Abstract: Various embodiments utilize a novel approach to igniting the natural gas flame that is emitted from the end of the torch. According to one embodiment a rotary diverter within the ignition bell of the GrillGun is used to shunt a portion of the higher velocity gas flow to an area in the bell where the ignition spark is out of the direct burning gas stream. According to another embodiment the ignition bell has a plate that largely covers its open end that reduces the length of the flame that is emitted and focuses it. Still another embodiment has a check valve that operates to stop the flow of gas to the gas conduit when the GrillGun is dropped or tipped over or liquid propane is otherwise presented into the check valve by any other means.

Abstract: Various embodiments utilize a novel approach to igniting the natural gas flame that is emitted from the end of the torch. According to one embodiment a rotary diverter within the ignition bell of the GrillGun is used to shunt a portion of the higher velocity gas flow to an area in the bell where the ignition spark is out of the direct burning gas stream. According to another embodiment the ignition bell has a plate that largely covers its open end that reduces the length of the flame that is emitted and focuses it. Still another embodiment has a check valve that operates to stop the flow of gas to the gas conduit when the GrillGun is dropped or tipped over or liquid propane is otherwise presented into the check valve by any other means.

Abstract: A trolling motor having reverse battery protection such that an inadvertent reversal of the battery leads, as when connecting the trolling motor to a battery, will not cause unwanted operation of the trolling motor or damage to the trolling motor circuitry. The reverse battery protection includes a field effect transistor connected in series between one of the battery leads and the motor. The gate terminal of the transistor is in communication with the other battery lead such that, when the battery leads are properly connected to a battery, the transistor is driven to its conducting state and, when the battery leads are reversed, the transistor is driven to its non-conducting state.

Abstract: A DC motor having a motor housing and a motor controller housed within the motor housing. In a preferred embodiment the heat producing components of the motor controller are in thermal communication with the housing such that the majority of the heat produced by such components will be readily conducted to the environment in which the motor is operating. When incorporated into a trolling motor, the motor housing of the present invention will be submerged so that controller produced heat will be dissipated into the water in which the trolling motor is operated.

Abstract: A transducer and electrical cable combination for use, preferably, in a trolling motor. The electrical cable includes an outer shield connected to the chassis ground of the trolling motor; an inner shield connected to the signal ground of the transducer; and a pair of signal carrying conductors comprising a twisted pair.

Abstract: A sonar system, and a digital sonar transducer for use with the inventive system, in which transmitter and receiver circuitry are remote to the sonar display unit. In a preferred embodiment the digital sonar transducer includes: a housing; an acoustic transducer housed within the housing; transmitter circuitry for driving the acoustic transducer; receiver circuitry for conditioning received echos; and a computing device for receiving commands from a display unit, processing received echos, and sending echo information to the display unit. The display unit of the inventive system is configured to receive echo information from the digital sonar transducer and display sonar information to an operator.

Abstract: A trolling motor having an integral sonar transducer including: a submerged motor housing; an electric motor housed in the housing; a sonar transducer housed in the housing; a motor controller having a pulse width modulated output and a shielded electrical cable connecting the sonar transducer to a sonar device. Noise from all sources (i.e., electrical noise from ground loops, radio frequency interference, and magnetic interference) is suppressed in the output signal of the transducer through a number of techniques. The electrical cable includes an outer shield connected to the chassis ground of the trolling motor; an inner shield connected to the circuit ground of the sonar device; and a pair of signal carrying conductors comprising a twisted pair. In addition, the resonant frequency of the transducer is selected such that it is not a harmonic of the operating frequency of the pulse width modulated output of the motor controller.

Abstract: A transducer and electrical cable combination for use, preferably, in a trolling motor. The electrical cable includes an outer shield connected to the chassis ground of the trolling motor; an inner shield connected to the signal ground of the transducer; and a pair of signal carrying conductors comprising a twisted pair.

Abstract: A trolling motor having current based power management including: an electric motor; a motor controller having an output for providing voltage to the motor; and a current sensor for measuring the electrical current flowing through the motor. Upon determining that the trolling motor has been operating above its continuous duty limit for a predetermined period of time, the motor controller begins reducing the voltage output to the motor until reaching an acceptable output voltage. In another embodiment, the controller is operated in three distinct modes with three distinct sets of operating parameter, namely: a normal mode wherein the output is set to a commanded level; a current limit mode wherein the output is set to a safe, predetermined level; and a transitional mode wherein the output is incrementally changed from the predetermined level to the commanded level.

Abstract: A foot control unit for controlling the directional orientation of a trolling motor. The foot control unit includes an upper pivotal foot pedal and a lower flat base member to which the foot pedal is pivotally attached. The foot control unit further includes an offset hinge consisting of an upper hinge member pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the foot pedal and a lower hinge member pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the base member, the hinge members being pivotally attached to each other at respective ends thereof which are opposite from said first ends thereof, and a detent mounted on the offset hinge unit and responsive to a predetermined degree of pivotal movement of the upper hinge member with respect to the lower hinge member to provide a temporary stop in the pivotal movement.

Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a synchronized sonar apparatus that is suitable for use when multiple sonar units are used in close proximity with each other. In a preferred embodiment, the instant invention reduces or eliminates interference between adjacent sonar units by electronically interconnected all of the sonar units and causing them to activate or “fire” at the same time. As a consequence, all of the units will also be “listening” for the returning reflections at the same time. Thus, cross-unit interference will be largely eliminated. Additionally, in another preferred embodiment there is provided a sonar system wherein the sonic sources are electronically interconnected and fired according to a predetermined timing rule, wherein the timing is chosen so that the firing transducers do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A trolling motor having an integral sonar transducer including: a submerged motor housing; an electric motor housed in the housing; a sonar transducer housed in the housing; a motor controller having a pulse width modulated output and a shielded electrical cable connecting the sonar transducer to a sonar device. Noise from all sources (i.e., electrical noise from ground loops, radio frequency interference, and magnetic interference) is suppressed in the output signal of the transducer through a number of techniques. The electrical cable includes an outer shield connected to the chassis ground of the trolling motor; an inner shield connected to the circuit ground of the sonar device; and a pair of signal carrying conductors comprising a twisted pair. In addition, the resonant frequency of the transducer is selected such that it is not a harmonic of the operating frequency of the pulse width modulated output of the motor controller.

Abstract: An improved support for pivotally mounting an instrument housing formed of a bracket having spaced apart parallel planar portions which are normally of spacing less than the width of the housing and deflectable outward relative to each other, each of the bracket planar portions having an opening therein, the openings being in a common axis and each having a slot extending from a surface of the bracket and communicating with the opening, the width of the slot being less than the diameter of the opening, the housing having internally threaded tubular trunnions on opposite sides thereof in alignment, the diameter of the trunnions being less than the diameter of the opening in the bracket planar portions and greater than the width of the slots, and a pair of knobs, each having a threaded portion extending therefrom that are threadably received in the trunnion threaded openings, the diameter of the threaded portions being less than that of the slots so that when the knobs are loosened the bracket planar portions m

Abstract: This disclosure describes a multi-purpose adjustable table and bench device having a table top and benches all with adjustable heights so that the device can be used, for example, either as a table with benches attached on either side for sitting, or as a platform. Means are provided to secure two or more table and bench devices together to create larger table and bench arrangements, or stage areas in various configurations.