Trolling motor anti-theft device
An anti-theft device for deterring unauthorized removal of an electric trolling motor from a vessel. The device is adapted to secure a trolling motor's control shaft and motor assembly to the trolling motor mount or directly to the vessel. The device includes only a clevis pin, a clevis and a padlock, the device is compact in design and easy to use. A uniquely designed hasp is employed in some instances to accomplish proper attachment of the anti-theft device. The hasp is secured directly to the hull or deck of the vessel.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to accessories for boats. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to an anti-theft device for securing a trolling motor to a boat.
2. Description of the Related Art
Trolling motors are usually attached to the stern or bow of a boat and are utilized to propel the boats quietly and slowly around an area of water. Trolling motors are especially effective when navigating in shallow areas close to the shoreline. The quietness and efficiency of the trolling motor allows the fisherman to concentrate on what he enjoys most, catching fish.
Since the trolling motor is seldom employed as the primary means of propulsion, the motor is usually removed from the water when not in use and often stored on the deck of the boat. Unfortunately, this scenario sometimes results in theft of the trolling motor. An inexpensive, easy-to-use device that would function to deter unauthorized removal of a trolling motor from a vessel would certainly be a welcome addition to the art.
There are many patents in the boating art relating to anti-theft devices. For example, U.S. Patent Application numbered 2001/0001926 (Edmondson) shows an anti-theft device for securing boats to a dock.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,615 (Zoor) discloses pivotally connected half shells for securing a mast of a sailing craft.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,701 (Peters II, et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,306 (Scammacca), U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,603 (Brushaber), U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,509 (LeBoeuf), U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,721 (Pyle), U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,806 (Schmidt et al.) and United Kingdom Patent 2 334 995 A are drawn to structure for securing outboard-inboard propulsion systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,705 (Pyle) discloses anti-theft apparatus for a personal watercraft which is powered by a jet pump, None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose an anti-theft device for a trolling motor as will be subsequently described and claimed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe instant invention is an anti-theft device for deterring unauthorized removal of an electric trolling motor from a vessel.
The device is adapted to secure trolling motor's control shaft and motor assembly to the trolling motor mount or directly to the vessel. Consisting of only a clevis pin, a clevis and a padlock, the device is compact in design and easy to use. A uniquely designed hasp is employed in some instances to accomplish proper attachment of the anti-theft device. The hasp is secured directly to the hull or deck of the vessel.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an anti-theft device for a trolling motor.
It is another object of the invention to provide an anti-theft device for a trolling motor, which device is adaptable to conventional trolling motor mounts.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an anti-theft device for a trolling motor, which device is compact in design and easy to use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an anti-theft device for a trolling motor, which device is fabricated from rugged material.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Attention is first directed to
As best seen in
To secure the trolling motor to the vessel a user would merely position clevis 20 to encompass shaft 14. The ends of the clevis would lie adjacent opposite faces of hasp 24 so that the openings 20a in the clevis and opening 24b in the hasp are in axial alignment. Pin 22 would then be inserted through the aligned openings. L-shaped end 22a would prevent the pin from being entirely inserted through the hasp. Positioning and locking the padlock 26 in pin 22 would effectively secure the trolling motor to the vessel and deter unauthorized removal therefrom.
In
In a preferred form the clevis member, clevis pin and hasp are fabricated from durable metal stock. However it is recognized that a plastic material may be utilized if suitable.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A trolling motor ant-theft device, comprising:
- a u-shaped clevis member, said clevis member having a first end and a second end;
- openings disposed through said clevis member adjacent said first end and said second end;
- a clevis pin, said clevis pin having a distal end and a proximate end, said clevis pin adapted to be inserted through said openings in said clevis member;
- an opening defined through said clevis pin adjacent said proximate end; and
- a padlock adapted to be inserted in said opening defined through said clevis pin.
2. The trolling motor anti-theft device according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a hasp, said hasp fabricated form a solid stock material and having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said opening in said hasp is adapted to receive said clevis pin.
3. The trolling motor anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said distal end of said clevis pin is of L-shaped configuration.
4. A trolling motor anti-theft device, comprising:
- a u-shaped clevis member, said clevis member having a first end and a second end;
- openings disposed through said clevis member adjacent said first end and said second end;
- a clevis pin, said clevis pin having a distal end and a proximate end, said clevis pin adapted to be inserted through said openings in said clevis member;
- an opening defined through said clevis pin adjacent said proximate end, said distal end having an L-shaped configuration;
- a hasp, said hasp fabricated from a solid stock material and having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said opening in said hasp is adapted to receive said clevis pin; and
- a padlock adapted to be inserted in said opening defined through said clevis pin.
5. The trolling motor anti-theft device according to claim 4, wherein said clevis member, said clevis pin and said hasp are fabricated from durable metallic stock.
6. In a marine vessel having a trolling motor mounted thereon said trolling motor having a shaft, an anti-theft device, comprising:
- a U-shaped clevis member, said clevis member having a first end and a second end, said clevis member disposed to encompass said shaft;
- openings disposed through said clevis member adjacent said first end and said second end;
- a clevis pin, said clevis pin having a distal end and a proximate end, said clevis pin adapted to be inserted through said openings in said clevis member;
- an opening defined through said clevis pin adjacent said proximate end; and
- a padlock adapted to be inserted in said opening defined through said clevis cin.
7. In a marine vessel according to claim 6, including a conventional motor mount disposed on said vessel and wherein said anti-theft device is attached to said motor mount.
8. In a marine vessel according to claim 6, including a hasp mounted on said vessel and wherein said anti-theft device is attached to said hasp.
9. In a marine vessel according to claim 8, wherein said said hasp fabricated from a solid stock material and having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said opening in said hasp is adapted to receive said clevis pin.
10. In a marine vessel according to claim 9,
- wherein said clevis member, said clevis pin and said hasp are fabricated from durable metallic stock.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 13, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 24, 2005
Inventor: Robert Mathers (Miami, FL)
Application Number: 10/938,547