Abstract:
A tow bar holder for securing a tow bar to a boat having an outboard engine has two separate securing elements secured to the stern of the boat. The securing elements each have a fixing element for securing to an engine plate, and a receiving element. The feet of the tow bar can be plugged into a receiving space of the receiving element. In this case, the internal dimensions of the receiving space are larger than the external dimensions of the feet of the tow bar, such that the tow bar is tiltable and/or is fixable in various positions in the receiving space.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates to a tow bar holder for fastening a tow bar to a boat with an outboard engine. 
     2. Discussion of the Background Art 
     Such tow bars are fastened to the stern of a boat with an outboard engine for the purpose of towing water-skiers and the like. The tow bar holders have a portion bent outward with respect to the stern of the boat, which is connected, in particular integrally formed with bar feet. A tow rope is connected with the curved portion which is substantially horizontal when a water-skier or the like is towed. The tow rope is adapted to be shifted sideways in the curved portion or to slide in this portion. 
     A tow bar holder of this kind is known from EP 1 993 904. This tow bar holder comprises two mounting elements to be fastened to a boat&#39;s stern. Each mounting element has a fixing element fastened to the stern of a boat, in particular the motor plate. For this purpose, the fixing element has a leg abutting on the engine plate and a leg extending substantially vertically with respect to the engine plate. A plate is held pivotably on the leg extending vertically with respect to the engine plate. A respective receiving element is connected with the plate, the element being a cylindrical tube. The tubular receiving element forms a receiving space for insertion of one tow bar foot, respectively. The plate, and thus the receiving element fixedly connected with the plate, is pivotable so that, for instance, in use of the towing device, the tow bar is oriented substantially horizontally regardless of the position of the boat in the water. For this purpose, the plate is connected with the fixing element via a pintle. Further, the plate has a curved slot. The same coincides at least partly with a slot provided in the fixing element leg extending vertically with respect to the bottom plate. A stop pin is inserted through both slots and is adapted to be fixed in the plate at different positions. Due to the stop pin and the two, at least partly overlapping slots, a pivot angle of the tow bar of about 30° can be set. 
     The tow bar holder described in EP 1 993 904 B1 is a multipart and thus heavy component. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a friction element between the fixing element and the plate, which friction element undergoes wear. 
     It is an object of the present disclosure, to provide a compact, reliable tow bar holder having a simple structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     The tow bar holder of the present disclosure for fastening a tow bar to a boat with an outboard engine has two separate securing elements adapted to be fastened to the stern of a boat. The securing elements serve to receive the two tow bar feet. Each securing element comprises an in particular plate-shaped fixing element. Using the fixing element, the securing element is fastened to the stern of a boat, in particular to an engine plate. Preferably, the fastening is achieved by means of screws. In this regard, the fixing element can have in particular a plurality of mounting bores through which the screws are passed which are then fixed in the engine plate. By providing a plurality of bores, in particular superposed bores, it is possible to adjust the fixing element on the engine plate in a standardized manner. A receiving element is connected with the fixing element. Here, owing to the design of the receiving element provided by the disclosure, it is possible to fixedly arrange the receiving element on the fixing element. The tow bar holder of the present disclosure does not require a complexly designed mobility or pivotability between the fixing element and the receiving element. According to the disclosure, the receiving elements each have a receiving space for insertion of one tow bar foot, respectively. Here, the inner dimensions of the receiving space are larger than the outer dimensions of the tow bar feet. Thereby, it is possible for the tow bar to be moved and/or fixed at different positions in the receiving space. In particular, the inner dimensions of the receiving space are larger in the longitudinal direction of the boat that the outer dimensions of the tow bar feet. Thereby, it is possible to displace and/or tilt the tow bar. Preferably, the inner dimensions of the receiving space, seen in the longitudinal direction of the boat, are larger than the outer diameters of the tow bar feet, seen in the longitudinal direction of the boat, by at least 10 mm, in particular by at least 20 mm, and particularly preferred by at least 30 mm. 
     According to the disclosure, the tow bar feet are thus movable or tiltable in the longitudinal direction of the boat within the receiving space. This, in particular, makes it possible to fixedly connect the receiving elements with the fixing elements so that a complex structure using a pivotable intermediate plate, as described in EP 1 993 903 B1, is not required. 
     The receiving spaces preferably have a width transverse to the longitudinal direction of the boat, which substantially corresponds to the width of the tow bar feet. Thus, seen in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the boat, the tow bar has no or only little play, this possibly little play serving merely to facilitate the insertion and removal of the tow bar feet into or from the receiving space. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment the receiving spaces have a generally rectangular cross section. In particular, the receiving spaces are delimited by two side walls extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the boat. Here, the two tow bar feet are each arranged between the two side walls of the receiving element. 
     It is particularly preferred to provide a retaining element connected with the respective receiving element, in particular in a releasable manner. The retaining element provided per fastening element, which in particular is a retaining bolt, prevents the tow bar from slipping out of the receiving elements. In this regard, it is preferred that the ends of the tow bar have an opening or notch into which the retaining element engages. It is particularly preferred to design the retaining elements as retaining bolts. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the two side walls, preferably both side walls respectively have one opening through which the retaining element can be passed. In particular, the opening in at least one of the two side walls, and preferably in both side walls, is closed. This guarantees optimal force absorption and the retaining element is prevented from slipping out of the closed openings in one or both side walls. It is preferred that each of the ends of the tow bar also has an opening in particular a round opening. The openings, provided in particular in both side walls, are preferably arranged opposite each other, where it is particularly preferred that the two openings are slot-shaped. If the openings are slot-shaped, it is provided in particular that the openings are shaped as closed slots so as to guarantee the mobility of the retaining element in the slots, but also to prevent them from slipping out of the slots. The slots generally extend in the longitudinal direction of the boat and may be curved. Owing to the slot-shaped design of the openings in the two side walls, it is possible to move the retaining element, in particular the retaining bolt, in the openings substantially in the longitudinal direction of the boat, and the mobility of the retaining element, in particular of the retaining bolt, in the opening is increased. The larger the extension of the slot is, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the boat, the greater is the mobility and thus the adjustment range or the tiltability of the bar. Further, it is possible that the retaining elements or the retaining bolts extend in the longitudinal direction. In this regard, a rear wall and a front wall of the receiving element may be provided with an opening or a bore. Similar to the transversely arranged retaining elements, it is again preferred that openings or recesses are formed in the tow bar feet, possibly in the form of elongated holes. At the same time, an inadvertent slipping of the tow bar feet from the receiving spaces is prevented by providing the retaining elements. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the two securing elements of the tow bar holder are identical in design. This is possible if a securing element is designed such that it is symmetrical e.g. with respect to a centre plane. With such a design of the securing element, the same may be connected with the engine plate as the left or right securing element, seen from the rear of the boat, without changing the orientation of the securing element. In order to form a securing element that is as compact as possible, it is preferred that, when looking at the securing element from the rear of the boat, the fixing elements are arranged laterally beside the receiving element. In particular, the two fixing elements are directed inwards with respect to the receiving elements. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is possible also with such a design to realize a securing element that can be used equally as a left or right securing element. For this purpose, again seen from the rear side of the boat, the securing element is rotated by 180° about a horizontal longitudinal axis. A securing element arranged as a right securing element, for example, has a fixing element directed to the left side. By turning this securing element by 180°, a left securing element is formed whose fixing element is directed to the right. Bores provided in the fixing element, for example, have to be arranged in a corresponding symmetrical manner. Openings provided in the side walls to receive retaining elements in the receiving element must also be arranged in a corresponding symmetrical manner. Such a design of the securing elements as identical securing elements is not only advantageous with respect to storage and manufacture, but also with respect to assembly, since the risk of erroneous assembly is reduced. 
     Further, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the disclosure, stop elements are provided on or connected with the receiving element. By providing stop elements, the tiltability of the tow bar can be restricted in the longitudinal direction of the boat. It is particularly preferred that at least one, preferably two upper stop elements are provided. In particular, a front and a rear stop element are provided, seen in the longitudinal direction of the boat. The upper stop elements are arranged in the upper region of the receiving element and thus delimit the displacement or tilting of the tow bar in this region. Preferably, at least one, preferably two lower stop elements are provided in the lower region of the receiving element, where, again, a front and a rear stop element are provided. Thereby, the displacement of the tow bar in the longitudinal direction of the boat is restricted in the lower region of the receiving element. It is particularly preferred that the stop elements are at least partly adjustable. This may be achieved, for instance, by providing eccentrically shaped stop elements, so that by turning the stop elements into different positions a change of position is effected. It is further possible that a boat-side front wall of the receiving element, i.e. a front wall directed towards the boat, and/or a rear wall of the receiving element, which is situated away from the boat, is designed as stop elements. 
     It is particularly preferred to form at least a part of the stop elements as stop pins. For a change of position of the stop pins, it is then preferred to provide the upper and/or lower portions of the side walls of the receiving element with a plurality of holes in which the stop pins can be fixed in different positions. 
     The fixing element, which is in particular rigidly connected with the receiving element, may be arranged laterally offset from the receiving element in order to facilitate assembly. It is preferred that the fixing element is formed integrally with a boat-side front wall of the receiving element. As an alternative, the fixing element may also be arranged offset in the longitudinal direction with respect to the boatside front wall. The in particular plate-shaped fixing element is then preferably arranged laterally beside the receiving element. For this reason, the securing element can be designed to be extremely compact. Further, the possible swivel angle of the outboard engine is enlarged. This is especially advantageous with engines having large outer dimensions. Further, it is advantageous that the tow bar is arranged closer to the engine plate. 
     Specifically in case of a fixing element arranged laterally beside the receiving element, it is preferred that the same has a recess in the lower and/or upper region. Thereby, the stop pins arranged in these regions can be provided in a simple manner. Further, the movement of the retaining element, in particular in the slot-shaped openings of the side walls, is thereby not restricted by the laterally arranged fixing element. 
     For a further enlargement of the tilting region of the tow bar, a rear wall of the receiving element, averted from the boat, may have a recess in particular in the lower region. 
     Further, it is preferred to connect the stop elements with damping elements. Thereby, the abutment of the tow bar is dampened so that in particular any damage to the stop elements and/or the tow bar is avoided. If the front wall and/or the rear wall are designed as stop elements in the upper and/or lower region, or serve as stop elements, a stop element made of an elastomeric material, for example, can be fixed on the corresponding inner side of the walls by gluing, for example. With bolt-shaped stop elements, it is possible to surround these with sleeve-shaped damping elements also made of an elastomeric material, for example. 
     The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the Figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, much simplified top plan view of a tow bar fastened to a boat by means of a tow bar holder, 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side elevational view of a first embodiment of one of the two securing elements of a tow bar holder, 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the securing element illustrated in  FIG. 2 , seen in 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the securing element illustrated in  FIG. 2 , seen along the line IV-IV in  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the securing element of  FIG. 2  together with a tow bar in different positions, 
         FIG. 6  is a schematical side elevational view of a second embodiment of one of the two securing elements of a tow bar holder, 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the securing element illustrated in  FIG. 6 , seen in the direction of the arrow VII, 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the securing element illustrated in  FIG. 6 , seen along the line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  is a schematical side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , together with a tow bar in the intermediate driving position, 
         FIG. 10  is a schematical side elevational view of another embodiment of a securing element, together with a tow bar in different positions, 
         FIG. 11  is a schematical side elevational view of another embodiment of a securing element, and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematical front view of the securing element illustrated in  FIG. 11 , seen in the direction of the arrow XII. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A tow bar  10  comprises a curved element  12  that is connected with tow bar feet  14  via intermediate elements  13 . The two tow bar feet are arranged in securing elements  16 . The two securing elements  16  are fastened to an engine plate  18 , in particular by means of screws. The engine plate  18  is arranged at the stern  20  of a boat and supports a schematically illustrated outboard engine  22 . For example, a roller  24  may be provided in the curved portion, which roller is displaceable along the curved portion  12 , as illustrated by the arrow  26 . A rope  28  is fastened to the roller  24 , which a water-skier may take hold on, for example. 
     In a first preferred embodiment ( FIGS. 2 to 4 ), the securing elements  16  each have a receiving element  30 . The receiving element  30 , which in the embodiment illustrated has a rectangular cross section, forms a receiving space  32  into which the tow bar feet  14  ( FIG. 5 ) can be inserted. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the receiving element  30  has two opposing side walls  34  extending in the longitudinal direction of the boat. The two side walls  34  are substantially identical in design and each have a retaining slot  36  such that the two retaining slots are arranged opposite each other. A retaining element  38  ( FIG. 4 ), formed as a retaining bolt in the embodiment illustrated, is arranged in the retaining slot, the retaining bolt  38  also being passed through openings in the tow bar foot ( FIG. 5 ). 
     Further, the receiving elements  30  have a rear wall  40  averted from the stern  20  of the boat. Opposite the rear wall  40 , a boat-side front wall  42  is provided. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a fixing element  44  is integrally connected with the front wall  42 . The fixing element  44  preferably comprises a plurality of vertically superposed bores  46 . Screws for fixing the fixing element  44  in the engine plate  18  are inserted through these bores  46 . It is also possible to arrange the fixing element  44  laterally beside the side wall  34 , as illustrated in broken lines in  FIG. 3 . The fixing element  44  preferably has a recess  48  in the lower region so that the retaining bolt  38  and a stop element, such as a stop pin  50  ( FIG. 4 ), are not impeded by the fixing element  44  with respect to their position and movement. 
     Moreover, stop elements  54 , illustrated in broken lines in  FIG. 2 , may be arranged on inner sides  52  of the front wall  42  and the rear wall  40 . 
     For the use of the tow bar holder, the two securing elements  16  are fastened to the engine plate  18  via the fixing elements  44 , using screws. Thereafter, the two tow bar feet  14  can be inserted into the receiving space  32  of the receiving elements  30  from above. In order to prevent the tow bar from slipping out in the upward direction, two retaining bolts  38  are inserted through the two slot-shaped recesses  36  and a bore in the corresponding tow bar foot  14 , and are fixed. Here, the fixing is effected such that a movement of the retaining elements  38  in the slot  36  is possible. Due to the provision of a front wall  42  and a rear wall  40  the tilting range is restricted, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     By providing additional stop elements  50 , preferably also formed as bolts or screws, the tilting range can be restricted, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , for example. In this regard, the stop elements may be arranged in bores  56  in the lower region of the side wall  34  and/or also in bores  58  in the upper region of the side walls  34 . Thus, it is possible to vary/adjust the tilting range. 
     In another preferred embodiment ( FIGS. 6 to 8 ), similar and identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals. 
     This embodiment differs from the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4  basically by the fact that the side walls  34  in the rear portion, i.e. the portion averted from the stern  20  of the boat, are beveled. Thus, it is not the upper region of the rear wall  40  that serves as the rear upper stop element, but an additionally provided web  60  ( FIG. 7 ). Further, in the embodiment illustrated herein, the rear wall  40  extends only to the beveled edge  62 . In this regard, the receiving space  32  is open to the rear, i.e. opposite to the longitudinal direction of the boat. As can be seen in particular in  FIG. 8 , this has the advantage that the rear wall  42  can additionally be formed as a fixing element that corresponds to the fixing element  44  of the embodiment in  FIGS. 2 to 4 . Therefore, the rear wall  42  is provided with the bores  46  through which the screws for fastening to the engine plate  18  are inserted. 
     For the rest, the securing element  16  of this embodiment ( FIGS. 6 to 8 ) has the same essential elements as the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . In particular, a curved slot  36  and bores  56  are also provided in the two mutually opposite side walls  34 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a securing element  16  is shown that is designed similar to the securing element illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 . The only difference is that a recess  66  is provided in the lower region of the rear wall  40 . Thereby, it is possible that in the highest position of the tow bar  10 , the right position in  FIG. 10 , the lower end of the tow bar foot  14  protrudes from the receiving element  30 . Thereby, the tilting range is further enlarged. In  FIG. 10 , an upper or high position of the tow bar is illustrated. The same is typically used to tow waterskiers or wakeboarders. In a lower or bottom position of the tow bar, the same serves in particular to tow heavy loads, such as boats or the like. The tow bar can be tilted upward from the lower position, as it can after a stop element has been provided. 
     A further preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in which similar and identical parts are again identified by the same reference numerals. The securing element  16  illustrated is a securing element that can be used both as a left and a right securing element. In this regard, the securing element has a partly symmetrical structure. In addition to the lower curved slot-shaped opening  36 , an upper slot-shaped opening  68  symmetrical with respect to a centre line not illustrated. 
     Further, the fixing element  44  is provided with six bores  46  also arranged symmetrically with respect to a horizontal centre line. Thereby, it is possible to turn the element illustrated as the left securing element, seen from the rear of the boat, by 180° so that the fixing element  44  is arranged on the left side of the receiving element  30 . Correspondingly, fastening is then effected via other bores  46  and the slot-shaped opening  68  then forms the lower opening. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the stop element  54  is not glued in, but is fixed with a screw or a nut  70 . In this regard, bores  72  are provided in the rear wall  40 . Fastening the stop  54  with a screw or nut  70  has the advantage that the position of the stop  54  can be varied in a simple manner, depending on whether the securing element is used as the left or right securing element.