Boat lift control with removable battery security apparatus

Abstract

A controller apparatus for electrically operated or controlled boat lifts, comprises a control unit adapted to receive and operatively engage a removable battery assembly, and a removable battery assembly unit comprising a light-weight rechargeable battery and at least some of the switches and circuitry necessary to operate the control apparatus. The controller apparatus may further comprise a control unit with a specific electronically based “lock” and a battery assembly unit with a matching electronically based “key” which must cooperate with the “lock” prior to operation of the boat lift controller apparatus.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A boat lift controller, comprising: 
 an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of a boat lift; and    a battery assembly unit removably engaged in electronic communication with said control unit, the battery assembly unit comprising: 
 a rechargeable battery for providing power to the controller; and  
 at least some of the electronic circuitry necessary for controller operation.  
   
   
   
       12 . A boat lift controller according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the at least some of the electronic circuitry in the battery assembly unit comprises a switch for directing the boat lift up and down.    
   
   
       13 . A boat lift controller according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the control unit further comprises an electronic lock that enables operation of the boat lift controller only when a matching electronic key is operatively engaged with the electronic lock; and    the battery assembly unit further comprises an electronic key matching the electronic lock in the control unit, the electronic key fashioned operatively to engage the electronic lock, enabling boat lift operation when the battery assembly unit is engaged in the control unit.    
   
   
       14 . A boat lift controller according to  claim 11 , further comprising a locking means for enabling operation of the boat lift, the locking means comprising an electronic key in the battery assembly unit that engages an electronic lock in the control unit unlocking the locking means, thereby enabling operation of the boat lift.  
   
   
       15 . A control unit for a boat lift controller, comprising 
 at least some but not all of the electronic circuitry necessary for operation of a boat lift; and    a means for electronically and operatively engaging a battery assembly unit that supplies power and the remaining electronic circuitry necessary for operation of the boat lift.    
   
   
       16 . A control unit for a boat lift controller according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an electronic locking means for enabling operation of the boat lift only when a matching electronic key in an operatively engaged battery assembly unit is operatively engaged with the control unit.    
   
   
       17 . A battery assembly for a boat lift controller, comprising: 
 a rechargeable battery;    a means for electronically and operatively engaging and supplying power to a control unit for the boat lift controller; and    some but not all of the electronic circuitry necessary for the operation of the boat lift controller, whereby, when the battery assembly is operatively engaged with and electrically powering the control unit, the boat lift controller is operational.    
   
   
       18 . A battery assembly for a boat lift controller according to  claim 17 , further comprising an electronic key that enables operation of the boat lift only when the battery assembly is operatively engaged with the control unit.  
   
   
       19 . A battery assembly for a boat lift controller according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the circuitry necessary for the operation of the boat lift controller comprises a switch for directing the boat lift up and down.    
   
   
       20 . A battery assembly for a boat lift controller according to  claim 17 , wherein the rechargeable battery is removable from the battery assembly.