Patents Examined by Anthony Wiest
  • Patent number: 9708039
    Abstract: The portable telescoping boat ladder is easily stored, installed, and used. The ladder comprises a ladder assembly mounted to a base assembly. The ladder assembly comprises telescoping ladder sections able to be collapsed into a stored position with the rungs adjacent each other. The base assembly comprises a platform, a means for engagement with a boat hand rail, and a means for providing a maximum angle at which the ladder assembly may be deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Grady-White Boats, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Neese
  • Patent number: 9701386
    Abstract: An input shaft for the torque-transmitting connection of motor and propeller of a ship drive has input-side and output-side interfaces and a composite hollow shaft made of fiber composite material arranged therebetween. The input shaft has a section which is arranged between the input-side and output-side interfaces, is connected to the composite hollow shaft, and is made of non-flammable material. A ship includes a hull, a bulkhead running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the hull, a motor, a propeller and an input shaft described above. The input shaft of the ship is fed through the bulkhead and has the non-flammable section arranged in the region of the feedthrough through the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hackforth GmbH
    Inventors: Radovan Marovic, Guenther Lutz
  • Patent number: 9701383
    Abstract: A marine propulsion support system includes a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, and a mounting bracket. A drive unit is connected to the mounting bracket by a plurality of vibration isolation mounts, which are configured to absorb loads on the drive unit that do not exceed a mount design threshold. A bump stop located between the swivel bracket and the drive unit limits deflection of the drive unit caused by loads that exceed the threshold. An outboard motor includes a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, a cradle, and a drive unit supported between first and second opposite arms of the cradle. First and second vibration isolation mounts connect the first and second cradle arms to the drive unit, respectively. An upper motion-limiting bump stop is located remotely from the vibration isolation mounts and between the swivel bracket and the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Stuber, Andrew Tuchscherer, Wayne M. Jaszewski
  • Patent number: 9701370
    Abstract: A structural blank suitable for a watercraft is described. At least part of the structural blank comprises a plurality of structural elements connected to adjacent structural elements so that the plurality of structural elements are arranged in a matrix of structural elements forming at least a portion of the structural blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Stay Wild Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Guy Walker
  • Patent number: 9694880
    Abstract: A personal watercraft is designed to be ridden in a elevated seated position. The watercraft is generally shaped like a surfboard, including the nose, tail and fin or fins and includes a shaped raised seat and kick board to accommodate and conform to the riders body disposed in a seated position, so that the rider can propel and navigate the watercraft using a two bladed paddle like one for a kayak. The raised seat and backrest and wave spitting nosecone combination kick board is an ergonomically designed space for the rider's body to be seated on the top of the board in a seated position, creating a stable and dynamic platform for water exploits, With a higher the center of gravity, and allowing the rider to guide the craft with more leverage while riding braking waves by leaning in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Hanak
  • Patent number: 9694881
    Abstract: A body surfing device comprising a base and a wing attachment, having a wing strut and a wing extension that is substantially parallel to the base. The base can have a protrusion extending from its bottom surface that the wing strut is affixed to. Multiple wing extensions can be affixed to the wing strut. Leg fins can also extend from the base. A folding wing attachment that attaches to the bottom surface of the base of a body surfing device is also provided. The folding wing attachment has wings that fold to a substantially planar position along the bottom surface of the base and hinges that allow the wings to fold to create a strut and wing extension. Also provided is a body surfing device having a base, shoulder straps attached to the base, a back strap extending between the shoulder straps, and an extension strap extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Dale E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9688372
    Abstract: A propulsion sail having an aircraft wing profile, comprises a traditional flexible sail and at least one detachable thickness module capable of being assembled in a detachable manner on a face of the flexible sail, wherein each module comprises at least one flexible plate, comprising a leading edge and a leech edge, the plate being assembled by its leading edge along the luff of the flexible sail via first assembly means and being assembled by its leech edge via second assembly means, the propulsion sail comprising at least one pair of modules, the two modules of the pair being disposed substantially symmetrically on either side of the flexible sail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Antoine Debled
  • Patent number: 9688365
    Abstract: A fin plug (10) for installation in a water craft, said fin plug (10) including: a first open cavity (20) adapted to receive a base portion (15) of a water craft fin (50); and, a resilient biasing rod (30) and a protruding member (35) cooperating with the biasing rod, said protruding member being adapted to abut the base portion (15) of said fin (50) when received in said first open cavity (20); wherein said biasing rod and protruding member are adapted to apply a force to the base portion of said fin to inhibit removal of said fin from said first open cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FIN CONTROL SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Norrie, Michael Durante, Gregory Scott, Linden Evans
  • Patent number: 9688367
    Abstract: A tow rope engagement system for a water ski or wakeboard or configured to communicate a majority of the force from the boat engaged to the tow rope, directly to the water ski or wakeboard during deep water starts by a rider. The lesser force required to ride is transferred to a handle held by the skiers hands once the skier has reached a substantially standing position and is on top of the water. A quick release is provided which will disconnect the tow rope should the rider activate it manually or by falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Jared Strong
  • Patent number: 9682747
    Abstract: Embodiments described generally relate to methods for assembling a modular floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. A cargo module section, a forward module, and a rear module can be positioned and aligned with each other such that the cargo module section can be disposed between the forward module and the rear module. A plurality of connectors can be coupled together to secure the forward module and the cargo module section together and another plurality of connectors can be coupled together to secure the rear module and the cargo module section together. A first topside module can be installed onto or over an upper surface of the forward module and can include a flare tower, a turret, hydrocarbon production equipment, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Upendra Malla, Krishnamurthy Karri
  • Patent number: 9676452
    Abstract: A dampening platform includes a base and a first pedal assembly coupled to a first side of the base. The first pedal assembly includes a first pedal pivotably rotatable about a first pivot point at a first end of the first pedal. A first dampener is operatively coupled to the first pedal. The first dampener is configured such that the dampener is at less than full compression under a load of about 200 lbs. The first pedal assembly is slideably coupled to the base. A position of the first pedal assembly is laterally adjustable with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Paul F. Nowack
  • Patent number: 9669908
    Abstract: A skiing accessory comprises a support structure, a mounting arrangement and a lift member. The support structure is configured to support a user relative to a body of water. The mounting arrangement is configured to connect the support structure to a ski boom. The lift member is arranged on the support structure and configured to engage the body of water such that the support structure is raised or lifted, relative to the body of water, by the lift member as the accessory is towed. The mounting arrangement permits the support structure to be pivotally connected to the ski boom about an axis that is generally parallel to the ski boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Genias Ventures Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Steve Darcy
  • Patent number: 9671514
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for positioning in water of seismic equipment towed by a survey vessel. The apparatus is made of an elongated body part for receiving a towed underwater cable. The body part is provided with wings and integrated wing flaps for stably holding the apparatus in the correct water position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SEISMISK IQ BIRD APS
    Inventor: Soeren Peter Soegaard
  • Patent number: 9663198
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a fin plug assembly for removably mounting a watercraft fin on a watercraft. In some embodiments the fin plug assembly includes a fin plug, a fin plug finishing insert and in some instances, a shelf-like support that is configured to house the fin plug assembly. Methods of making, methods of installing, and tools for installing the fin plug assembly in a watercraft are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Mair Designs LLC
    Inventor: Robin Thomas Mair
  • Patent number: 9663194
    Abstract: A device having: a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas vent, and a liquid vent; and a float and a weight coupled to the chamber. The float has a lower density than the chamber. The weight has a higher density than the chamber. The aggregate density of the chamber, the float, and the weight is greater than the density of the chamber. The gas inlet, the gas vent, the liquid vent, the float, and the weight are positioned on the chamber such that: when the chamber is filled with and submerged in a liquid in which the chamber is neutrally-buoyant, the chamber is oriented to place the gas vent below the gas inlet; and when a gas is introduced through the gas inlet into the chamber that is filled with the liquid, the chamber pivots to raise the gas vent until a portion of the gas escapes from the chamber through only the gas vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bradley R Ringeisen, Peter K Wu, Barry J Spargo, Justin C Biffinger, Lisa A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9664100
    Abstract: Disclosed is an outboard motor including an exhaust manifold having a plurality of first openings connected to exhaust ports to form a first passage vertically extending, and an exhaust passage having a second passage extending upward along the exhaust manifold, a third passage that is connected to an upper end portion of the second passage and passes over the exhaust manifold, a fourth passage that is connected to the third passage, turns over to the downside, and then extends downward along the exhaust manifold, so that a lower end portion thereof communicates with a fifth passage provided in the engine holder, the second, third, and fourth passages being arranged in one side of the left-right direction of the cylinder block, wherein the exhaust passage is arranged in a swirling shape, and an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst is installed in a middle portion of the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Shomura, Ryuji Hamada
  • Patent number: 9650112
    Abstract: A shot gun flotation device includes an inflatable arrangement comprising a water sensitive mechanism; an inflatable bladder; and a source of gas for inflating the inflatable element. Housing has a first tubular section attached to the shot gun, a tubular transition section, and a second tubular section for housing the inflatable arrangement. A further embodiment comprises an attachment adapter, a frame, and a sheath. The attachment adapter includes a first end section with threads for attachment to the shot gun, a middle section for mounting a ring, and a second end section with external threads for engaging the frame. The frame supports an inflatable arrangement and a sheath houses the inflatable arrangement and the frame when in an inoperative state. Further embodiments include an inflatable arrangement with a bladder stored in housing and a CO2 cartridge for inflating the bladder when the inflatable arrangement is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Brian E. Milam, Joseph E. Bellande, IV
  • Patent number: 9637200
    Abstract: A twin hull foldout watercraft that quickly and easily deploys from a small mobile and portable size unit that will fit into a vehicle or stow in a closet, camper or larger boat to a dry stable watercraft that could be used with small motor, paddles, ores, stand up paddles, push poles or sail and which has all parts and accessories attached thereto. The twin hull foldout watercraft comprises a central deck, two side mounted hull flaps hingedly attached to the opposing side edges of the central deck and positionable in a vertical or horizontal position, a fore deck extension member hingedly attached to the front edge of the central deck and positionable in a vertical or horizontal position, and an aft deck extension member hingedly attached to the rear edge and which can be extended out from the rear of the central deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Henry Franklin Ledford
  • Patent number: 9630697
    Abstract: [Problem] To perform an assembling operation easily while attaining improvement in engine efficiency. [Solution] An outboard motor 10 according to the invention includes an upstream side duct 42 which is fixed to an engine upper cover 27, and a downstream side duct 43 which is fixed to an engine 14 side. The upstream side duct 42 includes an exhaust port 52 which is opened at its side face. The downstream side duct 43 includes a downstream side lower duct 59 and a downstream side upper duct 60. In the downstream side lower duct 59, a suction port 61 is provided at a position opposed to the exhaust port 52 and separately at a predetermined distance from the exhaust port 52. In the downstream side upper duct 60, an exhaust port formed toward a throttle body 36 of the engine 14 is provided above the downstream side lower duct 59. The upstream side duct 42 and the downstream side duct 43 are formed so as not to interfere with each other when the engine upper cover 27 is moved vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yamada, Yasushi Miyashita, Akinori Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9630694
    Abstract: An outboard marine engine comprises an internal combustion engine; a lower gearcase, a set of gears disposed in the lower gearcase, the set of gears being configured to transfer power from the internal combustion engine to drive a propulsor to generate a thrust on the outboard marine engine, and a dipstick that extends into the lower gearcase. The dipstick is removable from the lower gearcase and configured to indicate a level of lubrication in the lower gearcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Randall J. Poirier, John A. Tuchscherer, Gary C. Plonske