Retractable trolling motor
AssigneeBombardier Motor Corporation of America
InventorsThomas E. Griffith, Sr., David D. Jones, Calvin Tyler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system for a watercraft is provided, which may be an integral part of a watercraft or may be retrofitted to a particular watercraft. The propulsion system is mounted to the hull in a central area, such as forward of a transverse centerline of the hull. The propulsion system includes a propulsion assembly coupled to a retractable arm, which is pivotable between a stowed and operational position. In the stowed position at least a portion of the propulsion assembly may be received within a recessional housing formed in the hull.
Claims27
A propulsion system for a watercraft, the watercraft having a hull, a longitudinal centerline, and a transverse centerline, the system comprising:
- a propulsion assembly for displacing water to produce thrust;
- and
- a retractable arm coupled to the propulsion assembly, wherein the retractable arm is configured for pivotable mounting to the hull forward the transverse centerline such that the propulsion assembly is pivotable between a thrust position, and a stowed position within a waterline perimeter of the hull.
A watercraft comprising:
- a hull having a recessional housing forward a transverse centerline of the watercraft;
- a propulsion assembly for displacing water to produce thrust;
- and
- an arm pivotably coupling the propulsion assembly to the hull, wherein the arm is configured to pivot the propulsion assembly between a thrust position and a stowed position within the recessional housing.
A method of displacing a watercraft, the watercraft having a hull and a transverse centerline, the method comprising:
- pivoting a retractable propulsion assembly mounted forward of the transverse centerline from a stowed position to an operational position, wherein in the stowed position at least a portion of the propulsion system is received within a recessional housing of the hull, and wherein the step of pivoting includes removal of the portion of the propulsion system from the recessional housing;
- and
- powering an electric drive motor of the propulsion assembly to drive a prop and thereby to produce a thrust in a desired direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.