Operating handle for pivotally mounted trolling motor

Claim 2

In a trolling motor apparatus including an outboard motor unit pivotally affixed to a horizontally located swivel bracket, the improvement in an operating handle comprising an elongated handle member, means securing one end of said member to the upper end portion of said outboard motor with the outer end defining a grip end, said rubber-like material being readily deformable to permit twisting and bending relative to said grip end and having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting, and control cables extend through said handle.

Claim 3

In the trolling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle member is a longitudinally tapered member having a heavy stable portion at the motor end and progressively thinner outer portion of increasing flexibility to the grip end.

Claim 4

In a trolling motor apparatus having a mounting bracket for mounting upon the deck of a watercraft and an outboard motor unit pivotally connected to said bracket for positioning between a vertical drive position and a horizontal transport position, said outboard motor unit having a lower unit rotatably mounted within a swivel means and having an upper head affixed to said swivel means, said outboard motor unit being rotatable to lie upon its side in the transport position, an elongated tubular handle secured to the upper head of said outboard motor unit and extended forwardly from the front of the motor unit to an outer grip end, control cable means extending through said handle and connected at the inner end of the motor, said handle supporting said cables and being formed of a flexible material to form bending means permitting the movement of the outer grip end of the handle with the motor pivoting to the horizontal position without exerting significant sharp bends in the handle and minimizing twisting forces on the outer grip end.

Claim 5

In a trolling motor apparatus having a mounting bracket for mounting upon the deck of a watercraft and an outboard motor unit pivotally connected to said bracket for positioning between a vertical drive position and a horizontal transport position, said outboard motor unit having a lower unit rotatably mounted within a swivel means and having an upper head affixed to said swivel means, said outboard motor unit being rotatable to lie upon its side in the transport position, an elongated tubular handle secured to the upper head of said outboard motor unit and extended forwardly from the front of the motor unit to an outer grip end, control cable means extending through said handle and connected at the inner end of the motor, said handle supporting said cables and being formed of a flexible material to form bending means permitting the movement of the outer grip end of the handle with the motor pivoting to the horizontal position without exerting significant sharp bends in the handle and minimizing twisting forces on the outer grip end.

Claim 6

In the apparatus of claim 3 wherein said handle is a tubular member formed of an integral flexible rubber-like medium with a longitudinal opening, member being self-supporting to extend outwardly of said upper head and being bendable to minimize turning forces on the gripping end, and motor control cable means extending through the longitudinal opening of said tubular member.

Claim 7

In the trolling motor apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tubular member is a longitudinally tapered member and having a heavy stable portion at the motor end and progressively thinner outer portion of increasing flexibility to said grip end.

Claim 8

In the apparatus of claim 4 wherein said member has a generally rectangular cross-section with major top and bottom walls and minor sidewalls, said member being formed with generally constant thickness top and bottom walls and with progressively inwardly tapered sidewalls of a progressively thinner wall thickness to a generally square outermost grip end.

Claim 9

The trolling motor apparatus of claim 4 wherein said motor unit has an upper head including a two-piece housing, said handle member being clamped between said two-piece housing and including interlocking projections to firmly affix the handle to the head.

Claim 10

The trolling motor apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tubular member has a generally rectangular cross-section with major top and bottom walls and minor sidewalls, said member being formed with a generally constant thickness top and bottom walls and with progressively thinner sidewalls to a generally square outermost grip end, said motor unit having an upper steering head including a two-piece housing, said handle member being clamped between said two-piece housing and including interlocking projections.

Claim 11

A trolling motor apparatus having a mounting bracket and an outboard motor unit pivotally connected to said bracket for positioning between a vertical drive position depending from the bracket and a horizontal transport position overlying the bracket with the outermost end of the motor unit within the end of the bracket, said outboard motor including an elongated head, comprising an elongated tubular handle secured to the head of said outboard motor unit and extended forwardly from the front of the motor unit to an outer grip end, said handle formed of flexible material permitting the horizontal movement of the outer grip end of the handle with the motor unit pivoting to the horizontal position and transport position, speed control cable means extended through said handle to vary the engine speed, and turning control cable means extending through said handle and terminating within said head.

Claim 12

A trolling motor apparatus having a mounting bracket and an outboard motor unit pivotally connected to said bracket for positioning between a vertical drive position depending from the bracket and a horizontal transport position overlying the bracket with the outermost end of the motor unit within the end of the bracket, said outboard motor including an elongated head, comprising an elongated tubular handle secured to the head of said outboard motor unit and extended forwardly from the front of the motor unit to an outer grip end, said handle formed of flexible material permitting the horizontal movement of the outer grip end of the handle with the motor unit pivoting to the horizontal position and transport position, speed control cable means extended through said handle to vary the engine speed, and turning control cable means extending through said handle and terminating within said head.