Abstract: A water ski handle system designed to partially absorb and evenly distribute forces generated on the handle component and tow line while skiing. The handle system includes a handle component with two L-shaped corner struts attached to its opposite, opened ends. Each corner strut includes a rigid bushing member which mechanically connects to an end on the handle component, and a perpendicularly aligned long leg member which projects in a forward direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main tow line. A continuous, L-shaped inner passageway is formed inside each corner strut through which the end of the tow line passes to connect to the handle component. The corner radius of the inner passageway is relatively large so that point loading on the tow line is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A rope fastener includes a body having a pair of parallel apertures slidably receiving two adjacent rope segments defining a loop. The fastener further includes an abutment lug disposed in line with the longitudinal axis of the body. The abutment lug has a first portion extending generally vertically from a second end of the top surface of the body and a generally planar second portion which is connected to the first portion and which extends toward a first end of the body. The first portion may include lateral grooves which receive the loop. The abutment lug is engaged by the loop by folding over the rope to form an attachment loop.