A towing system in which a moving traction means has pickup means thereon movable into engagement with one end of an elongated element, such element being capable of transmitting tension forces but being incapable of transmitting compressive forces and having a body attached to its other end. Such element is maintained taut preparatory to and during the instant of initial connection between the traction means and elongated element so as to extend tautly at a right angle with respect to direction of movement of such traction means whereby the body is accelerated smoothly and without substantial jerk from zero speed to the speed of the traction means.
This is a division of application Ser. No. 502,229, filed Oct. 22, 1965, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,278, which is a continuation-in-part of my copending United States application Ser. No. 184,738, filed Apr. 3, 1962 and allowed by Group 48, Aug. 2, 1965, now abandoned.
The invention is directed to a boatless water skiing tow system and a unique traction apparatus for use therein. The traction apparatus comprises a plurality of cable loops connected end to end to form an endless sequence giving the semblance of a dual cable traction device without the disadvantages of such a traction device. Apparatus is provided for equalizing the action of forces applied to the upper and lower arms of the various loops.
