WATER RECREATION DEVICE

Abstract: A water recreation device comprises a support member (14) for supporting a person on water so that the person may be towed by a tow line (42) over a water surface. The device further comprises an upright member (12) connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person on the support member. Water skis and surfboard-style devices presently on the market may be fitted with an adapter (200) incorporating the invention. The adapter comprises a housing (202) adapted to be connected to the water ski or surfboard. The adapter further comprises an upright member (212) for providing balancing and steering control.

Description: -1- ATER RECREATION DEVICE Background of the Invention This invention relates in general to water recreational devices and in particular to such devices for use by persons while being towed on water surfaces. Water skiing is a popular sport. In water skiing the water skier is supported by one or more water skis on the water surface and the skier holds on to a tow line from a tow boat for towing the skier. The skier maneuvers and steers by shifting his or her body weight. Water skiing, however, is a sport requiring skills and good physical and muscle conditions which limit the enjoyment of the sport to a small part of the public. A surfboard-style water recreational device has been developed which requires less skill than water skiing. This surfboard-style device is wider than water skis and provides a smoother ride. The design of the device is such that it throws water away from the board and the rider. The surfboard-style device may be more enjoyable than water skis to some riders. The rider of the device will normally bend his or her knees and will frequently be kneeling on the device while being towed as in water skiing. For this reason the surfboard-style devices have sometimes been referred to as knee boards. As in water skiing the riders of knee boards maneuver and steer by weight shifting. Another type of water recreational vehicle is the water sled which is much larger than either water skis or the surfboard-style devices. A number of riders may sit on the sled and the sled is directly towed by a tow boat. Thus riders on water sleds need not hold on to the tow line, thereby eliminating any stress on arms and shoulders. Maneuvering and steering are done entirely by the tow boat with the riders thereon simply sitting on the sled, thereby eliminating any stress on leg and thigh muscles. This has the advantage that people in a wide range of age groups and physical condition can enjoy the sport. On the other hand, however, many people may find water sleds not as enjoyable as water skiing or knee board riding since water sled riders are simply passive passengers, who take no part in steering or maneuvering. None of the above-described water recreational devices is entirely satisfactory. While it is desirable to eliminate or reduce stress on arms and legs to allow participation by a wide section of the public, it is simultaneously desirable to allow the rider to retain balancing and steering control. It is therefore desirable to provide a water recreational device that can accomplish both purposes. Summary of the Invention This invention is directed to a water recre- ational device comprising a support member for supporting a person on water and.means for towing the member and the person thereon over a water surface. The device further comprises means connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person on the support member. This invention is also directed towards an adapter for use with water skis and the surfboard-style devices presently on the market. Thus, the adapter is for use with a device where the device includes a support member adapted for supporting a person on water for towing by a towing means. The adapter comprises means adapted to be connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person on the support member.. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water recreational device including a board and an elongated member in an upright position to provide balancing and steering control illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are the top and side views respectively of the connection between the elongated member and the board of the device in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the device of Fig. 1 illustrating the different positions of the elongated member to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an adapter for use with existing surfboard-style devices (shown in phantom) to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment This invention is based on the recognition that balancing and steering control can be improved by providing a balancing and control means connected to water skis and to the surfboard-style type device. The rider needs no longer rely only on weight shifting for maneuvering and steering, thereby improving control and reducing stress on the body. Preferably the balancing and steering control means is provided at such elevation from the water surface that it can be conveniently used by the rider. Also, preferably, the control means includes a grip means convenient for gripping by the rider. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water recreational device 10 where the means for providing balancing and steering control takes the form of an elongated member 12 connected to a board 14. While device 10 illustrates the invention as applied to a surfboard-type device, it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to water skis or other similar devices with a support member for supporting the rider on water while being towed. The elongated member 12 has a first end 12a and a second end 12b. End 12a is connected to board 14 and end 12b may be moved to a position at an elevation from the water surface convenient for control by the rider, such as at the chest or shoulder level. For the convenience of the rider a bicycle type handle 16 connected to end 12b may be provided. Member 12 is made up of two sections 22 and 24 slidably connected to each other for adjusting the elevation of end 12b to accommodate the height of the rider. Section 22 has an elongated slot 26 therein. Sections 22 and 24 are then connected by bolts 32 and wing nuts 34. Bolts 32 pass through holes in section 24 and slots 26 of section 22 so that section 22 may be raised or lowered relative to section 24 where bolts 32 will slide in slo*- 26. After section 22 is adjusted so that end 12b is at the desired elevation, wing nuts 34 are then tightened to securely fix section 22 at such position. Board 14 is towed by a tow line 42. Tow line 42 is threaded through a float 44 to keep the end 46 of tow line 42 afloat for convenient connection to board 14. End 46 is in the shape of a loop threaded through a ring 48 which in turn passes through a latch 50. A portion of pin 52 is embedded in board 14. The protruding portion of pin 52 has an eye 54 through which a rope 56 passes. The end of rope 56 is then fastened upon itself to form a loop. The other end of rope 56 is secured to a lock and release mechanism 58. A suitable device for mechanism 58 is the Panic Snap release from Proline Incorporated of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When latch 50 is snap fitted into mechanism 58, latch 50 is locked into secure connection with board 14 through pin 52, rope 56 and mechanism 58. To release latch 50 from mechanism 58, release pin 60 is pulled by pulling release line 62, thereby releasing the tow line 42 from board 14. Release line 62 may be simply wrapped around the wrist of the rider of board 14 so that board 14 may be released from tow line 42 at any desired time . The manner in which end 12a of member 12 is connected to board 14 will now be described in reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 is a top view of end 12a and associated parts for connection to board 14. Board 14 has been omitted in Fig. 2 to simplify the drawing. Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of member 12 and board 14 and of the parts connecting the two. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, plate 70 is embedded in board 14 and has two brackets 72 protruding from the top surface of board 14. End 12a of member 12 has a drum 74 as an integral part thereof. In reference to Figs. 2 and 3, drum 74 is rotatably connected to brackets 72 by bolt 76, nut 78 and washers 80. At least a portion of drum 74 is in the shape of a portion of a cogwheel with one or more cogs 92 defining notches 94 between adjacent cogs. Shaft 102 is rotatably connected to the two brackets 72 as shown in Figs 2 and 3. Shaft 102 has mounted thereon a dog 104. Dog 104 has latch portion 106 which is shaped to fit snugly into each one of the notches 94. Thus, when dog 104 is rotated about shaft 102 towards drum 74 so that latch 106 fits into one of the notches 94 as shown in Figs.2 and 3, the drum and member 12 are fixed in position relative to board 14. When dog 104 is rotated away from notch 94 so that the dog is in the position shown in phantom 104a, drum 74 and member 12 will be free to rotate about bolt 76. Therefore, the rider can control the position of member 12 by rotating shaft 102. When it is desired to lock member 12 in a desired position, dog 104 is rotated towards drum 74 until latch 106 fits into one of the notches 94 to lock member 12 in such position. When it is desired to change the position of member 12, dog 104 is rotated away from drum 74 so that latch 106 is withdrawn from notch 94 allowing drum 74 to rotate about bolt 76. A foot pedal 110 connected to shaft 102 is used to aid the rider to accomplish such control. Shaft 102 is threaded through two springs 112 which spring load the connection between dog 104 and drum 74. Thus, if foot pedal 110 is not pressed, springs 112 urge dog 104 towards drum 74 thereby causing latch 106 to enter and remain in one of the notches 94. If a different position of member 12 is desired, the rider simply presses foot pedal 110 thereby rotating shaft 102 against the urging of springs 112 to withdraw latch 106 from notch 94 into position 104a. The rider can then rotate member 12 until it is in a desired position. Foot pedal 110 is then released so that springs 112 urge dog 104 towards drum 74 causing latch 106 to slide into one of the notches, thereby fixing member 12 at the desired elevation. -7- The positions of notches 94 on drum 74 define the number of possible elevations for member 12. Such positions of member 12 are illustrated in Fig. 4 as positions 12, 12 ' , 12" and 12 ' ' ' . As shown in Fig. 3, drum 74 has three cogs but four notches. When the latch 106 is lodged in the upper most notch in Fig. 3, member 12 is substantially in the vertical position 12 in reference to Fig. where board 14 is on a water surface. When the latch 106 is lodged in the lowest notch as is the position shown in Fig. 3, member 12 will be in the position 12' * ' adjacent to board 14 for easy transport. When latch 106 is lodged in any of the two intermediate positions, member 12 will be in position 12' or 12". Obviously, a different number and orientation of notches 94 and positions of member 12 than those of Figs. 3 and 4 may be provided and are within the scope of this invention. For convenience in manufacture, pin 52 may simply be an extension of plate 70 and plate 70 is simply placed in a mold for molding board 14 so that after the molding process, plate 70 is embedded therein. Plate 70 may be made from a sturdy but light metal such as aluminum. Elongated member 12 and board 14 may both be made from a plastic material such as polyurethane. The invention is also directed towards an adapter which can be conveniently connected to water skis and to the surfboard-style devices presently on the market to provide the existing devices with all the advantages described above for the invention. Such an adapter is shown in perspective view in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5 adapter 200 comprises a housing 202 into which a water ski or surfboard-style device 214 fits. Pins 204 may then be inserted into corresponding holes 206 in the housing after the device 214 is inserted into housing 202. -8- Matching holes in device 214 may be drilled corresponding to holes 206 in the housing. Then pins 204 are inserted into holes 206 and the matching holes in device 214 to securely connect the device 214 to housing 202. Member 5 212 is similar to member 12 of Figs. 1-4. Again, a plate (not shown in Fig. 5) similar to plate 70 of Figs. 1 and 3 may be embedded into housing 202 with protruding brackets for connecting housing 202 to member 212. The cogwheel, springloaded latch, and release foot petal type 0 mechanisms as described above in reference to Figs. 1-4 may be used in adapter 200 to control the desired position of member 212. Pin 204 at the front of housing 202 may have a head defining an eye 216 to which a lock and release mechanism similar to mechanism 58 of Fig. 1 may be 15 attached. While in Fig. 5 housing 202 is shown having a shape generally similar to that of the front portion 214a of device 214, it will be understood that housing of other shapes and sizes may also be used so long as the housing 20 may be securely connected to device 214. All such arrangements are within the scope of the invention. Again housing 202 may be made conveniently from a plastic material such as polyurethane. The above description of apparatus and method 25. is merely illustrative thereof and various changes in shapes and sizes and materials or other details of the method and implementation may be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A water recreational device comprising: a support member for supporting a person on water; means for towing the support member and the person thereon over a water surface; and means connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person on the support member. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for providing balancing and steering control includes grip means at an elevation convenient for gripping by the person on the support member. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for providing balancing and steering control coir rises an elongated member with a first and a second end connected to the support member at or near the Sirst end, the elongated member being adapted for improving the balanc¬ ing and steering control by the person on the support member while being towed. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the second end of the elongated member has one or more handles for gripping by the person for balancing and steering control . 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the elongated member is so connected to the support member that it is rotatable between a number of positions at different angles to the horizontal plane. -10- 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the first end of the elongated member is in such shape that a portion thereof is in the shape of a portion of a cogwheel with one or more cogs defining a notch between each pair of adjacent cogs, said device further comprising: a bolt for rotatably connecting the first end to the support member; and a dog having a latch portion fitting into one of the notches to lock the elongated member into a fixed position relative to the support member. 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: a pin rotatably connected to the support member, said dog being mounted on said pin; and a spring connected to the support member and the dog urging the latch portion of the dog towards the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member. 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a pedal means connected to the pin so that when the pedal means is pressed against the urging of the spring, the pin will rotate the latch portion away from the notches and the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member. 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the cogs on the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member are so positioned that when the latch portion fits into a first notch, the elongated member is in a substantially vertical first position when the device is being towed on water, and when the latch fits into a second notch, the elongated member is in a second position adjacent to the support member for convenient transport. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the cogs are so positioned that when the latch fits into a notch between the first and second notches, the elongated member is in a position between the first and second positions. 11. The device of claim 3, wherein the elongated member comprises: two elongated sections slidably connected ,to each other so that the elevation of the second end is adjustable to a desired height; and means for locking the two sections together so that the second end remains at the desired height. 12. An adapter for use with a water recreational device, said device including a support member adapted to be towed by a towing means, said support member suitable for supporting a person above a water surface when it is towed to provide recreation, said adapter comprising means adapted to be connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person when the support member is on or near the water surface during towing. 13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein said means for providing balancing and steering control includes grip means at an elevation convenient for gripping by the person on the support member. 14. The adapter of claim 12, wherein said means for providing balancing and steering control comprises: a housing into which the device fits; and an elongated member with a first and a second end connected to the housing at or near the first end, the elongated member being adapted for improving the balancing and steering control by the person on the support member while being towed. 15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the second end of the elongated member has one or more handles for gripping by the person for balancing and steering control. 16. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the elongated member is so connected to the housing that it is rotatable between a number of positions at different angles to the horizontal plane. 17. The adapter of claim 14, wherein said housing is in such shape that it fits over and encloses a portion of the device, and wherein the first end of the elongated member is substantially in the shape of a cogwheel with two or more cogs defining a notch between each pair of adjacent cogs, said adapter further comprising: means for securing the housing to the device; a bolt for rotatably connecting the first end to the housing; and a dog attached to the housing, said dog having a latch portion fitting into one of the notches to lock the elongated member into a fixed position relative to the housing. 18. The adapter of claim 17, further comprising: a pin rotatably connected to the housing, said dog being mounted on said pin; and a spring connected to the housing and the dog urging the latch portion of the dog towards the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member. 19. The adapter of claim 18, further comprising a pedal means connected to the pin so that when the pedal means is pressed against the urging of the spring, the pin will rotate the latch portion away from the notches and the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member. 20. The ' adapter of claim.17, wherein the cogs on the cogwheel portion of the first end of the elongated member are so positioned that when the latch portion fits into a first notch, the elongated member is in a substantially vertical first position when the adapter and the device are being towed on water, and when the latch fits into a second notch, the elongated member is in a second position adjacent to the housing for convenient transport. 21. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the cogs are so positioned that when the latch fits into a notch between the first and second notches, the elongated member is in a position between the first and second positions. -14- 22. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the elongated member comprises: two elongated sections slidably connected to each other so that the elevation of the second end is adjustable to a desired height; and means for locking the two sections together so that the second end remains at the desired height. 23. A method for improving a water recreational device by means of an adapter, said device including a support member adapted to be towed by a towing means, said support member suitable for supporting a person above water when it is towed to provide recreation, said adapter comprising means adapted to be connected to the support member for providing balancing and steering control by the person when the support member is on "or near the water surface during towing, said method comprising securing the adapter to the device.

Inventors: COLEMAN JOHN PATRICK, COLEMAN, JOHN, PATRICK
Applicants: COLEMAN JOHN PATRICK, COLEMAN, JOHN, PATRICK
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A63C15
IPC codes: B62B13, B63B35