Patents Examined by Stephen P. Avila
  • 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
  • Thruster apparatuses, and methods of operating same
    Patent number: 11220319
    Abstract: A method of operating a thruster apparatus involves causing a first propeller to rotate in response to pressure of a first flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and causing a second propeller to rotate in response to pressure of a second flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid separate from the first flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Thruster apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Dean Yule
  • Outboard motor with compliant cowl mounting
    Patent number: 11214346
    Abstract: A marine drive is provided. The marine drive includes a propulsion unit, a supporting cradle that couples the propulsion unit to a transom bracket for attachment to a marine vessel, and a cowling system that at least partially covers a portion of the propulsion unit and a portion of the supporting cradle. The cowling system includes multiple cowl components, and at least one of the multiple cowl components is coupled to the supporting cradle using an elastic cowl mount assembly. The elastic cowl mount assembly includes a conical bushing coupled to the cowl component, an external housing coupled to the supporting cradle, and a compliant body coupled to the conical bushing and the external housing. The compliant body permits radial and axial movement of the conical bushing relative to the external housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Timothy D. Krupp, Bradley R. Stafford
  • Changeable cover for chair backplate between cover and life vest
    Patent number: 11214341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover that is used as a backrest cover in daily use and also as a life jacket in an emergency. More particularly, the present invention relates to a backrest cover including: a front portion configured to cover a front surface of the backrest; a rear portion configured to cover a rear surface of the backrest; a connector configured to extend across an upper end of the backrest, connecting the front and back portions; and a buoyancy body provided in at least one of the front portion, the rear portion, and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Jin Seok Ha
  • Survival systems
    Patent number: 11214342
    Abstract: A personal survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber (9) and in inflation system (31) operable to inflate the inflatable chamber (9), wherein the inflation system (31) is mounted separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber (9). Also disclosed are: a survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is separate from the outer layer; an inflation control system for use with an in-water survival system, the inflation control system comprises a selectively sealable chamber configured to contain water-triggered automatic inflation device of the survival system; and a personal survival system including an inflatable bladder and a moulded cover constructed from a flexible polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SURVITEC GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Elizabeth Brown, Paul Oliver, Nigel Parkes, Alkistis Kokorikou
  • Adjustable water flow deflection device for a watercraft and methods of use
    Patent number: 11214338
    Abstract: A water flow deflection device to enhance a watercraft's wake. An elongated base with two ends is aligned along the side of the watercraft. The base has a deflector interface with concentrically arranged teeth. A deflector assembly is operably attached to the base between the two ends, with a face that deflects water. The deflector's leading end is closer to the watercraft than the trailing end. The deflector assembly has a base interface with concentrically arranged teeth. Two or more suction cup assemblies attach to the elongated base to provide removable attachment, with one attached between a first end and the deflector interface and another attached between a second end and the deflector interface. The concentrically arranged teeth of the deflector interface and the base interface operably interlock, allowing rotational adjustment of the deflector relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SWELL VENTURES LLC
    Inventors: Adam Moore, Joseph Couture
  • Outboard motor and marine vessel
    Patent number: 11208189
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, a propeller shaft that rotates together with a propeller and extends in a forward-rearward direction, and a lower case that houses the propeller shaft. The lower case includes a front case and a rear case separate from the front case and positioned rearward of the front case, and the front case and the rear case are assembled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morihiko Nanjo, Akihiro Onoue, Satoru Hamada, Kimitaka Saruwatari, Yuki Ikegaya
  • Amphibious vehicle
    Patent number: 11198343
    Abstract: To enlarge a collapsible flap and store the collapsible flap appropriately. In an amphibious vehicle (1) in which a flap (13) which receives lift from water in water navigation is provided to be deployable and storable at a front side in a travel direction of a vehicle body (11), the flap (13) includes a lower flap (21) which is stored to come close to a front surface (11a) of the vehicle body (11) and an upper flap (22) which is stored to come close to an upper surface (11b) of the vehicle body (11), and at least one of the lower flap (21) and the upper flap (22) includes a first flap member (31) and a second flap member (32) and is configured such that a flap length (L13) in a direction orthogonal to a vehicle width direction is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Sato, Tetsuya Miyamoto, Takashi Matsunaga, Katsuhiko Nakajo, Taichi Omura, Yuta Shimizu, Takenori Kawana, Takashi Mizumoto
  • Marine outboard motor with crankcase ventilation
    Patent number: 11198493
    Abstract: A marine outboard motor is provided with an internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining at least one cylinder, an air intake configured to deliver a flow of air to the at least one cylinder, a crankcase in which a crankshaft is mounted for rotation about a crankshaft axis which is substantially vertical when the marine outboard is vertical, and a crankcase ventilation system configured to vent blow-by gases from the crankcase and to supply vented blow-by gases to the air intake. The crankcase ventilation system comprises a lubricant separation chamber for separating lubricant from the blow-by gases. The lubricant separation chamber is defined by the crankcase and extends along the length of the crankcase substantially parallel to the crankshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: COX POWERTRAIN LIMITED
    Inventor: Nile Fulker
  • System for determining location information having a buoy and floating hose
    Patent number: 11192615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (2), having: a buoyant buoy (4), and a floating hose (6) which has a plurality of buoyant hose segments (8) which are coupled in series. The buoy (4) has a liquid outlet connection (12) which is connected to the floating hose (6), so that the floating hose (6) is arranged in a geometrical arrangement with respect to the buoy (4). A plurality of node units (18) are fastened in a distributed manner to the floating hose (6) and the buoy (4). Each node unit (18) is designed to establish, by means of an associated radio unit, a respective radio link (22, 24, 26, 28) to each of at least two of the further radio units of the respective node units (18, 42, 44, 46, 48), so that a radio network (30) is created. Each node unit (18) is designed to determine a relative distance (32, 34, 36, 38) from each further node unit (18) on the basis of the respective radio link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Staton, Ali Kambiez Zandiyeh, Simon Bishop
  • Outboard-motor mounting device
    Patent number: 11186351
    Abstract: An outboard-motor mounting device is provided with: a clamp bracket (20) to be attached to a stern portion (15) of a hull; a swivel bracket (60) disposed between the clamp bracket and an outboard motor body (1); a trim-tilt equipment (40) that swings the outboard motor body back and forth via the swivel bracket; and a lift equipment (30) that lifts or lowers the outboard motor body via the swivel bracket. The lift equipment having a lift cylinder (33) for lifting is liftably supported on the clamp bracket, and the trim-tilt equipment having a tilt cylinder (44) and a trim cylinder (47) is disposed behind the lift equipment so that the tilt cylinder is positioned behind the lift cylinder and the trim cylinder is positioned on the side of the tilt cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Miyashita
  • Marine vessel door system
    Patent number: 11186345
    Abstract: A marine vessel door system implemented within or on a marine vessel gunwale, wherein the door can be easily opened to allow easy loading or unloading of passengers and cargo and closed in order to prevent passengers and cargo from entering or exiting the vessel. The marine vessel door system includes a door body and a door-moving mechanism which translates the door body frontward and rearward aligned to the marine vessel gunwale. The door-moving mechanism can include an articulated parallelogram attached to a fixed structure of the marine vessel and carrying the door body such that the door body translates forward and rearward jointly with a movable part of the articulated parallelogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Joel Svendsen
  • Submerged sailing vessel
    Patent number: 11180232
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SubSeaSail LLC
    Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
  • Marine battery driven motor
    Patent number: 11180226
    Abstract: Motor assembly for providing propulsion of a floating vessel, comprising: motor device (23), mounting means (24, 32) for attaching the motor device (23) to the floating vessel, the motor device (23) comprising an electrical motor (4) and a propeller (5) arrange inside a propeller house (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Thrustme AS
    Inventors: Kjartan Jensen, Kjetil Fedde
  • Surfboard with handle
    Patent number: 11180224
    Abstract: A surfboard with a deck (17), an electric drive for the surfboard (2), wherein one end of a rope (7) is fastened to the bow (4) of the surfboard (2) and another end of the rope (7) has a handle (8), wherein the drive is connected to a controller (21), which comprises a receiver (25) of a wireless remote control, and the handle (8) has an accelerator lever (23) which is connected to a transmitter (24) of the wireless remote control in a data conducting manner, and the transmitter (24) is arranged in the handle (8), and by actuation of the accelerator lever (23) control signals can be generated, which can be transmitted by the transmitter (24) as wireless signals and can be received by the receiver (25) and can be converted by the controller (21) into control values for the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WBV Weisenburger Bau+Verwaltung GmbH
    Inventor: Nicolai Weisenburger
  • Airboat rudder
    Patent number: 11179987
    Abstract: An airboat rudder that results in increased turning force on the airboat while also being easily controlled by the airboat driver is disclosed. Airboats can be configured to run on both water and dry ground. Many times, somewhat dry mud and some types of grass are very difficult to run over and will cause an airboat to get stuck. One way of getting an airboat free is to oscillate the one or more airboat rudders from a hard right hand turn to a hard left hand turn. Doing so creates lateral forces on the airboat from both directions at different times causing the back of the airboat to move to the side and slightly forward as well. The airboat rudder disclosed herein increases the amount of lateral force generated on the airboat without increasing the horsepower of the airboat engine, which is highly desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: David W. Simpson