Patents Examined by Ajay Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 11325006
    Abstract: Enhanced surfing by means of waterproof gloves which provide lifting pads spanning the width of the palm from the base of the thumb and terminating near the pinky, or also extending across the upper palm finger pads if desirable, while secured tightly at the wrist. The padding is contoured and rises to prescribed height starting at the base of the wrist, rising to the maximum height near the base of the palm, and then returning to ‘level’ with the hand inside the palm. Similarly, narrower finger pads will follow a similar contour but will have less height than the palm pad. The padding provides a resilient, rebound boost to aid surfers in quickly rising to their feet while simultaneously creating more clearance between a surfer's torso and board to allow for a heightened swing arch to create forward distance for initial foot positioning and added takeoff momentum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Billeaudeaux, John Comiskey, Michael Larranaga
  • Patent number: 11319030
    Abstract: In a three row, roller bearing assembly coupling a vessel to a turret, the bearing assembly having a support row assembly disposed between an inner ring connected to the turret and outer rings connected to the vessel, a method and arrangement for in situ remediation of a damaged support row assembly. Couplers are secured to existing inner ring stud bolts. A continuous bearing ring below the couplers is assembled and a support bearing arrangement is installed between the couplers and the bearing ring. Reaction plates are mounted to the vessel. Each reaction plate has a jack screw which is positioned directly below the bearing ring. The jack screws are turned to elevate the bearing ring and form a flat surface for support of the support bearing arrangement. The turret axial load is transferred from the damaged support row assembly to the support bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Lindblade, Miles A. Hobdy, William L. Fontenot, David M. Seaman, Patrick R. Thornberry
  • Patent number: 11305846
    Abstract: A towable watercraft including a body member having a tow-rope hitch coupled to a front portion thereof and first and second elongated stabilizing members extending beyond an aft portion of the body member is disclosed. The stabilizing members may be coupled to the hitch or an intermediate portion between the stabilizing member may be retained about a circumferential portion of the body member, wherein first and second end portions of the first and second elongated stabilizing members having corresponding stirrups are laterally movable away from, and back toward, each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Roland K. Bowler, II
  • Patent number: 11299241
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that attaches to a hull of a boat to disrupt water flow around the hull such that a wake created behind the boat is larger, differently positioned, and/or differently shaped. The apparatus includes a base and a blade. The blade is equipped with a mount structure that attaches the base to the blade. The blade can be reversibly mountable to the base such that either face of the blade faces a desired direction. The apparatus provides tool-free adjustment between a first configuration in which the base is mounted to the blade and a second configuration in which the base and the blade are separated. In some embodiments, the apparatus is removably attached to the hull by one or more suction cups. Additionally, the apparatus can be inflatable. The invention further provides a deployable lanyard assembly and a splash deflector for use with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MCNAUGHTON INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Patrick James McNaughton
  • Patent number: 11286027
    Abstract: A marine engine has a powerhead, a crankcase and a crankshaft disposed in the crankcase. A cooling system has a cooling passage that conveys cooling water for cooling the crankcase, a pump that pumps the cooling water from a body of water in which the marine engine is operated through the cooling passage, and a valve that controls discharge of the cooling water from the cooling passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Chetan A. Dharmadhikari, Pankaj A. Jagadale, Jacob D. Packianathan, Barry P. Schleicher
  • Patent number: 11273894
    Abstract: The propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled the electric actuator. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a coupling portion and a tiller is coupled the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Tat Lung Wong, Dave Higgs, Noam Davidson
  • Patent number: 11260272
    Abstract: A system and method for two swimmer wings designed using biomimicry and inspired by winged creatures/birds of flight as well as the fore flippers of a sea turtle. The swimmer wings are designed for users to traverse long distances instead of relying on personal watercrafts or boats to not only help sustain the environment by reducing the carbon footprint but also provide physical exercise to improve the user's well-being. The swimmer wings include a board, an arm guard which shields the user's forearm, and arm fasteners that secure the user's forearm between the board and the arm guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Weston Robinson
  • Patent number: 11247759
    Abstract: A sponson attachment for an airboat allows the airboat to increase its safety and stability very quickly. A method for attaching a sponson to an airboat hull includes attaching first and second flexible tethers to a side of the sponson. The method also includes removably securing the first flexible tether to an exterior of the airboat hull adjacent a gunnel, and removably securing the second flexible tether below the first flexible tether on the exterior of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Billy Miller
  • Patent number: 11242115
    Abstract: A boat stabilizer having an upper harness for attachment to a vessel having bow, stern, port and starboard sides; the upper harness having: four beams forming a rectangular shape with four corners, each beam running along a different side of the vessel, a rudder and an assembly control system and four wing assemblies, each one attached to the assembly control system and the upper harness and having a rod junction connected to the upper harness, two rods connected to the rod junction, a wing connected to the two rods, and a wing mount attached to the wing by a wing pole and the upper harness by a control pole. The assembly control system may adjust wing pitch angle and rotate the wing assemblies to and from the water. Adjustment of wing angles may increase stability, reduce wear and tear, increase fuel efficiency, and maintain vessel safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Farid Jalala
  • Patent number: 11235839
    Abstract: Disclosed is a boat including a bottom bordered radially externally by a wall which includes an inflatable and foldable front wall, an inflatable and foldable side wall, and a rear wall. The boat includes at least one inflatable and foldable longitudinal support parallel to the side wall, the support including an inflatable tube and a foldable upper connection which connects the tube to the upper part of the side wall, the upper connection extending longitudinally along the side wall and forming during use a surface P capable of receiving an element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZODIAC MILPRO INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Marc Cassañas, Guillaume Lacoste
  • Patent number: 11230357
    Abstract: Marine fender for impact protection comprising a core of closed cell foam, wherein said core comprises at least one chamber substantially entirely surrounded by said closed cell foam and enclosing an elastically deformable closed object. The marine fender can comprise an intermediate layer that at least partly encloses the core and/or a coating that at least partly covers the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FENDER INNOVATIONS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Jacob De Bruijn
  • Patent number: 11225307
    Abstract: A water flow deflection device attached to a side of a watercraft to enhance the watercraft's wake. The device having a narrow, elongated base with two ends and a base width, the base aligned along the side of the watercraft when the device is attached to the watercraft. A deflector attached to the base between the two ends and having a face spanning between a leading end and an opposing end, the leading end extending outwardly from the base. The deflector face having a surface area configured to deflect water and a deflector width greater than the base width. The base removably attachable to the watercraft by a plurality of suction cup assemblies, wherein a greater number of suction cup assemblies located between the first end and the leading end of the deflector than between the second end and the leading end of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Swell Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Adam Moore, Joseph Couture
  • Patent number: 11220315
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for body surfing which provide the body surfer a means to stabilize his ride and control his direction/position on a wave are described herein. According to one aspect, a body surfing apparatus includes a body suit having a torso, arms, and legs; a plurality of fins located on the torso; a plurality of fins located on the arms; and one or more fins located laterally on the legs. The fins are preferably attached to the body suit via an adhesive or mechanical means and the fins and suit may include a buoyant layer. In one embodiment, the body surfing apparatus includes a body suit with multiple segmentations and/or fins with multiple sliced cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: WAVEWRECKER, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Noel Gadler
  • Patent number: 11208190
    Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
  • Patent number: 11208186
    Abstract: A water-air amphibious cross-medium bio-robotic flying fish includes a body, pitching pectoral fins, variable-structure pectoral fins, a caudal propulsion module, a sensor module and a controller. The caudal propulsion module is controlled to achieve underwater fish-like body-caudal fin (BCF) propulsion, and the variable-structure pectoral fins is adjusted to achieve air gliding and fast splash-down diving motions of the bio-robotic flying fish. The coordination between the caudal propulsion module and the pitching pectoral fins is controlled to achieve the motion of leaping out of water during water-air cross-medium transition. The ambient environment is detected by the sensor module, and the motion mode of the bio-robotic flying fish is controlled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Junzhi Yu, Zhengxing Wu, Di Chen, Min Tan
  • Patent number: 11203311
    Abstract: A steering device includes a sensor and a rotor, each of which rotates together with a steering wheel around a rotational axis, and a stator whose position in a circumferential direction is stationary. The steering device includes a harness that connects a target component and the sensor together, a first fastener that fixes the harness to the rotor, and a second fastener that fixes the harness to the stator. An intermediate portion between the first fastener and the second fastener in the harness includes a first extension and a second extension each of which extends along the circumferential direction and a connector that connects the first extension and the second extension together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Fujino
  • Patent number: 11198496
    Abstract: The propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled the electric actuator. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a coupling portion and a tiller is coupled the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Tat Lung Wong, Dave Higgs, Noam Davidson
  • Patent number: 11198492
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for stabilising a watercraft with a hull. The stabilising system comprises a stabilising fin fixed with respect to a shaft of the fin, a driving system comprising an electric motor with hollow shaft and a reduction gear with hollow shaft for turning the shaft of the fin, and a control system configured for receiving identification data on the roll of the watercraft and for driving the electric motor as a function of the roll. In particular, the casing of the driving system comprises a toroidal portion configured for being inserted in an opening of the hull, wherein the toroidal portion comprises features for fixing the casing to the hull. The reduction gear comprises an output connected to the shaft of the fin and an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CMC Marine S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alessandro Cappiello
  • Patent number: 11192619
    Abstract: A robotic fish includes a front body, a rear body that includes a first segment and a second segment, and a driving unit. The first segment has a front engaging portion projecting toward and pivotally connected to the front body, and a rear engaging portion formed with a recess that recedes toward the front body and pivotally connected to the second segment. The driving unit includes a motor disposed in the front engaging portion, and a shaft extending along a dorsoventral axis and connecting the motor and the rear connecting portion. A ratio of a distance between the shaft and a foremost edge of the front engaging portion to a distance between the foremost edge and an extreme point of the recess ranges from 0.075 to 0.75.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIPEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Leeh-Ter Yao, Huei-Jyuan Lin, Li-Yuan Yeh, Yu-Chieh Tsai, Yu-Siao Jheng
  • Patent number: 11192611
    Abstract: A passively controlled fluid foil has a span; and a rigid spar extending in the spanwise direction, a cellular material and a flexible outer surface defining a profile of the outer surface of the foil and encapsulating the cellular material and the spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher Broers