Patents by Inventor William J. Samples

William J. Samples 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).

  • Marine vessels and systems for laterally maneuvering marine vessels
    Patent number: 9434460
    Abstract: Systems for maneuvering a marine vessel comprise an input device for requesting lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of propulsion devices including at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device and an intermediate propulsion device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices. A control circuit controls orientation of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards a common point on the marine vessel, and upon a request for lateral movement of from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Samples, Robert S. Mirman, William R. Robertson, Kenneth G. Gable
  • Marine vessels and systems for laterally maneuvering marine vessels
    Patent number: 8807059
    Abstract: Systems for maneuvering a marine vessel comprise an input device for requesting lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of propulsion devices including at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device and an intermediate propulsion device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices. A control circuit controls orientation of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards a common point on the marine vessel, and upon a request for lateral movement of from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Samples, Robert S. Mirman, William R. Robertson, Kenneth G. Gable
  • Marine drive shift control system
    Patent number: 8439800
    Abstract: A shift control system for a marine drive applies partial clutch engagement pressure upon initial shifting from forward to reverse to prevent stalling of the engine otherwise caused by applying full clutch engagement pressure upon shifting from forward to reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew H. Bazan, Kyle M. Miller, William J. Samples, Doyle E. Whittington, Jr., Chih-hua Liang