Portable rope tow device
AssigneeThin Line Concepts, Inc.
InventorGale Dahlstrom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable tow device (20) for selective attachment to a tow line (24) having a length includes a handle (32). The tow device also includes a locking member (28) rotatably attached to the handle. The locking member includes first and second bearing members (28a) and (28b) and an elongate slot (42). The tow device further includes a lever arm (30) attached to the locking member for selectively rotating the locking member between a locked position, wherein the tow line is clamped between the first and second bearing members for propelling a person along a surface at a rate substantially equal to the rate of the tow line, and an unlocked position, wherein the tow line passes freely through the tow device.
Claims22
A portable tow device for selective attachment to a towline having a length, the towline moving at a predetermined rate, the tow device comprising:
- (a) a handle;
- and
- (b) a locking member rotatably attached to the handle, the locking member being selectively rotatable at least 180° about a pivot point having an axis extending normal to the length of the tow rope between a locked position, wherein the locking member is reversibly fixed to the towline locking member, and an unlocked position, wherein the towline passes freely through the tow device.
A portable tow device for selective attachment to a towline having a length and moving at a predetermined rate, the tow device comprising:
- (a) a handle;
- (b) a locking member rotatably attached to the handle, the locking member having at least a first bearing member and an elongate slot;
- and
- (c) a lever arm attached to the locking member for selectively rotating the locking member at least 180° degrees about a pivot point between a locked position, wherein the towline is in frictional engagement with at least the first bearing member for propelling a person along a surface at a rate substantially equal to the rate of the towline, and an unlocked position, wherein the towline passes freely through the tow device.
A portable tow device for selective attachment to a towline having a length and moving at a predetermined rate, the tow device comprising:
- (a) a handle;
- (b) a locking member rotatably attached to the handle;
- (c) a lever arm fastened to the locking member for selectively rotating the locking member at least 180° about a pivot point between a locked position, wherein the locking member is clamped to the towline for propelling a person along a surface at a rate substantially equal to the rate of the towline, and an unlocked position, wherein the towline passes freely through the tow device;
- and
- (d) a coupling apparatus having a first portion fastened to the handle and a second portion selectively attachable the person to assist in propelling the person along the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.