The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 29, 2010
James M. Hundertmark, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
James M. Hundertmark, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
Mark X Steering Systems, LLC, Oshkosh, WI (US);
Abstract
A steering assist system for a marine vessel includes a steering vane extending into water in the vicinity of a steering device for the vessel and that is pivotable about an at least generally vertical axis by an electromechanical drive unit. The drive unit is energized by an actuator assembly in response to the imposition of external forces on the steering system. The actuator assembly includes an actuator that is movable in response to the imposition of external forces in the steering system and a switch that is selectively engageable by the actuator arm to energize the drive unit to drive the steering vane to pivot. The actuator assembly may comprise a biasing assembly that resists movement of the actuator creating a force threshold that must be overcome to engage the switch. The biasing assembly may take the form of one or more springs, preferably having a settable preset.