Water ski rope safety device

Abstract

This discloses a water ski rope safety device. Water ski ropes can become disconnected from the tow boat. They can also become loose or gain excessive slack. In such cases, the rope can whip around or entangle the skier. Any of these might injure the skier. The safety device prevents such a disconnected or loose rope from entangling or striking the skier. The device consists of a flexible sleeve into which the rope is contained along with other components which accomplish the purpose.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An water ski rope safety device comprising a flexible sleeve through which sleeve a water ski tow rope is inserted such that one end of said rope is attached to a boat used for towing one or more water skiers and the opposite end is held by said water skiers. 
     
     
         2 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 1  further comprising a foam tube, a length of tubing, and means for fastening the aforementioned components securely. 
     
     
         3 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible sleeve is wider at one end than at the other end. 
     
     
         4 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 1  wherein the inner diameter of said flexible sleeve is wide enough to accommodate the rope and foam tube plus an additional amount which permits the foam tube to easily slide into the flexible sleeve for assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 3  wherein said wider end is wide enough to accommodate a ski tow handle. 
     
     
         6 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible sleeve is constructed of fabric that will not shrink or come apart when said sleeve becomes wet. 
     
     
         7 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 6  wherein said flexible sleeve is constructed with fabric or other binding to prevent said fabric from unraveling under use. 
     
     
         8 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 3  wherein said wider end is circular. 
     
     
         9 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 3  wherein said wider end is triangular. 
     
     
         10 . The water ski rope safety device of  claim 3  wherein said wider end is fastened with grommets, said grommets being constructed of stainless or other metal.