The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 08, 2000
Filed:
May. 06, 1997
Ronald Henry Sperberg, Shawano, WI (US);
Spotter, LLC, Shawano, WI (US);
Abstract
This invention pertains to personal watercraft and to brace assemblies for use on personal watercraft. The brace assembly enables a rear-facing rider to be stabilized so that the rider is not uncomfortable and does not readily fall from the watercraft. Such rear-facing rider spots for a water skier being pulled by the personal watercraft. The brace assembly includes an engagement structure, a support column supporting the engagement structure, and a support housing supporting and containing the support column. The support column raises the engagement structure to a first raised position and retracts into the support housing at a second lowered position. Height adjustment apparatus controls moving the engagement structure between the raised and lowered positions. Mounting apparatus, including a mounting bracket, mounts the brace assembly to the personal watercraft. Fasteners preferably mount the brace assembly to a boarding handle of the personal watercraft. In some embodiments, the brace assembly is disposed in a space defined between the boarding handle and the seat. In other embodiments, the support housing is mounted to the outside edge of the boarding handle. In preferred embodiments, the brace assembly is mounted to the personal watercraft without making any holes in the personal watercraft.