Abstract:
A trolling motor lock assembly ( 10 ) has base member ( 40 ) that is attached via a hinge ( 70 ) to a cover member ( 20 ). The base member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 20 ), when rotated such that the cover member ( 20 ) engages the base member ( 40 ), overlay the head portion ( 8 ) of the clamping screws ( 18 ) of the motor support ( 6 ) of the trolling motor ( 4 ) preventing rotation of them. The base member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 20 ) have cooperating cut-outs ( 31, 33, 35, 51, 53, 55 ) adjacent side-walls ( 25, 45 ) that allow the shaft of the clamping screws ( 18 ) to protrude through the cut-outs ( 31, 33, 35, 51, 53, 55 ). In that way, the base member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 20 ) may be “clamped” down over the head portions ( 8 ) of the clamping screws ( 18 ). The base member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 20 ) also include a cooperating catch ( 67 ) and cylinder lock ( 62 ) with a rotatable latch ( 65 ), respectively, whereby the base member ( 40 ) and the cover member ( 20 ) may be locked together to secure the head portions ( 8 ) of the clamping screws ( 18 ) between them.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to locks and to other security devices that use locks and locking mechanisms. More specifically, it relates to an assembly that is used to secure a trolling motor to the transom of a boat. It also relates to such a trolling motor lock assembly that is unitary in construction such that the assembly is easy to use and eliminates the risk of loss of component parts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Trolling motors are the smaller cousin to the boat outboard motor and are used in situations where a smaller powered motor is needed to achieve more incremental and much quieter movement of the boat during fishing and the like. Like outboard motors, the use of a trolling motor typically requires that the motor be attached to the transom, or rear wall, of the boat. From that position, the user can move and steer the boat using the controls of the trolling motor. Such trolling motors often utilize a U-shaped frame that hangs on the transom and is then fixedly secured to the transom by a pair of clamping screws that are part of the frame. The clamps include head or handle portions that can be rotated by hand to tighten the clamps and secure the trolling motor to the transom. During use, these clamps can be inadvertently bumped or rotated to the point that the trolling motor is not completely secured to the transom. Another unfortunate reality concerning trolling motors is that the motors are vulnerable to theft since they are relatively small and light-weight and, as such, can be quickly and easily detached from the boat. A number of devices exist in the prior art for attempting to prevent or frustrate this type of inadvertent or intentional detachment. However, the prior art discloses devices or assemblies that comprise a number of separate parts or members, thus risking a lack of functionality if any one or more of those parts or members is separated from the others. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the view of this inventor, what is needed is a unitary, one-piece device or assembly for securely and inexpensively locking a trolling motor to the boat that it is attached to. The present invention provides such an assembly that, when used properly, helps to prevent inadvertent detachment or intentional theft of the trolling motor at all times during which the assembly is used. The present invention provides for a unique locking assembly having a number of components that form such a unitary device. The assembly includes a longitudinally extending base member that is attached via a hinge to a longitudinally extending cover member. The base member and the cover member, when rotated such that the cover member engages the base member, are functionally adapted to overlay the head portion of the clamping screws of the motor supports of the trolling motor thereby preventing rotation of them. The base member and the cover member each have a plurality of cooperating cut-outs defined in adjacent side-walls that allow the shaft of each of the clamping screws to protrude through the cut-outs. In that way, the base member and the cover member may be “clamped” down over the head portions of the clamping screws. The base member and the cover member also include a cooperating catch and cylinder lock with a rotatable latch, respectively, whereby the base member and the cover member may be locked together to secure the head portions of the clamping screws between them. The foregoing and other features of the assembly of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front, top and left side perspective view of the trolling motor lock assembly of the present invention as it is used with a trolling motor that is mounted to a boat, the assembly shown in the attached or secured position. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a front, top and left side perspective view of the trolling motor lock assembly of the present invention as it is used with a trolling motor that is mounted to a boat, the assembly shown in the detached or removed position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged front, top and left side perspective view of the lock assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and showing the assembly as it would be in the “locked” or “closed” position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged rear, bottom and left side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged rear, top and left side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and showing the assembly in the “unlocked” or “open” position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is an exploded rear, bottom and left side perspective view of the assembly of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements correspond to like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the trolling motor lock assembly, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. An outboard motor is illustrated in phantom view in both  FIGS. 1 and 2  to demonstrate how a trolling motor  4  might be used in conjunction with it. Such is not, however, required and is in no way a limitation of the present invention. 
         [0011]    As shown, the trolling motor lock assembly  10  is shown as it would be attached to the head portions  8  of clamping screws  18  of the motor supports of the trolling motor  4  when the trolling motor  4  is secured to the transom  12  of a boat  2 . See also  FIG. 2  which illustrates the assembly  10  as it would appear when removed from the head portions  8  of the clamping screws  18 . It is to be understood that the precise type of boat  2  or trolling motor  4  to which the assembly  10  of the present invention applies is not a limitation of this invention. Nor is the precise type of head portion  8  of the clamping screws  18  a limitation of the present invention. For example, the head portions  8  could be of the type that are generally lever shaped, as shown in  FIG. 2 . That is, each head portion  8  rotates about a central axis and has a “lever” portion that extends outwardly from that central axis to provide a force moment or torque to the head portion  8  for tightening or un-tightening the clamping screws  18  relative to the motor supports  6 , which are understood to include a drive screw threaded portion and some sort of “seat” or pad (not shown). Rotation of the head portion  8  rotates the clamping screw  18  in a direction that drives the seat or pad towards or away from the transom  12  such that the head portion  8  effectively “clamps” the trolling motor  4  to the transom  12 . The important aspect of the assembly  10  is that it prevents access to the head portion  8  of the clamping screws  18  to prevent their rotation when the assembly  10  is properly secured and locked in place. 
         [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged rear view of the assembly  10  of the present invention is illustrated. This view illustrates the assembly  10  shown as it would be when detached from the boat  2  and as it would be when in the “closed” or “locked” position. FIG.  4  illustrates the assembly  10  as it would be when simply flipped upside down from its up-right position shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, the assembly  10  includes a longitudinally-extending and rectangular-profiled cover member  20  and a similarly shaped, but slightly smaller, base member  40 . When placed together as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cover member  20  and the base member  40  form a generally rectangular box-like structure. The precise shape is not a limitation of the present invention as long as the assembly  10  includes a base member  40  and a cover member  20  that are capable of forming a hollow structure that functions in the intended fashion as is disclosed and described herein. In the preferred embodiment, however, the cover member  20  has a first end  22  and a second end  24 . Extending between the first end  22  and the second end  24  of the cover member  20  is a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar top face  21 , a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar front face  23 , and a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar back face  25 . A substantially-planar side or end face  27  extends downwardly at a generally right angle from the top face  21  at the second end  24  of the cover member  20 . Disposed at the first end  22  of the cover member  20  is an opening  29 , which opening  29  facilitates rotation of the base member  40  relative to the cover member  20 . See also  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The base member  40  of the assembly  10  similarly includes a first end  42  and a second end  44 . Extending between the first end  42  and the second end  44  of the base member  40  is a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar bottom face  41 , a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar front face  43 , and a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar back face  45 . The base member  40  also includes a pair of opposing and substantially-planar side faces  47 ,  49 , the side faces  47 ,  49  extending upwardly at a generally right angle from the bottom face  41  of the base member  40 . 
         [0013]    Defined within the planar back face  25  of the cover member  20  are a number of downwardly-directed and generally arcuate-shaped cut-outs,  31 ,  33 ,  35 . Similarly, a number of upwardly-directed and generally arcuate-shaped cut-outs  51 ,  53 ,  55  are defined within the planar back face  45  of the base member  40 . It is to be understood that the exact shape of the cut-outs  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  51 ,  53 ,  55  is not a limitation of the present invention. The arcuate shape is, however, preferred since it most closely resembles the round profile of the threaded shaft of the clamping screws  18  that are intended to pass through the downwardly-directed cut-outs  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the cover member  20  and through the upwardly-directed cut-outs  51 ,  53 ,  55  of the base member  40  when the cover member  20  overlays the base member  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As shown, the first cut-out  31  of the cover member  20  is generally aligned with the first cut-out  51  of the base member  40 , and so on, to form functionally cooperating openings for access to the interior of the assembly  10 . It should also be understood that the spacing between adjacent cut-outs  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  51 ,  53 ,  55  may be varied in dimension to accommodate different spacings between clamping screws  18  that might be available by different manufacturers of trolling motors  4  to which the assembly  10  may be applied. This provides added versatility to use of the assembly  10 . 
         [0014]    The top face  21  of the cover member  20  includes an aperture  32  defined within it. This aperture  32  is functionally adapted to receive a portion of a lock sub-assembly, generally identified  60 , within it. Similarly, the bottom face  41  of the base member  40  includes an aperture  52  defined within it, this aperture  52  also being functionally adapted to receive a portion of the lock sub-assembly  60  within it. As alluded to earlier, the base member  40  is hingedly attached to the cover member  20 . To accomplish this, the front face  23  of the cover member  20  includes an aperture  34  and the back face  25  of the cover member  20  includes an aperture  36 . See  FIG. 6 . Similarly, front face  43  of the base member  40  includes an aperture  54  and the back face  45  of the base member  40  includes an aperture (not shown). When the base member  40  and the cover member  20  are positioned atop one another, the apertures  34 ,  36 ,  54  are co-linear. In this fashion, a pin  70  is insertable through the apertures  34 ,  36 ,  54 . The pin  70  includes a head portion  72  and an end portion  74 , the end portion  74  being adapted to receive a washer  76  and then being flared following assembly to prevent removal of the pin  70 . 
         [0015]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 6 , it will be seen that the lock sub-assembly  60 , shown in an exploded view, includes a lock cylinder  62  that is slidingly receivable within an aperture  63  defined within a lock receiver  64 . It is to be understood that the lock cylinder receiver  64  is secured to or otherwise attached to the top face  21  of the cover member  20 . It is also to be understood that the aperture  63  defined within the lock cylinder receiver  64  extends fully through the top face  21  of the cover member  20  as well. In this fashion, the lock cylinder  62  is able to pass through and extend through the top face  21  of the cover member  20  as well. The lock cylinder  62  includes a key receiving end  61 . The key receiving end  61  further includes a cap assembly  71  having a ring  73  and a cap  75 . The ring  73  of the cap assembly  71  is receivable within the ring-receiving groove  77  that is defined within the lock cylinder  64 . It will be seen that the bottom most portion of the lock cylinder  62  includes a latch  65 , the latch  65  including opposing and outwardly-extending latch shoulders  66 . It is to be understood that a single latch shoulder  66  would still allow the latch  65  to function as intended. It will also be seen that the bottom face  41  of the base member  40  includes a latch receiver  67  that is secured to or otherwise attached to it as well. The latch receiver  67  of the lock sub-assembly  60  has a slot  68  that is defined within it. The slot  68  includes opposing and outwardly-extending shoulders  69  as well, the shoulders  69  of the latch receiver  67  being functionally engageable with the shoulders  66  of the latch  65 , such engagement preventing upward movement of the lock cylinder  62  and the cover member  20  relative to the latch receiver  67  and the base member  40  when the assembly  10  is used as intended. Here again, a single shoulder  69  defined within the slot  68  of the latch receiver  67  would allow the latch receiver  67  to function as intended, the single shoulder  69  being functionally engageable with one of the latch shoulders  66  of the latch  65 . 
         [0016]    It is to be understood that the base member  40  and the cover member  20  are, in the preferred embodiment, each made of a single piece of stamped or bent sheet metal material. However, such is not a limitation of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the interior area of the assembly  10 , the portion between the base member  40  and the cover member  20  when those members are in the “closed” of “locked” position, may include a resilient cushioning material such as foam rubber to prevent movement of the assembly  10  about the head portions  8  of the clamping screws and to prevent abrasion of those parts. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention. 
         [0017]    In application, and assuming that the user has properly and suitably tightened the head portions  8  of the clamping screws  18 , the user then positions the unitary trolling motor lock assembly  10  of the present invention immediately below the head portions  8  of the clamping screws  18 . The assembly  10  would be in an L-shaped configuration with the base member  40  being generally horizontal and the cover member  20  being generally vertical, those two members  20 ,  40  always being connected to one another by virtue of the pin  70 . Alternatively, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the assembly  10  could be in an L-shaped configuration with the base member  40  being generally vertical and the cover member  20  being generally horizontal. Either presentation is acceptable and may be chosen by the user. What is important is that the relative distance between and position of the head portions  8  of the clamping screws  18  from one another will determine which of the cut-outs  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  51 ,  53 ,  55  will be aligned with the clamping screws  18 . The cut-outs  31 ,  51  closest to the pin  70  will always be used. Then, if the clamping screws  18  are located closer to one another, then the cut-outs  33 ,  53  that are next closest to the first cut-outs  31 ,  51 , or the second cut-outs  33 ,  53 , will be used. If the clamping screws  18  are located further away, then the cut-outs  35 ,  55  furthest from the first cut-outs  31 ,  51 , or the third cut-outs  35 ,  55 , will be used. The user then urges the cover member  20  downwardly over the base member  40 . Also at this time, the latch  65  of the integral lock sub-assembly  60  will be lowered into and pass between the slot  68  of the latch receiver  67 . A key (not shown) placed within the key-receiving end  61  of the lock sub-assembly  60  is then used to rotate the latch  65  such that the latch shoulders  66  engage the shoulders  69  of the latch receiver  67  to effectively lock the assembly  10  in that position. To remove the assembly  10  from head portions  8  of the trolling motor clamping screws  18 , the reverse of this above-described process is all that is required. 
         [0018]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details disclosed and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.