Brunswick Corporation

Zebco Corporation

Stephen P Malak

William A Henderson

Prentice G Moore

Lynn E Cook, Iii

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 stowage device is provided which allows a trolling motor to be longitudinally raised and held in place. The stowage device has a collar, such as a U-bolt, which fits around the trolling motor shaft. The closed end of the collar is rigidly attached to a supporting structure, such as a boat hull or an attachment to the hull. A cam is rotatably attached to the collar so that it can engage the trolling motor shaft. A handle attached to the cam allows the fisherman to control the rotational position of the cam. The trolling motor shaft is inserted between the closed end of the collar and the cam. With the cam in the unlocked position, the trolling motor shaft is free to move and the trolling motor may be positioned anywhere between its two end positions. In its first end position, the trolling motor propeller is in the water, and in its second end position, the trolling motor propeller is out of the water. For normal trolling use, the trolling motor propeller will be in the water. To hold the trolling motor free of the water, the motor is raised to the desired position and the cam is operable to lock the trolling motor in the desired position.

Growing community of inventors

Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Stephen P Malak