Conversion of a watercraft to a water skier controlled drone
First Claim
1. A drone control system including a drone control unit, a light, flexible tow cable member and a tow handle element for readily reversibly converting a small normally operator ridden conventional watercraft of the type having on-board engine and guidance controls into a water skier controlled drone watercraft comprising:
- said drone control unit adapted to being removably mounted to said watercraft to permit control of the operation of said watercraft from a remote location, said drone control unit including a microcontroller device for monitoring and directing control information, actuator members in operative communication with said microcontroller device and adapted to being operatively connected to said on-board engine and guidance controls on said watercraft to activate such controls responsive to directions from said microcontroller device;
a releasable mounting mechanism adapted to quickly and easily install and remove said drone control unit from said watercraft;
said flexible tow cable member including a tension bearing member adapted to provide a towing connection between said watercraft and a water skier, and a light weight electrically conductive member carried by said tension bearing member and adapted to being connected in operative communication with said microcontroller device; and
said tow handle element adapted to being operatively connected to said tow cable member and grasped by an operator of said drone control system for towing and control purposes, said tow handle member including input control members for supplying control information to said microprocessor device through said electrically conductive member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for converting a watercraft having on-board engine and guidance controls into a drone remotely controlled through towing apparatus by the skier riding on skis behind it. A control unit is secured to the watercraft. The control unit engages the on-board engine and guidance controls of the watercraft. The engine and guidance controls are operated by the control unit through a remotely located tow handle. The tow handle is physically and electronically connected to the control unit.
45 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A drone control system including a drone control unit, a light, flexible tow cable member and a tow handle element for readily reversibly converting a small normally operator ridden conventional watercraft of the type having on-board engine and guidance controls into a water skier controlled drone watercraft comprising:
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said drone control unit adapted to being removably mounted to said watercraft to permit control of the operation of said watercraft from a remote location, said drone control unit including a microcontroller device for monitoring and directing control information, actuator members in operative communication with said microcontroller device and adapted to being operatively connected to said on-board engine and guidance controls on said watercraft to activate such controls responsive to directions from said microcontroller device; a releasable mounting mechanism adapted to quickly and easily install and remove said drone control unit from said watercraft; said flexible tow cable member including a tension bearing member adapted to provide a towing connection between said watercraft and a water skier, and a light weight electrically conductive member carried by said tension bearing member and adapted to being connected in operative communication with said microcontroller device; and said tow handle element adapted to being operatively connected to said tow cable member and grasped by an operator of said drone control system for towing and control purposes, said tow handle member including input control members for supplying control information to said microprocessor device through said electrically conductive member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A drone control unit for use in reversibly converting a small normally operator ridden watercraft of the type having on-board engine and guidance controls into a water skier controlled drone watercraft, said drone control unit adapted to being removably mounted to said watercraft to permit control of the operation of said watercraft from a remote location, said drone unit comprising:
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a releasable mounting mechanism adapted to quickly and easily install and remove said drone control unit from said watercraft; said drone control unit including a microcontroller device for monitoring and directing control information, actuator members in operative communication with said microcontroller device and adapted to being operatively connected to said on-board engine and guidance controls on said watercraft to activate such controls responsive to directions from said microcontroller device, said microcontroller device being adapted to receive electronic signals from a remote location and to actuate said on-board engine and guidance controls responsive to said electronic signals.
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Specification