JACKPLATE SYSTEM WITH PRECISION ADJUSTMENT AND OPTIMIZATION

Abstract

An adjustable and modifiable jack plate for attaching and positioning an outboard motor to the transom of a boat. The jack plate has a lift plate to attach the outboard motor, the lift plate having cylindrical polymer bearings on each of two lateral sides, the two bearings slidingly received in bearing retainers configured as a pair of C-shaped channel members, each channel member having a unitary vertical flange. Each flange being connected to a cooperating flange of a pair of L-shaped wing brackets, the cooperating flanges forming a lap joint. A control system includes a single button on one of the L-shaped wing brackets for setting and returning the lift plate to a specific stored position.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to systems for controlling and mechanisms for mounting outboard motors onto boats. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular jack plate with precision vertical adjustment features for the height of an outboard motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

During trailering of a boat powered by an outboard motor, it is often desirable to raise or lower the outboard motor. For example, when removing a boat from the water with a submersible boat trailer, it is often necessary to raise the motor so that the propeller and rudder are not damaged by the bottom of the body of water. Once trailered and ready to travel on land, it may be desirable to lower the motor.

Jack plates are known that allow automated and controlled raising and lowering of outboard motors; see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,267,025; 9,403,587; and 10,850,821 owned by the owner of this application. Such jack plates have provided enhanced boating performance to enthusiasts. When at speed, raised jack plates can remove much of the lower unit from the water reducing drag and increasing speed. Lowering the propeller in rough water provides smoother operation. The setback of the engine from the transom by the jack plate can allow the propeller to be placed in clear undisturbed water allowing the engine to work more efficiently and improve handling.

SUMMARY

Outboard motors may be repositioned to avoid obstacles in the water. Commonly when trailering a boat, such as when removing the boat from water to be towed on land, it is necessary to raise the outboard motor to clear the bottom of the body of water and/or boat ramp. However, leaving the engine too high can have negative consequences when towing the trailered boat on land. Towing a boat with a raised motor creates drag, thereby causing reduced operating efficiency for the towing vehicle. The higher center of gravity from the raised motor may create vibrations and cause undue stress on the jack plate and/or transom of the boat leading to damage and expensive repairs. Further yet, it is considered by industry experts to be generally unsafe to tow a boat with an outboard motor in the raised position. Because controls are typically located within the boat, many operators forget or otherwise neglect to return to the outboard motor to a lowered position. Instead, once a boat is trailered and secured, operators are likely to return to their vehicle and tow the boat. Considering the expense associated with competitive fishing equipment and demands of sophisticated users of boating equipment, any advancement in the precision operation of jack plates, particularly making it easy and simply to safely stow equipment for transport, would be well received by the sophisticated boating consumers.

A performance optimizable controllable jack plate is disclosed for readily moving a motor to a trailering position. The jack plate for precision control of raising and lowering an outboard motor has a lift plate for receiving the outboard motor, the lift plate having a pair of lateral parallel edge potions secured in a pair of cylindrical polymeric bearings. Each of the lift plate end portions and the respective cylindrical bearing are slidingly captured in one of a pair of mirror image C-channel member. Each of the C-channel members have a first flange connection portion with a plurality of aligned holes. The jack plate includes a pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets, each of the L-shaped wing brackets extending from one of the C-channel members. A cross member extends between the pair of L-shaped wing brackets and is fastened to each L-shaped wing bracket. A linear actuator includes an electric motor and an extendable and retractable shaft. The linear actuator includes an encoder providing position information of the extendable and retractable shaft. The linear actuator is positioned between the cross member and the lift plate whereby when the shaft extends, the lift plate raises with respect to the C channel members and connected L-shaped wing brackets. The jack plate includes a trailer button affixed to one of the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets. The trailer button is electrically connected to a control box.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the trailer button is accessible from outside the boat. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the trailer is accessible to an operator standing on the ground near a trailered boat. A feature and advantage of embodiments is the trailer button is programmable to adjust the outboard motor to a position that is safe and conducive to travel on land when the boat is trailered. Once a boat is trailered, a user may forget or decline to climb back aboard the craft to properly position the motor for towing across land. A trailer button located on the outside frame of a jack plate where it is readily accessible to a user trailering the boat can readily return the outboard motor to a position suitable for towing while trailered.

In embodiments, pressing the trailer button lowers the outboard motor into a travelling position. In embodiments, long pressing the trailer button programs a current position of the jack plate into a memory of the control box. In embodiments, long pressing is holding the trailer button for more than two seconds. In embodiments, long pressing is holding the trailer button for more than three seconds. In embodiments, the control box is configured to move the jack plate to a position stored in memory when the trailer button is short pressed. In embodiments, a short press is two or fewer seconds.

In embodiments, each of the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets includes a second flange connection bracket with a plurality of aligned holes. Each of the pair of mirror image L-shaped brackets may be attached to one of the C-channel members with the second flange member connecting to the first flange member defining a lap joint. In embodiments, the trailer button is affixed to one of the second flange connection brackets.

In embodiments, the trailer button is a waterproof tactile membrane switch. In embodiments, the trailer button is embedded into a wing bracket such that an operable portion of the trailer button faces outwardly from the wing bracket and a rearward portion of the switch faces an interior cavity of the controllable jack plate. The interior cavity is defined by the lift plate and the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets. In embodiments, a wire extends from the reward portion of the trailer button and electrically connects the trailer button to the control box. In embodiments, the wire is a two-wire cable.

A method of trailering a boat with a jack plate includes positioning an outboard motor into a travelling position by raising or lowering the jack plate to the desired position; storing the travelling position to a memory by holding a trailering button; positioning the outboard motor into a trailering position; loading the boat onto a trailer; and returning the outboard motor to the travelling position by pressing the trailering button. In embodiments, the travelling position is stored to memory by holding the trailering button for more than 2 seconds. In embodiments, the outboard motor is returned to the travelling position by pressing the trailering button for fewer than 2 seconds.

According to an embodiment, a jack plate for trailering a boat includes a lift plate for receiving an outboard motor. The lift plate is operable by a linear actuator having an electric motor and an extendable and retractable shaft. The linear actuator has an encoder providing position information of the extendable and retractable shaft. The lift plate is disposed between a pair of mirror image wing brackets. One of the pair of mirror image wing brackets includes a trailer switch configured to position the motor in a trailering position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a trailered boat on a boat ramp with a trailer partially submerged in water and an outboard motor attached to a jack plate in the raised position in accord with embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a trailered boat on a road with an outboard motor attached to a jack plate in a trailered position in accord with embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a jack plate trailer button control system in accord with embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a jack plate in accord with embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a jack plate in accord with embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of a jack plate in accord with embodiments.

While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a boat 100 suitable for fishing has an outboard motor 110 mounted to the boat transom 112 by way of a jack plate 120. The jack plate raises and lowers the engine with respect to the boat 100 as indicated by the arrow 140. As shown in FIG. 1A, a lift plate 104 extends above the frame of the jack plate 120 holding the outboard motor 110 in an elevated position suitable for trailering. When trailering, the boat trailer 102 may be backed down a boat ramp 106, which extends downward towards a bed 114 of a body of water 108, such that a portion of the boat trailer 102 is submerged below the water 108. The boat 100 may be navigated along the surface of the water 108 to the trailer 102, where it can be secured to a winching mechanism 103 and pulled onto the trailer 102 for land transport. A forward portion of the boat trailer 102 is secured to a tow vehicle 116 via tow hitch 118. Examples of suitable tow vehicles may include, for example, pickup trucks, SUVs, cross-over vehicles, sedans, or the like.

Raising the outboard motor 110 when placing it on a partially submerged trailer 102 avoids damaging a lower portion of the outboard motor 110 which may include a prop 122. If the outboard motor 110 is lowered when the boat 100 is trailered on the partially submerged trailer 102, the prop 122 would likely strike either the water bed 114 or the boat ramp 106, causing significant and potentially expensive damage. As shown in FIG. 1B, once the trailered boat 100 is on relatively flat ground or a roadway 124, the outboard motor 110 may be positioned in a lowered position without risk of the prop 122 being damaged by striking the ground. Having the outboard motor lowered when towing a trailered boat is generally preferred. Towing a boat with the motor in a raised position may cause undue stress and vibrations on the jack plate and boat transom. Not only would shearing the jack plate during transport cause expensive damage to the motor, boat, jack plate, and associated components, it could lead to damage of other automobiles or cause a serious accident should the jack plate shear while travelling on a road or highway.

Referring to FIG. 2, the jack plate is controlled by a controller unit 150 that includes a memory 152 and a microprocessor 154. A power supply 156 connected to the microprocessor 154 may be internal to the controller unit 150 or may be an external power supply. The microprocessor 154 may be configured to receive signals from the trailer switch 158. The microprocessor 154 may be further configured to communicate signals to the memory 152 and a jack plate actuator 160. Holding the trailer switch 158 may cause the microprocessor 154 to save the current position of the jack plate actuator 160 to the memory 152. In embodiments, holding the trailer switch is a continuous press of more than 2 seconds. In embodiments, holding the trailer switch more than 2 seconds is a long-press. Pressing, or short-pressing, the trailer switch 158 causes the microprocessor 154 to adjust the jack plate actuator 160 to the position stored in the memory 152. In embodiments, short pressing is pressing and releasing the trailer switch in 2 or fewer seconds. In embodiments, the memory may store a second position such that pressing the trailer switch successive times alternates between the first and second positions. In embodiments, the second position may be preset in memory, such as a fully raised position. In embodiments, the second position may be user configurable.

By way of example, when the outboard motor is in a position suitable for trailering, such as prior to launching the boat, the position of the motor may be saved to memory by long pressing the trailer switch. Once a user is done using the craft in the water and is ready to trailer the boat, the user may raise the lift plate to place the motor into a suitable position for trailering, such as by using a foot pedal, a wireless remote control, or other controls for precision operation of the jack plate. Once the boat is trailered and the trailer and tow vehicle are clear of the boat ramp, the motor may be placed in a position suitable for towing by short pressing the trailer button. Conversely, when approaching a boat ramp, pressing the trailer button may raise the motor into a suitable position for backing into the water and preparing for launch.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, various views illustrate the jack plate 120 in accord with embodiments. The jack plate generally has a lift plate 204 that has a pair of sliders 208 configured as cylindrical polymeric bearings 208, 209 fixed on opposing lateral edge portions 210, 211 of the lift plate. The edge portions are received in slots 214 of the bearings 208 and may be retained by an interference fit and/or threaded fasteners 216 or other means. The lift plate with the bearings fixed thereto is captured and slidingly constrained by bearing retainers 220, 221 each having a C channel portion 224 and a unitary flange 226. The bearing retainers 220, 221 are mirror images of each other with the slots 224, 225 defined by the C channel portion opening toward each other and capturing the lift plate edge portions 210, 211 and bearings 208, 209. Downward sliding is limited by the diametrically enlarged portions 228, 229 of the cylindrical bearings.

The bearing retainers are secured to L-shaped wing brackets 240, 241 at the flange 226 which cooperates with a corresponding flange 244 on the wing brackets to form a lap joint 246. A plurality of linearly aligned holes 248 in the bearing retainer flange match with a plurality of linearly aligned holes 249 in the wing bracket flange 244 and a plurality of nut/bolt/washer assemblies 250 secure the joint 246. A bridging or cross member 260 extends between the pair of wing brackets 240, 241 and has a rectangular shape from the end view with planar end surfaces 264 that interface with the planar inside surfaces 267 of the wing brackets. The cross member is spaced rearwardly (away from the boat transom) from the shorter leg 269 of the L-shaped wing brackets. The cross member having threaded holes 270 for receiving screws 271 securing the wing brackets to the cross member 260. The L-shaped wing brackets each have a forward planar transom engaging surface 272 with holes 274 for matching with like holes on the transom and connection with bolt/nut/washer combinations. This single cross member component and this engagement, without the conventional forward transom plate, provides adequate structural support and connection between the transom and the jack plate comparable to the configuration with transom plates bridging between the forwardmost portions of the side members that connect to the transom. The lap joint 246 and the flush attachment of the short leg portion of the wing brackets to the transom with bolt/nut/washer combinations fixes the C channel portions with respect to the boat transom and boat providing the fixed vertical axis α1 of the lift plate motion which corresponds to the motion of the attached outboard motor with respect to the boat as illustrated by arrow 140 of FIG. 1.

The linear actuator 292 extends between the lift plate 204 and the cross member 260. A mounting bracket 278 fits into a recess 279 on the lifting plate and is secured to the lifting plate 204 with a plurality of bolt/nut/washer combinations 280. A pin 282 pivotally secures the upper connecting shaft 283 of the actuator to the upper mounting bracket 278 and the pin may be held in place with a cotter key. A lower bracket 286 is connected to the cross member 260 with four bolt/washer/nut combinations 290. The lower bracket is secured to the lower actuator shaft 294 by way of pin 289.

Suitable electro-mechanical linear actuators are available through Linak A/S of Nordborg, Denmark. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,516,318; 9,312,738; 8,725,438; and 8,302,227, all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

The configuration of the upper bracket and lower bracket positions the actuator axis α2 to be substantially parallel of the lift plate operational axis α2 providing for maximum power transfer and efficiency from the linear actuator to the lift plate. In embodiments, “substantially parallel” means the axis α1 and α2 are within 7 degrees. In embodiments, “substantially parallel” means the axis α1 and α2 are within 4 degrees. In embodiments, “substantially parallel” means the axis α1 and α2 are within 2 degrees. Even when the L-brackets are swapped out, as described below, this substantially parallel orientation is maintained, thereby continuing to provide the same maximum lifting power and efficiency from the actuator. In embodiments, hydraulic linear actuators may be utilized rather than the electromechanical actuators illustrate and/or described herein.

The trailer switch 158 may be affixed to the jack plate 120 in a position that is convenient for a user to access when on the ground near a trailered boat. For example, the trailer switch 158 may be affixed to one of the L-shaped wing brackets 240, 241. As shown in FIG. 5, one of the L-shaped wing brackets 240, 241 may have a cut out or recess 159 for receiving the trailer switch 158. A user operable portion 161 of the trailer switch 158 may face outward from the jack plate. In embodiments, the user operable portion 161 may have a face panel. The face panel may have indicia indicating the function of the switch. In embodiments, indicia may be words. In embodiments, indicia may be an icon. For example, the icon may be an image or partial image of a trailered boat. In embodiments, the forward-facing operable portion 161 of the switch may be a geometric shape such as rectangular, circular, triangular, or the like. In embodiments, the forward-facing portion 161 may be about 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches. In embodiments, the forward-facing portion 161 may have a width between 1 and 2 inches, and a height between 1 and 2 inches. In embodiments, the face panel may be embossed, such as a pillow emboss. In embodiments, the switch 158 may be surrounded by a gasket. An example of a suitable gasket is 3M® VHB adhesive foam tape. In embodiments, the gasket may have a thickness between 0 and 0.25 inches. In embodiments, the gasket may have a thickness between 0.125 and 0.5 inches. The gasket may provide a watertight seal and protect the trailer switch from harsh elements encountered while boating. The trailer switch may be connected to the controller unit by a wire 501 extending from an opposing side from the forward-facing portion 161. In embodiments, the wire 501 is a waterproof housing containing two electrical wires. In embodiments, the wire 501 may directly attach to the switch 158, the controller unit 150, or both. In embodiments, the wire 501 may have a quick release mechanism. It may be desirable when operating the boat in water to disconnect the wire to reduce the chance of it catching during routine operation of the jack plate when boating. In embodiments the controller unit 158 may be placed in a waterproof housing 503. In embodiments, the controller unit 158 may be located within the boat.

In embodiments, gas springs as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 10,850,821 may be used to reduce the required power of the linear actuator and/or extend the potential life of same. Said patent, owned by the owners of this application, is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

The following U.S. patents and U.S. patent publications contain content, aspects, structure, components, and functionalities relating to or applicable to jack plates and/or outboard motors and are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,657,637; 4,995,839; 5,782,662; 5,704,308; 5,017,165; 9,284,031; 9,896,173; 8,267,025; 9,403,587; and US20100127150.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and substance without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments described above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

Claims

1. A performance optimizable controllable jack plate for precision control of raising and lowering an outboard motor on a boat, the controllable jack plate comprising: a lift plate for receiving the outboard motor, the lift plate having a pair of lateral parallel edge potions secured in a pair of cylindrical polymeric bearings; each of the lift plate end portions and the respective cylindrical bearing slidingly captured in one of a pair of mirror image C-channel member, each of the C-channel members having a first flange connection portion with a plurality of aligned holes;a pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets, each of the L-shaped wing brackets extending from one of the C-channel members;a cross member extending between the pair of L-shaped wing brackets and fastened to each L-shaped wing bracket;a linear actuator comprising an electric motor and an extendable and retractable shaft, the linear actuator having an encoder providing position information of the extendable and retractable shaft, the linear actuator positioned between the cross member and the lift plate whereby when the shaft extends the lift plate raises with respect to the C channel members and connected L-shaped wing brackets; anda trailer button affixed to one of the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets electrically connected to a control box.

2. The controllable jack plate of claim 1, wherein pressing the trailer button lowers the outboard motor into a travelling position.

3. The controllable jack plate of claim 1, wherein long pressing the trailer button programs a current position of the jack plate into a memory of the control box.

4. The controllable jack plate of claim 3, wherein long pressing is holding the trailer button for more than two seconds.

5. The controllable jack plate of claim 3, wherein long pressing is holding the trailer button for more than three seconds.

6. The controllable jack plate of claim 3, wherein the control box is configured to move the jack plate to a position stored in memory when the trailer button is short pressed.

7. The controllable jack plate of claim 6, wherein a short press is two or fewer seconds.

8. The controllable jack plate of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets comprises a second flange connection bracket with a plurality of aligned holes, each of the pair of mirror image L-shaped brackets attached to one of the C-channel members with the second flange member connecting to the first flange member defining a lap joint.

9. The controllable jack plate of claim 8, wherein the trailer button is affixed to one of the second flange connection brackets.

10. The controllable jack plate of claim 1, wherein the trailer button is waterproof tactile membrane switch.

11. The controllable jack plate of claim 1, wherein the trailer button is embedded into the wing bracket such that an operable portion of the trailer button faces outwardly from the wing bracket and a rearward portion of the switch faces an interior cavity of the controllable jack plate, the interior cavity defined by the lift plate and the pair of mirror image L-shaped wing brackets.

12. The controllable jack plate of claim 11, wherein a wire extends from the reward portion of the trailer button and electrically connects the trailer button to the control box.

13. The controllable jack plate of claim 12, wherein the wire is a two-wire cable.

14. A method of trailering a boat with a jack plate, the method comprising: positioning an outboard motor into a travelling position by raising or lowering the jack plate to the desired position;storing the travelling position to a memory by holding a trailering button;positioning the outboard motor into a trailering position;loading the boat onto a trailer; andreturning the outboard motor to the travelling position by pressing the trailering button.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the travelling position is stored to memory by holding the trailering button for more than 2 seconds.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the outboard motor is returned to the travelling position by pressing the trailering button for fewer than 2 seconds.

17. A jack plate for trailering a boat comprising: a lift plate for receiving an outboard motor, the lift plate being operable by a linear actuator comprising an electric motor and an extendable and retractable shaft, the linear actuator having an encoder providing position information of the extendable and retractable shaft, the lift plate disposed between a pair of mirror image wing brackets, wherein one of the pair of mirror image wing brackets comprises a trailer switch configured to position the motor in a trailering position.

18. The jack plate of claim 17, wherein the trailer switch is operable from outside the boat.

19. The jack plate of claim 17, wherein the switch is further configured to position the motor in a towing position.

20. The jack plate of claim 19, wherein in the trailering position the motor is higher than in the towing position.