Patents by Inventor Gerald Francis Bland

Gerald Francis Bland 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: 6679741
    Abstract: A propulsion system and method for driving one or more accessories in an outdrive of a boat having an engine coupled to a drive shaft to supply torque thereto are provided. The torque received by the drive shaft is principally used to propel the boat. The propulsion system includes a driven shaft dedicated to drive the one or more accessories, and further includes a gear assembly for passing a portion of the torque received by the drive shaft to the driven shaft so that each of the one or more accessories coupled to the driven shaft receives driving torque therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Arthur R. Ferguson, Stephen R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030232549
    Abstract: A propulsion system and method for driving one or more accessories in an outdrive of a boat having an engine coupled to a drive shaft to supply torque thereto are provided. The torque received by the drive shaft is principally used to propel the boat. The propulsion system includes a driven shaft dedicated to drive the one or more accessories, and further includes a gear assembly for passing a portion of the torque received by the drive shaft to the driven shaft so that each of the one or more accessories coupled to the driven shaft receives driving torque therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Arthur R. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6656004
    Abstract: A tilt-trim subsystem assembly affixed to an outdrive of a stern drive that may be supported by a gimbal unit and may be configured to rotate about a predetermined axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system is provided. The tilt-trim assembly has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive one anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes one or more cylinders having one end thereof pivotally connected to another anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated the outdrive and the tilt-trim subsystem assembly are jointly rotated about the predetermined axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Stephen R. Johnson, Gerald F. Neisen, Dan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020115359
    Abstract: A tilt-trim subsystem assembly affixed to an outdrive of a stern drive that may be supported by a gimbal unit and may be configured to rotate about a predetermined axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system is provided. The tilt-trim assembly has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive one anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes one or more cylinders having one end thereof pivotally connected to another anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated the outdrive and the tilt-trim subsystem assembly are jointly rotated about the predetermined axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Stephen R. Johnson, Gerald F. Neisen, Dan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020098747
    Abstract: A common fluid pressure supply apparatus (40) for a watercraft (10). A fluid interconnection apparatus interconnects the hydraulic fluid circuits operating the hydraulic transmission (18), power steering (30), and tilt-trim function (34) for an inboard/outboard stem drive (20) watercraft. A single fill vessel (104), oil cooler (82), and filter (126) are utilized for the common fluid pressure supply apparatus. The fluid interconnection apparatus may include the transmission housing reservoir (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Arthur R. Ferguson, Stephen R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6416370
    Abstract: A common fluid pressure supply apparatus (40) for a watercraft (10). A fluid interconnection apparatus interconnects the hydraulic fluid circuits operating the hydraulic transmission (18), power steering (30), and tilt-trim function (34) for an inboard/outboard stem drive (20) watercraft. A single fill vessel (104), oil cooler (82), and filter (126) are utilized for the common fluid pressure supply apparatus. The fluid interconnection apparatus may include the transmission housing reservoir (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Arthur R. Ferguson, Stephen R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6296535
    Abstract: A tilt-trim subsystem assembly affixed to an outdrive of a stern drive that may be supported by a gimbal unit and may be configured to rotate about a predetermined axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system is provided. The tilt-trim assembly has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive one anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes one or more cylinders having one end thereof pivotally connected to another anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated the outdrive and the tilt-trim subsystem assembly are a jointly rotated about the predetermined axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Stephen R. Johnson, Gerald F. Neisen, Dan E. Nelson