Patent Publication Number: US-11383798-B2

Title: Floating point power tower for a boat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/682,373, entitled “Floating Point Power Tower for a Boat,” filed on Jun. 8, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a tower or arch like structure that may be mounted to a boat. More particularly, the tower may be used for towing an individual participating in watersports. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wakeboarding is one of the most popular water sports in the world. By anchoring the towline at a high elevation above the boat deck, there is a greater ability of the performer to be lifted higher into the air, whether with a ski or wakeboard. Wakeboarding performance may be improved by using a vessel which is fitted with a towing structure having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a bridging portion, to which a towrope attachment point is fitted. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
     In one example implementation, an apparatus may include a tower configured to be mounted to a boat. The tower may include a first side support and a second side support. Each of the first side support and second side support may be pivotally connected at a respective base. The apparatus may also include an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly may include a linkage extending between a folding portion of the tower and at least one of the respective bases for moving the tower between a first position and a second position. 
     One or more of the following example features may be included. The first side support and the second side support may be respectively positioned at opposing ends of a center section of the tower. The actuation assembly may be disposed in at least one of the first side support and the second side support. The actuation assembly may further include an actuator coupled to the folding portion of the tower. The coupling between the actuator and the folding portion may provide pivotal movement between the actuator and the folding portion as the tower moves between the first position and the second position. The linkage may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between the actuator and the respective base of the tower. The center of gravity of the tower may be longitudinally displaced from the pivotal connection toward a direction of movement of the tower between the first position and the second position. The linkage may extend on a longitudinally opposed side of the pivotal connection relative to the center of gravity of the folding portion of the tower. The folding portion of the tower may be positioned in a raised configuration in the first position. The folding portion of the tower may be positioned in a folded configuration in the second position. The first side support and the second side support may be configured to position the center section at a first height above a deck of the boat in the first position, and at a second height above the deck of the boat in the second position. The first height may be a greater distance from the deck of the boat than the second height. The first side support and the second side support may be configured to position the center section at a plurality of heights relative to the deck of the boat as the tower moves between the first position and the second position. 
     In another example implementation, an apparatus may include a tower configured to be mounted to a boat. The tower may include a first side support and a second side support. Each of the first side support and second side support may be pivotally connected to a respective base. The apparatus may include an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly may include a linkage extending between a folding portion of the tower and at least one of the respective bases for moving the tower between a first position and a second position. The actuation assembly may further include an actuator coupled to the folding portion of the tower. The coupling between the actuator and the folding portion may provide pivotal movement between the actuator and the folding portion as the tower moves between the first position and the second position. 
     One or more of the following example features may be included. The linkage may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between the actuator and the respective base of the tower. A center of gravity of the tower may be longitudinally displaced from the pivotal connection toward a direction of movement of the tower between the first position and the second position. The flexible tether may extend on a longitudinally opposed side of the pivotal connection relative to the center of gravity of the folding portion of the tower. The folding portion of the tower may be positioned in a raised configuration in the first position. The folding portion of the tower may be positioned in a folded configuration in the second position. 
     In another example implementation, an apparatus may include a tower configured to be mounted to a boat. The tower may include a first side support and a second side support. Each of the first side support and second side support may be pivotally connected to a respective base. The tower may also include an actuation assembly for moving the tower between a first position and a second position. The actuation assembly may include an actuator coupled to a respective base. The actuation assembly may also include a linkage extending between the actuator and a folding portion of the tower. 
     One or more of the following example features may be included. The linkage may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between the actuator and the folding portion of the tower. A center of gravity of the tower may be longitudinally displaced from the pivotal connection toward a direction of movement of the tower between the first position and the second position. 
     The details of one or more example implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other possible example features and/or possible example advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Some implementations may not have those possible example features and/or possible example advantages, and such possible example features and/or possible example advantages may not necessarily be required of some implementations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an illustrative example embodiment of a boat tower in a raised position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 1  in the raised position; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 1  in the raised position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 1  in the raised position; and 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 1  in a raised position with the covers of the side supports removed and/or transparent. 
         FIG. 6  shows the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 5  in a folded position. 
         FIG. 7  diagrammatically depicts a relationship between the center of gravity of the foldable portion of the tower relative to the pivots of the illustrative example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 5  in the raised position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the illustrative example embodiment of the boat tower of  FIG. 5  in the folded position. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , there is shown various views of towing structure  100 . Examples of towing structure  100  may include, but is not limited to, a watersports tower that may be mounted to and used on various types of boats, general and specific in use, including wakeboard, surf, waterski, family, cruiser, run-abouts, fish boats, pontoon and other deck boats of the like. It will be appreciated that the towing structure  100  may be used on various sizes of boats including, but not limited to, power boats  17 ′ to  50 ′. In some implementations, towing structure  100  may be used for aiding in equipment storage, aiding in a Bimini system, or any combination thereof. As also noted above, in some implementations, towing structure  100  may include and/or may be configured to be used in conjunction with a Bimini top (e.g., by providing partial and/or complete mounting points for a Bimini, and/or by including an integrated Bimini, etc.). Example embodiments of towing structure  100  that are configured to be used in conjunction with a Bimini and/or configured to include a Bimini may include various additional features and/or combinations of features that may include and/or partially support or mounts a Bimini and/or windshield cover system. 
     With continued reference to the example implementations of  FIGS. 1-9 , an example of towing structure  100  may include tower  102 , which may be configured to be mounted to a boat. Tower  102  may include first side support  104  and second side support  106 . Each of the first side support  104  and the second side support  106  may be pivotally connected  108  at a respective base  110 ,  112 . The towing structure may also include actuation assembly  502 . Actuation assembly  502  may include linkage  504  extending between folding portion  602  of tower  102  and at least one of the respective bases  110 ,  112 , for moving tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . 
     As generally discussed above, towing structure  100  may include tower  102  configured to be mounted to a boat. Tower  102  may include first side support  104  and second side support  106 . Each of the first side support  104  and the second side support  106  may be pivotally connected  108  to a respective base  110 ,  112 . For example, a pivot may be associated with, and may act between, first side support  104  and first respective base  110 , and a pivot may be associated with, and act between, second side support  106  and second respective base  112 . Pivotal connection  108  may include any suitable structure to allow pivotal movement of the tower  102  relative to the deck of the boat, including, but not limited to, hinge structures, pivot pins, trunnions, etc. While in the illustrated example embodiment the tower  102  is depicted as being pivotally mounted via respective bases laterally spaced toward either side of a boat, it will be appreciated that the tower may be pivotally coupled via other mounts to the boat, including, but not limited to, being directly pivotally mounted to the deck of the boat, to a support structure underlying the deck of the boat, to a gunwale feature of the boat, and/or to other suitable features of the boat and/or mounts associated with the boat. As will be elaborated upon in greater detail below, tower  102  may be raised and lowered, for example, between a first, e.g., raised position that may be suitable for towing an individual participating in a watersport, and a second, e.g., lowered position, which may, for example, reduce the overall height of the boat. Reducing the overall height of the boat may, in some situations, facilitate storage and/or transportation of the boat (e.g., via trailering or the like), and/or reduce the air draft of the boat (e.g., to facilitate passing under low bridges or other overhead obstructions). For example, tower  102  may be configured to integrate Bimini Tops, Platforms, Audio systems, and a storage apparatus. Each of the first side support  104  and the second side support  106  may be mounted to the boat (e.g., to the deck of the boat). 
     In some implementations, towing structure  100  may include actuation assembly  502 . For example, actuation assembly  502  may include linkage  504  extending between folding portion  602  of tower  102  and at least one of the respective bases  110 ,  112 , for moving tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, an illustrative example embodiment of tower  102  consistent with the present disclosure is shown, in which  FIGS. 5-8  may variously depict views of the example tower  102  showing an example embodiment of an actuation configuration that may be implemented to move tower  102  between the raised position and the lowered, or folded, position. For instance, tower  102  may include linkage  504  extending between folding portion  602  of tower and stationary portion  604  of tower  102  (such as a stationary/non-folding portion of the two side supports, respective bases through which the tower is mounted to the boat, and/or the deck or substructure of the boat). While the illustrated example embodiment is shown including two actuation assembles, with one actuation assembly associated with each of the side supports  104 ,  106 , in some implementations, only a single actuation assembly, associated with only one of the side supports may be utilized. Additionally, while the illustrated example depicts the actuation assemblies within the side supports, in other implementations, the actuation assemblies may be disposed at least partially within the respective bases, at least partially below a deck of the boat, and/or associated with another portion or structure of the boat. In such an implementation, the actuation assembly may be coupled to the folding portion of the tower by way of the linkage. The raising and folding of the tower may operate in a generally similar manner as when the actuation assembly is within the side supports. 
     Consistent with the present disclosure, actuation assembly  502  may include actuator  506  that may be associated with linkage  504  for moving tower  102  (e.g., specifically the folding portion  602  of the tower) between the raised position (i.e., first position  500 ) and the folded position (i.e., second position  600 ). For example, actuator  506  and linkage  504  may act between folding portion  602  of tower and stationary portion  604  of tower  102  to effectuate raising and folding of tower  102 . 
     In some implementations, first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be respectively positioned at opposing ends of center section  114  of the tower. For example, center section  114  may be supported above a deck of a boat by first side support  104  and second side support  106 , with one side support generally located adjacent the two opposed sides of the boat. Consistent with this configuration, each of the first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be mounted to the boat (e.g., to the deck of the boat and/or to other structural features of the boat). In some implementations, the first and second side supports  104 ,  106  may be mounted to the boat by respective base features (e.g., base features  110 ,  112 ). Center section  114  may also include one or more tow heads  116  to which a tow rope may be attached and used by an individual participating in a given watersport. 
     As will be elaborated upon in greater detail, tower  102  may be raised and lowered by a folding action, e.g., about a respective pivot associated with each of the two side supports. By way of the folding action, center section  114 , and at least a portion of each of the two side supports, may pivot to move tower  102  between a raised position (i.e., raised configuration) and a lowered position (i.e., folded configuration). It will be appreciated that, while the description herein references center section  114  and first side support  104  and second side support  106 , such designations are intended to identify the general location and nature of aspects of tower  102 . For example, in some embodiments, tower  102  may include an arch or a continuous structure, which may not include a discretely delineated “center section” and “side supports.” Rather, the side supports and the center section may include a single and/or integral structure. Such embodiments are also contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     As generally mentioned above, in some implementations, actuation assembly  502  may be disposed in at least one of first side support  104  and second side support  106 . For example, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 5-6  and  FIGS. 8-9 , an illustrative example embodiment of a folding tower consistent with the present disclosure is shown with an interior of the two side supports exposed (e.g., through the removal/transparent rendering of side covers or pieces of tower). In such an implementation, the actuation assembly may be completely and/or at least partially disposed within the thickness of each respective side support. Accordingly, the actuation assembly may be at least partially housed within a respective side support. In such an arrangement, the actuation assembly may be protected against from interference by foreign objects and/or the risk of injuring a user or bystander from inadvertent contact with the actuation assembly (e.g., during operation of the actuation assembly). It will be appreciated that other configurations may also be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the actuation assembly may be partially, and to fully, disposed within one, or both, of the respective bases and/or disposed beneath one, or both, of the bases (e.g., below a deck of the boat, or disposed in another suitable location). 
     In some implementations, actuation assembly  502  may include actuator  506  coupled to folding portion  602  of tower  102 . In some embodiments, the coupling between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  may provide pivotal movement between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  as tower  102  moves between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, actuator  506  may include an extendable actuator, such as a linear actuator, a hydraulic and/or pneumatic piston, or other suitable actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator may include a power driven winch (electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic), a motorized crank assembly, etc. An actuator  506  may be disposed within folding portion  602  of each of the first side support  104  and the second side support  106  (in an implementation including two actuation assemblies). An upper end (relative to the position within tower in the raised position) of actuator  506  may be coupled to folding portion  602  of tower  102 . The pivotal movement provided by the coupling between the actuator  506  and the folding portion of the tower  602  may allow the line of action of the actuator to remain generally aligned with a line of force through the linkage during the folding movement of the tower. For example, as the folding portion of the tower  602  folds away from the bases (or other mounting structure or feature), the actuator may pivot to maintain a linear line of action from the point of attachment of the actuator with the tower to the engagement between the linkage and the respective base(s) (and/or stationary portion of the tower, or other mounting feature). It will be appreciated that while in some embodiments the coupling between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  of tower  102  may provide at least some degree of pivotal movement between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  of tower  102 , in other embodiments actuator  506  may be rigidly coupled relative to folding portion  602  of tower  102 . 
     Additionally, as mentioned above, rather than being disposed within the side supports, in some implementations the actuation assembly  502  may be disposed on one or more of the respective bases and/or may be disposed below the respective bases (e.g., below a deck of the boat and/or within another portion of the boat). In such an embodiment, the actuator(s) may be coupled with the respective base(s) and/or another structure of the boat, and the linkage may be engaged with the folding portion of the tower. Similar with the previously discussed embodiment, the actuator may be operated to allow the tower to move between the folded and unfolded positions. 
     In some implementations, linkage  504  may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between actuator  506  and respective base  110 ,  112  of tower  102  (and or to other suitable structure of the boat and/or other suitable structure attached to the boat). In some embodiments, the flexible tether may be redirected around a pulley associated with the respective bases, and then coupled to another structure (including, but not limited to, the folding portion of the tower). A generally corresponding arrangement may be implemented in an embodiment in which the actuator is coupled to the base(s), or another structure, rather than the folding portion of the tower. Examples of suitable flexible tethers may include, but are not limited to, rope, cable, web tethers, extruded filaments and/or leashes, etc. An example of a suitable rope tether may include high strength ropes such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope (e.g., Dyneema or Spectra), aramid rope (e.g., Kevlar or Technora), liquid crystalline polymer (e.g., Vectran), as well as more conventional polyester or nylon ropes. It will be appreciated that various additional and/or alternative ropes or tethers may be utilized consistent with the present disclosure. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in some implementations the linkage may include a rigid member, such as a metal rod or the like. In some further implementations, the linkage may include a feature of the actuator, such as piston rod, or other extensible feature of the actuator. 
     With continued reference to the illustrated embodiment, linkage  504  may be coupled to a lower end of actuator  506  (e.g., an end opposite the coupling between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  of tower  102 ), and may extend between actuator  506  and stationary portion  604  of tower  102  (e.g., a portion of the two side supports below pivot, the base portion, and/or a structure of the boat below the base portion). In an implementation in which the actuator(s) may be coupled to and/or disposed within the base(s) (and/or below the deck of the boat and/or to other structure of the boat), the linkage may be coupled to the actuator(s) and may extend between the actuator(s) and the folding portion of the tower. 
     In some implementations, center of gravity  700  of tower  102  may be longitudinally displaced from pivotal connection  108  toward a direction of movement of tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, and as generally shown in  FIG. 7 , center of gravity  700  of the portion of tower  102  above the pivot (e.g., folding portion  602  of tower) may be longitudinally displaced beyond the pivot in the desired direction for tower  102  to fold. For example, if tower  102  is desired to fold in an aft direction, center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be disposed aft of the pivot, and the pivotal connection  108  may be oriented to provide aftward pivoting of the tower (i.e., the folding portion  602  may have freedom of movement in an aft direction). In a corresponding manner, if tower  102  is desired to fold forward, center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be forward of the pivot, and the pivotal connection  108  may be oriented to provide forward pivoting of the tower (e.g., may not be constrained against forward pivoting, e.g. by the arrangement of the pivot relative to the bases). Consistent with such a configuration, the weight of tower  102 , acting through center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102 , may tend to urge tower  102  toward folded position (i.e., second position  600 ). 
     Continuing with the foregoing, in which center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be longitudinally displaced beyond the pivot in the desired direction of folding of tower  102 , the weight of folding portion  602  of tower  102 , acting through center of gravity  700 , may urge tower  102  toward the folded position. The magnitude, or extend, to which tower  102  may be urged toward the folded position may be based upon, at least in part, the amount of the longitudinal displacement of center of gravity  700  beyond the pivot (e.g., the lever arm created by the longitudinal displacement of the center of gravity relative to the pivot). 
     It will be appreciated that, typically, the pivot may be disposed on the edge of first side support  104  and second side support  106 , and/or on the edge of first side support  104  and second side support  106  and respective base  110 ,  112 , in the direction that tower  102  is desired to fold. As such, the base may not inhibit folding of the tower. However, in other configurations, the pivot may not be disposed on the edge of the side supports and respective bases. In such configuration, the side supports and respective bases may have a geometry that may allow pivotal movement of the side supports relative to the respective bases in the desired folding direction. It will be appreciated that other configurations may be implemented, with appropriate clearances being provided between folding portion  602  of tower  102  and stationary portion  604  of tower  102  and/or respective bases  110 ,  112 . 
     In some implementations, the flexible tether may extend on a longitudinally opposed side of pivotal connection  108  relative to center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102 . For example, actuator  506  and the flexible tether (i.e., linkage  504 ) may be placed in tension countering the weight of folding portion  602  of tower (e.g., acting through center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102 ). From a raised position of tower  102 , actuator  506  may be extended, thereby increasing the length of actuator  506  and the flexible tether, and allowing tower  102  to move toward a folded position under the urging of the weight of tower  102  (e.g., acting through center of gravity  700  which is longitudinally disposed from the pivot in the vector direction of the desired fold). Actuator  506  may be configured to extend sufficiently to allow desired degree of pivotal movement of tower  102 , e.g., such that tower  102  can achieve a desired folded position. From the folded position, actuator  506  may be retracted, e.g., to shorten the length of actuator  506  and the flexible tether, and thereby pull tower  102  from the (partially and/or fully) folded position toward the raised position. 
     As shown at least in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments the flexible tether may act through a pulley associated with stationary portion  604  of tower  102 , e.g., such that the flexible tether may extend back toward, and be coupled with, folding portion  602  of tower  102 . Various additional and/or alternative arrangements may be employed, including the use of multiple pulleys to effectuate a desired mechanical advantage, e.g., which may allow the use of actuator  506  to be configured to exert a relatively smaller raising force. 
     As generally discussed above, folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be moved to be positioned in a raised configuration in first position  500 . For example, an illustrative example embodiment of tower consistent with the present disclosure is shown, in which  FIGS. 1-4  may variously depict views of the example tower in a raised configuration. Further, folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be moved to be positioned in a folded configuration in second position  600 . For example, an illustrative example embodiment of tower  102  consistent with the present disclosure is shown, in which  FIGS. 5-8  may variously depict views of the example tower  102  showing an example embodiment of an actuation configuration that may be implemented to move tower  102  between the raised position and the lowered, or folded, positions. 
     Consistent with the foregoing, first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be configured to position center section  114  at a first height above a deck of the boat in first position  500 , and at a second height above the deck of the boat in second position  600 . For example, the two side supports may be foldable to raise and lower center section  114  between a lowered position at a first height above the deck of the boat and a raised position at a second height above the deck of the boat. In some implementations, the second height may be a greater distance from the deck of the boat than the first height. 
     In some implementations, first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be configured to position center section  114  at a plurality of heights relative to the deck of the boat as tower  102  moves between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, the two side supports may be foldable to position center section  114  at a plurality of heights between the lowered, first height, and the raised, second height, including discrete incremental heights and/or continuously variable heights. 
     In some implementations, towing structure  100  may include tower  102  configured to be mounted to a boat. Tower  102  may include first side support  104  and second side support  106 . Each of the first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be pivotally connected  108  to a respective base  110 ,  112 . For example, attachment points may be integrated into the side support sections of tower  102  and may be used to mount accessories. Removable (or openable) access plates may be mounted to the side support sections for access to actuators  506 , service and assembly. The side sections may be angled into the inside of the boat (for example, but not limited to, 2 degrees to 15 degrees) creating an arch affect, thereby adding strength to tower  102 . First side support  104  and second side support  106  and center section  114  may include mounting points for audio (speaker) cans of a custom shape, however, in some implementations, center section  114  of tower  102  may have integrated speakers. First side support  104  and second side support  106  may have attachment points for a sun shade (Bimini system). First side support  104  and second side support  106  or respective bases  110 ,  112 , of each of the two side support sections may include personalized storage compartments. Each of the two side support sections may mount to the deck of the boat on both port and starboard attachment points (i.e., mounts and/or bases). 
     In some implementations, towing structure  100  may include actuation assembly  502 . Actuation assembly  502  may include linkage  504  extending between folding portion  602  of tower  102  and at least one of respective bases  110 ,  112 , for moving tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . Actuation assembly  502  may further include actuator  506  coupled to folding portion  602  of tower  102 . The coupling between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  may provide pivotal movement between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  as tower  102  moves between first position  500  and second position  600 . 
     For example, any suitable electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and manual mechanisms (and/or combinations of two or more different mechanisms) may be utilized to release tower  102  or arch like structure to effectually lower and to raise tower  102 , including, but not limited to, actuators, rack and pinion mechanisms, screw drive mechanisms, pulley and cable/rope mechanisms, pneumatic/hydraulic pistons, and the like. For example, tower sections may utilize actuators only fixed at one point and secondary attachment is floating and attached to a moving mechanical system. 
     In some implementations, linkage  504  may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between actuator  506  and respective base  110 ,  112 , of tower  102 . For example, powered actuators involved in raising and lowering a tower assembly may be included in one or both of the port and starboard side sections of tower  102  itself. Continuing with the foregoing, tower  102  may include a switch built into tower  102  to operate actuator  506  that will activate the raising and lowering of tower  102 . The controls for raising and lowering tower  102  may be positioned on one or more boat control panels (e.g., helm console, or other control panels) or accessible areas for actuating tower  102  for raising or lowering the structure. The controls may be built into a computer display/chart plotter or other instrument of the boat and activated by the driver from a helm area of the vessel. It will be appreciated that various interlocks and/or safeties may be included to prevent/reduce the likelihood of accidental or unsafe actuation of the folding mechanism. 
     While the illustrated embodiment may depict actuator  506  configured for linearly extending and retracting, it will be appreciated that various additional and/or alternative mechanisms may be utilized that may release tower  102  for folding under its own weight (in a controlled fashion), and to take-up the flexible tether for raising tower  102 . 
     In some implementations, center of gravity  700  of tower  102  may be longitudinally displaced from pivotal connection  108  toward a direction of movement of tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, center of gravity  700  of tower  102  may be placed at some distance away from the pivot point in the same vector of the desired fold. In some implementations, the flexible tether may extend on a longitudinally opposed side of pivotal connection  108  relative to center of gravity  700  of folding portion  602  of tower  102 . In some implementations, folding portion  602  of tower  102  is positioned in a raised configuration in first position  500 . In some implementations, folding portion  602  of tower  102  may be positioned in a folded configuration in second position  600 . 
     In addition to the described arrangement for raising and lowering tower  102 , various mechanisms and/or arrangements may be included for securing tower  102  in the raised and/or in the folded positions. For example, when tower  102  is in the folded position, folded portion  602  of tower  102  may be secured to reduce and/or prevent bouncing (e.g., pivoting to a partially raised position and then back to a more folded position), for example due to movement of the boat, either while traveling on the water or during transport (e.g., via trailer). Similarly, in some embodiments, various locking mechanisms may be utilized to secure tower  102  in the raised position. Such locking mechanisms may reduce the likelihood of tower  102  partially and/or fully folding as a result of a failure of actuator  506  or the flexible tether, or inadvertent actuation of the fold mechanism (e.g., by accidental actuation of a switch controlling the folding system). 
     In some implementations, towing structure  100  may include tower  102  configured to be mounted to a boat. Tower  102  may include first side support  104  and second side support  106 . Each of first side support  104  and second side support  106  may be pivotally connected  108  to respective base  110 ,  112 . Tower  102  may include a lock system to latch tower  102  in a raised (i.e., upright) position and/or in the folded position. Tower  102  may include interior lighting facing downward into the cockpit of the vessel. Tower  102  may also include integrated navigation lights for the boat, such as an all-round navigation light. Tower  102  may be used for various tow watersports when in the raised (i.e., upright) position. The folded (i.e., lowered) position of tower  102  may solve the need for lowering tower  102  for storage, travel, cover of the vessel. Tower  102  may lower and be completely above the deck of the boat in lowered position. 
     In some implementations, towing structure  100  may include actuation assembly  502 . Actuation assembly  502  may include linkage  504  extending between folding portion  602  of tower  102  and at least one of respective bases  110 ,  112 , for moving tower  102  between first position  500  and second position  600 . Actuation assembly  502  may further include actuator  506  coupled to folding portion  602  of tower  102 . The coupling between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  may provide pivotal movement between actuator  506  and folding portion  602  as tower  102  moves between first position  500  and second position  600 . For example, the position of actuator  506  may be manually adjusted (e.g., via a threaded rod or other suitable adjustment mechanism or arrangement) to adjust the position and increase or decrease slack in the secondary mechanical system and affect the overall fold distance. In some implementations, linkage  504  may include a flexible tether coupled to and extending between actuator  506  and respective base  110 ,  112 , of tower  102 . 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the language “at least one of A, B, and C” (and the like) should be interpreted as covering only A, only B, only C, or any combination of the three, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps (not necessarily in a particular order), operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps (not necessarily in a particular order), operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents (e.g., of all means or step plus function elements) that may be in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, substitutions, and any combinations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The implementation(s) were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various implementation(s) with various modifications and/or any combinations of implementation(s) as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Having thus described the disclosure of the present application in detail and by reference to implementation(s) thereof, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and any combinations of implementation(s) (including any modifications, variations, substitutions, and combinations thereof) are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.