Patents by Inventor Charles D. Nix

Charles D. Nix has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5337694
    Abstract: A kit for locating on the steering wheel of a watercraft a switch assembly for operating actuating mechanisms for tilting upwardly or downwardly the outdrive of a motor associated with the watercraft to enable the operator of the watercraft to keep both hands on the steering wheel especially when the watercraft is travelling at a high rate of speed. The kit comprises a switch assembly for mounting on the steering wheel; a cable reel assembly having a rotary housing and a stationary housing mounted to the vehicle; and a wiring harness having a first end electrically connected to the switch assembly, an intermediate section fixed to the rotary housing and coiled into a plurality of convolutions within a chamber in the stationary housing for expansion within the chamber if the steering wheel is turned in one direction and contraction within the chamber if the steering wheel is turned in the other direction, and being operatively connected to the actuating mechanisms which causing the tilting of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventors: Charles D. Nix, Johnny P. Baker, William F. Huntley
  • Patent number: 4958790
    Abstract: A boot having an opening therein for receiving and securing one or more cables, hoses and/or wires passing through a hole in a wall separating two compartments. More particularly, a boot for mounting on the wall of the motorwell of a boat for receiving one or more cables, hoses and/or wires leading from the interior of a boat to an outboard motor mounted on the transom of the boat. The boot is made of a flexible material and has a full open area for passing one or more cables, hoses and/or wires therethrough and a drawstring or tie for snuggly and tightly fitting around the cables, hoses and wires. The full open area of the boot is of a size that it can readily accommodate a wide range of sizes, or number, of cables, hoses and/or wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventors: Charles D. Nix, Johnny P. Baker
  • Patent number: 4936409
    Abstract: A hold down apparatus for clamping a battery within a motorized vehicle for preventing movement thereof particularly during sudden accelerations and decelerations of the vehicle. The hold down apparatus includes a non-metallic tray mounted to the motorized vehicle and a strap having a two-part quick disconnect buckle for anchoring a battery within the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Charles D. Nix, Johnny P. Baker, William F. Huntley
  • Patent number: 4932348
    Abstract: This invention relates to a remotely operated valve for closing and opening a conduit in communication with the interior of a boat to preclude water from entering or leaving the boat except when desired by the operator by the boat. The valve has application either as a means for keeping fresh water in the live well of the boat or as a means for bailing unwanted water from the interior of the boat. The valve has a main housing including a tapered bore and openings in communication with an interior water retaining portion of the boat and the exterior of the boat. A spring-urged tapered valve element having a passageway therein is mounted within the tapered bore of the main housing and is rotatable between first and second positions to bring the passageway of the valve element into and out of alignment with the openings in the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventors: Charles D. Nix, Johnny P. Baker, William F. Huntley