| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 114253000 | Towing by means of cable | 33 |
| 20080289561 | Elevated Water Sport Tow Extension Apparatus - An elevated tow device comprised of: first and second substantially vertical support members, each slidably and pivotally engaging a boat support structure on a lower end and forming an apex on an upper end, the height and width of which can be adjusted; a tether attachment point at the apex adapted to mechanically engage a tether for connecting to a towed object; at least one forestay connecting the device to a bow of the boat; and at least one rear stay connecting the device to the boat support structure, the forestay and rear stay providing stability to the device. Because of the way that the device is connected to the boat support structure, the device is adjustable in height and width and is also collapsible. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20090020062 | Method of Intercepting and Yawing a Sailing Vessel - A method for intercepting and yawing an errant sailing vessel is disclosed, wherein the vessel might have been hijacked or malfunctioned and in danger of colliding with an object. The method comprises dispatching a pair of watercraft to approach said sailing vessel, providing a tow rope to be secured at one end to first watercraft and the other end to second watercraft. The tow rope is brought to extend between the first and second watercrafts over the hull of said sailing vessel. The first watercraft is then secured to one side of said sailing vessel's hull, while second watercraft pulls the tow rope away from the direction of sailing on the other side of said vessel's hull. In an alternative embodiment, the tow rope end held by the first watercraft may be secured directly to the vessel's hull, thus freeing the first watercraft to evacuate crew from the vessel to a safer distance. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090020063 | Propelled Tow Body - A tow body is provided with an attachment point to connect to a tow cable. The attachment point is positioned nominally at a nonzero angle relative to the length of the tow body. Propulsion components of the body generate thrust. The body is capable of accepting electric power for a propulsion motor within the body. The motor provides the power for the propeller or other propulsion equipment. The power for the motor can also provided by a tow cable. The addition of forward thrust by the propeller decreases cable scope (the need for long lengths of cable) and required winch volume for storing the cable. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090217853 | Attachment of waterski tow bracket to towing vessel - A mounting of a ski line bracket includes the attachment of a ski line bracket ( | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090266285 | Escort Vessel Automatically Rotative Winch System - The present invention discloses an escort vessel towline force responsive apparatus comprising a rotative winch system mounted to the deck of an escort vessel so that when the tow line between a distressed vessel and the winch system of an escort vessel angularly changes, the escort vessel winch system will automatically rotate until the line of force is substantially in linear alignment with the center line of the escort vessel winch system. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090314194 | Wake tower - An improved wake tower assembly that can be readily mounted on powerboats of various constructions that includes a novel navigation and tow module that is carried on the upper portion of the wake tower and includes both a tow rope connector element and a light that can be positioned for use as a running light, or alternatively can be positioned for illuminating the cabin of the powerboat. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100162937 | WATER SPORTS TOWING VESSEL AND METHOD - Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100224117 | Towrope Winch Safety Shutoff Switch - A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if, during winding of the rope, a foreign object enters a winch intake along with the rope to actuate the safety shutoff device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20110067616 | WATER SKIING AND WAKE-BOARDING APPARATUS - In one embodiment of the invention, a rope tender is rotatably affixed to the center pull on the tower to carry the rope over wakeboard racks. The rope tender is clamped to the center pull on the tower by a clamp. The rope is then pulled through an end loop on the rope tender and attached to the center pull on the tower. In one embodiment, the rope tender is looped one or more times in the middle to achieve a flexible, spring effect for the rope tender. The rope may also be pulled through the middle loop for support. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110139055 | Steerable paravane system for towed seismic streamer arrays - A paravane for a seismic acquisition system includes a float, a frame suspended from the float, deflectors affixed to the frame, and means for coupling a tow rope to a lead-in functionally extending between a forward end and an aft end of the frame. The paravane includes means for selectively changing an effective position along the lead-in of the means for coupling the tow cable. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110179987 | Towing Rope for Water Skiing - A tow rope for a water ski which provides a manner to communicate a majority of the force from a tow rope engaged to a boat directly to the water ski during deep water starts by a skier. The force is transferred to a handle held by the skiers hands once the skier has reached a substantially standing position and is on top of the water. A quick release is provided which will disconnect the tow rope should the skier activate it or fall. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20120006246 | VARIABLE STIFFNESS TOW CABLE - A variable stiffness tow cable comprising a plurality of strands. Most of the strands comprise a polymer with interstitial spaces filled with a ferrofluid comprising nanoparticles. And, least one of the strands is a nanoparticle control field source. The stiffness is varied for a number of control objectives such to dampen motion. In another application, strum is controlled by electrical input rather than by changing the length of tow cable let out. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120037062 | TOWING EQUIPMENT - The present disclosure relates to a towing equipment for towing a person by a vehicle. The towing equipment comprises a proximal portion intended to be associated with said person, a distal portion intended to be connected to said vehicle, and a junction region interposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The proximal portion includes a first flexible branch and a second flexible branch, which are connected to the distal portion at the junction region. A proximal end of said first flexible branch comprises a handle; a proximal end of said second flexible branch is configured to be associated with the waist of said person. The present disclosure further relates to an abdominal belt intended to be used in conjunction with a towing equipment. The present disclosure also relates to a method for towing a person by a vehicle or the like. In particular, the person is a water skier and the vehicle is a motor boat. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120067265 | BRIDLE LINE CONTROL WINCH FOR A DEFLECTOR - A bridle line control winch for a deflector for marine towing, with fore and aft double or triple bridle lines to attachment points in upper, possible middle, and lower parts of the deflector, preferably in horizontal plate frames, wherein at least said fore or aft bridle lines are arranged to be adjusted inwardly and outwardly so as for adjusting an attack angle of said deflector relative to a course line. The bridle line control winch is provided with a pivotally arranged control winch frame arranged between said bridle lines' attachment points to the deflector, and the bridle lines themselves. The control winch frame is provided with a winch sheave with an asymmetrically arranged pulley arranged on said winch sheave for holding an eyelet or end of said bridle line. The winch sheave is arranged to be driven by an actuator in a desired direction of rotation. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120125249 | SEVENTH BRIDLE BLOCK SYSTEM FOR A PARAVANE - A bridle block system for a paravane for seismic equipment includes a main bridle block with a connecting point for a towing line from a seismic vessel, and with attachment points for first and second triples of bridle lines to first and second lugs at either ends of the paravane. The main block includes a pivot point for a pivot arm, which has an aim with an attachment point near its end for the first triple bridle lines, and an oppositely directed arm with an attachment point near its outer end for second triple bridle lines. An auxiliary moment arm at the second arm's side is connected to a seventh bridle line, further connected to an actuator arranged near the first bridle lines' forward lugs' of the paravane. The seventh bridle exerts a force imbalance between the fore and aft bridle lines to change the paravane's angle of attack. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120132121 | Rope Management System for watersports activities - On any given powerboat and any given day on the water the activities of different types of riders/watersports enthusiasts may need ski ropes of different lengths to encompass the experience level of the rider and or the type of watersports activity. The type of powerboat, the experience level of the rider, the amount of wake generated at given distances “off” the powerboat can vary. It is beneficial to be able to adjust the “off” distance of the rider from the powerboat to ensure the rider can use the optimal portion of the powerboats wake to perform tricks. This patent will describe a device that will enable the controlled dispensing, retraction and storage of the ski rope, free from tangles and knots while providing a means to measure, adjust and control the “off” distance of the ski rope for all types of watersports activities and rider experience levels. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120152162 | Apparatus to Track Movement of a Skier - Apparatus mountable to a boat tower or pylon used to tow a skier, water boarder, tuber or rafter including an elongated arm pivotally mounted to the boat tower or pylon, a tow rope post fixed to the arm and including a tether guide ring through which a tow rope may be threaded and a mounting member to which one end of the tow rope may be secured. The apparatus will also include a sensor that detects the change in position of the tow rope post from a predetermined fixed position caused by the lateral movement of the person being towed. The elongated arm may have speaker and/or light mounts to fix speakers and/or lights to the elongated arm in a position to track the movements of the towed person and may further include a securing means to fix the elongated arm in a given position. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120279432 | WAKE TOWERS AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A wake tower for a powerboat for use in wakeboarding or other water sports is described. The wake tower can include base members attached to the powerboat and a U-shaped bar extending generally upwardly from the base members. The side bars can be tapered inward and can also be angled toward the bow of the powerboat. Support members can be positioned along the side bars to provide increased structural support to increase the maximum load of the wake tower and to increase the rigidity of the wake tower resulting in less shaking during use. A tow cross bar having a tow rope connector can be suspended generally between the side bars of the wake tower. The wake tower can be transitioned between an upright position and a lowered position. Shocks can be used to compensate for some of the weight of the wake tower to allow the wake tower to be raised and lowered with less effort by the user. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120279433 | Winch System Safety Device Controlled by Towrope Angle - A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130239864 | DEFLECTOR FOR MARINE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM - Deflectors configured to be attached to cables towed behind a vessel for performing a marine survey are provided. A deflector has a wing body including a first part joined to a second part to form a swept-back-wing shape, the first part and the second part being substantially coplanar. A first straight line stretching along at least a portion of a front edge of the first part makes a first angle with a second straight line stretching along at least a portion of a front edge of the second part. A third straight line stretching along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the first part makes a second angle with a fourth straight line stretching along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the second part, the first angle and the second angle being non-zero angles. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20140158036 | TOWING ROPE FOR WATER SKIING - A tow rope engagement system for a water ski or wakeboard or configured to communicate a majority of the force from the boat engaged to the tow rope, directly to the water ski or wakeboard during deep water starts by a rider. The lesser force required to ride is transferred to a handle held by the skiers hands once the skier has reached a substantially standing position and is on top of the water. A quick release is provided which will disconnect the tow rope should the rider activate it manually or by falling. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140196653 | TAILBUOY STABILIZATION DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices and methods for stabilizing a tailbuoy attached to a streamer towed during a marine survey are provided. The tailbuoy includes a floating body configured to be connected to the streamer, and a keel attached to the floating body. The keel is configured to stabilize a motion of the tailbuoy along a towing direction while in a working state, and to be switched between the working state in which the keel is partially submerged and a retracted state in which the keel is removed from water. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140352598 | Water ski rope safety device - This discloses a water ski rope safety device. Water ski ropes can become disconnected from the tow boat. They can also become loose or gain excessive slack. In such cases, the rope can whip around or entangle the skier. Any of these might injure the skier. The safety device prevents such a disconnected or loose rope from entangling or striking the skier. The device consists of a flexible sleeve into which the rope is contained along with other components which accomplish the purpose. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150090172 | VARIABLE RIGIDITY TOW CABLE - A variable rigidity tow cable for attaching a first vehicle with a second vehicle. The tow cable includes a tension control cable having a first end and a second end. Tension on at least one of the ends of the tension control cable can be controlled to increase or decrease the length of the tension control cable. A plurality of beads are slidingly disposed on the tension control cable between the first end and the second end. The beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable is slack, and the beads are engaged with each other to form a rigid structure around the tension control cable when tension is applied to the tension control cable. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150114277 | Tow Line Controlling Device and Method of Controlling Same - A tow line controlling device and a method of operation of a tow line controlling device in which the tow line controlling device is positioned in a deck of a vessel. The tow line controlling device includes at least two vertical tow pins that are movable between a passive position and at least one active position, and includes a gap between two of the tow pins, and the gap is spanned by a bridge formed by the two tow pins at least when the tow pins are in one of their active positions. The tow line controlling device also includes a lower stopper that is movable between a passive position and at least one active position and is positioned between two of the tow pins. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150144048 | TOW BAR HOLDER - A tow bar holder for securing a tow bar to a boat having an outboard engine has two separate securing elements secured to the stern of the boat. The securing elements each have a fixing element for securing to an engine plate, and a receiving element. The feet of the tow bar can be plugged into a receiving space of the receiving element. In this case, the internal dimensions of the receiving space are larger than the external dimensions of the feet of the tow bar, such that the tow bar is tiltable and/or is fixable in various positions in the receiving space. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150298770 | FLEXIBLE ROPE TERMINATION DEVICE - Embodiments described herein provide rope termination devices with flexible members for accommodating fleet angle in the rope without undue frictional wear on the rope. A metal connector is fastened to a tail with a flexure in a direction perpendicular to a plane through an axial centerline of the rope termination device. The rope wraps around the tail and the metal connector, lying in a passage formed around an exterior of the components, and may be secured by an overbraid jacket applied around the tail portion of the rope termination device. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150375835 | APPARATUS FOR TOWING A WATER SPORTS PERFORMER - An apparatus for towing a water sports performer includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a tower. The first mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a port gunwale of a boat. The second mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a starboard gunwale of the boat. The tower is pivotably and detachably secured to the first and second mounting plates. Each of the first and second mounting plates includes a retractable tower connector that, when retracted, is positioned at or below a substantially flat upper surface of the mounting plate, and, when not retracted, extends above the upper surface of the mounting plate to pivotably and detachably secure the tower to the mounting plate. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160096594 | MARINE VESSEL TOWING ASSEMBLY - A marine vessel towing assembly includes a tow pin assembly housing including therein a self-contained horizontal roller cartridge, a self-contained vertical pin cartridge, and a self-contained hook cartridge, the tow pin assembly housing defining a clear path of removal for each self-contained cartridge from the tow pin assembly housing such that removal of each self-contained cartridge is conducted with an absence of contact with remaining self-contained cartridges of the tow pin assembly housing. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160137270 | AUTOMATED CABLE BREAKOUT ASSEMBLY - A method of engaging an automated breakout assembly includes receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot. The cable comprises a tow ball. Each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The method includes receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the randomly-aligned tow ball through an entrance. The method includes rotating a cam configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball. The method includes transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable. | 05-19-2016 |
| 114254000 | With cable storage means (e.g., reels, etc.) | 3 |
| 20100275831 | Towed array deployment system for unmanned surface vehicles - A towed array deployment system is provided that uses the flow of fluid through the interior of a tube to deploy a towed line array. The system includes a small surface water craft such as an unmanned surface vehicle having a length between seven and eleven meters and a U-shaped tube mounted to the outside of the hull of the watercraft below the waterline. A towed array is fed from a winch aboard the surface craft, through one end of the tube, and the fluid is introduced through into the interior of the tube to force the towed array for deployment through the tube and out a second end of the tube near the stern of the watercraft. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20120090523 | PULL-IN DEVICE FOR A TOWLINE - A pull-in device for a towline ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20160185426 | TOWING DEVICE WITH A TWO-PIECE FAIRLEAD - A towing device intended to equip the deck of a ship ( | 06-30-2016 |
