Patents by Inventor Robert A. Podell

Robert A. Podell 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: 11939036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20240092470
    Abstract: A transportable outboard motor has a tiller which is pivotable about a lateral tilt axis into a plurality of tilt positions and also pivotable about an axial yaw axis into a plurality of yaw positions. The tiller is pivotable about the axial yaw axis into a straight-ahead position, into a port yaw position which is oriented towards the port side relative to the straight-ahead position, and into a starboard yaw position which is oriented towards the starboard side relative to the straight-ahead position. The tiller is pivotable downwardly about the lateral tilt axis from the port yaw position, and downwardly about the lateral tilt axis from the starboard yaw position. Pivoting the tiller into the plurality of yaw positions creates space for a user to manually grasp a swivel tube and thereby lift the transportable outboard motor from a rear-laydown position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Todd D. Dannenberg, Matthew Z. Seta, Scott G. Ahlswede, Gary D. Needham, Robert A. Podell, Andrew J. Przybyl, Matthew S. Dawes
  • Publication number: 20240092468
    Abstract: A transportable outboard motor has a midsection and a tiller extending forwardly from the midsection. The tiller is pivotable about a lateral tilt axis into a downward tilt position in which the tiller is oriented transversely to the lateral and longitudinal directions. The tiller in the downward tilt position is configured to permit manual carrying of the transportable outboard motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Todd D. Dannenberg, Matthew Z. Seta, Scott G. Ahlswede, Gary D. Needham, Robert A. Podell, Andrew J. Przybyl, Matthew S. Dawes
  • Patent number: 11866144
    Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Robert A. Podell, James E. Erickson, Kenneth G. Gable, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Derek J. Fletcher, Jeremy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11851150
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher, Matthew Z. Seta
  • Publication number: 20230257092
    Abstract: A tiller is for controlling a marine drive. The tiller has a base bracket assembly and a tiller arm which is extends outwardly from the base bracket assembly. The base bracket assembly is configured to facilitate yaw adjustment of the tiller arm, in particular into and between a variety of yaw positions relative to the base bracket assembly. The tiller arm has a grip restraining device which is located on the bottom of the middle portion of the tiller arm and is manually accessible from both sides of the tiller arm. The grip restraining device is specially configured to selectively restrain rotation of a hand grip on the outer end of the tiller arm. The tiller arm also has a tilt mechanism which facilitates tilting of the tiller arm relative to the base bracket assembly into and between a variety of tilt positions, including a straight upward tilt position and a straight downward tilt position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Ahlswede, Gary D. Needham, Matthew S. Dawes, Robert A. Podell, Andrew J. Przybyl
  • Publication number: 20230257091
    Abstract: A tiller is for controlling a marine drive. The tiller has a base bracket assembly and a tiller arm which is extends outwardly from the base bracket assembly. The base bracket assembly is configured to facilitate yaw adjustment of the tiller arm, in particular into and between a variety of yaw positions relative to the base bracket assembly. The tiller arm has a grip restraining device which is located on the bottom of the middle portion of the tiller arm and is manually accessible from both sides of the tiller arm. The grip restraining device is specially configured to selectively restrain rotation of a hand grip on the outer end of the tiller arm. The tiller arm also has a tilt mechanism which facilitates tilting of the tiller arm relative to the base bracket assembly into and between a variety of tilt positions, including a straight upward tilt position and a straight downward tilt position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Ahlswede, Gary D. Needham, Robert A. Podell, Andrew J. Przybyl, Matthew S. Dawes
  • Publication number: 20230257093
    Abstract: A tiller is for controlling a marine drive. The tiller has a base bracket assembly and a tiller arm which is extends outwardly from the base bracket assembly. The base bracket assembly is configured to facilitate yaw adjustment of the tiller arm, in particular into and between a variety of yaw positions relative to the base bracket assembly. The tiller arm has a grip restraining device which is located on the bottom of the middle portion of the tiller arm and is manually accessible from both sides of the tiller arm. The grip restraining device is specially configured to selectively restrain rotation of a hand grip on the outer end of the tiller arm. The tiller arm also has a tilt mechanism which facilitates tilting of the tiller arm relative to the base bracket assembly into and between a variety of tilt positions, including a straight upward tilt position and a straight downward tilt position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Ahlswede, Gary D. Needham, Robert A. Podell, Andrew J. Przybyl
  • Publication number: 20230150632
    Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Robert A. Podell, James E. Erickson, Kenneth G. Gable, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Derek J. Fletcher, Jeremy J. Kraus
  • 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: 11591057
    Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from 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 comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Robert A. Podell, James E. Erickson, Kenneth G. Gable, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Derek J. Fletcher, Jeremy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20230020248
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20220266968
    Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from 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 comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Robert A. Podell, James E. Erickson, Kenneth G. Gable, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Derek J. Fletcher, Jeremy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20220266970
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Robert A. Podell, Jeremy J. Kraus, James E. Erickson, Randall J. Poirier, Derek J. Fletcher, Matthew Z. Seta
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10787236
    Abstract: A tiller system for steering an outboard motor. The tiller system includes a tiller arm that is rotatably coupled to the outboard motor. The tiller arm is rotatable from a down position to an up position through a plurality of lock positions therebetween. A tilt lock system is coupled between the tiller arm and the outboard motor and is configured to be activated and deactivated. When activated, the tilt lock system prevents the tiller arm from rotating downwardly through each of the plurality of lock positions. The tiller arm is further rotatable into an unlock position, whereby rotating the tiller arm into the unlock position automatically deactivates the tilt lock system such that the tiller arm is freely rotatable downwardly through the plurality of lock positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Erickson, Jolayne K. Ingebritson, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: D814523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Travis J. Vaninetti, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: D958192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler L. Kuehne, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: D971260
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler L. Kuehne, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: D1023889
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Podell, Ryan C. Abellera, Matthew Z. Seta, Todd D. Dannenberg