Mounting and actuation device

In at least one embodiment the present invention provides an improved mounting and actuation device having a mounting body defining a stowage cavity and an actuation arm operable for movement from a first stowed position to a second actuated position, the actuation arm operably connected to the mounting body at a first proximal end and having a second distal end having a mounting surface adapted to receive an accessory wherein the actuation arm is received in the stowage cavity in the first stowed position.

FIELD

The present invention relates to mounting and actuation devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mounting and actuation device for mounting a variety of accessories to a variety of mounting structures in a secure and robust manner, such as mounting a transversal thruster to the underside of a marine vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In a wide variety of applications it is desirable to move an accessory from a first, stowed position to a second, actuated position. Therefore, a wide variety of mounting and actuating devices have been developed for mounting a variety of accessories to variety of structures depending on needs of the particular application.

However, in some applications, available prior art mounting and actuation devices are not well suited to the needs of the particular application. For example, in some embodiments, significant forces are generated by the accessory when it is in the deployed position and as such the mounting and actuation device must be sufficiently robust to withstand the applied forces.

In other situations, the mounting and actuation device must be able to withstand harsh weather conditions, or be suitable for securing themselves to a wide variety of mounting surfaces.

Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting and actuation device for mounting a variety of accessories to a variety of mounting structures in a secure and robust manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the present invention can provide a mounting and actuation device for mounting a variety of accessories to a variety of mounting structures.

In at least one embodiment the present invention provides an improved mounting and actuation device having a mounting body, the mounting body having a first end and a second end and defining a stowage cavity and an actuation arm operable for movement from a first stowed position to a second actuated position, the actuation arm operably connected to the mounting body at a first proximal end, the actuation arm having a second distal end, the second distal end having a mounting surface adapted to receive an accessory wherein the actuation arm is received in the stowage cavity in the first stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is contemplated that the present invention can provide a mounting and actuation device for mounting a variety of accessories to a variety of mounting structures. In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the present invention can provide an improved mounting and actuation device that is suitable for mounting a transverse thruster (such as a bow or stern thruster) to the underside of a marine vehicle (such as a pontoon boat) for deployment into and out of the water.

It will be readily appreciated that any component of the present invention discussed herein can be formed of any suitable material (including, but not limited to, aluminum, galvanized steel, carbon fibre and stainless steel) and by any suitable manufacturing technique (including, but not limited to, stamping, milling, molding or casting) as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person. Further, it will be readily appreciated that all components of the present invention can be arranged in any suitable dimensions as required by the particular end user application.

It is contemplated that the present invention can be used to mount a wide variety of accessories to a wide variety of surfaces. Suitable accessories include, but are not limited to, flood lights, marine instruments and accessories, hydraulic motors, electric motors (e.g., trolling motors and transverse thrust motors), cameras (e.g., underwater cameras) or monitoring devices (e.g., sonar), and control surfaces (e.g., rudders), and any other suitable accessory, while suitable mounting surfaces include, but are not limited to, docks, marine vehicles, recreational vehicle, decks, roofs, fences and soffits, among any other suitable mounting surface as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person. In at least one embodiment it is contemplated that the accessory is a pivotable electric or hydraulic motor that can be used as a low speed (i.e., trolling) propulsion motor or a transverse thrust motor, depending on the orientation of the electric motor relative to the fore-aft axis of the boat, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

It is further contemplated that the present invention can be formed of separate components suitably joined together (by way of, for example, mechanical fasteners or adhesives) or alternatively it is contemplated that present invention can be formed of a single unitary component.

All pivoting components discussed herein can be arranged in any suitable manner as will be appreciated by the skilled person. In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the two components that pivot relative to one another can be joined together using any suitable bearing arrangement as required by the particular end user application, However, it is also contemplated that pivoting components can be joined together by a bushing arrangement or any other suitable construction as required by the particular end user application.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention can provide an improved mounting and actuation device that has a mounting body defining a stowage cavity and an actuation arm operable for movement from a first stowed position to a second actuated position. The actuation arm is operably connected to the mounting body at a first proximal end and has a second distal end. The second distal end has a mounting surface that is adapted to receive an accessory. Further, the actuation arm is received in the stowage cavity in the first stowed position, and is outside of the stowage cavity when in the second actuated position.

It is contemplated that the actuation arm can take a variety of forms, including a longitudinally extending, single pivoting actuation arm, a telescoping actuation arm or a multiple pivoting, folding actuating arm among any other suitable arrangement. In at least one embodiment it is contemplated that the actuation arm is a longitudinally extending, single pivoting actuation arm having a first proximal end that is pivotably connected to one end of the mounting body. In at least one embodiment it is contemplated that a second distal end of the actuation arm can have a mounting surface for receiving the accessory. In at least one alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the actuation arm is at least two, axially aligned and rotatably coupled arms that facilitate rotation of an accessory attached to the distal end of the most distally positioned arm.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that actuation means are required to actuate the actuation arm from the first stowed position to the second actuated position. It is contemplated that the actuation means can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to a hydraulic cylinder or a linear actuator (e.g., a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or actuator), among other actuation means that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the actuation means will further comprise at least one first linkage arm that is pivotably connected with at least one second linkage arm. One end of the first linkage arm can be pivotably connected to the actuator means, while one end of the second linkage arm can be pivotably connected to second linkage means. In this way as the actuator means is actuated from a first compressed position to a second extended position the first linkage arm and the second linked arm are moved in concert such that the actuation arm is moved from a first, stowed position to a second, actuated position as will be discussed in further detail below.

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one first linkage arm can be two first linkage arms that are connected to one another by way of at least one transverse connector. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the at least one second linkage arm is two second linkage arms.

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the mounting body has an upper mounting surface, a first side wall and a second side wall. Further, is some contemplated that the mounting body can include a first end wall and a second end wall. In some embodiments, the first side wall, the second side wall and (optionally), the first end wall and the second end wall define a stowage cavity that can receive the actuation arm when it is in the first, stowed position.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that one or both of the side walls can have a cutout that is adapted to accommodate the mounted accessory when the actuation arm when it is in the first, stowed position.

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that locking means are provided that can secure the actuation arm in the first, stowed position in order to protect the entire assembly from dynamic loads that may be experienced when the actuation arm is stowed. It is contemplated that locking means can consist of, for example, a latch mechanism provided on the mounting body, a locking mechanism provided on the linear actuator, or a locking arrangement provided, in the linkage arm assembly, among other suitable arrangements that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the actuation arm is a cylinder defining an interior channel. The interior channel can contain cables and/or wires for connecting the accessory to peripheral controls whereby the user can control the accessory from a remote position (such as in the boat to which the improved mounting and actuation device is attached). In addition, or in the alternative, it is contemplated that cables and/or wires extend from the actuation means to peripheral controls whereby the user can remotely control movement of the actuation arm between its first stowed position and its second actuated position. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that one or both of the accessory and the actuation means is controlled wirelessly.

Turning toFIGS. 1, 2, and 3A to 3E, at least one embodiment of an improved mounting and actuation device in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, mounting and actuation device10includes a mounting body20that is operably connected to an actuation arm assembly40. In this embodiment actuation arm assembly40includes an actuation arm42that is a longitudinally extending actuation arm that is pivotably connected to one end of mounting body20. Actuation means60are provided that, in this embodiment, is a linear actuator62.

In this embodiment, mounting body20has a first side wall22and second side wall24and at least one mounting surface. In at least one embodiment, the at least one mounting surface is a first mounting surface26and a second mounting surface28, however, one or more than two mounting surfaces are also contemplated, as will be understood by the skilled person.

In this embodiment, first side wall22and second side wall24define a cavity23therebetween (and, more specifically the transverse breadth of cavity23), as seen inFIG. 3Efor receiving actuation arm assembly40. In this embodiment, optional end wall plates29are provided that further define the longitudinal breadth of cavity23.

In this embodiment, actuation arm42is pivotably connected to mounting body20at a first, proximal end and has an accessory mounting surface44at a second, distal end. More specifically, in this embodiment actuation arm42is pivotably connected to mounting body by way of an axle30that is received in corresponding holes32provided in both mounting body20and actuation arm42, as can be seen inFIG. 1.

In this embodiment, an accessory is provided that is an electric motor46and accessory mounting surface44is configured for attachment to electric motor46. As would be readily appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, in alternative embodiments, the accessory mounting surface can be configured for attachment to other accessory devices based on, for example, their geometry and mechanical requirements. Further, in this embodiment a cutout27is provided on at least one of the side walls22,24in order to accommodate electric motor46when the actuation arm assembly40is in a first, stowed position within cavity23.

As would be readily appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, although the Figures depict an electric motor attached to a single propeller, the accessory can be an electric motor attached to two propellers.

In this embodiment, actuation means60includes at least one first linkage arm that is pivotably connected to mounting body20at a first end and pivotably connected to at least one second linkage arm at a second end. The at least one second linkage arm is further pivotably connected to the actuation arm42at the second end.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, in this embodiment the at least one first linkage arm is two first linkage arms64that are connected by way of at least one transverse connector, which in this embodiment, is two transverse connectors65. Further, in this embodiment the at least one second linkage arm is two second linkage arms66.

In this embodiment, first linkage arm64has a generally arcuate or curved shape, however, it is contemplated that both the first linkage arm64and second linkage arm66can take any shape that is required by the particular geometry of the specific end-user application, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

It is contemplated that in at least one embodiment a first, proximal end of actuation arm62is pivotably connected to mounting body20and a second, distal end of actuation arm62is pivotably connected to actuation arm assembly40.

In this embodiment and as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3E, the second, distal end of actuation arm62is pivotably connected to first linkage arm64at a position located between the first end and second end of linkage arm64. More specifically, in this embodiment the second, distal end of linear actuator62is connected to transverse connector65, which is in turn connected to first linkage arm64at a position located between the first end and second end of linkage arm64, however, other arrangements will be readily contemplated by the skilled person.

In this way, and as will be readily understood by the skilled person, as linear actuator62is actuated from a first, compressed position to a second, extended position, linear actuator62will in turn act on first linkage arm64to pivot first linkage arm64relative to mounting body20and in turn pivot second linkage arm66which will act to pivot actuation arm42about pivot means30from a first, stowed position to the second, actuated position shown inFIGS. 2 and 3A.

As discussed above, in all of the arrangements discussed herein where one component pivots relative to another component it is contemplated that any suitable pivoting connection can be used, including but not limited to, axles supported by bearings, axles supported by bushings, among any other arrangement that will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

In this way, and as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person, the present invention provides an improved mounting and actuation device, wherein an accessory mounted to an actuation arm can be deployed from a first, stowed position to a second, actuated position.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6A-E,7,8A-F and9illustrates at least one alternative embodiment of an improved mounting and actuation device in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the at least one embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3A-E, except that actuation device100comprises mounting body120that is specifically configured and dimensioned for mounting to a surface where there is limited space, such as between the pontoons of a pontoon boat.

In this embodiment, mounting and actuation device100includes a mounting body120that is operably connected to an actuation arm assembly140. In this embodiment actuation arm assembly140includes an actuation arm142that is a longitudinally extending actuation arm that is pivotably connected to one end of mounting body120. As in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3A-E, mounting and actuation device100includes a linear actuator (partially shown).

In this embodiment, mounting body120has a first side wall122and a second side wall124and at least one mounting surface. First side wall122and second side wall124define a cavity123therebetween (and, more specifically, the side walls define the transverse breadth of cavity123), as shown inFIG. 4, for receiving actuation arm assembly140. The transverse breadth of cavity123is determined, at least in part, based on the available space available on the surface to which mounting and actuation device100is to be mounted. For example, the transverse breadth is selected in order to facilitate installation of mounting and actuation device100between the pontoons of a pontoon boat. Components of mounting and actuation device100are dimensioned as appropriate based on the selected transverse breadth of cavity123.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the at least one mounting surface is a first mounting surface126and a second mounting surface128, however, one or more than two mounting surfaces are also contemplated, as will be understood by the skilled person.

In one alternative of this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9, second mounting surface128comprises two, optional, outwardly projecting and longitudinally extending flanges190, each of which comprises at least one hole191for receiving fastening means for attaching mounting and actuation device100to a surface.

In this embodiment, optional end wall plate129is provided at a first end of cavity123opposite from the second end of cavity123, where actuation arm142is pivotably connected to mounting body120. It is contemplated that in at least one embodiment an additional end plate is provided at the second end of cavity123.

In this embodiment, actuation arm142is pivotably connected to mounting body120at a first, proximal end of actuation arm142and has an accessory mounting surface144at a second, distal end of actuation arm142. As in the previously described embodiments, in this embodiment, an accessory is provided that is an electric motor146and accessory mounting surface144is configured for attachment to electric motor146. As would be readily appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, in alternative embodiments, the accessory mounting surface can be configured for attachment to other accessory devices based on, for example, their geometry and mechanical requirements. Further, in this embodiment a cutout127is provided on at least one of the side walls122,124in order to accommodate electric motor146when the actuation arm assembly140is in a first, stowed position within cavity123.

In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that that the present invention can provide an improved mounting and actuation device that can mount an electric transverse thruster to the undersurface of a pontoon boat, such that the electric transverse thruster can be deployed from a first, stowed position to a second, actuated position wherein the electric transverse structure is deployed into the water and can be used to provide transverse thrust for a marine vehicle for use in docking and delicate maneuvering situations.

FIG. 10illustrates at least one embodiment of a mounting and actuation device200in which the accessory is a pivotable electric motor that can be used as a low speed (i.e., trolling) propulsion motor or a transverse thrust motor, depending on the orientation of the electric motor relative to the fore-aft axis of the boat, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

As in previously described embodiments, mounting and actuation device200includes mounting body220having a first side wall222and a second side wall224and at least one mounting surface. First side wall222and second side wall224define a cavity223therebetween (and, more specifically, the side walls define the transverse breadth of cavity223), as shown inFIG. 5, for receiving actuation arm assembly240.

In this embodiment, actuation arm242is pivotably connected to mounting body220at a first, proximal end of actuation arm242and has an accessory mounting surface244at a second, distal end of actuation arm242. As in the previously described embodiments, in this embodiment, an accessory is provided that is an electric motor246and accessory mounting surface244is configured for attachment to electric motor246. Further, as above, in this embodiment a cutout227is provided on at least one of the side walls222,224in order to accommodate electric motor246when the actuation arm assembly240is in a first, stowed position within cavity223.

In this embodiment, actuation arm242is two, axially aligned and rotatably coupled actuation arms245,247that pivot about their longitudinal axis (as shown by the arrow inFIG. 5) to facilitate the use of electric motor246as, for example, a trolling motor.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.