MODULAR SKI TOWER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/663,408, entitled “MODULAR SKI TOWER,” filed on Jun. 24, 2024, in which the entire disclosure is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular ski tower, and in particular to a ski tower that includes various modular components comprising foam-reinforced, composite material components configured to allow use with boat platforms of varying configurations and dimensions, as well as towing arrangements that include primary and secondary attachments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects of the embodiments of the modular ski tower as disclosed and described herein provide a lightweight and durable modular ski tower that includes common components that may be used across a variety of boats with differing dimensions and configurations, is efficient in use, capable of a long operating life, and towing arrangements that inherently increases the associated safety by providing primary and secondary attachments, and where each are particularly well adapted for the proposed uses.

One embodiment as shown and described herein includes modular ski tower that includes a first leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end where the first end is configured to be secured to a boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly, the housing comprising a composite material and defining an interior space, and wherein the interior space is at least partially filled with a structural foam, and a second leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second leg member where the first end of the second leg member is configured to be secured to the boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly, the housing of the second leg member comprising a composite material and defining an interior space, wherein the interior space of the housing of the second leg member is filled with a structural foam. The modular ski tower further includes a crossmember including a housing having a first end and second end opposite the first end of the crossmember, the crossmember comprising a composite material and defining an interior space, wherein the interior space of the housing of the crossmember is at least partially filled with a structural foam, wherein the second end of the first leg member is coupled to the first end of the crossmember and the second end of the second leg member is coupled to the second end of the crossmember via respective slip fit couplers, and wherein the each of slip fit couplers are permanently secured via an adhesive.

Another embodiment as shown and described herein may further or alternatively include a method for constructing a modular ski tower that includes providing a first leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end where the first end is configured to be secured to a boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly and the second end includes a first portion of a first slip fit coupler, the housing comprising a composite material and defining an interior space, providing a second leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second leg member where the first end of the second leg members is configured to be secured to the boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly and the second end of the second leg includes a first portion of a second slip fit coupler, the housing of the second leg member comprising a composite material and defining an interior space, and providing a crossmember including a housing having a first end that includes a second portion of the first slip fit coupler and second end opposite the first end of the crossmember and that includes a second portion of the second slip fit coupler, the crossmember comprising a composite material and defining an interior space. The modular ski tower further includes at least partially filling the interior space of each of the first leg, the second leg, and the crossmember with a structural foam, applying an adhesive to at least one of the first and second portions of the first slip fit coupler, and to at least one of the first and second portions of the second slip fit coupler, and coupling the first portion and second portions of the first slip fit coupler with one another and the first and second portions of the second slip fit coupler with one another.

Yet another embodiment as shown and described herein may further or alternatively include modular ski tower that includes a first leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end where the first end is configured to be secured to a boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly and the second end includes a first portion of a first coupler, and a second leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second leg member where the first end of the second leg member is configured to be secured to a boat structure of the boat via a mounting assembly and the second end of the second leg member includes a first portion of a second coupler. The modular ski tower further includes a crossmember including a housing having a first end that includes a second portion of the first coupler and second end opposite the first end of the crossmember and that includes a second portion of the second coupler, wherein the second end of the first leg member is coupled to the first end of the crossmember via the first coupler and the second end of the second leg member is coupled to the second end of the crossmember via the second coupler, wherein the each coupler includes a longitudinal axis that is configured to extend substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the boat, wherein the first and second portions of the first coupler and configured to be coupled to one another by moving at least one of the first and second portions relative of the first coupler to one another along the longitudinal axis of the first coupler and the first and second portions of the second coupler are configured to be coupled to one another by moving at least one of the first and second portions of the second coupler relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the second coupler, and wherein the first leg member and the second leg member are each permanently coupled to the crossmember.

Still yet another embodiment shown and described herein may further or alternatively include method for providing a kit for a modular ski tower that includes providing a first leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end where the first end is configured to be secured to a boat structure of a boat via a mounting assembly and the second end includes a first portion of a first coupler, and providing a second leg member including a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second leg member where the first end of the second leg member is configured to be secured to a boat structure of the boat via a mounting assembly and the second end of the second leg member includes a first portion of a second coupler. The method further includes providing a selected crossmember as selected between a first crossmember and a second crossmember, the first crossmember and the second crossmember each including a housing having a first end that includes a second portion of the first coupler and second end opposite the first end of the crossmember and that includes a second portion of the second coupler, wherein the first crossmember has a first length and the second crossmember has a second length that is different from the first length, providing a tow mount supported by the crossmember, and coupling the second end of the first leg member to the first end of the selected crossmember via the first coupler and the second end of the second leg member to the second end of the selected crossmember via the second coupler, wherein the first crossmember and the second crossmember are configured such that a location of the tow mount along a longitudinal axis of the boat remains substantially consistent between the first crossmember and second crossmember subsequent to the selected crossmember being coupled to the first and second legs, and wherein the first and second leg members are permanently coupled to the crossmember.

Still, yet another embodiment as shown and described herein may further or alternatively include ski tow mount that includes a tow bolt having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body portion located therebetween where the body portion is configured to support a ski tow rope, a mounting portion secured to the distal end of the tow bolt, a first coupling member configured to be secured to the mounting portion via at least one first mechanical fastener such that a first portion of boat structure of a boat is located between the mounting portion and the first coupling member, and a coupling member configured to be secured to the tow bolt via at least one second mechanical faster such that a second portion of the boat structure is located between to the tow bolt and the coupling member.

Yet another embodiment as shown and described herein may further or alternatively include ski tow mount that includes a tow bolt having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body portion located therebetween where the body portion is configured to support a ski tow rope, a first attachment configured to secure the tow bolt to an upper surface of a boat structure from a location above the boat structure, and a second attachment configured to secure the tow bolt to the upper surface of the boat structure from a location below the boat structure, wherein the second attachment arrangement secures the tow bolt to the boat structure discretely from the first attachment arrangement.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular ski tower in a raised or in-use position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modular ski tower in a lowered or storage position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of leg members and a crossmember of the modular ski tower;

FIG. 4A is a first exploded perspective view of the leg members and the crossmember of the modular ski tower;

FIG. 4B is a second exploded perspective view of the leg members and the crossmember of the modular ski tower;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front elevation view along the line V-V, FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the area VI, FIG. 1, showing a ski tow mount;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ski tow mount taken along the line VII-VII, FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the ski tow mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a modular ski tower. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. The orientation will be as shown in FIG. 1.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

The reference 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a modular ski tower embodying aspects of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the ski tower 10 includes a pair of leg members, including a first leg member 12, a second leg member 14, a crossmember 16 extending between the first and second leg members 12, 14, a ski tow mount 18 supported by the crossmember 16, and a pair of mounting assemblies 20 configured to support the overall ski tower 10 from a boat structure 22, such as a boat deck or gunnels, between an upright or in use position A as shown in FIG. 1, and a lowered or storage position B as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrative example, the mounting assemblies 12 are motorized so as to allow powered movement of the leg members 12, 14 and crossmember 16 between the raised position A and lowered position B, however, it is noted that mounting assemblies providing manual adjustment may also be utilized.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-4B, the first leg member 12, the second leg member 14 and the crossmember 16 each include an outer shell or housing 24, 26, 28, respectively. Each housing 24, 26, 28 includes a pair of shell members that are secured together to form each housing. In the illustrated example, the first leg member housing 24 includes a first shell member 30 and a second shell member 32, the second leg housing member 26 includes a first shell member 34 and a second shell member 36, and the crossmember housing 28 includes a first shell member 38 and a second shell member 40. Each shell member 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 comprises a composite material, and preferably comprises carbon fiber. The shell members of each of the housings 24, 26, 28 are respectively coupled to one another via an adhesive, however, other suitable coupling and attachment mechanisms and processes may be utilized including but not limited to mechanical fasteners, sonic welding, heat welding, and the like. The housings 24, 26, 28 are each configured to define and interior space 42, 44, 46, respectively. Subsequent to the members 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 of the housings 24, 26, 28 being coupled to the matching shell member, the respective interior space 42, 44, 46 is filled with a structural foam 48. In the example, the structural foam 48 comprises a polypropylene foam, however, other suitable foam materials may be utilized.

The first leg member 28 includes a first or proximal end 50 and a second or distal end 52, the second leg member 14 includes a first or proximal end 54 and a second or distal end 56, and the crossmember 16 includes a first end 58 and a second end 60. The first end 50 of the first leg member 12 and the first end 54 of the second leg member 14 are each operably coupled to the associated mounting assembly 20 to pivot between the raised position A (FIG. 1) and the lower position B (FIG. 2).

The first leg member 12 and the second leg member 14 are coupled to the crossmember 16 via a first coupler 62 and a second coupler 64, respectively. In the illustrated example, the first and second coupler 62, 64 each include a slip fit coupler. The first end 50 of first leg member 12 includes a first portion 66 of the first coupler 62, the first end 58 of the crossmember 64 includes a second portion 68 of the first coupler 62, the first end 54 of the second leg member 14 includes a first portion 70 of the first coupler 62 and the second end 60 of the crossmember 64 includes a second portion 72 of the second coupler 64. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, and by way of example, the first portion 70 of the second coupler 64 is telescopically received within the second portion 72 within the second coupler 64 in a slip fit-type connection. A waterproof or water-resistant adhesive is utilized to permanently secure the first portion 70 and the second portion 72 of the second coupler 64 to one another. Alternatively or in addition to the adhesive, a snap-fit type connection 74 may be utilized where the first portion 70 of the second coupler 64 snappingly engages the associated second portion 72, thereby temporarily securing the second leg member 14 to the crossmember 16. The first coupler 62 and the second coupler 64 are configured such that the first leg member 12 and the crossmember 16 and the second leg member 14 and the crossmember 16 are moved relatively to one another in the directions 76, 78, respectively, where the directions 76, 78 are substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal access 80 of the associated boat (FIGS. 1 and 4a). In the illustrated example, the first coupler 62 and the second coupler 64 each have a longitudinal access 82, 84, respectively, that is substantial parallel with the directions 76, 78 thereby allowing for the first and second portions 66, 68 and the first and second portions 70, 72 to be coupled to one another via the associated slip fit connection by movement in the directions 76, 78.

In assembly, each of the leg members 12, 14 and the crossmember 16 are constructed by attaching the respective shell members 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 to one another as described above. The respective interior space 42, 44, 46 of the leg members 12, 14 of the crossmember 16 is then filled with the structural foam 48 through one of the open ends thereof with air escaping through the opposite end as the foam 48 fills the interior space 42, 44, 46. The first leg member 12 and the second leg member 14 are the attached to the crossmember 16 by coating at least one of the first portion 66 and the second portion 68 and at least one of the first portion 70 and the second portion 72 with an adhesive, subsequent to which the leg members 12, 14 and the crossmember 16 are moved relative to one another in the directions 76, 78 until the first portion 66 of the first coupler 62 is received within the second portion 68 and the first portion 70 of the second coupler 74 is received within the second portion 72. The laterally oriented coupling directions 76, 78 allow crossmembers of varying lengths to be utilized with common leg members 12, 14 to allow similar components to be utilized for boat platforms of varying beam widths. This configuration further allows crossmembers of varying lengths to be utilized with common leg members 12, 14 without varying the relative location of the ski tow mount 18 along the lengths of the longitudinal access 80 of the associated boat.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the ski tow mount 18 is configured to be secured to the crossmember 16 via a first attachment 88 and a second attachment 90. In the illustrated example, the ski tow mount 18 includes a tow bolt 92 having a distal end 94, a proximal end 96, and a body portion 98 located therebetween and configured to support a ski tow rope. The first attachment 88 includes a mounting portion affixed to and extending outwardly from the tow boat 92, where the mounting portion is configured to abut an upper service 102 of the crossmember 16. The first attachment 88 further includes a first coupling member 104 secured to the mounting portion via a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as screws 107 such that a first portion 108 of the crossmember 16 is positioned between the first coupling member 104 and the mounting portion 100. The first coupling member 104 may be in-molded within the crossmember 16, and further may be configured within or with respect to crossmember 16 such that the first coupling member 104 abuts the mounting portion 100 upon assembly. The second attachment 90 includes a second coupling member 108 positioned beneath a second portion 110 of the crossmember 16 and that is secured to the tow bolt 92 via a mechanical fastener such as a screw 112 that is received through the coupling member 108 and threadably received within a threaded bore 114 of the tow bolt 92, such that the second portion 10 of the crossmember 16 is located between the second coupling member 108 and the tow bolt 92. In the configurations illustrated, the first attachment 88 and the second attachment 90 independently and discreetly secure the tow bolt 92 to the crossmember 16.

The ski tow mount 18 may further include an electrical receiver 120 having a housing 122 received within a central bore 124 of the tow bolt 92, where the housing 122 includes an upper flange 126 configured to abut an upper surface 128 of the tow bolt 92. The electrical receiver 120 further includes an electrical plug 130 located within the housing 122 and configured to provide electrical power to a removable lighting element (not shown). A cover 132 may be provided to cover seal the housing 122 form the elements when the electrical receiver is not in use.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those building the art and modifications made to the embodiments disclosed in the described herein without departing from those concepts. Such modifications should be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiment(s) only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.