US 4,302,858 A · Steerable towed vehicle

Abstract

A watersled towed behind a moving boat is steerable from side to side by a rider pulling on or releasing the handle on a single control rope which is attached to a tow rope. The handle is held at various positions by two cleats connected to a raised section of the top deck of the sled between the rider's legs to facilitate proper operation of the sled. The tow rope is attached to the rear of the sled by being passed through an opening in the hull and knotted. The tow rope is held in proximity to the bottom of the sled by passing the rope through a plastic slide configured to travel within a groove extending the width of the sled. The groove is shaped in an arc having a center at the tow rope attachment point and has end closures to prevent the slide from leaving the groove. The control rope is held forward of the tow rope attachment point by a knot in the tow rope. Asymetrical trim tabs are attached to the stern by hinges and are adjustable to vary the amount of lift astern to account for different rider weights. The sled is fabricated with spongy foam exterior surfaces on rigid stringers to reduce injuries to the rider.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A towed water sled vehicle comprising,

a body,
a first rope attachment mounted on the body near a stern thereof,
a second rope attachment mounted on the body forward of the first attachment,
a first rope connected to the first attachment and a second rope connected to the second attachment,
joint means for joining the ropes remote from the attachments and means for towing the vehicle from the joint means, and
holding means connected to the vehicle for holding the first rope close to the vehicle thereby preventing tipping of the vehicle,
the holding means comprising a laterally arced groove formed in the body and positioned between the first and second rope attachments, a slide mounted in said arced groove and having a portion extending from the body with an opening of a diameter slightly larger than the first rope, the first rope passing through the opening
a first closure means permanently connected to one end of the arced groove for preventing movement of the slide past the end of the arced groove, and
a second closure means removably connected to a remote end of the groove for preventing movement of the slide past the remote end of the groove.

6 more elements

A towed water sled vehicle comprising, a body,

a first rope attachment mounted on the body near a stern thereof,
a second rope attachment mounted on the body forward of the first attachment,
a first rope having a radial projection and connected to the first attachment and a second rope connected to the second attachment,
joint means for joining the ropes remote from the attachments wherein the second rope joins the first rope forward of said radial projection which limits rearward movement of the second rope along the first rope, and means for towing the vehicle from the joint means, and
holding means connected to the vehicle for holding the first rope close to the vehicle thereby preventing tipping of the vehicle,
the holding means comprising a laterally arced channel connected to the body and positioned between the first and second rope attachments, a slide mounted in said arced channel and having a portion extending from the body with an opening of a diameter slightly larger than the first rope, the first rope passing through the opening.

3 more elements

A towed water sled vehicle comprising,

a body having a passenger compartment with a rope holding means and handle holding means,
a first rope attachment mounted on the body near the stern thereof,
a second rope attachment mounted on the body forward of the first attachment,
a first rope connected to the first attachment and a second rope connected to the second attachment, and
joint means for joining the ropes remote from the attachments and means for towing the vehicle from the joint means,
holding means connected to the vehicle for holding the first rope close to the vehicle thereby preventing tipping of the vehicle,
the holding means comprising a laterally arced groove formed in the body and positioned between the first and second rope attachments, a slide mounted in said arced groove and having a portion extending from the body with an opening of a diameter slightly larger than the first rope, the first rope passing through the opening,
wherein the body comprises relatively rigid internal stringers and relatively supple external coatings formed on the stringers, wherein said supple external coating has therein formed footpads, a seat, and handrail receiving means, the stringers configured to receive the first and second rope attachments.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Steerable towed vehicle

Life of this patent

Steerable towed vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16