Patents Examined by Anthony D Wiest
  • Patent number: 12179899
    Abstract: A marine drive has a supporting frame for coupling the marine drive to a marine vessel; a gearcase supporting a propulsor for propelling the marine vessel in water; an extension leg disposed between the supporting frame and the gearcase; and an adapter plate between the supporting frame and the extension leg. A tube is in the extension leg. The tube has a lower end which is coupled to the gearcase and upper end which is coupled to the adapter plate by a compression nut threaded onto the tube, wherein threading the compression nut down on the tube compressively engages the compression nut with the adapter plate, which in turn clamps the extension leg between the supporting frame and the gearcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, John A. Groeschel
  • Patent number: 12172737
    Abstract: A waterborne vessel includes a hull structure, longitudinal and transverse drive tunnels, and one or more thrusters. The hull structure has a base and side walls forming a U-shaped cross-section, open forward and aft ends, and an open top. The drive tunnels extend through the base portion of the hull structure. Each thruster is located at a corresponding intersection of longitudinal and transverse drive tunnels. Each thruster drives water flow through the corresponding drive tunnels and is rotatable about a vertical axis among multiple different thruster orientations in which the thruster drives water flow in one direction or the other through the corresponding longitudinal or transverse drive tunnel. A method includes: lowering the vessel through water to a submerged target payload; maneuvering the vessel and/or payload to position the payload on the hull structure between the side walls; and raising the vessel and payload toward the water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventor: Hugh Francis Gallagher
  • Patent number: 12162580
    Abstract: A user input assembly for controlling operation of a trolling motor assembly including a propulsion motor, the user input assembly having an input device housing defining a top surface that is configured to receive a user's foot thereon, wherein the top surface defines a left edge and right edge, a support plate, wherein the input device housing is pivotably mounted to the support plate, and a switch that is selectively secured to the input device housing in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is proximate the left edge of the input device housing, the second position is proximate the right edge of the input device housing, and the switch is movable between an open position and closed position so that the power is supplied to the propulsion motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Navico, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Clark, Jeremy J. Schroeder, Paul Robert Bailey, Dustyn P. Pendergraft
  • Patent number: 12162579
    Abstract: An apparatus is for removably supporting a marine drive on a marine vessel. The apparatus has a transom bracket assembly for mounting to the marine vessel, a steering bracket for coupling the marine drive to the transom bracket assembly so the marine drive is steerable relative to the transom bracket assembly and the marine vessel; and an integrated copilot and locking mechanism configured to retain the steering bracket in a plurality of steering orientations. The mechanism is further configured to lock and alternately unlock the steering bracket relative to the transom bracket assembly such that in a locked position the marine drive is retained on the transom bracket assembly and such that in an unlocked position the marine drive is removable from the transom bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Devan L. Schrank, Robert A. Podell, Jay M. Albulushi
  • Patent number: 12162571
    Abstract: A support for inclusion internally within a plastic boat body to structurally reinforce the plastic boat body is provided. The support may comprise a support plate and a support brace. Also provided is a reinforced component for a plastic boat body, comprising an interior support; and one or more plastic exterior walls. Plastic boats comprising supports and reinforced components are also provided. Further provided are associated kits, systems, and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph Eric Bleakley
  • Patent number: 12157544
    Abstract: A hard shell boat cover is disclosed herein. The hard shell boat cover includes a plurality of boat cover sections, the plurality of boat cover sections configured to interlock with one another so as to form the hard shell boat cover, and one or more of the plurality of boat cover sections configured to engage with a top peripheral edge of a boat; and at least one securement element attached to one of the plurality of boat cover sections, the securement element configured to be coupled to a securement strap for securing the hard shell boat cover to the top peripheral edge of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Inventor: Tommy Lee Moss
  • Patent number: 12152100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition suitable for watercrafts or nautical applications. The present invention relates also the use of a transparent polymeric composition for watercrafts. More particularly the present invention relates to a transparent (meth)acrylic polymer composition and relates also to a process for preparing such a (meth)acrylic polymer composition, its use in watercrafts and watercraft comprising it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TRINSEO EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Boutillier, Laurent Jaurey
  • Patent number: 12129822
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a small, inexpensive, long-lived underwater beacon locator. The beacon locator can illustratively include a housing, a communications link, a processor, a plurality of hydrophones and a motion generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: AJC Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Almond J. Cote
  • Patent number: 12129007
    Abstract: A control system for posture control tabs of a marine vessel assists operations of a steering control. The posture control tabs are mounted on a stern of a hull to move up or down to control a posture of the hull. Actuators actuate the respective posture control tabs. When a steering instruction is provided through the steering control, a processor determines the posture control tab to be actuated and controls the actuator corresponding to the posture control tab determined to be actuated so as to change the position of the determined posture control tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Nakatani
  • Patent number: 12129005
    Abstract: Provided are a marine testbed and a marine test method for providing marine verification and securing a track record of an eco-friendly propulsion system for a ship, wherein the marine testbed and the marine test method test and evaluate applicability of a hybrid propulsion system to the ship and facilitate securing of a track record, the hybrid propulsion system utilizing a battery, a fuel cell, a zero-carbon fuel engine, a zero-carbon fuel mixed-combustion engine, and a heterogeneous eco-friendly alternative fuel for the ship which are essential for developing an eco-friendly ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology
    Inventors: Hee Jin Kang, Young Shik Kim, Hyung Won Shim, So Young Sung, Jang Pyo Hong, Yun Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 12122488
    Abstract: Some fishing boats include a livewell system. This document describes livewell systems that have multiple modes of operation. The modes of operation include, at least, a first mode with a lower water level and a second mode with a higher water level. While the livewell is operating in the second mode, the tank is nearly full of water. Accordingly, with a nearly full tank, the water in the livewell will resist sloshing around while the boat is navigating rough seas or travelling at high speeds or for long distances. Moreover, the health of the fish in the livewell will be protected because of the water's lessened tendency to slosh around in the livewell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Marine Performance, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley G. Garringer, Randy W. Hopper
  • Patent number: 12122483
    Abstract: An actuator includes a drive body including a torque-transfer surface configured to receive a torque. The actuator further includes: a drivable body including an output shaft such that rotation of the drive body causes movement of the output shaft; a first bearing configured to transfer thrust forces from the output shaft in a first direction; and a second bearing configured to transfer thrust forces from the output shaft in a second direction. At least the first bearing extends in a radial dimension beyond the torque-transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Dometic Marine Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Davor Baros, Tan Howard Rambo, Lucas Damien Garel, Michael Brent Ure
  • Patent number: 12122481
    Abstract: A modular, weight-shift controlled watercraft device is disclosed which includes a wireless handheld throttle controller comprising a body configured to avoid water intrusion, a throttle control interface configured to receive an input controlling a speed of the watercraft, a memory storing an operator profile setting, a wireless transmitter configured to communicate wirelessly with a microcontroller of the watercraft, a processor configured to communicate control information to the microcontroller of the watercraft via the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Kai Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Montague, Joseph Andrew Brock, Jamieson Edward Schulte, Daniel Elliot Schabb
  • Patent number: 12117038
    Abstract: A modular floating platform connector includes a connecting unit with a hollow center chamber that has one or more inside diameters. The chamber may have wall surfaces to secure components to modular floating platforms. The connector may further incorporate one or more external features such as a collar and retaining ribs that engage with the connecting tabs on modular floating platform float modules to securely hold the float modules together and to retain attachment members of accessories, fixtures, structures and other components to modular floating platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Inventor: Bruce Nelson
  • Patent number: 12116098
    Abstract: A marine transmission (1) with a main driveshaft (3), a first intermediate shaft (4) and a drive output shaft (6), by way of which at least one propeller (21) can be driven. The marine transmission (1) has an electric machine (7), as an additional drive, a second intermediate shaft (5) and a planetary gear assembly (8). The electric machine (7) can be connected to the second intermediate shaft (5) by way of the planetary gear assembly (8). Also a drive arrangement for a marine transmission with a main drive motor (2) and with a marine transmission (1) of that type are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Thum, Hans Zorell
  • Patent number: 12103651
    Abstract: A multi-function oar has an oar blade, a large-diameter tube, and a small-diameter tube. The oar blade has a tube-connecting portion. The tube-connecting portion has a through axial hole. The large-diameter tube is movably inserted in the axial hole. The axial hole has an upper positioning portion and a lower positioning portion for positioning the large-diameter tube, thereby changing the overall length of the oar. The large-diameter tube has a first check valve. The first check valve has a bail opening. The small-diameter tube is provided with a second check valve and an operating member having a water outlet, so as to bail water and drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: CHUAN JIING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tien Tsai Tseng
  • Patent number: 12103643
    Abstract: A modular, weight-shift controlled watercraft device is disclosed which includes: a modular board removably attachable to a power system. The power system includes a modular power supply system, and a modular propulsion system. The power supply system includes a housing including a battery. The propulsion system includes a modular strut, a modular propulsion pod, and a modular hydrofoil. In one embodiment, the power supply system is removably and mechanically attachable directly to the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Kai Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Montague, Joseph Andrew Brock, Jamieson Edward Schulte, Daniel Elliot Schabb
  • Patent number: 12090803
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle having a frame that includes a plurality of floatable members. Mounted to the frame is one or more power sources. Also mounted to the frame and connected to the power source are a plurality of propellers with each of the plurality of propellers having a thrust vector configured to be adjusted to provide agitation and propulsion. In addition, mounted to the frame are a plurality of ground engaging devices and one or more pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Bazooka-Farmstar, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Minino, Jeffery Huber, Matthew Hirsch, Jason Albright
  • Patent number: 12090366
    Abstract: A closed-toe swim fin device. The swim fin includes a rear cavity designed to receive the front portion of a user's foot, e.g., the portion in front of the ankle, and to hold the user's foot therein via vacuum seal, friction, and pressure fit. The swim fin is otherwise sealed and fluid-tight such that the only way into and out of the rear cavity is through the rear cavity's opening that receives the user's foot. In this way, the swim fin eliminates the need for other types of foot attachment mechanisms (e.g., shoes, heel straps) thereby reducing the resulting water drag of the fin when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas T. Stegeman, John H. Schaumberg
  • Patent number: 12083564
    Abstract: Buoyant matter, and particularly biomass such as seaweed, is sequestered deep in a body of water, fey causing the matter to lose it buoyancy and sink and remain sunk for an extended period. In some examples, the matter is pumped to below a depth at which is loses its natural buoyancy as a result of the ambient water pressure resulting in it naturally sinking to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Aliquam Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Gray, Alexander Slocum