Patents by Inventor William N. Snook
William N. Snook 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: 11827329Abstract: A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric J. Miller, William N. Snook, Adam C Greer, Andrew O. Cochrum
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Patent number: 11383815Abstract: A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric J. Miller, William N. Snook, Adam C. Greer, Andrew O. Cochrum
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Patent number: 10782690Abstract: A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric J. Miller, William N. Snook, Adam C. Greer, Andrew O. Cochrum
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Patent number: 10331137Abstract: A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric J. Miller, William N. Snook, Adam C. Greer, Andrew O. Cochrum
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Publication number: 20190064821Abstract: A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric J. Miller, William N. Snook, Adam C. Greer, Andrew O. Cochrum
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Patent number: 9701366Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: CORRECT CRAFT IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 9315237Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: CORRECT CRAFT IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: William N. Snook, Borden M. Larson
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Publication number: 20150259034Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William N. Snook, Borden M. Larson
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Publication number: 20130340664Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: CORRECT CRAFT IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: BORDEN M. LARSON, WILLIAM N. SNOOK
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Patent number: 8522706Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Publication number: 20100162937Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: CORRECT CRAFT IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 7699016Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel which is fitted with a towing frame having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a bridging portion, to which a tow rope attachment point is fitted.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Correct Craft IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William N. Snook, Borden Larson
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Patent number: 7299761Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel which is fitted with a skeletal towing frame having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a horizontal bridging portion, to which a tow rope attachment point is fitted.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 7246565Abstract: A boat hull includes a dispersion tunnel extending fore and aft forming a channel within a hull bottom surface for receiving a flow of water. A gate is inserted into and out of the channel for affecting pressure on the hull bottom with movement between open and closed positions, wherein the gate is out of the channel and fully extended into the channel. By altering the depth of the gate into the channel, hull performance and wake shape are modified as desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: William N. Snook, William F. Waits, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040154519Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel which is fitted with a skeletal towing frame having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a horizontal bridging portion, to which a tow rope attachment point is fitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 6666159Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a wakeboard performer being towed by a vessel having a bow, stern, opposing gunnels and an operator station comprises fitting a skeletal towing frame to the vessel with first, second and third spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel and coupling the upper extremities thereof together with a horizontal bridging portion, to which is fitted a tow rope attachment point.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Publication number: 20020134293Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a wakeboard performer being towed by a vessel having a bow, stern, opposing gunnels and an operator station comprises fitting a skeletal towing frame to the vessel with first, second and third spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel and coupling the upper extremities thereof together with a horizontal bridging portion, to which is fitted a tow rope attachment point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 6374762Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard is enhanced by a towing apparatus which includes vertical supports rigidly attached starboard and port side gunwales of the vessel at a location generally outboard an operator station. A frame including rigid U-shaped bridging supports transversely extends across the beam of the vessel. The frame is pivotally fitted to a forward portion of the vertical supports for rotation from an operating position to a stored position on the deck of the vessel. The U-shaped bridging supports extend substantially above the level of the operator station. One of the U-shaped bridging supports is readily removably attached to the vertical support. A ball assembly is carried by detachable ends of the frame, while a socket assembly is carried by the vertical support. A shaft extends through the socket and has one end threaded for engaging a threaded bore of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: 6192819Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard is enhanced by a towing apparatus which includes vertical supports rigidly attached starboard and port side gunwales of the vessel at a location generally outboard an operator station. A frame including rigid U-shaped bridging supports transversely extends across the beam of the vessel. The frame is pivotally fitted to a forward portion of the vertical supports for rotation from an operating position to a stored position on the deck of the vessel. The U-shaped bridging supports extend substantially above the level of the operator station. One of the U-shaped bridging supports is readily removably attached to the vertical support. A ball assembly is carried by detachable ends of the frame, while a socket assembly is carried by the vertical support. A shaft extends through the socket and has one end threaded for engaging a threaded bore of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook
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Patent number: RE37823Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard, and being towed by a vessel while maintaining stability of the vessel includes a first relatively rigid vertical support fitted to one side of the, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to an opposing side, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending supports, at a height substantially above a level of the operator station for the vessel. A tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water. By pivotally attaching the first and second supports to the respective sides of the vessel, they can be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Correct Craft, Inc.Inventors: Borden M. Larson, William N. Snook, Robert Todd