Abstract:
The disclosure describes system for mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel, and also a method of mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel. inventive system includes a base having walls that bound an interior void. Flanges extend over the interior void and define a channel, and a slide bracket having a rod passing therethrough such that the slide bracket slides within the channel. The method includes the steps of providing a base with walls and flanges, and mounting a slide bracket to a channel formed within the base.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The invention is a system for mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel, and is also a method of mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel. Transducers are well-known in the art, particularly by fishermen and boatsmen. A transducer emits a signal, usually a sound wave, which bounces of an object and returns to the transducer. The transducer detects the distance a wave travels before it returns, thereby enabling the transducer to provide the location of a lake bottom, sunken trees, or other objects (such as fish) that are near the boat. 
     Typically, transducers are positioned near the hull of a vessel, usually on a rearmost surface of the boat. Generally, the transducer is positioned adjacent the water line, preferably beneath the water line. If a boat brushes over an obstruction, such as a log or stump in the water, the obstruction may collide with a well-mounted transducer. These collisions lead to loss or damage of a transducer. The best mode of using the inventive system is to reduce damage or loss of a transducer. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention is both a system for mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel as well as a method of mounting a transducer to a vessel. 
     The Inventive System 
     The inventive system for mounting a transducer includes a base adapted to engage the surface of the vessel. The base has edges that define a longitudinal axis, a left side wall extending outwardly from a location adjacent a left edge of the base, and a right side wall extending outwardly from a location adjacent a right edge of the base, a bottom wall extending outwardly from a location adjacent a bottom edge of the base. The bottom edge has a bottom hole positioned centrally thereon. In like manner, the top wall has a top hole positioned centrally thereon as well. 
     Additionally, the invention will also include a top wall extending outwardly from a location adjacent a top edge of the base. An interior void is formed and bound by the base and the walls. 
     A left inward flange extends from a top of the left side wall, and at least partially covers the interior void. In like manner, a right inward flange extends from a top of the right side wall, and at least partially covers the interior void as well. A channel is thereby formed in a space between the left inward flange and the right inward flange. 
     The inventive system also includes a slide bracket that is displaceable within the channel. The slide bracket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion of the slide engages above the left flange and the right flange. Moreover, the lower portion of the slide bracket fits inside the void. The slide further includes an aperture formed therein that passes therethrough. 
     The system will also include a rod that passes through the aperture in the slide bracket, and the top end of the rod being fits within the top hole, and the bottom end of the rod fits within the bottom hole. As such, the rod passes through channel and also through the slide bracket, and is configured to retain the slide bracket within the channel. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the inventive system, the rod passes through a hollow center portion of a compression spring. In this embodiment, the spring engages the top wall at one end, and the slide bracket at its other end. The spring, therefore, biases the slide bracket toward the bottom wall. 
     For example, the invention may include a pair of claws extending outwardly from the top portion of the slide bracket. The transducer may be coupled to each of the pair of claws. 
     The system may be attached to the vessels by using screws. In this embodiment, the system includes a plurality of screws, and also includes a plurality of screw holes formed in the base. The system is attached to the surface of the vessel by passing the screws through the holes and into the surface of the vessel. The system may also include a shock-absorbing gasket positioned between the base and the surface of the vessel. 
     The Inventive Method 
     The invention is also a method of mounting a transducer to a surface of a vessel. The inventive method includes the steps of forming a base adapted to engage the surface of the vessel, and extending a left side wall outwardly from a location adjacent a left edge of the base, and extending a right side wall outwardly from a location adjacent a right edge of the base. 
     The method also includes the steps of extending a bottom wall outwardly from a location adjacent a bottom edge of the base, and forming a centrally-positioned hole on the bottom wall. A top wall extends outwardly from a location adjacent a top edge of the base, and the method also includes the step of making a hole in a central position of this top wall. An interior void is bound by the base and the walls. 
     The inventive method also includes the steps of forming a left inward flange to extend from a top of the left side wall, and at least partially cover the interior void. Analogously, the method also includes forming a right inward flange to from a top of the right side wall, and at least partially cover the interior void, thereby forming a channel in a space between the left inward flange and the right inward flange. 
     The method further requires one to provide a slide bracket with an upper portion and a lower portion, and forming the upper portion of the slide bracket to engage above the left flange and the right flange, and positioning the lower portion within the void. Of course, the invention also requires one to form an aperture in the slide bracket. 
     Additionally, one must pass a rod through the channel by inserting the top end of the rod into the top hole and the bottom end of the rod being in the bottom hole, and also pass the rod through the aperture in the slide bracket. 
     Optionally, the invention may include the step of passing the rod through a hollow center of a compression spring, thereby biasing the slide bracket toward the bottom wall. In this embodiment of the method, a top of the spring engages the top wall and a bottom of the spring engages the slide bracket. 
     The invention may also include the step of positioning a transducer on the slide bracket; for example one may extend a pair of claws outwardly from the top portion of the slide bracket, then couple the transducer to each of the pair of claws. 
     Optionally, one may form screw holes in the base, and attach the system to the vessel by passing screws through the screw holes and into the surface of the vessel. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a vessel using a transducer of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the system attached to a hull of a vessel. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded and perspective view that details the component parts of the inventive system, according to the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectioned and perspective view of the inventive system 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a boat  10  having a transducer  14  mounted adjacent a hull  12  of the boat  10 . As the boat  10  rest atop the water, at least a portion of the boat sinks below the water line. The transducer  14  is usually mounted so that it is adjacent the water line, or is slightly under water. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the transducer  14  emits a signal, typically sound waves  16 , that reflect off objects (i.e., fish, the bottom, or rocky structure) and returns to the transducer  14 . The transducer  14  then compiles information from the reflected waves  16  to provide a mapping of the underwater objects. 
     When the boat  10  in  FIG. 1  travels along the water, however, it may encounter shallow objects, such as debris or logs floating on the water or even stumps protruding upward from a muddy bottom. As a boat  10  travels quickly along the surface of the water, these objects may collide with the transducer  14 , and the resulting collision may bring about expensive loss or damage. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a vessel, shown to be a fishing boat  10  having an outboard motor positioned near its hull  12 . A transducer  14  may be mounted on the hull  12  of the boat  10 , and should be positioned so that the transducer  14  will be at or near the water line. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective and exploded view detailing the parts of the inventive mounting system  18 . The inventive mounting system  18  includes a bracket  20  having a base  22  a bottom wall  26 , a top wall  28 , and side walls  24 . The top  28 , bottom  26 , and side walls  24  bound a void that forms a channel  38  along a longitudinal axis of the mounting system  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a left inward flange  36  extends from one wall  24  and covers at least a portion of the void, and a right inward flange  37  extends from the other wall  24  and covers at least a portion of the void as well, leaving a channel  38  along the longitudinal axis of the mounting system  18 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the mounting system  18  will include a slide bracket  42  having an upper portion  44  and a lower portion  46 . Additionally, an aperture  48  passes through the slide bracket  42 , preferably near the lower portion  46  of the slide bracket  42 . A pair of claws  45  extend from the upper portion  44  of the slide bracket  42 , and each is configured to couple the transducer  14  to the slide bracket  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mounting system  18  will also include a rod  34  that will be positioned within the channel  38  such that a top end of the rod  34  engages within the top hole  30  formed on the top wall  28  and a bottom end of the rod  34  engages within the bottom hole  32  formed on the bottom wall  26 . The rod  34  will also pass through the aperture  48  formed on the slide bracket  42 . In this way, the slide bracket  42  is displaceable along the channel  38  by sliding along the rod  34  and the flanges  36 ,  37 . A spring  40  may be positioned about the rod  34  and configured to bias the slide bracket  42  toward the bottom wall  26 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional and perspective view that details the relationship of the component parts of the mounting system  18 . The mounting system  18  includes a bracket  20  having a base  22 , side walls  24 , and a top wall  28 . The top wall  28  has a top hole  30  formed to receive a top end of the rod  34 . A left flange  36  extends inwardly from one wall  24  and extends over at least a portion of the interior void, and a right flange  37  extends inwardly from the other wall  24  and extends over at least a portion of the interior void, thereby forming a channel  38  along the longitudinal axis of the mounting system  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rod  34  passes through the hollow of a compression spring  40 , and also passes through the aperture  48  formed on the slide bracket  42 . The slide bracket  42  is displaceable within the channel  38 , and spring  40  biases the slide bracket  42  away from the top wall  28  and toward the bottom wall  26  (Not shown in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The upper portion  44  of the slide bracket  42  and flanges  36 ,  37  are cooperatively formed to engage one another and allow relative movement of the slide bracket  42  within the channel  38 ; moreover, the rod  34  passing through the aperture  48  of the slide bracket  42  provides additional support and guidance to the slide bracket  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  22  includes a plurality of screw holes  50 . The mounting system  18  may be affixed to the surface of a vessel (see  FIG. 2 ) by passing screws  52  through each screw hole  50  and into the surface of the vessel. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , a pair of claws  45  extend from the upper portion  44  of the slide bracket  42 . These claws  45 , in turn engage and couple to a transducer  14  (see  FIG. 3 ). In that regard, the claws  45  attached to the upper portion  44  may be provided by the respective manufacturer of the respective transducer  14 . Many known transducers include mounting claws that are formed to attach directly to the surface of a vessel. The inventive system herein disclosed is well-suited to allow a manufacturer&#39;s mounting hardware to be affixed to the upper portion  44  of the slide bracket, thereby making the inventive system workable and compatible with systems that are already known in the art. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the appended claims that precisely define the metes and bounds of the invention.