WO2006072055A2

WO2006072055A2 - Cargo rack apparatus for wakeboard boat towers

Info

Publication number: WO2006072055A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/047583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond L. Jesewitz
Original assignee: Jesewitz Raymond L
Priority date: 2004-12-28
Filing date: 2005-12-28
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: WO2006072055A3

Abstract

A cargo rack apparatus for removable attachment to the vertical supports of a wakeboard boat tower includes one or more peripheral rails defining front, back, and side walls, and an interior volume, and one or more crossmembers between walls to provide a supportwakeboard tower at a plurality of points, and can be easily and completely removed from the tower with releasable connectors. Upon release of only two connectors, the entire rack will pivot and fold down with the wakeboard tower for storage, towing, and areas of limited clearance.

Description

CARGO RACK APPARATUS FOR WAKEBOARD BOAT TOWERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to boating equipment and accessories, and more particularly to an improved cargo rack apparatus for removable attachment to wakeboard boat towers.

Background Art

[0002] It is a truism among boating enthusiasts that there is never enough storage room on a boat. This is particularly true in wakeboarding and related sports, where the boater may need a place to store wakeboards, surfboards, wakesurf boards, tubes, inflatables, kayaks, and/or other sport cargo .

[0003] United States Patent No. RE37,823 to Larson, et al. discloses a water sport towing apparatus and method. The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard, and being towed by a vessel while maintaining stability of the vessel includes a first relatively rigid vertical support fitted to one side of the vessel, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to an opposing side, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending supports, at a height substantially above a level of the operator station for the vessel. A tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water. By pivotally attaching the first and second supports to the respective sides of the vessel, they can be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.

[0004] United States Patent 5,752,638 to Meeks describes a combination water ski and wake board rack. A rack for storing one or more pairs of water skis and wake boards includes one or more pairs of forks having parallel prongs extending from and coplanar with a base plate section. The pairs of forks are mounted on a support bar extending through an opem^'ng in the base plate section and maybe positioned axially along and orientationally around the bar then clamped in the selected position such that each fork is aligned with its pair member. Each pair of forks preferably has three prongs for stowing one pair of skis or two prongs for storing a wakeboard. A strap is provided for each neighboring pair of each fork having one end attached to an end of one of said neighboring pair of prongs and another end hookable to an end of the neighboring prong so that the strap may be stretched over a water ski or wakeboard nested between neighboring prongs thereby securing a pair of skis or wakeboards.

[0005] The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that maybe relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

Disclosure of Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an improved cargo rack apparatus for removable attachment to the vertical supports of a wakeboard boat tower. The inventive cargo rack includes one or more peripheral rails defining front, back, and side walls, and an interior volume, and one or more crossmembers between walls to provide a support surface for stored items. The inventive apparatus attaches to the vertical supports of the wakeboard tower at a plurality of points, and can be easily and completely removed from the tower with releasable connectors. Upon release of only two connectors, the entire rack will pivot and fold down with the wakeboard tower for storage, towing, and areas of limited clearance. [0007] The cargo rack apparatus of this invention may include, but is not limited to, the following features:

[0008] The interior volume may include a basket portion which could be open or closed, or may include a removable shell or cargo net. One or more bungee cords or other strap members may be used to secure articles to the rack.

[0009] The crossmembers may be padded with foam or other material to offer protection from damage to stored articles.

[0010] The releasable connectors may be quick-release type cam levers.

[0011] The entire rack apparatus may be constructed of aluminum or other suitable material.

[0012] A bimini top made of canvas or other material may be releasably affixed to the rack with snaps or other fasteners.

[0013] The cargo rack may include outriggers, rod holders, speakers, lights, or other accessories. [0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sport cargo rack for boats.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rack apparatus that is easily attached to existing wakeboard towers.

[0016] A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved cargo rack that folds down with the wakeboard tower for storage and transport.

[0017] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel cargo rack that also provides a bimini top.

[0018] Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. [0019] There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0020] Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the national patent office(s) and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. [0021] Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as "upward," "downward," "left," and "right" would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as "inward" and "outward" would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: [0023] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a cargo rack apparatus of this invention as installed on the vertical supports of a wakeboard boat tower; and [0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a cargo rack apparatus of this invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [0025] The attached drawings provide additional detail for the improved cargo rack apparatus of this invention. FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a cargo rack apparatus 10 of this invention as installed on the vertical supports of a wakeboard boat tower. Wakeboard boat 12 includes a wakeboard tower 14 having a forward vertical support 16 and aft vertical support 18, topped, with a ski tow 20. Forward vertical support 16 is preferably connected to the boat by a release joint 16a, while aft vertical support 18 is preferably connected to the boat by a pivot joint 18a. This arrangement enables the wakeboard tower to be folded down when necessary by simply disengaging forward vertical support release joint 16a, and pivoting the entire tower downward and aft about pivot joint 18b, as is well known in the art. [0026] Cargo apparatus 10 includes one or more peripheral rails 22 defining a front wall 24, back wall 26, port side wall 28, starboard side wall 30, and an interior volume 32. One or more crossmembers 34 preferably extend between opposing walls to provide a support surface for stored items. The side walls 28, 30 attach to the vertical supports 16, 18 of the wakeboard tower at preferably four points; forward connector/pivot joints 36a, 36b, and aft connector/release joints 38a, 38b. Release of the aft joints 38a, 38b from the aft vertical supports 18 enables the cargo rack 10 to pivot about forward vertical supports 16 at forward joints 36a, 36b so that the cargo rack can pivot and fold down with the wakeboard tower for storage, towing, and areas of limited clearance. Alternatively, release of all four joints 36a, 36b, 38a, 38b from the vertical supports 16, 18 enables the cargo rack to be easily and completely removed from the wakeboard tower. Bimini top 40 may extend between the walls of the cargo rack to provide shade to the occupants of the boat. [0027] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a cargo rack apparatus of this invention. This view better illustrates the crossmembers 34 extending between walls 28, 30 to provide a support surface for stored items. Forward connector/pivot joints 36a, 36b, and aft connector/release joints 38a, 38b may consist of ball and socket joints, quick-release connectors, or any other suitable hardware.

[0028] The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable one having skill in the art to practice the invention without undue experimentation, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

[0029] Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed as invention is:

1. A cargo rack apparatus for removable attachment to the vertical supports of a wakeboard boat tower, said apparatus comprising: at least one peripheral rail defining front, back, and side walls, and an interior volume; at least one crossmember between walls to provide a support surface for stored items; a plurality of connectors releasably attaching said cargo rack apparatus to the vertical supports of the wakeboard tower, wherein said cargo rack can pivot and fold down with the wakeboard tower for storage.

2. The cargo rack apparatus of claim 1 wherein said side walls attach to the vertical supports of the wakeboard tower by two forward pivot joints and two aft release joints, wherein release of said aft release joints from the aft vertical supports enables said cargo rack to pivot about the forward pivot joints so that said cargo rack can pivot and fold down with the wakeboard tower for storage.

3. The cargo rack apparatus of claim 2 wherein said two forward pivot joints comprise ball and socket joints.

4. The cargo rack apparatus of claim 2 wherein said two aft release joints comprise ball and socket joints.

5. The cargo rack apparatus of claim 1 wherein said side walls attach to the vertical supports of the wakeboard tower by two forward pivot joints and two aft release joints, wherein release of said joints from the vertical supports enables the cargo rack to be completely removed from the wakeboard tower.

6. The cargo rack apparatus of claim 1 further including a bimini top extending between said walls.