Strap assembly for parasailing

A parasailing assembly to suspend a rider from a parachute which is being towed by a boat, with the rider supported by one of various rider support structures, such as a body harness or a seat assembly. The parasailing assembly includes an improved connecting assembly that is structured to removably interconnect a rider support structure to the canopy of a parachute and preferably, includes two elongated straps, each having an interconnecting link disposed intermediate opposite ends thereof. Preferably, each strap of the connecting assembly has at least one end is connected to rider support structure, on opposite sides of the rider. In addition, either fixedly or removably attached to the interconnecting link is a base portion having a plurality of strap segments, each of which is connected, preferably but not necessarily in a fixed manner, to a separate grouping of riser line sets which extend up to the canopy of the parachute. As such, the plurality of riser line sets corresponding to one side of the rider are, in effect, connected together at a single fulcrum point along the length of a strap. One of the rider support structuring includes an improved aerial recliner and seat assembly, having a plurality of components which may be selectively detached from one another so as to facilitate a reduced volume packaging for shipping, and to permit expansion of the seat assembly to carry additional riders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a parasailing assembly comprising a 
rider support structure and a connecting assembly. More in particular, the 
present invention is directed to an improved connecting assembly which 
serves to removably attach the canopy and riser lines of a conventional 
parachute used in parasailing operations to the rider support structure, 
which may be either in the form of a body harness or a buoyant seat 
assembly. In addition, the present invention is directed to an improved 
rider support structure in the form of a buoyant seat assembly which is 
structured to be selectively assembled or disassembled so as to facilitate 
packaging and shipping. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
The sport of parasailing is relatively new but has greatly increased in 
popularity over the last several years. As a result, the sport of 
parasailing has seen relatively few equipment innovations which would 
render the sport both safer and more enjoyable and thereby enlarge the age 
group of potential participants. For example, in the past, parasailing 
enthusiasts have frequently used equipment designed for other sports, such 
as water skiing, sky-diving, hang-gliding, etc. which, as in this sport, 
essentially involve the launching and retrieving of a participant. It is 
true that the activity of parasailing, like these related sports, carries 
a certain amount of risk of injury. However, the lack of equipment 
properly directed to parasailing activities, as well as the existence of 
relatively few trained personnel, is thought to have aggravated this risk, 
and may have even contributed to injuries incurred during parasailing 
operations. 
For example, a very common type of equipment used in parasailing is a 
harness structure that is attached to the body of the parasailor and that 
is supported directly from the "riser lines" which normally serve to 
interconnect the canopy of the parachute to the harness structure worn by 
the parasailor. When utilizing such a harness structure, the parasailor is 
maintained in a substantially upright orientation prior to and during 
launching, and a standing or partially sitting position during 
parasailing. While this type of structure provides adequate support during 
parasailing, it is believed to still be lacking significant safety 
features. For instance, the body harness structure used to support a 
parasailor from a parachute is usually of the type which closely resembles 
the body harness used in the sport of sky-diving. The sport of sky-diving, 
however, is geared solely to land-based take-offs and landings, whereas 
the flight operation of parasailing takes place almost entirely over 
water, with water landings and take-offs being possible. Although such 
harness structures are common, even during contemporary times, they carry 
a degree of risk for indirectly causing injury to the parasailor, due to 
any number of unknown events. Similarly, the body of the parasailor is 
exposed in a harness structure, meaning that if an emergency or abrupt 
water landing were to occur, such as might be caused by breakage of the 
tow line or failure of the tow boat, the body of the parasailor is likely 
to absorb most of the impact. As such, it is believed that these harness 
structures, although able to fulfill basic parasailing needs in good, 
clear weather and related conditions, are not preferred equipment. 
However, other factors can come into play during a parasailing operation, 
and need to be addressed if it is to become a much safer operation and 
thereby, become both attractive and available to a larger group of people, 
including but not limited to children, the elderly and those who are 
overweight or handicapped. 
As demonstrated in my patented inventions in U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,746; No. 
4,738,414 and No. 5,367,392, I have endeavored over the last several years 
to innovate "cutting edge" parasailing equipment which serves to reduce 
the safety hazards associated with parasailing, and in general, to make 
parasailing more safe and comfortable, as well as less threatening to 
those who would otherwise participate. For example, my U.S. Pat. No. 
4,738,414, incorporated herein by reference, is directed towards 
innovative parasailing equipment associated with efficiently and more 
safely launching and retrieving a parasailor, and also, towards a rider 
support structure which maintains the parasailor in a somewhat seated and 
reclined position within a buoyant structure so as to offer protection, 
should there inadvertently be a landing on water. However, even in light 
of the improvements set forth in my above noted patents, there remains a 
need in the parasailing industry for both an improved buoyant rider 
support structure, and importantly, an improved connecting assembly which 
would serve to interconnect the parasailor's rider support structure with 
the canopy and riser lines of the parachute. 
More in particular, one problem arises in parasailing operations which is 
presented by the traditional manner in which the parachute riser lines are 
attached to the rider support serving to retain the parasailor. 
Specifically, there are generally three distinct groupings of parachute 
riser lines which are disposed on the right side of the parasailor and an 
additional three distinct groupings of parachute riser lines which are 
disposed on the left side of the parasailor. Typically, these riser lines 
are attached as follows. The first, forward most set of riser lines on 
each side are referred to as the "top" riser lines and are attached to a 
towing rope for towing by the boat. The second, center set of riser lines 
on each side are referred to as the "apex" riser lines and are often 
attached to the canopy at the highest point thereon. However, occasionally 
this "apex" set of riser lines may be left unattached. A third, rearmost 
set of riser lines or "bottom" riser lines, are attached to the 
parasailor--such as to a body harness structure worn by the parasailor. 
This standard arrangement of attaching parachute riser lines yields 
several pulling points, and this can and often does result in unexpected 
directional changes of the parachute and parasailor during flight. 
Specifically, depending upon whether the parasailor makes certain 
movements, the experience of the tow boat driver, and even wind 
conditions, it is possible for the parachute to ascend, descend, or to 
move from one side to the other (oscillate) and/or to perform any of these 
movements, suddenly and unexpectedly. This unpredictable shifting ability 
in the attitude of the parachute carries the potential of severely 
unstable and frightening flight conditions. 
As one example, when the tow boat accelerates, the motion is transferred to 
the tow rope which will also move forward, and which in turn, will move 
the top riser lines forward. Forward movement of the top riser lines will 
increase the pitch of the top of the parachute canopy, which provides 
increased lift. With respect to take-offs made from the land, this 
increased lift has the benefit of reducing the travel distance a 
parasailor standing on a beach would have to physically run in order to 
accomplish flight or ascension. However, this increased pitch of the top 
riser lines is also now believed by the inventor hereof to potentially 
result in instability during flight. For instance, if there should be an 
inexperienced boat driver, he or she might inadvertently accelerate 
suddenly and/or unexpectedly and cause this same pitching of the parachute 
during flight, and thereby result in a sudden, rapid ascension of the 
parachute. As another example, the conventional positioning of the riser 
lines are such that a parasailor riding within and retained by a body 
harness structure can reach the riser lines, and can negatively influence 
the flight of the canopy by pulling on the top riser lines, and thereby, 
cause sudden shifting, ascension, descencion or oscillation of the 
parachute. Finally, the conventional arrangement of riser lines are also 
susceptible to sudden wind gusts and/or changes in wind direction causing 
unexpected and abrupt changes in the parachute canopy's attitude and 
stability while in flight, all of which carry the potential for severely 
unstable flight conditions. 
Accordingly, there remains an appreciable need in the parasailing industry 
for improved parasailing equipment which overcomes the disadvantages and 
safety hazards that are still present during many parasailing operations 
throughout the world. Any such improved parasailing equipment should have 
the goal of providing a more stable and predictable ride during flight, as 
well as an efficient and comfortable take-off during launching with 
improved lifting performance. In addition, any such improved parasailing 
equipment should make it difficult, if not impossible, for the parasailor 
to reach or otherwise manipulate the parachute canopy while in flight, 
particularly when a body harness structure is utilized. Any such 
parasailing equipment should reduce, if not eliminate, unexpected 
directional changes of the parachute and parasailor during flight, and 
should also, during either flight or launching be able to resist the 
forces of higher wind gusts which frequently reach about 15 miles per hour 
or somewhat greater. Any such parasailing equipment should also be able to 
reduce, if not eliminate, unexpected directional changes of the parachute, 
even when other de-stabilizing forces are exerted on the parasailing 
assembly, such as but not limited to an uneven passenger load or other 
factors that might cause excessive rolling or other movement of the canopy 
during flight. 
In addition to the foregoing, it would be helpful if a buoyant rider 
support structure could be designed that not only surrounds the rider 
during a parasailing operation and addresses the various other important 
safety factors, but that is capable of facilitating both the packaging and 
shipping of the structure. Because the sport of parasailing has been 
steadily increasing, the distribution of parasailing equipment throughout 
most industrialized countries of the world has also increased. However, 
the cost of shipping has discouraged the widespread distribution of fixed, 
rather bulky, rider support structures in the form of an aerial recliner, 
as was disclosed in my previous patent application. As such, it would be 
ideal if a rider support structure in the form of an aerial reclining seat 
assembly for one or more riders was developed which was capable of being 
selectively assembled or disassembled in an easy and efficient manner so 
as to achieve a reduced volume which is convenient for packaging and 
shipping to distant locales. In addition, it would be ideal if any such 
rider support structure was capable of being selectively assembled or 
disassembled and/or interchanged with certain structural components 
associated therewith, so as to be expandable and contractible, so as to 
offer versatility, in terms of being able to carry a larger or smaller 
number of passengers. The increase in passenger capacity of any such rider 
support structure at any given site is of significant interest to the 
operators of a parasailing facility, in order to increase revenue and have 
greater marketing appeal to parents, families, and the like. The present 
invention is designed to satisfy these and other long felt needs in the 
parasailing industry, and is believed to represent a significant advance, 
particularly in the area of safety and rider comfort, for parasailing 
enthusiasts. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed towards a new and improved parasailing 
assembly designed to provide for a more stable, and therefore, safer 
flight during a parasailing operation. The parasailing assembly of the 
present invention is intended for use by one or more parasailors who may 
choose to be carried by a rider support structure comprising either an 
inventive seat assembly or a conventional body harness structure. The 
inventive seat assembly is structured to retain one or more riders in a 
substantially reclined orientation and, as set forth in greater detailed 
hereinafter, is formed in part from a buoyant material or float structure 
which protects the one or more riders by maintaining them in a floating 
orientation on the surface of body of water in an unusual or emergency 
conditions. 
In addition, the parasailing assembly of the present invention is directed 
to an inventive connecting assembly that is designed and structured to 
supportingly interconnect the rider support structure, and the one or more 
parasailors carried thereby, to the parachute for the various stages of a 
parasailing operation, regardless of whether a body harness structure or 
an inventive seat assembly is chosen as the rider support structure. 
Preferably, the connecting assembly comprises two elongated straps, each 
terminating at opposites ends, and with a connector structure mounted at 
each opposite end. The connecting assembly further includes an 
interconnecting link disposed and/or formed on each elongate strap 
intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and ideally, at generally about, 
but not necessarily precisely, a mid-portion thereof. In a preferred 
embodiment, each interconnecting link also includes a base portion, and 
secured to the base portion and extending therefrom are a plurality of 
strap segments, each of which is removably or fixedly attached to a 
segregated grouping of riser lines. Thus, each of the plurality of riser 
lines on one side of the parasail rider are preferably connected 
indirectly to one another at a common location or area by way of the base 
portion, as is also preferably true for each of the plurality of riser 
lines on the opposite side of the parasail rider. That is, because the 
base portion is either directly or indirectly secured to the 
interconnecting link, only a single fulcrum point is defined along the 
length of each of the straps, regardless of the type of rider support 
structure chosen. The existence of one fulcrum point on each of the two 
straps, as set forth above, is believed to result in inherently more 
stability during the launching, flight and retrieval stages of the 
parasailing operation. As has been described, the connecting assembly of 
the present invention is capable of being utilized with either a body 
harness or a seat assembly type of rider support structure, and as will 
become more clear from the detailed description of the invention, below, 
in either embodiment, the positioning of the riser lines and of the tow 
line in their attachment to either a seat assembly or a body harness 
structure, makes it more difficult, if not impossible, for the parasailor 
to manipulate the riser lines extending up to the parachute canopy while 
in flight, whether by physically contacting the riser lines themselves or 
engaging any portion of the equipment which would be likely to control the 
riser lines. By virtue of the above, the present invention offers 
increased stability during the various stages of a parasailing operation, 
including improved lifting performance during ascent and launching. 
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a 
parasailing assembly having an improved connecting assembly which is 
interchangeable with different types of rider support structures for the 
purpose of connecting the selected rider support structure to the canopy 
and/or riser lines of a parachute, while at the same time, assuring safer 
performance during the various stages of a parasailing operation and under 
other various conditions, and regardless of the type of rider support 
structure which is utilized. 
It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a 
parasailing assembly having an improved connecting assembly that is 
capable of being removably attached to either the commonly used, body 
harness type of rider support structure or alternatively, to an inventive 
rider support structure comprised of an aerial recliner and seat assembly 
which is capable of retaining one or more riders concurrently thereon. 
Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide an 
improved parasailing assembly which is inherently more safe than other 
parasailing assemblies by providing a connecting assembly that reduces 
unexpected directional changes of the parachute during flight and offers a 
smoother, more comfortable ride during all stages of the parasailing 
operation. 
Another primary object of the present invention is to provide and improved 
parasailing assembly which more evenly distributes the weight of an 
occupied rider support structure, in the form of a seat assembly, during 
the launch stage of parasailing, thereby resulting in an assembly which is 
resistent to wind gusts as well as other de-stabilizing forces such as 
might occur because of unbalanced passenger load, uneven or unnecessary 
acceleration of the towing boat or unpredictable weather conditions. 
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a 
parasailing assembly having an improved rider support structure in the 
form of an aerial recliner and seat assembly, which can be readily 
assembled or disassembled in order to facilitate packaging, such as by 
offering a reduced volume to be packaged, and thereby, to facilitate 
shipping and achieve a reduction in costs associated with shipment. 
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a 
parasailing assembly having an improved rider support structure in the 
form of an aerial recliner and seat assembly, which can be easily 
disassembled and reassembled for purposes of changing the dimension of 
certain structural components thereof, and to thereby, increase the number 
of passengers to be carried by the aerial recliner and seat assembly 
during a parasailing operation. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a parasailing 
assembly having an improved rider support structure in the form of an 
aerial recliner and seat assembly, which is floatable, and therefore, 
which is unlikely to capsize in the event of a water landing, instead of 
being returned to an intended launching platform, regardless of adverse 
weather or choppy water conditions. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a parasailing 
assembly which maintains one or more riders in a generally reclined 
position and which is highly comfortable to the riders throughout the 
flight of the parasailing operation. 
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention 
will become more clear when the detailed description which follows, along 
with drawings, are taken into consideration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The present invention is directed towards an improved parasailing assembly, 
and is disclosed in detail throughout the FIGS. 1-14. 
With initial reference to FIG. 1, the parasailing assembly of the present 
invention can be seen to include a parachute canopy, 2, which may be of a 
conventional parachute structure, but which is not necessarily limited 
thereto, and further, a plurality of riser lines, 5, which serve to 
support and interconnect the parachute canopy, 2, to one of various types 
of rider support structures during a parasailing operation. FIG. 1 
illustrates a rider support structure in the form of a seat assembly 12, 
which is deemed preferable for several reasons, although as will be 
described in greater detail hereinafter, the present invention is intended 
to be readily interchanged for use with other rider support structures. 
Still referring to FIG. 1, the seat assembly 12 is capable of supporting 
one or more riders in a substantially reclined orientation, and further, 
is typically intended to be launched from a platform, 9, attached to the 
stern or rear portion of a boat, 8, when the canopy, 2, fills with air and 
becomes inflated due to the existence of wind primarily caused by the 
rapid forward motion of the tow boat 8. The term "inflated" as used herein 
relative to the suspension of the canopy 2 of the parachute assembly does 
not, in fact, mean that the canopy or other portions of the parachute 
assembly contain inflatable portions, but rather, that the canopy 2 is 
expanded and suspended by the on-rushing wind due to the travel of the tow 
boat 8. From the accompanying Figures, it should be appreciated that in 
the assembled form and during a launched orientation, when the canopy 2 is 
filled with air, the seat assembly 12 is disposed in depending, supported 
relation from the canopy 2. It should also be appreciated that in use, the 
seat assembly 12 or other rider support structure will preferably 
cooperate with the tow boat, 8, by means of a tow line, 6, connected 
directly or indirectly thereto. In modern day parasailing operations, it 
is common to include a launching assembly, 7, such as of the type which I 
have previously invented, in the form of a retractable and expandable 
mast, and the launching platform, 9, mounted on the tow boat 8, so that 
the tow line 6 may extend outwardly from a power winch 13, shown in FIG. 
2, preferably through a line guide assembly 15, also shown in FIG. 2. 
Thus, when it is desired to retrieve a seat assembly 12 or a parasailor 
supported by another type of rider support structure, such as a body 
harness, 18, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 through 8, the tow line 6 is 
wound back onto the power winch 13 through the aforementioned line guide 
assembly 15. 
The parasailing assembly of the present invention is primarily directed to 
an inventive connecting assembly, indicated generally by reference numeral 
20, that is designed and structured to supportingly interconnect the rider 
support structure, such as 12, and the one or more parasailors carried 
thereby, to the parachute for the various stages of a parasailing 
operation, regardless of the rider support structure being utilized. The 
connecting assembly 20 preferably comprises a pair of elongated straps, 22 
and 24, each of which has what may be referred to as a leading portion 
22', 24' and a trailing portion 22", 24", respectively. Further, each of 
the straps, such as 22, terminate at oppositely disposed ends, 23 and 25, 
and as shown in FIG. 2, preferably define a forward end and an aft end, 
respectively. A connector structure such as coupling members, 27, may be 
attached to each of the ends, 23, 25 of each strap in order to facilitate 
the removable connection of the strap to the rider support structure which 
is selected for a parasailing operation. For purposes of clarity, the 
structural details of the connecting assembly 20 will be described in 
detail with reference to a single strap 22, such as is shown in FIG. 3. As 
is best illustrated in FIG. 11, however, the connecting assembly 20 will 
comprise in a most preferred embodiment, at least two separate and 
elongated straps, which serve to interconnect a rider support structure, 
such as 12 or 18, to the riser lines 5 of the parachute canopy 2. In 
addition, in the most preferred embodiment, each of the elongated straps 
22 and 24 are mounted on and removably connected to opposite sides of the 
rider support structure 12, as will also be explained in greater detail 
hereinafter. It should be emphasized at this juncture, however, that it 
would be within the scope and spirit of the present invention to connect 
together more than just two straps or even a single strap in a manner 
designed to achieve the same effect offered by the preferred pair of 
elongated straps 22 and 24. 
As has been described, then, the connecting assembly 20 preferably includes 
two elongated straps, 22 and 24, wherein each of the straps includes a 
leading portion 22', 24' and a trailing portion 22", 24", respectively. 
With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred connecting assembly 20 
further comprises an interconnecting link, generally indicated by 
reference numeral 30, which is mounted, affixed or otherwise securely 
connected and/or operably coupled to each of the elongated straps 22 and 
24, intermediate the opposite ends 23 and 25 thereof. Most preferably, the 
interconnecting link 30 is formed on each strap 22, 24 at generally a 
mid-point on and central region of the elongated strap, but not 
necessarily at an exact mid-point or dead-center thereof. As illustrated 
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting assembly 20 preferably also includes a 
plurality of strap segments, such as 40, 41 and 42, for purposes which 
will be described in greater detail hereinafter, that are either directly 
or indirectly attached to the interconnecting link 30 in a secure fashion, 
which might include removable attachment, if desired. With respect to FIG. 
3, the interconnecting link 30 additionally comprises a base portion, 38, 
from which each of the strap segments 40, 41 and 42, preferably extends. 
With respect to FIG. 4, the interconnecting link 30' and the base portion 
38' are illustrated to show that they may be removably connected to one 
another by means of conventional connectors in the form of D-rings or the 
like, as indicated at 44 and 45. 
The connecting assembly 20 of the present invention is intended to be 
interconnected with the riser lines 5 which are usually part of the 
parachute and extend downwardly from the parachute canopy 2. In general, 
these riser lines, 5, will include a first plurality of riser lines, as 
indicated by reference numeral 34 in FIG. 11, and a second plurality of 
riser lines, 36, each of which are designed to correspond to one side, 
such as the left or right side of the rider support structure which is 
utilized, such as 12 or 18, and which will be fixedly or removably 
interconnected with a different one of the elongated straps 22 and 24, as 
will now be described. More in particular, each of the strap segments 40, 
41, and 42 of the preferred connecting assembly 20, are connected either 
directly or indirectly, with the first or second segregated group of riser 
lines, such as indicated by 5A, 5B and 5C. Specifically, each of the riser 
lines in the first plurality 34 and second plurality 36, have been grouped 
into a first, forward most set of riser lines 5A (top riser lines); a 
second, center set of riser lines 5B (apex riser lines); and a third 
rearmost set of riser lines 5C (bottom riser lines), which may be 
contrasted with FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 which illustrate a conventional 
arrangement for the connection of parasailing riser lines 5 from the 
canopy 2 to a body harness structure 18 for a parasailor. However, a more 
inventive feature of the present invention, which is believed to greatly 
increase the stability of the rider support structure, such as 18 or 12, 
during a parasailing operation, is the connecting assembly 20, whereby the 
segregated sets of riser lines, 5A, 5B, and 5C are connected respectively 
to one of the strap segments, 40, 41, and 42 and accordingly, are in 
effect interconnected with the rider support structure at a common point 
of attachment, preferably defined by the base portion 38 and 
interconnecting link 30. In either embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 
4, the base portion 38 and interconnecting link 30 establish a single 
fulcrum point along the length of the elongated strap 22 or 24, and it has 
been learned, this results in greater stability of the overall parasailing 
assembly, for a variety of reasons. 
With regard to FIGS. 5 through 8, the importance of having a connecting 
assembly, such as 20, is to establish a single fulcrum point, such as is 
defined by base portion 38 (See FIG. 8) along the length of the respective 
straps 22 and 24, as will now be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are intended to 
illustrate a conventional connecting assembly which is typically used to 
attach a plurality of riser lines to a rider support structure, in this 
case, a body harness structure 18. It is pointed out in FIGS. 5 through 7, 
that the plurality of riser lines are grouped into only two sets (with 
there being a mirror image of this on the rider's other side), indicated 
by reference numbers 5a' and 5b', and that the rider, generally indicated 
at 50, is shown as wearing a somewhat conventional body harness 18, as 
best shown in FIG. 7. This conventional connecting assembly includes a tow 
line, 6, secured to one end of a strap or like member, 52, and a plurality 
of strap segments, 54 and 56, attached at spaced-apart locations to the 
strap 52. The result is the creation of a plurality of fulcrum points, 57 
and 59, which has been learned to lead to potentially disturbing 
instability during the parasailing flight operation, apparently because 
the tow line 6 is, in essence, connected directly to the strap segment 54, 
which in turn is connected directly to the top forward most grouping of 
riser lines, indicated as 5a' in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Therefore, a pulling 
force exerted on the tow line 6 because of an increased acceleration of 
the towing boat, for example, will also result in an increased pulling 
force exerted on strap segment 54 and top riser lines 5A'. As a result, 
there will be an increased tendency to have the canopy pitch or move 
forward during such periods of increased acceleration. Such increased 
pitch of the front of the canopy may have some benefit in terms of 
increased lift during land-based launchings when using the industry 
standard assembly of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. However, such increased pitch 
during flight (See FIGS. 6 and 7) due to a sudden acceleration and the 
resulting increased forward pull on tow line 6, strap segment 54 and top 
riser lines 5a' could very well result in severe flight instability due to 
the "multi-fulcrum" structure of the standard parasail assembly of FIGS. 
5-7. In addition, the rider 50 of FIGS. 5-7 is afforded clear access to 
the riser lines 5a' in that he may grip or control an area of the 
elongated strap or straps, as at 53, generally adjacent to the strap 
segment 54 serving to interconnect top riser line 5A' with strap 53. 
To the contrary, and as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting assembly 20 of the 
present invention provides a single fulcrum point on each side of the 
rider, even when used in combination with a rider support structure in the 
form of a body harness, 18. In this application, the single elongated 
strap 22, (and strap 24, not shown, with respect to the other side of the 
rider) has a leading portion 22' thereof connected directly to the tow 
line 6, such that the top grouping of riser lines, 5a, are not directly 
influenced by the pull of the tow boat 8 and tow line 6 on the connecting 
assembly 20. The trailing portion 22" of the connecting assembly 20 is 
seen to be attached directly to the harness 18 of the rider 50, and 
further, with the strap segments 40, 41, and 42 effectively segregated 
from the pulling force being exerted by the tow boat on tow line 6. In 
addition, the strap segments 40, 41, and 42 will generally be out of the 
reach of the rider 50, so that he may not manipulate or otherwise exert 
some type of controlling force thereon or the riser lines attached 
thereto. 
As shown in FIG. 2, an inventive feature of the present invention is that 
the connecting assembly 20 may be operatively attached in supporting 
relation to various rider support structures, including a body harness 18 
or an aerial recliner and seat assembly. With respect to the preferred 
connecting assembly comprising a pair of elongated straps 22 and 24, the 
assembly may be changed from being set up for use on a seat assembly, 12, 
to being set up for use with a body harness, 18, as follows. The opposite 
ends 23 and 25 of each strap may first be detached for instance, from an 
aerial recliner and seat assembly, such as 12, which may be accomplished 
by the provision of the removable snap or hook type of coupling 27 secured 
to each of the opposite ends. More specifically, with respect to a seat 
assembly 12', the opposite ends 23 and 25 may be attached through eyelets 
or like type of couplings 61 and 62 formed on the seat assembly 12. 
Alternatively, when a rider 50 is using a body harness 18, each of the 
leading ends 22' and 24' of the two straps 22 and 24, respectively, are 
secured together with the tow line 6, at a common location, such as 60, 
and the trailing ends 22" and 24" of the straps 22 and 24 are secured to 
opposite sides of the harness 18 which is mounted on the rider 50. As 
illustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 9 through 16, it should now be apparent 
that the connecting assembly of the present invention is readily used with 
a rider support structure, such as 12, which may take the form of an 
aerial recliner and seat assembly as has been described in my previous 
application for a patent. Alternatively, the rider support structure may 
take the form of yet another preferred embodiment for an aerial recliner 
and seat assembly, as will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 9 
through 14. 
Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the present invention is also directed to an 
improved rider support structure in the form of an aerial recliner and 
seat assembly, generally indicated as 14, that is capable of being 
disassembled and reassembled, as needed. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, each 
strap 22 and 24 has its opposite ends 23 and 25 secured to forward and aft 
end couplings or eyelets 61 and 62. Leading portions 22' and 24' of each 
strap 22 and 24 are passed through a loop structure 57 of an upwardly 
extending guide support 59 preferably removably attached to each of the 
two side wall portions 56 and 58 which comprise a part of the aerial 
recliner and seat assembly 14. The guide supports 59 engage the leading 
portion 22' and 24' as shown for the purpose of maintaining flight 
stability in situations, such as but not limited to, unbalanced or 
shifting passenger load. In this embodiment, the aerial recliner and seat 
assembly 14 comprises a support frame which preferably, is defined 
primarily by two sidewall portions, 56 and 58, a seat portion, 66, and a 
plurality of brace members, such as 70, 72, 74. Further, a separate float 
structure, such as 63 and 64, is preferably attached to each of the 
sidewall portions, 56 and 58, with the float structures, 63 and 64, being 
formed of a buoyant material or otherwise structured to have a buoyancy 
which is sufficient to support a plurality of riders on the seat portion 
66, such as may become necessary if the aerial recliner and seat assembly 
14 were to inadvertently land on the surface of the body of water. 
Preferably, the seat portion 66, is formed of a flexible material to have 
a "sling" type of structure, with one end thereof, 67, removably secured 
to one of the plurality of brace members, such as 70, and an opposite end 
thereof, 68, secured to a spaced apart, next adjacent, brace member, such 
as 72. A third of the plurality of brace members, 74, may serve as a foot 
rest or alternatively, as a support for a netting structure, 76, mounted 
on the aerial recliner and seat assembly 14, as best shown in FIGS. 12-14. 
The netting structure 76 may also serve as a foot rest for one or a 
plurality of passengers retained within seat portion 66 in a somewhat 
reclined orientation as their legs extends over the second brace member 
72. An additional brace member 75, illustrated in FIG. 12, may also be 
provided in interconnecting relation between sidewall portions 56 and 58 
to add structural integrity to the aerial recliner and seat assembly 14. 
As shown throughout FIGS. 10 through 14, the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 
75 are structured and disposed to interconnect sidewall portions 56 and 58 
in a manner which provides structural integrity to the overall seat 
assembly 14. In that vein, each of the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75 are 
preferably formed of a high strength metallic material, or other high 
strength material, and further, are preferably formed so as to be 
elongated and tubular, with at least partially hollow interiors at their 
opposite end portions. In addition, the brace members 70, 72, 74, and 75 
are preferably disposed in spaced-apart but generally parallel relation 
when assembled and disposed in interconnecting orientation, as is perhaps 
best shown in FIGS. 10-14, and are structured to permit their removable 
interconnection between the sidewall portions 56 and 58. 
As described, and with reference to FIGS. 12, 12A, 13, and 14, an inventive 
feature of the present invention is that the aerial recliner and seat 
assembly 14 is capable of having its various components selectively 
attached to one another to permit assembly into an operative parasailing 
position and/or of having its various components selectively detached from 
one another to permit a portable position such as for shipping. More 
specifically, when the plurality of structural components comprising the 
aerial recliner and seat assembly 14 are detached, they may be arranged in 
an orientation or format which is well suited to being packaged and 
shipped in that the overall volume of the assembly 14 has been 
significantly reduced, which in turn, results in a significant cost 
savings, from the reduction in the shipping cost, particularly when such 
rider support structures in the form of the assembly 14 is to be shipped 
from the United States to various locations throughout the world. 
Accordingly, it is intended that the seat assembly 14 be initially 
delivered to the receiving customer in a portable, kit-like configuration, 
in that many of the various structural components are disassembled. 
However, the overall design of the structural components of the seat 
assembly 12 are such as to facilitate quick and easy assembly in a manner 
which assures safety and structural integrity. 
With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, an additional inventive feature of the 
present invention relates to the ability of the aerial recliner and seat 
assembly 14 to have the dimensions of certain ones of its components, 
particularly the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75 as well as the seat 
portion 66, varied. This in turn, allows one in charge of a parasailing 
business to regulate the amount of riders to be carried at one time by the 
assembly 14. More specifically, the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75 may be 
utilized in varying lengths, having different longitudinal dimensions. It 
should be emphasized that while each of the tubular structures defining 
the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75 have somewhat of a common longitudinal 
dimension, this common longitudinal dimension may be increased, as shown 
in FIG. 14, wherein the brace members are respectively indicated as 70', 
72', 74' and 76', so as to increase the capacity, and therefore, the 
number of riders which may be carry by the assembly 14 on any given 
flight. In that same vein, the preferred sling structure which defines the 
seat portion 66 may also be changed so as to have a greater longitudinal 
dimension or corresponding dimension or alternatively, a plurality of the 
preferred sling structures may be utilized in a connected, side-by-side 
relation to one another so as to correspond to the increased longitudinal 
dimension of the brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75. 
As best shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the aerial recliner and seat assembly 
14 comprises the two sidewall portions, 56 and 58, each of which includes 
a support frame 82 and 84, respectively. The support frames 82 and 84 are 
formed from a high strength material such as a metallic material or a 
fiberglass material. As has also been indicated, it is preferred that each 
of the float structures 63 and 64 of sidewall portions 56 and 58 be 
removably attached to the outer surface of each of the support frames 82 
and 84 and be detachable therefrom when, as set forth above, it is desired 
to disassemble the various components of the seat assembly 14 for a 
"reduced volume" packaging format. In addition, the inner portions of 
support frames 82 and 84 may be structured and disposed to include a 
plurality of outwardly extending mounting members, as at 86, 87, 88 and 
89. In such an embodiment, the outwardly extending members 86-89 will 
preferably be formed to be stub ends that are specifically dimensioned so 
as to fit generally within the interior of the opposite, open hollow ends 
of the various brace members 70, 72, 74 and 75, respectively, which, as 
set forth above, are defined by a hollow, tubular configuration. Referring 
to the isolated, magnified illustration within FIG. 12A, it is pointed out 
that once the plurality of brace members are disposed in their 
interconnected, operative position as represented in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, 
this position may be safely maintained by bolts 90, or like connectors, 
being passed through appropriately positioned, aligned apertures, such as 
92 and 92' formed in both of the opposite ends of each of the brace 
members 70, 72, 74 and 75, and the appropriately positioned and 
corresponding, interlocking stub ends 86, 87, 88 and 89, respectively. The 
preferred sling structure and flexible material from which the seat 
portion 66 is formed may, as a preliminary step, be slid over the 
spaced-apart but adjacently positioned brace members 70 and 72. 
As further shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, the ability of the aerial recliner 
and seat assembly 14 of the present invention to be disassembled for 
reduced volume packaging is facilitated by the transverse separation of 
components of sidewall portions 56 and 58. More specifically, in one 
preferred embodiment, the sidewall portions 56 and 58 include support 
frames 82 and 84 being separable into components 84, 84' and 86, 86' 
respectively, and further, float structures, 63 and 64, are separable into 
components 63, 63' and 64, 64' respectively. 
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to 
the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that 
all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying 
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, 
the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and 
their legal equivalents. 
Now that the invention has been described,