Abstract:
An improved wake tower assembly that can be readily mounted on powerboats of various constructions that includes a novel navigation and tow module that is carried on the upper portion of the wake tower and includes 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.

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 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. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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 
         [0012]      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. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of the area designated in  FIG. 1  as “ 1 A- 1 A”. 
           [0014]    FIB.  1 B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of one form of the navigation and tow module of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the navigation and tow module of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the navigation and tow module and interface block of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the navigation and tow module and interface block as they appear in the first position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 5 , but showing the navigation and tow module pivoted into an intermediate position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side-elevational view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the navigation and tow module pivoted into the second position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    As used herein the following terms have the following meanings: 
         [0022]    “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. 
         [0023]    “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. 
         [0024]    “Detent” means a catch which upon being removed initiates motion of a mechanism 
         [0025]    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  16   a  and a stern portion  16   b.  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 . 
         [0026]    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  54   a  and a second end portion  54   b.  First end portion  54   a  is provided with a threaded bore  57  and a second end portion  54   b  is provided with a cavity  59  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0027]    A tow rope connector element  60  is connected to a first end portion  54   a  of body portion  54  and a light assembly  64  is connected to a second end portion  54   b  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  54   a  in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 . Similarly, light assembly  64  has a lighted dome portion  64   a  and a base portion  66  that is closely received within cavity  59  of said second end portion  54   b.  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. 
         [0028]    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. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4  of the drawings, first end  54   a  of body  54  is provided with a bore  75  that closely receives a cylindrical member  78  (see also  FIG. 3 ). Similarly, a second end  54   b  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. 
         [0030]    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.