Patents by Inventor Patrick Snellings

Patrick Snellings 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: 12704614
    Abstract: A sonar positioning system and method is provided to position a sonar array, such as a sonar array integrated in a trolling motor propulsion unit housing. The system operates to steer the sonar array once locked on a target or oriented in a desired orientation to counter or compensate for the movement of the trolling motor propulsion unit to allow the sonar array to maintain the orientation or be locked on the target. The system includes a countering mechanism to maintain the external orientation lock of the sonar array despite the movement of the orientation of the structure to which the sonar array is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Gibson, Justin Freeman, Patrick Snellings
  • Patent number: 12314050
    Abstract: A sonar target locking system to position a sonar assembly to maintain the sonar array of the sonar assembly pointing at a position of a user-set (desired) target even when the watercraft is rotating or moving in various motions. The sonar target locking system includes electro-mechanical assembly that can be steered electrically to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target. The system may be activated using at least one of a foot pedal, handheld remote control, or a display of a fish finder head unit. The system may use GPS and IMU inputs to generate control signals to steer the electro-mechanical assembly to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Clark, Will Bates, Patrick Snellings, Justin Freeman
  • Patent number: 12099119
    Abstract: A sonar target locking system to position a sonar assembly to maintain the sonar array of the sonar assembly pointing at a position of a user set (desired) target even when the watercraft is rotating or moving in various motions. The sonar target locking system includes electro-mechanical assembly that can be steered electrically to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target. The system may be activated using at least one of a foot pedal, handheld remote control, or a display of a fish finder head unit. The system may use GPS and IMU inputs to generate control signals to steer the electro-mechanical assembly to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Freeman, Patrick Snellings, Cherry Rafferty, Jun Feng, Thomas Harkman
  • Publication number: 20230375700
    Abstract: A sonar target locking system to position a sonar assembly to maintain the sonar array of the sonar assembly pointing at a position of a user set (desired) target even when the watercraft is rotating or moving in various motions. The sonar target locking system includes electro-mechanical assembly that can be steered electrically to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target. The system may be activated using at least one of a foot pedal, handheld remote control, or a display of a fish finder head unit. The system may use GPS and IMU inputs to generate control signals to steer the electro-mechanical assembly to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Freeman, Patrick Snellings, Cherry Rafferty, Jun Feng, Thomas Harkman