Abstract:
A position indicator for tracking the position of the slide in relation to the support. The position indicator comprises an electronic signal generator device formed as a transducer which is capable of being activated, and an electronic signal generating device formed as a magnet. One of the transducer and the magnet is attached to the hydraulic cylinder. The electronic device is positioned near said activator wherein the signal output of the electronic device is regulated, in relation to ambient light, by a photoelectric cell.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Related Applications 
     The present application is an improvement over my prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/329,375 filed Jun. 10, 1999, and issued Oct. 3, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,498, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is concerned with hydraulic marine jack plates which are commonly used in conjunction with outboard motors. Most larger outboard motors are supplied with integral hydraulic motors and related hydraulic cylinders wherein the outboard motor can be angularly disposed in relation to the transom of a boat to which it is attached. While this angular disposition of an outboard motor in relation to the transom of a boat is useful, in many situations it has been found that it is highly desirable to move an outboard motor vertically in a plane which is parallel with the transom of a boat. It is in this field that hydraulic jack plates of this invention is useful. 
     When a hydraulic jack plate is used to move an outboard motor vertically up the efficiency of the outboard motor can be greatly enhanced particularly in high speed operation. In many instances when an outboard motor and the boat to which it is attached is operating at high speeds the lower unit of the outboard motor creates excessive drag which impairs the operating efficiency of the outboard motor and the boat to which it is attached. 
     By the use of a hydraulic jack plate an outboard motor can be moved in a vertical plane in order that the outboard motor and boat combination can achieve optimum operating efficiency under all operating conditions. 
     Further by use of a hydraulic jack plate an outboard motor can be moved up in order to allow the outboard motor and boat combination to operate in shallow water. In many instances by using a hydraulic jack plate and moving the outboard motor up most boats can operate in water which is only a few inches deeper than the draft of the particular boat. 
     The subject invention is concerned with an improvement wherein the position of a marine hydraulic jack plate can be remotely determined. 
     This enhancement is achieved by providing apparatus whereby the position the slide of a hydraulic jack plate, and hence the position of the outboard motor which is attached thereto can be determined in relation to a fixed point usually the top of the transom of the boat. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic jack plate position indicator wherein the sensor and indicator are remote to each other. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a hydraulic jack plate sensor system which is light sensitive. 
     These objects and advantages should be construed as merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Accordingly, other objects and advantages, as well as a fuller understanding of the invention, may be had by referring to the summary and detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention in addition to the scope of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is defined by the specific preferred and alternate embodiments shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention may be defined as a hydraulic jack plate position indicator wherein the position of a hydraulic jack plate is segmented and each segment incorporates with a particular light emitting dioide herein after referred to as L.E.D. 
     Hydraulic jack plates comprise four main components these being a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder, a support which is attached to the transom of a boat and a slide which moves in the support and to which the outboard motor is attached. This invention is concerned with apparatus whereby the position of the slide and hence the position of the outboard motor can be determined. 
     In order to achieve these ends the support is provided with an activator and the slide is provided with a segmented transducer. Each segment of the transducer produces a specific voltage which activates a particular voltage sensitive L.E.D. in a gauge assembly. The gauge assembly comprises a plurality of voltage sensitive L.E.D.&#39;s. The hydraulic jack plate indicator system of this invention is further provided with a means whereby the intensity of the light emitted by the L.E.D.&#39;s can be regulated in relation to the ambient light in which the gauge assembly is located. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the present invention. It is appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed herein may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other apparatus or processes for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is also realized by one skilled in the art that such equivalent apparatus and process do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing the general relationship of a hydraulic jack plate, a boat and an outboard motor which are the subject matter of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a hydraulic jack plate with the position indicator of the invention attached thereto. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view showing a hydraulic jack plate with the position indicator of this invention attached thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the gauge assembly of this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of the position indicator of this invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view showing of a sensor assembly constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram of the position indicator of the alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures including the primary and alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As is generally discussed above the subject invention relates to a position indicator for use with a marine hydraulic jack plate as is shown in  FIG. 3 , the movement of slide  6  of jack plate  2  is illustrated by phantom line  29 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3  it can be seen that hydraulic jack plate  2  of this invention incorporates a plurality of components. These components generally comprise a pair of opposing supports  4  and  5  which are attached to the transom  7  of a boat  9  shown in partial section, supports  4  and  5  are interconnected by a plurality of lateral connectors  36 ,  38   40  and  42 . The attachment of jack plate  2  to boat  9  is effected by bolts (not shown) which are passed through aperture  5 ,  8  and through the boat transom  7  in a conventional manner. 
     In the broadest embodiment the hydraulic jack plate  2  of this invention comprises a support  3  which in the illustrated structure of  FIG. 2  comprises support members  4  and  5 , a plurality of support bars and a slide  6  which can move up and down in a vertical plane. Support  3  has a first planar surface A which is adapted to being secured to the transom of a boat and a second planar surface B which is adapted to slideably engage slide  6 . 
     When positioned in supports  4  and  5  in the manner described slide  6  can move up and down in a vertical plane in the directions of arrow  12 . This invention is concerned with the position of slide  6  to a given reference point for example inner upper edges  18  and  20  of support  3 . In order that the position of slide  6  might be determined support  3  is provided with a magnet  15  and a segmented transducer  17  which is attached to slide  6 . Magnet  15  is used to activate the individual segments of transducer  17 . 
     Slide  6  and support  3  are further interconnected by a hydraulic cylinder  14  which is attached to support  3 , the piston thereof being attached to slide  6  via shaft  13  and bracket  21 . 
     Hydraulic cylinder  14  is powered by hydraulic fluid which is provided for by a hydraulic pump, not shown. The hydraulic fluid being transferred from the hydraulic pump to hydraulic cylinder  14  via hydraulic lines (not shown) which interconnect the hydraulic pump and hydraulic cylinder  14 , outboard motor  25  is attached to slide  6  via apertures  10 . Hydraulic jack plates of the type described above and which are powered by a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic pump as described above are conventional in the prior art. 
     As can be further seen from  FIG. 2  the full length of segmented transducer  17  passes by magnet  15  as slide  6  moves up and down in the directions of arrow  12 . The movement of slide  6  is effected by hydraulic cylinder  14  in accordance with the description herein above. 
     In operation as slide  6  moves up and down different sections of segmented transducer  17  pass by magnet  15  via the Hall effect magnet  15  causes the individual segments of transducer  17  to produce a particular voltage as will be described herein below. When a given section of segmented transducer  17  passes by magnet  15  it is activated by magnet  15 . The activation of this given section causes the section to produce a predetermined voltage output. The particular voltage output of any given section activates a particular L.E.D. in gauge  19  via a circuit which will be discussed below. Segmented transducer  17  has a top  28  and a bottom  30 . The area between top  28  and bottom  30  is segmented into a plurality of sections. Each section produces a particular voltage which activates a particular L.E.D. in gauge  19 . It is understood that the number of sections into which transducer  17  is divided is a matter of choice. The more sections transducer  17  is divided into the more accurate the position of slide  6  can be determined. 
     In conventional jack plates the total travel of slide  6  from its lowest to its highest position is about seven inches. With this amount of travel it has been found that the ability to determine the position of slide  6  over approximately a six inch span is adequate for normal hydraulic jack plate operation, that is the determination of the movement of slide  6  over a 0 to 6 inch range is adequate for normal hydraulic jack plate operation. 
     With this range of operation in mind it has been found to be desirable to divide transducer  17  into 25 sections which in turn correspond to each ¼ inch movement of slide  6 . 
     Gauge  19  is in turn provided with 25 L.E.D.&#39;s each of which can be activated by a L.E.D. driver integrated circuits. Therefore in operation as slide  6  moves up and down at any given position magnet  15  activates one section of transducer  17 . This activated section of transducer  17  produces a specific voltage which in turn lights up a particular LED. That is as slide  6  moves up, for every ¼ inch the slide moves a different LED is activated. As can be seen gauge  19  incorporates twenty five L.E.D.&#39;s in a circular pattern. A boat operator can readily determine the position of slide  6  by observing which L.E.D. in gauge  19  is lit up. By knowing the position of slide  6  the operator in turn knows how far outboard motor  25  is in the water as is the best indicated by the position of cavation plate  22  of outboard motor  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  it can be seen that the electrical circuit for use with the position indicator of this invention comprises a power source  24  which is connected via fuse  26  to a voltage resistance ladder divider  28 . Intermediate of power  24  and ladder divider  28  is a protective diode  27  which protects the circuit from reverse bias current/voltage in the event the power is hooked up in reverse. Ladder divider  28  is further connected to an L.E.D. circuit  31  which incorporates a plurality of L.E.D.&#39;s  32  which are positioned in gauge  19 . In the preferred embodiment twenty five L.E.D&#39;s are used wherein the movement of slide in ¼ inch increments correspond to each L.E.D.  32 . 
     The voltage produced by the individual segments of ladder divider  28  is picked up by a plurality of sensors  35  which sense small variations in the voltage output of ladder divider  28 . Sensor  35  then transmit data relative to the voltage output of ladder divider  28  to L.E.D. driver integrated circuit  37 . 
     Upon receipt of information from Sensors  35  L.E.D. integrated circuit  37  processes the data relative to the particular voltage output of a particular segment of ladder divider  28  and determines which of L.E.D.&#39;s  32  should be activated. That is when a particular segment of ladder divider  28  produces a particular voltage this particular voltage is sensed by one of sensors  35 . This voltage output information is then transmitted to L.E.D. driver integrated circuit  37  which processes the information and determines whether one of LED.&#39;s  32  should be lit. Via this circuit the lighting up of a particular one of L.E.D.  32  correlates to a particular position of transducer  17  and hence a particular position of slide  6 . 
     If desired a plurality of L.E.D. integrated circuits  37  may be used that is circuits  37  may be stacked. In the preferred embodiment three L.E.D. integrated circuits are stacked. 
     The voltage output of ladder divider  28  may vary over the range of 1 to 12 volts. In the preferred embodiment the range of voltage output of ladder divider  28  is 1 to 4.5 volts. 
     It is understood by one skilled in the art that any number of L.E.D.&#39;s can be used to correspond to the movement of slide  6  through any desired range of travel. 
     Light sensor circuit  34  is further provided for whereby the voltage going to L.E.D.&#39;s  32  can be varied in order to vary the intensity of the output of LED&#39;s  32  in order to make the light output L.E.D.&#39;s  32  greatest in bright sunlight. Conversely when the ambient light decreases it is desirable to have the light output of L.E.D.&#39;s  32  decrease. 
     Further one skilled in the art will recognize that the relationship of magnet  15  and transducer  17  could be reversed such that the transducer is stationary and the activator magnet moves. 
     The present invention is an improvement over my above described prior patent and includes various major mechanical features which improves upon my invention of such prior patent. Such features include the repositioning of the slide  15  and the transducer  17 . The transducer  17  is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder  14 . The magnet/bracket  15  is mounted on the cylinder ram/slide bracket  21 . As the slide is moved up or down illustrated by arrow  12 , the magnet moves across the surface of the transducer  17  activating a particular section causing a predetermined voltage output. Note  FIG. 7 . 
     Conversely, the magnet assembly  15  is adapted to be mounted on the fixed cylinder  14  with the transducer  17  mounted on the cylinder ram/slide bracket  21 . 
     The improved performance of the present invention arises in gauge applications where a hydraulic pump/hydraulic cylinder combination is used replacing the hydraulic cylinder only application. The limited space on the slide place  6  is blocked by the hydraulic pump/hydraulic cylinder combination leaving no open space available for the transducer and the magnet. 
     It should be readily understood that the improved positioning of the transducer and the magnet are readily adapted for new system constructions as well as for retrofitting existing systems. 
     The present invention is an improvement over my above described prior patent and includes various electrical features, each of which improves upon my invention of such prior patent. Such features include the water resistant connector  50 . The connector is molded of a plastic material possessing a low static electric susceptibility. 
     Another electrical feature which improves upon my invention of such prior patent is an over-voltage protection circuit, such circuit is designed to protect the system in the event of it being connected to a voltage source greater than 12 volts, direct current. Such high voltage has recently become available on most new boat designs. Note  FIG. 7 . 
     Yet another electrical feature which improves upon my invention of such prior patent is an advanced two-way filtering circuit  52 ,  53  designed to both remove electronic noise present within the vessel&#39;s electrical system from interfering with the proper operation of the system. This filtering system also functions to prevent any electronic noise from this device from being injected onto the vessel&#39;s electrical system. Note  FIG. 7 . 
     The final electrical feature which improves upon my invention of such prior patent is a floating reference voltage  54  design to improve and enhance the reliable operation of the system as well as to allow the successful operation of the system over a broader voltage range. Note  FIG. 7 . 
     In should also be appreciated that the present invention possesses the ability for the transducer/magnet members to have the capability for being used separately with many off the shelf commercially available gages. The slide plate may readily be adapted for elevational movement by sliding vertically as shown as well as by angular or rotational raising and lowering. 
     These features in the present invention require a deletion of various unnecessary components from the invention of my prior patent including the 5 volt reference source, previously identified by reference numeral  15  of  FIG. 5 . 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.