Trim tab auto-retract and multiple switching device

A trim tab control device for use on a boat having an engine with an ignition switch, the trim tab control device comprising:

• trim means including trim tabs movably mountable to the rear of the boat near the water line for adjusting the attitude of the boat,
• adjusting means to be carried by the boat and coupled to the trim means for selectively adjusting the position of the trim tabs, and
• automated means to be coupled to an electrical power source carried by the boat so as to be electrically energizable independently of the condition of the ignition switch, the automated means being in operative communication with the trim means to enable automatically moving the trim tabs to a predetermined position when the automated means are electrically energized.

Automated trim tab control means to be carried by a boat having a hull, trim means including at least one trim tab movably mounted at the stern of the hull, adjusting means attached to the trim means for controlling the position of the trim tab, an electrical power source, and engine ignition means, the automated trim tab control means comprising an electrical input terminal connectable to the electrical power source, an electrical output terminal connectable to the adjusting means so as to cause the adjusting means to cause the trim tab to be automatically moved to a predetermined position when electrical power is delivered from the electrical output terminal, and means functioning independently of the engine ignition means for controlling whether electrical power is delivered from the electrical output terminal.

Automated trim tab control means to be carried by a boat having a hull, trim means including at least one trim tab movably mounted near the stern of the hull, adjusting means attached to the trim means for controlling the position of the trim tab, an electrical power source, and engine ignition means, the automated trim tab control means comprising electrical circuitry having an input terminal for receiving electrical power when connected to the electrical power source, an output terminal to be connected to the adjusting means for delivering electrical power to the adjusting means to cause the adjusting means to move the trim tab to a predetermined position, capacitive means for storing the electrical power received from the electrical power source so as to prevent electrical power from reaching the output terminal, and control means functioning independently of the engine ignition means for isolating the electrical power source from the capacitive means, thereby causing the capacitor to discharge and deliver electrical energy to the output terminal.

In a boat having ignition means, a source of electrical energy, a rear end panel with trim tabs hingedly mounted thereon and movable between a retracted upward position and an extended downward position, and extendable and retractable means connected between the rear end panel and the trim tabs energizable to control the position thereof, the improvement comprising circuit means independent of the ignition means including means operatively connected to the extendable and retractable means to control the operation thereof and the position of the trim tabs, said circuit means including a capacitor and switch means in series therewith connected to the energy source, the capacitor establishing a charge whenever the switch means are closed, and means when the switch means are open to discharge the capacitor, said last named means including means to energize the extendable and retractable means in a direction to retract the trim tabs.

In a boat having ignition means, a source of electrical energy, a rear end panel with trim tabs hingedly mounted thereon and movable between a retracted upward position and an extended downward position, and extendable and retractable means connected between the rear end panel and the trim tabs energizable to control the position thereof, the improvement comprising circuit means independent of the ignition means including means operatively connected to the extendable and retractable means to control the operation thereof and the position of the trim tabs, said circuit means including a capacitor and switch means in series therewith connected to the ground, the capacitor establishing a charge whenever the switch means are open, and means when the switch means are closed to discharge the capacitor, said last named means including means to energize the extendable and retractable means in a direction to retract the trim tabs.

A trim tab control device for use on a boat having an engine, the trim tab control device comprising:

• trim means including trim tabs movably mountable to the rear of the boat near the water line for adjusting the attitude of the boat,
• adjusting means to be carried by the boat and coupled to the trim means for selectively adjusting the position of the trim tabs, and
• automated means to be coupled to an electrical power source carried by the boat so as to be electrically energizable independently of the boat engine, the automated means being in electrical communication with the trim means to enable automatically moving the trim tabs to a predetermined position when the automated means are electrically energized the automated means being in electro-mechanical communication with engine gear shift control means having a reverse gear, the automated means being electrically energized when the engine gear shift control means are shifted into reverse gear.

Automated trim tab control means to be carried by a boat having a hull, trim means including at least one trim tab movable mounted at the stern of the hull, adjusting means attached to the trim means for controlling the position of the trim tab, an electrical power source, and engine ignition means, the automated trim tab control means comprising an electrical input terminal connectable to the electrical power source, an electrical output terminal connectable to the adjusting means so as to cause the adjusting means to cause the trim tab to be automatically moved to a predetermined position when electrical power is delivered from the electrical output terminal, and means functioning independently of the engine ignition means for controlling whether electrical power is delivered from the electrical output terminal the automated means being in electro-mechanical communication with engine gear shift control means having a reverse gear, the automated means being caused to deliver electrical power across the output terminal when the engine gear shift control means are shined into reverse gear.

A trim tab control device for use on a boat having an engine, the trim tab control device comprising:

• trim means including trim tabs movably mountable to the rear of the boat near the water line for adjusting the attitude of the boat,
• adjusting means to be carried by the boat and coupled to the trim means for selectively adjusting the position of the trim tabs, and
• automated means to be coupled to an electrical power source carried by the boat so as to be electrically energizable independently of the boat engine, the automated means being in electrical communication with the trim means to enable automatically moving the trim tabs to a predetermined position when the automated means are electrically energized, the automated means including a capacitor and a momentarily opening switch connected between the electrical power source and the capacitor, the closed state of the switch causing the capacitor to be in operative communication with the electrical power source, and the open state of the switch electrically isolating the capacitor from the electrical power source.

A trim tab control system for use in connection with a boat having a hull and an engine connected to a power source, the boat further having trim tabs mounted to the boat hull and configured for trimming the attitude of the boat as the hull is propelled through the water, said trim tab control system comprising:

• an automatic retraction unit coupled to the trim tabs and to the electrical power source, said retraction unit being operable to cause the trim tabs to move to a predetermined position with respect to the hull when the engine is engaged to propel the hull in a rearward direction.