# US 2014/0150702 A1 · Skier controlled watercraft

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- Number: US 2014/0150702 A1
- Document ID: US20140150702A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/919,876
- Filed: 2013-06-17
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-12
- Inventors: Robin Sells
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150702A1

## CPC

- B63H 25/02: Initiating means for steering {, for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring}
- B63C 9/0005: {by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat (alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08)}
- B63H 21/22: the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
- B63B 34/63: Holding means for the user, e.g. handle bars or harnesses
- B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00)
- B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52)
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)

## Abstract

A water ski handle system used with a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a handle component that selectively attaches to a standard water ski handle and contains a manual control module. The control module includes directional control buttons, power ON and OFF buttons, and power Up and Down buttons. Coupled to the control module is a self-correcting propulsion and steering system that senses undesirable changes to the watercraft's motion caused by the water-skier when pulled by the watercraft. When a difference is detected, a command module located in the watercraft automatically controls the watercraft's propulsion and steering systems so the watercraft follows the desired path and velocity. The system also includes an auto-back tracking feature that automatically reduces power to the last known marked geographic point the skier was upright.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A water ski handle and control system for a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a hull with a propulsion system and steering system located therein, attached to the hull is a tow rope and a handle, said system comprising:
a. a waterproof handle component designed to connect to said handle, said handle component includes a watercraft control module, said control module includes left and right turn buttons, power ON and OFF buttons and power Up and Down buttons;
b. a command module located in said hull and coupled to said wireless receiver and coupled to the watercraft's said propulsion and steering systems; and,
c. a self-correcting steering and velocity system coupled to said command module, said self-correcting steering and velocity system senses undesirable changes to the watercraft's motion caused by the water skier when being pulled by the watercraft, said self-correcting system includes a micro-electromechanical device and a software program that determines the watercraft's current attitude, heading and speed and compares it with command signals from the turn buttons, and power ON and Off buttons and said power UP and Down buttons on said handle component, when a difference in the attitude, heading and speed is detected, an error condition is detected by said command module that transmit direction and velocity correction signals to said propulsion and steering systems so that the watercraft continues to travel in the direction and at a velocity transmitted from said handle component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system as recited in claim 1, further including a water skier fallen system used to determine when the water skier has released or separated from said handle, said water skier fallen system being coupled to said command module, when said water skier fallen system determines that the water skier has released or separated from said handle, said control module controls said propulsion and driving systems so that the watercraft's velocity is reduced and returns to the location information transmitted by said wireless transmitter.

### Claim 3

A watercraft control system, comprising:
a. a watercraft hull;
b. a propulsion and steering system in said hull;
c. a command module located in said hull and coupled said propulsion and steering system; and,
d. a self-correcting steering and velocity system coupled to said command module, said self-correcting system includes a micro-electromechanical device and a software program that determines the watercraft hull's current attitude, heading and speed and compares it to command signals from said propulsion and steering systems, when a difference in the attitude, heading and speed is detected, an error condition is detected by said command module that transmit direction and velocity correction signals to said propulsion and steering systems so that the watercraft continues to travel in the direction and at a velocity transmitted from said handle component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system as recited in claim 3, further including a water skier pulled by handle attached to said watercraft hull and a water skier fallen system located in said hull that determines when a water skier has released or separated from said handle, said water skier fallen system being coupled to said command module, when said water skier fallen system determines that the water skier has released or separated from said handle, said control module controls said propulsion and driving system so that the watercraft's velocity is reduced and returns to the location information transmitted by said wireless transmitter.