Abstract: A bow mount for a trolling motor and a method for releasably mounting a trolling motor to a bow of a boat are disclosed. The bow mount includes a base, a chassis, an actuation mechanism between the chassis and the base and a retaining mechanism. The base is adapted to be mounted to a bow of a boat and includes a pair of longitudinally extending spaced side channels. The chassis is adapted to be coupled to the trolling motor and includes a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side projections. The actuation mechanism is positioned between the chassis and the base and is configured to move at least one of the side projections and the side channels in a transverse direction relative to one another such that the projections extend into the channels. The retaining mechanism is configured to removably retain the projections in the channels.

Abstract: The present application discloses a compass having a base, a pivot extending from the base along an axis and a pointer. The pointer includes a central portion resting upon the pivot, a first outer portion radially spaced from the axis of the pivot and having a magnetic north polarity and second outer portion radially spaced from the axis of the pivot and angularly spaced from the first outer portion by approximately 180 degrees. The second outer portion has a magnetic south polarity. The central portion, the first outer portion and the second outer portion are integrally formed as part of a single unitary body including polymeric material. In one exemplary embodiment, the central portion, the first outer portion and the second outer portion are formed from a magnetic powder blended with a polymer matrix. In another exemplary embodiment, the first portion and the second portion include at least one magnetic member encapsulated within a layer solely composed of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A bow mount trolling motor for a boat is disclosed. The bow mount trolling motor includes a chassis adapted to be mounted to a bow of the boat, a lower propulsion unit and at least one shaft supporting the lower propulsion unit and pivotally coupled to the chassis about a first axis. The at least one shaft pivots in a first direction about the first axis from a deployed position to a stowed position. The at least one shaft pivots in an opposite second direction about the first-axis when the at least one shaft of the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction while the boat is moving in a forward direction.

Abstract: A canopy structure includes a plurality of support beams and a plurality of flexible connecting panels therebetween. Each of the plurality of support beams is formed by an elongate spine extending along an arc and first and second tension panels extending from the strip non-parallel to one another. The connecting panels extend between and interconnect the first and second tension panels of adjacent support beams, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, each support beam includes a sleeve between the first and second tension panels, wherein the sleeve removably receives the spine. Each spine preferably comprises a strip that has a longitudinal length and a transverse width extending in a plane, wherein the strip is resiliently flexible in a direction non-parallel the plane and inflexible in a direction parallel to the plane and wherein the strip is arcuately deformed along its longitudinal length when inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: A trolling motor foot control for use with a trolling motor is disclosed. The trolling motor foot control includes a pad adapted to receive an operator's foot, a first operating interface coupled to the pad and adapted to be coupled to the trolling motor and a second operator interface coupled to the pad and adapted to be coupled to the trolling motor. The first operator interface is configured to adjust a speed of the trolling motor at a first rate in response to input from the operator's foot. The second operator interface is configured to adjust the speed of the trolling motor at a second smaller rate in response to input from the operator's foot.

Abstract: A buoyancy control system includes an apparel unit worn by a user and including a front panel, a pocket along the front panel having an interior, a weight pouch configured to hold at least one weight and removably received within the interior of the pocket, a first connector portion coupled to the weight pouch and a second connector portion released the couple to the first connector portion. The first and second connector portions form a mechanical lock actuatable between a connected state in which the lock connects a weight pouch to the apparel unit and a disconnected state in which a weight pouch may be removed from the weight pocket by a single manipulation step of the hand of the diver. In one exemplary embodiment, the device further includes an elastic band coupled between the apparel unit and the second connector.

Abstract: A steering control system for an electric trolling motor is disclosed. The system includes a steering actuator assembly with at least one open loop actuator. The system also includes at least one steering mode switch that is configured to communicate changes between steering modes. The steering modes include at least one closed loop steering mode and at least one manual steering mode. The system further includes a controller that is configured to receive signals from the open loop actuator, is configured to receive signals from at least one steering mode switch, and is configured to generate control signals based on the states of the open loop actuator and the steering mode switch.

Abstract: The trolling motor system includes a chassis adapted to be coupled to a boat, a housing pivotally coupled to the chassis, a lower propulsion unit, at least one shaft supported by the housing and coupled to the lower propulsion unit at a first end and a drive system including at least one actuator. The at least one shaft extends along a first axis. The first end is movable relative to the housing along the first axis. The drive system includes at least one actuator, a linear drive, a pivot drive and a coupler. The linear drive moves the first end of the first shaft along the first axis while the pivot drive pivots the housing about a second axis. The coupler connects the actuator and the pivot drive to pivot the housing. In one embodiment, the coupler connects the actuator and the pivot drive based upon the position of the at least one shaft along the first axis.

Abstract: A battery gauge for an electric trolling motor is disclosed. The battery gauge includes a battery that is configured to supply power to the trolling motor. The battery gauge also includes a motor speed setting switch that is configured to supply a signal representative of the motor speed setting. The battery gauge also includes an electronic circuit configured to sense at least one battery parameter that is representative of the battery charge. The electronic circuit is also configured to receive an electrical signal that is representative of the speed setting. The electronic circuit further is configured to determine the remaining battery charge time based on the at least one battery parameter and the speed setting.

Abstract: An inflatable shelter includes a flexible membrane, a first elongate inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane and a second elongated inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane. The first tube has first and second axial ends and a first intermediate portion between the first and second axial ends. The second tube has third and fourth axial ends and a second intermediate portion between the third and fourth axial ends. The first, second, third and fourth axial ends terminate in a plane. The first and second intermediate portions converge towards one another such that the first and second tubes form four legs supporting the membrane. The flexible membrane preferably includes first and second sleeves defining first and second lumens receiving the first and second inflatable tubes, respectively, and a plurality of wall panels coupled to and extending between the first and second sleeves.

Abstract: A trolling motor system is disclosed. The trolling motor system includes a lower propulsion unit, a mounting mechanism adapted to be coupled to the boat and a first shaft fitting at least partially between the mounting mechanism and the lower propulsion unit. The first shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In one exemplary embodiment, the mounting mechanism is configured to mount to a boat having a longitudinal axis extending from a bow to a stern of the boat, wherein the first shaft has a longitudinal length and smaller transverse width. According to another exemplary embodiment, the first shaft has a hollow interior which receives a second shaft. A passageway is formed between the exterior of the first shaft and the exterior of the second shaft to receive the signal or power transmitting line of an underwater sonar system.

Abstract: A motor for use with an alternating current electrical outlet includes a retaining member, a rotor and a nutational actuator for nutating the rotor. The retaining member has at least one circumferential surface extending about an axis. The rotor is located adjacent to the retaining member and includes a magnet. The rotary actuator includes at least one magnetic member proximate the rotor, an electrically conductive coil about the at least one magnetic member and a plug having first and second prongs electrically connected to first and second ends of the coil. When the prongs are inserted into the electrical outlet, the alternating current flowing through the coil causes the rotor to nutate about the axis defined by the retaining member. In one exemplary embodiment, the rotor has a center of mass such that the rotor gyrates about the center of mass in response to alternating electrical currents flowing through the coil.

Abstract: A receptacle compression system includes a receptacle enclosing an internal volume. The receptacle includes the bottom panel having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides and a top panel opposite the bottom panel. The top panel includes an opening therethrough. The receptacle further includes first and second side panels coupled to the first and second sides of the bottom panel, respectively, and extending towards the top panel. The first and second side panels each have a rigid perimeter extending from the bottom panel. The receptacle compression system further includes first and second compression straps. The first compression strap is connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel and is configured to extend across the opening so as to be connected to the other of the first side panel and the second side panel.

Abstract: A load support system for carrying a load on a user's back includes a load support, first and second user engaging surfaces, and first and second arms extending between the load support and the first and second user-engaging surfaces, respectively. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane when worn. The first and second user-engaging surfaces are configured to engage the user on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel at first and second spaced locations along a first axis on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to a transverse plane of the user. The first arm further includes a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface.

Abstract: A poppet seat for air regulating devices, such as underwater diving equipment, includes a metal or plastic substrate around and through which synthetic or rubber seat material is molded. In its preferred form, this seat material surrounds the sides of the substrate and fills holes therein as well as an annular v-groove formed in the periphery of the substrate to further enhance the mechanical bond between the substrate and seat material.