best seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a shaft 50 is connected to and spans first and second end portions 40 and 42.

Connected to shaft 50 for rotation relative thereto between the first position shown in FIG. 5 and the second position shown in FIG. 7, is the important navigation and tow module 52 of the invention is. As best seen in FIGS. 1A, 2, 3 and 4, navigation and tow module 52 here comprises a body portion 54 having a first end portion 54a and a second end portion 54b. First end portion 54a is provided with a threaded bore 57 and a second end portion 54b is provided with a cavity 59 (FIG. 4).

A tow rope connector element 60 is connected to a first end portion 54a of body portion 54 and a light assembly 64 is connected to a second end portion 54b of body 54. More particularly, tow rope connector element 60 includes a head portion 62 to which a tow rope “TR” can be interconnected (FIG. 7) and a threaded shaft 65 that is threadably receivable within threaded bore 57 of second end portion 54a in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, light assembly 64 has a lighted dome portion 64a and a base portion 66 that is closely received within cavity 59 of said second end portion 54b. Light assembly 64 includes a conventional light source 69 that is powered in a conventional manner by the electrical power source of the sports boat (not shown). The method of interconnection of the light source 69 with the electrical power source of a powerboat is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Forming another important feature of the improved wake tower of the present invention is a locking mechanism for releasably locking the body portion 54 of the navigation and tow module in the first position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. In the present form of the invention this important locking mechanism is provided in the form of a conventional detent assembly 72 that is carried within a bore 73 provided in the central portion 44 of the interface block 38 (FIG. 4). Detent assembly 72 here comprises a rounded locking member 74 that is telescopically movable within bore 73 between a first extended position and a second retracted position. Detent assembly 72 also comprises a conventional coil spring 76 that is disposed within bore 73. Coil spring 76 functions in a conventional manner to yieldably resist movement of the locking member within the bore 73 between the first extended position and the second retracted position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, first end 54a of body 54 is provided with a bore 75 that closely receives a cylindrical member 78 (see also FIG. 3). Similarly, a second end 54b of body 54 is provided with a bore 79 that closely receives a cylindrical member 80 (see also FIG. 3). With this construction, when the navigation and tow module is in the first position shown in FIG. 4, locking member 74 is urged outwardly into engagement with the opening in cylindrical member 75 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. However, when a rotational force is exerted on the navigation and tow module in the direction of the arrow 81 of FIG. 6, locking member 74 will be urged inwardly of bore 72 against the urging of spring 76 (FIG. 4) so as to permit rotation of the navigation and tow module in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. When the navigation and tow module reaches the position shown in FIG. 7, locking member 74 will be urged by spring 76 into the opening formed in cylindrical member 80 so as to lock the navigation and tow module in the second position. In this position, the tow rope element 60 is in the upward operational position so that the tow rope “TR” can be interconnected thereto and the light assembly 64 is in the downward position so as to illuminate the cabin of the sports boat. When it is desired to stow the tow rope connector elements, the navigation and tow module can be conveniently rotated in the opposite direction to lock it into the starting position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.