Patents
US 9981726 B2: Reversing propulsion device for watercraft
- Granted
- 2018-05-29
- Filed
- 2016-05-04 application 15146180
- Type
- Utility · 8 claims
- Elsewhere
- Google Patents ↗ · USPTO patent document ↗ · USPTO Patent Center record ↗
Abstract
A human propelled watercraft having a pair of flexible fins extending into the water each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said watercraft. Pedals are provided for applying input force whereby as input force is applied, the flexible fins can twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft while moving in both directions along the arcuate path. The user can pull a lever and cause the fins to rotate 180° and produce thrust in the reverse direction. The fins are able to pivot and swing aft to avoid damage if there is a collision with a submerged object. The fins are more efficient, durable, and adjustable. Simple plastic roller bearings have been adapted to reduce mechanical friction without the need for oil seals.
Source: PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 (ipg180529.xml).
Assignees
| Assignee | Type | Place | Also on furp.org | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobie Cat Company 17 patents | US company or organization | Oceanside, CA | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
Inventors
| Inventor | Place | Patents | Person page | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Scott Ketterman | Oceanside, CA | 17 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| James Taylor Czarnowski | Fallbrook, CA | 25 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Jason Christopher Kardas | Oceanside, CA | 23 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Philip James Dow | Oceanside, CA | 18 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
CPC categories
| Subclass | Category | First group | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| B63H | Marine propulsion or steering | B63H1/36 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
Cooperative Patent Classification, as currently assigned (one row per subclass).
Assignments and security interests
| Recorded | What | From | To | Reel/frame | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-11 | Assignment Assignment of assignor's interest | HOBIE CAT IP, LLC signed 2025-10-15 | WHITE RIVER MARINE GROUP, LLC SPRINGFIELD, MO | 73190/954 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2022-11-23 | Security interest Security interest Security interest | HOBIE CAT COMPANY 11, LLC signed 2022-11-22 HOBIE CAT IP, LLC signed 2022-11-22 | MAYNARDS INDUSTRIES USA LLC, AS AGENT BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | 61864/643 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2022-06-01 | Correction Corrective assignment to correct the assignee address previously recorded at reel: 055411 frame: 0175. assignor(s) hereby confirms the assignment . | HOBIE CAT COMPANY signed 2021-01-26 | HOBIE CAT IP, LLC LIVONIA, MI | 60246/165 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2021-03-16 | Security interest Security interest Security interest | HOBIE CAT IP, LLC signed 2021-01-26 | CIBC BANK USA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT CHICAGO, IL | 55610/44 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2021-02-25 | Assignment Assignment of assignor's interest | HOBIE CAT COMPANY signed 2021-01-26 | HOBIE CAT IP, LLC OCEANSIDE, CA | 55411/175 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2021-01-28 | Release of security interest Release of security interest | COMMERCE BANK signed 2021-01-26 | HOBIE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, L.C., FORMERLY KNOWN AS HOBIE CAT COMPANY OCEANSIDE, CA | 55071/46 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
| 2020-04-06 | Security interest Security interest Security interest | HOBIE CAT COMPANY signed 2020-03-31 | COMMERCE BANK ST. LOUIS, MO | 52318/290 | PASDL, file of 2026-10-15 |
Documents recorded with the USPTO Assignment Recordation Branch that list this patent. A security interest is a lender’s claim on the patent as collateral; a release ends it.
USPTO bulk data: PatentsView granted patents, disambiguated (PVGPATDIS) for patents, assignees, inventors, places and CPC categories; the USPTO Patent Assignment Dataset (ECORSEXC) for assignments and security interests. Patents filed in the last 20 years. No claims or full text. Links to other records are by name (and state): EXACT means the identical full name and state; FUZZY means a looser name match, with the confidence shown.