Swivel Mounts For Attaching And Maneuvering Accessories Over The Gunnel Of A Boat Or Any Other Mounting Surface

What is this patent about?

’111 is related to the field of swivel mounts, specifically those used for attaching and maneuvering boating accessories like trolling motors. The background acknowledges the challenges of mounting and storing trolling motors on boats, especially larger ones, where accessibility and wave forces can be problematic. Existing solutions often require precarious access or are not robust enough for offshore conditions, creating a need for improved mounting solutions.

The underlying idea behind ’111 is to create a swivel mount that allows a user to easily position a trolling motor or other accessory over the side of a boat and then stow it inboard. This is achieved by using a rotating joint offset from the center of the mounting plate, allowing the accessory to swing in an arc. The mount is designed to be strong enough to withstand the forces exerted by waves, particularly in offshore environments.

The claims of ’111 focus on a swivel mount comprising an elongated mounting plate , a support plate shorter than half the length of the mounting plate, and a swivel element . The plates are parallel and partially overlapping, with the swivel element allowing rotation around an axis perpendicular to the mounting plate's face, offset from its centerline. Another claim focuses on a boat with such a swivel mount attached to its gunnel, with a trolling motor bracket connected to the mount.

In practice, the swivel mount is attached to the boat's gunnel, and the trolling motor bracket is bolted to the elongated mounting plate. The swivel element, which can be a bolt with bearings or an annular bearing, allows the user to rotate the trolling motor into and out of the water. A locking pin can secure the motor in a desired position. The offset pivot point allows the trolling motor to clear the side of the boat when deployed.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by providing a robust and easily accessible mounting solution for trolling motors, especially on larger boats. The cantilevered design of the elongated mounting plate, combined with the swivel mechanism, allows for convenient deployment and stowing of the motor. The multiple hole patterns on the mounting plate further enhance versatility by accommodating various trolling motor models and mounting brackets, simplifying installation and reducing the need for custom solutions.