Patents by Inventor Marcella Gai

Marcella Gai 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: 10633070
    Abstract: A directional control system of a marine vessel includes a steering control member manually operated by a user and operationally connected to a direction-variation member acting on or in the water, such as at least one rudder blade or at least one outboard engine, the direction-variation member having an angular position that is controlled by the steering control member; and a locking system locking the free variation of the angular position of the direction-variation member, which can be activated and deactivated to allow the variation of angular position and carry out a directional change, the locking system including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston dividing the cylinder into two chambers, which are connected by a bypass circuit that can be opened and closed by a switching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: Pietro Gai, Marcella Gai, William P. Michel
  • Patent number: 10494072
    Abstract: Double-acting hydraulic actuating cylinder, particularly for hydraulic steering devices of outboard marine engines. The cylinder is slidably mounted on at least one rod coaxial to the cylinder sealingly protruding from at least one head of the actuating cylinder and carrying a separating piston that divides the cylinder into two variable volume chambers, each one of such two chambers has an inlet/outlet for the hydraulic fluid, each connected to one of two inlets/outlets of the pump and a sealing head for the relative sliding between the cylinder and the rod, which sealing head is integral with the cylinder itself. The rod is provided to be connected to a fastening bracket to fasten the cylinder to the engine, in a not slidable manner and in such a way as to allow the relative rotation of the engine with respect to the transom along an axis parallel to the axis of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Publication number: 20190308710
    Abstract: A directional control system of a marine vessel includes a steering control member manually operated by a user and operationally connected to a direction-variation member acting on or in the water, such as at least one rudder blade or at least one outboard engine, the direction-variation member having an angular position that is controlled by the steering control member; and a locking system locking the free variation of the angular position of the direction-variation member, which can be activated and deactivated to allow the variation of angular position and carry out a directional change, the locking system including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston dividing the cylinder into two chambers, which are connected by a bypass circuit that can be opened and closed by a switching member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Pietro Gai, Marcella Gai, William P. Michel
  • Patent number: 10385910
    Abstract: A steering gear for boats includes a control member connected to a drive shaft of a transmission having at least two dynamically engaged transmission elements, in particular, an input element and an output element. The output element drives a motion transfer member of the control member transferring motion to an operating unit, such that any displacement/rotation of the control member is transferred to the transfer member through the transmission. The motion transfer member includes a pull and/or push cable and a coupling member that is slidably attached to the steering gear and has a plurality of coupling seats, at least one of which is designed to engage a corresponding coupling claw on the steering gear. The coupling member includes a sheath-like element in which the pull and/or push cable is configured to slide, and the coupling seats include two annular throats of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Walter Trivella
  • Patent number: 10322784
    Abstract: Combination of marine vessel and outboard motor, wherein at least one outboard motor is attached in a predetermined position to the transom of the marine vessel, the motor being mounted so as to translate according to a path with at least one motion component having an orientation parallel to the direction of the transverse axis of the hull and/or parallel to the transom of said hull and alternatively towards one or the other side of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Marco Vaccari, Matteo Del Turco
  • Publication number: 20190135327
    Abstract: A frame for a steering wheel is made from a sheet of predetermined thickness that is cut to a desired dimension and shaped bi- or three-dimensionally. A steering wheel produced from such frame includes a coating layer on at least some areas or parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Andrea Milanese, Marcella Gai
  • Patent number: 10246175
    Abstract: A steering control system for a watercraft includes a device locking a steering tiller, which can be activated or deactivated for maintaining the tiller in, or moving it from, a predetermined angular position. The locking device includes a hydraulic cylinder having a rod fastened to the transom of the watercraft and a cylindrical body movable along the rod and connected to a steering arm of the motor or of the rudder member. A closed circuit, opened or closed by a valve, flows oil between the two chambers of the hydraulic cylinder and the locking device can be activated or deactivated by an actuator that opens or closes the valve. An interposition element between the steering tiller and a watercraft direction changing member is pivotably articulated to the tiller, and a member transforms the pivoting movement of the tiller relative to the interposition element into commands actuating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese
  • Publication number: 20180304979
    Abstract: A device for controlling reverse gears, particularly of marine engines, includes a fixed part and a movable part, the movable part being adapted to be rotatably coupled to a control member having at least three operating states corresponding to a first, a second and a third angular position of the movable part of the device. The fixed part includes at least one first and one second sensor, for example of the type generating a voltage when subjected to an external magnetic field due to Hall effect, which are arranged at predetermined distance and configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field. The movable part comprises a magnet with such characteristics to generate a magnetic field detected by the first or second sensors when the movable part is in the first or second positions respectively or vice versa, the third position corresponding to a situation of absence of magnetic field detectable by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Marco Vaccari
  • Publication number: 20180291555
    Abstract: Draw tape for cables including an elongated flexible element made of a helical multifilament rope composed of three filaments or strands helically wound about a common longitudinal axis. According to an additional feature, the rope is hammered. Still according to an improvement, the rope is externally covered by a jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Marcella Gai
  • Publication number: 20180257751
    Abstract: A double-effect hydraulic actuating cylinder, particularly for hydraulic steering devices of outboard marine engines, is slidably mounted on a rod coaxial with the cylinder and sealingly protruding from a head of the actuating cylinder, carrying a separating piston that divides the cylinder into two variable volume chambers. Each chamber has an inlet/outlet for the hydraulic fluid that are respectively connected to one of the inlets/outlets of a pump, and a sealing head is disposed between the cylinder and the rod and is integral with the cylinder. The rod is adapted to be connected to a fastening bracket to non-slidably fasten the cylinder to the engine, allowing a relative rotation of the engine with respect to the transom along an axis parallel to the axis of the rod. The rod has at least one flattened surface to be grasped by a tool having a correspondingly flattened engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 10011340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering control device for boats that includes a drive shaft, the rotation of which in one direction or in the opposite direction, by way of a control member, such as a steering wheel or helm mounted or mountable thereon, causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder. The steering input is generated by a transmission member, housed into a case, configured to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated or associable to the motor or rudder, through a transmission circuit. The device includes a first stationary part configured to be fastened on the bridge of the boat and a second movable part integral with the case of the transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Federico Tralongo
  • Patent number: 10011342
    Abstract: A steering control system for a watercraft includes a pivoting steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder blade or an outboard motor; and a system locking the steering tiller in the steering position, which can be activated for keeping the tiller in a predetermined pivoting position and deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a pivoting position to carry out a change in direction. According to the invention the locking system is switchable by way of switching actuators that are controlled by a control member provided on the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Publication number: 20180170501
    Abstract: A tiller arm for outboard motors includes a first portion adapted to be coupled to the outboard motor and a second portion adapted to be coupled to a command terminal. The first and the second portions of the tiller arm are telescopically engageable to one another, and a blocking system between the first and second portions is configured to block a mutual sliding at predetermined positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese
  • Publication number: 20180148150
    Abstract: Steering control system for a watercraft with a steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder plate or an outboard motor; a device locking the steering tiller in the steering position. which can be activated for maintaining the tiller in a predetermined angular position and can be deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a different angular position to carry out a change in the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese
  • Publication number: 20170320554
    Abstract: Combination of marine vessel and outboard motor, wherein at least one outboard motor is attached in a predetermined position to the transom of the marine vessel, the motor being mounted so as to translate according to a path with at least one motion component having an orientation parallel to the direction of the transverse axis of the hull and/or parallel to the transom of said hull and alternatively towards one or the other side of the hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Marco Vaccari, Matteo Del Turco
  • Publication number: 20170283026
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for vehicles includes a steering control member; a hydraulic pump provided with a rotatable driving shaft on which the control member is fitted; a hydraulic actuating cylinder connected with two ports of the pump alternately operating as delivery side and return side of the pump and mechanically connected with a direction changing member, which determines a change in the direction by modifying orientation via an actuating cylinder as a function of the supply of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder from the pump by the steering control member. The driving shaft is dynamically connected with an electric motor/transmission assembly, which is activated alternatively by generating a rotational force auxiliary to the movement manually exerted on the steering control member or opposing the manually exerted movement, or by driving to rotate the driving shaft of the pump in place of the manual action driving the steering control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9771134
    Abstract: Device for controlling the trim of a boat including at least one trim tab element or the like, engaged to the transom of the boat by a hinge. At least one actuator is also provided, which is affixed to the transom by an upper terminal and to the tab by a lower terminal respectively through an upper joint and a lower joint. The lower joint includes at least two parts, of which a first part is connected to the lower terminal of the actuator and a second part includes a lower bracket affixed to the tab by fastener means, which are engaged in corresponding engagement seats on the lower bracket and the tab. The first part includes a terminal element, which is provided in a housing seat formed on the lower bracket, such to enable a relative movement of actuator and tab with at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Giampiero Bressan
  • Publication number: 20170240260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering control device for boats that includes a drive shaft, the rotation of which in one direction or in the opposite direction, by way of a control member, such as a steering wheel or helm mounted or mountable thereon, causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder. The steering input is generated by a transmission member, housed into a case, configured to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated or associable to the motor or rudder, through a transmission circuit. The device includes a first stationary part configured to be fastened on the bridge of the boat and a second movable part integral with the case of the transmission member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Federico Tralongo
  • Patent number: 9738366
    Abstract: Control device for generating auxiliary controls for a boat for controlling and regulating a boat handling auxiliary functionality, including an intermediate switch, changeover switch, or switch device located below the steering control member of the boat, which is connected to a drive unit for a steering actuator through a drive shaft; and a housing case shaped as an arm having at one end a member controlling the control device, which is provided with a terminal removably fastening alternatively to the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator, to a part thereof, or to a wall of a bridge or of a dashboard adjacently to the region for mounting the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator to the bridge or to the dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9676465
    Abstract: A hand-operated piston pump includes a drive shaft and a rotor mounted in a housing case, the rotor having axial compression chambers, a piston biased by an elastic member sliding in each compression chamber and having a projecting end that engages a cam track; a fluid reservoir in the housing case; a valve plate downstream of the rotor having conduits for a pressurized fluid that communicate with conduits in walls of the compression chambers, the valve plate being non-rotatably mounted below the housing case and communicating with conduits that carry the pressurized fluid to and from a consuming unit through an interposed check valve inserted in a corresponding valve body, the valve body having an upper flange with fluid supply and return channels communicating with the fluid conduits of the valve plate. The valve plate floats relative to the upper flange and is separated therefrom by a separating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Andrea Milanese