Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a trolling motor to a watercraft includes a bracket, a coupling hinge, a lift arm, a cam mechanism, a collet, a resistance knob, a first bias spring and a second bias spring. The bracket is adapted to mount on a transom or a gunnel of the watercraft. The coupling hinge receives a shaft of the trolling motor therethrough and retains the trolling motor via the collet and resistance knob mounted thereon. The collet and knob can be selectively tightened or loosened about the shaft of the trolling motor. The bracket defines detents and an arcuate track in which a track follower portion of the coupling hinge can move. The movement of the coupling hinge along the bracket tilts the trolling motor between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lift arm is pivotally coupled to the coupling hinge and carries a locking pin. The lift arm is biased by the first bias spring such that the locking pin engages the detents.

Abstract: A sonar imaging system for a watercraft is disclosed. The sonar imaging system comprises a transducer coupled to the watercraft and having at least one side scanning element and at least one bottom scanning element, an electronic control head unit coupled to the transducer and configured to display sonar images. The downward acoustic elements may be circular and the side scan acoustic elements may be rectangular. A software filter may be provided to remove noise generated by a spark plug or other operation of a motor for the watercraft.

Abstract: A tent and tent frame structural members are provided. The structural members include utility channel to which devices such as hooks, carabineers and wire trays can be mounted to the structural member. More particularly, mounting structures of the devices insert into the utility channel and secure the devices to the structural members. The utility channel can include at least one undercut to prevent removal of the mounting structure, and ultimately the devices, from the structural member.

Abstract: A wire tray and tent frame structural members are provided. The structural members include a utility channel or C-shaped channels to which wire trays can be mounted. More particularly, mounting structures of the wire tray insert into or otherwise engage the utility channel or engage the C-shaped channels and secure the wire tray to the structural members. The utility channel or C-shaped channels can include at least one undercut to prevent removal or disengagement of the mounting structure of the wire tray from the structural member. Similarly, methods of using the wire tray including resiliently biasing mounting structure of the wire tray to attach it to the structural member are provided.

Abstract: A tent including a structural member and an end cap insertable into the structural member and a method of forming a tent are provided. The structural member is preferably a rafter. The rafter has C-channels aligned with support troughs of the end cap. The C-channels and support troughs receive edge portions of a fabric panel therein to secure the fabric panel to the rafter. The end cap supports the weight of the fabric panel during assembly to reduce or avoid engagement of the fabric panel with corners of the C-channel or burs formed in the end of the C-channel of the rafter as the fabric panel is fed through the C-channel. The end cap may also include an optional tension push down bar assembly for providing additional tensioning of the fabric panel.

Abstract: A mount for securing a trolling motor to a watercraft has a base, a main arm, a motor coupling, and a linkage. The motor coupling is configured to rotatably retain the trolling motor. The main arm is pivotally coupled to the base. The linkage is pivotally coupled with the base and the main arm and extends within the main arm to contact the motor coupling for actuating rotation of the motor coupling between a first position when the main arm is in a stowed position, and a second position when the main arm is in a deployed position.

Abstract: A trim tab for mounting the transom of a boat has an upper surface and an undulating bottom surface with down-turned flaps on opposite sides of the tab. The trim tab is formed of a molded composite material. The top surface includes a hinge platform at its forward end and mount platform at a rearward end. The trim tab tapers from a minimum thickness at its leading end to a maximum thickness at its trailing end. The shape of the bottom surface and the down-turned flaps provide a bottom surface area with enhanced lift characteristics.

Abstract: A system for use with a boat to provide underwater sonar images, includes a left side scan sonar transducer for transmitting left side scan sonar pulses and for receiving left side scan sonar return signals, a right side scan sonar transducer for transmitting right side scan sonar pulses and for receiving right side scan sonar return signals, and signal processing circuitry for processing the left and right side scan sonar return signals to produce side scan image data. The system further includes a user interface including user inputs and a display and a digital processor for providing signals to the display to show an underwater image based upon the side scan image data, wherein the digital processor, in response to a user command, performs an image enhancement algorithm to enhance the underwater image.

Abstract: A system for use with a boat to provide underwater sonar images includes a GPS receiver for providing GPS position data, a left side scan sonar transducer for transmitting left side scan sonar pulses and for receiving left side scan sonar return signals, and a right side scan sonar transducer for transmitting right side scan sonar pulses and for receiving right side scan sonar return signals. The system further includes signal processing circuitry for processing the left and right side scan sonar return signals to produce side scan image data and a digital processor for causing a display to display an underwater image based upon the side scan image data, wherein the digital processor associates GPS position and side scan image data.

Abstract: A trolling motor control system includes plurality of modules that are connected to a communication bus to transmit and receive data used in controlling operation of a trolling motor. Based upon data transmitted over the bus, trolling motor speed, steering, and trim can be controlled. The modules can include motor controller modules, foot pedal modules, compass and GPS modules, RF modules for wireless control, battery metering modules, diagnostic modules, accessory device driver modules, power trim controller modules, and power steering controller modules.

Abstract: A system for use with a boat to provide underwater sonar images includes a left side scan sonar transducer for transmitting left side scan sonar pulses and for receiving left side scan sonar return signals and a right side scan sonar transducer for transmitting right side scan sonar pulses and for receiving right side scan sonar return signals. The system further includes signal processing circuitry for processing the left and right side scan sonar return signals to produce side scan image data and a digital processor for providing signals to a display based upon the side scan image data to produce a display image on the display showing boat location, a water column between the boat and bottom, and an underwater image comprising at least one of a left side underwater image and a right side underwater image.

Abstract: A tent frame including at least one pivotal coupling for connecting a plurality of structural members is provided. The tent frame includes a plurality of structural members connected together to form a frame for supporting a fabric shell. The tent frame includes at least one coupling for connecting four of the structural members to one another. The coupling includes a plurality of connector portions adapted to engage corresponding connector portions of the structural members. The coupling permits pivotal movement of at least one of the structural members relative to other structural members connected to that coupling to facilitate assembly and erection of the tent frame.

Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.

Abstract: A baby carrier including a backpack assembly, first and second legs, a first strap, and a second strap. The first and second legs are operably coupled to the backpack assembly and normally biased toward an open position. The first strap is operably coupled to the first leg and the second strap is operably coupled to the second leg. The first and second straps are used for pivoting the first and second legs toward each other and into a closed position when biased. The first and second legs are operably coupled to the backpack assembly by hinges. The first and second legs are normally biased toward the open position by springs in the hinges.

Abstract: A marine device, such as a trolling motor, a trim tab, a downrigger or a sonar device, is operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device. The marine device is connected to a controller that provides commands to the marine device. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller.

Abstract: A trim tab control system determines current tab position based upon a feedback signal that represents incremental motion of the actuator drive motor. Prior to power down, the current tab position is stored in non-volatile memory, and is retrieved on power up. The control system characterizes the actuator during a learning function by driving the actuator between the upper and lower limit positions and counting the number of increments. The display of tab position is based upon the current tab position count and the number of increments in a full range of motion. Automatic up and down commands cause the actuator to be driven up or down until a stop command is received or a limit position is reached.

Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.