Patents by Inventor Randall J. Poirier
Randall J. Poirier 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: 11975812Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11964746Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Darin C. Uppgard, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kerry J. Treinen, Randall J. Poirier
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Patent number: 11939036Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. A rail is configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A carriage is moveable relative to the rail into first and second positions. A shaft has a first end pivotally coupled to the marine vessel and a second end for coupling to the propulsor. An actuator is configured to pivot the shaft relative to the marine vessel to thereby move the propulsor into and between stowed and deployed positions. A lock is manually operable to fix the carriage in the first position in which the actuator prevents manual pivoting of the shaft and alternatively in the second position in which the shaft is permitted to be manually pivoted.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher
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Patent number: 11851150Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a base configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position. A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher, Matthew Z. Seta
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Patent number: 11661163Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Darin C. Uppgard, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kerry J. Treinen, Randall J. Poirier
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Patent number: 11603179Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Randall J. Poirier, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Jeremy J. Kraus, Derek J. Fletcher
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Publication number: 20230020248Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. A rail is configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A carriage is moveable relative to the rail into first and second positions. A shaft has a first end pivotally coupled to the marine vessel and a second end for coupling to the propulsor. An actuator is configured to pivot the shaft relative to the marine vessel to thereby move the propulsor into and between stowed and deployed positions. A lock is manually operable to fix the carriage in the first position in which the actuator prevents manual pivoting of the shaft and alternatively in the second position in which the shaft is permitted to be manually pivoted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher
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Publication number: 20220266970Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a base configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position. A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher, Matthew Z. Seta
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Publication number: 20220266969Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Randall J. Poirier, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Jeremy J. Kraus, Derek J. Fletcher
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Publication number: 20220055731Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11208190Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Publication number: 20210394882Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11130554Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATIONInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Darin C. Uppgard, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kerry J. Treinen, Randall J. Poirier
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Patent number: 11111849Abstract: A lower unit for a marine propulsion device includes a gearcase housing defined along a longitudinal center axis between a fore end and an aft end. A propulsor shaft extends through the gearcase housing along the longitudinal axis. A driveshaft extends non-parallel to the propulsor shaft and rotates in a direction of rotation when powered by an engine. The driveshaft is coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the propulsor shaft. A skeg projects from a bottom surface of the gearcase housing proximate at least the aft end thereof. The skeg or the gearcase housing is cambered such that a moment acting in a direction opposite the driveshaft's direction of rotation is induced on the skeg or the gearcase housing as the lower unit moves through water. A marine propulsion device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 10800502Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Darin C. Uppgard, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kerry J. Treinen, Randall J. Poirier
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Patent number: 10696370Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
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Patent number: 10518860Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
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Patent number: 10124874Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
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Patent number: 10065722Abstract: An outboard marine engine comprises an internal combustion engine; a lower gearcase, a set of gears disposed in the lower gearcase, the set of gears being configured to transfer power from the internal combustion engine to drive a propulsor to generate a thrust on the outboard marine engine, and a dipstick that extends into the lower gearcase. The dipstick is removable from the lower gearcase and configured to indicate a level of lubrication in the lower gearcase.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Randall J. Poirier, John A. Tuchscherer, Gary C. Plonske
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Patent number: 10005534Abstract: An assembly is for aligning and stabilizing first and second cowl portions on a marine engine. The assembly comprises an engagement member configured to be fixed to the first cowl portion and a retainer apparatus configured to be fixed to the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus is configured to receive the engagement member when one of the first cowl portion and second cowl portion is moved towards the other of the first cowl portion and the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus comprises a retainer body and opposing guide members that are pivotable with respect to the retainer body. As the retainer apparatus receives the engagement member, the engagement member engages and causes the guide members to pivot with respect to the retainer body such that the engagement member becomes sandwiched between the guide members, thus aligning and stabilizing the first and second cowl portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Steven J. Amerling, Timothy S. Reid, Randall J. Poirier, Brad J. Van Ruiswyk