Patents by Inventor David F. Ekern

David F. Ekern 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: 11945552
    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: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 11858591
    Abstract: A boat includes a bow and a stern, a deck between the bow and the stern, a longitudinal centerline extending from the bow to the stern dividing the deck into a port side and a starboard side, and a side shade assembly attached to the boat on one of the port side of the deck and the starboard side of the deck. The side shade assembly includes a frame and a side shade cover supported by the frame such that the side shade cover extends outboard beyond the deck in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Chad A. Lynema, Joseph Hamilton, III, Jon Broncatello, Gary W. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20230348021
    Abstract: A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20230312059
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Daniel P. Vieira, Michael J. Uggeri, Michael D. Myers
  • Patent number: 11755279
    Abstract: A boat includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to a control screen. The controller has stored therein a plurality of modes corresponding to an activity and includes a plurality of controls corresponding to the activity. The controller is configured to display on the control screen, when one of the modes is activated, the plurality of controls for the activated mode. The activated mode may also be an operating mode that corresponds to an operational condition of the boat. The boat may include a processor that is configured to generate an adjusted audio signal by selecting one or more of a plurality of subranges of frequencies of an audio signal and adjusting the selected subranges to compensate for at least one environmental condition associated with the operational condition of the boat corresponding to the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A. Lynema, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20230278669
    Abstract: A boat including one or more seats, which may be aft-facing. The seat includes a seat bottom, which may be movable between a first position and a second position. The second position is a position in which the seat bottom is pivoted upwardly relative to the position of the seat bottom in the first position to allow access to a hidden compartment. The seat may also include a leg rest. The leg rest may extend aft of the transom, and may extend in a direction that is at a downward angle relative to the seat bottom. The leg rest may also have a length such that a gap is present between the leg rest and a surface beneath the leg rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20230249783
    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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 11718372
    Abstract: A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Huyge, Michael D. Myers, Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 11697476
    Abstract: A boat including first and second seats. The first seat has a first seating surface. The second seat has a second 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: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Daniel P. Vieira, Michael J. Uggeri, Michael D. Myers
  • Patent number: 11673626
    Abstract: A boat including one or more seats, which may be aft-facing. The seat includes a seat bottom, which may be movable between a first position and a second position. The second position is a position in which the seat bottom is pivoted upwardly relative to the position of the seat bottom in the first position to allow access to a hidden compartment. The seat may also include a leg rest. The leg rest may extend aft of the transom, and may extend in a direction that is at a downward angle relative to the seat bottom. The leg rest may also have a length such that a gap is present between the leg rest and a surface beneath the leg rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 11661149
    Abstract: A boat, having a stern, includes one or more inclined seats. Each inclined seat includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore and a seat back. The inclined seat may be movable to allow access to a compartment associated with the inclined seat. The inclined seat may be an aft-facing seat. The inclined seat may also include a headrest positioned above an upper portion of the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary M. Bennett, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 11630638
    Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20230002022
    Abstract: A boat, boat systems, and methods to determine when a water-sports participant has fallen. The boat may include an image sensor and an image processor communicatively coupled to the image sensor. The image sensor is configured to capture at least one image of the environment aft of the stern of the boat. The image processor is configured to execute a rider-down analysis that includes analyzing, using an object recognition process executed by the image processor, an image to be analyzed to determine if a water-sports participant has fallen. The boat may include a controller configured to execute a rider-down action when the water-sports participant has fallen. The controller may execute the rider-down action when the image processor determines that the water-sports participant has fallen based upon the rider-down analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Uggeri, David F. Ekern, Chad A. Lynema, Zach C. Gordon, Colin J. Schweigert, Abhijeet Vaidya
  • Patent number: 11518478
    Abstract: A boat in which at least a portion of at least one of the port side and the starboard side of the hull is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the moveable portion forms a generally upright portion of the port or starboard side of the hull, and, in the second position, the moveable portion forms a generally horizontal deck surface. A walkway connects a seating area within the boat to an area aft of the seating area, and at least a portion of the walkway is adjacent to the moveable portion of the port or starboard side. A first seat is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the walkway and a removable seat is configured to be positioned over the walkway and adjacent to the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Nick P. Waters, David F. Ekern, Paul M. Harrison, Chadrick E. Curts
  • Publication number: 20220348292
    Abstract: A boat includes a bow and a stern, a deck between the bow and the stern, a longitudinal centerline extending from the bow to the stern dividing the deck into a port side and a starboard side, and a side shade assembly attached to the boat on one of the port side of the deck and the starboard side of the deck. The side shade assembly includes a frame and a side shade cover supported by the frame such that the side shade cover extends outboard beyond the deck in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Chad A. Lynema, Joseph Hamilton, III, Jon Broncatello, Gary W. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20220348289
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a deployable device on a boat. The deployable device is movable by a drive mechanism. The method includes receiving a command to deploy the deployable device to a desired position; obtaining a controlling parameter for the drive mechanism based on the desired position; driving the drive mechanism to move the deployable device based on the controlling parameter; receiving, from a position sensor, an output corresponding to a real-time position of one of the deployable device and the drive mechanism; and driving the drive mechanism to move the deployable device to a final position based on the output of the position sensor and the desired position. The system comprises a controller including a memory and a processor being configured to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Michael J. Uggeri, Colin J. Schweigert
  • Publication number: 20220258835
    Abstract: A boat includes one or more seats, which may be aft-facing. The seat includes a seat bottom, which may include an aft segment and a forward segment. The forward segment is inclined at a downward angle that extends in a direction from aft to fore such that an aft portion of the forward segment is higher than the forward portion of the forward segment. The seat also may include a leg rest. The leg rest may extend from the seat bottom and be supported at the upper portion of the leg rest with a gap between a lower end of the leg rest and a surface beneath the leg rest such that the leg rest is not supported by the surface underneath the leg rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Chadrick E. Curts, Daniel P. Vieira, Rosemary B. Ellard, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20220222037
    Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
  • Publication number: 20220169341
    Abstract: A boat including first and second seats. The first seat has a first seating surface. The second seat has a second 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Daniel P. Vieira, Michael J. Uggeri, Michael D. Myers
  • Patent number: 11301205
    Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern