Abstract:
An attractive wake tower assembly of a unique, generally U-Shaped configuration that can be readily pivotally mounted on powerboats of various constructions to enable the wake tower assembly to be pivoted from an upstanding to a lowered position. The wake tower assembly is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator. Each of the side members of the assembly has an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which is generally oval in cross section. The lower portion of each of the side members have a first width and the upper portion of each of the sides having a second width less than the first width; and a bight portion interconnecting the upper portions of the sides, the bight portion being generally circular in cross section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to water sports such as wakeboarding. More particularly, the invention concerns a wake tower of novel construction for use with powerboats for towing a performer behind the boat using a towrope that is connected to the wake tower.  
           [0003]    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 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.  
           [0004]    Typically, the prior art wake towers comprise a rather large and somewhat elaborate framework that is affixed to the boat deck. Such prior art wake towers are heavy and generally quite cumbersome to install and remove from the boat. Further, such towers may interfere with the boat&#39;s passage beneath bridges and other types of overpasses. Additionally, because of the complexity of the frame-work of several of the prior art wake towers, visibility of the operator of the boat can be impaired. Exemplary of somewhat typical types of prior art wake towers are those illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,350 issued to Larson et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,819 issued to Larson et al.  
           [0005]    To accommodate the overhead clearance problem exhibited by certain of the prior art wake towers, some prior art wake tower structures can be dismantled if necessary. However, such prior art structures often have questionable structural stability when erected and can present substantial safety hazards after being disassembled. For example, after the wake tower structures have been disassembled they can present a substantial tripping hazard to passengers on the boat especially when the boat is being rocked by waves. Further, in their dismantled configuration, the wake tower structures typically undesirably reduce the usable space on the boat deck.  
           [0006]    Another approach to accommodating overhead clearance problems has been to construct a wake tower assembly that is pivotally interconnected with the gun-wales of the boat so that the wake tower can be moved from an elevated position to a lowered position. Exemplary of this prior art approach, it is a wake tower assembly sold by the Titan Company of Rancho Cordova, Calif.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    By way of summary, one form of the wake tower assembly of the present invention comprises a first base member that can be connected to the gunwale on one side of a power boat; a second base member that can be connected to the gun-wale on the opposite side to of a power boat; a generally U-shaped, structural member having a first curved side connected to the first base member and a second curved side connected to the second base member, each of the sides having an upper portion and a lower portion each of which is generally oval in cross-section, the lower portion of each of the sides having a first width and the upper portion of each of the sides having a second width less than the first width; and a bight portion interconnecting the upper portions of the sides, the bight portion being either generally circular or generally oval in cross-section. In one form of the invention, the U-shaped structural member can be pivoted downwardly toward the bow of the powerboat and in another form of the invention the U-shaped structural member can be pivoted downwardly toward the stern of the boat.  
           [0008]    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.  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly of the aforementioned character that is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator.  
           [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly of the character described that can be easily attached and detached from the powerboat.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly as described in the preceding paragraphs, which can be pivoted from a first upright position to a second lowered position.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly of the class described in which the U-shaped portion of the tower is fabricated from light weight metal tubing that is first swaged into a unique configuration and then is strategically formed to create high strength, gracefully curved side portions having a tapered, oval shape and a bight portion that is generally circular in cross-section.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly of the of the character described in which the U-shaped portion of the tower is cast by conventional metal casting techniques into a unique configuration having gracefully curved side portions that are generally oval shape in cross-section. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the wake tower of the present invention shown affixed to the gunwales of a powerboat.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a top view, partly in cross-section, illustrating one form of the method of the invention for making the wake tower.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section further illustrating the method of the invention for making the wake tower.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away to show internal construction, of the form of the wake tower shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 5.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is in enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of FIG. 6.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is in enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 6.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one of the base members and one of the connecting segments of the wake tower of the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower portion of one side of the wake tower of the invention illustrating the manner in which the wake tower pivots relative to the base member.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of wake tower of the present invention shown mounted on the gunwales of a powerboat.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner of making one of the side members of the wake tower shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the wake tower of the alternate form of the invention shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  15 - 15  of FIG. 14.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a view taken along lines  16 - 16  of FIG. 14.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of FIG. 16.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  18 - 18  of FIG. 17.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  19 - 19  of FIG. 17.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of FIG. 17.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17, but illustrating the rearward pivotal moment of the wake tower of the alternate form of the invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of still another form of the wake tower of the invention that is cast from a metal such as aluminum.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 23 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  23 - 23  of FIG. 22.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  24 - 24  of FIG. 23.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 25 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the area designated as “ 25 ” in FIG. 22.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  26 - 26  of FIG. 25.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  27 - 27  of FIG. 25 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0041]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 4 and  5 , one form of the wake tower of the invention is shown interconnected with a powerboat  30  of conventional construction having a bow portion  30   a  and a stern portion  30   b . As best seen in FIG. 5, the powerboat also has first and second transversely spaced apart gunwales  32  and  34  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  36  connected to the first gunwale  32  and an upwardly extending second base member  38  connected to said second gunwale  34 . The base members  36  and  38  are of a curved configuration and are preferably cast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum.  
         [0042]    Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardly extending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral  40 . The structural assembly  40  includes a generally “L” shaped structural member  42  having a first curved side  42   a  and a cast aluminum, first connector segment  44 . Structural member  40   a  is connected to aluminum first connector segment  44  by any suitable means such as welding. In a manner presently to be described, connector segment  44  is, in turn, pivotally connected to first base member  36 . Structural assembly  40  also includes a second generally “L” shaped structural member  46  having a curved side  46   a  and a second, cast aluminum connector segment  48  that is connected to second curved side  46   a  by any suitable means such as welding. Connector segment  48  is, in turn, pivotally connected second base member  38 .  
         [0043]    As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, each of the sides of structural assembly  40  is first swaged into the desired configuration and then is strategically formed to create a gracefully curved, tapered portion having an oval shape. More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the sides of the structural assembly  40  includes a lower portion  51  having a first width W and an upper portion  53  having a second width W- 1  that is substantially less than said first width W. structural assembly  40  further includes a bight portion  54  interconnecting upper portions  53  of the sides. As indicated in FIG. 4, bight portion  54  is generally circular in cross-section. However, it is to be understood that, for certain applications, bight  54  can be oval in cross-section.  
         [0044]    In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 11, the wake tower further includes a tow rope connector member  56  that is connected to and spans upper portion  53  of the sides  42  and  46 . Connected to the connector member  56  is a conventional type of connector  58  to which the towrope “TR” can be connected.  
         [0045]    Turning next to FIGS. 6, 7 and  8 , a portion of one side of the wake tower of the invention is there shown. It is to be understood that the other side of the wake tower is of a similar construction, but is not shown in the drawings in order to simplify the specification. Each of the base members is provided with a cavity  60  and each of the connector segments is provided with a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending ears  62  and  64  that are receivable within the base member cavities. As shown in FIG. 6, downwardly extending ear  62  has a bore  62   a  formed therein. Similarly, downwardly extending ear  64  has a bore  64   a  formed therein. Receivable within bore  62   a  is a pivot pin  66  about which side  46  and connector segment  48  can pivot in the manner shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0046]    As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, pivot pin  66  extends through aligned bores  69  formed in base member  38 . Similarly, a locking pin  72  is receivable within bore  64   a  formed in ear  64 . Pivot pin  66  extends through aligned bores  73  formed in base member  38  and, when in position within these openings in the manner shown in FIGS.  6  in  9 , prevents pivotal movement of side  46  and connector segment  48  about pivot pin  66 . As indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 7, when the locking pin  72  is removed from the base member, the combination of side  46  and connector segment  48  is free to pivot about pivot pin  66  in the manner shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0047]    In accordance with one form of the method of making the wake tower illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11, the first and second base members  36  and  38  are cast in a conventional manner from a suitable lightweight castable material such as aluminum and are appropriately finished. This done, the base members are interconnected with the powerboat by a plurality of threaded connectors  76  in the manner shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0048]    The side members  42   a  and  46   a  are each formed individually by first heating a first length of tubing to an elevated, annealing temperature. This first length of tubing, which by way of example can be 6061-T6 aluminum tubing, that has a diameter of approximately 5 inches, a first end  80   a  and a second end  80   b . In the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, the heated length of tubing is swaged by conventional technique well known to those skilled in the art to form a first swaged tube  80  having a tapered swaged portion  82 . Swaged portion  82  has a first end  84  of first diameter D-1, a second end  86  of a second lesser diameter D-2 and a uniform diameter portion  86  having a diameter D-3 substantially equal to said second lesser diameter D-2.  
         [0049]    Using an appropriate forming dye, the tapered swaged portion  82  of the swaged tube  82  is strategically formed to produce a tapered swaged portion  82   a  and an elongated uniform diameter portion  86   a  (FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 3, swaged portion  82   a  is generally oval shaped in cross-section and has a thickness “E”. Swaged portion  82   a  has a width W-1, while uniform diameter portion  86   a  has a lesser width W-2. This swaging step is done in a conventional manner using conventional tooling that is of the character well understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0050]    Following the swaging step, the swaged to first tube  80  is strategically bent into the desired shape to form a first bent tube that is generally “L” shaped in configuration and generally corresponds to the shape of member  42   a.    
         [0051]    Next, first connector segment  44  is cast in a conventional manner from a light weight castable material such aluminum and is connected by any suitable means such as welding to the bent tube formed by the swaging step to form a first wake tower subassembly  42 , which generally corresponds to one-half of the structural assembly  40 .  
         [0052]    Following the forming of the first wake tower subassembly, a second length of aluminum tubing is swaged and formed in the identical manner described in the preceding paragraphs to produce a second side  46   a . This done, second connector segment  48  is suitably cast from a light weight metal such as aluminum and is interconnected as by welding was second side  46   a  to form assembly  46  that generally corresponds to the second half of the structural assembly  40 .  
         [0053]    Next, the elongated, uniform diameter portions of the first and second wake tower subassemblies  42  and  46  are interconnected at their ends as by a welding to form the structural member  40 .  
         [0054]    After completion of the construction of the structural member  40  in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs, the structural member is pivotally interconnected with the base members  36  and  38  in the manner depicted in FIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings to form the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. More particularly, the ears formed on each of the connector segments are inserted into the base cavities, the pivot pins  66  are inserted into bores  69  and  62   a  and the locking pins are inserted into bores  73  and  64   a . With this construction, when it is desired to pivot the structural member into the forwardly stowed position in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, locking pin  72  are removed from bores  73  and  64   a  to permit the structural member to pivot about pivot pins  66 .  
         [0055]    Turning next to FIGS. 12 through 21 an alternate form of the wake tower of the invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral  90 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 11 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 12 through 21 to identify like components. One of the main differences between this latest form of the invention and the earlier described form resides in the fact that the wake tower slopes rearwardly instead of forwardly and instead of being pivotally movable toward the bow of the boat, is pivotally movable toward the stern of the boat as shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, wake tower  90  is shown interconnected with a powerboat  30  of conventional construction having a bow portion  30   a , a stem portion  30   b  and first and second spaced apart gunwales  32  and  34  respectively. In this latest form of the invention, the wake tower includes an upwardly extending first base member  96  that is connected to the first gunwale  32  and an upwardly extending second base member  98  that is connected to said second gunwale  34 . The base members  96  and  98  are of a curved configuration and are preferably cast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum.  
         [0057]    Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardly extending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral  100 . The structural assembly  100  includes a generally “L” shaped structural member  102  having a first curved side  102   a  and a cast aluminum first connector segment  104 . Structural member  102  is connected to aluminum first connector segment  104  by any suitable means such as welding. In a manner presently to be described, connector segment  104  is, in turn, pivotally connected to first base member  96 . Structural assembly  100  also includes a second generally “L” shaped structural member  106  having a curved side  106   a  and a second, cast aluminum connector segment  108  that is connected to second curved side  106   a  by any suitable means such as welding. Connector segment  108  is, in turn, pivotally connected second base member  98 .  
         [0058]    As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, each of the sides of structural assembly  100  is first swaged into the desired configuration and then is strategically formed to create an elongated swaged portion having an oval shape (see FIGS. 13 and 15). As indicated in FIG. 14, in this latest form of the invention, the bight portion  110  of the structural assembly  100  is also generally oval shaped in cross-section. Unlike the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the tow rope TR is directly connected to a connector  112  that is connected to bight portion  110  proximate the center thereof.  
         [0059]    Turning next to FIGS. 17 through 20, a portion of one side of the wake tower of this latest form of the invention is there shown. It is to be understood that the other side of the wake tower is of a similar construction, but is not shown in the drawings in order to simplify the specification. As best seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, each of the base members is provided with a cavity  114  and each of the connector segments is provided with a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending ears  116  and  118  that are receivable within the base member cavities. As shown in FIG. 17, downwardly extending ear  116  has a bore  116   a  formed therein and, similarly, downwardly extending ear  118 , which has a length greater than the length of the ear  116 , has a bore  118   a  formed therein. Receivable within bore  118   a  is a pivot pin  120  about which side  106  and connector segment  108  can pivot in the manner shown in FIG. 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, pivot pin  120  extends through aligned bores  123  formed in base member  98 . Similarly, a locking pin  124  is receivable within bore  116   a  formed in ear  116 . Locking pin  124  extends through aligned bores  125  formed in base member  98  and, when in position within these openings in the manner shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, prevents pivotal movement of side  106  and connector segment  108  about pivot pin  120 . As indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 20, when the locking pin  124  is removed from the base member, the combination of side  106  and connector segment  108  is free to pivot about pivot pin  120  in the manner shown in FIG. 21.  
         [0060]    In accordance with an alternate form of the method of making the wake tower illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 21, the first and second base members  96  and  98  are cast in a conventional manner from a suitable lightweight castable material such as aluminum and are appropriately finished. This done, the base members can be interconnected with the powerboat by a plurality of threaded connectors  129  in the manner shown in FIG. 17.  
         [0061]    The side members  102   a  and  106   a  are each formed individually by first heating to an elevated, annealing temperature a first length of tubing, such as 6061-T6 aluminum tubing that has a diameter of approximately 5 inches. The heated length of tubing is swaged in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art to form a first swaged tube  130  of the general configuration shown in FIG. 12. Using an appropriate forming dye, the swaged tube  130  is strategically formed so that it is generally oval shaped in cross-section. This swaging step is done in a conventional manner using conventional tooling that is of the character well understood by those skilled in the art. Following the swaging step, the swaged to first tube  130  is strategically bent into the desired shape to form a first bent tube that is generally “L” shaped in configuration and generally corresponds to the shape of member  102   a.    
         [0062]    Next, first connector segment  104  is cast in a conventional manner from a light weight castable material such aluminum and is connected by any suitable means such as welding to the bent tube formed by the swaging step to form a first wake tower subassembly  102 , which generally corresponds to one-half of the structural assembly  100 .  
         [0063]    Following the forming of the first wake tower subassembly, a second length of aluminum tubing is swaged and formed in the identical manner described in the preceding paragraphs to produce a second side  106   a . This done, second connector segment  108  is suitably cast from a light weight metal such as aluminum and is interconnected as by welding was second side  106   a  to form assembly  106  that generally corresponds to the second half of the structural assembly  100 .  
         [0064]    Next, the first and second wake tower subassemblies  102  and  106  are interconnected at their ends as by a welding to form the structural member  100 . After completing the construction of the structural member  100  in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs, the structural member is pivotally interconnected with the base members  96  and  98  as illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings to form the construction shown in FIGS. 12 and 16. More particularly, the ears formed on each of the connector segments are inserted into the base cavities, the pivot pins  120  are inserted into bores  123  and  118   a  and the locking pins are inserted into bores  125  and  116   a . With this construction, when it is desired to pivot the structural member rearwardly into the stowed position in the manner illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 14, locking pin  124  is removed from bores  125  and  116   a  to permit the structural member to pivot about pivot pin  120 .  
         [0065]    Referring to FIGS. 22 through 27, still another form of the wake tower of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  140 . This embodiment is also similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 11 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 12 through 21 to identify like components. The main differences between this latest form of the invention and that earlier described resides in the fact that the wake tower is cast by conventional casting techniques from a lightweight metal such as aluminum or from other suitable castable materials such as plastic.  
         [0066]    Referring to FIG. 25 of the drawings, wake tower  140  is interconnected with a powerboat  30  of the previously described, conventional construction having a bow portion, a stem portion and first and second spaced apart gunwales. As before, the wake tower includes an upwardly extending first base member  36  that is connected to the first gunwale and an upwardly extending second base member  38  that is connected to said second gunwale. The base members are of a curved configuration and are also preferably cast from a lightweight material such as aluminum or the like.  
         [0067]    Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardly extending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral  142 . The structural assembly  142  includes a pair of generally “L” shaped structural members each having a curved side  142   a  and a connector segment  142   b  that includes a basewall  142   c  that closes the lower extremity of the curved sides  142   a . The connector segments  142   b  are pivotally connected to the first and second base members in the manner previously described to enable the structural assembly to be pivoted into the stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 4. More particularly, as earlier discussed herein, the ears  62  and  64 , which form a part of the connector segments, are inserted into the base cavities  60 , the pivot pins  66  are inserted into bores  62   a  and the locking pins are inserted into bores  64   a . With this construction, when it is desired to pivot the structural member into the stowed position in the manner previously described, locking pins  72  are removed from bores  73  to permit the structural member to pivot about pivot pins  66 .  
         [0068]    As best seen in FIGS. 22 and 25, each of the sides of the structural assembly  140  includes a lower portion having a first width W and an upper portion having a second width W-1 that is substantially less than said first width W. Structural assembly  140  further includes a bight portion  144  that interconnects the upper portions of the sides (FIG. 22). As indicated in FIGS. 22, 23 and  24 , bight portion  144  is generally circular in cross-section. At the time of assembly of the structural assembly  142 , the bight portions are interconnected together by any suitable means such as welding (see FIG. 23). As illustrated in FIG. 26, the sides of the structural assembly are generally oval in cross-section. It is to be understood that the two sides of the wake tower  140  are of a similar construction, but only one side a shown in the drawings in order to simplify the specification.  
         [0069]    In this latest form of the invention, like the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 11, the wake tower  140  further includes a tow rope connector member  146  that is connected to and spans upper portion of the sides  142   a . Connected to the connector member  146  is a conventional type of connector  58  to which the towrope “TR” can be connected.  
         [0070]    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.