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US 5,632,657 AGranted
Multi-position adjustable trolling motor tiller handle
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorWilliam A. Henderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A movable handle mounted to a trolling motorhead is disclosed. The handle is pivotally adjustable upwardly and downwardly to suit different positions of a fisherman while controlling the trolling motor. The handle spans across the motorhead and acts as a tiller for pivoting the motor about its axis. The resistance to positional changes is adjustable and protective features are provided to prevent damage to the adjustment mechanism in the event of tightening. The handle incorporates therein various controls for the motorhead.
Claims14
In combination, an apparatus for controlling a trolling motor, comprising:
- a trolling motor assembly further comprising a motorhead, said assembly mountable to a boat in a manner to allow rotation of said motorhead in at least a first plane to effect course changes for the boat;
- an adjustable handle extending into said motorhead in at least one location to facilitate said movement of said motorhead in said first plane;
- a clutch mechanism mounted between said handle and said motorhead and extending at least in part into said motorhead to facilitate selective placement of the handle in a plurality of positions as desired for control of said motorhead;
- said clutch mechanism further comprises an adjustment system to regulate the amount of force required to reposition said handle pivotally with respect to said motorhead;
- said handle is adjustable in a second plane different from said first plane;
- said second plane is substantially transverse to said first plane;
- said handle is pivotally mounted to said motorhead;
- said handle is adjustable to include a position in substantial alignment with said motorhead as well as a positive or negative angular misalignment;
- said adjustment system comprises a pair of mating elements comprising a first and second member defining a plurality of closely spaced ratchet positions therebetween, one of said pair supported by said motorhead and the other by said handle;
- a biased resilient urging mechanism accessible externally to said handle when assembled to said motorhead to selectively regulate the spacing between said mating elements.
7 more elements
In combination, an apparatus for controlling a trolling motor, comprising:
- a trolling motor assembly further comprising a motorhead, said assembly mountable to a boat in a manner to allow rotation of said motorhead in at least a first plane to effect course changes for the boat;
- an adjustable-handle extending into said motorhead in at least one location to facilitate said movement of said motorhead in said first plane;
- a clutch mechanism mounted between said handle and said motorhead and extending at least in part into said motorhead to facilitate selective placement of the handle in a plurality of positions as desired for control of said motorhead;
- said clutch mechanism further comprises an adjustment system to regulate the amount of force required to reposition said handle pivotally with respect to said motorhead;
- said adjustment system comprises a pair of mating elements comprising a first and second member defining a plurality of closely spaced ratchet positions therebetween, one of said pair supported by said motorhead and the other by said handle;
- a biased resilient urging mechanism accessible externally to said handle when assembled to said motorhead to selectively regulate the spacing between said mating elements.
3 more elements
In combination, an apparatus for controlling a trolling motor, comprising:
- a trolling motor assembly further comprising a motorhead, said assembly mountable to a boat in a manner to allow rotation of said motorhead in at least a first plane to effect course changes for the boat;
- an adjustable handle mounted to said motorhead in at least one location to facilitate said movement of said motorhead in said first plane;
- a clutch mechanism mounted between said handle and said motorhead to facilitate selective placement of the handle in a plurality of positions as desired for control of said motorhead;
- said clutch mechanism further comprises an adjustment system to regulate the amount of force required to reposition said handle pivotally with respect to said motorhead;
- said adjustment system comprises a pair of matins elements defining a plurality of closely spaced ratchet positions therebetween, one of said pair supported by said motorhead and the other by said handle;
- a resilient urging mechanism to selectively regulate the spacing between said mating elements;
- said urging mechanism comprising a plurality of Belleville washers and
- a resilient washer with a hardness about 50-60 Durometer on the Shore A scale.
5 more elements
In combination, an apparatus for controlling a trolling motor, comprising:
- a trolling motor assembly further comprising a motorhead, said assembly mountable to a boat in a manner to allow rotation of said motorhead in at least a first plane to effect course changes for the boat;
- an adjustable handle mounted to said motorhead in at least one location to facilitate said movement of said motorhead in said first plane;
- a clutch mechanism mounted between said handle and said motorhead to facilitate selective placement of the handle in a plurality of positions as desired for control of said motorhead;
- said clutch mechanism further comprises an adjustment system to regulate the amount of force required to reposition said handle pivotally with respect to said motorhead;
- said adjustment system comprises a pair of mating elements defining a plurality of closely spaced ratchet positions therebetween, one of said pair supported by said motorhead and the other by said handle;
- a resilient urging mechanism to selectively regulate the spacing between said mating elements;
- and
- a travel stop to limit the force applied to said urging mechanism at a point where said urging mechanism provides sufficient flexibility to allow said mating elements to rotate with respect to each other without damage to said ratchet positions.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.