Patents by Inventor Darrel A. Bernloehr

Darrel A. Bernloehr 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: 10035575
    Abstract: A trolling motor system with a lift assist device is provided. The trolling motor system includes a lift assist device which aids in moving a shaft assembly of the trolling motor system along a trim axis thereof. The lift assist device includes a biasing element which extends therefrom and connects to a shaft assembly of the trolling motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Craig E. Turek
  • Patent number: 10029764
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20170210455
    Abstract: A trolling motor system with a lift assist device is provided. The trolling motor system includes a lift assist device which aids in moving a shaft assembly of the trolling motor system along a trim axis thereof. The lift assist device includes a biasing element which extends therefrom and connects to a shaft assembly of the trolling motor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Craig E. Turek
  • Patent number: 9676462
    Abstract: A trolling motor system with power steering and associated methods are provided. The trolling motor system includes a power steering module mounted to a mount of the trolling motor system. The power steering module is operable to rotate a trolling motor assembly of the trolling motor system about an axis thereof based upon at least one of a mechanical or an electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, David M. Samek, Justin Alders
  • Publication number: 20170015390
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 9434452
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 9296455
    Abstract: A trolling motor is provided. The trolling motor includes a base assembly with a steering module mounted to the base assembly. The steering module includes an internal drive arrangement for providing an output torque. The steering module also includes a trim module rotatably mounted to an upper portion of the steering module. A motor shaft assembly including a motor shaft, a head unit attached to an upper end of the motor shaft, and a motor power unit attached to a lower end of the motor shaft is also provided. The motor shaft extends through the base assembly, steering module, and trim module. A torque transfer arrangement is mounted between the trim module and the motor shaft of the motor shaft assembly for transferring the output torque provided by the steering module to the motor shaft to rotate the motor shaft assembly about a rotational steering axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Craig E. Turek, Matthew P. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20160001865
    Abstract: A trolling motor system with power steering and associated methods are provided. The trolling motor system includes a power steering module mounted to a mount of the trolling motor system. The power steering module is operable to rotate a trolling motor assembly of the trolling motor system about an axis thereof based upon at least one of a mechanical or an electrical input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, David M. Samek, Justin Alders
  • Publication number: 20150298782
    Abstract: A trolling motor is provided. The trolling motor includes a base assembly with a steering module mounted to the base assembly. The steering module includes an internal drive arrangement for providing an output torque. The steering module also includes a trim module rotatably mounted to an upper portion of the steering module. A motor shaft assembly including a motor shaft, a head unit attached to an upper end of the motor shaft, and a motor power unit attached to a lower end of the motor shaft is also provided. The motor shaft extends through the base assembly, steering module, and trim module. A torque transfer arrangement is mounted between the trim module and the motor shaft of the motor shaft assembly for transferring the output torque provided by the steering module to the motor shaft to rotate the motor shaft assembly about a rotational steering axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Craig E. Turek, Matthew P. Schumann
  • Patent number: 8776712
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 8677919
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 8495963
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20130104790
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20130104789
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 8381671
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20120055387
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20110209653
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20110209656
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing using an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Publication number: 20110209652
    Abstract: A shallow water anchor is provided. The shallow water anchor comprises a first anchor extension and a second anchor extension axially received by a housing. The first anchor extension is axially received by the second anchor extension such that the first and second anchor extensions are sequentially deployable from the housing an actuation arrangement. The actuation arrangement is controlled by a control interface that is operable to detect when the shallow water anchor has reached a fully extended state and fully retracted state. The shallow water anchor further includes a biasing compensator that compensates for fluctuations in the overall depth of water the anchor is deployed in due to waves or other anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Gregory Paul Beamer, David M. Samek
  • Patent number: 7972188
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a trolling motor to a watercraft includes a bracket, a coupling hinge, a lift arm, a cam mechanism, a collet, a resistance knob, a first bias spring and a second bias spring. The bracket is adapted to mount on a transom or a gunnel of the watercraft. The coupling hinge receives a shaft of the trolling motor therethrough and retains the trolling motor via the collet and resistance knob mounted thereon. The collet and knob can be selectively tightened or loosened about the shaft of the trolling motor. The bracket defines detents and an arcuate track in which a track follower portion of the coupling hinge can move. The movement of the coupling hinge along the bracket tilts the trolling motor between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lift arm is pivotally coupled to the coupling hinge and carries a locking pin. The lift arm is biased by the first bias spring such that the locking pin engages the detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Dale Eugene Simonson