| |
| United States Patent
|
5,771,836 |
| Crouse |
June 30, 1998 |
Water skier warning flag system
Abstract
This invention concerns a water skier warning flag system of the
type wherein the slackening of the tow rope causes a warning flag at
the transom of the ski boat to be raised. A mechanical device
mounted on the rear of the transom of a ski boat includes a lever
having a normally vertical long lever arm for holding a
longitudinally-mounted (normally vertical) standard of a warning
flag; and this long lever arm also has a connection point to a ski
tow line. The other (short) lever arm is urged by a compression
spring to maintain the long lever arm vertical. When a skier is
skiing, the tension on the tow line pulls the long lever arm down to
horizontal against the pressure of the compression spring; and when
the tow line goes slack, the spring pressure returns the long lever
arm to vertical.
| Inventors: |
Crouse; Tyler J. (Sun
City, AZ) |
| Assignee: |
Dupras Grinding Company,
Inc. (Phoenix, AZ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
08/632,655 |
| Filed: |
April 15, 1996 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
116/209 ;
116/173 |
| Current
International Class: |
G09F
17/00 (20060101); B63B 35/73 (20060101); B63B
35/81 (20060101); G09F 017/00 (); B63C 009/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
116/173,175,209,303 441/68 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Gutierrez; Diego F.F.
Assistant Examiner: Worth; Willie Morris
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water skier warning flag system for automatically raising a
warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a stern transom of a ski
boat when a tow rope on the ski boat goes slack comprising, in
combination:
mechanical means for positionally controlling the flag pole;
connection means for connecting said mechanical means to the stern
transom of the ski boat;
said mechanical means comprising
a lever structure having a short arm and a long arm and having
transverse-hole means, through a pivot line of said lever structure,
for holding a shaft means for rotatably holding said lever
structure,
housing means for housing said lever structure comprising
a shaft means for rotatably holding said lever structure, and
a compression spring means constructed and arranged to push against
said short arm of said lever structure,
first long arm means on said long arm for connecting with the tow
rope, and
second long arm means on said long arm for connecting with the flag
pole.
2. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said lever
structure is essentially arcuate, said short arm and said long arm
being situate at an angle of substantially less than 180 degrees.
3. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said
compression spring means is constructed and arranged to normally
push said long arm into substantially vertical position.
4. A warning flag system according to claim 3 wherein said housing
means further comprises stop means for stopping travel of said long
arm when said push of said compression spring means pushes said long
arm into said substantially vertical position.
5. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said second
long arm means is constructed and arranged to hold the flag pole
longitudinally to said long arm.
6. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said
connection means is constructed and arranged to connect said
mechanical means to the stern transom of the ski boat in such manner
as to maintain said compression spring means in a substantially
vertical position.
7. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said
connection means is constructed and arranged to connect said
mechanical means to the stern transom of the ski boat in such manner
as to maintain said shaft means in a substantially horizontal
position and transverse to the ski boat.
8. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said housing
means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to maintain the
flag pole, when held by said second long arm means, along a line
perpendicular to and intersecting with said pivot line.
9. warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical
means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to compress said
compression spring means when the tow rope is connected to said
first long arm means and the tow rope is pulling substantially
horizontally and rearwardly on said first long arm means.
10. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said
mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to
maintain the flag pole, when held by said second long arm means, in
a substantially horizontal position when a water skier is water
skiing at a far end of the tow rope connected to said first long arm
means and the tow rope is pulling substantially horizontally and
rearwardly on said first long arm means.
11. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said
mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to
maintain the flag pole, when held by said second long arm means, in
a substantially vertical position after a water skier releases the
tow rope connected to said first long arm means and the tow rope
ceases pulling substantially horizontally and rearwardly on said
first long arm means.
12. A warning flag system according to claim 1 wherein said shaft
means is nonrotatably connected to said housing means.
13. A water skier warning flag system for automatically raising a
warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a stern transom of a ski
boat when a tow rope on said ski boat goes slack comprising, in
combination:
a ski boat having a stern transom;
a flag pole having a warning flag connected to a first end of said
flag pole;
mechanical means for positionally controlling said flag pole, said
mechanical means comprising
a lever structure having a short arm and a long arm and having
transverse-hole means, through a pivot line of said lever structure,
for holding a shaft means for rotatably holding said lever
structure,
housing means for housing said lever structure comprising
a shaft means for rotatably holding said lever structure, and
a compression spring means constructed and arranged to push against
said short arm of said lever structure,
first long arm means on said long arm for connecting with a tow
rope, and
second long arm means on said long arm for connecting with a second
end of said flag pole;
connection means for connecting said mechanical means to said stern
transom of said ski boat; and
a tow rope connected to said first long arm means.
14. A warning flag system according to claim 13 wherein said lever
structure is essentially arcuate, said short arm and said long arm
being situate at an angle of substantially less than 180 degrees.
15. A warning flag system according to claim 13 wherein said
mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to
compress said compression spring means when said tow rope is
connected to said first long arm means and the tow rope is pulling
substantially horizontally and rearwardly on said first long arm
means.
16. A warning flag system according to claim 13 wherein said shaft
means is nonrotatably connected to said housing means.
17. A warning flag system according to claim 16 wherein said
mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to
maintain said flag pole, when held by said second long arm means, in
a substantially horizontal position when a water skier is water
skiing at a far end of said tow rope connected to said first long
arm means and said tow rope is pulling substantially horizontally
and rearwardly on said first long arm means.
18. A warning flag system according to claim 17 wherein said
mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such manner as to
maintain said flag pole, when held by said second long arm means, in
a substantially vertical position after the water skier releases
said tow rope connected to said first long arm means and ceases
pulling substantially horizontally and rearwardly on said first long
arm means.
19. A water skier warning flag system for automatically raising a
warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a stern transom of a ski
boat when a tow rope on the ski boat goes slack comprising, in
combination:
a housing containing a vertical compression spring and means for
connecting said housing to the rear of a stern transom;
a lever having a short arm and a long arm and rotatably connected
rearward of said compression spring to said housing along a lever
pivot line;
said housing being constructed and arranged in such manner that said
compression spring pushes downwardly on said short arm;
said long arm being constructed and arranged for connecting with a
tow rope; and
said long arm also being constructed and arranged for holding said
flag pole vertically upward when said compression spring is extended
and for holding said flag pole horizontally rearward when a pulling
of a tow rope on said long arm compresses said compression spring.
20. A warning flag system according to claim 19 wherein said lever
is essentially upwardly/rearwardly arcuate and concave, said short
arm and said long arm being essentially situate at an angle of
substantially less than 180 degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a water skier warning flag
system. More particularly, this invention concerns a water skier
warning flag system of the type wherein the slackening of the tow
rope causes a warning flag to be raised at the transom of the boat
pulling the water skier (herein called the "ski boat").
2. Description of the Prior Art
A ski flag is the universal means to alert any individuals in the
vicinity that a skier is "down" in the water. A water skier, while
not up on top of the water, skiing, but rather down in the water,
stationary, is difficult to see and is vulnerable to being hit by
other boats operating in the area. This is due to three major
factors. A water skier stationary in the water, not unlike a
swimmer, is a reasonably small object to be seen, with only the
skier's head, or at most, a portion of upper torso, being above the
surface of the water; and if the water is rough or choppy, such
skier may be intermittently hidden from view. Additionally, other
boats operating in the area are generally watching for boats and
their direction of travel, or for large debris such as logs etc.,
but may not be expecting to encounter, or even looking for, an
individual in the water. And thirdly, some boaters would expect to
have swimmers and other people in the water mainly confined to
beaches, shore lines, banks, established swimming areas, etc., but
not out in the open boating ways where higher boating speeds are
encountered. To provide for water skiing safety, many states
incorporate laws and regulations governing the use of ski flags and
additionally, the incorporation of a "spotter", i.e., a non-driving
person on the boat whose duty it is to watch the skier and raise a
warning flag when the skier falls or stops skiing and to have the
driver immediately stop the high-speed operation of the boat to go
get the water skier safely out of the water.
In the prior art, many systems for warning devices, and even
automatic flag raising, have been tried. However, these prior
systems are inefficient in operation, expensive to provide and
maintain in working order, and too large and difficult to install.
For example, the prior art system described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,735,724, issued to Nathan W. Miller, provides a ski flag which is
raised when the tow rope slackens. But the Miller device is
complicated by fluid damping, use of a torsion spring on a movable
shaft, placement of the flag forward of the boat operator, a line
guide system to connect to the normal tow line aft of the boat's
transom, etc. Various other devices are described in the art for
attachment to the tow rope at the stern of the ski boat with some
sort of spring action to raise the flag when the tow rope slackens,
all poorly placed and all with overly complicated and untrustworthy
spring and/or rope eyelet arrangements.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned needs and overcome the above-mentioned problems by
the provision of an improved water skier warning flag system for
automatically raising a warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a
stern transom of a ski boat when a tow rope on a said ski boat goes
slack. A further primary object of the present invention is to
provide such a system which is efficient, inexpensive, and handy.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent with reference
to the following invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a water skier warning flag system for
automatically raising a warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a
stern transom of a ski boat when a tow rope on a such ski boat goes
slack comprising, in combination: mechanical means for positionally
controlling a such flag pole; connection means for connecting such
mechanical means to a such stern transom of a such ski boat; such
mechanical means comprising lever means having a short arm and a
long arm and having transverse-hole means through a pivot line of
such lever means, housing means comprising (1) a shaft means for
rotatably holding such lever means, and (2) a compression spring
means constructed and arranged to push against such short arm of
such lever means, first long arm means on such long arm for
connecting with a such tow rope, and second long arm means on such
long arm for connecting with a such flag pole. This invention
further provides such a warning flag system wherein such lever means
is essentially arcuate, such short arm and such long arm being
situate at an angle of substantially less than 180 degrees. And it
provides such a warning flag system wherein such compression spring
means is constructed and arranged to normally push such long arm
into substantially vertical position. Further, the present invention
provides such a warning flag system wherein such housing means
further comprises stop means for stopping travel of such long arm
when such push of such compression spring means pushes such long arm
into such substantially vertical position.
Even further, this invention provides such a warning flag system
wherein such second long arm means is constructed and arranged to
hold a such flag pole longitudinally to such long arm; and, further,
wherein such connection means is constructed and arranged to connect
such mechanical means to a such stern transom of a such ski boat in
such manner as to maintain such compression spring means in a
substantially vertical position; and, further, wherein such
connection means is constructed and arranged to connect such
mechanical means to a such stern transom of a such ski boat in such
manner as to maintain such shaft means in a substantially horizontal
position and transverse to a such ski boat. This invention also
provides such a warning flag system wherein such housing means is
constructed and arranged in such manner as to maintain a such flag
pole, when held by such second long arm means, along a line
perpendicular to and intersecting with such pivot line.
Additionally, this invention provides such a warning flag system
wherein such mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such
manner as to compress such compression spring means when a such tow
rope is connected to such first long arm means and pulling on such
first long arm means. And it provides such a warning flag system
wherein such mechanical means is constructed and arranged in such
manner as to maintain a such flag pole, when held by such second
long arm means, in a substantially horizontal position when a water
skier is water skiing on a such tow rope connected to such first
long arm means and pulling on such first long arm means; and,
further, wherein such mechanical means is constructed and arranged
in such manner as to maintain a such flag pole, when held by such
second long arm means, in a substantially vertical position when a
water skier releases a such tow rope connected to such first long
arm means and pulling on such first long arm means. It also provides
such a warning flag system wherein such shaft means is nonrotatably
connected to such housing means.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this
invention provides a water skier warning flag system for
automatically raising a warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a
stern transom of a ski boat when a tow rope on a such ski boat goes
slack comprising, in combination: a such ski boat having a such
stern transom; a such flag pole having a such warning flag connected
to a first end of such flag pole; mechanical means for positionally
controlling such flag pole, such mechanical means comprising lever
means having a short arm and a long arm and having transverse-hole
means through a pivot line of such lever means, housing means
comprising (1) a shaft means for rotatably holding such lever means,
and (2) a compression spring means constructed and arranged to push
against such short arm of such lever means, first long arm means on
such long arm for connecting with a such tow rope, and second long
arm means on such long arm for connecting with a second end of such
flag pole; connection means for connecting such mechanical means to
such stern transom of such ski boat; and a such tow rope connected
to such first long arm means. And it further provides such a warning
flag system wherein such lever means is essentially arcuate, such
short arm and such long arm being situate at an angle of
substantially less than 180 degrees.
Even additionally, the present invention provides such a warning
flag system wherein such mechanical means is constructed and
arranged in such manner as to compress such compression spring means
when a such tow rope is connected to such first long arm means and
pulling on such first long arm means. It also provides such a
warning flag system wherein such shaft means is nonrotatably
connected to such housing means. And it further provides such a
warning flag system wherein such mechanical means is constructed and
arranged in such manner as to maintain a such flag pole, when held
by such second long arm means, in a substantially horizontal
position when a water skier is water skiing on such tow rope
connected to such first long arm means and pulling on such first
long arm means; and, further, wherein such mechanical means is
constructed and arranged in such manner as to maintain a such flag
pole, when held by such second long arm means, in a substantially
vertical position when a water skier releases such tow rope
connected to such first long arm means and pulling on such first
long arm means.
Yet even further, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, the
present invention provides a water skier warning flag system for
automatically raising a warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a
stern transom of a ski boat when a tow rope on a such ski boat goes
slack comprising, in combination: a housing containing a vertical
compression spring and means for connecting such housing to such
rear of such stern transom; a lever having a short arm and a long
arm and rotatably connected rearward of such compression spring to
such housing along a lever pivot line; such housing being
constructed and arranged in such manner that such compression spring
pushes downwardly on such short arm; such long arm being constructed
and arranged for connecting with a such tow rope; and such long arm
being constructed and arranged for holding such flag pole vertically
upward when such compression spring is extended and for holding such
flag pole horizontally rearward when a pulling of a such tow rope on
such long arm compresses such compression spring. Moreover, this
invention provides such a warning flag system wherein such lever is
essentially upwardly/rearwardly arcuate and concave, such short arm
and such long arm being essentially situate at an angle of
substantially less than 180 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water skier warning flag system
of the present invention, on a ski boat, with the tow rope slack and
the pole of the warning flag upwardly vertical.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the instant warning flag system, on
a ski boat, towing, with the pole of the warning flag substantially
rearwardly horizontal.
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the present warning flag system, in
operation, on the transom of a boat.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
warning flag system device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the warning flag system device.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the warning flag system device.
FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the warning flag system device
through section 7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the warning flag system
device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section side elevation view of the warning flag
system, showing the flag pole in its vertical position.
FIG. 10 is a cross-section side elevation view of the warning flag
system, while towing, showing the flag pole in its substantially
horizontal position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
Shown in perspective in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the preferred embodiment of
the water skier warning flag system of the present invention for
automatically raising a warning flag on a flag pole to the rear of a
stern transom of a ski boat when a tow rope on such ski boat goes
slack. A mechanical means for positionally controlling a flag pole
or standard for a warning flag, embodied by warning flag system
device 12, is shown mounted on the rear of the stern transom 13 of a
common ski boat 14, and being used for the sport of water skiing. In
FIG. 1, the ski boat 14 is shown stationary in the water, with the
ski flag 15 raised upwardly indicating that a water skier is in the
water, presumably either preparing to ski or ending a skiing
session. In the ski boat 14, in addition to the driver 15, may be
found a spotter 16 whose responsibility it is to provide
communication between the skier (not shown) and driver 15, and also
with other boats operating nearby. Communication with other boats in
the immediate vicinity is with a ski flag which, when raised,
indicates that a skier is in the water; and this indicates to use
caution, reduce speed, or change course. The warning flag system
device 12 automatically raises a ski flag 15 at any time the water
skier is stationary in the water or has let go of the ski tow rope
21 of a moving ski boat 14. The automatic operation of the warning
flag system device 12 is controlled by the tension of the ski tow
rope 21. FIG. 1 shows the ski tow rope 21 slack in the water 22, not
currently pulling a skier, as the ski boat 14 is at a stop, and the
ski flag 15 is in the raised position 23 by the operation of the
warning flag system device 12. In contrast, in FIG. 2 the ski boat
14 is in motion and the ski tow rope 21 is taut from the drag of the
skier being towed, and the ski flag 15 is in the lowered position 24
as a result of the operation of the warning flag system device 12.
FIG. 3 shows the warning flag system of the present invention with
the warning flag system device 12 of the present invention located
on the transom 13 of a ski boat 14. The warning flag system device
12 incorporates an attachment hole 25 in lever arm 26, as a first
means of such lever arm 26, for direct attachment of the ski tow
rope 21. The warning flag system device 12 is securely connected on
the rear of the transom 13 in the same general location as a
conventional ski rope attachment device or eyelet, so that towing
characteristics remain un-changed. The attachment hole 25 is located
on the long lever arm 26 of lever 58 (not entirely shown), which is
pivotally attached, at the pivot line 27, to the housing 30 of the
warning flag system device 12. The housing 30 is securely bolted to
the transom 13. Attached to the lever arm 26 (in a socket thereof,
not shown, as a second means of such lever arm 26) is the standard
or flag pole 31 of ski flag 15. The standard 31 of ski flag 15 would
preferably be longer than a conventional hand held ski flag to
compensate for the added height that a spotter's upraised arm adds
to a conventional ski flag. Generally, standard 31 would be
approximately 48" long. The warning flag or panel 32 of ski flag 15
remains the same as in a conventional hand held ski flag, being
usually bright red in color, square in shape, and made of fabric or
plastic sheet. The ski flag 15 and the lever arm 26, to which it is
attached, are held in a normal upright or vertical position, which
is the raised position 23, by spring pressure on the short lever arm
(not shown here) of the lever 58 from the workings of the parts in
housing 30. As both the ski tow rope 21 and the pole of ski flag 15
are attached to lever arm 26, unless sufficient pulling force is
exerted by ski tow rope 21 to overcome this spring pressure, the ski
flag 15 remains in the raised position 23. When ample pull is
exerted upon the lever arm 26 by the ski tow rope 21, the lever arm
26 pivots downward, lowering the ski flag 15 to the lowered position
24 as shown by dotted lines. Appropriate raising and lowering action
of the ski flag 15 is conditional upon correct spring pressure
exerted by the workings of the parts in housing 30, to be further
described. With the ski boat 14 at rest, the ski flag 15 remains
upright. As the ski boat 14 begins to move forward, resistance from
the ski tow rope 21 and its handle (not shown) being pulled through
the water 22 is preferably not sufficient to pull the ski flag 15
downward. After the slack in the ski tow rope 21 is removed and the
resistance of the water skier being pulled up out of the water (on
ski or skis) is exerted upon the ski tow rope 21, the lever arm 26
with the ski flag 15 is pulled downward. While the water skier
remains skiing, the ski flag 15 remains in the lowered position 24.
If the water skier falls from or releases his grip on the ski tow
rope 21, the ski flag 15 will raise. Correct spring pressure,
geometry and operation of the warning flag system device 12 is
important since the handle of the ski tow rope 21 while not being
held by a skier, but being dragged through the water 22, continues
to exert resistance. Additionally the ski flag 15 in a raised
position 23 on a moving ski boat 14 offers resistance in the wind.
These added sources of resistance are overcome by spring pressure
preloading in well-known ways.
Now referring to the construction of the warning flag system device
12, it is shown enlarged, in perspective, in FIG. 4. The housing
means, embodied by housing 30, of the warning flag system device 12
is attached to the transom 13 of the ski boat 14 with housing
connection means embodied by four bolts or screws 33 through the
flanges 34 on both sides of the housing 30, as shown. The lever
means of the present invention, embodied by lever 58, comprised of
long lever arm 26 and short lever arm 66, is attached to the housing
30 at the lever pivot line 27. Lever arm 26 is illustrated in its
lowered position 24 as it is when pulling a skier with a ski tow
rope 21. Ski tow rope 21 is connected to lever arm 26 at attachment
hole 25 by any desired means, such as tieing directly, hook, ring,
eyelet, etc. Lever arm 26 additionally is the mounting for the
standard 31 of the ski flag 15. When the lever arm 26 is in the
raised position 23 as shown by dotted lines, it is located in well
35. Also shown is retainer 36, under which is located the
compression spring means to be later described.
The exterior of the warning flag system device 12 is additionally
shown in rear elevation view in FIG. 5 and top plan view in FIG. 6.
Features of the housing 30 include a flange 34 on each housing side
having a total of four mounting holes 40 for screws or bolts 33, as
shown. Well 35 houses the lever arm 26. Interior sides 41 of well 35
locate and guide lever 58, particularly lever arm 26. Additionally,
the forward interior surface 42 of well 35 embodies the limiting
stop 43 of the stop means for stopping travel of the long lever arm,
lever arm 26, when the push of the compression spring means (to be
described), by pushing on the short lever arm 66, pushes lever arm
26 into substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG. 9 and in
dotted lines in FIG. 4. Lever arm 26 is attached to the housing 30
at pivot line 27 by a shaft means embodied by shoulder bolt 44,
shown with hidden lines (and such bolt's seating holes 54 and 59, to
be described). Such shaft means, as shown in the figures, lies in a
substantially horizontal position and transverse to the ski boat;
and such shaft means is nonrotatably connected to housing 30, as
described and shown herein. At the end/top of lever arm 26 is a
socket 45, as shown, embodying the means for connection to a flag
pole, to accept the standard 31 of ski flag 15. Diameters of socket
45 and standard 31 are such that the standard 31 may be inserted
snugly but also be removable when the ski boat 14 is not being used
for skiing or when it is trailered. It is noted that the flag pole
or standard 31, when held in socket 45, is preferably positioned (as
shown) along a line perpendicular to and intersecting with pivot
line 27.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the warning flag system
device 12, looking upward at the offset section 7--7 of FIG. 5. The
offset section shows the warning flag system device 12 mounted to
the transom 13 of the ski boat 14 with screws 33 which are
preferably hex socket head and inset into counterbores 46 of holes
40 of flange 34 of housing 30. Screws 33 are attached to the transom
13 through holes 50 and secured with suitable nuts and washers 51.
Shown by cross-section is the lever means of this invention
(embodied by lever 58 comprising long lever arm 26 and short lever
arm 66), particularly the beginning and lower portion of lever arm
26 at pivot line 27 and around shoulder bolt 44. Shoulder bolt head
52 is inset into one side of housing 30 with its threaded end 53
tightened into threaded hole 54 at the opposite side of housing 30,
as shown. Lever arm 26, shown positioned in well 35, contains
transverse-hole means (along pivot line 27), embodied by hole 55,
for pivoting on shaft or shank 56 of shoulder bolt 44. Also shown is
the compression spring means of the present invention, embodied by
spring 60 and spring seat 61, positioned in spring bore 62
underneath retainer 36 (not shown in this view). Additionally,
within housing 30 is cavity 63 which is an extension rearwardly of,
and located at the bottom of, well 35. Cavity 63 allows short lever
arm 66 (not shown in this view) to ride against the spring seat 61.
All components of the warning flag system device 12, with exception
of the ski flag 15, are constructed of metal, such as steel and
aluminum, and are suitable for use in a wet environment with
platings or coatings as required.
Components of the warning flag system device 12 are shown in
perspective in the exploded view of FIG. 8. Lever arm 26
incorporates socket 45 for insertion of standard 31 and attachment
hole 25 for connection of the ski rope. Lever 58 attaches to housing
30 with shoulder bolt 44 through hole 55 at pivot line 27. Shoulder
bolt 44 secures to housing 30 with its threaded end 53 tightened
into threaded hole 54 and its shank 56 passing through hole 55 of
lever 58. Housing 30 incorporates flanges 34 with holes 40 for
mounting with screws 33 and well 35 with interior sides 41 for
accepting lever arm 26. Not seen in this view is cavity 63 which is
at the bottom rear of well 35. Contained within spring bore 62 is
spring 60, a conventional compression coil spring, and spring seat
61, which are retained with a retainer 36 which is threaded and
mates with threads 64 at the top opening of spring bore 62. Retainer
36 incorporates a through-slot 65, for installing with a
screwdriver. Also, the through-slot 65 allows moisture to drain
through the retainer 36. Included on lever 58 is short lever arm 66
which resides within cavity 63 and contacts the underside of spring
seat 61.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the warning flag system device 12 cut away in an
elevation view cross section. Shown is the lever arm 26 with socket
45 for insertion of standard 31, attachment hole 25 for connection
of the ski tow rope 21, and hole 55 at pivot line 27 for pivoting on
shoulder bolt 44. Also shown clearly here is short lever arm 66 (of
lever 58) which extends inward into cavity 63 of housing 30. Housing
30 incorporates spring bore 62 which houses spring 60 and spring
seat 61. Spring 60 is retained within spring bore 62 with threaded
retainer 36. As illustrated in FIG. 9, without tension on the ski
tow rope 21, extension of spring 60 pushes spring seat 61 downward
against short lever arm 66 of lever 58. Note that the end of short
lever arm 66 is preferably a curved cam shape to best maintain
contact with spring seat 61 during travel, in well known ways.
Downward pressure against this cam tip of short lever arm 66 rotates
lever 58 about the pivot line 27 until lever movement ceases when
the inner flat surface 67 of lever arm 26 contacts the forward
interior surface 42 of well 35 (which acts as a limiting stop 43).
In this position the standard 31 of the ski flag 15 is hoisted
vertically in its raised position 23. In contrast, FIG. 10
illustrates the warning flag system device 12 with the drag of a
water skier applying tension to the ski tow rope 21. Lever arm 26 is
pulled downward with the short lever arm 66 pushing upward against
spring seat 61 and compressing spring 60. In this position,
attachment hole 25 is rotated outwardly into substantial horizontal
alignment with pivot line 27 and the ski tow rope 21, and the ski
flag 15 is lowered to its lowered position 24. While in this
operating configuration, if the drag of the water skier is removed
from the ski tow rope 21, the spring 60, beginning in its fully
compressed state, will rotate the lever arm 26 upward, providing
automatic display of the ski flag 15.
It is noted that the lever 58 (as shown) is essentially arcuate
(being concave upwardly and rearwardly), short lever arm 66 and long
lever arm 26 being situate at an angle of substantially less than
180 degrees, as shown. This feature of the invention, along with its
other features, permits the efficient vertical location of the
compression spring 60, the efficient vertical stop of lever arm 26
permitting vertical positioning of the warning flag, the efficient
small size of the device 12, the efficient location of the
connection to the tow line 21, etc.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
* * * * *
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