Abstract:
A portable fish finder device with a housing that defines a wrap cavity for receiving a signal cable that communicates between a depth finder device and a transducer attached to the water craft. A skirt connected to the housing moves between a first position covering the wrap cavity and a second position uncovering the cavity for winding or unwinding the signal cable. The depth finder device pivotally mounts to the housing to move between a storage position with a display screen received in a recess of the housing and an extended position for viewing the display. The cable winds into the wrap cavity for storage and unwinds when the housing is disposed on a portion of a water craft for use of the depth finder with the transducer communicating signals in a body of water for detecting underwater articles.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to depth finder or fish finder devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable depth or fish finder devices that enclose power and signal cables, transducer, and graphic display in a convenient package for non-permanent installation and use on water craft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Water craft and water-related sports activities are becoming increasingly popular recreational activities. Water-related boating activities include sailing, fishing, deep sea fishing, power boat sports such as water skiing and the like, kayaking, canoeing, and other sports activities on rivers, lakes and ocean. These recreational activities occur on waters of varying depths, bottom conditions, and obstructions and debris submerged and generally not visible from the surface. 
     The capability to detect sub-surface conditions and articles, such as bottom surface conditions and depths, under water obstructions and debris, and fish at varying depths, has become increasingly important. Operators of water craft frequently use marine electronic equipment known as depth detectors or fish finder devices for locating underwater articles. Fish finder devices use sonar technology that emits acoustic waves or beams from a transducer in the water. The acoustic beams reflect from the underwater articles, and return to the transducer as “echoes”. The return echoes are analyzed, and an image is presented on a display representative of the underwater articles from which the return echoes reflect. 
     Generally, fish finder devices are permanently mounted to the water craft. The analyzer and display contained within a housing that mounts with brackets to a dashboard or cockpit of the water craft. Power and signal cabling connects the fish finder device to a transducer that emits the acoustic beams into the water and receives the return echos. 
     Some fish finder devices however also provide quick disconnect mounts so that the fish finder device can be readily removed from the permanently installed mounting bracket. Readily detachable fish finder devices are particularly useful in water craft lacking satisfactory security for the cockpit area. With the cabling and transducer permanently mounted, the operator of the water craft carries the fish finder device to and from the water craft for use. 
     For smaller water craft such as kayaks and canoes, and other power boat and water craft as well, the fish finder device and transducer is not permanently mounted. Rather, transportable housings enclose the fish finder device and in some types includes compartments for storing the cable and the transducer assembly. A transducer assembly typically includes a bracket, a flexible suction cup connected to the bracket, and a transducer mounted to one end of the bracket. The bracket attaches to the transom of the water craft with the suction cup and connects with the cable to the fish finder device having a display screen. Typically, the fish finder device sits on a forward portion of the water craft for ready viewing of the display screen by the boater. 
     While such portable devices have provided water craft owners a non-permanent fish finder device, there are drawbacks to their use. In particular, the display and analyzer fish finder device, with its cable and transducer assembly is awkward and cumbersome for storage and handling of the portable fish finder. Further, the display and analyzer fish finder device, being freely seated on a portion of the watercraft, risks moving and falling while the watercraft is underway or experiencing heavy chop or rough waves. Further, the cabling is inconveniently held within a separate compartment of the housing. This leads to possible tangling and difficulty in retrieving and storing the cabling. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved portable fish finder device that conveniently encloses the power and signal cable, the display screen and analyzer housing, and the transducer assembly for handling and storage while readily accessible for use. It is to such that the present invention is directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a portable depth finder device that conveniently encloses a signal cable, a depth finder device including a display, and a transducer assembly for handling and storage while readily accessible for use, comprising a housing defining a wrap cavity in at least a portion of the housing for receiving a signal cable, a skirt connected to the housing and movable between a first position covering the wrap cavity and a second position uncovering the wrap cavity, and a depth finder device mounted to the housing for communicating through the signal cable with the transducer assembly, the signal cable being wrapped in the wrap cavity for storage and unwrapped therefrom when the housing is disposed on a portion of a water craft with a transducer in a body of water for determining depths. 
    
    
     Objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention and claims in view of the appended drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a partially cut-away perspective view of the portable fish finder apparatus of the present invention, in an operating position. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the fish finder device illustrated in FIG. 1 in a storage position. 
     FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the fish finder device illustrated in FIG. 1 in a storage position. 
     FIG. 4 is a back perspective view illustrating operative features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a side of the fish finder device taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aft portion of a water craft illustrating two alternative devices for securing the fish finder device illustrated in FIG. 1 to the water craft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like reference numerals, FIG. 1 illustrates in partially cut-away perspective view a portable fish finder  10  according to the present invention. The fish finder  10  comprises a shell  11  having an outside wall  12  and an inner wall  14  as shown in partial cut-away view. The inner wall  14  defines opposing sides  15 . A first end  16  of the shell  11  defines a narrowed portion for a handle  18  in a top carrying portion of the shell  11  opposing a second or bottom end  17 . A back wall  19  interior of the shell  11  opposes the handle  18 . A plate  20  extends between the opposing sides  15  of the inner wall  14 . The plate  20  in cooperation with the inner wall  14  and the back wall  19  define a first recess  24 . The back wall  19  defines an opening  26  through which cables (not illustrated) pass for connecting a housing for a depth or fish finder device generally  28  to a transducer, as discussed below. The fish finder device  28  conventionally includes an analyzer that analyzes the return signals from the transducer  92  (discussed below), control buttons  29  to operate the fish finder device  28 , and a display screen  31  to present images representative of detected underwater articles. 
     A pair of flanges  30  (best illustrated in FIG. 2) extend from the back wall  20 . A post  38  extends from a back of a housing  40  for the fish finder device  28 . The post  38  and the flanges  30  define coaxial passageways for receiving a threaded fastener  44  that engages a cap  46  to secure the housing  40  in a selected position relative to the flanges  30 . A back portion of the shell  11  defines a battery compartment  48  (see FIG. 3) closed by a battery door  50 . The door  50  defines openings  51  for receiving fasteners for securing the compartment  48 . 
     A portion of the outside wall  12  defines a slot  52  for passage of the cable  98  connecting the fish finder device  28  to the transducer, as discussed below. 
     A plurality of ribs  54  disposed in spaced-apart relation project outwardly from outside edges of the shell  11  intermediate the first end  16  and the opposing distal end  17 . The projecting ribs  54  facilitate using a webbed band to secure the portable fish finder  10  to a portion of a water craft, as discussed below. 
     A flexible skirt  56  has a first portion  58  that conformingly contacts a portion of the inner wall  14  on the sides, the handle  18 , and the back wall  20 . A second portion  59  arcuately extends towards the distal edges of the outside wall  12  on the sides, the handle  18 , and the opposing end  17  of the shell  11 . The sides  15  of the inner wall  14 , the inner surface of the handle  18 , and the back wall  19  define a cavity  62  shown in cut-away view about the perimeter of the fish finder  10 . As discussed below, the signal cable  98  wraps or winds in the cavity  62  about a perimeter of the portable fish finder  10  (or a portion thereof). 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the fish finder  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 in a storage position. The fish finder device  28  is illustrated pivoted about the flanges  30  into the recess  24 . The display screen  31  for the fish finder device  28  is thereby received within the recess  24  against the plate  20 . This provides protection from incidental contact against the display screen  31  during storage, carrying and handling of the portable fish finder  10 . The back of the fish finder device  28  is illustrated with ports generally  64  for receiving power and transducer signal cables. These cables extend through the opening  26  (see FIG. 1) between the fish finder device  28  and the cavity  62 . The power supply cable connects with electrical contacts within the battery compartment  48  (shown in partial cut-away view). The opposing walls  12 ,  14 , an edge of the plate  20  and the handle  18  define an opening generally  64 . The handle  18  is readily gripped for carrying the portable fish finder  10 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the back of the fish finder  10 . A retainer ring  80  includes spaced-apart passages  82 . The passages  82  receive screws (not illustrated) for securing the retainer ring  80  to the back wall  19  and the plate  20 . The retainer ring  80  abuts against the first portion  58  (shown in partial cut-away view) of the skirt  56 . The retaining ring  80  thereby holds the skirt  56  secured to the shell  11  of the fish finder  10 . The plate  20  further defines opposed flanges  86  that extend outwardly from the plate  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flanges  86  are arcuate. The flanges  86  define recesses on the back side of the plate  20 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a transducer bracket  90  attaches to a transducer housing  92  at a pivot  94 . An opposing end of the bracket  90  defines a flange  95 . A suction cup  96  connects to the transducer bracket  90 . The suction cup  96  is resilient and flexible. Opposing side edges of the suction cup  96  detachably engage the opposing flanges  86  by slipping into the recesses outwardly of the plate  20 . This attaches the transducer bracket  90  with the transducer housing  92  in a cavity on the back of the fish finder  10  for handling and storage. The transducer  92  includes a socket  97  for connecting a signal cable  98  (illustrated in FIG.  4 ). 
     FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the fish finder  10  with the skirt  56  in an outwardly flexed position to illustrate the cavity  62 . The skirt  56  is a rubber-like resilient material. The cavity  62  defines a space for the signal cable  98  to wind or wrap around the perimeter of the shell  11  (or a portion thereof). 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a side of the portable fish finder  10  taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG.  1 . The shell  11  includes the outer wall  12  and inner wall  14  with the laterally extending plate  20  defining the recess  24  for receiving the pivoted fish finder device  28 . The retainer ring  80  and the inner wall  14  sandwich the first portion  58  of the skirt  56  and the second portion extends arcuately towards the distal edge of the outer wall  12 . The skirt  56 , the inner wall  14  and the outer wall  12  define the cavity  62  into which the signal cable  98  is wound for storage (several windings are shown in FIG.  5 ). The skirt  56  flexes outwardly and away from the distal edge of the outer wall  12  to open the cavity  62  for unwinding the signal cable  98 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an aft portion of a water craft  100  illustrating two alternative mounting devices  102 ,  104  for securing the fish finder  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 to the water craft. The device  102  comprises a base  105  from which opposing tabs or flanges  106  extend. The flanges  106  define opposing gaps  107 . The flanges  106  detachably engage the flanges  86  on the back of the plate  20  of the fish finder  10 . The base  105  defines openings  108  for receiving fasteners such as screws to connect the base to the water craft. 
     The second mounting device  104  comprises a bracket  110  on a side portion of the water craft. A strap  112  attaches to the bracket  110 . A buckle  114  engages a distal end portion of the strap  112 . A connector  116  extends from an opposing portion of the water craft  100  spaced-apart from the bracket  110 . The connector  116  matingly engages the buckle  114 . 
     With reference to FIG. 1, the portable fish finder  10  provides a convenient package or housing for the fish finder device  28  pivotally connected to the shell  11  that incorporates the cavity  62  for receiving windings of the signal cable  98  around a perimeter. The resilient skirt  56  provides a base for the portable fish finder  10  to sit on a boat surface which skirt  56  also flexes outwardly to allow the signal cable  98  to be wound or unwound from the cavity  62 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastener  44  is loosened in order to allow the fish finder housing  40  to pivot from the recessed position within the recess  24  to an outward position as illustrated in FIG. 1 at an oblique angle relative to the shell  11 . This disposes the control buttons  29  and the display screen  31  for the fish finder device  28  in an accessible operational position. The screen  31  of the fish finder device  28  is disposed upwardly and outwardly for viewing. With reference to FIG. 3, the suction cup  96  detaches from the engagement with the flanges  86  in order to remove the transducer bracket  90  from the back of the portable fish finder  10 . 
     With reference to FIG. 4, the skirt  56  flexes outwardly and thereby exposing the signal cable  98  within the cavity  62 . The signal cable  98  unwinds from its stored position in order to separate the transducer bracket  90  from the shell  11  and the fish finder device  28 . The transducer bracket  90  mounts to an outside portion of the hull of a boat. The unwound signal cable  98  extends to allow remote positioning of the transducer bracket  90 . The suction cup  96  adheres the transducer bracket  90  to the hull. The flange  95  defines a stop against the hull. The transducer  92  is disposed below the surface of the water for communicating sound waves through the water and receiving return echos. The signal cable  98  communicates with the fish finder device  28  which analyzes the signals representative of the return echos for display of detected articles on the screen  31 . 
     The fish finder  10  seats on a portion of a water craft. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the skirt  56  contacts the surface of the water craft. The skirt  56  is preferably formed of a flexible material that resists slipping on the surface of the water craft. The skirt  56  accordingly holds the fish finder  10  to the water craft during operation of the water craft. 
     However, FIG. 6 illustrates two alternative mounting devices  102 ,  104  for securing the fish finder  10  to a water craft. With the mounting device  102 , the boater aligns the flanges  86  of the fish finder  10  in the gaps  107 , and rotates the fish finder device to mating engage the flanges  86 ,  106 . The flanges  106  preferably are tapered in thickness, so as to interlock the flanges together. 
     With the mounting device  104 , the fish finder  10  seats on the water craft between the bracket  110  and the connector  116 . The strap  112  loops over the fish finder  10  bearing on the ribs  54 . The buckle  114  engages the connector  116 . The strap  112  is tightened to engage the ribs  54  against the strap and thereby hold the fish finder  10  to the water craft. 
     While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, the principles and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed because these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, modifications, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.