Removable Remotely Controllable Device for Rotating the Steering Wheel of a Boat of the Like

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/172,038, filed on Feb. 21, 2023, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pleasure boats and more specifically to a removable remotely controllable device for rotating the steering wheel of a boat or the like.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that some types of vehicles, such as farm vehicles, can be equipped with automatic steering system to automatically steer along a predetermined path.

In the case of marine vehicles, many systems exist that allow remotely control the steering of a boat. Among the most well-known systems are remote-controlled steering device for outboard vehicles, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,398, issued on Oct. 3, 1961, to Beamer. Such system is configured for mounting to an outboard motor and is used mainly when a single passenger is in the boat and that such passenger wishes to do some trailing fishing. The system is, however, not adapted for a boat equipped with a steering wheel.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,618, issued on Apr. 21, 1981, and titled “Remote Control Steering Attachment for a Steering Wheel”, VanDerZee proposes a variation on the system by Beamer, which can be mounted to a steering wheel via an attachment assembly, which includes a cross member that is releasably mountable to the steering wheel of a boat. However, the cross member requires fasteners for its mounting, which may take some times and a minimum of dexterity to install.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,581, issued on Apr. 1, 1997. and titled “Remotely Controlled Device for Rotating the Steering wheel of a Motor Vehicle and then Taking it Back to the Starting Position”, Cordioli teaches a system that can be coupled to a steering wheel via an assembly of hook-shaped jaws. A drawback of such system is that the assembly is not readily mountable on a steering wheel, is very complex and therefore costly to manufacture, and is not compatible with different types of steering wheels.

Other systems or mechanisms exist that are even more difficult to install, as they are mountable directly to the steering shaft. An example of such a system is described by Kulischenko in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,316, issued on Jan. 13, 1981, and titled “Marine Vessel Safeguard Steering Mechanism”.

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative embodiment, there is provided a navigation kit for a pleasure boat having a steering wheel provided with an outer edge, the navigation kit comprising:

• • a navigation system including a first controller that is configured for receiving navigational data indicative of current and intended headings of the pleasure boat and for using the navigational data to produce a heading-indicative signal; and
  • a removable controllable device for rotating the steering wheel including:
  • a body;
  • first and second rotating elements that are mounted to the body and that defines, with the body, hooks for mounting the body on the steering wheel via its outer edge; at least one of the two rotating elements being motorized; the body being configured for hanging from the front of the steering wheel while the first and second rotating elements are operatively mounted onto the outer edge of the steering wheel for transmission of rotation of the rotating elements to the steering wheel; and
  • a second controller mounted to the body and operatively coupled to the at least one motorized rotating element; the second controller being couplable to the first controller so as to receive therefrom the heading-indicative signal; the second controller being responsive to the heading-indicative signal to control the least one motorized rotating element.

Other objects, advantages and features of the removable remotely controllable device for rotating a steering wheel and kit therewith will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a removable remotely controllable device for rotating a steering wheel according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively rear perspective and elevation views of the device from FIG. 1, shown without the remote control and mounted to a small steering wheel;

FIG. 4 is a front close-up elevation view similar to FIG. 2, showing the main body without the cover;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective close-up view of the device from FIG. 1, shown without the back cover and showing one of the drain holes of the main body;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the briefcase of the device from FIG. 1; showing the briefcase opened;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the device from FIG. 1, shown without the remote control and mounted to a wide steering wheel;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removable navigation kit for a pleasure boat according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an isolated perspective view of the navigation system, housed in a briefcase, that is part of the removable navigation kit from FIG. 8; the briefcase being shown open;

FIG. 10 is an isolated perspective view similar to FIG. 9, further showing the magnetic interference shielding sheet, part of the system from FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the kit from FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements.

A removable remotely controllable device 10 for rotating a steering wheel 11 according to an illustrative embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The device 10 comprises a body 12, first and second motorized wheels 14 and a friction-reducing element 16, all mounted to the body 12, a controller 18 housed in a briefcase 20, for connecting to the first and second motorized wheels 14 for their control, and a remote control 22 for remotely controlling the first and second motorized wheels 14 via the controller 18.

As will become more apparent upon reading the following description, the motorized wheels 14 defines hooks with the body for mounting the body 12 on the steering wheel 11 via the upper edge 23 of its rim 13 so that the body 12 hangs from the front of the steering wheel 11 while the motorized wheels 14 transmits their rotation to the steering wheel 11.

A person skilled in the art will now appreciate that the body 12 can be readily mounted to the steering wheel 11 simply by placing the wheels 14 onto the steering wheel 11, the body 12, and the briefcase 20 hanging therefrom, contributing to adding weight to the overall device to add friction on the motorized wheels 14 so as to better their transmission of rotational movement to the steering wheel 11. As such, no tools or adjustment of either the device 10 or steering wheel 11 are required for installing the device 10.

Also, as will also become more apparent hereinbelow, the fact that the device 10 can be installed simply by placing the motorized wheels 14 on the upper portion 23 of the steering wheel 11 allows using the same device 10 on different configurations of steering wheels, none withstanding their configuration within their outer edge 23, the minimum diameter of steering wheels that can be accommodated by the device 10 depending on the distance between both motorized wheels 14. As such, the device 10 can be seen as being universal.

The body 12 is in the form of a generally triangular-shaped casing 24, which is closed by a complementary shape cover 26. More specifically, the casing 24 has a peripheral wall 28, defining the thickness of the casing 24, and a bottom 30, defining the back wall of the device 10 when it is mounted on the steering wheel 11, and the cover 26 defining the front wall thereof. The peripheral wall 28 includes a generally flatten C-shaped top portion 32, a relatively smaller bottom portion 34 that is centered with the top portion 32, and two elongated side portions 36 connecting the top and bottom portions 32-34 of the peripheral wall 28.

The cover 26 has a peripheral rim 38 that allows to removably attach the cover 26 to the box using fasteners 40.

The cover 26 can be secured to the casing 24 using other means than fasteners and can also be pivotably or slidably mounted to the casing 24.

The shape of the casing 24 is dictated by the relative positions of the components housed therein but is not limited to such illustrative embodiment. The casing 24 can have any other configuration and size, allowing mounting the motorized wheels 14 and friction reducing element 16 thereto and the other components therein as will be described hereinbelow in more detail. For example, the casing 24 can be rectangular, round, or else. Its thickness may also vary along its length and width.

The top portion of the back wall 30 includes a rounded elongated opening 42, which defines a handle for the casing 24. According to another illustrative embodiment, the handle is in the cover 26 and/or takes another form than an opening.

Turning now briefly to FIG. 5, the bottom of the casing 24 is also provided with two drain holes 43 (only one shown). The drain holes 43 are located, for example, in both lower corners of the casing 24 and allows evacuating any excess water that could enter the casing 24 during use on a boat (not shown) (see arrow 45).

According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the number, location and configuration of the drain holes are different than illustrated.

Each of the first and second motorized wheels 14 are mounted to the casing 24 near respective top corner 44 and 46 thereof.

With reference more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the motorized wheels 14 includes a U-shaped wheel 48, operatively mounted to a rotary actuator 50, via a mechanical drivetrain 52, both secured in the casing 24 on the bottom 30 thereof via a mounting plate 54.

The U-shaped wheel 48 is adapted to receive therein the outer edge 23 of the steering wheels 11 of various thickness and geometry. For example, the central groove 56 of the wheel 48 is tapered. According to another illustrative embodiment, the wheel 48 has another configuration, such as V-shaped, flat rim or concave. The diameter of the wheel 48 may also be different than illustrated.

The wheel 48 is made of metal and can be covered of rubber or of another friction-promoting material (not shown).

The rotary actuator 50 is secured to the mounting plate 54 using fasteners 58. According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the actuator 50 is secured to the mounting plate 54 using other fastening means, mechanism or assembly. According to still another illustrative embodiment, the rotary actuator is secured directly to the casing 24.

The plate 54 is secured to the casing 24 using fasteners 60. According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the plate 54 is secured to the casing 24 by welding or using other fastening means, mechanism or assembly.

The mechanical drivetrain 52 comprises a first gear 62 fixedly mounted to the output shaft 64 of the rotary actuator 50 and a second gear 66, wider than the first gear 62, that is mounted to the axle 68 of the U-shaped wheel 48 and operatively coupled to the first gear 62.

According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the number and size of the gears of the drivetrain 52 can be different than illustrated. According to still another illustrative embodiment, the drivetrain 52 has another configuration than illustrated, allowing to operatively couple the rotary actuator 50 and the wheel 48. According to yet another illustrative embodiment, the drivetrain 52 is omitted and the wheel 48 is directly mounted to the rotary actuator 50.

According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), only one of the two wheels 14 is motorized, the other being simply driven by the rotation of the steering wheel 11 and acting as a balancing support for the body 12.

The rotary actuator 50 is not limited to any type, size and configuration.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the friction-reducing element 16 includes of a roller 70 that is rotatably mounted to a mount 72. The mount 72 is slidably mounted to the back wall 30 of the casing 24 via a mounting arm 74 so that both the arm 74 and roller 70 are generally laterally centered with both motorized wheels 14, while extending downwardly from the casing 24.

The arm 74 includes an enlargement 76, which defines the upper end thereof, and which receives three (3) handle knob screws 78 in a generally triangular configuration therein. The back wall 30 of the casing 24 is provided with three (3) parallel slots 80-84, each for receiving a respective screw 78. A person skilled in the art will now appreciate that such an arrangement of the arm 74, screws 78 and slots 80-84 allows slidably adjusting the position of the arm 74 relative to the casing 24 so as to yield a friction-reducing abutment for the lower portion 25 of the steering wheel 11 when the device 10 is mounted thereto, which allows adapting the device for steering wheels of different diameter.

FIG. 7 shows the device 10 mounted to a wider steering wheel 85 than the steering wheel 11 and wherein the arm 74 has been lowered accordingly as described hereinabove.

According to another illustrative embodiment, the roller 70 can have another configuration than illustrated or be mounted to the casing 24 differently than illustrated. For example, the roller 70 can be fixedly mounted to the casing 24.

Another friction-reducing element 16 than a roller 70 can also be provided, such as a fixed element (not shown). According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the friction-reducing element is omitted.

More than one friction-reducing element 16 can also alternatively be provided for contacting the steering wheel 11 and/or be differently positioned on the casing 24 and relative to the wheels 14 than illustrated.

The lower end portion 86 of the arm 74 defines a hook, which is adapted to receive and support the briefcase 20 via its handle 88 so that the weight of the briefcase 20 contributes to adding weight onto the wheels 14 and therefore friction between the wheels 14 and the steering wheel 11, thereby improving adherence therebetween. This has been found to prevent slippage therebetween and therefore improve the precision of the control of the steering wheel 11.

With reference to FIG. 6, the briefcase 20 houses the controller 18, a battery 90 connected to the controller 18 for energizing the controller 18 and the motorized wheels 14 via the controller 18. The briefcase 20 further includes a compartment 92 for receiving the remote control 22 for its storage when the device 10 is not in use.

The briefcase 20 further comprises a connecting port 94, that is accessible from the outside of the briefcase 18 and that is wired to the controller 18 for allowing the connection to the body 12 and more specifically to the motorized wheels 14, so that they can be controlled by the controller 18. For that same purpose, the body 12 is provided with a connecting port 95, that is connected to both motorized wheels 14 via wires 96, and that allows connecting the body 12 to the controller 18 using a removable cable 98.

The cable 98 and connecting ports 94-95 can be of the RCA type as illustrated or of another type.

The top corners 100-102 of the casing 24 are provided with respective indicator lights 104-106, which provide, in use of the device 10, a visual indication of the rotational direction of the steering wheel 11, depending on the rotational direction of the motorized wheels 14.

The indicator lights 104-106, which can be for example LEDs or other type of lights, are connected to the port 95 via wires 108-110, allowing their connection to the controller 18, similarly to the motorized wheels 14.

As can be seen for example in FIGS. 1 and 3 and as mentioned hereinabove, the hook portion 86 of the arm 74 allows receiving the briefcase 20, thereby positioning it sufficiently near the body 12 for their interconnection using the cable 98. Thus positioned, the briefcase 20 with the controller 18 and, above all, the battery 90 therein, add further weight to the body 12 and therefore improve friction between the wheels 14 and steering wheel 11, to promote adherence therebetween.

According to the illustrative embodiment, the battery 90 is of the lead type to increase the weight on the wheels 14. According to another illustrative embodiment, the battery is of another type. According to still another illustrative embodiment, the battery 90 is omitted, replaced or supplemented by another external power source.

The controller 18 is configured for wireless communication with the remote control 22 and for energizing the motorized wheels 14 and the indicator lights 104 and 106 in accordance with the signals received from the remote control.

It is to be noted that any of the illustrated wire connections can be replaced by wireless connections and vice versa.

According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), any one or both of the controller 18 and battery 90 can be integrated in the casing 24.

The controller 18 can be configured for connection to and wireless control by a smartphone or computer via a dedicated application or program.

The configuration and programming of such an application or program will not be described herein since it is believed to be within the reach of a skilled programmed to conceive such an application or program.

The configuration and programming of the controller 18 are also believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

In operation of the device 10, the body 12 is mounted to the steering wheel 11 simply by placing the wheels 14 on the upper edge 23 of its rim 13. Before or after this step, the position of the arm 74 can be adjusted so that the lower portion of the steering wheel 11 is in contact with the roller 70. Also, it has been found that the lower the position of the briefcase 20 hung to the hook portion 86, the greater the stability of the body 12 as a result of a lever effect.

The briefcase 20 is then hung to the hook portion 86 of the arm 74 and connected to the body 12, as described hereinabove. The handle portion 42 of the casing 24 can be used to that effect. Also, the weight onto the body 12 will cause the body 12 to self-balance onto the steering wheel 11.

The remote control 22, which is provided with right and left buttons 112 and 114, can then be used to cause via these buttons 112-114, to command the rotation of the motorized wheels 14 (see arrows 116 in FIG. 2) to cause the rotation of the steering wheel 11 in the corresponding direction (see arrow 118 in FIG. 2).

The remote control 22 can further be equipped with accelerometers or with other sensors allowing to detect the position and orientation of the remote control 22 relative to the body so as to reverse the function of the left and right buttons 114 and 112 thereof to allow the user (not shown) a more intuitive use of the remote control 22 according to its orientation relative to the body 12, and therefore of the steering wheel 11.

After or while being used, the body 12 can be readily removed from the steering wheel 11 by raising it therefrom, using for example the handle 42.

It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the removable remotely controllable device 10 described hereinabove and illustrated in the appended drawings. For example:

• • while the device 10 is described as having wheels 14, other rotating elements, such as small endless belt assemblies can alternatively or additionally be used;
  • the device is not limited to be used on a boat and can be mounted on any steering wheel for its remote controlling.

A removable navigation kit 120 for a pleasure boat (not shown) according to an illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

The kit 120 comprises the removable remotely controllable device 10 and a navigation system 122.

The navigation system 122 comprises a carrying case 124 housing a controller 126, an interactive interface 128, an electronic orientation system in the form of an electronic compass 130, and an interface module 132.

The interface module 132 allows linking the interactive interface 128, electronic compass 130 and controller 18 of the removable remotely controllable device 10 to the controller 126 of the navigation system 122 via conventional cables 134-140. Since such an interface module is believed to be well known in the art, it will not be described herein in more detail for concision purposes.

The electronic compass 130 is in the form of a 9-axis sensor that monitors the boat motion in all three dimensions. An example of such an electronic compass 130 is, without limitations, the Evolution EV-1 Sensor Core E70096 from Raymarine™.

Of course, another electronic compass and any other electronic orientation system can be used to determine the heading of the boat and send it to controller 126. For example, according to another illustrative embodiment, the electronic orientation system is in the form of a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. According to still another illustrative embodiment, both a GPS receiver and the electronic compass 130 are included in the navigation system 122.

The controller 126 of the navigation system 122 is configured to receive navigational data indicative of current and intended headings of the pleasure boat, and for using such navigational data to determine and sending to the controller 18 of the removable remotely controllable device 10 an actuating signal. Such an actuating signal is used by the controller 18 to actuate the motorized wheels 14 (see arrows 116 in FIG. 8) to cause the rotation of the steering wheel 11 in the corresponding direction (see arrow 118 in FIG. 2).

According to the illustrative embodiment, the controller 126 is configured to use either lower or higher voltages, for example, without limitations, 8 or 12 volts, in sending the actuating signal, depending on the difference between the current and intended headings. This allows respectively to minimize the energy consumption for smaller corrections of the heading and cause a readier movement when more important corrections of the heading are required.

According to a more specific embodiment, the controller 126 provides graded potential to control the device 10 more smoothly.

According to another embodiment, constant voltage is used by the controller 126.

The navigation system 122 is energized by the battery 90 of the device 10, through the cable 138.

According to another illustrative embodiment, the navigation system uses another power source (not shown), such as another battery.

The current heading of the boat 156 (see on FIG. 11) is received from the electronic compass 130, and the intended heading 158 is received from the interactive interface 128, as entered therein by the user (not shown).

According to another illustrative embodiment, the electronic orientation system 130 is omitted, and the navigation system receives the current heading from a remote system or device (not shown) coupled to the controller 126.

The interactive interface 128 includes a numeric keypad 140 and a display screen 142 but is not limited to such an embodiment. The interactive interface 128 can be in the form of any well-known device or system allowing to enter information to the controller 126.

The controller 126, the interactive interface 128 and the orientation system 130 are conveniently housed in the carrying case 124, which includes foam paddings 144 and 146 to protect the internal components 126-130.

As shown in FIG. 10, a shielding sheet 148 is included in the briefcase 124, between the electrical components therein and compass 130, to protect the compass 130 against electromagnetic radiation, for example caused by electrical components in the briefcase 124. Since such shielding sheet is believed to be well known, it will not be described herein in more detail.

According to another illustrative embodiment, the shielding sheet 148 is replaced by another shielding system or is omitted.

Finally, the briefcase 124 includes a translucid protective cover 150, which is pivotably mounted to the cover 152 of the briefcase 124. The protective cover 150 is advantageously provided with a cut-out portion 154, which allows access to the keypad 140 when the cover 152 is closed.

The cover 152 and more generally the briefcase 124 are not limited to the illustrative embodiment and can be modified to accommodate a different configuration of the navigation system 122.

According to another illustrative embodiment, the controller 126, interactive interface 128 and compass 130 are assembled using another support than the briefcase 124 or are provided unassembled.

Turning now more specifically to FIG. 11, the operation of the removable navigation kit 120 will now be described.

Prior to the use of the kit 120, the removable remotely controllable device 10 is first installed on the steering wheel 11 as described hereinabove, and the briefcase 124 is positioned nearby in a stable operative position, such as on a chair, on a table or else.

Using a map (not shown) and knowing its current heading 156, the user then determines a new heading 158, which is then entered in the controller 126 of the navigation system 122. It is to be noted that the current and new/intended headings 156-158 are correlated to the position 160 of the boat. According to more specific embodiments, the navigation system 122 is configured for such correlation and to enter a plurality of heading changes associated with specific positions 160, 162 of the boat as determined, for example, using a GPS system (not shown).

For example, when the boat reaches a specific position (160, 162), both the current and intended headings 156-158 are used by the controller 126 of the navigation system 122 to determine and send to the controller 18 of the device 10 a heading-indicative signal to actuate the motorized wheels 14 so that they cause the steering wheel 11 to turn to reach the new heading 158 (see arrow 159 in FIG. 11).

The above process can be repeated at each new position 162 of the boat, wherein the last intended heading 158 becomes the current heading and a new heading 164 is considered by the system 122.

The navigation system 122 can be configured to receive one heading at a time, a series of headings or to control the device 10 according to predetermined patterns, such as a circular motion, a zig-zag, or else.

A GPS system (not shown) included in the navigation system 122 or external therefrom can be used by the controller 126 to determine and send corrective signals so that the boat maintains the current heading.

According to a more specific embodiment, the controller 18 of the device 10 can be configured so that commands received by the remote 22 of the device 10 supersedes commands from the navigation system 122, or the opposite.

Although the kit 120 has been described with a cable 138 being used to interconnect the navigation system 122 to the removable remotely controllable device 10, a kit according to another illustrative embodiment (not shown) includes a navigation system and a remotely controllable device for rotating a steering wheel that are both configured for wireless communication. In such a case, the navigation system is provided with its own power source.

Although a removable remotely controllable device for rotating the steering wheel of a boat of the likes and a kit therewith have been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, it can be modified. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative embodiments but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.