Patents Assigned to O'Brien International, Inc.
  • Towable water sports apparatus such as a water ski
    Patent number: 5525083
    Abstract: A towable water sports apparatus such as a water ski is provided with a narrowed waist portion in the forward half of the ski, a concave tunnel in the bottom surface of the ski which terminates in a Y-shaped end adjacent the tail end of the ski, a flex-adjusting plate which is secured to the top surface of the ski, and a vibration dampening cell which is positioned in a recess in the core of the ski and which is covered by the cover of the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: O'Brien International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Reich
  • Tow system for water board
    Patent number: 5163860
    Abstract: A water board is provided with a recess in its top surface for holding a tow rope handle as the board is being towed. The recess includes a pair of transversely extending handle portions and a central hand portion between the handle portions for permitting the user's hand to grasp a handle which is positioned in the handle portions. The recess also includes a pair of angled portions which converge forwardly from the handle portion for accommodating a tow rope bridle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: O'Brien International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Clark
  • Kneeboard with retractable fins
    Patent number: 4883436
    Abstract: A kneeboard is provided with a pair of retractable fins which are operated by a control knob mounted on the board in front of the user's knees. The control knob is connected to the fins by a pair of cables. The fins can be raised or lowered simultaneously by sliding the control knob forwardly or rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: O'Brien International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis N. Oakland
  • Lock for water ski binding
    Patent number: 4718873
    Abstract: A lock for a water ski binding includes upper and lower parts which are mounted on a stud which extends upwardly from the ski through a slot in the heel cup of the binding. The two lock parts have interengaging camming surfaces, and when the top part is rotated about the stud from an unlocked position to a locking position, the bottom part is forced downwardly to clamp the heel cup against the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: O'Brien International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Shaw, Ray Elder, Douglas A. Barchek