Brunswick Corporation

Zebco Corporation

Prentice G Moore

William E Mitchell

Michael Shives

Loy Hoskins

Nick G IntVeldt

Thomas C Griffith

Richard J Robbins

William A Henderson

David W Welch

Lynn E Cook, Iii

Stephen P Malak

Thomas Earl Griffith, Sr

This invention relates to a trolling motor which includes a control system capable of executing a predetermined sequence of events which will clear entangled weeds from the propeller, motor housing, and support column. The control system for the trolling motor provides momentary reversal of the propeller to accomplish reliable cleaning of the submerged components of the trolling motor without disturbing the operator selected forward speed. The system includes an input for manually activating a cleaning cycle, for periodically activating cleaning cycles, or for automatically activating a cleaning cycle upon detection of weed fouling of the submerged components.

Self cleaning trolling motor

A trolling motor system comprises a trolling motor having a propeller rotatably driven thereby. The motor is connected to a rotating tube or column mounted to the boat. A control head is mounted at the upper end of the column. A steering motor in the control head controls rotational position of the trolling motor. The control head houses a control circuit for controlling speed of the trolling motor as well as position of the steering motor to steer the boat. A foot pedal is positioned in the boat in proximity to the control head. The foot pedal includes a plurality of user actuable switches for commanding operation of the steering motor and trolling motor. The commands are transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver in the control head. The receiver decodes the commands and transfers the command to the control circuit.

Radio frequency remote control for trolling motors

Trolling motor foot pedal control

A system (8) for controlling from a remote position the direction and speed of a trolling motor (16) that includes a steering motor (24) for turning the trolling motor (16), an optical receiver (22) coupled to the steering motor (24) and to a throttle (26), which is coupled to the trolling motor (16), and one or more reflectors (30, 40). An operator (10) may use a transmitter (18, 20) to develop an optical signal (34) representing a desired direction and speed for the trolling motor (16). Optical reflectors (30) assure delivery of the optical signal (34) to the optical receiver (22) notwithstanding potential obstacles (31).

Optical remote control for trolling motors and method of control

A remote-control, foot-operated unit for use with trolling motors on boats is revealed. The unit has a snap-together design that does not use screw fasteners extending through holes. As a result, the sensitive electronic components are completely sealed from contact with any water or water vapor. The snap design has a back-up feature to prevent accidental snap-release in the event of shock loading. The assembly fits together as a sandwich, effectively positioning a sealing component in juxtaposition with the snap arrangements to promote a secure connection around the periphery of the unit, as well as a tight sealing engagement between the sandwich components to, in effect, isolate the sensitive electronic components from exposure to any moisture.

Trolling motor foot pedal assembly

Growing community of inventors

Starkville, MS, United States of America

Prentice G Moore