Patents Examined by Anthony D Wiest
  • Watercraft stabilizing device for personnel boarding or exiting
    Patent number: 11235842
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device that engages and stabilizes a personal watercraft for boarding or exiting. The device simultaneously engages upper surface elements of the watercraft whilst also providing firm land/pier engaged support to the user. A user's weight is able to bear against the inherent buoyancy of the watercraft through a structure rotated downwardly to the watercraft; the rotated structure is hinged and fixed to the land/pier. During entry, the upwardly urging buoyancy of the watercraft stabilizes the watercraft against the downwardly rotated structure while a user steps from the land/pier to the watercraft and fully transfers weight to the watercraft. Exit is the reverse. A method of associated use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Art Groeneweg
  • Watercraft float for user propelled watercraft
    Patent number: 11235845
    Abstract: A watercraft float having a deck surface and bottom surface, a watercraft receiving area, a first post having a base, side, and top surface, wherein the first post is positioned on a first side of the watercraft receiving area, a second post having a base, side, and top surface, wherein the second post is positioned on a second side of the watercraft receiving area, and a railing, wherein the railing releaseably engages the two posts, wherein the base of the first post and the base of the second past are engaged to the deck surface, wherein each post is configured so that a user can propel a watercraft onto the float utilizing the post, and wherein the watercraft receiving area is configured to receive a watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffery Jackson
  • Lift-based acoustic source
    Patent number: 11226427
    Abstract: A lift based acoustic source is towable in an undersea environment by a towing vessel. A controller provides a combined lift control signal and an acoustic source signal. A control cable is joined between the towing vessel and a towed depressor having an active lift control system. The combined signal is used to control the towed depressor active lift control system. The towed depressor lift fluctuates in response to the source signal to generate the undersea acoustic signal. A hydrophone or hydrophone array can be provided for measuring the generated acoustic signal for feedback and monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventor: Anthony A Ruffa
  • Watercraft and aircraft bladder and tie down securing apparatuses and methods
    Patent number: 11220311
    Abstract: The novel bladder systems and tie down systems set forth herein provide systems and apparatuses that mitigate or prevent damage, such as tipping over/capsizing, of a watercraft stored on shore or an aircraft secured to a ground surface during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events. Further, novel apparatuses and methods for storing a watercraft using the bladders as cushioning or holding devices when installed within a cavity, whether the cavity is created by digging a hole or building an enclosing berm, provides additional stability and security for the watercraft during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cross Pipes Development LLC
    Inventor: Jason Martus Naylor
  • System and method for connecting a mooring line to a body
    Patent number: 11220314
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a connecting system for connecting a mooring line to a body comprising a first part being attached to the mooring line and connected with a pin having two ends, to a second part being attached to the body and having an arrangement for guiding the pin into a hang-off structure in the second part where the hang-off structure substantially comprises at least one hook. The system is characterized by a connecting structure for a temporary pulling means mounted on the first part in transverse direction to its longitudinal axis and eccentrically to an axial center of gravity of the first part. The invention relates also to a method regarding the application of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: APL NORWAY AS
    Inventors: Svensen Sven Atle, Hovde Geir Olav
  • Mooring line length adjusting device and method
    Patent number: 11220313
    Abstract: A mooring line length adjusting device and method is disclosed. The device is arranged for connecting lower and upper mooring line section to its respective ends and for adjusting the total length of the mooring line. The upper section of the mooring line includes a chain segment at its end connected to the device. The device includes a locking element to lock the chain segment to itself. A connecting structure for a temporary pulling mechanism to pull the device in a direction to transfer tension from the upper mooring line section to the temporary pulling mechanism is a part of the device. The method discloses steps and details how to use the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: APL NORWAY AS
    Inventor: Geir Olav Hovde
  • Foot pedal for a trolling motor assembly
    Patent number: 11220317
    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: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Clark, Jeremy J. Schroeder, Paul Robert Bailey, Dustyn P. Pendergraft
  • Propulsion assembly and boat combination, boat propulsion method, and boat propulsion assembly
    Patent number: 11214345
    Abstract: Combination of boat and outboard engine, in which at least one outboard engine is fastened to the transom of the boat in a prearranged position, the engine being mounted to translate along a path with at least one motion component having a vertical orientation in a direction away from or close to the waterline of the boat, that is, of smaller or greater propeller draft, and a motion component having a horizontal or longitudinal orientation in a direction away from or close to the transom of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna
  • Wake-modifying device for a boat
    Patent number: 11214335
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
  • Modular fin with common rail system
    Patent number: 11207567
    Abstract: A disclosed diver fin includes a blade and a foot pocket, distinct from one another and releasably connected to one another by one or more rails extending from a leading edge of the blade to the foot pocket. The rails extend from either side of the foot pocket and extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade towards a trailing edge of the blade. Each rail includes two sections: a first rail section, extending from the leading edge of the blade and terminating in a free end, and a second rail section, extending from the foot pocket and terminating in a free end. The free end of one rail section includes a female recess, and the free end of the other rail section terminates in a male extension, slidably receivable in the female recess. The disclosed fin is reconfigurable to accommodate different diving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Rhys James Couzyn
  • Inline deflecting swim fin
    Patent number: 11202936
    Abstract: A foot inline deflecting swim fin with hinge coupled to a two-leaf-blade fin with embedded channel-hinge with leaves free to rotate from a perpendicular fluid flow configuration upon power stroke to parallel fluid flow configuration upon an upstroke. The hinge-leaf blade will have pivot stops, limiting leaf rotations to accommodate the two stroke swim propulsion, upstroke and power stroke. An embedded unitary elastomeric hinge having integrated channel with channel limiter stops is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Peter L. Levy
  • Portable foldable house for pets and humans
    Patent number: 11203399
    Abstract: A house is provided. The house includes a base and a roof. The roof is attached to the base. The base has sufficient buoyancy to enable the house to float on water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Rayan Omidi
  • Biomimetic robotic manta ray
    Patent number: 11161578
    Abstract: A biomimetic robotic manta ray includes a head cabin, a central cabin, a pair of pectoral fins and a caudal fin cabin. The pectoral fin includes a crank-rocker mechanism and a bevel gear mechanism. The biomimetic robotic manta ray achieves undulatory propulsion through a coordinated periodic motion of the crank-rocker mechanism. A complex closed motion trail of the tail end of the pectoral fin of the manta ray is traced through the coordination of the bevel gear mechanism and the crank-rocker mechanism. The biomimetic robotic manta ray achieves a combined motion of two vertical undulations superimposed on the pectoral fin of a natural manta ray. The motion trail, which has an important effect on the efficient motion of the manta ray, of the tail end of the pectoral fin is approximately simulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Zhengxing Wu, Junzhi Yu, Yan Meng, Xingyu Chen, Jian Wang, Min Tan
  • Foam blank
    Patent number: 11161574
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to an improved foam blank for a surfcraft and in particular, to an improved reinforced foam blank and a method of manufacturing the same. The foam blank has a top blank face, an opposed bottom blank face, a pair of shaped rails extending between the opposed top and bottom blank faces at blank face edges, an enclosed core space and a midline axis extending between a nose region and a tail region and which divides the foam blank into two substantially equal regions. At least one longitudinally extending slotted aperture is formed in any one or more of the top, the bottom or the rails, such that the slotted aperture extends into the enclosed core space. At least one flexible spine is bonded to be fixed within the at least one longitudinally extending slotted aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Daniel Holloway
  • Systems, modules, and submersible vehicles for collecting material from a seafloor
    Patent number: 11161579
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle for collecting material from a seafloor includes a chassis. A module may be supported on the chassis, the module including an electric power supply. A drive system may be supported on the chassis, the drive system including a battery, and a propulsion assembly, the battery in electrical communication with the electric power supply and the propulsion assembly, and the propulsion assembly operable to locate the chassis relative to a seafloor. A power tool may be coupled to the chassis, the power tool operable to collect material from the seafloor. A reactor may be supported on the chassis, the reactor defining a reaction chamber. A valve assembly may be actuatable to move a hydrogen-containing gas from the reaction chamber and direct the hydrogen-containing gas to one or more of the electric power supply or the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: LTAG SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Jonathan T. Slocum
  • Watertight electric actuator for trim tab assembly or wake gate assembly
    Patent number: 11155322
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing and a drive tube assembly disposed within the housing. The drive tube assembly includes a drive tube provided with internal threads, a piston nut provided with external threads which threadedly engage the inner threads of the drive tube, and an output shaft connected to the piston nut. A motor rotates the drive tube to cause the piston nut to reciprocate along a length of the drive tube and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing. There are bearings which transmit axial loads from the drive tube to the housing and transmit radial loads from the drive tube to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MARINE CANADA ACQUISITION INC.
    Inventor: Davor Baros
  • Assemblable aquaboard made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)
    Patent number: 11148757
    Abstract: There is provided an assembleable aquaboard made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), including: a first plate having a first T-shaped slot on the top surface and a second T-shaped slot on the right side surface, a second plate having a third T-shaped slot on the top surface and a fourth T-shaped slot on the right side surface; a third plate having a fifth T-shaped slot on the top surface, a sixth T-shaped slot on the right side surface; a fourth plate having a seventh T-shaped slot on the top surface and an eighth T-shaped slot on the left side surface; a first T-shaped connector to connect the first and the third plates; a second T-shaped to connect the second and the fourth plates; and a first I-beam connector to connect the first plate, the second, the third plate and the fourth plate to form the assembleable aquaboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Gui Li
  • Inflatable mast and outrigger for undersea vehicles
    Patent number: 11136100
    Abstract: An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Nation, Charles P. Wason, Jr.
  • Amphibious vehicle provided with a faired running gear
    Patent number: 11130377
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle such as a tug boat, comprising a running gear configured to be at least positioned in a deployed position suited to the rolling of the vehicle, and at least one retracted position suited to the navigation of the vehicle. The running gear comprises a fairing element rigidly connected to the running gear, so that the fairing element advantageously serves as an anti-projection device in the deployed position of the running gear. According to one option, the vehicle comprises a semi-rigid shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: WETTONCRAFT
    Inventor: Eric Divry
  • Shade system
    Patent number: 11117641
    Abstract: A shade system for a structure includes a pair of support posts attachable to the structure, a shade panel including a plurality of attachment points around a periphery thereof, and at least one flexible lateral support member secured to the shade panel. The plurality of attachment points includes a fixture pair securable to a fixture of the structure, a post pair securable to the pair of support posts, respectively, and a side pair cooperable with the at least one flexible lateral support member and securable to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Robert Withers