Patent Publication Number: US-6991502-B2

Title: Apparatus for securing a person to a water-tow sport handle

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
   This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, and incorporates fully by reference, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/497,512 filed Aug. 25, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to water-tow sports in which a person is towed behind a watercraft, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and the like, and more particularly to apparatus that a person uses to be towed by a watercraft. 
   Description of the Related Art 
   In various watersports in which a person is towed behind a watercraft, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, air chair riding, float tube (e.g., inner tubes) riding, and the like (collectively referred to herein as “water-tow sports”), the person must typically hold onto a special handle (e.g., a “water ski handle”). The handle, referred to herein as a “water-tow sport handle,” is typically connected to one end of a rope having another end connected to the rear of a watercraft. A typical watercraft is a small motor boat. 
   A typical water-tow sport handle  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the handle comprises a rigid tubular triangle  16  including a handle segment  12  adapted to be gripped by a user. The handle segment  12  has a diameter appropriate for being gripped by a person&#39;s hands. The handle  10  is connected or configured to be connected to a rope. In use, the rope is secured to the rear of a watercraft so that a person holding the handle  10  can be pulled along behind the watercraft.  FIG. 2  shows a water skier using the handle  10 . 
   The use of a conventional water-tow sport handle requires a constant grip on the handle segment  12 , which is very tiring. During those times when the user is not engaged in the immediate act of, e.g., water skiing or wakeboarding, such as after the completion of a water ski slalom course or a pass on a wakeboard, the user often desires to rest his or her hands and upper body as the watercraft continues to move. In order to rest their hands or upper body, users sometimes hook their arms through the handle  10  or extend the handle  10  between their legs. These options are dangerous because it is not as easy to release the handle  10  in the case of an emergency. For example, if the user falls while skiing with the handle  10  hooked through the user&#39;s arm, the arm can become injured as the person gets dragged along the surface of the water. Also, these methods of resting the user&#39;s hands still involve the use of upper body muscles, especially when resisting centrifugal forces while the watercraft is turning. 
   Some watercrafts have a rope release mechanism that a person in the watercraft can activate in an emergency situation, such as when the user falls while being towed. One limitation to this type of mechanism is that its effectiveness depends upon the person in the watercraft, who must be paying attention and must release the rope in a timely manner to avoid injuring the user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is a principle advantage of the present invention to overcome some or all of these limitations and to provide an improved method and apparatus for towing a person behind a watercraft. 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a belt and a holder. The belt is configured to be worn around a person&#39;s waist. The holder is secured to the belt and configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle while the belt is being worn around a person&#39;s waist and as the handle is being pulled away from the belt. In one embodiment, the holder comprises a plate member secured to the belt, and a holding element hingedly secured to the plate member. The holding element is configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle. In one embodiment, the holding element comprises a rigid hook. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a belt configured to be worn around a person&#39;s waist, and a holder secured to the belt. The holder is configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle while the belt is being worn around the person&#39;s waist and as the handle is being pulled away from the belt. The holder comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a recess configured so that shear stress in the first portion becomes concentrated at the recess. The second portion is configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle. The holder is configured so that if the first portion breaks at the recess, the second portion will disconnect from the belt. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a holder for holding onto a water-tow sport handle, comprising a plate member and a holding element. The plate member is configured to be secured to a belt worn around a person&#39;s waist. The holding element is configured to be secured to the plate member and also to secure the plate member onto a water-tow sport handle as the handle is being pulled away from the belt. 
   In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a belt configured to be worn around a person&#39;s waist, comprising an elongated pad and a first strap outside of the pad. The elongated pad comprises a cushioning material inside of a cover, such that the pad is configured to support a user&#39;s back. The pad has a first end and a second end. The first strap has a first end configured to be removably secured proximate the first end of the pad, and a second end configured to be removably secured proximate the second end of the pad. The strap is configured to weave through a holder configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle. 
   In still another aspect, the present invention provides a belt configured to be worn around a person&#39;s waist, comprising an elongated pad and a strap. The pad comprises a cushioning material inside of a cover and is configured to support a user&#39;s back. The pad has a first end and a second end. The strap has first and second ends. The first end of the strap is configured to be removably secured to the first end of the pad. The strap has a first portion outside of the pad. The first portion of the strap includes the first end of the strap. The strap also has a second portion extending within the pad from the second end of the pad to the first end of the pad. The first portion of the strap is configured to weave through a holder configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle. 
   For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
   All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a conventional water tow-sport handle. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a person using the conventional water tow-sport handle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an apparatus for securing a user to a water-tow sport handle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the holder of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 5–7  are front, bottom, and side views, respectively, of the plate member of the holder of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are top and side views, respectively, of the holding element of the holder of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a hinge pin of the holder of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 3  shows an apparatus  20 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, for securing a user to a water tow-sport handle of the type shown in  FIGS. 1–2 . The illustrated apparatus  20  comprises a belt  22  and a holder  24 . The belt  22  is configured to be worn around a person&#39;s waist. The holder  24  is secured to the belt  22  and is configured to hold onto the water tow-sport handle while the belt  22  is being worn around the person&#39;s waist and as the handle is being pulled away from the belt  22 . It will be understood that the holder  24  can be either permanently secured to the belt  22  or configured to be removably secured thereto. As used herein, the phrase “configured to be removably secured” means designed and configured to be repeatedly secured and unsecured, without breaking a connection that is intended to be permanent. In a preferred embodiment, the holder  24  is configured to slide along the belt  22  for adjusting its position thereon. The length of the belt  22  depends upon the waist size of the user. Preferably, different belt lengths are provided for different sizes of waists. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the belt  22  comprises an elongated pad  26  and a strap  28 . The pad  26  is configured to provide cushioned support to a person&#39;s back when the belt  22  is worn around the person&#39;s waist. The pad  26  preferably comprises a cushioning material inside of a cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cushioning material comprises a closed-cell foam and the cover comprises a nylon-type material. However, skilled artisans will understand that any of a variety of different types of cushioning materials and covers can be used, keeping in mind the goals of making the belt  22  buoyant, suitable for use in seawater (e.g., resistant to saltwater corrosion), and/or strong enough to support the weight of a user being towed behind a watercraft. In one embodiment, the belt  22  is made of one or more materials that will float in water. In another embodiment, the belt  22  is made of one or more materials that will keep the user afloat in water when the belt is worn around the user&#39;s waist. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the strap  28  includes a first end  30  and a second end  32 . In one embodiment, both of the ends  30  and  32  are configured to be removably secured to the pad  26 . Any of a variety of methods can be employed to removably secure the ends  30  and  32  of the strap  28  to the pad  26 , keeping in mind the goal of avoiding disconnection during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad  26  includes first and second pairs of D-clips  34 , which are used to removably secure the ends  30  and  32  of the strap  28  according to well known methods (e.g., passing the strap once through both D-clips and then again through only one of the D-clips). The D-clips  34  can be secured to the pad  26  in any of a variety of methods, such as by the use of strap loops  35  that are stitched into the pad  26 . One pair of D-clips  34  is provided at or near a first end  36  of the pad  26 , and the other pair of D-clips  34  is provided at or near a second end  38  of the pad. The first end  30  of the strap  28  can readily be removably secured to the first pair of D-clips (not shown) on the first end  36  of the pad  26 , and the second end  32  of the strap  28  can readily be removably secured to the second pair of D-clips  34  on the second end  38  of the pad  26 . In order to reduce the likelihood of disconnection from the D-clips  34 , the strap  38  is preferably formed of a material having a relatively high degree of roughness or friction, such as strap material commonly used for backpacks, carrying cases, and the like (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, etc.). In an alternative embodiment, the D-clips  34  are omitted from the design and replaced by one or two engagement buckles, such as plastic side-release buckles sold on the web site www.plastic-buckles.com (an exemplary buckle being a Trovato TSR 101-0100 side-release buckle). 
   In a preferred embodiment, an internal strap similar in character to the strap  28  is stitched into and extends along substantially the entire length of the pad  26 . For example, the illustrated strap loops  35  may comprise the ends of such an internal strap, each end of the internal strap being looped and stitched into itself to form the loop  35 . In one embodiment, the internal strap inside the pad  26  is wider than the strap  28 , and preferably as wide or almost as wide as the pad  26 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the first end  30  of the strap  28  is non-removably (i.e., permanently) secured to the first end  36  of the pad  26 , and the second end  32  of the strap  28  can be removably secured to the second end  38  of the pad  26  by any suitable means (such as, for example, the D-clips  34  or an engagement buckle). In such an embodiment, there is of course no need for a pair of D-clips or any other apparatus at or near the first end  36  of the pad  26  for removable securement of the first end  30  of the strap  28 . The first end  30  of the strap  28  can be permanently secured to the first end  36  of the pad  26  by any of a variety of methods, such as stitching the strap  28  into the pad  26 . In another embodiment, the end  32  of the strap  28  is configured to be removably secured to the end  38  of the pad  26 , and the strap extends across the front of the pad  26 , through the end  36  of the pad, through the interior of the pad (or stitched thereon), and almost to the end  38 . In such an embodiment, the end  30  of the strap  28  is at or near the end  38  of the pad  26 , the strap having a first portion outside of the pad and a second portion stitched inside or on the surface of the pad. In such an embodiment, the end  30  of the strap  28  can form the strap loop  35 , wherein the end  30  is looped and stitched back on itself and onto the pad  26 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the holder  24  preferably comprises a plate member  40  secured to the belt  22 , and a holding element  42  hingedly secured to the plate member  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plate member  40  comprises a generally flat plate  44  and a pair of flange arms  46  protruding in one direction from the plate  44 . The holding element  42  includes an end interposed between the flange arms  46 , such that the flange arms are positioned on opposite sides of the end of the holding element. The holder  24  preferably further comprises a pin  49  extending through the holding element  42  and through at least portions of the flange arms  46 . The pin  49  secures the holding element  42  between the flange arms  46  so that the holding element is rotatable with respect to the plate member  40  about a center axis of the pin. 
     FIGS. 4–7  show a preferred embodiment of a plate member  40  in greater detail. The plate  44  includes a back side  56 , a front side  58 , and ends  60 . The flange arms  46  extend from the front side  58  of the plate  44 . Each flange arm  46  preferably includes an inner face  50  that opposes and faces the inner face  50  of the other flange arm. Each flange arm  46  preferably also includes an outer face  52  that faces away from the other flange arm. Each of the flange arms  46  includes a pin passage  48  extending completely through the flange arm. The two pin passages  48  are aligned and configured to slidably receive the pin  49 . It will be understood that one or both of the pin passages  48  may extend only partially through its associated flange arm  46 , from the inner face  50  but not all the way to the outer face  52 . In such configurations, the pin  49  extends only partially within such flange arm  46 . 
   Preferably, the plate member  40  is configured to be slidably secured to the strap  28  so that a user can slide the holder  24  and thereby adjust its position relative to the pad  26 . Skilled artisans will understand that the plate member  40  can have any of a variety of features for accomplishing this goal. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate member  40  includes slots  54  at or near its ends  60 . Each slot  54  is sized and adapted to slidably receive the strap  28 . In a preferred assembly, the strap  28  is inserted into the slots  54  of the plate member  40  such that the strap  28  extends along the front side  58  between each end  60  and associated slot  54 , and along the back side  56  between the two slots  54 . In this configuration, the plate member  40  can freely slide along the strap  28  without any interference between the strap and the flange arms  46 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the plate  44  is about 3½ inches long, about 2 inches wide, and about ¼ inch thick. The slots  54  are preferably about 1 inch long and about ⅛ inch wide, with the outside edge of one slot  54  spaced about 2 ¾ inches from the outside edge of the other slot  54 . Preferably, each slot  54  is spaced apart from the outer face  52  of the nearest flange arm  46  by about 7/16 inch. The flange arms  46  are preferably about 5/16 inch thick with the inner faces  50  spaced apart by 1.004 inches. The flange arms  46  preferably protrude about ⅞ inch from the plate  44  and are ⅞ inch wide. The inner diameter of the pin passages  48  of the flange arms  46  is preferably about 0.3780 inches. The pin passages  48  are preferably spaced by about 0.254 inches from the top surface  58  of the plate  44 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  8 , and  9 , the holding element  42  is configured to hold onto a water-tow sport handle, such as the handle  10  shown in  FIGS. 1–2 . Preferably, the holding element  42  comprises a rigid hook configured to catch onto the water-tow sport handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding element  42  includes a pin-receiving end  62  and a hook portion  66 . The pin-receiving end  62  is sized and adapted to be positioned between the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40 . The pin-receiving end  62  includes a pin passage  64  extending completely through the holding element  42 . The pin passage  64  is sized and adapted to align with the pin passages  48  of the flange arms  46  and slidably receive the pin  49  (preferably a slight friction fit). Thus, the three pin passages  48  and  64  are adapted to receive the pin  49  so that the holding element  42  is hingedly secured to the plate element  40  and rotatable about a center axis of the pin  49 . 
   The hook portion  66  of the illustrated holding element  42  is adapted to catch or hook onto a water-tow sport handle. The hook portion  66  has a hook end  68 . Skilled artisans will understand that the hook portion  66  can be oriented so that it hooks onto the water-tow sport handle either from above or below. In other words, the hook end  68  can be above or below the water-tow sport handle. In alternative embodiments, the holding element  42  has non-hook configurations. For example, the holding element  42  can be configured to loop completely around the water-tow sport handle for better securement thereto. The holding element may comprise a strap that loops around the water-tow sport handle, and perhaps also around the pin  49 . The holding element  42  can have one or more movable and possibly lockable elements for opening and closing a looped connection with the water-tow sport handle. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the holding element  42  comprises a hook having a height (from the tip of the pin-receiving end  62  to the top of the hook portion  66  in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) of about 3¼ inches. The pin passage  64  preferably has an inner diameter of about 0.3780 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the circular pin-receiving end  62  is preferably about ⅞ inch. The thickness of the holding element is preferably about ¼ inch. The radial thickness of the material surrounding the pin passage  64  is preferably about ¼ inch. The holding element  42  is preferably about 1 inch wide. Preferably, the inside and outside diameters of the hook portion  66  are about ⅝ inch and about ⅞ inch, respectively. 
     FIG. 10  shows a preferred embodiment of the pin  49 . The pin  49  preferably comprises a cylindrical body  70  having a substantially uniform diameter. Preferably, the diameter of the body  70  is equal to or only slightly less than the inside diameter of the pin passages  48  ( FIGS. 5–7 ) of the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40  (preferably a slight friction fit). As such, when the pin  49  is received within the pin passages  48 , there is very little or no room for lateral movement of the pin  49 . The pin  49  has a first end  72  and a second end  74 . An end flange  76  is preferably provided at the first end  72 . The end flange  76  preferably has a diameter that is greater than that of the pin passages  48 , such that the end flange  76  is configured to abut the outer face  52  of one of the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40 . The pin  49  preferably also includes a relatively shallow annular recess  78  proximate the second end  74 . The recess  78  is preferably positioned such that when the pin  49  is slidably received within the pin passages  48  and when the end flange  76  abuts the outer face  52  of one of the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40 , the recess  78  is generally aligned with the outer face  52  of the other flange arm  46 . In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body  70  of the pin  49  has a diameter of about ⅜ inch. 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , the holder  24  preferably further comprises an e-clip  82 , as well-known in the art, configured to be received within the annular recess  78  when the pin  49  is received within the pin passages  48  and when the end flange  76  is in abutment with the outer face of one of the outer faces  52 . The e-clip  82  preferably has an outside diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the pin passages  48 , so that the e-clip  82  prevents the pin  49  from sliding out of the pin passages  48 . The e-clip  82  can define an opening such that it is configured to provide a snap-lock fit onto the pin  49  within the annular recess  78 . It can thus be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the end flange  76  and the e-clip  82  within the annular recess  78  together prevent the pin  49  from sliding out of the pin passages  48  of the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40 . Skilled artisans will understand that other means for securing the position of the pin  49  can be provided instead of the end flange  76  and e-clip  82 , such as ring clamps and the like. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , the pin  49  preferably includes at least one relatively deep annular recess  80  that is positioned to be aligned with one of the two opposing inner faces  50  of the flange arms  46  of the plate member  40  when the pin  49  is received within the pin passages  48  and locked into place by the e-clip  82 . More preferably, the pin  49  includes two annular recesses  80 , each aligned with one of the inner faces  50 . Preferably, each annular recess  80  extends around the entire circumference of the pin  49 . Preferably, the one or two annular recesses  80  have a depth that is greater than that of the annular recess  78  that receives the e-clip  82 . In this configuration, shear stress within the pin  49  becomes concentrated at the recesses  80 . The pin  49  is thus configured to break at one or both of the recesses  80  when the shear stress reaches a breaking point threshold dependent upon the diameter of the pin at the recesses  80 . In use, the pin  49  will advantageously break if the user falls while being towed (e.g., while water skiing), thus reducing the risk of injury. Skilled artisans will appreciate that other portions of the holder  24  can be made breakable to provide this safety feature, such as the hook portion  66  or the flange arms  46 . In other embodiments, the holder  24  includes portions that are configured to engage and disengage to provide this feature, such as magnetically locking elements or elements that snap-lock together. 
   Since the shear stress in the pin  49  depends upon the weight of the user, it is contemplated that a plurality of different pin types will be provided, each with different depths of the annular recesses  80 . In one embodiment, the set of pins comprises (1) a first pin  49  with a first depth of recesses  80  for users weighing more than 201 pounds (e.g., 201–350 pounds), (2) a second pin  49  with a second depth of recesses  80  for users weighing within 101–200 pounds, the second depth being greater than the first depth, and (3) a third pin  49  with a third depth of recesses  80  for users weighing  100  pounds or less, the third depth being greater than the second depth. Alternative and/or additional weight categories are also possible. The different types of pins  49  can have different colors to identify the weight class for which each pin is designed. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the pin  49  has a length of about 1 27/32 inches. Each of the annular recesses  78  and  80  preferably has a length of 1/32 inch. The recesses  80  are preferably spaced apart by 1.004 inches. The end flange  72  preferably has a length of 1/16 inch and a diameter of ½ inch. The annular recess  78  preferably has a diameter of about 5/16 inch. In a preferred embodiment, three different types of pins  49  are provided, wherein the diameter of the annular recesses  80  is ¼ inch, 3/16 inch, and ⅛ inch, the selection of which pin to use being based upon the user&#39;s weight. As mentioned above, the cylindrical body  70  preferably has a diameter of ⅜ inch. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the holder  24  is made of a plastic type material, such as Noryl™. The holding element  42  can be made of a material that floats in water, so that the user can easily locate and retrieve the floating holding element if it breaks away from the rest of the holder  24 . In another embodiment, the holder  24  further comprises a buoyant element that can be fitted thereon to make the holder float. Preferably, the buoyant element is designed to be fitted onto the holding element  42 . For example, the holder  24  can include a foam ring (e.g., oval shaped) or sleeve configured to be slidably received onto the hook portion  66 . The parts of the holder  24  are preferably manufactured by injection molding, as known in the art. Preferably, the e-clip  82  is metallic. However, the e-clip  82  can be made of other materials as well, keeping in mind the goal of securing the pin  49  within the pin passages  48  of the flange arms  46  of the plate element  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the belt  22  includes a pad  26  and the strap  28  having widths of 4 inches and 1 inch, respectively. The pad  26  and strap  28  are preferably sewn together in the manufacturing process. 
   Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.