Human towing device and sports based on the device

Abstract

Glided sporting activities can be performed by pulling a person associated with a glide element. The pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle or harness at one end. An operator controls the speed and braking. The towing device has a brake and throttle to control the rotation of the spool of rope. A rope guide guides the ropes motion at the front of the towing device.

1 . A method for performing a glided sporting activity, the method comprising pulling a person associated with a glide element wherein the pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle at one end gripped by the person or having a harness attached to the person, wherein an operator controls the speed and braking. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sport is water boarding, water skiing, snow skiing, surfboarding, wakeboarding, wake skating, snowboarding, kite boarding, skim boarding, mountain boarding, skate boarding or kayaking. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the speed is at least about 10 miles per hour. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the person is pulled along a surface with a grade of no more than about 10 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motor in an internal combustion engine with at least about 5 horse power. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an operator applies a brake to stop the rotation of the spool. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein operator adjusts the speed of the spool with a manual throttle. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spool is mounted on a frame comprising a rope guide connected to an extension to hold the rope guide from about 2.5 feet to about 6 feet from the ground. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sport is a water sport. 
   
   
       10 . A human towing device comprising:
 a frame comprising a front support element;   a motor having at least about 5 horse power and a throttle to control the motor speed;   a spool assembly comprising a spool, an axle fixed to rotate with the spool, a mount connected to the frame that engages the axle in a rotatable configuration relative to the frame, and drive element operably connecting the motor to the axle;   a rope comprising a handle or a harness at a first end, wherein the rope is connected to the spool at a second end;   a rope guide comprising an opening, wherein the rope guide is supported by the front support element and wherein the rope extends through the opening; and   a brake to stop the rotation of the spool.   
   
   
       11 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the frame has attached wheels and a handle for attachment to a vehicle towing hitch, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground. 
   
   
       12 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the frame has a resting surface to support the frame at a stationary location wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the resting surface. 
   
   
       13 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the frame comprises a mount to secure the device on a vehicle towing hitch suspended from the ground, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground support when the device is suspended on a 2006 General Motors pick up trunk. 
   
   
       14 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine. 
   
   
       15 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the motor has at least about 5 horse power. 
   
   
       16 . The human towing device of  claim 10  further comprising a cover over the spool and drive assembly. 
   
   
       17 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the drive assembly comprises a centrifugal clutch or a continuously variable transmission. 
   
   
       18 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the rope comprises a handle and wherein the handle comprises a loop or rope with tube over a portion of the loop, the tube comprising a gripping surface. 
   
   
       19 . The human towing device of  claim 10  wherein the motor is mounted on the frame. 
   
   
       20 . The human towing device of  claim 10  further comprising a clutch wherein the spool freely rotates with the clutch in neutral when the motor is at idle speeds. 
   
   
       21 . A sporting course comprising a corridor having a grade of no more than 10% and a stationary towing device configured to pull a person with a glide element along the corridor using a rope.