US3807345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trolling motor steering and speed control means
Assignee: Magnalectric Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-20
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A foot-operated mechanism for controlling both the speed and steering of a trolling motor which may be operated by one foot and conserves the available stored electrical power of a fishing boat. A pivotal foot lever is connected with the trolling motor in such a manner that the steering of the motor is accomplished by a rocking or pivotal action of the lever by a pivot action of the ankle of the operator, and the speed of the trolling motor is controlled by a substantially horizontal sliding motion of the foot which is pivoted from the knee of the operator, thus permitting control of the steering and speed of the motor by nonconflicting motions of the foot whereby the speed and steering may be controlled either simultaneously or independently.
Inventors
- 👤 G Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:31
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/08; B63H20/12; B63H21/00; B63H21/22; B63H20/007; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means operably connected with the trolling motor for control of the steering and speed of the motor, and comprising pivotal foot pedal means operably connected with the motor for controlling the steering thereof upon pivotal movement of the pedal means, said pedal means comprising a pedal having upper and lower surfaces and having a toe portion and a heel portion and movable to alternate toe-up, heel-down and toe-down, heel-up positions by a rocking motion of the foot, said movement of the pedal providing a control of the steering of the motor, electronic control means operably connected to the motor for controlling the speed thereof, said electronic control means including an actuator means carried by the foot pedal, said actuator means having at least a portion thereof projecting upwardly above the upper surface of said foot pedal so as to be engagable by the foot for controlling the speed of said motor by a sliding motion of the foot on the upper surface of the foot pedal, whereby the speed of the motor may be controlled simultaneously with the steering thereof without removing the foot from the pedal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means operably connected with the trolling motor for control of the steering and speed of the motor, and comprising pivotal foot pedal means operably connected with the motor for controlling the steering thereof upon pivotal movement of the pedal means, said pedal means comprising a pedal having upper and lower surfaces and having a toe portion and a heel portion and movable to alternate toe-up, heel-down and toe-down, heel-up positions by a rocking motion of the foot, said movement of the pedal providing a control of the steering of the motor, electronic control means operably connected to the motor for controlling the speed thereof, said electronic control means including an actuator means carried by the foot pedal, said actuator means having at least a portion thereof projecting upwardly above the upper surface of said foot pedal so as to be engagable by the foot for controlling the speed of said motor by a sliding motion of the foot on the upper surface of the foot pedal, whereby the speed of the motor may be controlled simultaneously with the steering thereof without removing the foot from the pedal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electronic control means includes a potentiometer for varying the speed of the motor, and said actuator means comprises pivotal lever means operably connected with the potentiometer for actuation thereof, shaft means carried by the lever means, arcuate means provided in the pedal for receiving the shaft therethrough, said shaft means projecting above the upper surface of said pedal and being engagable by the foot for slidable movement within the arcuate means for selectively varying the speed of the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electronic control means includes a potentiometer operable by said actuator means for varying the speed of the motor, and switch means operable by said actuator means for selectively providing substantially instantaneous maximum speed for the motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 3 wherein the actuator means comprises a wheel member operably connected with the potentiometer and engagable by the foot for actuation of the potentiometer either independently of or simultaneously with the actuation of the foot pedal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a rotatable wheel means operably connected with the electronic control means, said wheel means extending slightly above the outer surface of the foot pedal for engagement by the foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
In combination with a trolling motor for fishing boats, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 5 wherein the electronic control means includes a potentiometer means operably connected with the wheel means for actuation thereby, cam means operably simultaneously with the wheel means, switch means engagable by the cam means for selectively providing substantially instantaneous maximum speed for the motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
In combination with a trolling motor for a fishing boat, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 5 wherein the pedal is provided with a slot for receiving a portion of the wheel means therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
In combination with a trolling motor for fishing boats, foot operated control means as set forth in claim 7 wherein the electronic control means includes potentiometer means operably connected with the wheel means for actuation thereby to control the speed of the motor, projection means carried by the wheel means, on-off switch means selectively engagable by the projection means, second switch means selectively engagable by the projection means for selectively providing substantially instantaneous maximum speed for the motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |