Trolling motor assembly

[0001] The present Application claims the benefit of priority, as available under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/476,946 titled “Trolling Motor Assembly” filed Jun. 9, 2003 (which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).

[0002] The present invention relates to transom and bow-mounted outboard trolling motors for boats. In particular, the present invention relates to a trolling motor assembly that provides for reorientation or reconfiguration of a propulsion unit between a forward troll position and a back troll position.

[0003] Outboard trolling motors have become extremely popular for low speed maneuvering of small boats. Their ability to slowly traverse the boat across an area without excessive noise or disturbance of the water has made such trolling motors especially popular with fishermen where fishing by trolling requires slow movement of the boat, where the boat must be moved slowly through congested waters filled with stumps, blowdowns, and dense weed lines, and where it is critical that the fish not be frightened.

[0004] Trolling motors are typically mounted either on the bow or transom of a boat and include a submerged propulsion unit, a motor shaft or tube suspending a propulsion unit below the water surface, a generally horizontally extending head at the upper end of the motor shaft and a mounting mechanism rotatably supporting the motor tube and including a clamp for engaging the boat. The submerged propulsion unit typically comprises an electrically powered motor which drives the propeller to generate thrust. To vary the direction of thrust, the head typically includes controls for the submerged propulsion unit and a steering mechanism which rotates the motor tube and the submerged propulsion unit. The steering mechanism typically comprises either a steering arm or foot-operated remote control or a hand-held remote control. Foot-operated and hand-held remote controls typically utilize cables, rods, or other linkages which are operably coupled to a drum or a rack and pinion connected to the motor tube to rotate the motor tube and reorient the submerged propulsion unit with respect to the fixed head. Steering mechanisms utilizing steering arms or tillers require the operator to rotate the arm so as to rotate the motor tube. To avoid the problem of interference between the steering arm and the main outboard motor, other steering mechanisms utilizing tillers utilize a geared mechanism wherein the steering arm moves through a shorter arc or rotation while the propulsion unit longer arc or rotation.

[0005] Although widely used, such trolling motors have several associated drawbacks. Trolling motors are generally configured to propel the boat in a forward trolling direction. However, in many situations it is desirable to backtroll wherein the propulsion unit is oriented to propel the boat in a rearward or backward direction. Unfortunately, to orient the propulsion unit for backtrolling normally requires that the tiller or steering arm be extended away from the boat over the water. As a result, it is extremely inconvenient and difficult to steer the boat during backtrolling.

[0006] To facilitate back trolling, some trolling motors include a bolt which holds the head to the tube. To reorient the propulsion unit for backtrolling requires that the bolt be removed, that the tube and the propulsion unit be rotated 180 degrees, and that the bolt be replaced. Because this procedure requires disassembly and reassembly of the trolling motor, this procedure is time consuming and inconvenient. Moreover, during this procedure, the bolt is often dropped, misplaced or lost. Other trolling motors such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,821 (which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) may provide a gear which is selectively engaged and disengaged to allow for reorientation to a back trolling orientation. However, such a configuration requires that mating gear components be disengaged and re-engaged for proper functioning.

[0007] Thus, there is a continuing need for a trolling motor which is easily reindexed or adjusted to alternate between forward trolling and backtrolling without the associated drawbacks of the conventional systems described above.

[0008] One embodiment of the invention relates to a trolling motor assembly for use with a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly comprises a propulsion unit, a steering control unit configured to control the orientation of the propulsion unit, and a motor tube coupling the steering control unit to the propulsion unit. The motor tube includes a first tube section and a second tube section. The trolling motor assembly further comprises a mount system having a first portion adapted to be mounted to a watercraft and a second portion adapted to receive the motor tube, and an orientation system adapted to convert the trolling motor assembly between a first orientation and a second orientation. The orientation system includes an engagement device movable between a first engaged position, a disengaged position, and a second engaged position. The first engaged position corresponds to the first orientation, and the second engaged position corresponds to the second orientation.

[0009] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a trolling motor assembly for use with a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly comprises a propulsion unit, a steering control unit, a motor tube having a first tube section and a second tube section, and a mount system having a first portion adapted to be mounted to a watercraft and a second portion adapted to support the propulsion unit. The trolling motor assembly further comprises an orientation system configured to re-index the trolling motor assembly between a forward troll position and a back troll position. The orientation system includes a collar and a pin. The collar is rotated relative the pin to re-index the trolling propulsion unit between the forward troll position and the back troll position.

[0010] A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method of converting a trolling motor between a forward trolling position and a back trolling position. The method comprises the steps of coupling an orientation collar having a slot to an outer motor tube section, disengaging an outer locking member from a first aperture in the orientation collar, and rotating a steering control unit in a manner that causes the orientation collar to slidably follow an inner locking member until the outer locking member engages the second aperture. The collar is rotated relative the inner locking member to convert the trolling motor between the forward troll position and the back troll position.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trolling motor assembly 20 configured to be secured to a boat (not shown) at a location on the boat such as a bow or transom of the boat. Motor assembly generally includes boat mounting mechanism 22, an outer motor tube 24, an inner motor tube 26, a propulsion unit 28, a control unit 30 (such as a control box) and a steering control 32 (such as a handle). Mounting mechanism 22 is preferably secured (e.g., clamped) to the boat by a conventionally known clamping mechanism (not shown). Mounting mechanism 22 also enables propulsion unit 28 and control unit 30 to be rotated or pivoted relative to the boat (e.g., provide tilt adjustment for motor assembly 20).

[0018] Propulsion unit 28 comprises a conventionally known electric motor having a propeller 34. The motor rotatably drives propeller 34 to generate thrust used to move the boat. The amount of thrust generated by propulsion unit 28 may be altered by conventionally known methods such as using variable speed motors. As will be appreciated, the propulsion unit may alternatively comprise various other submergible devices or mechanisms for generating thrust.

[0019] The direction of thrust applied to the boat by propulsion unit 28 may be reoriented to change the direction of travel of the boat. Propulsion unit 28 is rotated around a vertical axis relative to mounting mechanism 22 by a user applying a force or otherwise rotating steering control 32, thereby causing rotation of control unit 30, inner tube 26 coupled to control unit 30, and propulsion unit 28 coupled to inner tube 26.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows in greater detail control unit 30. Control unit 30 provides or allows for articulated steering of motor assembly 20. For example, articulated steering advantageously allows a first amount of rotation of control unit 30 to result in a second amount of rotation of propulsion unit 28.

[0021] Control unit 30 generally comprises housing 40 (shown as a split or two-part case, housing, etc.), yoke 42, bearing 44, gear carrier 46 (e.g., drum, gear ring, rack, etc.), pinion 48, and direction indicator assembly 50.

[0022] Yoke 42 and outer tube 24 are coupled to each other. Preferably, yoke 42 and outer tube 24 are fixed with respect to each other such that movement or rotation around a vertical axis (shown as axis Y-Y) of outer tube 24 causes rotation of yoke 42. As shown in FIG. 9, yoke 42 includes a split tube portion 52 which is sized to fit over an end portion of outer tube 24. Yoke 42 and outer tube 24 are fixed or coupled by tightening fastener 54 (shown in FIG. 2) which causes the split tube portion 52 to tighten and fix the position of yoke 42 with respect to outer tube 24.

[0023] Bearing 44 is provided between yoke 42 and gear carrier 46. According to a preferred embodiment, bearing 44 has a circular shape sized to fit or otherwise be received in a corresponding portion of yoke 42. Bearing 44 may be constructed from a variety of shapes, configurations or materials which allow or otherwise provide for the relative movement between yoke 42 and gear carrier 46, including nylon, Teflon, etc.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, gear carrier 46 comprises a substantially circular body configured to coact with bearing 44. Gear carrier 46 comprises gear teeth 56 provided around an inner periphery of gear carrier 46. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, gear teeth 56 are provided around 192 degrees of the inner periphery of gear carrier 46.

[0025] Gear carrier 46 and housing 40 are fixed with respect to each other in a horizontal plane such that rotation of housing 40 around an axis parallel to axis Y-Y causes rotation of gear carrier 46 around an axis parallel to axis Y-Y. Housing 40 may rotate or pivot with respect to gear carrier 46 around an axis defined by pivot knobs 58.

[0026] Gear teeth 56 of gear carrier 46 engage gear teeth 60 provided on pinion 48. Pinion 48 is coupled to inner tube 26. Inner tube 26 is provided within outer tube 24. Inner tube 26 is rigidly coupled to propulsion unit 28 such that rotation of inner tube 26 (via pinion 48) causes a corresponding rotation of propulsion unit 28. Rotation of handle 32 around axis Y-Y causes rotation of gear carrier 56 around axis Y-Y. Rotation of gear carrier 56 (and the meshing gear teeth 56 and 60) cause rotation of pinion 48, inner tube 26 and propulsion unit 28 around a parallel and offset axis to axis Y-Y.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, gear carrier 46 and pinion 48 have a gear ratio of approximately 3.3 to 1. In other words, a rotation of gear carrier 46 through X degrees causes pinion 48 to rotate 3.3X degrees (and accordingly, a rotation of 3.3X degrees of inner tube 26 and propulsion unit 28). A 3.3 to 1 gear ratio provides a user with advantages of articulated steering described above while not providing a relatively high sensitivity of steering. For example, the 3.3 to 1 is not as sensitive to movement as a trolling motor assembly having higher gear ratios such as 4 to 1, etc. The 3.3 to 1 gear ratio may find particular suitability with “recreational” users (i.e., infrequent or average users as compared to an expert user) who may not be as adept or comfortable with a higher gear ratio. Alternatively, a variety of other gear ratios (such as higher and lower gear ratios) may be used.

[0028] Inner tube 26 is further configured to receive and allow passage of control and power cables or wires (not shown) from a control board 62 (such as a microprocessor, control circuit, etc.) to propulsion unit 28.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, trolling motor assembly 20 further comprises an orientation assembly 70. Orientation assembly 70 is used to allow outer tube 24 (and correspondingly, propulsion unit 28) to be selectively reoriented or redirected (e.g., re-indexed, converted, etc.). According to a preferred embodiment, orientation assembly 70 is used to orient propulsion unit 28 in either a first position (i.e., a forward troll position) or a second position (i.e., a back troll position). Illustrating propulsion unit 28 in the forward troll position are FIGS. 6 to 9. Illustrating propulsion unit 28 in the back troll position are FIGS. 10 to 12. Propulsion unit 28 in the forward troll position is rotated 180 degrees around a vertical axis from propulsion unit 28 in the back troll position. According to various alternative embodiments, the first and second positions may be separated by any desired angle other than 180 degrees.

[0030] Orientation assembly 70 comprises a collar 72, pin 74, and key 76. Collar 72 is provided around an outer periphery outer tube 24. Collar 72 is fixed in rotation about a vertical axis with respect to outer tube 24 by key 76. Key 76 includes a protrusion 78 which extends into a slot 80 provided along a length of outer tube 24. Screw 82 (such as a thumb-screw) is coupled to key 76 through an aperture provided in collar 72.

[0031] Outer tube 24 (and trolling motor assembly 20) may be adjusted vertically by loosening screw 82 and adjusting outer tube 24 in a vertical direction (either up or down) to a desired vertical position. Once in an appropriate vertical position, outer tube 24 is held in place by tightening screw 82, thereby applying a holding force to key 76. Outer tube 24 is also received within bearings 98. Bearings 98 allow outer tube 24 (and propulsion unit 28 and control unit 30) to rotate around a vertical axis relative to mounting mechanism 22 when pin 74 is disengaged from collar 72 as described below.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, collar 72 comprises a first aperture 84 (corresponding to a first position such as a forward troll position) and a second aperture 86 (corresponding to a second position such as a back troll position). First aperture 84 and second aperture 86 are connected by slot 88 preferably having a width less than the diameter of first aperture 84 and second aperture 86. According to a preferred embodiment, first aperture 84 and second aperture 86 are provided on a periphery of collar 72, separated by 78 degrees.

[0033] Referring back to FIG. 3, pin 74 (shown in cross-section) comprises an inner member 90, a spring 92 and an outer member 94. Inner member 90 is coupled to a body member 95 on mounting mechanism 22. Inner member 90 has a diameter less than the width of slot 88. Inner member 90 may be fixed to body member 95 with a threaded fastener provided on the end of inner member or any other conventional fastening means such as welding, adhesives, etc.

[0034] Spring 92 is provided between inner member 90 and outer member 94. According to a preferred embodiment, outer member 94 comprises a “necked-down” portion 96 sized to be received in first aperture 84 and second aperture 86. Portion 96 has a diameter larger than the width of slot 88 (i.e., sized to not fit or otherwise be received in slot 88). Outer member 94 is moveable along axis A-A. In operation, outer member 94 is pulled out of an engagement position (shown in FIG. 4). Collar 72 may then be reconfigured or reoriented from the first position to the second position by rotating collar 72 around a vertical axis. Once collar 72 is in the second position (as shown in FIG. 10), spring 92 urges or biases outer member 94 to engage collar 72 (i.e., portion 96 engaging or coacting in second aperture 86).

[0035] In operation, a user may wish to reorient or re-index trolling motor assembly 20 between a forward troll orientation (as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9) and a “back troll” orientation (as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12). According to a preferred embodiment, a user will disengage pin 74 from collar 72 to allow rotation. The user will then rotate handle 32 to a far counter-clockwise position (as seen from the top of trolling motor assembly 20). Rotation of handle 32 (with pin 74 disengaged) will cause rotation of control unit 30, outer tube 24 in bearings 98, inner tube 26 and propulsion unit 28. With pin 74 disengaged, yoke 42 and gear carrier 46 do not rotate relative to each other. Pin 74 will then re-engage collar 72. The user will then rotate handle 32 in a clockwise position to orient propulsion unit 28 in a back troll position (as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12). Pin 74 engaged with collar 72 results in yoke 42 and gear carrier 46 rotating relative to each other.

[0036] FIG. 8 (a forward troll position) shows pinion 48 to the right of “Plane A.” FIG. 11 (a back troll position) shows pinion 48 rotated to the left of “Plane A.” The change in relative position of pinion 48 with respect to “Plane A” allows for the rotation of propulsion unit 28 (via inner tube 26 coupled to pinion 48). Accordingly, propulsion unit 28 is also offset with respect to “Plan A” (see FIGS. 8 and 11).

[0037] It should be appreciated that trolling motor assembly 20 advantageously allows for relatively easily re-indexing or adjusting to alternate between forward trolling and backtrolling without disengaging and re-engaging any geared components.

[0038] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the trolling motor as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, or the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the trolling motor may be configured in a suitable configuration to be used in association with a wide variety of other applications. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications. changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.

[0039] The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the inventions as expressed in the appended claims.