US3881443A — Outboard propulsion trolling assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

An improved propulsion means for mounting on the transom of a boat, comprising: a. a main outboard motor pivotally mounted on said transom and operative for driving and steering the boat at cruising speeds; b. an electric outboard motor for driving the boat at trolling speeds; c. means connecting the outboard motor to the main outboard motor so that the former steers in unison with the latter; d. a mounting assembly for supporting the electric outboard motor including a shaft extending upwardly from the electric motor, a fixed supporting frame receiving said shaft above the motor and supporting it in vertically reciprocable relationship to the frame, and means for raising and lowering the shaft so that the electric motor will selectively occupy an up position with the motor out of the water and a down position with the motor in the water; and e. limit switches on the frame and including an up limit switch connected to disable the electric motor and a down limit switch connected to disable the main outboard motor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 173 words

An improved propulsion means for mounting on the transom of a boat, comprising: a. a main outboard motor pivotally mounted on said transom and operative for driving and steering the boat at cruising speeds; b. an electric outboard motor for driving the boat at trolling speeds; c. means connecting the outboard motor to the main outboard motor so that the former steers in unison with the latter; d. a mounting assembly for supporting the electric outboard motor including a shaft extending upwardly from the electric motor, a fixed supporting frame receiving said shaft above the motor and supporting it in vertically reciprocable relationship to the frame, and means for raising and lowering the shaft so that the electric motor will selectively occupy an up position with the motor out of the water and a down position with the motor in the water; and e. limit switches on the frame and including an up limit switch connected to disable the electric motor and a down limit switch connected to disable the main outboard motor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 88 words

In propulsion means as set forth in claim 1, said means for raising and lowering the electric outboard motor comprising an electric winch mounted in said frame and coupled to raise and lower the shaft and outboard motor, a reversible winch control switch circuitry, and circuitry connecting the reversible switch and the limit switches such that the up switch disables the control switch circuitry from raising the shaft beyond the up position and the down switch disables the control circuitry from lowering the shaft beyond the down position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 59 words

In propulsion means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said boat includes a source of power, a control head box coupled through flexible cables to said source and to said electric outboard motor, and said control head box including said reversible winch control switch circuitry, electric outboard motor speed control means and electric outboard motor reversing switch means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

In propulsion means as set forth in claim 1, said connecting means comprising mounting bracket means connected at one end to said supporting frame and connected at the other end to said main outboard motor to support the frame in fixed relation to the main outboard motor, said shaft being non-circular in cross-section and said supporting frame supporting it non-rotationally.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 71 words

In propulsion means as set forth in claim 1, said supporting frame being fixed to said transom adjacent to the main outboard motor and including means for rotationally supporting said shaft, a steering arm extending outwardly from said shaft; and linkage means connecting said arm with said main outboard motor so that when the latter is turned about its pivotal mounting for steering, said shaft will rotate in unison with it.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

In propulsion means as set forth in claim 1, said up and down limit switches being supported on said frame and said shaft carrying switch actuating abutments clamped on the shaft above and below said switches and adjustable along the length of the shaft.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 148 words

An electric outboard trolling motor assembly comprising: a. a submersible electric motor and propeller unit; b. a supporting shaft extending upwardly from the submersible unit; c. a supporting frame; d. bearing means in the frame with the shaft passing through it and vertically reciprocable therein to position the submersible unit selectively in an idle up position or in a down position with the unit submerged; e. electric winch means in the frame and coupled to raise and lower the unit into said positions; and f. up and down limit switches carried by said frame and operatively located with respect to switch actuating abutments adjustably clamped on said shaft, the limit switches disabling the winch means to prevent further raising of the unit when an abutment means actuates the up limit switch and to prevent further lowering of the unit when an abutment means actuates the down limit switch.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 148 words

An electric outboard trolling motor assembly comprising: a. a submersible electric motor and propeller unit; b. a supporting shaft extending upwardly from the submersible unit; c. a supporting frame; d. bearing means in the frame with the shaft passing through it and vertically reciprocable therein to position the submersible unit selectively in an idle up position or in a down position with the unit submerged; e. electric winch means in the frame and coupled to raise and lower the unit into said positions; and f. up and down limit switches carried by said frame and operatively located with respect to switch actuating abutments adjustably clamped on said shaft, the limit switches disabling the winch means to prevent further raising of the unit when an abutment means actuates the up limit switch and to prevent further lowering of the unit when an abutment means actuates the down limit switch.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The electric outboard trolling motor assembly as set forth in claiM 7, wherein the trolling motor in said unit is connected with the up limit switch such that when the latter is actuated by an abutment in the up position of the unit the trolling motor is disabled.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

The electric outboard trolling motor assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said supporting shaft has flat longitudinal surfaces and wherein said bearing means in the frame has roller bearings disposed to engage said flat surfaces and support the shaft reciprocably and non-rotationally.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 60 words

The electric outboard trolling motor assembly as set forth in claim 7, including a source of power, a control head box coupled through flexible cables with said source and to said submersible motor and to said electric winch means, and said control head box including winch reversing switch circuitry, submersible motor speed control means, and submersible motor reversing switch means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-05-05	1978-11-04	1979-05-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-05-05	1982-11-04	1983-05-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-05-05	1986-11-04	1987-05-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Outboard propulsion trolling assembly

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