Wake Surf Tow System

Abstract

A water sports tow system designed to enhance the experience of wake surfing behind watercraft. It consists of rope(s) assembled into a grasping section and attachment/adjustment section. The tow system is designed to stay in the water while riders are surfing and attaches to the boat, offset to the side of the surfer/rider, so that the surfer may elect to grasp or drop the rope multiple times without interference or entanglement. The attachment method begins at the normal rope pylon on the wake boat tower, then offset is achieved by routing the rope to the side of the tower before extending aft to the surfer. The offset attachment, and length adjustment of the tow system combine to achieve the desired lateral offset for the rope to remain close enough for the rider to reach but out of the rider's way when not in use. The tow system also provides a line to grasp for the surfer to start from still in the water.

Claims

1. A water sports tow system comprising: a constructed rope having a grasping section; an attachment section secured to said grasping section; and a protective sleeve adjustable along the length of said attachment section.

2. A water sports tow system as in claim 1, wherein said grasping section is comprised of rope or ropes braided to a circumference adequate to provide sufficient surface area for the human hand to grip and of designed length to offer maximum options for a watersports rider to grasp while surfing along a boat wake.

3. A water sports tow system as in claim 1, wherein said attachment section is comprised of rope connected to grasping section to attach to a boat tower or other established tow point and provide adjustability in length for the water sports tow system to adapt to specific applications.

4. A water sports tow system as in claim 3, wherein said attachment section has a protective sleeve incorporated that may be moved along the length of the attachment section to prevent abrasion to the water sports tow system and the boat tower.

5. A water sports tow system as in claim 3, wherein said attachment section is designed to attach to a watersports boat tower with lateral offset to the preferred side of the rider.

6. A water sports tow system as in claim 2, wherein said grasping section is of consistent circumference and construction, free of knots, bulges, etc.

7. A water sports tow system as in claim 1, wherein the tow system combines lateral mounting offset and length adjustment to control rope position relative to said rider such that when the tow system is not being held by the rider it is within reach while not impeding the surfing activity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description server to explain the principles of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the Wake Surf Tow System, not attached to a boat, and identifies the key elements.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates how the tow system is attached, and provides an overhead perspective of where the tow system rests with the boat under way and the rider not holding the tow line.

[0014] FIG. 3 demonstrates how adjusting the length of the tow line provides for changes in lateral offset from the rider, and depicts an alternate attachment location.

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts prior art; an example of current surf rope design and demonstrates limitations and hazards of the design. It also provides a visual representation of the surf wake “pocket” and an example of a handle that could be incorporated into the Wake Surf Tow System if desired.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of surfing action with the rider not holding the Surf Tow System but able to pick it up if needed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A watersports tow line designed to give a rider the option to grasp/use the tow line and/or drop the tow line multiple times in a continuous riding or surfing session. The tow line provides an infinite number of grasping locations allowing a rider to move forward and aft to find the optimum surfing location on the watercraft wake. If not held by the rider, the tow line naturally rests in a position not to interfere with the rider but within reach if needed and offers a wide range of area to grasp. The wake surf tow system is approximately 30-35 feet long and comprised of two primary segments; one for grasping and one for attachment and length adjustment. The grasping section (FIGS. 110 & 250), is constructed of braided rope or ropes that are buoyant and non-abrasive such as polypropylene multifilament solid braid rope. The finished grasping section should be approximately 16-20 feet long, and of consistent circumference throughout (approximately 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches) allowing the widest variety of hand sizes to grasp. The texture needed to make the tow line easiest to grasp comes from the natural qualities of the rope and the braid utilized such as a continuous seesaw knot or basic three-strand braid. The consistent circumference of the grasping section prevents injury to the surfer from knots, bulges, etc. (FIG. 440), if the rope slides through the surfer's hands. The grasping section may have an integrated or optional (detachable) small handle or “T” (FIG. 450) near the front of the grasping section (FIG. 140) to provide an easier shape to hold for inexperienced riders when learning to start from still in the water. The attachment/adjustment section (FIGS. 120 & 240) is approximately 15 feet long, and may be constructed of a wide variety of rope types but hollow braid polypropylene rope such as is used in slalom ski ropes works very well. Due to the unique attachment method, a protective sleeve such as vinyl hose is incorporated to protect the rope from abrasion and protect the finish of the boat tower (FIG. 130). The protective sleeve is able to slide throughout the attachment/adjustment section for optimum placement to prevent abrasion where needed. The grasping section is connected to the attachment section by creating a loop when starting the braid of the grasping section (FIG. 140). The loop of the grasping section can then be connected to an eye splice of the attachment section. The rope is attached to the wakesurf boat tower at the normal, central pylon location but is intentionally offset to and through the side of the tower, as high as possible and on the same side as the surfer/rider (FIG. 2). This attachment method along with adjustment of the rope length provides the necessary offset to the rope that; (a.) aids in retrieval of a rider after a fall, and (b.) keeps the rope out of the way when the rider chooses to not hold onto the tow line/rope, while remaining close enough for the rider to grasp if needed (FIG. 2) such as losing momentum and falling out of the “pocket.” The tow line attachment/adjustment section provides for length adjustment similar to a slalom rope by incorporating multiple loop segments or, the user can easily shorten the attachment segment by using a simple, knot-free loop technique.

[0018] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.