Tension Load Tow Rope Booster Device for Water Sports

Abstract

A device for attachment of a tow rope to a boat for enhancing the performance of a user engaged in a water sport activity. The device comprises a booster assembly, a housing, a pivot joint assembly for rotatably connecting the device to the boat, a tow knob for attaching the tow rope to the device, and a handle component. A method of using the device includes applying a load to the device to generate a resistance, displacing the bias element, and releasing the resistance from the device. The force generated, when the load applied to displace the bias element is released, provides the user with a boost sling-shot effect. The resulting boost may provide the user with longer airtime thus enabling one to perform better acrobatic maneuvers in the air inside or outside the wake. The recoil properties of the apparatus provide the user with softer landing capabilities. The apparatus further provides no stretch or pull while turning into the wake or when landing a jump.

1 . A tension load tow rope booster device for attaching to a tow rope for a boat comprising: 
 a booster assembly having in parallel one or more bias elements, a plurality of guide rods, one or more sliding members, and a perpendicularly configured stabilizing member having a front side and a back side, the stabilizing member having a plurality of openings for inserting the guide rods and one or more sliding members, wherein the front side is a side facing a front of the boat and the back side is a side facing a back of the boat;    a housing for substantially enclosing the booster assembly, wherein a first and second end of the guide rods are securely fastened to the housing, and a first and second end of the one or more sliding members is securely fastened to the housing;    a pivot joint assembly comprising a turret attached to an underside of the housing and a pivot member attached to the turret, the joint assembly being adapted for enabling angular motion of the device relative to the joint assembly in all directions; and    a tow knob having a tow knob mount circumferentially attached to the stabilizing member;    wherein the guide rods are inserted into the openings closer to each outer edge of the stabilizing member, the one or more sliding members are inserted into the openings between the guide rods of the stabilizing member, the one or more bias elements are positioned around a portion of the sliding member protruding from the front side and back side of the stabilizing member.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the tow knob is secured to a first end of the tow rope and a handle component is attached to a second end of the tow rope.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bias element is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, bungee material, braided rope, elastic, nylon, and spring coils.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bias element is a recoil spring.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bias element is a compression spring.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a length and a thickness of the bias element are adjustable.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the pivot member is attached to a boat tower or pylon.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the pivot joint assembly is a ball and socket joint, the joint comprising a spherical knob, a mating socket, one or more bearings, and a bolt, wherein the knob fits securely into the mating socket by attachment of the bearings with the bolt.  
   
   
       9 . A method for using a tension load tow rope booster device of  claim 2  attached to a tow rope for a boat comprising: 
 applying a load to the handle component to generate a resistance;    displacing the one or more bias elements;    releasing the resistance; and    generating a force sufficient to propel a user holding the handle component into a generally vertical direction.    
   
   
       10 . A tension load tow rope booster device attached to a tow rope for a boat comprising: 
 a booster assembly;    a housing for substantially enclosing the booster assembly;    a pivot joint assembly comprising a turret attached to an underside of the housing and a pivot member attached to the turret, the joint assembly being adapted for enabling angular motion of the device relative to the joint assembly in all directions; and    a tow knob.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the tow knob is secured to a first end of the tow rope and a handle component is attached to a second end of the tow rope.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the booster assembly is an apparatus having recoiling properties.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the booster assembly is an apparatus having compression properties.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the booster assembly is selected from the group consisting of gas cylinder, shock absorber, and piston.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the pivot member is attached to a boat tower or pylon.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the pivot joint assembly is a ball and socket joint, the joint comprising a spherical knob, a mating socket, one or more bearings, and a bolt, wherein the knob fits securely into the mating socket by attachment of the bearings with the bolt.  
   
   
       17 . A method for using a tension load tow rope booster device of  claim 11  attached to a tow rope for a boat comprising: 
 applying a load to the handle component to generate a resistance;    releasing the resistance; and    generating a force sufficient to propel a water sport rider into a generally vertical direction.    
   
   
       18 . A tension load tow rope booster device attached to a tow rope for a boat comprising: 
 a booster assembly having one or more bias elements;    a housing for substantially enclosing the booster assembly, wherein a first end of the one or more bias elements is securely fastened to the housing; and    a pivot joint assembly comprising a turret attached to an underside of the housing and a pivot member attached to the turret, the joint assembly being adapted for enabling angular motion of the device relative to the joint assembly in all directions, wherein the pivot member is attached to a boat tower or pylon.    
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein a second end of the one or more bias elements is attached to a first end of the tow rope and a handle component is attached to a second end of the tow rope.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the bias element is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, bungee material, braided rope, elastic, nylon, and spring coils.