Patents Examined by Daniel Venne
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Patent number: 8327790Abstract: A trim tab assembly for a watercraft includes a enclosure. A support structure is positioned in the enclosure. At least one trim tab is disposed in the enclosure. The trim tab includes a generally planar top, bottom, side and front surfaces linked by a curved surface defining a wedge shaped body. An actuator is linked to the trim tab pivotally moving the trim tab relative to the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Marine I, LLCInventor: Scott Snow
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Patent number: 8323063Abstract: A surface drive that includes a shaft housing; a propeller; a propeller shaft that passes through the shaft housing with the propeller mounted at an end of the propeller shaft; and mounted to the shaft housing is at least one of a container, wherein a self-locking or automatic locking pitch change mechanism that is configured to adjust a propeller blade of the propeller is partially located in the container, or a propeller ventilation unit that is configured to direct exhaust gas to or away from the propeller based on a travel condition of the surface drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Inventor: Peter A. Mueller
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Patent number: 8322296Abstract: A submersible apparatus (10) which can be fully submerged in a liquid medium, includes: a sealed hollow body (12) having a longitudinal main axis (A); at least one driving member (14, 36, 52) for moving the apparatus (10) horizontally and/or vertically, which can co-operate with the medium in which the apparatus (10) is submerged and which can move in relation to the hollow body (12) through an opening (22, 44, 56) provided in the wall of the body (12); and elements (18, 40, 64) for actuating the driving member (14, 36, 52), which are disposed inside the hollow body (12). The invention is characterized in that the opening (22, 44, 56) is sealed by a flexible membrane (24, 50, 58) which can deform and co-operate with the driving member (14, 36, 52) as the driving member (14, 36, 52) moves through the opening in order to move the apparatus (10).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Christophe TirabyInventors: Christophe Tiraby, Pascal Caestecker, Frederic Segonds
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Patent number: 8316787Abstract: A braking system for a watercraft moving upon a body of water. A hull has a bow portion, a bottom portion and a port opening in the bow. A water inlet is formed in the bottom of the hull. A duct extends between the water inlet and the port opening. A generally U-shaped hub has an intake portion and an output portion. The hub is selectably movable between a stowed position with the intake portion within the hull and a deployed position with the intake portion extending into the body of water. The intake portion of the hub, when deployed, diverts water from the intake portion to the output portion of the hub. The moving watercraft is braked by drag induced upon the hull by the deployed hub extending into the body of water and by the diverted water urged through the duct and out of the port opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Inventor: Larry Douglas Back
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Patent number: 8312830Abstract: The invention relates to a threading device (1) for the threading of a line through a ring member or the like that comprises a body (2), a rotatable arc-shaped element (14) suspended in the body and having an opening (26), and a line holding means (16) arranged to slide on the arc-shaped element, where the arc-shaped element is adapted to assume a first position with the opening in a first direction and a second position with the opening in a second position, and where the threading device further comprises transfer means (18) adapted to transfer a movement to the outer surface of the arc-shaped element in order to rotate the arc-shaped element between the first and the second position. The advantage of the invention is to provide a threading device that is easy to operate, that can be used by both pushing and pulling and that can be manufactured in a cost-effective way.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Inventor: Eric Carlson
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Patent number: 8303361Abstract: A floatation device for a pregnant woman is formed from a panels of an air impermeable material defining an inflatable chamber having an abdomen cavity passing there through to allow a pregnant woman rest on the floatation device while lying in a prone position. The unique torso cavity shape and cover encasing the chamber functionally combine to provide the woman an improved level of comfort when using the device. Internal structural support features, handles, and appropriate device dimensions can further combine to increase the level of comfort provided to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Bellyflopz, LLCInventor: Gina Green
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Patent number: 8298023Abstract: There is provided a hybrid outboard motor capable of transmitting motive power of a power source appropriately and efficiently in a limited space while achieving compactness, high performance, and the like. The hybrid outboard motor includes: a casing; a power unit housed in the casing; a screw disposed outside the casing, the screw being driven by the power unit; a power transmission system transmitting motive power of the power unit to the screw; an internal combustion engine and an electric motor serving also as a generator, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor being arranged in parallel in a beam direction in the casing; and a first clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, wherein one or both of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected to a propulsion unit including the screw so as to rotate it.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Keisuke Daikoku
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Patent number: 8297214Abstract: A remotely controlled submersible with a circular profile. A shaft crosses the submersible at the center on the pitch axis that is fixed to the external shell holding the thrusters. From this shaft the framework of the submersible hangs with all of the essential components and any additional weight required gaining the desired buoyancy. A motor such as a servo motor is mounted to the framework and is coupled to a gear, sprocket or pulley that is fixed on the center shaft. When activated the motor rotates the shell of the submersible along with the thrusters to the desired pitch while the internal frame remains low. The design of the submersible external body in relation with the internal body allows the submersible to pitch and maintain stability with a fixed center of buoyancy and center of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventor: Jeffrey Paul Lotz
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Patent number: 8291848Abstract: A traction system for operating lines, in particular mooring lines and/or production lines, of a floating production unit has a number of work stations distributed along the unit, at least at two ends of the unit, and engaged by respective operating lines; a main winch; and a cable transmission device having a duty cable connected to the main winch, and guide means for selectively routing the duty cable to each work station for attachment to a respective operating line; at least one auxiliary winch, having an auxiliary cable connectable to the duty cable, is used to unwind the duty cable off the main winch and run the duty cable, along paths defined by the guide members, into a number of positions close to respective work stations.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: SAIPEM S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro Fenini, Gianfranco Gamba
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Patent number: 8287324Abstract: A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a hull having a sealed engine room, an engine installed in the engine room, a jet propulsion unit arranged to be driven by the engine so as to suck in water from around the hull and jet the water, a saddle type seat disposed above the engine room, a first exhaust pipe, an exhaust pipe cooling unit, and a catalyst unit. The first exhaust pipe is attached to a side of the engine inside the engine room, extends rearward from the side of the engine, and is arranged to guide exhaust gas discharged from the engine. The exhaust pipe cooling unit is arranged to cool the first exhaust pipe. The catalyst unit is connected to the first exhaust pipe, is disposed inside the engine room so as to oppose a rear surface of the engine, and is arranged to promote reaction of components contained in the exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeyuki Ozawa
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Patent number: 8281727Abstract: A wind-propelled vehicle, includes: a vertical mast assembly having a lower end rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the vehicle; and a wing sail carried by the vertical mast assembly for propelling the vehicle, including a fore sail panel defining the leading edge of the wing-sail, and a pair of aft sail panels attached to a pair of booms defining the sides and trailing edge of the wing-sail. The vertical mast assembly includes a pair of vertically-extending posts connected together at their upper ends, diverging apart at their lower ends, and connected together at the diverging lower ends to define an “A” configuration frame. The diverging lower ends of the pair of posts are rotatably mounted on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Inventor: Ilan Gonen
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Patent number: 8277271Abstract: A fuel supply system for a boat includes a vapor separator tank arranged to be connected to a fuel tank mounted on a hull of the boat and arranged to contain fuel therein, an injector arranged to supply fuel to an engine, a high-pressure fuel pump arranged to supply the fuel contained in the vapor separator tank to the injector, and a throttle body including a throttle valve arranged to adjust a flow rate of air supplied to the engine. The vapor separator tank is disposed adjacent to the throttle body. The fuel supply system minimizes deterioration in engine startability.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiko Kato, Yoshiyuki Kadobayashi
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Patent number: 8276534Abstract: A boat includes a recess arranged in a middle, as viewed in a horizontal direction, of a stern, and outboard motors installed on an installation portion provided in the recess such that the boat driven by the outboard motors. A transom platform is located at left, right, and front sides of the recess so that a crew is allowed to walk on the transom platform. A rear portion of each of the left portion and the right portion of the transom platform projects rearward beyond the outboard motors. The starboard-side step of the transom platform has a step, while the port-side step has a step. A storage portion is arranged below the fore step, and a storage portion is arranged in a rear portion of the port-side step. The boat allows for an effectively usable large space to be provided in the boat body and allows for easy movement around the outboard motors.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasushi Mochizuki
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Patent number: 8277269Abstract: A torque transmitting device and related a marine propulsion system include an adapter that comprises a first portion shaped to engage in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor shaft of the marine propulsion system so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation. A second portion is shaped to engage in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor hub of the marine propulsion system. The second portion is connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions. The elongated torsional members are resilient so as to allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Daniel J. Guse, Terence C. Reinke, Edward M. Thull
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Patent number: 8277268Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an outdrive unit that allows space to be saved in the positioning of a hydraulic circuit for trolling, and enables easy maintenance of the hydraulic circuit for trolling.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Misao
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Patent number: 8272908Abstract: A swim ring, including: at least one ring stabilizing a swim position of the swim ring; wings protruding upward from a base component or from the ring and configured with disengageable wing connectors; and suspenders configured to be attached on one side at the base component or at the ring and on the other side at the wings, wherein the ends of the suspenders are configured to be connected to the wings through disengageable suspender connectors, wherein a wing side suspender connector and a wing connector of a first wing are integrally combined to form a combined one piece wing side connector, wherein the combined one piece wing side connector, a suspender side suspender connector and a wing connector of a second wing are configured, so that establishing disengageable connections of the connectors with one another is only possible in a single connection configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Freds Swim Academy GmbHInventor: Michaela Warmuth-Rued
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Patent number: 8267732Abstract: A marine drive having a lower gearcase with a vertical drive shaft driving a horizontal propeller shaft in a torpedo housing has a vent plug setting the level of lubricant in the lower gearcase to be substantially at the top of the torpedo housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Randall J. Poirier, John A. Tuchscherer, Thomas S. Lonnborg
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Patent number: 8262423Abstract: A method of using a wide, flat-bottom, buoyant, amphibious hull with a powered articulating member mounted on the deck. The hull is propelled by at least one engine-driven propeller rotating above the hull. The hull has a shallow draft and distributes its weight over a large area. These features cooperatively provide a vehicle capable of performing overhead work, such as installing or servicing power transmission poles, towers, or other structures located in environmentally sensitive wetlands, swamps, marshes, shallow water, or other terrain.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventor: Ronald J. Thibodaux
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Patent number: 8256367Abstract: A cover for an anchor, particularly a fluke-type boat anchor is constructed of a cover material of a resilient rubber that includes an elongated section and side wings. An elongated opening and closing member, such as a zipper, enables the cover to be opened and closed for receipt of the anchor therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Inventors: Nicole Murray, Kevin R. Murray
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Patent number: 8251006Abstract: A trim tab apparatus capable of causing the stern of a vessel to be raised or lowered relative to the surface of the water in which it rests. A trim tab plane can be pivotally attached to one or more arms that can be attached to a vessel by one or more brackets. When the trim tab plane is rotated in an aft direction as a vessel is moving, the force of water passing under the trim tab plane causes the vessel stern to be raised. If the trim tab planes are rotated in a fore direction as the vessel is moving, water is forced across the top of the trim tab planes causing stern-drag, so that the vessel stern is lowered in the water.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Anthony KalilInventor: Anthony Kalil