Patents Examined by Edwin Swinehart
  • Patent number: 9809281
    Abstract: A submersible buoy comprising a body defining a space; a gas compressor in fluid communication with a pressure vessel, where the gas compressor is capable of releasing gas from the pressure vessel into the space and of sucking gas out of the space into the pressure vessel; a battery that powers the gas compressor; and a controller in electronic communication with the gas compressor, where the controller controls the operations of the gas compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Glenn S. Welch
  • Patent number: 9809280
    Abstract: A cleat having an adjustable anchoring system configured to suspend a bumper. The cleat has a first horn located opposite a second horn. A support structure is connected to the cleat. A recess of the support structure has a ridge protruding from a wall surface of the recess. The ridge is configured to deform a portion of rope. A bore of the support structure is configured to receive a fastener. A base has a bore configured to receive the fastener. The bore of the support structure is oriented to align with the bore of the base. The base has two ramps that protrude from a wall surface of a recess of the base. The two ramps form a pocket that can have a protrusion configured to bind a portion of the rope when the fastener is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Miller, Timo Pascal Kommerling
  • Patent number: 9809283
    Abstract: A multifunctional carrying device for a tidal stream generator and a using method thereof, the multifunctional carrying device for a tidal stream generator comprises: an elongated main floating body; carrying frames, horizontally extending towards the left side and the right side from the center part of the elongated main floating body, an end part of the carrying frames being used for carrying the tidal stream generator; the elongated main floating body being a central floating control pipe (100) with two ends sealed, cable tying locations being positioned at the two ends of the central floating control pipe (100), a pipe air inlet/outlet (702) being disposed above one end of the central floating control pipe (100) and a pipe water inlet/outlet (704) being disposed below the other end of the central floating control pipe (100); a remote air pipe (700), having one end connected to the pipe air inlet/outlet (702) and the other end connected to a control switch (707); the central floating control pipe (100) bei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: Chang Zhang, Wenyu Zhou, Yanqian Pan
  • Patent number: 9802680
    Abstract: A fishing seat apparatus for use with a boat's gunwale or rail to function as a support station and place to sit for an angler fully involved in fishing action is provided. The fishing seat apparatus comprises a main frame and a seat member positioned on the main frame. A support leg is secured to the main frame and extends in a generally downward direction. A first hook member extends from the main frame and a second hook member extends from the main frame. A tray spans between and is mounted on top of the first hook member and the second hook member. The first hook member and the second hook member allow the user to releasably secure the fishing seat apparatus to the boats gunwale or rail for use during fishing activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Jack Biggica, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9802684
    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: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Zane E. Schwenk, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 9802686
    Abstract: The present application relates to an accessory paddle head for use with a spinnaker pole. The accessory paddle head is adapted to releasably connect to a spinnaker pole to provide a paddle system. The accessory paddle head surface optionally includes gripping members disposed on its surface for engaging with and detachably securing the spinnaker pole. The accessory paddle head is optionally formed of molded material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Turnabie LLC
    Inventor: Steven H. Griggs
  • Patent number: 9802688
    Abstract: A system comprises an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel. The elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid. An electromagnet is configured so that increasing an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet increases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby decreases elasticity of the elastic mount, and so that decreasing the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet decreases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby increases the elasticity of the elastic mount. A controller automatically adapts the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet during translation of the marine vessel so as to reduce the likelihood that the propulsion device impacts an adjacent structure on the marine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Tuchscherer, Jeffrey C. Etapa
  • Patent number: 9796452
    Abstract: A jet boat includes a cockpit arranged in a central portion of the jet boat on a boat body centerline, a bulwark provided along a circumference of a deck, and a platform fixed to a stern. In the bulwark, the upper surface of a rear bulwark between the platform and the cockpit is located above the upper surface of a foot space and below the seating surface of a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ren Onodera
  • Patent number: 9796459
    Abstract: An offshore floating support apparatus includes an underwater base, an anchor unit and a plurality of supporting units. The anchor unit is connected to the underwater base and is adapted to be attached to a water bed. The supporting units are connected to and surround the underwater base. Each of the supporting units has a support member that defines a receiving space for receiving water therein and that has a valve component operable to establish fluid communication between the receiving space and external environment for adjusting quantity of water received in the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Kuo-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 9789933
    Abstract: An apparatus for towing a personal watercraft, including a towing member and a stabilizing member. The towing member is configured to attach a rear portion of the towing watercraft to a front portion of the personal watercraft. The stabilizing member comprises an elongated rigid body configured to attach to the rear portion of the towing watercraft and to extend to a stabilization point above a rear portion of the personal watercraft, and a flexible line member extending from the stabilization point of the elongated rigid body for attachment to the rear portion of the personal watercraft. The flexible line member is configured to limit lateral movement of the rear portion of the personal watercraft relative to the towing watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Dusk, Mark Lariviere, Tim Chapman
  • Patent number: 9789944
    Abstract: A float (1) suitable for use as a buoy or as a component for a wave-powered vehicle. The float (1) includes an upper member (12) whose height can be changed and/or which remained substantially vertical even when the float is in wave-bearing water. A low drag cable (2) suitable for use as a tether in a wave-powered vehicle has a streamlined cross-section and includes a tensile member (21) near the front of the cross-section, at least one non-load-bearing member (22) behind the tensile member, and a polymeric jacket (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Liquid Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger G. Hine, Derek L. Hine, Kurt A. F. Kiesow, III, William A. Stutz, Graham Hine
  • Patent number: 9789940
    Abstract: A personal flotation device may include a chest portion, an abdominal portion, and a connecting portion positioned between the chest portion and the abdominal portion. The width of the connecting portion may be smaller than the width of both the chest portion and the abdominal portion. The connecting portion may extend only from a center region of the chest portion. The chest portion, abdominal portion and connecting portion may be arranged to together form an approximately I-shaped portion. The personal flotation device may be secured to a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: FT Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Betz, Michael J. Lobsinger
  • Patent number: 9776697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid outlet interface for a personal watercraft, so that the latter can collect and divert a very small portion of the fluid pressurized by said vehicle and thus create a sufficient Venturi effect to drive the emptying of the bilge of said vehicle. The invention also relates to a personal watercraft, or more generally any floating device delivering a pressurized fluid, comprising such an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Frankie Zapata
  • Patent number: 9776688
    Abstract: A tethering device for use in securing a boat to a dock is mounted to the underside of the dock decking with its deck trim assembly flush with the top of the dock and only the looped, running end of the tethering line extending from a hole in its deck trim assembly. Threaded studs welded to the underside to the deck trim assembly enable its line retraction mechanism and line locking mechanism to be supported below the decking leaving the deck surface free of tripping hazards and excess line. Below the decking, an assembly cover houses a self-retracting reel and a line-locking mechanism for control over the line, retracting excess line but enabling the user to set and hold the length of line needed for tethering a boat to the dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Rock N. Underwood
  • Patent number: 9777756
    Abstract: A fastener attachment includes a main panel, a fastener component secured on one side of the main panel, and a channel cooperable with the main panel and extending from an opposite side of the main panel. The fastener attachment may be attachable to a boat windshield and provides an easily securable fastener component so that a cover or the like can be secured over the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Philip A. Oakes
  • Patent number: 9776695
    Abstract: An underwater mobile inspection apparatus capable of inspecting an inspection object on a seafloor while cruising; including a cruising body configured to submerge under-water and cruise along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, a first movable arm provided on the cruising-body, and an inspection tool unit provided on the first movable arm and including at least one of an image-capturing camera for use in visually inspecting the inspection object and a device configured to inspect a wall thickness of the inspection object by using an ultrasonic wave. A controller is configured to, when the cruising-body cruises along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, operate the first movable arm to move the inspection tool unit, such that a positional relationship of the inspection tool unit with the inspection object becomes a predetermined target positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Kimura, Noriyuki Okaya, Kazuya Sumino, Minehiko Mukaida, Hiroaki Kagaya, Masanori Hamamatsu, Akiyoshi Saiki, Tetsuya Kubota, Masayuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9776700
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes a lower unit and an upper unit that is attachable to the stern of a boat, with the upper unit and lower unit configured to tilt together about a transverse tilt axis. The upper unit includes an engine, a transmission assembly and a drive shaft and the lower unit includes a lower unit housing and a propeller shaft that is connected to the drive shaft. The lower unit housing is configured to pivot relative to the upper unit, about a steering axis that extends coaxially with the drive shaft. The steering axis intersects the propeller axis at an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Alan Beachy Head
  • Patent number: 9772014
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for an outboard motor includes a steering mechanism including a guide arranged forward relative to and parallel or substantially parallel to a tilt shaft, a moving body that is rotatably coupled to an arm through a first pivot shaft parallel or substantially parallel to the tilt shaft and movable along the guide, and a support bracket that supports the guide such that the guide rotates about a second pivot shaft parallel or substantially parallel to the tilt shaft and offset relative to the tilt shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takase
  • Patent number: 9771121
    Abstract: The WakeMX system is a specially designed BMX bike frame used for towable water sports activities. It has a uniquely designed Swing arm action that allows for “Carving” on the water to change angles of direction by the rider. It has a Quick Release system to be released from the towline, and a universal mounting track that allows the rider to attach the WakeMX system to any existing wakeboard on the market. The WakeMX is capable of completing all of the same tricks a BMX bike can do on land but converted for water sports. It feels and rides just like a BMX, just adapted to be used as a towable water sport activity. The vision is to develop an entirely new wake sport activity by bringing BMX riding to the water sports family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Kyle Alan Luckenbill
  • Patent number: 9764800
    Abstract: A ship and associated methods of operation. In an example embodiment, a method of transporting includes providing multiple vessels each having a hull defining an air cavity over a water surface. Different ones of the vessels are loaded with material destined for different end locations. The vessels are connected to one another with rigid couplings to effect tandem movement of the multiple vessels over water as one ship while permitting each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. The vessels are transported to a first destination and one or more of the vessels are disconnected from the ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Larry Keck