Power and sail boat docking amusement device

Abstract

A boat docking amusement device includes a tank of water on which a model boat can be maneuvered by a user via remote control. The device includes first sensors through which a boat passes to start a docking maneuver and second sensors mounted adjacent a docking slip to detect when the boat has been maneuvered into the slip. The first and second sensors deliver signals to a timing device which calculates a docking time between passage of the boat relative to the first and second sensors. Detectors on the pilings or piers which define the docking slip detect contact by the boat during the docking maneuver. Contact signals from the detectors are also delivered to the timing device to adjust the docking time as a function of the number and severity of the contacts. Users of the device can thus compare their adjusted scores to determine the relative proficiency of each user in docking the boat.

1 . A boat docking amusement device, comprising 
 (a) a boat containing at least one motor for displacing the boat relative to a body of water;    (b) a remote control device for operating said boat motor;    (c) at least one first sensor arranged in a first fixed position relative to the body of water for generating a first signal when said boat passes said first fixed position; and    (d) a timer for receiving said first signal and for measuring a time interval relating to passage of said boat relative to said first fixed position.    
     
     
         2 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one second sensor arranged at a second fixed position relative to the body of water for generating a second signal when said boat passes said second fixed position.  
     
     
         3 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second fixed position is adjacent to a boat docking slip defined by a pair of pilings.  
     
     
         4 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 3 , and further comprising at least one detector mounted on at least one of said pilings for providing a contact signal when said boat contacts said detector during docking.  
     
     
         5 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said timer receives said second signal and said contact signal, and further wherein said timer calculates a score as a function of the time intervals between passage of the boat relative to the first and second positions and the number of contacts of the boat during docking.  
     
     
         6 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 5 , and further comprising a display device is connected with said timer for displaying the score.  
     
     
         7 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 5 , and further comprising an indicator light is connected with said timer for indicating a period during which the timer is operating in response to activation of the amusement device.  
     
     
         8 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 5 , and further comprising an annunciator connected with said timer for indicating the end of a period during which the timer is operating in response to activation of the amusement device.  
     
     
         9 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said remote control device comprises a throttle, a potentiometer connected with said throttle for producing a control signal corresponding with the position of the throttle, and a transmitter connected with said potentiometer for transmitting said control signal to said motor.  
     
     
         10 . An amusement device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said boat comprises a pair of motors and said remote control device includes a pair of throttles for producing a pair of control signals to independently control said motors, respectively.