Abstract:
A system for simplifying launching and storage procedures for a recreational boat comprising a radio receiver/controller adapted to be permanently installed onboard the boat, a hand-held radio transmitter for sending a plurality of different signals to the receiver/controller, the receiver/controller including a plurality of separate control circuits, said circuits being connectable to a plurality of power-operated locks on the boat and a set of other electrically operated devices on the boat such as electric lights, an engine tilt actuator, and a bilge blower, the receiver/controller being arranged to be powered by an electrical power circuit serving electrically operated devices on the boat separate from those controlled by the transmitter and receiver/controller, the locks being integrated with manually operated latches and having a manual key override feature.

Description:
The invention relates to remote control of electrically operated devices in marine applications and, in particular, for pleasure and sport boats. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Leisure time spent on a pleasure or recreational boat can be simplified and made more secure and, therefore, more enjoyable, where basic chores and routines can be accomplished remotely, for example, by the push of a button. Certain precautions or necessary actions should or must be performed in preparing a boat for use or for a period of dockage or storage. For example, it is desirable to lock the various hatches and doors on a boat when it is to be left unattended. Similarly, in preparation for use it is desirable to unlock all of these hatches and doors with a minimum of effort and time. Other functions that can be convenient to initiate remotely are operating the bilge fan, trim motor, and/or lights. 
     While the goal of providing remote power locking and unlocking, once conceived, is desirable, its practical realization is difficult for various reasons. Preferably, a power lock mechanism must be self-contained and, ideally, should comprise a relatively small package so that it is unobtrusive and, ideally, it should be integrated with a catch that can be both manually operated and manually locked. 
     These functions should be integrated into a small package size that is not substantially larger than the size of manually operated latches. Further, the package size and shape should be of a nature that can be accepted in a simple round hole cut in a hatch, door or other panel and should be capable of use with hatches, doors and panels of different thickness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a remote control system especially suited for pleasure boats and like marine applications that reduces time and effort spent in locking or unlocking a plurality of latches as well as performing other control functions such as bilge air exhaust, engine tilt, and lighting control. In accordance with the invention, remote control of the various functions is performed by a single radio control receiver unit. This single unit offers convenience to the user, reduces manufacturing costs and saves installation time and required skill. The system offers a remotely controlled power locked latch for hatches, doors and like closures. The remotely lockable latch is constructed in a manner that enables it to be contained within a small housing that fits within a correspondingly small circular hole. A mechanism within the latch housing includes a latch locking element or bolt that is operable by a remotely controlled electrical actuator within the housing or manually with a key operating a lock set also contained in the housing. The electrical actuator and the lock set are arranged to enable the lock set to override the actuator in the case of a power loss. A high locking force is developed by the actuator, despite its small physical size, with a novel gear train connecting the actuator to the locking bolt. The drive train, moreover, is arranged to permit the manual override function to be achieved in a simple, reliable manner. 
     The invention simplifies routines involved in launching and docking recreational boats. The invention contemplates remote control of multiple locks as well as electrically operated devices by a simple hand-carried wireless transmitter and a simple single radio receiver mounted within the hull. The transmitter/receiver combination is capable of operating several devices independently thereby achieving economies of manufacture and installation as well as a high level of convenience to the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a stylized perspective view of merely but one example of a recreational boat with which the invention can be employed; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic electrical diagram illustrating certain aspects of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hand-held signal transmitter for use with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a self-contained remotely operable lockable latch in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with a manual latch handle raised to an active position; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of the lockable latch showing internal parts thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the lockable latch with its cover removed showing the latch locked and a key locked position; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the latch locked and a key neutral position; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the latch unlocked and a key unlocked position; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the latch unlocked and a key neutral position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a somewhat schematic vertical sectional view of the lockable latch showing internal parts thereof. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  schematically represents a pleasure, sport, or other recreational boat  10  with which the invention may be employed. The boat  10  has a helm  11  at or adjacent which a radio receiver and control unit  12  is installed, ordinarily in a permanent manner. The boat  10  also typically has hatches  13 , outboard motor  14  and a bilge blower  16  ( FIG. 2 ). The receiver/control unit  12  is remotely operated by a hand-held radio transmitter  17  schematically shown at the lower right in  FIG. 2  and in perspective in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a typical wiring diagram that reflects electrical connections between the receiver/control unit  12  and various electrically operated devices. More specifically, the receiver/control unit  12  has a plurality of output circuits connected by electrical lines  21  to power locked latches  22  (described in detail below), by lines  24  to tilt/trim actuator(s)  23  for the outboard motor  14  and by a line  25  to the bilge blower  16 . A line  26  connects the positive terminal of a conventional lead acid storage battery  27 , normally the battery that operates the electrical system of the boat to the receiver/controller  12 . Ground wires  31  are common with the negative terminal of the battery  27 . The electronic components of the receiver/controller  12  are potted in a waterproof housing  30  with a suitable material such as epoxy. 
     By energizing appropriate lines with DC power from the battery  27 , the receiver/controller  12  can operate locks of the latches  22 , motor tilt/trim actuator  23 , and/or the bilge blower  16 . Other electrically operated devices such as electric lights can be substituted for one or more of the mentioned remotely controlled devices by appropriately connecting the lines  24 ,  25 . Similarly, auxiliary electrically operated devices can be connected in parallel with any of these devices where multiple simultaneous functions are desired. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the transmitter  17  is preferably a small hand-held device that in the illustrated case is generally cylindrical in shape and can simulate the look of a buoy. At one end of a case or housing  36  of the transmitter  17  are five waterproof push buttons. Ideally, the volume of the housing  36  compared to the weight of the transmitter is such that the transmitter will float even when weighed down by a set of two keys of ordinary weight, or more, usable with the latch lock described below. Two buttons  41 ,  42  control the tilt up or down action of the tilt actuator  23  and one button  43  controls the bilge blower  16 . In the illustrated arrangement, the controller  12  can be arranged with the transmitter  17  so that the lock and unlock buttons  37 ,  38  and bilge blower button  43  can be of the momentary contact-type operation while the tilt buttons  41 ,  42  are effective only while being depressed. Keys  39  of ordinary size for locking the latches  22  are shown in  FIG. 3  to give an indication of scale or size of the transmitter  17 . The transmitter housing  36  contains a battery for its power and operates like the remote locks commonly used with automobiles. The transmitter  17  sends encoded signals corresponding to the button selected to the receiver/controller  12 . The receiver/controller  12  powered by the battery of the boat&#39;s electrical system responds to the signals received from the transmitter and energizes the appropriate line or lines  21 ,  24 ,  25 , and/or  26 . 
       FIGS. 4-11  illustrate a lockable latch  22  in greater detail. The latch  22 , typically in multiple sets, can be fitted on the hatches, doors or like panels  13  of the boat  10 . Preferably, the latch  22  has a circular housing  47  molded of a suitable rigid plastic such as polycarbonate. The housing  47  has an externally threaded cylindrical wall or skirt  48  and a somewhat larger peripheral mounting flange  49  at its front face. A molded plastic internally threaded nut  51  mates with the threads of the housing skirt  48 . The front face of the housing  47  has a recessed end wall  52  generally perpendicular to the axis of the side wall or skirt  48  and integral with the sidewall. The sidewall  48  and end wall  52  have limited thickness so as to form and enclose a hollow housing interior. The end wall  52  has a first aperture  53  through which a handle stem  54  extends. A handle  56  pivots in a cross bore formed in an outer plastic part of the stem  54  which is permanently molded onto an inner metal part  58  of the stem. The metal stem part  58 , preferably formed of stainless steel, has a generally square cross-section with its corners externally threaded to accept a cam or latch bar  59  threaded onto it and retained in position by a set screw. The handle  56  is retained on the molded stem part  57  by C clips or other suitable elements. The molded stem part  57  has a stepped generally cylindrical body including a shank  61  that is supported in a bore  62  molded in an internal boss  63  in the housing  47 . The stem  54  pivots in the bore  62  about an axis that is offset and parallel to a central axis of the housing  47 . A spring loaded detent ball  64  carried in the molded stem part  57  indexes with recesses (not shown) in the bore  62  to accurately register the stem  54  in either the latching position shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4-6 , or in an unlatching position 180° from the illustrated position. An elastomeric O-ring  66  in a groove in the shank  61  seals against the bore  62  to exclude water from the interior of the housing  36 . 
     The rear of the housing  47  is closed by a circular molded plastic cover  67  and retained in place by screws (not shown). A short skirt  68 , integral with the cover  67  fits into the housing skirt  48  and is sealed with the housing by an O-ring  69  to exclude water from passing into the housing. An end of the molded stem part  57  projects through a hole  71  in the rear cover  67  and an O-ring  72  is assembled around the molded part to exclude water from entering the housing in this area. 
     On a side of the central axis of the housing  47  opposite the stem  54 , i.e. in a diametral sense, is a cylindrical lock  76 , sometimes referred to as a plug. A cap  77  of the plug  76  has a slot for receiving a key  39  for operating it. The plug  76  is received in a bore  78  of an internal boss  79  integrally molded in the housing  47 . The plug  76  is sealed in the bore  78  by an O-ring to exclude water from entering the interior of the housing  47 . A molded finger grip part  82  of the handle  56  has a circular seal  83  of elastomeric material retained on its underside by a screw  84 . The seal  83  fits snugly into the plug receiving bore  78  to exclude water from the housing interior when the handle  56  is in a retracted or flush position on the housing as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
     A portion  86  of the molded part of the stem  57  has a square cross-section that can be engaged or disengaged by the forked end of a flat locking bolt  87 . The bolt  87 , made of a suitable metal, has a trapezoidal hole  88  as shown in  FIGS. 7-10  at an end opposite the forked end that receives an operating lug  89  of the lock or plug  76 . The mid-section of one long edge of the bolt  87  is made with teeth that form a gear rack  91 . 
     A miniature DC motor  92  within the housing  47  operates to drive the bolt  87  towards or away from the stem  54  depending on the direction it rotates. The motor or actuator  92  remains connected to the rack  91  by a gear train that, with reference to  FIG. 6 , originates at a bevel pinion  93  on the motor shaft and includes a bevel gear  94 , a shaft  96 , and spur gears  97 ,  98  and  99 . The spur gear  99  meshes with the teeth of the bolt rack  91 . It will be seen that the motor is situated between the stem  54  and plug  76  with its shaft in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the stem and plug. Three stages of gear reduction are produced by the pinion and bevel gear  93 ,  94 , the spur gears  97 ,  98 , and the spur gear  99  with the rack  91 . The orientation and position of the motor  92  and the three stage, right angle gear reduction achieves a compact drive package while developing a relatively high force on the bolt  87  and enabling the drive and motor to be easily back driven as will be discussed below. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of latches  22  can be operated by the receiver control unit  12 . The motors  92  have their electrical leads  102 , connected in parallel to the lines  21 . The direction that the motors  92  operate is dependent on the polarity of the voltage applied to the lines  21 . When the lock button on the transmitter  37  is pushed, the receiver/control unit  12  applies DC voltage, typically 12 volts, to the lines  26 . When the unlock button  38  is pushed, the opposite polarity is applied to the lines  26 . 
     The latch  22  is easily installed on a panel  13  such as a hatch or door on the boat  10 . By way of example, the cylindrical housing skirt can fit comfortably in a nominal 2½″ hole conveniently cut, for example, with a hole saw or other similar tool. A gasket  101  can be assembled on the skirt  48  so that a water-resistant joint is formed between the face of the panel and the back side of the mounting flange  49 . With the skirt  48  projecting through the panel, the nut  51  is threaded onto the skirt tightly enough to ensure the gasket  101  produces the desired water-tight fit. The length of the skirt  48  permits the latch  22  to be used with a large range of panel thicknesses. The adjustability of the cam or latch bar  59  on the threaded metal part of the stem  58  allows the cam to be properly fitted against the structure surrounding the panel  100  on which the latch  22  is installed. 
     A latch  22  holds its associated hatch or panel closed when the cam or locking bar  59  is in the position of  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 5  shows the handle  56  lifted from the front flush position of  FIG. 4  to enable a user to rotate the stem  54  180° to thereby swing the cam  59  under the latch housing  47  and thereby unlatch the hatch or panel  100 . In this rotated stem position, the handle  56  can again rest flush with the housing  47 , i.e with the seal  83  facing outward. 
     The bolt  87  locks the latch by preventing rotation of the stem  54  out of the latching position when tines  106  of the forked end embrace the opposed sides of the square section  86  of the stem part  57 . The bolt  87  slides on guiding surfaces  107  molded into the interior of the housing  47  generally in a diametral direction along the line extending between the stem  54  and plug  76 . The bolt  87  is moved by energization of the motor  92  when one or the other of the push buttons  37 ,  38  on the transmitter  17  is pressed. Rotation of the motor  92  and gears is converted to translation of the bolt  87  in its plane by interengagement of the gear  99  and rack  91 . 
     The bolt  87  can also be selectively manually moved by turning a valid key  39  in the plug  76  to cause the lug  89  to pivot in one direction or the other about the axis of the plug in a known manner. 
       FIGS. 7-10  illustrate different positions of the bolt  87  and/or operating lug  89 . The lock plug  76  is of the commercially known type that requires the key to be in a neutral position for the key to be removed from the plug.  FIGS. 8 and 10  illustrate the position of the lock lug  89  when the plug is in the neutral position. Friction and a detent leaf spring  109  squeezed between the bolt  87  and back cover  67  releasably retain the bolt in its locking or unlocking position. With the stem  54  in its latched position and the key in the neutral position, operation of the motor  92  will leave the bolt  87  either locked or unlocked depending on which transmitter button  37  or  38  was pushed and, consequently, the direction the motor  92  runs. At the end or limit of bolt motion, the motor  92  can momentarily stall until power is turned off. 
     It will be seen from  FIGS. 7-10  that when the lock lug  89  is in a neutral position, there is sufficient clearance in the lug receiving opening  88  for the bolt  87  to be driven by the motor  92  to either its locked or unlocked position without interference from the lug. Moreover, since the gear train and motor  92  can be back driven by the lug  89  by manipulating the key  39 , the bolt  87  can be locked or unlocked manually regardless of the position in which the bolt is left by the motor  92 . Stated otherwise, the key  39  can be used to drive the lug  89  in one direction or the other to change the position previously obtained by the remotely controlled motor  92 . 
     It will be seen that the joints and apertures between the housing proper  47  and cover  67  as well as the areas of these elements penetrated by the stem  54  and plug  76  are sealed with elastomeric O-rings to exclude water that may be splashed or dripped onto the latch assembly  22  thereby making the assembly splash proof. 
     It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.