Patents by Inventor Darren S. Sheedy
Darren S. Sheedy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10800493Abstract: A bimini top for a boat. The bimini top includes a cover and a frame supporting the cover. The frame may include a first support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a first leg of a tower. The first support has a profile in a stowed position that, when viewed from the port side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the first leg with the first profile. The frame may also include a second support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a second leg of the tower. The second support has a profile in the stowed position that, when viewed from the starboard side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the second leg with the second profile. The bimini top may also include a line including a plurality of hangers is integrally formed in the line.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Ryan D. Lake, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20200115010Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20200108892Abstract: A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
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Patent number: 10501148Abstract: A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
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Patent number: 10501156Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190359298Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190337591Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk
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Patent number: 10377453Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190241237Abstract: A bimini top for a boat. The bimini top includes a cover and a frame supporting the cover. The frame may include a first support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a first leg of a tower. The first support has a profile in a stowed position that, when viewed from the port side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the first leg with the first profile. The frame may also include a second support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a second leg of the tower. The second support has a profile in the stowed position that, when viewed from the starboard side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the second leg with the second profile. The bimini top may also include a line including a plurality of hangers is integrally formed in the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Ryan D. Lake, David F. Ekern
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Patent number: 10358189Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk
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Publication number: 20190220242Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190217920Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk
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Patent number: 10286982Abstract: A bimini top for a boat. The bimini top includes a cover and a frame supporting the cover. The frame may include a first support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a first leg of a tower. The first support has a profile in a stowed position that, when viewed from the port side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the first leg with the first profile. The frame may also include a second support pivotally connected to an inboard side of a second leg of the tower. The second support has a profile in the stowed position that, when viewed from the starboard side in the stowed position, is hidden behind the portion of the second leg with the second profile. The bimini top may also include a line including a plurality of hangers is integrally formed in the line.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Ryan D. Lake, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190118907Abstract: A method of operating a boat to produce a surf wake includes partially filling a transverse ballast tank, moving the boat through a body of water, rolling the boat toward either its port or starboard side to shift the water in the transverse ballast tank such that at least some of the water in the transverse ballast tank moves from one side of a longitudinal centerline of the boat to the other side of the centerline, and creating a surf wake on the side toward which the boat is rolled.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Adam D. Larson, Michael D. Myers, Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
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Patent number: 10266241Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Patent number: 10259534Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk
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Patent number: 10241746Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLCInventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20190039699Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull having starboard and port sides and a transom, a generally horizontal platform, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The generally horizontal platform extends aft of the transom and is configured to support a human weighing at least 100 lbs. on an upper surface thereof. The pair of wake-modifying devices are attached to the platform. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the platform's centerline, and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the platform's centerline. Each wake-modifying device is moveable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position in which the wake-modifying device is angled downwardly at an angle relative to the top surface of the generally horizontal platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
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Publication number: 20180370601Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk
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Patent number: 10150540Abstract: An apparatus for towing a water sports performer including a first leg, a second leg, a header, and a tow-line-attachment structure. Each of the first leg and second leg is adapted for attachment to one of the port side of a centerline of a boat or the starboard side of a centerline of a boat. The header is capable of assuming a plurality of different header lengths, and includes a first header portion, a second header portion, a housing, and a locking mechanism. The housing connects the first header portion and the second header portion. The housing includes a first receiver configured to receive a second end of the first header portion at a plurality of different positions. The locking mechanism is configured to secure the second end of the first header portion to the housing in one of the plurality of different positions to set the header length.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignees: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC, Gere Marie CorporationInventors: Ryan D. Lake, Darren S. Sheedy, James G. Schultz