Marine propulsion – Means to control the supply of energy responsive to a sensed...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-08-21
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3612)
Marine propulsion
Means to control the supply of energy responsive to a sensed...
C114S362000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276974
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful safety system to aid in boating safety, specifically to avoid propeller contacting persons in the water.
Marine accidents due to a propeller of a boat striking a swimmer, diver, water skier, and like persons in the water have occurred in the past with devastating consequences. In general, such accidents occur when the operator of a boat is unaware of the presence of such persons in the water in the vicinity of the boat. In many cases, the person being injured is associated with the party of persons in the boat having the errant propeller.
It has been found that associating the operation of the ignition system of the motor of the boat, be it an inboard motor or a outboard motor, to the unlatching or extension of a gate or ladder, respectively, has met with some success. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,774,720 and 5,105,755 describe safety switch system for marine vehicles in which the ignition system is linked to the extension of a ladder or the latching or unlatching of a gate, or a series of gates. However, such systems may be easily overridden by the simple pressing of a switch. Unfortunately, a simple switch override often results in the same type of accident because such overriding is accomplished quickly and easily.
A safety system for a boat to prevent propeller injuries to persons in the water would be a notable advance in the field of water safety.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful safety system for a boat.
The system of the present invention is used with a marine vehicle having a motor and an element movable between a latched and unlatched position for gaining access to the boat. For example, such movable element may be a gate, a ladder, a hatch, and the like. The boat also includes an ignition circuit for starting the motor, which drives the propeller. The motor of the boat may be an inboard or outboard motor.
The system includes a switch which is normally in a closed position. The switch is opened when the movable element travels to the unlatched position. At that point, the switch interrupts the ignition circuit of the motor. Thus, the movable element must be latched or travel to the latched position before the ignition circuit will permit the motor to run.
The system of the present invention also includes an override device for the switch. The override device includes first connector means and second connector means. The first and second connector means are necessarily mechanically and electrically connected by manual mating. Such manual mating bypasses the switch associated with the movable element. Further, the manual disconnecting, or unmating, of the first and second connector means and, in certain cases, the mechanical and electrical connection of a pair of connectors to one another overrides the switch, allowing the ignition system to operate. The first and second connector means may comprise first and second connectors having male and female configurations. In addition, a relay may be mechanically and electrically linked to the switch and the first and second connector means. The battery of the ignition system of the boat would provide the electrical motivation needed to operate the relay.
In certain cases, the first and second connector means may each include a pair of connectors which must be manually mated to provide the mechanical and electrical linking to the switch, and require the physical unmating and reconnecting to one another to provide such override. The override device may be located in a housing, which could be locked or latched in a particular way, preferably with a warning indicia to insure that one overriding the system checks the water in the immediate vicinity of the boat before starting the engine.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful safety system for a boat has been herein described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safety system for a boat which interrupts the operation of the ignition system of the motor of the boat when gate or ladder is open or extended, as the case may be, due to a person entering the water in the vicinity of the boat.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat which immobilizes the ignition system of the boat when a boat ladder or gate is opened and is not easily overridden by a simple switch, requiring the physical disconnecting and matting of one or more electrical connectors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat which is easily retrofitted to boats and may be employed in multiple locations in the boat.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat which immobilizes the ignition system of a boat when a person is in the vicinity of the boat to prevent injuries due to the boat propeller striking the person in the water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat in which it immobilizes the ignition system of a boat that may be overridden if the safety system is damaged in some manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat which is capable of immobilizing the ignition system of a boat to prevent injuries to persons in the water in the vicinity of the boat which conforms to boats of any size and to boats having a variety of motor types.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety system for a boat to prevent propeller injuries to persons in the water that is relatively low cost to install and maintain.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2124497 (1938-07-01), Slauson
patent: 3774720 (1973-11-01), Hovey
patent: 3881443 (1975-05-01), Hamp
patent: 5105755 (1992-04-01), Davidson
Bouge Harry A.
Steep Donald T.
Basinger Sherman
Bielen, Jr. Theodore J.
PropGuard, Inc.
LandOfFree
Switch system for preventing marine propeller injuries does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Switch system for preventing marine propeller injuries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Switch system for preventing marine propeller injuries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2514192