Trolling motor device

Abstract

A trolling motor device including an extendable/retractable length drive unit. Preferably, the drive unit is a telescoping drive unit.

1 . A trolling motor device for a boat configured for propelling and steering the boat on water, said device comprising: 
 a mounting unit configured to connect to the bow of the boat, said mounting unit including a steering unit;    a drive unit connected to said steering unit of said mounting unit, said drive unit including:    a drive unit housing, said drive unit housing including an upper end connected to said drive unit of said mounting unit;    a lower drive unit connected to a lower end of said drive unit housing, said lower drive unit including an electrical motor driving a propeller, said drive unit being configured to substantially change in length between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position;    an adjustable length drive unit power cable extending between said steering unit and said lower drive unit and accommodated within said drive unit housing;    a foot pedal control unit mechanically and electrically connected by a control cable to said steering unit of said mounting unit, said foot pedal control unit configured to steer said drive unit and control electrical power to said lower drive unit;    a pivotal connection provided between said bow mounting unit and said drive unit, said pivotal connection configured to allow said fully collapsed drive unit to pivot between a fully raised resting position on a deck of the boat to a fully down operational position;    an actuating device configured to fully extend and retract said drive unit; and    a boat battery electrically connected to said foot pedal control unit to supply power to said drive unit.    
   
   
       2 . A trolling motor device for a boat configured for propelling and steering the boat on water, said device comprising: 
 a mounting unit configured to connect to the boat, said bow mounting unit including a steering unit;    a drive unit including a lower drive unit, said drive unit including a drive unit housing having an upper end connected to said steering unit of said mounting unit and a lower end connected to said lower drive unit, said drive unit being configured to substantially change in length between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position while being rotated;    a pivotal connection provided between said bow mounting unit and said drive unit; and    a manually operated drive unit actuating device configured to manually extend and retract said drive unit.    
   
   
       3 . A trolling motor device for a boat configured for propelling and steering the boat on water, said device comprising: 
 a mounting unit configured to connect to the boat, said bow mounting unit including a steering unit;    a drive unit including a lower drive unit, said drive unit including a drive unit housing having an upper end connected to said steering unit of said mounting unit and a lower end connected to said lower drive unit, said drive unit being configured to substantially change in length between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position;    a pivotal connection provided between said bow mounting unit and said drive unit, said pivotal connection configured to pivot said drive unit between a fully raised resting position on a deck of the boat to a fully down position;    a powered drive unit housing actuating device configured to fully extend or fully retract said drive unit; and    a control unit connected to said powered drive unit housing to extend and retract said lower drive unit housing unit into said upper drive unit housing unit.    
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , including an electrically actuated and controlled trim mechanism configured to selectively adjust the height of said lower drive unit once said drive unit is placed in its fully extended position.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive unit housing is a shaft.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive unit housing is configured to be extended or retract to extend and retract said drive unit.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein said drive unit housing includes an upper larger diameter shaft and a lower smaller diameter shaft slidably disposed within said upper larger diameter shaft.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive unit and mounting unit are configured to simultaneously extend/retract said drive unit while rotating said drive unit.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuating device is a manually operated actuating device.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein said actuating device is a cable.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein said actuating device is a cord.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuating device is a powered actuating device.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said actuating device is a hydraulic actuator.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said actuating device is a pneumatic actuator.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said actuating device is an electric actuator.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said actuating device is an electromechanical actuator.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said actuating device is a separate powered actuating device.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein a lower end of said cord is connected to said lower drive unit housing and an upper end of said cord is connected to a handle for raising and lowering said lower drive unit housing into and out of said upper drive unit housing.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein said cord is disposed with in said drive unit housing.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein said cord is located outside said drive unit housing.