Abstract:
The Trolling Motor Transducer Mount (“TMTM”) is a device which allows a transducer, as would be used for sonar depth-finding equipment commonly used by fishermen, to be rigidly but removably mounted onto a trolling motor. The secure attachment prevents the transducer from being knocked loose and lost or knocked out of alignment due to impact from underwater obstructions while the trolling motor is propelling the boat. It also shields the transducer from direct impact with underwater obstructions, preventing damage to the transducer. The TMTM is formed of a housing for the transducer, two brackets which are each rigidly attached at one end to the housing and then extend out to form a circular collar with an open end, and a means for clamping the open ends of the brackets closer together. The open circular collar slides onto the trolling motor. Once in place, the clamping mechanism reduces the radius of the collar until it is tightly secured in place on the trolling motor. The TMTM may also have a groove along the inner surface of one of the brackets for holding the wires of the transducer, so that they will not snag on underwater obstructions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational and sporting fishermen often use a transducer, typically a sonar unit for detecting depth and/or for locating fish, as part of the basic equipment they take with them on each fishing trip. Often, they will mount their transducer on the bottom of their trolling motor, as this provides a convenient location for the transducer. This is particularly true for depth-finding sonar units, which should be directed straight down under the surface of the water in order to function properly. Unfortunately, locating the transducer on the trolling motor subjects the transducer to difficult conditions which may lead to a malfunction of the transducer mechanism, misalignment of the transducer, or even loss of the transducer. 
     There are many underwater obstructions and hazards located beneath the surface of the water in boating areas. As a result, the trolling motor may bump or snag various underwater obstructions. This subjects a transducer mounted on the trolling motor to impact, which may jar the transducer severely. Such impacts may result in damage to the sensitive mechanisms of the transducer. They may also lead to the transducer&#39;s position on the trolling motor being altered, which may adversely affect the transducer&#39;s ability to provide accurate information. The wires leading from the transducer up to the user in the boat may also snag on underwater obstructions, damaging the electrical components of the transducer. In the worst case scenario, such impacts may even tear the transducer loose from the trolling motor, in which case the transducer can be lost. In fact, most professional sports fishermen lose several transducers each year in this manner. 
     The current method for mounting a transducer upon a trolling motor uses either a large cable tie or a metal hose clamp to tie the transducer directly onto the bottom of the trolling motor. The transducer is unprotected and completely exposed to underwater obstructions, and the wires from the transducer also hang freely and are exposed, so that they may snag or snare upon underwater obstructions. Furthermore, the cable tie or hose clamp is not particularly strong, since it was not designed for this particular type of task. As a result, the cable tie or hose clamp will often break if the transducer hits some underwater obstruction during trolling, and the transducer will be knocked free of the trolling motor. Even if the metal hose clamp does not actually break, the transducer will often be either knocked out of alignment or jarred sufficiently so that the electronic mechanisms malfunction. Finally, when the trolling motor is in use, it may produce interference with the electronic data of the transducer. 
     The instant invention, referred to as a Trolling Motor Transducer Mount (“TMTM”), was developed to overcome these problems which typically arise when a transducer is operated from a position on a trolling motor. The TMTM provides a means for durably fixing a transducer upon a trolling motor. Because of the design of the TMTM, the transducer is much less likely to be torn off of the trolling motor. Indeed, the strength of the attachment provided by the TMTM also reduces the chances that the transducer will be knocked out of alignment. The TMTM also shields the transducer from direct exposure to underwater obstructions, so that the electronic mechanisms in the transducer are less likely to be jarred to the point of malfunctioning. The TMTM provides a convenient location for the wires leading from the transducer up to the user in the boat, so that the wires are not exposed to the elements in a manner that would allow for snagging to occur; rather, the wires are shielded within the TMTM. Enclosing the transducer within the TMTM also shields the transducer from interference when the trolling motor is operated. Finally, the TMTM allows the transducer to be easily removed from its position on a trolling motor. One embodiment of the TMTM even includes a convenient temperature probe, which is mounted on the TMTM so that the user may detect the temperature of the water beneath the surface. Obviously, the TMTM solves many of the problems which recreational and sporting fishermen have encountered using the current technology to affix transducers to trolling motors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, the present invention relates to mounting a transducer upon a trolling motor, although the present invention is not limited to such use. An object of the present invention is to durably but removably mount a transducer to the bottom of a trolling motor. Another object of the present invention is to rigidly affix a transducer to a position on a trolling motor, so that even if the transducer is bumped or jarred, its position will not be substantially altered. Yet another object of the present invention is to protect and shield the mechanisms of a transducer mounted to a trolling motor from direct impact which could damage or disrupt the functioning of the transducer. Yet another object of the present invention is to hold the wires of the transducer in a manner which reduces the chances that they may snag or snare upon underwater obstructions. Yet another object of the present invention is to shield the transducer and its wires from interference when the trolling motor is in operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a location to durably mount instruments, such as a temperature probe, underneath the surface of the water. Yet another object of the invention is to resist the corrosive environment underneath the surface of the water. A person skilled in the art field will understand these and other uses and objects for the present invention. 
     The TMTM is comprised of a circular collar which is open at one end. A housing with a recess, in which a standard transducer (such as LOWRANCE® and HUMMINBIRD® transducers) may be mounted, is attached to the circular collar. The housing may be attached anywhere along the circumference of the circular collar, but in the preferred embodiment the housing is located at the closed end of the circular collar. A standard transducer may be mounted in the recess so that it is enclosed within the TMTM and shielded by the TMTM from direct impact. The other end of the circular collar is open and is configured to allow for the open end to be clamped together in order to form a solid ring surrounding the circumference of the trolling motor. When the circular collar is open, it is sized so that it loosely fits around the housing of a standard trolling motor. Thus, when the circular collar is open and unclamped, it may be easily installed onto a trolling motor by simply sliding onto the housing of the trolling motor. When installing the TMTM upon a trolling motor, the recess is typically positioned so that, when the trolling motor is in use and is positioned beneath the surface of the water so as to drive a boat, the recess will face directly down towards the bottom of the body of water. Once the TMTM is properly positioned on the trolling motor, the open end of the TMTM is clamped together so that the TMTM acts as a solid collar encompassing the diameter of the trolling motor housing. This clamping action also causes the diameter of the TMTM to be reduced, so that the TMTM fits snugly onto the trolling motor housing. In essence, this clamping action causes the TMTM to lock into position on the trolling motor housing, with the friction between the inner surface or the TMTM and the trolling motor housing preventing any movement of the TMTM with respect to the trolling motor housing. 
     Typically, the open end of the TMTM is designed with flanges with bolt holes. Once the TMTM is properly positioned on the trolling motor housing, bolts are inserted through the holes in the flanges, and nuts are attached to the free end of the bolts. Once the nuts are tightened, the flanges will be pressed tightly together in order to close the open end of the TMTM so that it forms a solid circular collar tightly encompassing the trolling motor. In this way, the entire TMTM acts as a clamp, which may be properly located on the trolling motor when open but which is securely fastened to the trolling motor when it is closed and fixed shut. 
     The TMTM may also have an internal feature which holds the wires from the transducer inside of the TMTM so that they may not snag on any underwater obstructions. Typically, this is accomplished using a groove along the inner surface of the TMTM, along with a slot formed when the two flanges are joined together. The wires from the transducer are fed through the groove along one side of the TMTM and then exit through the slot between the flanges. Typically, the TMTM would be mounted close to the shaft of the trolling motor leading up out of the water. In that case, the wires from the transducer would exit through the slot, which is positioned atop the trolling motor, and could be attached to run up along the shaft, so that the wires would not hang freely but would be secured tightly along the profile of the trolling motor to reduce the chances of snagging. 
     Although the TMTM may be made adjustable in order to fit different sizes of trolling motors, in the preferred embodiment, different size TMTM devices are designed for use with different sizes of trolling motors. As most of the trolling motor market is made up of two specific sizes of trolling motors (namely the MOTORGLIDE® or standard MINN KOTA® with a diameter of approximately 3.710 inches and MAGNUM MINN KOTATM with a diameter of approximately 4.025 inches), typically there may be two different versions of the TMTM device, sized to fit the two primary types of trolling motors. Obviously, similar TMTM devices could be made to fit other trolling motors. Due to the substantial size of the TMTM encompassing a trolling motor, which is much wider and thicker than the hose clamps currently employed, the TMTM is much sturdier and is much better able to resist damage. Also, the larger surface area and the clamping mechanism for locking the TMTM in place on a trolling motor produces a much firmer attachment to the trolling motor. 
     Durability may also be increased by employing specific techniques in constructing the TMTM. Typically, a TMTM would be machined out of a solid block of aluminum and then anodized. The anodized aluminum provides a good combination of lightweight strength and corrosion resistance. Machining the device out of a solid block of metal also ensures greater strength than if the device were cast. Other construction techniques and materials may obviously be employed, so long as they provide the requisite strength and corrosion resistance. 
     Finally, the TMTM may serve as a solid location to mount other instrumentation which needs to be placed under the surface of the water. So for example, a temperature probe could be affixed to the outer surface of the TMTM, so that when the trolling motor to which the TMTM is mounted is in use, the temperature gauge would provide the user with the temperature of the water beneath the surface. Such information about the conditions of the water may prove useful to recreational and sporting fishermen. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will be made to the drawings, where like parts are designated by like numerals and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front, radial view of the TMTM; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the TMTM along line A-A in FIG. 1, showing one half of the inner surface of the TMTM; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the TMTM; and 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the TMTM when it is mounted on a trolling motor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the preferred embodiment of the Trolling Motor Transducer Mount is shown in FIGS.  1 , 2 , and  3 , and is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The TMTM  10  is essentially a circular collar  32  with an open end  33  and a closed end  34 . The closed end  34  of the circular collar  32  extends outward to form a housing for mounting a transducer. The housing secures the transducer in place on the TMTM  10  and shields the transducer from any direct impact from underwater obstructions or debris. In the preferred embodiment, this is a cylindrical housing  20  with a recess  22  sized to contain a standard transducer. So, the recess  22  is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter in the preferred embodiment. The axis for the cylindrical housing  20  is perpendicular to the axis for the circular collar  32 , so that when the circular collar  32  is properly positioned on a trolling motor (with its axis parallel to that for the trolling motor), the cylindrical housing  20  is directed away from the trolling motor. Essentially, the circular collar  32  is comprised of two semicircular brackets  32 a and  32 b which are each attached at one end to the cylindrical housing  20 , to form the closed end  34  of the circular collar  32 , with the other ends of the semicircular brackets  32 a and  32 b approaching but not contacting one another to form the open end  33  of the circular collar  32 . 
     The circular collar  32  is sized to fit the trolling motor upon which the TMTM  10  is to be mounted. Since most of the trolling motor market is currently comprised of two sizes of trolling motors (MOTORGUIDE® and standard MINN KOTA® or MAGNUM MINN KOTA™ trolling motors), the circular collar  32  in the preferred embodiment will typically be either approximately 4.025 inches in inner diameter or approximately 3.710 inches in inner diameter. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the circular collar  32  is approximately 1.25 inches wide and approximately 0.375 inches thick. The additional bulk of the circular collar  32  provides additional strength and durability over the hose clamps currently used, and the larger surface area allows the friction force to effectively hold the TMTM  10  in place on a trolling motor (as is described in detail below). Obviously, these specific dimensions are not required for the TMTM  10  to function; rather, the dimensions may be varied as needed in the design process so long as the TMTM  10  is sufficiently strong and durable, and so long as the inner surface area is sufficiently large for the friction forces to tightly secure the TMTM  10  in place on a trolling motor. The TMTM  10  may also be made with an adjustable circular collar  32 , which would allow a single TMTM  10  device to fit different sizes of trolling motors. For example, an adjustable TMTM  10  may be formed in such away so that the size of the collar  32  is varied to fit securely onto different size trolling motors by the amount of tightening of the open end  33  of the collar  32 . 
     A means for clamping the free ends of brackets  32   a  and  32   b  closer together is located at the open end  33  of the circular collar  32 . In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished using one or more nuts  44  and bolts  42  with flanges  35   a  and  35   b  rigidly attached to brackets  32   a  and  32   b . While the flanges  35   a  and  35   b  are described herein as rigidly attached to the brackets  32   a  and  32   b , this is meant to include single elements formed to include both a bracket  32  and a flange  35 . In fact, the preferred embodiment is machined from a single block of aluminum, so all of the rigid attachments of elements are actually the result of a unitary design. 
     Flange  35   a  is rigidly attached to the free end of bracket  32   a  in a perpendicular manner. Flange  35   a  has one or more holes  40   a  (corresponding to the number of bolts  42  to be used to clamp the brackets  32   a  and  32   b  together) which penetrate completely through the flange  35   a . Flange  35   b  is likewise rigidly attached to the free end of bracket  32   b  and has one or more holes  40   b  which penetrate completely through the flange  35   b . Thus, flange  35   a  and flange  35   b  are parallel to each other, with their holes aligning so that one or more bolts  42  may be inserted through the one or more holes  40  in both flanges  35   a  and  35   b . In order to clamp the brackets  32   a  and  32   b  closer together, the one or more bolts  42  are inserted through the holes  40  in both flanges  35   a  and  35   b . The bolts  42  are sufficiently long so that they extend through the holes  40  on each of the flanges  35   a  and  35   b . A nut  44  is screwed onto the open end of each bolt  42 . By tightening the nuts  44  onto the bolts  42 , the flanges  35   a  and  35   b  are brought into closer proximity, reducing the radius of the circular collar  32 . Obviously, this is just one means for clamping the free end of brackets  32   a  and  32   b  together. Other means could also be used, as will readily be apparent to a person skilled in this field. Threaded holes  40 , for example, may be an alternative to using nuts  44 . Or, a completely external vise could be used to force the brackets  32   a  and  32   b  closer together. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical housing  20  is hollow, such that it encompasses a recess  22  sized to contain a standard transducer. Thus, the transducer will be sheltered within the cylindrical housing  20 , so that it is shielded from direct impact with underwater obstructions or debris. A means for holding a transducer in place in the recess  22  must be used on the cylindrical housing  20 . In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished using a lip  24 . The lip  24  faces inward on the outermost end of the cylindrical housing  20 , such that the inner radius of the cylindrical housing  20  at the outermost end is less than the inner radius of the cylindrical housing  20  at all other points along its length. Thus, a transducer may be slid into the recess  22  through the innermost end of the recess  22  in the cylindrical housing  20  until it contacts the lip  24  at the outermost end of the cylindrical housing  20 . Then, the transducer will be held in place as it is wedged between the lip  24  and the trolling motor when the circular collar  32  is properly positioned upon a trolling motor. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field, other means for holding a transducer in place, such as inward facing radial screws inserted into holes around the outer perimeter of the housing, a wire cage covering the recess in the housing, a glass cover which screws onto the exterior opening face of the recess in the housing, or even a glue or putty lining the inside of the recess  22 , may be also used. The advantage of the lip used in the preferred embodiment is that it provides a fully integrated unit which allows a transducer to be simply and securely installed into the TMTM  10  without blocking or limiting the transducer&#39;s sonar signal, while also allowing the transducer to be easily removed from the TMTM  10  for repair. 
     The TMTM  10  also typically includes a means for securing the wiring of the transducer so that the wires will not snag on underwater obstructions. In the preferred embodiment, there is a groove  37  on the inner surface of at least one of the brackets  32   a  or  32   b  of the circular collar  32  which runs the entire length of the bracket  32   a  or  32   b . This groove  37  is designed to provide a space for the wires from the transducer, holding the wires internally so that they are shielded from snagging on any underwater obstacles or debris. In the preferred embodiment, the groove  37  extends over the length of both brackets  32   a  and  32   b , so that the entire length of the inner surface of the circular collar  32  is grooved. This provides extra space for housing additional wires if necessary. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the groove  37  is located half-way up the height of the circular collar  32 , so that the groove  37  runs along the center of the inner surface of the circular collar  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the groove  37  is approximately 0.376 inches wide and approximately 0.225 inches deep. Obviously, these specific dimensions are not essential to the invention; rather, the size of the groove  37  may vary so long as it provides sufficient clearance for the transducer wires. And, as will be apparent to those skilled in the field, other means for securing the wiring, such as external ties or clips, may also be used. 
     There is also a slot  38  cut into at least one of the flanges  35   a  or  35   b  leading inward from its outer edge until it meets the groove  37 . In the preferred embodiment, the slot  38  is actually cut symmetrically into both flanges  35   a  and  35   b  to provide a circular tunnel out of the TMTM  10  from the groove  37 . Thus, the wires from a transducer may be run from the recess  22 , through the groove  37 , and out through the slot  38 . When the TMTM  10  is properly placed, so that it is near to the shaft of the trolling motor on which the TMTM  10  is to be used, the wires from the transducer will exit the TMTM  10  out of the slot  38 , and then will run up along the shaft (being snugly tied to the shaft), out of the water, and into the boat. In this way, the TMTM  10  helps to shield the wires from snagging on any underwater obstacles or debris, as well as shielding the transducer and wires from any electrical interference generated by the trolling motor. 
     In practice, the means for clamping is used to bring the open ends of the brackets  32   a  and  32   b  together and to reduce the radius of the circular collar  32  so that the circular collar  32  may be tightened around the trolling motor housing onto which the TMTM  10  is to be mounted. By tightening the circular collar  32  around the trolling motor, the TMTM  10  is locked into position on the trolling motor. Thus, the TMTM  10  may be used to rigidly mount a transducer to a trolling motor, while allowing the transducer to later be removed from the trolling motor (by unclamping the brackets  32   a  and  32   b ). 
     In addition to the mechanical elements of the TMTM  10  described above, the TMTM  10  may serve as a secure mounting location for other electrical instruments. For example, in the preferred embodiment, an electronic temperature gauge  47  may be rigidly attached to the outer surface of the TMTM  10 . In that case, a hole may be drilled through the outer surface of the TMTM  10  at the location where the temperature gauge  47  is to be mounted to intersect with the groove  37 . Then, the wires from the electronic temperature gauge  47  may be run through the groove  37  and slot  38 , so that they too are shielded within the TMTM  10 . 
     The TMTM  10  is used to rigidly, but removably, attach electrical equipment which is to be used underwater, such as a transducer, to a trolling motor, which is placed in the water from a boat. In resting mode, the circular collar  32  is open, with the nuts  44  and bolts  42  removed so that the flanges  35   a  and  35   b  are separate and apart, parallel to one another. The transducer which is intended to be mounted to the trolling motor is slid into place in the recess  22 , until the front of the transducer contacts the lip  24  along the inside outer edge of the cylindrical housing  20 . The wires from the transducer are then fed into the groove  37  on one of the brackets  32   a  or  32   b  and the slot  38  on the flanges  35   a  and  35   b.    
     The circular collar  32  is then slidably placed around the trolling motor housing, typically on the side away from the propeller blades. Preferably, the TMTM  10  is placed close to the shaft leading up towards the boat. With the TMTM  10  in place on the trolling motor, the transducer is H held in place in the recess  22  since it is wedged between the lip  24  and the trolling motor itself. The wires are also held in place in the groove  37  by the trolling motor itself. Typically, when the TMTM  10  is properly positioned on the trolling motor (and the trolling motor is in the vertical position), the cylindrical housing  20  faces directly downward, since that is the proper position for a sonar depth finder. Other positions may, however, be appropriate depending upon the type of electrical equipment and/or transducer being mounted upon the trolling motor. 
     Once the TMTM  10  is properly positioned upon the trolling motor, the clamping mechanism is used to lock the TMTM  10  in place. In the preferred embodiment, the bolts  42  are inserted through the holes  40  in the flanges  35   a  and  35   b . The nuts  44  are then screwed onto the ends of the bolts  42  and tightened to the desired position. As the nuts  44  are tightened, the flanges  35   a  and  35   b  are brought closer together, thereby drawing the two brackets  32   a  and  32   b  together and reducing the radius of the circular collar  32 . As the radius of the circular collar  32  is reduced, it will tighten around the trolling motor on which the TMTM  10  is located, until the TMTM  10  is locked into position on the trolling motor. The friction force, which locks the TMTM  10  in place on the trolling motor, is increased by tightening the circular collar  32 , since this increases the normal forces on the inner surface of the circular collar  32  and the trolling motor. Thus, the TMTM  10  is rigidly attached to the trolling motor, but may be removed by loosening the nuts  44  on the bolts  42  to cause the brackets  32   a  and  32   b  to separate from one another, thereby enlarging the radius of the circular collar, reducing the friction force, and allowing the TMTM  10  to be slidably removed from the trolling motor. FIG. 4 illustrates the TMTM  10  when mounted in the typical manner upon a trolling motor. 
     Although the TMTM  10  could be constructed of any materials which were sufficiently strong, durable, and corrosion resistant, in the preferred embodiment the TMTM  10  is constructed primarily of aluminum. In the preferred embodiment, the circular collar  32 , the cylindrical housing  20  and the flanges  35   a  and  35   b  are all 6061-T651 aluminum. The hardware, such as the nuts  44  and bolts  42 , are stainless steel. Other materials, such as stainless steel and certain plastics, could also be used for the TMTM  10 . The TMTM  10  can also be constructed in many ways. The appropriate construction technique will generally depend upon the materials being used to construct the TMTM  10 , along with the degree of strength and durability needed. In the preferred embodiment, the TMTM  10  is machined out of a solid block of aluminum. All burrs are then removed, and all sharp comers are broken away. The aluminum is then anodized black in order to improve its corrosion resistance capabilities. 
     The specific embodiments and uses set forth herein are merely illustrative examples of the preferred embodiment of the TMTM  10  invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. A person skilled in the field will understand and appreciate additional embodiments and uses, which are also included within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is fully defined in the following claims, and the only limits to the invention are those set forth within the claims below.