Wake tower

Abstract

An improved wake tower assembly that can be readily mounted on powerboats of various constructions that includes a novel navigation and tow module that is carried on the upper portion of the wake tower and includes both a tow rope connector element and a light that can be positioned for use as a running light, or alternatively can be positioned for illuminating the cabin of the powerboat.

1 . In combination, a sports boat having first and second spaced-apart gunwales and a wake tower, said wake tower comprising a first side connected to said first gunwale, a second side connected to said second gunwale and a top portion connected to and spanning said first and second sides, the improvement comprising a navigation and tow module connected to said top portion of said wake tower for movement between a first position and a second position, said navigation and tow module comprising a light and a tow rope connector. 
   
   
       2 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which said top portion of said wake tower comprises a generally centrally located interface block having first and second end portions and a central portion. 
   
   
       3 . The combination as defined in  claim 2  further including a shaft connected to and spanning said first and second first and second end portions of said interface block. 
   
   
       4 . The combination as defined in  claim 3  in which said navigation and tow module further includes a body portion rotatably connected to said shaft for movement relative thereto between a first position and a second position. 
   
   
       5 . The combination as defined in  claim 4  in which said body portion has a first end portion and a second end portion, said tow rope connector being connected to said first end portion and said light being connected to said second end portion. 
   
   
       6 . The combination as defined in  claim 5 , further including a locking mechanism carried by said central portion of said interface blocked for releasably locking said elongate body in said first position. 
   
   
       7 . The combination as defined in  claim 6  in which said locking mechanism comprises a detent. 
   
   
       8 . In combination, a sports boat having first and second spaced apart gunwales, a bow portion and a stern portion a wake tower, said wake tower comprising:
 (a) a first curved side connected to said first gunwale,   (b) a second curved side connected to said second gunwale;   (c) a top portion connected to and spanning said first and second curved sides, said top portion including a generally centrally located interface block having first and second end portions and a central portion and a shaft connected to and spanning said first and second end portions thereof; and   (d) a navigation and tow module rotatably connected to said shaft for rotation relative thereto between a first position and a second position, said navigation and tow module comprising a light and a tow rope connector.   
   
   
       9 . The combination as defined in  claim 8  in which said navigation and tow module further includes a body portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, said tow rope connector being connected to said first end portion and said light being connected to said second end portion. 
   
   
       10 . The combination as defined in  claim 9 , further including a locking mechanism carried by said central portion of said interface block for releasably locking said elongate body in said first position, said locking mechanism comprising a detent. 
   
   
       11 . In combination, a sports boat having first and second spaced apart gunwales, a bow portion, a stem portion and a wake tower, said wake tower comprising:
 (a) a first curved side connected to said first gunwale,   (b) a second curved side connected to said second gunwale;   (c) a top portion connected to and spanning said first and second curved sides, said top portion including a generally centrally located interface block having first and second end portions and a central portion and a shaft connected to and spanning said first and second end portions thereof;   (d) a navigation and tow module rotatably connected to said shaft for rotation relative thereto between a first position and a second position, said navigation and tow module comprising:
 (i) a body portion having a first end portion having a threaded bore and a second end portion having a cavity; 
 (ii) tow rope connector having a head portion and a threaded shaft, said threaded shaft being receivable within said threaded bore of said first end portion of said body portion; and 
 (iii) a light having a base portion and a dome portion interconnected with said base portion, said base portion being receivable within said cavity of said second end portion of said body portion. 
   
   
   
       12 . The combination as defined in  claim 11 , further including a locking mechanism carried by said central portion of said interface block for releasably locking said elongate body in said first position, said locking mechanism comprising a detent. 
   
   
       13 . The combination as defined in  claim 12  in which said central portion of said interface block is provided with a bore and in which said detent comprises:
 (a) a locking member telescopically movable within said bore between a first extended position and a second retracted position; and   (b) a spring disposed within said bore for yieldably resisting movement of said locking member between said first extended position and said second retracted position.   
   
   
       14 . The combination as defined in  claim 13  in which each of said first and second ends of said body portion of said navigation and tow module assembly is provided with a recess for receiving said locking member of said detent.