Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
TITLE
SURF WAKE DEVICE FOR A WATERCRAFT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains generally to a device for modifying a wake
produced by a
watercraft traveling through water. More specifically, the invention pertains
to a device which is
removeably attachable to a hull or stern of a watercraft and which may be used
to produce a
wake suitable for surfing on a wake board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wake surfing is a water sport in which a rider is towed behind a
watercraft on a
specialized surf board, and surfs on the wave or wake which is formed behind
the watercraft. As
a watercraft travels through water it displaces the water and generates waves
including a bow
wave and diverging stern waves on both sides of the watercraft. Due to
pressure differences,
these waves generally converge in the hollow formed behind the traveling
watercraft and/or
interfere with each other to form a wake behind the watercraft. Such a wake,
however, is
generally small, choppy or too close to the watercraft to be suitable and/or
safe for water sports,
and particularly not suitable for wake surfing.
[0003] In the past, ballast, such as lead weights, concrete, or other heavy
objects have
been placed in different sections of the watercraft to weight the craft down
and create a larger
wake. In general, the best weight configuration for wake surfing was to place
the majority of the
weight near the back corner of the watercraft at the side on which the rider
will surf Greater
ballast weight forced the watercraft deeper in the water and created a bigger
wake. Further,
forcing one side of the watercraft deeper in the water enhanced one stern wave
while reducing
the opposite stern wave, leading to a larger wake with a higher and more
sustainable peak. The
amount of ballast weight required to form a wake sufficient for wake surfing
could be hundreds,
and even thousands, of pounds. This weight was not only difficult to maneuver,
but also
occupied a significant amount of prime space on the watercraft.
[0004] More recent attempts to facilitate wake surfing have included the use
of trim tabs.
Trim tabs, originally designed to adjust the trim of a watercraft, have been
used to purposefully
1
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
modify the wake of a watercraft. Trim tabs may be used to increase the
displacement of one side
of the watercraft into the water, thus increasing the size of the wake on the
side of the watercraft
with the increased displacement. While trim tabs have been useful for
producing a wake,
typically the wake does not provide enough surfable area for the rider.
[0005] Current solutions include watercraft having retractable devices
integrated on the
transom, or port or starboard sides near the stern of the watercraft, which
may be pivoted from a
retracted position which lies flush with a side of the watercraft to a
deployed position which
places the device out into the passing water. In the deployed position, the
device redirects the
water to increase the surfable area of the wake formed by the watercraft, and
produces a wake
with a higher and more sustainable peak. Such solutions, however, require the
purchase of a new
watercraft specifically designed for wake surfing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The presently disclosed invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of
the
prior art by providing a device which is removeably attachable to the hull or
stern of a watercraft.
The device may be designed to change the shape of the wake of the watercraft
to produce a
suitable surfing wake without adding significant extra weight at a rear corner
of the watercraft.
The device may be designed to pull the stern of the watercraft deeper into the
water. As such,
ballast weight need not be added or moved from one side of the watercraft to
another, thus no
significant shifting of the watercraft occurs, and overall handling of the
watercraft is unchanged.
Furthermore, the device may be mounted to the watercraft with one or more
industrial strength
suction cups that may optionally include one or more associated pumps to
increase suction, and a
release valve to remove the suction. This allows a user to quickly install the
device on the
watercraft, with no modifications to the watercraft, while the release valve
allows the user to
quickly release the device from the watercraft.
[0007] Thus, the presently disclosed invention includes a surf wake device to
redirect a
wake of a watercraft, the device comprising: a main body portion and at least
one suction cup
connected to the main body portion and configured to provide removable
attachment of the
device to a hull or a transom of the watercraft. Removable attachment of the
device to a port
side of the watercraft along the hull or the transom changes a shape of the
wake on a starboard
2
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
side of the watercraft, and removable attachment of the device to the
starboard side of the
watercraft along the hull or the transom changes the shape of the wake on the
port side of the
watercraft.
[0008] The surf wake device should be removeably attached to only one side
(either port
or starboard) of the watercraft along the hull or along the transom adjacent
either one side such
that the device is positioned outboard extending beyond the transom of the
watercraft and into a
flow of water as the watercraft travels through water.
[0009] The surf wake device may further comprise a handle attached to a back
side of the
main body portion, wherein the back side of the main body portion faces away
from the flow of
water when the device is attached of the watercraft.
[0010] The surf wake device may further comprise at least one vacuum pump in
fluid
communication with the at least one suction cup, wherein the at least one
vacuum pump is
configured to provide a vacuum between the at least one suction cup and the
hull of the
watercraft when the device is attached of the watercraft.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the at least one vacuum pump may be integral
with the
handle.
[0012] The surf wake device may further comprise at least one pump line
operably
connected to the at least one vacuum pump and the at least one suction cup,
wherein the at least
one pump line provides fluid communication between the at least one vacuum
pump and the at
least one suction cup.
[0013] The surf wake device may further comprise at least one release actuator
for
selectively releasing the vacuum between the at least one suction cup and the
hull of the
watercraft.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the at least one vacuum pump may be a manual
pump,
such as a hand pump. In certain embodiments, the pump may be an automatic pump
such as a
battery operated pump, a pneumatic pump, a motorized electric pump, or any
pump known in the
art designed and configured to provide a vacuum.
3
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0015] The surf wake device may further comprise a safety cable providing
removable
connection between the device and the hull of the watercraft.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the main body portion may comprise a water
resistant
plastic material such as, for example, PVC, or HDPE. Well known HDPE products
include at
least MARINEBOARD, SEABOARD, STARBOARD, or DENSETEC material.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the device may be designed to float.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the at least one suction cup may be positioned
substantially perpendicular to the main body portion. In such embodiments, the
surf wake device
may further comprise at least one side panel attached to the main body portion
and positioned
substantially perpendicular to the main body portion, wherein the at least one
suction cup may be
attached to the at least one side panel. The surf wake device may also
comprise at least one
adjustable rail that provides movement of the at least one side panel to at
least one different
position on the main body portion. In certain embodiments, the at least one
different position
may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body
portion. The surf
wake device may also comprise at least one positioning bracket for angling the
main body
portion relative to the at least one suction cup.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the at least one suction cup may have a radial
axis that is
substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main body portion,
wherein the device may be
removeably attachable to the hull of the watercraft on a port or a starboard
side. In such
embodiments, the suction cup may be position on the same side as a handle,
i.e. on a back side of
the main body portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the embodiments herein
will be
apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and
accompanying drawings.
In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various
views. It is to be
noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views
of embodiments of
the presently disclosed invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not
necessarily drawn to
scale.
4
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0021] FIG. 1A is a view of a surf wake device according to an embodiment of
the
presently disclosed invention attached to a transom of a watercraft;
[0022] FIG. 1B is a close-up view of detail A from FIG. 1A showing attachment
of the
surf wake device to the watercraft;
[0023] FIG. 2A is a view of a surf wake device according to an embodiment of
the
presently disclosed invention attached to a hull of the watercraft;
[0024] FIG. 2B is a close-up view of detail B from FIG. 2A showing attachment
of the
surf wake device to the watercraft;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a surf wake device according to an
embodiment of
the presently disclosed invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side view of the surf wake device of FIG. 3, pointing out
the side
support panels and attachment handle;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a surf wake device according to an
embodiment of
the presently disclosed invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view of the surf wake device of FIG. 5, pointing out
the suction
cups, pump and pump lines;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 6, pointing out attachment means for the side panels to the main
panel;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 6;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a top view of the surf wake device of FIG. 5, pointing out
the side
support panels, pump, and suction cups;
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0034] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a surf wake device according to an
embodiment
of the presently disclosed invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 13,
pointing out
the suction cups, pump and pump lines;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 14;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a surf wake device according to an
embodiment
of the presently disclosed invention;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 16,
pointing out
the pump, pump lines, mounting brackets and attachment rail;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-1 of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 17;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a close-up view of detail L from FIG. 18 showing connection
means
between the mounting bracket, the attachment rail and the main body portion;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a surf wake device according to an
embodiment
of the presently disclosed invention;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 20,
pointing out
the adjustable brackets that allow vertical and horizontal movement of the
suction cups;
[0044] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 21;
[0045] FIG. 23 is a close-up view of detail N from FIG. 22 showing connection
means
between the attachment bracket and the main body portion;
[0046] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a surf wake device of the presently
disclosed
invention;
6
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0047] FIG. 25 is a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 24,
pointing out
the pump, pump lines and suction cup;
[0048] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of the surf wake
device
shown in FIG. 25, pointing out the pump lines connecting the pump and suction
cup; and
[0049] FIG. 27 is a close-up view of detail H from FIG. 26, showing attachment
of the
suction cup to the main body panel and the path of the pump line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] In the following description, the present invention is set forth in the
context of
various alternative embodiments and implementations involving a surf wake
device. While the
following description discloses numerous exemplary embodiments, the scope of
the present
patent application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but also
encompasses
combinations of the disclosed embodiments, as well as modifications to the
disclosed
embodiments.
[0051] Various aspects of the surf wake device may be illustrated by
describing
components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein,
the terms
"coupled", "attached", and/or "joined" are interchangeably used to indicate
either a direct
connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect
connection to one another
through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component
is referred to as
being "directly coupled", "directly attached", and/or "directly joined" to
another component,
there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.
[0052] Various aspects of the surf wake device may be illustrated with
reference to one
or more exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means
"serving as
an example, instance, or illustration," and should not necessarily be
construed as preferred or
advantageous over other variations of the devices, systems, or methods
disclosed herein.
"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or
circumstance may or
may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event
occurs and instances
where it does not. In addition, the word "comprising" as used herein means
"including, but not
limited to".
7
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0053] Relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be
used
herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated
in the drawings. It
will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of aspects
of the surf wake device in addition to the orientation depicted in the
drawings. By way of
example, if aspects of the surf wake device in the drawings are turned over,
elements described
as being on the "bottom" side of the other elements would then be oriented on
the "top" side of
the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term "bottom" can
therefore
encompass both an orientation of "bottom" and "top" depending on the
particular orientation of
the drawing.
[0054] As used herein, the term "substantially perpendicular" shall be taken
to indicate
an angle that is within 20 of perpendicular, such as 90 20 , or that is
within 10 of
perpendicular, such as 90 100, or that is within 5 of perpendicular, such
as 90 50. As used
herein, the term "substantially parallel" shall be taken to indicate an angle
that is within 20 of
parallel, such as 90 20 , or that is within 10 of parallel, such as 90
10 , or that is within 5
of parallel, such as 90 50
.
[0055] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims,
the singular
forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural reference unless the context
clearly dictates
otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same
meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0056] The presently disclosed invention includes a surf wake device which may
redirect
a wake of a watercraft. In all embodiments, the device comprises a main body
portion and at
least one suction cup connected to the main body portion and configured to
provide removable
attachment of the device to a hull or a transom of the watercraft. Removable
attachment of the
device to the hull on a port side of the watercraft, or on the transom
adjacent the port side of the
watercraft, changes a shape of the wake on a starboard side of the watercraft.
Likewise,
removable attachment of the device to the hull on a starboard side of the
watercraft, or on the
transom adjacent the starboard side of the watercraft, changes a shape of the
wake on a port side
of the watercraft.
8
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0057] The presently disclosed invention further envisions a device comprising
a main
body portion and at least one suction cup connected to the main body portion
and configured
provide removable attachment of the device to stern of the boat. Removable
attachment of the
device to the hull of the watercraft near the stern may pull the stern of the
watercraft deeper into
the water as the watercraft travels through the water.
[0058] As will be discussed in more detail below, each of the various
embodiments
disclosed herein may comprise additional components, such as one or more
vacuum pump(s) and
pump lines, one or more side panels, one or more adjustment brackets, and a
handle. Each of the
embodiments disclosed herein may further comprise a safety cable which may
provide
removable connection between the device and the hull of the watercraft. As
such, should the
suction cup become detached from the hull of the boat, such as upon removal of
the device from
the boat, the device will not float away. Furthermore, for each of the
embodiments disclosed
herein, the main body portion may comprise a water resistant plastic material,
such as, for
example, PVC or HDPE, so it will not be affected by water. In addition, the
devices of each
embodiment may be designed to float.
[0059] In certain embodiments, the suction cup may be an industrial strength
suction cup
and may be constructed of rubber, or of rubber and hard plastic. Stainless
steel or any other
strong water resistant material may be used for the mounting brackets, rails,
and other
components used to secure portions of the surf wake device.
[0060] Referring now to the drawings, various embodiments of the surf wake
device of
the presently disclosed invention are shown in FIGs. 1 through 27. Embodiments
shown in
FIGs. 1 ¨ 23 may be removeably attachable to a stern of the watercraft, such
as along a transom
adjacent a port side or a starboard side. Embodiment shown in FIGs. 24 - 27
may be removeably
attachable to the hull of the watercraft along the port side or starboard
side. In all embodiments,
the device is designed to extend past the hull of the watercraft into the
passing water.
[0061] The various embodiments shown in each of FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B are
not
necessarily drawn to scale. For example, in certain embodiments, the main body
portion may
have a width of from about 6 inches wide to about 28 inches wide, and may have
a length of
about 12 inches long to about 36 inches long. The dimensions of the main body
portion may be
9
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
designed to meet the criteria of specific watercraft sizes and types. Further,
the various
configurations shown in each of the embodiments disclosed herein below may
accommodate
different watercraft sizes, configurations, and types.
[0062] As indicated, a surf wake device according to the presently disclosed
invention
may be mounted to a watercraft 10 along the stern (100, as shown in FIG. 1A
mounted to the
transom 12) or along the hull on the port side or starboard side (105, as
shown in FIG. 2A
mounted to the hull 14). As shown in FIGs. 1A and 2A, two surf wake devices
are mounted to
the stern or hull of the watercraft 10 to demonstrate the reversibility of
mounting the devices. In
practice, however, only one device would be mounted to either the port or
starboard side of the
watercraft 10 along the hull (FIG. 2A), or would be mounted to the transom of
the watercraft
adjacent the port side or the starboard side (FIG. 1A), to create a surfable
wake as the watercraft
moves through the water.
[0063] FIG. 1B is a magnified view of detail A from FIG. 1A, which shows the
surf
wake device 100 attached to the transom 12 of the watercraft along the port
side. FIG. 2B is a
magnified view of detail B from FIG. 2A, which shows the surf wake device 105
attached to the
hull 14 of the watercraft along the port side. As shown, the surf wake device
may extend past
the end of the watercraft and into the moving water to change the shape of the
wake.
[0064] Typically, the watercraft 10 is driven by a single inboard motor (not
shown).
However, the surf wake device can be utilized with other types of watercrafts
and propulsion
systems, including but not limited to left-handed or right-handed propellers,
outboard motors,
sterndrives, and the like.
[0065] When the surf wake device (100 or 105) of the presently disclosed
invention is
attached to a port side, a starboard wake will be formed. That is, the surf
wake device may be
attached to or adjacent a port side so that the device (100 or 105) extends
into the passing water
and redirects the waves on the port side, which facilitates constructive
interference of converging
waves to form a larger starboard wake with a higher peak and smoother face
that is suitable for
starboard surfing. Alternatively, the surf wake device (100 or 105) of the
presently disclosed
invention may be attached to or adjacent a starboard side to assist in forming
a port wake.
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0066] With reference to FIG. 3, the surf wake device 300 may comprise a main
body
portion 305 and one or more industrial strength suction cups 320 which may
provide removable
attachment of the device 300 to a watercraft. The surf wake device 300 may
further comprise
one or more side wall portions 330, which may provide secure attachment of the
suction cup 320
to the main body portion 305. Such attachment may include brackets and bolts
(collectively
340), or any other means for attachment known in the art. The surf wake device
300 may further
comprise an attachment handle 310.
[0067] In certain embodiments, the attachment handle 310 may include a pump
that may
be used in conjunction with pump lines to provide a vacuum to the suction cup
320 which may
increase the suction force of the suction cup 320 when installed on the hull
of the watercraft.
[0068] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the surf wake device 300 including the main
body
portion 305, the attachment handle 310, one side wall 330, and the suction cup
320. Also shown
are bolt holes (350, 355) used to attach the suction cup 320 to the side wall
portions 330. As
shown, more than one bolt hole (350, 355) may be included so that the absolute
position of the
suction cup 320 relative to the side walls 330 may be adjusted.
[0069] In certain embodiments, the surf wake device may comprise more than one
suction cup, and at least one associated pump to increase suction to the
suction cups, and a
release valve to remove the suction. This allows a user to quickly install the
device on the
watercraft, with no modifications to the watercraft, while the release valve
allows the user to
quickly release the device from the watercraft.
[0070] With reference to FIGs. 5 and 6, a surf wake device 500 according to
the
presently disclosed invention may comprise a main body portion 505, an
attachment handle
comprising a pump (collectively 510), two side wall portions (530A, 530B), and
two suction
cups (520A, 520B). The two suction cups (520A, 520B) may be attached to
respective side wall
portions (530A, 530B) via an attachment bracket and associated nuts and bolts
(collectively
540A or 540B). Further, the two side wall portions (530A, 530B) may be
attached to the main
body portion 505 by respective mounting bracket (563A, 563B) and attachment
rails (560A,
560B). Respective locking nuts (562A, 562B) may be used to secure the two side
wall portions
11
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
(530A, 530B) at a specific position on the attachment rails (560A, 560B). As
such, the absolute
position of the suction cups (520A, 520B) relative to the main body portion
505 may be adjusted.
[0071] Also shown in FIGs. 5 and 6 are the pump lines (515, 516, 517) that
provide fluid
communication between the pump (510) and the two suction cups (520A, 520B). A
pump button
525 may be used (e.g., depressed and released repeatedly) to manually provide
a vacuum to the
suction cups (520A, 520B). With specific reference to FIG. 6, pump button 525
may be
depressed and released to manually produce a vacuum in a chamber of the pump
(not shown).
This vacuum may be communicated from the pump chamber through pump line 515,
and
diverted using a T-valve 519 to the pump lines leading to each suction cup;
pump line 516
leading to suction cup 520B and pump line 517 leading to suction cup 520A.
Reference numbers
shown in FIG. 5 are reproduced in FIG. 6 for ease of understanding.
[0072] As shown in the various embodiments of the presently disclosed
invention, the
device may comprise a pump. While the pump is illustrated and described as a
manual pump
comprising a pump button that may be depressed and released to generate a
vacuum, other types
of pumps are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the pump
may be a manual
pump that comprises a flexible bulb, rotating handle, or any other means of
manually generating
a vacuum using the pump. Alternatively, the pump may be a mechanical or
motorized pump
which is driven by an electrical supply, such as a battery, rechargeable
battery, or solar powered
battery. Thus, any means known in the art for generating a vacuum that may
increase the suction
force of the one or more suction cups onto the hull of the watercraft is
within the scope of the
present invention.
[0073] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
6. Shown
are the main body portion 505, side wall portion 530B, attachment handle 510
comprising the
pump, pump button 525, and the suction cup 520B. Also shown are pump lines 515
and 516,
mounting bracket 563B, and attachment bracket 540B. This cross-sectional view
illustrates the
pump line 515 exiting a top of the pump chamber (in attachment handle 510) and
passing
through a channel in the main body portion 505 behind the attachment handle
510.
[0074] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG.
6. Shown
is an exemplary means for attachment of the side wall portion 530A to the main
body portion
12
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
505. For example, the side wall portion 530A and main body portion 505 may
include a dovetail
531 or tongue and groove attachment means, and may further include an
attachment rail 560A
attachable to the main body portion which provides a moveable track for a
mounting bracket
563A which is attachable to the side wall portion 530A. As such, the side wall
portion 530A
may be moveably attached to the main body portion 505, thus allowing the
absolute position of
the side wall portion 530A and associated suction cup 520A to be adjusted
relative to the main
body portion 505. Also shown is an exemplary attachment means for securing the
pump line 516
to the device, in this case pump line 516 is secured to the main body portion
505 using a cable
clip.
[0075] While certain specific connection means are illustrated in the various
embodiments of the surf wake device of the presently disclosed invention, any
means known in
the art may be used to provide connection between the various components.
[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG.
6. Shown
is one side wall portion 530B and the associated suction cup 520B. Also shown
is the pump line
516 entering the right side of the suction cup 520B, and a position at which
the pump line exits
516B the suction cup. When the surf wake device 500 is attached to a
watercraft, a vacuum may
be communicated from the pump (510) through the pump lines (as shown, pump
line 516) to the
suction cups (as shown, suction cup 520B). This vacuum may provide a suction
force onto the
watercraft which is sufficient to allow the surf wake device to remain
attached to the watercraft
even when a large force is applied to the main body portion 505, such as the
force of the moving
water when the watercraft is traveling at high speed through the water.
[0077] Also shown in FIG. 9 is the attachment bracket 540B and a repositioning
segment
545B which may allow the suction cup 520B to be angled relative to the side
wall portion 530B.
Further, the repositioning segment(s) 545B for each suction cup may allow
suction cup(s) 520B
to be moved away from or closer to the main body portion 505, thus enabling
attachment of the
surf wake device 500 to watercraft having varying shaped hulls.
[0078] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG.
6. Shown
is the main body portion 505, the attachment rail 560B and associated mounting
bracket 563B,
and a locking nut 562B. The locking nut 562B may be released to allow movement
of the
13
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
mounting bracket 563B within the attachment rail 560B, and may be tightened to
stop such
movement and secure the mounting bracket 563B in position within the
attachment rail 560B.
[0079] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the surf wake device 500. The two
side wall
portions (530A, 530B), suction cups (520A, 520B), and main body portion 505
are shown. FIG.
12 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 11. A cross-
section of one
suction cup 520B is shown with the main body portion 505 in the background.
Also shown is
the mounting bracket 563B, the repositioning segment 545B, and pump line 516
and its exit
point 516B and pump line 517.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 13, a surf wake device 1300 according to the presently
disclosed invention may comprise a main body portion 1305, two side wall
portions (1330A,
13308), two suction cups (1320A, 1320B), an attachment handle 1310 which
includes a pump,
and pump lines (1315, 1316, 1317). As discussed with reference to the
embodiment shown in
FIGs. 5 ¨ 12, the pump may include a pump button 1325 which may be depressed
and released
to generate a vacuum in a pump chamber (not shown). This vacuum may be
communicated from
the pump chamber through pump line 1315, and diverted using a T-valve 1319 to
the pump lines
leading to each suction cup; pump line 1316 leading to suction cup 1320A and
pump line 1317
leading to suction cup 1320B.
[0081] The embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 13 ¨ 15 closely resembles the
embodiment
represented in FIGs. 5 ¨ 12, except that the side wall portions are securely
attached to the main
body portion, and the suction cups are securely attached to the side wall
portions. As such, little
to no adjustment of the position of the suction cups relative to the main body
portion is possible.
Such an embodiment may be less expensive to manufacture, and may be more
durable in use as
there are fewer parts.
[0082] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the surf wake device shown in FIG.
13. Shown
for reference are the main body portion 1305, attachment handle 1310, two side
wall portions
(1330A, 1330B), and the two suction cups (1320A, 1320B). Also shown are the
pump button
1325, pump lines (1315, 1316, 1317), and a T-valve 1319 which provide fluid
communication
for the vacuum generated by the pump to the suction cups (1320A, 1320B).
14
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0083] FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG.
14.
Shown is an exemplary means for attachment of the side wall 1330A to the main
body portion
1305. For example, the side wall portion 1330A and main body portion 1305 may
be directly
attached using a dovetail or tongue and groove attachment means, or any other
attachment means
known in the art. Also shown is the attachment handle 1310 comprising the
vacuum pump, and
pump line 1315 exiting a top of the vacuum pump and travelling through a path
in the main body
portion which lies behind the attachment handle 1310. The pump line 1317 is
secured to the side
wall portion 1330A, and is shown to travel through a path formed within a
lower region of the
side wall portion 1330A to enter the suction cup 1320A.
[0084] FIG. 16 illustrates a surf wake device 1600 according to the presently
disclosed
invention. The surf wake device 1600 may comprise a main body portion 1605,
two suction
cups (1620A, 1620B), an attachment handle 1610 which includes a pump, and pump
lines (1616,
1617). As discussed with reference to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5 ¨ 12,
the pump may
include a pump button 1625 which may be depressed and released to generate a
vacuum in a
pump chamber (not shown). This vacuum may be communicated from the pump
chamber
through pump lines to each suction cup; pump line 1616 leading to suction cup
1620A and pump
line 1617 leading to suction cup 1620B.
[0085] FIG. 16 also illustrates an attachment rail 1670 which provides
connection
between the suction cups (1620A, 1620B) and the main body portion 1605 via
respective
mounting brackets (1640A, 1640B). The absolute angle of attachment of the
suction cups
(1620A, 1620B) relative to the main body portion 1605 may be altered using
respective
attachment bolts (only one is labelled, 167513). Further, the absolute
position of each suction cup
(1620A, 1620B) relative to the main body portion 1605 may be altered by
adjusting the
horizontal position of the mounting bracket(s) (1640A, 1640B) on the
attachment rail 1670
(direction is given with reference to the orientation shown in FIG. 16).
[0086] FIG. 17 shows a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 16.
Shown
for reference are the main body portion 1605, attachment handle 1610, and the
two suction cups
(1620A, 1620B). Also shown are the pump button 1625, pump lines (1615, 1616,
1617), and a T-
valve 1619 which provide fluid communication for the vacuum generated by the
pump to the
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
suction cups (1620A, 1620B). The two mounting brackets (1640A, 1640B) comprise
respectively a set of attachment brackets (1642A, 1642B) and a set of
attachment rods (1680A,
1680B). The pump lines (1616, 1617) may travel through the attachment rods
(1680A, 1680B)
to respective suction cups (1620A, 1620B).
[0087] FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.
17. Shown
is an exemplary means for attachment of the attachment rods 1680A to the main
body portion
1605. Also shown is the attachment handle 1610 comprising the vacuum pump and
pump button
1625, and pump line 1615 exiting a bottom of the vacuum pump (residing within
the attachment
handle 1610). The pump line 1616 is shown to enter the mounting bracket 1640A,
thus traveling
along a path within mounting bracket 1640A before exiting at an end thereof,
and entering the
suction cup 1620A.
[0088] A connection means for the attachment rail 1670 to the main body
portion 1605 is
illustrated in detail L, shown in FIG. 19. The attachment rod 1680A may
comprise a connection
means 1675 which provides connection to the attachment rail 1670.
[0089] FIG. 20 illustrates a surf wake device 2000 according to the presently
disclosed
invention. The surf wake device 2000 may comprise a main body portion 2005,
two suction
cups (2020A, 2020B), and an attachment handle 2010. While not specifically
shown in FIG. 20,
the attachment handle 2010 may comprise a vacuum pump. Further, and as
discussed above, the
pump may include a pump button which may be depressed and released to generate
a vacuum in
a pump chamber (not shown), and pump lines to communicate the vacuum from the
pump
chamber to each suction cup.
[0090] FIG. 20 also illustrates an attachment rail 2070 which provides
connection
between the suction cups (2020A, 2020B) and the main body portion 2005 via
respective side
panel portions (2030A, 2030B). The absolute angle of attachment of the suction
cups (2020A,
2020B) relative to the main body portion 2005 may be altered using respective
attachment
brackets (2040A, 2040B) and attachment bolts (only one is labelled, 2075B).
Further, the
absolute position of each suction cup (2020A, 2020B) relative to the main body
portion 2005
may be altered by adjusting the horizontal and/or vertical position of the
side panel portion(s)
(2030A, 2030B) on the attachment rail 2070. That is, respective locking nuts
(only one shown,
16
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
2062A) may be used to secure the side panel portions (2030A, 2030B) after
horizontal
movement along attachment rail 2070, or vertical movement along slots (only
one shown,
2064A) within the side panel portions (2030A, 2030B).
[0091] FIG. 21 shows a front view of the surf wake device shown in FIG. 20.
Labelled
for reference are the main body portion 2005, attachment rail 2070, one
suction cup 2020B, one
attachment bracket 2040B, one side panel portion 2030B, and one locking nut
2062B. Also
shown are pump line attachment ports (2090A, 2090B) at the sides of the
suction cups. While no
pump or pump lines are shown, such could be included in this embodiment.
[0092] FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of FIG.
21.
Shown is an exemplary means for attachment of the side panel portion 2030A to
the main body
portion 2005 (detail N) via the attachment rail. Also shown is the attachment
handle 2010, the
attachment bracket 2040A, the suction cup 2020A, and a stabilizing foot 2021A
which may
provide additional support for the device 2000 when attached to the hull of a
watercraft, such as
along the transom adjacent a port side or a starboard side.
[0093] An exemplary attachment rail 2070 is illustrated in detail N, and shown
in FIG.
23. The main body portion 2005 may be formed with an attachment bracket formed
or attached
thereon. A connecting plate 2075 may be directly attached to the bracket
formed on the main
body portion. As such, the side panel portion 2030A may be securely attached
to the main body
portion 2005 using the connecting plate 2075 and a locking nut 2062A.
[0094] Shown in FIG. 24 is a surf wake device 2400 according to the presently
disclosed
invention. As indicated above, the surf wake device 2400 may be attached to
the hull of a
watercraft along the port or starboard sides of the watercraft (refer to FIG.
2A). The surf wake
device 2400 may comprise a main body portion 2405, a suction cup 2420, an
attachment handle
2410 comprising a vacuum pump, and a pump button 2425. As shown in FIG. 24,
the suction
cup may be substantially coplanar with the main body portion, or substantially
parallel with a
longitudinal axis of the main body portion 2405. As shown in FIG. 25, the surf
wake device
2400 may further comprise at least one pump line 2415 which provides fluid
communication
between the pump and the suction cup 2420.
17
CA 02906450 2015-09-29
[0095] Shown in FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of the
surf wake
device 2400 of FIG. 25. The main body portion 2405, attachment handle 2410,
and suction cup
2420 are labelled for reference. Also shown is the path of pump line 2415 and
the position
2415B at which the pump line 2415 enters the suction cup 2420. FIG. 27 shows
an enlarged
view of detail H from FIG. 26, which provides a better view of the path of
pump line 2415 and
the position 2415B at which the pump line 2415 enters the suction cup 2420.
[0096] As indicated, the embodiment shown in FIGs. 24 ¨ 27 may be removeably
attachable to the hull of the watercraft along the port side or starboard
side. In all embodiments,
the device is designed to extend past the hull of the watercraft into the
passing water.
[0097] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in
detail, it
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications
and alternations and
applications could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. For example,
while several different means have been described herein for connection of the
various
components of the presently disclosed invention, any connection means known in
the art is/are
within the scope of the presently disclosed invention. Accordingly, the
particular arrangements,
systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed are meant to be illustrative only
and not limiting as
to the scope of the invention.
18
