Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Signal transducers – Underwater type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-09
2002-12-03
Lobo, Ian J. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Signal transducers
Underwater type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06490229
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recreational and sporting fishermen often use a transducer, typically a sonar unit for detecting depth and/or for locating fish, as part of the basic equipment they take with them on each fishing trip. Often, they will mount their transducer on the bottom of their trolling motor, as this provides a convenient location for the transducer. This is particularly true for depth-finding sonar units, which should be directed straight down under the surface of the water in order to function properly. Unfortunately, locating the transducer on the trolling motor subjects the transducer to difficult conditions which may lead to a malfunction of the transducer mechanism, misalignment of the transducer, or even loss of the transducer.
There are many underwater obstructions and hazards located beneath the surface of the water in boating areas. As a result, the trolling motor may bump or snag various underwater obstructions. This subjects a transducer mounted on the trolling motor to impact, which may jar the transducer severely. Such impacts may result in damage to the sensitive mechanisms of the transducer. They may also lead to the transducer's position on the trolling motor being altered, which may adversely affect the transducer's ability to provide accurate information. The wires leading from the transducer up to the user in the boat may also snag on underwater obstructions, damaging the electrical components of the transducer. In the worst case scenario, such impacts may even tear the transducer loose from the trolling motor, in which case the transducer can be lost. In fact, most professional sports fishermen lose several transducers each year in this manner.
The current method for mounting a transducer upon a trolling motor uses either a large cable tie or a metal hose clamp to tie the transducer directly onto the bottom of the trolling motor. The transducer is unprotected and completely exposed to underwater obstructions, and the wires from the transducer also hang freely and are exposed, so that they may snag or snare upon underwater obstructions. Furthermore, the cable tie or hose clamp is not particularly strong, since it was not designed for this particular type of task. As a result, the cable tie or hose clamp will often break if the transducer hits some underwater obstruction during trolling, and the transducer will be knocked free of the trolling motor. Even if the metal hose clamp does not actually break, the transducer will often be either knocked out of alignment or jarred sufficiently so that the electronic mechanisms malfunction. Finally, when the trolling motor is in use, it may produce interference with the electronic data of the transducer.
The instant invention, referred to as a Trolling Motor Transducer Mount (“TMTM”), was developed to overcome these problems which typically arise when a transducer is operated from a position on a trolling motor. The TMTM provides a means for durably fixing a transducer upon a trolling motor. Because of the design of the TMTM, the transducer is much less likely to be torn off of the trolling motor. Indeed, the strength of the attachment provided by the TMTM also reduces the chances that the transducer will be knocked out of alignment. The TMTM also shields the transducer from direct exposure to underwater obstructions, so that the electronic mechanisms in the transducer are less likely to be jarred to the point of malfunctioning. The TMTM provides a convenient location for the wires leading from the transducer up to the user in the boat, so that the wires are not exposed to the elements in a manner that would allow for snagging to occur; rather, the wires are shielded within the TMTM. Enclosing the transducer within the TMTM also shields the transducer from interference when the trolling motor is operated. Finally, the TMTM allows the transducer to be easily removed from its position on a trolling motor. One embodiment of the TMTM even includes a convenient temperature probe, which is mounted on the TMTM so that the user may detect the temperature of the water beneath the surface. Obviously, the TMTM solves many of the problems which recreational and sporting fishermen have encountered using the current technology to affix transducers to trolling motors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the present invention relates to mounting a transducer upon a trolling motor, although the present invention is not limited to such use. An object of the present invention is to durably but removably mount a transducer to the bottom of a trolling motor. Another object of the present invention is to rigidly affix a transducer to a position on a trolling motor, so that even if the transducer is bumped or jarred, its position will not be substantially altered. Yet another object of the present invention is to protect and shield the mechanisms of a transducer mounted to a trolling motor from direct impact which could damage or disrupt the functioning of the transducer. Yet another object of the present invention is to hold the wires of the transducer in a manner which reduces the chances that they may snag or snare upon underwater obstructions. Yet another object of the present invention is to shield the transducer and its wires from interference when the trolling motor is in operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a location to durably mount instruments, such as a temperature probe, underneath the surface of the water. Yet another object of the invention is to resist the corrosive environment underneath the surface of the water. A person skilled in the art field will understand these and other uses and objects for the present invention.
The TMTM is comprised of a circular collar which is open at one end. A housing with a recess, in which a standard transducer (such as LOWRANCE® and HUMMINBIRD® transducers) may be mounted, is attached to the circular collar. The housing may be attached anywhere along the circumference of the circular collar, but in the preferred embodiment the housing is located at the closed end of the circular collar. A standard transducer may be mounted in the recess so that it is enclosed within the TMTM and shielded by the TMTM from direct impact. The other end of the circular collar is open and is configured to allow for the open end to be clamped together in order to form a solid ring surrounding the circumference of the trolling motor. When the circular collar is open, it is sized so that it loosely fits around the housing of a standard trolling motor. Thus, when the circular collar is open and unclamped, it may be easily installed onto a trolling motor by simply sliding onto the housing of the trolling motor. When installing the TMTM upon a trolling motor, the recess is typically positioned so that, when the trolling motor is in use and is positioned beneath the surface of the water so as to drive a boat, the recess will face directly down towards the bottom of the body of water. Once the TMTM is properly positioned on the trolling motor, the open end of the TMTM is clamped together so that the TMTM acts as a solid collar encompassing the diameter of the trolling motor housing. This clamping action also causes the diameter of the TMTM to be reduced, so that the TMTM fits snugly onto the trolling motor housing. In essence, this clamping action causes the TMTM to lock into position on the trolling motor housing, with the friction between the inner surface or the TMTM and the trolling motor housing preventing any movement of the TMTM with respect to the trolling motor housing.
Typically, the open end of the TMTM is designed with flanges with bolt holes. Once the TMTM is properly positioned on the trolling motor housing, bolts are inserted through the holes in the flanges, and nuts are attached to the free end of the bolts. Once the nuts are tightened, the flanges will be pressed tightly together in order to close the open end of the TMTM so that it forms a solid circular collar tightly encompassing the trolling motor. In this way, the entire TMTM acts as a clam
Lobo Ian J.
Phelps Dunbar L.L.P.
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