Patent Publication Number: US-9415840-B1

Title: Collapsible triangular watercraft tow device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Towing an object behind a watercraft has always presented a challenge in attempting to control the towed object. Typically such objects, be they other watercraft of any sort or any other device, present problems of collision with the tow craft, other watercraft, and other objects. Previously proposed solutions to these problems have often been overly complex, heavy, difficult to use, and sometimes difficult to transport, even if properly functional. The present device solves these problems. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The collapsible triangular watercraft tow device relates to towing devices and more especially to a tow device used by a watercraft to tow another watercraft or object safely and effectively, without damage to any related craft or object. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a collapsible triangular watercraft tow device which has many novel features that result in an improved collapsible triangular watercraft tow device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device provides a device for towing various other objects and watercraft, such as a jet ski for example, in a controllable fashion behind a tow watercraft. The device negates collisions and damage to the towed object, other proximal objects, other watercraft, and the tow watercraft that are heretofore typical in such practices. The device may include a pair of first extensions, a second extension removably affixed to each first extension, and third extension removably affixed to each second extension. The first extensions are each swivelly affixed to a ring. The ring is most easily removably affixed to an object or craft being towed by the tow watercraft by a connector. The most complete version of the device features extensions that are adjustably fit to the next extension such that full combined extension lengths are adjustable. Further, a most complete embodiment of the device may include a crossbar removably affixing each second extension to the other second extension. The crossbar may also provide adjustable length in the connection of the two second extensions, and thereby enable the adjustability of the lengths of the combined first extensions and second extensions. The ability to adjust the overall length of the device enables adaptation to various objects and watercraft that are towed. Length adjustability of the various components may feature multiple orifices in the extensions and in the crossbar with the chosen lengths determined by detent pins. Yet another more complete embodiment of the device features a pivot hinge disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the third extension, thereby allowing for height differences between the tow watercraft and a towed object or watercraft. 
     The connectors used to connect the device to a tow watercraft and to a towed object or other watercraft may be comprised of mechanical forms, including a carabiner. The extensions may all be padded. 
     The triangular shape of the device provides more than one advantage. To cite one, the less complex and bulky the device the more easily transported and used. Further, the triangular shape provides excellent stability in towing an object or watercraft without the need of more complex designs associated with non-triangular devices. 
     Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved collapsible triangular watercraft tow device so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     An object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide for towing objects and watercraft by a tow watercraft. 
     Another object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide for stable towing of objects and watercraft by a tow watercraft. 
     A further object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to be collapsible. 
     An added object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide a v-shaped device. 
     And, an object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide a v-shaped device that is length adjustable. 
     Yet another object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide a v-shaped device that is width adjustable. 
     Another object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide a v-shaped device that is easily and quickly connected and disconnected. 
     And, an object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to negate the use of tools in the attachment and detachment of the device. 
     An object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to negate the need for specialized hitches. 
     Still another object of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device is to provide for attachment of the device to existing attachment mechanisms on the towed object and the tow watercraft. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved collapsible triangular watercraft tow device will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved collapsible triangular watercraft tow device when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, extensions disconnected. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a lateral elevation view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is top plan in-use view. 
         FIG. 6  is a more basic embodiment, extensions disconnected. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, the principles and concepts of the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the device  10  partially comprises a ring  20 . A connector  22  is removably and swivelly connected to the ring  20 . A pair of ring attachments  24  is swivelly affixed to the ring  20 . A first extension  30  is affixed to each ring attachment  24 . A second extension  31  is removably affixed to each first extension  30 . A third extension  32  is removably affixed to each second extension  31 . A crossbar  35  is removably affixed to each second extension  31 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , each extension comprises a proximal end  33  and a distal end  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and again to  FIG. 2 , a padded cover  36  substantially covers each extension and prevents marring of any associated watercrafts or objects. The crossbar  35  also comprises one of the padded covers  36 . One ring attachment  24  of the second pair of ring attachments  24  is disposed on the distal end  34  of each third extension  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a combined length of each first extension  30  affixed to each second extension  31 , a combined length of each second extension  31  affixed to each third section  32 , and a separation distance between the two second extensions  31  are further selectively determined. The mechanism to selectively determine these lengths and this distance is partially comprised of an insert  42  with detent pin  43  disposed on the distal end  34  of each first extension  30  and each second extension  31 . Another insert  42  with detent pin  43  is extended substantially perpendicularly from each second extension  31 . A sleeve  40  is disposed on the proximal end  33  of each second extension  31 , each third extension  32 , and on an each end of the crossbar  35 . A plurality of spaced apart orifices  41  is disposed in each sleeve  40 . Each orifice  41  is in removable receipt of one of the detent pins  43 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the device  10  further comprises a pivot hinge  45  disposed near the distal end  34  of each second extension  31 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the more basic embodiment of the device  10  is fully collapsible but does not feature adjustable length capability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the device  10  is used to tow an existing jet ski  14  behind a tow watercraft  13 . Eyelets  16  often already exist on the tow watercraft  13  and the jet ski  14 , but may be installed if not. 
     Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the collapsible triangular watercraft tow device may be used.