Patents Examined by Stephen P. Avila
  • Stabilization system for marine vessels
    Patent number: 11267544
    Abstract: A stabilization system for a marine vessel includes at least two inflatable bladders configured to be attached to the marine vessel, a gyroscopic sensor configured to sense an angular orientation of the marine vessel, and a controller configured for inflating and deflating the at least two inflatable bladders responsive to the angular orientation sensed by the gyroscopic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Rahul Khanna
  • Clutch mechanisms for steering control system
    Patent number: 11267548
    Abstract: This application describes clutch mechanisms for use in a steering control system, e.g., a steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such clutch mechanisms can reduce and avoid damage to the steering control system (e.g., a steering motor) when the system is subjected to unusually large impact loads (e.g., when the trolling motor or boat contacts an obstruction). The clutches described in this application can be used to decouple the steering control system from a steering shaft (or other drive mechanism) upon application of a large impact load, thus reducing damage to and increasing the lifespan of such system. In some cases, the clutch is a ball and spring mechanism. In other cases, the clutch is a slip tooth mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rhodan Marine Systems of Florida, LLC
    Inventors: Lindsay Ambler, Tom Mogle, Charles Armstrong, Richard William Ambler
  • Enhanced surfboard and surfboard traction pad
    Patent number: 11267541
    Abstract: An enhanced surfboard and surfboard traction pad comprising permanent or interchangeable and detachable bases and/or top pieces that extend up, over and behind the leash pin in a uniquely designed surfboard optimally shaped for mounting said traction pad, or a regular surfboard modified to fit said traction pad. Said traction pad can be configured to have a ramped face, and optionally a ramp to a vertical face and a ramp to a vertical and angled, curved or horizontal overhang that creates a pocket for the surfer's foot to push the tail of the surfboard back with the outside edge of the rear foot against the vertical face of the traction pad or lift the tail end of the surfboard up by pressing with the top of the rear foot against underside of said overhang for aid in executing aggressive turns and aerial manuevers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Appell
  • Outboard motor and marine vessel
    Patent number: 11267547
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, and a propeller driven by the engine via a drive shaft and a propeller shaft, a tilting mechanism that changes a tilt angle of the propeller shaft and/or the drive shaft, a triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular velocity sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire at least one of a gravity direction, a traveling direction, or a horizontal direction of the hull using the triaxial acceleration sensor, and detect at least one of a first angle of the drive shaft with respect to the gravity direction, a second angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the traveling direction, or a third angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the horizontal direction using the triaxial angular velocity sensor, to thereby control the tilting mechanism to adjust the tilt angle of the drive shaft and/or the propeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Motose, Ryuma Teramoto, Masahisa Watanabe
  • Multi-level aft-facing seating for a boat
    Patent number: 11267538
    Abstract: A boat including first and second aft-facing seats. The first aft-facing seat has a first seating surface. The second aft-facing seat has a second seating surface. The second seating surface is forward of the first seating surface. The second seating surface may be at a level higher than the first seating surface. The second seating surface may be moveable between a retracted position and at least one raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Daniel P. Vieira, Michael J. Uggeri, Michael D. Myers
  • Surfboard rear foot pocket
    Patent number: 11267540
    Abstract: A foot pocket comprising a main body and a traction pad for attachment to the tail end of a surfboard deck. The main body provides a pocket for the surfer's foot so the surfer may push back or lift up the tail end of the surfboard with the rear foot while maintaining a secure rear foot point of contact with the surfboard. The traction pad material has a surface that is easy to grip with the surfers rear foot and is permanently affixed to the front side of the main body and extends forward onto the surfboard deck for the surfer to stand on while surfing. The foot pocket can be made with or without a cut-out for the surfers ankle. The foot pocket features a flat base for attachment to the deck of the surfboard by adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Appell
  • Stabilisation system, in particular for a floating support, comprising multiple u-shaped damping devices
    Patent number: 11267543
    Abstract: Stabilization system for a system subjected to external stresses, in particular for a floating support structure, the stabilization system comprising at least three damping devices (1), in form of U-shaped tubes, made up of liquid reserves (2) and a connecting tube (3). At least two of the damping devices are not parallel to one another. The invention further relates to a floating support structure comprising such a stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Olivier Lepreux, Christophe Coudurier
  • Methods and systems for controlling trim position of a marine drive
    Patent number: 11260946
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Przybyl, Kyle F. Karnick, Mark A. Graf, Jeffrey D. Reifsnyder
  • Outboard motor and marine vessel
    Patent number: 11260947
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, a drive shaft, and a shift shaft disposed forward of the drive shaft. The shift shaft includes a first shift shaft that extends in an upward-downward direction, a second shift shaft disposed below the first shift shaft and spaced apart from and rearward of the first shift shaft, the second shift shaft extending in the upward-downward direction, and a shift force transmission to transmit, to the second shift shaft, a shift force applied to the first shift shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morihiko Nanjo, Akihiro Onoue, Satoru Hamada, Kimitaka Saruwatari, Yuki Ikegaya
  • Table assembly for a watercraft and method for producing the same
    Patent number: 11260941
    Abstract: A table top assembly for a watercraft table assembly includes an upwardly-disposed top surface, a downwardly-disposed bottom surface spaced vertically from the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces and cooperating with the top and bottom surfaces to form a body portion, wherein the body portion comprises polyurethane foam having a density within a range of between about 20 lbs/ft3 and about 25 lbs/ft3, and wherein the body portion has a substantially homogeneous composition throughout, and wherein one or more of the top surface and the plurality of side surfaces includes an integrally molded textured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kirt Cates, Michael Cronin, Patrick Weiss
  • Modular electric propulsion device for ships
    Patent number: 11254406
    Abstract: A modular electric propulsion device for ships according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be easily mounted in a ship after removing an existing engine from the ship because a switch board for power distribution, and an inverter and a motor for power conversion are modularized inside a single casing, and may be installed in a minimum space for installation because a distance between motor rotation shafts may be made close to each other even when two modular electric propulsion devices for ships are mounted in a dual installation manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: VINSSEN CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chil Han Lee, Il Hyuk Sung, Heon Yong Seo
  • Pipe containment system for ships with spacing guide
    Patent number: 11254393
    Abstract: An assembly for storing and transporting compressed fluid, such as compressed natural gas, that includes a plurality of hexagonally stacked pipe stored in a cargo hold in or on a vessel, that includes a lower support, side supports and a forcing mechanism that presses strongly down on the pipes so that they cannot move relative to themselves or the vessel on which they are placed. The friction between the pipes causes the plurality of pipes to act as part of the vessel in terms of its structure. The stacked pipe is supported by a plurality of spacers, such as convex side up pipe segments for maintaining a gap between adjacent ones of said plurality of pipes in a same row in said stacked pipe. A load equalizer may be located above the plurality of pipes for distributing the compressive force from the forcing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick John Fitzpatrick
  • Systems and methods for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion device
    Patent number: 11247762
    Abstract: A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion device. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine propulsion device, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine propulsion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan A. Fergus, Travis C. Malouf, Justin R. Poirier
  • Oil sump housing for outboard motor
    Patent number: 11235848
    Abstract: A cooling system for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The cooling system includes an oil sump housing having an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall defines an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity. The cooling system further includes a first sprayer nozzle and a second sprayer nozzle. Both the first sprayer nozzle and the second sprayer nozzle are coupled to the oil sump housing and configured to spray cooling fluid within the transmission mounting cavity onto an inner surface of the inner housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Brian E. Healy, Darin C. Uppgard
  • System and method for controlling position of a marine drive
    Patent number: 11235847
    Abstract: A method of controlling a marine drive on a marine vessel includes receiving a trim position instruction to adjust a trim position of the marine drive and determining an allowable steering angle range based on the trim positon instruction or adjusted trim positon of the marine drive. A trim actuator is controlled to adjust the trim position of the marine drive based on the trim position instruction and a steering actuator is controlled to automatically adjust steering positon of the marine drive to remain within the allowable steering range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Travis C. Malouf, Matthew W. Snyder, Jason S. Arbuckle
  • Systems and methods for logging isolator performance data
    Patent number: 11235843
    Abstract: An isolator performance data logging system comprising a displacement unit for measuring a displacement of the isolator. the displacement unit comprises a displacement sensor housing fixable relative to a mitigated end of the isolator, a target fixable relative to an unmitigated end of the isolator. A displacement sensor is located within the displacement sensor housing for measuring a displacement of the target relative to the displacement sensor. A first accelerometer unit is fixable relative to the mitigated end of the isolator. A second accelerometer unit is fixable relative to the unmitigated end of the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Allsalt Maritime Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Bennett Charboneau, Michael James Leslie, Jarrett Owen Little, Robert Stanford Magyar, Timothy Rees, Mark Leighton Foster, Daryl Peter Peereboom, Ruilin Cao
  • Drain apparatus for marine vessel
    Patent number: 11230354
    Abstract: A drain pot includes a body and at least one elongated catch. The body has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are at opposing ends of the body and in fluid communication with each other. The at least one elongated catch extends from and around the body. A portion of the body extends radially outwardly further than the at least one elongated catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Harvel LLC
    Inventor: Michael Paul Beutler
  • Aft-facing transom seating for a boat
    Patent number: 11230355
    Abstract: A boat, having a transom, includes one or more aft-facing seats. Each aft-facing seat is positioned proximate to the transom and includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore, a seatback, a headrest, a seat support structure having at least one hidden compartment therein, and at least one pivot mechanism attached to the seatback and the headrest and configured to allow the seatback to move between a first position in which the seatback is capable of supporting the back of a person seated in the seat and a second position in which the seatback is pivoted upwardly to allow access to the compartment and the headrest to move between an upright position and a folded position. A plurality of handles may be provided for each aft-facing seat, with one at an outboard side and another at an inboard side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Device for producing a stern wave on a watercraft, use of a device, watercraft having a device, and method for using a device
    Patent number: 11230356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a stern wave on a watercraft, in particular a sports boat, for wakesurfing and/or wakeboarding on the stern wave, comprising at least one pivoting deflector that can be pivoted out laterally, in particular respectively on a right-hand and left-hand lateral region of the hull of the watercraft, having an arranging means, in particular hinge means, on a lateral hull region of the watercraft, in particular in the region of the stern, wherein a stern wave for wakesurfing and/or wakeboarding can be formed by the pivoting deflector in the pivoted-out state, and an integration region for the pivoting deflector in the lateral hull region of the watercraft, such that the hinge means is substantially integrated in the hull region of the watercraft in the pivoted-in stage, to adapt and/or continue a hull outer line in the lateral hull region of the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Eberhardt Boote GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Eberhardt
  • Power steering system for an outdrive engine and method for controlling same
    Patent number: 11230359
    Abstract: A power steering system for an outdrive engine has a steering actuator, a motor for operating the steering actuator, a motor speed sensor for determining at least indirectly a speed of the motor, a steering rate sensor for determining a steering rate, and a controller communicating with the steering rate sensor and with the motor speed sensor. The controller is programmed for determining if a fault has occurred in the power steering system based on the steering rate and the motor speed, and taking at least one steering fault action in response to the fault having occurred. A method for controlling a power steering system includes determining if a fault has occurred based on the steering rate and the speed of the motor, and taking at least one steering fault action in response to the fault having occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Samuel McGinley, Philip Bylsma