# US 2008/0184533 A1 · Tow clip

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- Number: US 2008/0184533 A1
- Document ID: US20080184533A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/023,517
- Filed: 2008-01-31
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-01
- Assignees: The Coleman Company, Inc.
- Inventors: Luke E. Kelly
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184533A1

## CPC

- B60D 1/18: Tow ropes, chains or the like
- B63B 34/60: Arrangements for towing, e.g. for use with water-skis or wakeboards
- B63B 34/67: Connection means on the towing watercraft, e.g. pylons, side poles or winches
- F16G 11/046: {by bending the cable around a surface}
- F16G 11/14: Devices or coupling-pieces designed for easy formation of adjustable loops, e.g. choker hooks; Hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point, e.g. by forming loops
- Y10T 24/3916: One-piece
- B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- F16G: BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A tow clip (10) for quickly and easily connecting a towable vehicle to a tow rope, the tow clip having a base portion (12), a head portion (14), and a T-shaped slot (16) extending through the head portion (14) and into a portion of the base portion (12). The T-shaped slot (16) is configured to receive a loop of a strap connected to a towable vehicle and is further configured to allow a loop of rope to pass through it. The head portion (14) is configured so that a tow rope can be attached to the tow clip (10) by passing a loop of the rope through the T-shaped slot and separating the loop and bringing the loop over and around the head portion. When tension is applied to the distal end of the rope, the head portion (14) engages the rope thereby preventing the loop from passing back over and around the head portion (14) and through the T-shaped slot (16).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tow clip, comprising:
a base portion having a first opening for receiving a strap or rope that is connected to a towable;
a head portion connected to the base portion and configured for attachment to a tow rope; and
a slot extending from the head portion to the first opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein the head portion comprises a second opening for receiving a tow rope.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tow clip of claim 2, wherein the second opening is formed in the slot.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tow clip of claim 3, wherein the tow clip defines an axis extending from the head portion to the base portion, and wherein the first opening comprises an elongate slot extending substantially perpendicular to the axis.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The tow clip of claim 3, wherein the second opening is formed from notches in opposite sides of the slot.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The tow clip of claim 5, wherein the second opening comprises protrusions on opposite sides of the slot toward the head portion of the tow clip.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The tow clip of claim 3, wherein the second opening comprises protrusions on opposite sides of the slot toward the head portion of the tow clip.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein opposite sides of the head portion comprise:
a wing at a forward end of the head portion; and
an indentation spaced rearward of the wing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The tow clip of claim 8, wherein each wing flares outward and rearward toward the base portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The tow clip of claim 8, wherein the tow clip comprises a flexible material so that when a tow rope is attached around the head portion and tension is applied to the tow rope, the slot closes in width.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein the first opening is elongate and extends substantially parallel to a rear surface of the base portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein the tow clip comprises a flexible material so that when a tow rope is attached around the head portion and tension is applied to the tow rope, the slot closes in width.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein the slot is zigzag in configuration.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The tow clip of claim 1, wherein the head portion comprises a second opening for receiving the tow rope, and wherein the slot extends around the second opening, bypassing the second opening.