Skier Controlled Watercraft

• US 20120060738A1
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robin Sells
• Original Assignee: Robin Sells
• Inventors: Sells, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 8,465,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/144.A
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/63 Holding means for the user, e.g. handle bars or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

A wireless water ski handle system used with a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a handle component that selectively attaches to a standard water ski handle and contains a manual control module and a wireless transmitter. The control module includes directional control buttons, power ON and OFF buttons, and power Up and Down buttons. Located in the watercraft is a wireless receiver that communicates with the transmitter. Coupled to the receiver is a self-correcting propulsion and steering system that senses undesirable changes to the watercraft'"'"'s motion caused by the water-skier when pulled by the watercraft. When a difference is detected, a command module located in the watercraft automatically controls the watercraft'"'"'s propulsion and steering systems so the watercraft follows the desired path and velocity. The system also includes an auto-back tracking feature that automatically reduces power to the last known marked geographic point the skier was upright.

Claims

1. A wireless water ski handle and control system for a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a hull with a propulsion system and steering system located therein, attached to the hull is a tow rope and a handle, said system comprising:

a. a waterproof handle component designed to connect to said handle, said handle component includes a watercraft control module, a wireless transmitter, and a electrical power source connected to said control module and said wireless transmitter, said control module includes left and right turn buttons, power ON and OFF buttons and power Up and Down buttons;

b. a wireless receiver located in said hull that creates a wireless communication link with said wireless transmitter in said handle component;

c. a command module located in said hull and coupled to said wireless receiver and coupled to the watercraft'"'"'s said propulsion and steering systems;

d. a self-correcting steering and velocity system coupled to said command module, said self-correcting steering and velocity system senses undesirable changes to the watercraft'"'"'s motion caused by the water skier when being pulled by the watercraft, said self-correcting system includes a micro-electromechanical device and a software program that determines the watercraft'"'"'s current attitude, heading and speed and compares it with command signals from the turn buttons, and power ON and Off buttons and said power UP and Down buttons on said handle component, when a difference in the attitude, heading and speed is detected, an error condition is detected by said command module that transmit direction and velocity correction signals to said propulsion and steering systems so that the watercraft continues to travel in the direction and at a velocity transmitted from said handle component; and

,

e. a water skier fallen system used to determine when the water skier has released or separated from said handle, said water skier fallen system being coupled to said command module, when said water skier fallen system determines that the water skier has released or separated from said handle, said control module controls said propulsion and driving systems so that the watercraft'"'"'s velocity is reduced and returns to the location information transmitted by said wireless transmitter.