Rope management system for watersports activities   

Abstract: On any given powerboat and any given day on the water the activities of different types of riders/watersports enthusiasts may need ski ropes of different lengths to encompass the experience level of the rider and or the type of watersports activity. The type of powerboat, the experience level of the rider, the amount of wake generated at given distances “off” the powerboat can vary. It is beneficial to be able to adjust the “off” distance of the rider from the powerboat to ensure the rider can use the optimal portion of the powerboats wake to perform tricks. This patent will describe a device that will enable the controlled dispensing, retraction and storage of the ski rope, free from tangles and knots while providing a means to measure, adjust and control the “off” distance of the ski rope for all types of watersports activities and rider experience levels.

Provisional application No. 61/366,120 filed on Jul. 20 2010, Rope Management System for watersports activities

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of watersports, where a person may be pulled by a powerboat. Watersports are defined as various sports, such as skiing, slalom skiing, wake skating, wake surfing, wakeboarding, barefoot skiing and ski jumping. This patent specifically relates to a new invention that can be used during watersports for controlled dispensing, retracting and storage of the ski rope while providing a means to positively measure, adjust and control the “off” distance of the ski rope while eliminating the opportunity for tangles while being attachable and detachable from the powerboat\'s wakeboard tower or ski pylon or other suitable location. The present invention incorporates several features that enable the watersports enthusiast to quickly dispense, use and retract the ski rope for aggravation free use.

2. Background Of The Invention

Watersports enthusiasts are always looking to quickly get out on the water with little delay. Watersports such as skiing, wakeboarding, wake skating and wake surfing, slalom skiing and skiing all require the use of a ski rope. The ski rope can be an item that, when stored using the current art on a boat, may become tangled, causing knots in the ski rope and delays when getting onto the water. Furthermore, depending on the watersport of personnel choice, different ski rope lengths may be required. The length of the ski rope is called the ski rope “off” distance, meaning the distance off the back of the powerboat the ski rope provides the enthusiast. The length of ski rope needed for wakeboarding is different than wake surfing which is different than slalom skiing. Furthermore, depending on experience level of the watersports enthusiast the ski rope length may be different. For instance two different wakeboarders may want different ski rope lengths because of different skill levels, riding styles and wakeboard styles. Current art consists of three areas; Ski rope that requires manual knotting, ski rope requires several pre-determined loops or any of the several attempts that have been made to use mechanisms to dispense and retract the ski rope all requiring improvement to the art. The current art does not enable usage across all the various skill levels, activities or possibility of riders and riding styles. The current art also does not allow for consistent and accurate off distances to be measured and maintained as well as a means to ensure non-consecutive interlaced rope layers are formed on the rope spool.

SUMMARY

The present invention is to provide a new way for controlled dispensing, retracting and storage of the ski rope while providing a means to positively measure, adjust and control the “off” distance of the ski rope. The present invention will eliminate ski rope tangles and knots as well as provide a means to infinitely vary the ski rope off distance. The present invention is called a ski rope management system for watersports activities because it will manage all aspects of the employment of ski ropes providing consistent, time effective, repeatable usage for a more enjoyable time on the water while providing the enthusiast with consistent ski rope performance. In summary, the new design method for a ski rope management system for watersports activities employs a number of novel design features as follows: A rope containment system that stores and enables dispensing and retraction of a ski rope while maintaining the ski rope from tangles and knots. The system has the ability to work with various ski rope types, materials etc. A location to store the ski rope handle while system is not in use. System contains a novel means to ensure ski rope is retracted without non-consecutive interlaced rope layers that would interfere with consistent tangle free ski rope usage. A ski rope measurement feature that enables the controlled accurate feedback measurement of a ski rope for consistent ski rope off distance from the powerboat, the system also consists of a locking feature to lock the ski rope length where desired. A feature to display the ski rope length. The length display, along with the ski rope length lock will provide repeatable ski rope off distances from use to use. This display is contained within the system but may also be transmitted to a control panel found at the helm of the powerboat. A mounting system that will enable mounting of the system to a variety of wakeboard tower designs and ski pylon designs with a bearing feature that will allow for rotation of the system for most efficient and consistent ski rope movement.

The features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be understood by references to the following description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1: This figure shows a single embodiment of the assembled present invention. This invention would be mounted as shown on a wakeboard tower of plurality designs or in place of the ski pylon of plurality designs while containing the ski rope and mechanisms to fulfill described claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows eight elements to be discussed. 1 illustrates the ski rope storage, dispensing and retraction housing. The housing can be made from a plurality of different materials. The housing may also have a plurality of different variations in size and shape allowing for the plurality of different possible configurations. Inside element 1, is a central ski rope shaft in which the ski rope is attached. This central ski rope shaft provides for the ability to store, dispense, retract and control the length of the ski rope. Inside this element is a device to provide for locking of the ski rope length while not damaging or excessively wearing the ski rope surface. This device also provides for constant tension on the ski rope within the housing to ensure the ski rope does not develop tangles or knots and removes the possibility to get non-consecutive interlaced rope layers on the spool. Also inside element 1 is a device to measure the length of ski rope that has been dispensed with controlled feedback, this device can be mechanical in nature or electronic in nature depending on the variation of the design. 2 Illustrates the wakeboard tower mounting bracket. The bracket shown would be used to mount to a circular tube wakeboard tower of plurality diameters. The mounting bracket may also be designed to attach to a rectangular section wakeboard tower of plurality designs. The mounting bracket may also be of a design that allows for replacement of typical ski pylons as another form of attachment to the powerboat. 3 illustrate the digital camcorder mounting plate, which may vary is shape and size to enable mounting of a plurality of digital camcorder designs. 4 illustrate the ski rope length adjustment lever. This lever enables unwinding and lengthening of the ski rope to the desired length for the desired ski distance off the boat. This lever actuates a locking mechanism that holds the ski rope at the desired length. This lever may be of plurality of designs, shapes and sizes. The lock may be lever by design or by a plurality of other designs including the use of a button which electrically controls the locking device. 5 Illustrates a display that shows the length of ski rope that has been unwound from the ski rope housing 1. This display may be of various designs, either digital or analog in display and function. 6 and 8 illustrates the bearing attachment between the ski rope housing 1 and mounting bracket 2. This bearing enables free rotation between the mount and ski rope housing. This movement enables better ski rope operation while the ski rope is being used by a watersports enthusiast. 7 Illustrates a piece of a ski rope section.

It should be understood that the geometry, compositions and dimensions of the elements described herein can be modified within the scope of the invention and are not intended to be exclusive; rather, they can be modified within the scope of the invention.