Depth sensing watersport vehicle trailer
AssigneeMalibu Boats, LLC
InventorsJames Darryl Wilson, Derrick Wayne Bowerman, Cory Wade Duggar, Donna Jean Tallent, Rachael Marie Green
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer for towing a watersport vehicle that includes a depth sensor. The depth sensor can detect when the trailer is within a suitable depth of water to launch and/or retrieve the watersport vehicle. The trailer can include one or more sensors to assist in positioning the watersport vehicle on the trailer. Use of the trailer can enable a user to efficiently and properly load and unload the watersport vehicle onto and from the trailer.
Claims28
A trailer capable of at least one of launching, retrieving, carrying and storing out of water a V-drive type watersport boat with a non-pivoting propeller and one or more rudders, the trailer configured to be mechanically coupled to a tow vehicle through a tow vehicle hitch and to be electrically coupled to the tow vehicle through a wire connector, the trailer comprising:
- a frame configured to support a V-drive type watersport boat;
- a plurality of wheels, each wheel operably coupled to one of one or more axles configured to moveably support the frame;
- and
- a controller operatively communicating with a depth sensor disposed proximate one of the one or more axles at a location to protect the depth sensor from damage, the depth sensor being configured to detect if a portion of the trailer is within a predetermined depth range of water appropriate for loading the V-drive type watersport boat onto the frame of the trailer, the depth sensor outputting a signal responsive to water depth at said portion of said trailer;
- wherein the controller is configured to notify a user if the portion of the trailer is within the predetermined depth range of water.
A trailering system for trailering a V-drive type watersport boat with a non-pivoting propeller and one or more rudders, the trailering system comprising:
- a trailer frame operably supported by one or more axles operably supported by wheels with tires, the trailer frame including a front portion, a depth portion, a rear portion opposite said front portion, fenders, and visual brake and turn signals;
- a trailer hitch at said front portion configured to mechanically mate with a tow ball of a tow vehicle;
- a trailer connector at said front portion configured to electrically mate with a connector of the tow vehicle and provide tow vehicle control of said visual brake and turn signals;
- a trailer depth sensor disposed on one of the fenders to protect the trailer depth sensor from damage and proximate one of the one or more axles, the trailer depth sensor configured to output a signal responsive to an estimated depth at which said depth portion of the trailer frame is submerged in water when said trailering system is one of loading or retrieving a V-drive type watersport boat from the water;
- and
- at least one of an audio and visual indication activated by said signal output from said trailer depth sensor.
A trailer configured to be used to tow a V-drive type watersport vehicle with a non-pivoting propeller and one or more rudders, the trailer comprising:
- a frame configured to support a V-drive type watersport vehicle, the frame comprising an axle, wheels with tires, and fenders;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to a depth sensor disposed on a backboard of one of the fenders to protect the depth sensor from damage and proximate the axle, the depth sensor configured to detect when the depth sensor is submerged in water and being disposed at a position on the trailer such that a submersion detection by the depth sensor indicates that the trailer is within a suitable depth of water to launch or load the V-drive type watersport vehicle onto the trailer;
- wherein the controller is configured to notify a user if the trailer is within the suitable depth of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.