U.S. patent application number 09/753564 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for transducer shield.
Invention is credited to Scanlon, William J..
Application Number | 20020085452 09/753564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25031185 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020085452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scanlon, William J. |
July 4, 2002 |
TRANSDUCER SHIELD
Abstract
A shield for a sonar transducer secured by a flexible clamping
band to the bottom of a trolling motor housing. The shield includes
a box-like body sized to receive a transducer. The body further
includes an open top for flush positioning against a trolling motor
housing and an open bottom through which sonar transmissions from
the transducer may pass. The body has a pair of slots adjacent its
open top for the passage of a clamping band of a hose clamp.
Inventors: |
Scanlon, William J.;
(McComb, MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen R. Greiner, Esquire
GREINER LAW OFFICES, P.C.
Suite 110
6701 Democracy Blvd
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
25031185 |
Appl. No.: |
09/753564 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
367/188 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 7/521 20130101;
G10K 11/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
367/188 |
International
Class: |
H04R 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A transducer shield comprising a box-like body for snugly
receiving a sonar transducer, said body having an open top for
flush positioning against a trolling motor housing and an open
bottom through which sonar transmissions from the transducer may
pass, said body having a pair of slots adjacent said open top for
the passage of a clamping band.
2. The transducer shield according to claim 1 wherein said box-like
body includes: a pair of opposed side portions each having a front
end and a rear end and one of said slots between said front end and
said rear end,: and, a front end portion joining said front ends of
said side portions together.
3. The transducer shield according to claim 2 wherein said box-like
body includes a rear end portion joining said rear ends of said
side portions together, said rear end portion having a notch in its
top for the passage of a cable extending from the sonar
transducer.
4. The transducer shield according to claim 2 wherein said front
end portion includes a pair of rectangular panels having forward
and rearward ends, said forward ends being connected together at an
angle so as to form a "V" and said rearward ends being joined to
said front ends of said side portions.
5. The transducer shield according to claim 4 further comprising a
planar connector portion joining said front ends of said side
portions and said rearward ends of said rectangular panels
together.
6. The transducer shield according to claim 1 wherein said open top
of said box-like body is curved for a flush fit against the bottom
of a trolling motor housing.
7. The transducer shield according to claim 1 further having a pair
of apertures adjacent said slots for the passage of a sonar
transducer-retaining bolt.
8. The transducer shield according to claim 1 further comprising a
hose clamp having a clamping band extending through said slots.
9. The transducer shield according to claim 1 further comprising a
sonar transducer mounted within said box-like body.
10. The transducer shield according to claim 1 wherein said
box-like body is circular in outline.
11. A transducer shield for positioning against the bottom of a
trolling motor housing, said transducer shield comprising: a
box-like body for snugly receiving a sonar transducer, said body
including: a pair of opposed side portions each having a front end
and a rear end and a slot and an adjacent aperture between said
front end and said rear end; a front end portion joining said front
ends of said side portions together, said front end portion
including a pair of rectangular panels having forward and rearward
ends, said forward ends being connected together at an angle so as
to form a "V" and said rearward ends being joined to said front
ends of said side portions; a planar connector portion joining said
front ends of said side portions and said rearward ends of said
rectangular panels together; a rear end portion joining said rear
ends of said side portions together; and, an open bottom through
which sonar transmissions from the transducer may pass;
12. A transducer shield comprising a cylindrical body for receiving
a sonar transducer, said body having an curved, open top for flush
positioning against a trolling motor housing and an open bottom
through which sonar transmissions from the transducer may pass,
said body having a pair of slots adjacent said open top for the
passage of a clamping band.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to acoustic wave
devices and, in particular, to underwater signal transducers with
supports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electronic devices for determining the depth of a body of
water and locating fish have long been used. These devices often
employ a sonar transducer configured for mounting upon the trolling
motor of a boat so that a user may gather sonar information from
the point on the boat closest to that being fished. Unfortunately,
since this point is the first to contact rocks, stumps and the
like, and since sonar transducers are notoriously fragile in their
construction, sonar transducers are prone to breakage. Replacing
several transducers over the course of a busy season can make
fishing an unnecessarily costly pastime.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In light of the problems associated with the known sonar
transducers used to determine water depth and to find fish, it is a
principal object of the present invention to provide a protective
cover or shield capable of reducing the likelihood of damage to
motor-mounted sonar transducers. The shield surrounds the
transducer on at least three sides, leaving the bottom open for the
transmission and reception of sonar signals. Thus, after
installation of the shield, the transducer is free to operate in
its usual manner with no effect upon its acquisition of sonar
data.
[0004] It is another object of the invention to provide a
transducer shield of the type described that may utilize the
mounting band of a sonar transducer to hold such in place. This
being the case, no special tools are required for installation of
the transducer shield. Furthermore, no modification of the trolling
motor or sonar transducer is required for use of the shield.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a shield
that can be configured to protect a wide variety of makes and
models of sonar transducers. It is believed that the inventive
shield has almost universal application in that transom-mounted
transducers may also be carried within the shield.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in a transducer shield for the
purposes described which is lightweight in construction,
inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.
[0007] Briefly, the transducer shield in accordance with this
invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a box-like
body for snugly receiving a sonar transducer. The body has a
curved, open top for flush positioning against a trolling motor
housing and an open bottom through which sonar transmissions from
the transducer may pass. The body has a pair of slots adjacent the
open top for the passage of a clamping band of a trolling motor
housing-encircling hose clamp. The front end portion of the body
may be V-shaped like the prow of a boat or gradually curved to shed
aquatic weeds and reduce drag.
[0008] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become readily apparent upon further
review of the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention may be more readily described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transducer shield in
accordance with the present invention shown mounted upon a trolling
motor housing and surrounding a transducer.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transducer shield of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the transducer shield with portions
removed to reveal internal details thereof, the transducer shield
being mounted upon a trolling motor housing and surrounding a
transducer.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
transducer shield in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the transducer shield of FIG. 4
with portions removed to reveal internal details thereof, the
transducer shield being mounted upon a trolling motor housing and
surrounding a transducer.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a transducer shield in
accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Shield 10
includes a box-like body 12 sized to receive a sonar transducer 14.
Body 12 has an open top 16 and an open bottom 18 for access to
transducer 14. Top 16 is scalloped for a flush fit against the
bottom of a trolling motor housing 20. The opposed side portions 22
of body 12 are provided with aligned slots 24 through which a
flexible, clamping band 26 may be extended. Aligned apertures 28
adjacent slots 24 are provided for the passage of a
transducer-retaining bolt 30.
[0017] Body 12 includes a pair of rectangular side portions 22
joined together by spaced-apart, rear end and front end portions 32
and 34. Rear end portion 32 is generally rectangular in outline and
has a notch 36 cut in its top for the passage of a transducer cable
38. The front end portion 34 includes a pair of generally
rectangular panels 40 connected at their forward ends so as to form
a "V" like the prow of a boat for passing through water in a
streamlined fashion. The rearward ends of panels 40 (and front ends
of side portions 22) are joined together by a connector portion 42
oriented parallel to rear end portion 32.
[0018] Scalloped, open top 16 of body 12 is defined by sloping or
curved surfaces in side portions 22, rear portion 32, front portion
34, and connector portion 42. As shown, the top edges 44 of side
portions 22 slope downwardly and inwardly toward one another. Rear
portion 32, front portion 34 and connector portion 42, however, are
provided with concave top edges as at 46 between their respective
ends that curve smoothly into top edges 44. Concave top edges 46
have radii identical to that of trolling motor housing 20 for a
flush fit therebetween.
[0019] Open bottom 18 of body 12 is defined by a flat, smooth edge
48 oriented generally parallel to top edges 44 and 46. Such an
orientation limits the likelihood that body 12 will snag upon
submerged objects.
[0020] Slots 24 have dimensions sufficient to accommodate the
passage of clamping band 26 of hose clamp 50. The width of each
slot 24 is several times that of band 26 so that band 26 can be
easily passed through slot 24. The length of each slot 24 is also
several times that of band 26 permitting the position of body 12 on
motor housing 20 to be adjusted.
[0021] Apertures 28 are positioned adjacent to the front ends of
slots 24 and have diameters sufficient for the snug passage of bolt
30. Bolt 30 penetrates the transversely apertured, retaining fin 52
of transducer 14. The electronics-containing bulb 54 of transducer
14 is suspended from fin 52 and, during use, located between
portions 22, 32 and 34.
[0022] Use of shield 10 is straightforward. First, transducer 14 is
located within body 12 with cable 38 extending through notch 36 and
connected to a sonar processor and display apparatus (not shown).
Second, bolt 30 is extended through fin 52 to lock transducer 14 in
place. Next, open top 16 of shield 10 is pressed against the bottom
of motor housing 20 at the spot where such is to be mounted. Then,
the free end 56 of band 26 is fed through slots 24, wrapped around
motor housing 20 and drawn into gear box 58 at the other end of
band 26. Finally, by the continued turning of a screw 60 rotatably
carried by gear box 58 (and acting as a worm gear by engaging
closely spaced slots 62 in band 26), band 26 is pulled tightly
around motor housing 20 to clamp body 12 in place. Upon submerging
transducer 14 in water, it may be used in the usual manner except
that it is now armored against impacts with underwater objects.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the
shield is shown at 64. Shield 64 includes a box-like body 66 sized
to receive a sonar transducer 68. Body 66 has a scalloped, open top
70 for a flush fit against the bottom of a trolling motor housing
72 and an open bottom 74 from which sonar signals from transducer
68 may be broadcast. Body 66 is provided with opposed slots 76
through which a flexible, clamping band 78 of hose clamp 80 may be
extended to simultaneously secure body 66 and transducer 68 to the
bottom of motor housing 72.
[0024] Body 66 is circular in outline and cylindrical in shape and
includes integrally formed side, front end and rear end portions
82, 84 and 86. Here, side portions 82 are the parts of body 66
above and below slots 76. Front end portion 84 is the part of body
66 forward of slots 76 and rear end portion 86 is the part of body
66 rearwardly of slots 76. Since portions 82, 84 and 86 smoothly
flow from one into the other, a streamlined shape is presented to
the water regardless of the exact direction of travel of motor
housing 72.
[0025] Scalloped open top 70 of body 66 is defined by the
continuously curving top surfaces of side, front end and rear end
portions 82, 84 and 86. The top edges 88 of side portions 82 are
generally convex in outline and are tapered in thickness so as to
slope downwardly and inwardly toward one another. On the other
hand, front end and rear end portions 84 and 86 have top edges 90
and 92 of generally even width that are concave. As shown, top
edges 90 and 92 curve smoothly into top edges 88. Top edge 92 has a
notch 94 for the passage of transducer cable 96.
[0026] Open bottom 74 of body 66 is defined by a bottom edge 98
that is circular and flat. Edge 98 is oriented generally parallel
to top edges 88, 90 and 92.
[0027] Slots 76 are located one hundred eighty degrees apart in
body 66. Preferably, slots 76 have equal dimensions and are several
times taller and wider than clamping band 78. Slots 76 are
positioned at equal distances from bottom edge 98.
[0028] Shield 64 is used in much the same way as shield 10. Here,
transducer 68 is first positioned within body 66 and cable 96 is
positioned in notch 94. Then, top 70 of shield 64 is pressed
against the bottom of housing 72. Next, the free end 100 of band 78
is extended through slots 76 and 102 in body 66 and in the top of
transducer 68. Band 78 may now be extended around housing 72 and
drawn into gear box 104 on band 78. Finally, by turning clamping
screw 106 carried by gear box 104, band 78 is pulled tightly around
housing 72 clamping body 66 and transducer 68 in place. Transducer
68 may now be used in the usual manner.
[0029] With the use of either shield 10 or 64, made from aluminum
or any other suitable material, a sonar transducer is protected
against impacts with underwater objects that cannot be seen by a
sport fisherman. Transducers whose mounting features were damaged
prior to shield 10 or 64 being used, can be cemented into a shield
by epoxy resin or silicone sealant material. Thus, it is never too
late to employ a shield embodying the present invention.
[0030] While the invention has been described with a high degree of
particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications may be made thereto. For example, the rear end
portions 32 and 86 of shields 10 and 64 may be removed to reduce
production costs and save weight number. It should be noted that in
backing up a boat such a shield would expose a transducer to a
slight risk of damage but this risk is reduced by the sweeping
action of a nearby propeller. Additionally, if desired, front end
portion 34 may be omitted from body 12 with connector portion 42
effectively serving as a front end portion. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole
embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *