Watercraft compensation system
First Claim
1. A watercraft comprising:
- a hull having port and starboard sides and a stem;
a deck supported by the hull;
a propulsion system mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck;
a helm connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft;
a pole mounted to the deck;
a compensation device operatively connected to at least one of the deck and the hull;
a controller in communication with the compensation device; and
a sensor operatively connected to the pole and in communication with the controller,the sensor being configured to sense a direction of a pulling force exerted on the pole and communicate a signal regarding the direction of the force to the controller,the controller being configured to send a signal to the compensation device based on the signal from the sensor to reposition the watercraft.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull, a deck supported by the hull, a propulsion system that is mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck, and a helm that is connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft. A pole is mounted to the deck and a compensation device is operatively connected to at least one of the deck and the hull. A controller is in communication with the compensation device, and a sensor is operatively connected to the pole and in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to sense a pulling force exerted on the pole and communicate a signal regarding the force to the controller. The controller is configured to send a signal to the compensation device based on the signal from the sensor to reposition the watercraft.
21 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A watercraft comprising:
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a hull having port and starboard sides and a stem; a deck supported by the hull; a propulsion system mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck; a helm connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft; a pole mounted to the deck; a compensation device operatively connected to at least one of the deck and the hull; a controller in communication with the compensation device; and a sensor operatively connected to the pole and in communication with the controller, the sensor being configured to sense a direction of a pulling force exerted on the pole and communicate a signal regarding the direction of the force to the controller, the controller being configured to send a signal to the compensation device based on the signal from the sensor to reposition the watercraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A watercraft comprising:
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a hull having port and starboard sides and a stern; a deck supported by the hull; a propulsion system mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck; a helm connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft;
a pole mounted to the deck, at least a portion of the pole being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the pole; anda compensation device operatively connected to the pole, the compensation device being actuated to reposition the watercraft when the portion of the pole rotates. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for compensating for a pulling force being exerted on a pole mounted on a watercraft comprising:
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sensing a pulling force exerted on the watercraft, said force having at least a horizontal component; sensing a direction of die horizontal component of the pulling force; and altering at least one performance parameter of the watercraft based on the pulling force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tow pole for a watercraft comprising:
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a shaft having at least a portion that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shalt; a tow rope receiving portion connected to the rotatable portion of the shaft so as to be rotatable therewith; and a sensor, the sensor being positioned to sense rotation of the rotatable portion of the shaft.
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24. A watercraft comprising:
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a hull having port and starboard sides and a stern; a deck supported by the hull; a straddle seat for an operator supported by the deck; a grab handle connected to at least one of the seat and the deck; a propulsion system mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck; a helm including a handle bar connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft; a compensation device operatively connected to at least one of the deck and the hull; a controller in communication with the compensation device; and a sensor in communication with the controller, the sensor being configured to sense a pulling force and communicate a signal regarding the force to the controller, the controller being configured to send a signal to the compensation device based on the signal from the sensor to reposition the watercraft. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification