US 4,527,983 A · Trolling control for boats

Abstract

My invention provides a control for a trolling motor of a fishing boat, whereby both steering of the boat and operation of the motor may be controlled through use of but one foot of a fisherman. The control has a very low profile so that a standing person may operate the same with his foot in a position not too far displaced from a flat condition on the boat deck, whereby such person is balanced at all times and thus may devote full attention to fishing and little if any attention to maintaining balance. The control comprises a hollow box having center bearing for supporting a shaft in upright position. A foot plate is disposed exteriorly of the box and connected to the shaft, the construction being such that the shaft may be rotated by movement of the foot imparted to the foot plate and also depressed by downward pressure of the foot on the footplate. When the shaft is rotated, movement thereof is transmitted to mechanism which causes the trolling motor to swing in the water from side to side to cause steering of the boat. When the shaft is depressed, switch contacts are engaged to control flow of electrical energy to the motor.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A control for a trolling motor which is swingably mounted on a boat for the purpose of steering the latter, comprising:

shaft and bearing means securable to the said boat, said shaft mounted in said bearing for rotary movement and additionally mounted therein for movement in a direction along the axis of said shaft,
a generally planar plate secured to said shaft for rotary movement therewith in the plane of the plate and also movement transverse to said rotary movement along the axis of said shaft,
means effected by rotary movement of said plate to cause swinging movement of said motor and consequent steering operation of said motor, and
a switching device controlling said motor having an operator member arranged to effect operation of said switching device when said plate is moved in a direction along the axis of said shaft to thereby effect operation of said trolling motor to propel said boat.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trolling control for boats

Life of this patent

Trolling control for boats

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10