Patent Publication Number: US-6908352-B2

Title: Towable watersports handle assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A number of towable watersports including waterskiing, tubing, barefoot skiing, wakeboarding and the like have enjoyed significant success lately. Generally, the user, or rider, is towed by a main rope that is pulled behind a boat, watercraft, or other towing vessel. The rope usually terminates in a handle assembly that is held by the user. 
   A typical handle assembly is a Y shaped piece including a grip, a bridle, and a yoke. The grip is typically a cylindrical rod covered with a gripable material. A bridle, which in some cases is made of rope, generally extends from each end of the grip and connects to the yoke. The yoke (or a lead rope extending from the yoke) is then connected to the main rope. 
   Grips typically wear out much faster than the other parts of the handle assembly. However, because most grips cannot be removed from the handle assembly, which is sold as a single unit, users are forced to purchase an entire handle assembly each time the grip wears out. This increases costs to the user and wastes material and manufacturing effort as users are forced to replace bridles and ropes that are in usable condition. 
   Moreover, a number of different grips are available. For example, different types of towable watersports (i.e. waterskiing versus wakeboarding) may use different styles of grips, and even grips for the same sport may come in different shapes, sizes, and/or colors. Accordingly, a particular user may wish to use different grips at different times. For example, a user may wish to use a specific grip for competition and another grip for practice. Additionally or alternatively, two users sharing the same boat and main rope may wish to use different grips. 
   Triton sports (www.tritonsports.com) makes a handle system under their Hardline brand called the Detachable Handle System (DHS). However, in order for a user to detach the grip from the bridle, the user must, for each end of the handle, first peel back a rubber piece covering the grip/bridle interface and then, while holding the rubber piece back, use a screw driver to unscrew a small metal screw that joins the bridle to the grip. In order to reattach the grip (or attach a new grip), the user must insert the bridle connector into the grip in the proper orientation such that the holes in the grip align with the holes in the bridle connector, move the rubber piece out of the way, and use a screwdriver to reattach the pieces with the screw. Such a system does not allow for quick removal and replacement of the grip, particularly when a user is wet and/or in the water. 
   Thus, it would be desirable to have an easily interchangeable handle that allows the grip to be quickly and easily removed from the handle assembly and a different grip inserted without requiring detachment and/or replacement of the rest of the handle assembly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a towable watersports handle assembly comprising a grip adapted to provide a grippable surface, a bridle, and a manually attachable fastening device configured to reversibly secure the bridle to the grip. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention provides a towable watersports handle assembly comprising a grip including a first and second orifice, a bridle, and a bushing. Thus bushing may comprise a first portion adapted to receive and secure the bridle to the bushing, and a second portion adapted to secure the bushing to the grip. The second portion may include first and second legs extending from the first portion. The first leg may include a first detent and the second leg may include a second detent. The first and second detents may be adapted to seat inside the first and second orifices, reversibly securing the bushing to the grip thereby. 
   In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a tool for use with an interchangeable towable watersports handle assembly, where the towable watersports handle assembly may include a grip including at least one orifice, a bridle, and a bushing configured to reversibly secure the grip to the bridle, and further where the bushing may be secured to the grip by a detent extending from the bushing and configured to be inserted into the orifice. The tool may comprise a biasing member configured to urge the detent out of the orifice in a single motion, thereby freeing the bushing from the grip. 
   The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a first embodiment of an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of a bushing useful in the interchangeable handle system shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the interchangeable handle system shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the bushing and grip. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the interchangeable handle system shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the bushing being inserted into the grip. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the interchangeable handle system shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the bushing fully inserted into the grip. 
       FIG. 6  is a close-up perspective view of a uncoupling tool suitable for use with the interchangeable handle system shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the interchangeable handle system shown in  FIG. 1  showing the uncoupling tool being positioned on the grip. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the interchangeable handle system shown in  FIG. 1  as the bushing is being released from the grip. 
       FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of yet another embodiment of an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of still another embodiment of an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a pressure plate suitable for use in the interchangeable handle system shown in FIG.  11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides a towable watersports handle assembly including a grip that can be quickly and easily removed. Typically, the grip is reversibly connected to the bridle by a manually attachable fastening device. As used herein, a manually attachable fastening device or manipulable device includes a device that may be operated by using human force rather than mechanical force. Human force includes operation or control by skilled use of hands. For example, a manually attachable fastening device may include a fastener adapted to be attached without the use of machines or tools, such as, but not limited to, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc. The manually attachable fastening device may be manually detachable as well, by which it is meant that the fastener may be adapted to be detached without the use of machines or tools, such as, but not limited to, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc. In some embodiments, the fastening device may be manually attachable, but require a specific tool to be detached, in order to prevent accidental detachment of the device while the handle assembly is in use. 
     FIG. 1  shows an exemplary towable watersports handle assembly  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, towable watersports handle assembly  10  includes a grip  12  connected to a bridle  14 . Bridle  14  may include a pair of ropes  24 , which are joined to and extend from the ends  20   a  of bar  20  to yoke  16 , typically forming a V- or Y-shaped configuration. For ease of discussion, each rope  24  will be referred to as having a bar end  24   a  and a yoke end  24   b . Yoke  16  may connect directly to a main line, or towrope  18 . Alternatively, a lead rope (not shown) may extend from the yoke and rather than connecting directly to the yoke, the main line may connect to the lead rope. 
   Grip  12  typically includes a bar  20 , which is surrounded by a cushioned layer  22 . While other shapes are contemplated by the present invention, bar  20  is typically a hollow cylinder and may be formed of a sturdy, lightweight material such as aluminum. Layer  22  is typically formed of a non-slip material such as foam, rubber, or the like. 
   In the presently described embodiment, the bar end  24   a  of each rope  24  is joined to a bushing  26 . As shown bushing  26  is adapted to be removably secured inside of grip  12 . 
     FIGS. 2-8  present a close-up view of the relationship between bushing  26  and grip  12 .  FIG. 2  is a close-up illustration of an exemplary bushing  26 . Bushing  26  may be formed of any suitable material including, for example, plastic. As shown, bushing  26  includes a spool portion  28  and a locking portion  30 . 
   Spool portion  28  typically includes an external surface  32  defining a rim  34 , a recessed region  36  and a collar  38 . Recessed region  36  typically includes a bore  39 , through which rope  24  may be threaded and then secured to bushing  26 . 
   Collar  38  is situated between spool portion  28  and locking portion  30 . Collar  38  provides a surface against which bar  20  may abut when bushing  26  is inserted into bar  20 . Thus collar  38  is typically sized to have a diameter  38   d  larger than the internal diameter  20   d  of bar  20  (as shown in FIG.  3 ). 
   Returning to  FIG. 2 , locking portion  30  includes a pair of legs  40  extending from central region  42 . Each leg  40  includes a detent  44 , which is perpendicular to and radiates outward from the leg. Typically, the distance  44   l  between the distal ends of detents  44  is larger than the internal diameter  20   d  of bar  20  (again referring briefly to FIG.  3 ). However, legs  40  are adapted to provide a certain degree of radial give or movement such that the legs can be pinched together (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) in order to insert the locking portion  30  of bushing  26  into the end of bar  20 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , each end of bar  20  includes a pair of orifices  46  extending through the bar. The orifices are sized and spaced to receive detents  44  when bushing  26  is inserted into the bar. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , legs  40  are pinched together in order to insert the bushing  26  into bar  20 . The legs are typically pinched together manually, for example, a user may grasp the bushing while squeezing the legs together and then insert the legs into the bushing. Legs  40  are then released in order to allow detents  44  to seat inside orifices  46 , as shown in  FIG. 5  thus locking bushing  26  to bar  20 . In addition, legs  40  may be somewhat outwardly biased, i.e. biased away from each other, creating a tension fit between locking portion  30  and bar  20  when the locking portion is inserted into bar  20 . Thus, bushing  26  acts as a manually attachable fastening device. 
   Moreover, as shown, the user can secure bushing  26  to grip  12  simply by inserting the distal end of the bushing into the grip and pushing the two pieces together until the detents on the bushing pop into the orifices on the grip. Thus, rather than requiring the user to perform multiple steps or actions to attach the bushing to the grip, the user can attach the bushing to the grip with a single step or motion. 
   Bushing  26  can be released from bar  20  by the use of uncoupling tool  48 . An exemplary uncoupling tool is shown in detail in FIG.  6 . Uncoupling tool  48  is typically formed of a flexible yet resilient material such as plastic. Uncoupling tool  48  includes a pair of arms  50  extending from a central region  52 . Each arm  50  includes a pin  54  that extends perpendicular to and radiates inward from the arm. Pins  54  are sized and spaced to fit into orifices  46 . Central region  52  may include a curved seat  56 , which may be adapted to match the external contour of handle  12 . Each arm of uncoupling tool  48  may further include a pad  58  sized and configured so that the pad can be grasped by a user&#39;s fingers. 
   When grip  12  is properly engaged by uncoupling tool  48 , arms  50  are disposed so as to reach on either side of the grip, as shown in FIG.  7 . Grip  12  can positioned such that pins  54  on uncoupling tool  48  align with detents  44  on bushing  26 . Arms  50  of uncoupling tool  48  can then be urged inwards so as to push detents  44  inwards, thereby pinching legs  40 , and allowing bushing  26  to slide out of bar  20 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
   Because uncoupling tool  48  may be used outside, on a boat, or even in the water, uncoupling tool  48  may further include an attachment region  60 , which in the depicted example includes an orifice  62  through which a rope, string, wire, hook, or the like may be threaded or inserted, allowing the tool to be secured to a person, object, or location. 
   Another embodiment of a towable watersports handle assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG.  9 . In the depicted embodiment, towable watersports handle assembly  100  includes a grip  112  connected to a bridle  114 . As with the example above, grip  112  typically includes a bar  120 , which his surrounded by a cushioned layer  122 . Bridle  114  may include a pair of ropes  124 , which are joined to and extend from the ends  120   a  of bar  120  to a yoke (not shown), which may then be connected to a main line (also not shown.) As with the above-described embodiment, the bar end  124   a  of each rope is joined to a bushing  126 . However, instead of the bushing being inserted into the bar in order to reversibly attach the bridle to the handle as described above, a portion of bar  120  is inserted into bushing  126 . 
   As shown, bushing  126  includes a spool portion  128 , which may be similar in design and function to spool portion  28 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . Bushing  126  further includes a locking portion  130 . Locking portion  130  includes a pair of legs  140 , which extend axially downwards from an outer circumferential region of spool portion  128 . A central drum  142  extends axially downwards from a central region of spool portion  128 . Legs  140  and central drum  142  are sized and spaced appropriately so that bar  120  can be received by and sandwiched between legs  140  and central drum  142 . Moreover, each leg  140  includes a detent  144 , which is perpendicular to and radiates inward from the leg. Grip  112  includes a notched region  146  at each end. Notched region  146  is adapted to receive and retain a detent  144  when grip  112  is received by bushing  126 . 
   As shown, legs  140  may include gripping material  158  so as to provide a uniform gripping region. Moreover, the portions  112   a  of grip  112  which are received by bushings  126  may be of a smaller diameter than central portion  112   b  and bushings  126  may have the same diameter as central portion  112 , so as to provide a uniform surface along the entire length of the grip. 
   Another embodiment of a towable watersports handle assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG.  10 . The towable watersports handle assembly  200 , shown in  FIG. 10 , includes a grip  212  including a male snap-lock member  202  affixed at each end. Bridle ropes  224  each terminate in a female snap-lock member  204 . The male snap-lock members can be removably inserted into the female snap lock members to create a secure, reversible, connection between grip  212  and bridle ropes  224 . Of course it will be appreciated that the positions of the male and female snap-lock members could be reversed, that is, the handle could include a female snap-lock member and the bridle ropes could terminate in a male snap-lock member. 
   Another embodiment of a towable watersports handle assembly according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The towable watersports handle assembly  300 , shown in  FIG. 11  includes a keyed bushing  326 , which is configured to reversibly mate with a spring-loaded grip  312 . As shown, bushing  326  includes an extension member  302  including a tooth  304 . Bar  320  includes a spring  306 , which terminates on both ends in a pressure plate  308 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , pressure plate  308  includes a keyhole region into which tooth  304 , when properly oriented, may be inserted. 
   Additional examples of towable watersports handle assemblies including easily interchangeable grips, many of which include a manually attachable fastening device, are described briefly below. 
   In a first example, the towable watersports handle assembly includes a bushing having a collet design. The bushing is designed to expand inside the bar as a hex bolt is tightened into the bar through a hole in the end of the bushing. The arms that extend into the bar expand as the bolt is tightened, thus creating pressure on the inside wall of the bar and securing the bushing. 
   In an alternative example, an interchangeable handle system may include a bushing having a hex-head. In this embodiment, a threaded rod runs the length of the inside of the bar and is secured into the opposite bushing by tightening the hex head. 
   In yet another example, each end of the grip may include a snap fitting with a sleeve that slides over a ring. The snap fitting rings hold the bushings in place with tabs that are formed into their geometry. These tabs can go through holes in the bar and into the bushings. A rubber or soft plastic sleeve will then be slid over the clip, preventing it from coming off during use. 
   In another example, an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention may include a quick lock fitting similar to that used on a bicycle seat post or wheel hub. The ring-style fitting is slid over the end of the bar and the bushing are then placed in the bar ends. The fitting is then tightened and locked, pinching the bar around the bushings. 
   In yet another example of an interchangeable handle system according to the present invention, an interchangeable handle system may include a snap fitting at the yoke. This piece allows for the yoke and handle to be easily disconnected from the main line allowing for efficient bar swapping. The yoke is laid inside the fitting into a channel and secured by closing. The fitting may open and close like a clamshell, even, for example, making an audible clicking noise to alert the user that the fitting has been securely closed. 
   It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
   Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.