Patents by Inventor Paul M. Kraus

Paul M. Kraus 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: 11628919
    Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor has a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body, and a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller. In one example, the control switch is an idle speed control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Madalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: 11597486
    Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor includes a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end. A throttle grip is on the distal end of the tiller body. A trim switch assembly is located at a distal end of the throttle grip. The trim switch assembly includes a momentary switch and a driver. The driver is configured to output current to activate a trim relay on the outboard motor in response to actuation of the momentary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Madalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11084563
    Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor powered by an engine includes a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end. A throttle grip is on the distal end of the tiller body. An idle speed control switch is located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The idle speed control switch is a momentary switch that can be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the idle speed control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller to change an idle speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Madalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus, Robert A. Podell