Watercraft docking system and propulsion assembly
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorMikel E. Janitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved docking system for a watercraft and a propulsion assembly therefor wherein the docking system comprises a plurality of the propulsion assemblies and wherein each propulsion assembly includes a motor and propeller assembly provided on the distal end of a steering column and each of the propulsion assemblies is attachable in an operating position such that the motor and propeller assembly thereof will extend into the water and can be turned for steering the watercraft.
Claims31
In a docking system for a watercraft operable on a body of water, said docking system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies which are operable in a coordinated manner effective for steering said watercraft, the improvement comprising;
- each of said propulsion assemblies comprising a steering column and a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- each of said propulsion assemblies being removably mountable in an operating position such that said motor and propeller assembly and said distal end of the steering column will extend into said body of water and said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly can be turned for steering said watercraft;
- each of said propulsion assemblies further including a steering head, from which said steering column rotatable extends, for turning said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly to steer said watercraft;
- each said steering head being removably mountable on said watercraft in said operating position such that said steering head will remain in fixed position with respect to said watercraft as said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly are turned for steering said watercraft;
- a plurality of brackets which can be secured to said watercraft and to which said steering heads are directly attachable;
- and
- each of said brackets including a keyhole slot for removably receiving a corresponding attachment member provided on said steering head.
In a watercraft operable on a body of water and having a docking system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies which are operable in a coordinated manner effective for steering said watercraft, the improvement comprising:
- each of said propulsion assemblies including a steering column and a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- each of said propulsion assemblies having an operating position wherein said motor and propeller assembly and said distal end of said steering column will extend into said body of water and wherein said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly can be turned for steering said watercraft;
- each of said propulsion assemblies further including a steering head, from which said steering column rotatably extends, for turning said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly to steer said watercraft;
- and
- a plurality of brackets to which said steering heads are removably attachable, each of said brackets including a keyhole slot for receiving a corresponding attachment member provided on said steering head.
A propulsion assembly for a watercraft operable on a body of water comprising:
- a steering column;
- a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- a steering head, in which a proximal end of said steering column is received, for turning said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly, said steering head having at least three side faces;
- and
- a bracket attachable to said watercraft,
- wherein each of said three side faces of said steering head is adapted to be selectively and removably mounted directly on said bracket.
In a docking system for a watercraft operable on a body of water, said docking system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies which are operable in a coordinated manner effective for steering said watercraft, the improvement comprising;
- each of said propulsion assemblies comprising a steering column and a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- each of said propulsion assemblies being removably mountable in an operating position such that said motor and propeller assembly and said distal end of the steering column will extend into said body of water and said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly can be turned for steering said watercraft;
- each of said propulsion assemblies further including a steering head for turning said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly to steer said watercraft;
- at least one user interface for sending watercraft steering signals;
- a splitter which will receive said watercraft steering signals and direct said watercraft steering signals to said steering head of each of said propulsion assemblies in a manner effective for coordinated operation of said propulsion assemblies to steer said watercraft;
- said user interface being a key fob remote control;
- and
- a foot pedal control device which will override said key fob remote control.
In a watercraft operable on a body of water having a docking system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies which are operable in a coordinated manner effective for steering said watercraft, the improvement comprising:
- each of said propulsion assemblies including a steering column and a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- each of said propulsion assemblies having an operating position wherein said motor and propeller assembly and said distal end of said steering column will extend into said body of water and wherein said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly can be turned for steering said watercraft;
- each of said propulsion assemblies further including a steering head for turning said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly to steer said watercraft;
- at least one user interface for sending watercraft steering signals;
- a splitter which will receive said watercraft steering signals and direct said watercraft steering signals to said steering head of each of said propulsion assemblies in a manner effective for a coordinated operation of said propulsion assemblies to steer said watercraft;
- said user interface being a key fob remote control;
- and
- a foot pedal control device which will override said key fob remote control.
In a docking system for a watercraft operable on a body of water, said docking system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies which are electrically powered and are operable in a coordinated manner effective for steering said watercraft, the improvement comprising:
- each of said propulsion assemblies comprising a steering column and a motor and propeller assembly on a distal end of said steering column;
- each of said propulsion assemblies being removably mountable in an operating position such that said motor and propeller assembly and said distal end of the steering column will extend into said body of water and said steering column and said motor and propeller assembly can be turned with respect to a steering head of each of said propulsion assemblies for steering said watercraft;
- an electrical power source;
- and
- a splitter,
- each of said propulsion assemblies being electrically connectable to and disconnectable from said splitter,
- wherein said splitter will deliver electrical power from said electrical power source to each of said propulsion assemblies and said splitter will receive watercraft steering signals and will direct said watercraft steering signals to each of said propulsion assemblies in a manner effective to provide a coordinated operation of all of said propulsion assemblies for docking said watercraft;
- wherein, when any of said propulsion assemblies is disconnected from said splitter, said splitter will still deliver said electrical power and will direct said watercraft steering signals to each of said propulsion assemblies which remains connected to said splitter in a manner effective such that each of said propulsion assemblies will continue to operate for docking said watercraft;
- and
- wherein, by disconnecting all except one of said propulsion assemblies from said splitter, said splitter will still deliver said electrical power and will direct said watercraft steering signals to said one propulsion assembly in a manner effective for using said one propulsion assembly as a trolling motor for a trolling operation of said watercraft.
The docking system of clam 28 wherein the improvement further comprises a foot pedal for sending said watercraft steering signals to said splitter, wherein:
- said foot pedal includes a first monetary on/off control for selectively deactivating or activating at least a first of said propulsion assemblies;
- said foot pedal includes a second momentary on/off control for selectively deactivating or activating at least a second of said propulsion assemblies;
- when either of said first or said second propulsion assemblies is deactivated by operation of said first or said second momentary on/off control, each of said propulsion assemblies which remains activated will continue to operate for docking said watercraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.