Patents by Inventor Keith W. Schmidt
Keith W. Schmidt 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).
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Patent number: 11932369Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Tom Geng, Steven Lu, Matthew Z. Seta, Jeremy J. Kraus, Keith W. Schmidt, James E. Erickson, Ronald L. Hall, Derek J. Fletcher
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Patent number: 11801926Abstract: A device for supporting a propulsor on a marine vessel. The device includes a base that is fixable to the marine vessel and a pivot arm for coupling the propulsor to the base. An actuator is configured to pivot the pivot arm relative to the base into and between a retracted position and a deployed position. A fastener is engageable to couple the actuator to the pivot arm, where when the fastener is engaged the pivot arm is prevented from pivoting other than by the actuator, and where applying a predetermined force on the pivot arm disengages the fastener to allow the pivot arm to pivot other than by the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy J. Kraus, Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Tom Geng, Steven Lu, Matthew Z. Seta, Keith W. Schmidt, James E. Erickson, Ronald L. Hall
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Publication number: 20230257094Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water; a battery that powers the propulsor; and a supporting frame which supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel. The supporting frame has a monolithic body defining a frame interior, and further has a support leg extending downwardly from the monolithic body and a steering arm extending forwardly from monolithic body. A cowling is fixed to the supporting frame via at least one hidden fastener that extends from the frame interior, through the supporting frame, and into engagement with the cowl body, wherein hidden fastener being accessible during installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Andrew J. Przybyl, John A. Groeschel, Christopher J. Luckett, Keith W. Schmidt, Stephen R. Collins
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Publication number: 20230234688Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water, an electric motor which powers the propulsor, a battery having a battery port for outputting battery power, a supporting frame which supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel, the supporting frame having a frame interior which retains the batter, and a cowling on the supporting frame. The cowling has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which is movable relative to the first cowl portion into a closed position enclosing the supporting frame and the battery in a cowling interior and alternately into an open position providing access to the cowling interior enabling insertion and removal of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Andrew J. Przybyl, Stephen R. Collins, Keith W. Schmidt, John A. Groeschel, David B. Griep
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Publication number: 20220266967Abstract: A device for supporting a propulsor on a marine vessel. The device includes a base that is fixable to the marine vessel and a pivot arm for coupling the propulsor to the base. An actuator is configured to pivot the pivot arm relative to the base into and between a retracted position and a deployed position. A fastener is engageable to couple the actuator to the pivot arm, where when the fastener is engaged the pivot arm is prevented from pivoting other than by the actuator, and where applying a predetermined force on the pivot arm disengages the fastener to allow the pivot arm to pivot other than by the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy J. Kraus, Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Tom Geng, Steven Lu, Matthew Z. Seta, Keith W. Schmidt, James E. Erickson, Ronald L. Hall
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Patent number: 7491103Abstract: A marine propulsion device is provided with an access opening through a portion of its gimbal housing. At least two support locations, formed integrally with the gimbal housing, provide locations to support a swivel shaft that attaches a gimbal ring to the gimbal housing. A steering lever is attached to the swivel shaft at a location between the points of support. The shaft extends through cylindrical holes in both support portions of the gimbal housing and a nut extends at least partially through one of the cylindrical holes to retain the swivel shaft and steering lever in position. The nut is removable from the shaft by accessing the nut through the opening formed in the support structure of the gimbal housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Robert W. Clifford, Keith W. Schmidt, Rodney M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 7476135Abstract: A cooling system for a marine vessel is configured to allow all cooling water to flow out of the cooling circuit naturally and under the influence of gravity when the marine vessel is removed from the body of water. All conduits of the cooling circuit are sloped downwardly and rearwardly from within the marine vessel to an opening through its transom. Traps are avoided so that residual water is not retained within locations of the cooling system after the natural draining process is complete. The opening through the transom of the marine vessel is at or below all conduits of the cooling system in order to facilitate the natural draining of the cooling system under the influence of gravity and without the need for operator intervention.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Rodney M. Caldwell, Matthew W. Jaeger, Keith W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7329162Abstract: A cooling system for a marine vessel is configured to allow all cooling water to flow out of the cooling circuit naturally and under the influence of gravity when the marine vessel is removed from the body of water. All conduits of the cooling circuit are sloped downwardly and rearwardly from within the marine vessel to an opening through its transom. Traps are avoided so that residual water is not retained within locations of the cooling system after the natural draining process is complete. The opening through the transom of the marine vessel is at or below all conduits of the cooling system in order to facilitate the natural draining of the cooling system under the influence of gravity and without the need for operator intervention.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Rodney M. Caldwell, Matthew W. Jaeger, Keith W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 5599218Abstract: A marine transmission mounting system for marine engine and drive that are mounted in a mid-travel position to joists in the hull space between a hull and a floor of the boat. Such a system is typically used on a competition water-ski boat where the engine, transmission, and propeller shaft are mounted in-line at a downward angle with respect to a floor of the boat such that the propeller shaft passes through the hull of the boat in front of the transom. The transmission mounting system includes a transmission mounting bracket having reinforcement webs located above the span of the bracket so that smaller reinforcement webs can be located below the span of the bracket. With such a bracket, there is sufficient room underneath the bracket so that an engine exhaust tube can pass under the bracket. This allows overall engine and exhaust system space requirements above the floor of the boat to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1996Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Keith W. Schmidt, Brian R. White, Howard F. Africa
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Patent number: 5462465Abstract: A marine transmission mounting system for marine engine and drive that are mounted in a mid-travel position to joists in the hull space between a hull and a floor of the boat. Such a system is typically used on a competition water-ski boat where the engine, transmission, and propeller shaft are mounted in-line at a downward angle with respect to a floor of the boat such that the propeller shaft passes through the hull of the boat in front of the transom. The transmission mounting system includes a transmission mounting bracket having reinforcement webs located above the span of the bracket so that smaller reinforcement webs can be located below the span of the bracket. With such a bracket, there is sufficient room underneath the bracket so that an engine exhaust tube can pass under the bracket. This allows overall engine and exhaust system space requirements above the floor of the boat to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Keith W. Schmidt
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Patent number: D583830Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Benjamin S. Burkhart, David M. Heap, Keith W. Schmidt