Patent Publication Number: US-7594837-B1

Title: Maneuverable aquatic towable vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of aquatic recreational towables, and more particularly to a towable where the passenger can maneuver the vehicle to steer the vehicle and to put the vehicle into a controlled spin. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Aquatic towable vehicles have long been popular with water sport enthusiasts. As one gains experience and skills in using the towable vehicles, a desire for a more challenging and exciting ride becomes evident. Skilled riders also want an ability to control the towable so they can use their skills to maneuver the towable to produce a ride that is thrilling to both the rider and to any observers. 
     As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved maneuverable aquatic towable vehicle, and the provision of such a construction is a stated object of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides an aquatic towable vehicle that can be maneuvered by the rider to steer the vehicle and to put the vehicle in a controlled spin while being towed behind a boat. The vehicle includes a passenger deck having a convex lower surface, a lowermost center point, and elevated ends. Fins are attached to the convex lower surface spaced out from the center point, and symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal center line of the deck and the center point. The body portions of the fins are elevated above the center point so they are out of the water when the vehicle is level in the water. A tow strap is attached to the convex lower surface at the center point. When the rider&#39;s weight is shifted to move the vehicle from the level position, the fins on one side of the center point engage the water and allow the rider to steer. When the vehicle is in the level position and the fins are out of the water, the rider can put the vehicle in a controlled spin rotating around the center point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the maneuverable aquatic vehicle of the present invention towed behind a boat; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged top plan view of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view thereof, where the vehicle is level in the water with the fins out of the water to allow the vehicle to be put into a controlled spin; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof where the vehicle is tilted back in the water with the fins engaging the water to allow the vehicle to be steered; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view, illustrating the vehicle in a position to spin about the center point where the tow strap is attached; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, where the vehicle is sized to accommodate two riders; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is an end elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view thereof, showing the vehicle level in the water to allow it to spin; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view thereof, showing the vehicle tilted back in the water to allow it to be steered; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view thereof, illustrating the vehicle spinning about the center point; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the invention, illustrating a two rider vehicle where the deck has a convex upper surface; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is an end elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view, showing the vehicle level in the water to allow it to spin; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view, showing the vehicle tilted back in the water to allow it to be steered; and 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view thereof, illustrating the vehicle spinning about the center point. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the maneuverable aquatic towable vehicle that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference to number  10 . The vehicle  10  includes a passenger deck  20  having an upper surface  22  and a convex lower surface  24 . Handles  26  are attached to the upper surface  22  and are spaced at regular intervals around a peripheral rim that defines a recessed cockpit  28 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the convex lower surface  24  has a lowermost center point  30 , and elevated ends  32  and  34 . A number of downwardly depending fins  40  are attached to the lower surface  24  between the center point  30  and the elevated ends  32  and  34 . The entire body of each of the fins  40  is elevated above the center point  30  when the vehicle  10  is in a level position ( FIG. 4 ). Also, the fins  40  are symmetrically disposed on the lower surface  24  with respect to the center point  30  and the longitudinal centerline of the deck  20  ( FIG. 6 .) A tow strap  50  is attached to the lower surface  24  at the center point  30 , and a tow line  60  interconnects the vehicle  10  to a towing boat  70 . 
     In use, the rider  100  is in the cockpit  28 , usually in a kneeling or sitting position, and grasps the handles  26  on opposite sides of the deck  20 . To steer the vehicle  10 , the rider  100  shifts their weight so that the deck  20  is tilted back and the fins  40  are below water level, as shown in  FIG. 5 . To cause the vehicle  10  to spin, the rider  100  shifts their weight so that the deck  20  sits substantially level in the water and all the fins  40  are out of the water, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this position, the rider can maneuver the vehicle so that is spins around the center point  30 . 
     The embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  is a vehicle  10  for a single rider, whereas the alternate embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 7-12  is a vehicle  110  designed to accommodate two riders. The additional alternate embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 13-18  is also a two-rider vehicle  210 , but having a convex upper surface that generally corresponds to the shape of the lower surface  24 . In the two-rider embodiments, the riders work together to maneuver the vehicle to be in the desired steering or spinning mode. 
     Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 
     Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.