Trolling motor fuse
AssigneeNavico, Inc.
InventorsDavid Lance Waltrip, Guy A. Coonts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Trolling motor assemblies and systems employing a fuse for protection of components thereof are provided herein. A trolling motor assembly comprises a shaft, a trolling motor housing, and a main housing. A belt extends between the trolling motor housing and the main housing. A fuse is positioned in at least one of the main housing or the trolling motor housing, and is configured to reduce stress from the shaft applying a force to the belt.
Claims20
A trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, the trolling motor assembly comprising:
- a shaft having a first end and a second end defining a shaft axis extending therebetween;
- a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft;
- a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft;
- a belt extending between the trolling motor housing and the main housing;
- and
- a fuse positioned in at least one of the main housing or the trolling motor housing, configured to reduce stress from the shaft applying a force to the belt in the at least one of the main housing or the trolling motor housing.
A tensioning system for use within a main housing or a trolling motor housing of a trolling motor assembly, the tensioning system comprising:
- an anchor defining a first channel extending between a first opening and a second opening, and a second channel extending between a third opening and a fourth opening, wherein the first channel is configured to receive and retain a belt of the trolling motor assembly;
- a fastener movable within the second channel, wherein the fastener is configured to receive a tensioning screw, wherein the tensioning screw comprises a head and a body;
- a fuse positioned about the tensioning screw between the head and the anchor, wherein the fuse is designed to fail under a predetermined amount of force applied to the fuse through the belt.
A trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, the trolling motor assembly comprising:
- a shaft having a first end and a second end defining a shaft axis extending therebetween;
- a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft;
- a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft;
- a belt extending between the trolling motor housing and the main housing;
- and
- a tensioning system disposed within at least one of the main housing or the trolling motor housing, the tensioning system comprising:
- an anchor defining a first channel extending between a first opening and a second opening, and a second channel extending between a third opening and a fourth opening, wherein the first channel is configured to receive and retain the belt;
- a fastener movable within the second channel, wherein the fastener is configured to receive a tensioning screw, wherein the tensioning screw comprises a head and a body;
- and
- a fuse positioned about the tensioning screw between the head and the anchor, wherein the fuse is designed to fail under a predetermined amount of force applied to the fuse through the belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.