Electromechanically actuated outrigger

Abstract

An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly includes a main body having a bearing point. An outrigger support is to be connected to an outrigger boom. The support is pivotally connected to the main body at the bearing point. An electrical actuator is connected to the main body and has a movable piston. A lever assembly operatively connects the outrigger support to the piston to pivot the outrigger support about the bearing point when the piston moves. The lever assembly has a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from the bearing point and is connected to the piston at the piston connection point, preferably, in a pivotal connection.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly, comprising: 
 a main body having a bearing point;    an outrigger support to be connected to an outrigger boom, said support pivotally connected to said main body at said bearing point;    an electrical actuator connected to said main body and having a movable piston; and    a lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger support to said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said bearing point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being connected to said piston at said piston connection point.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support bearing connected to said main body and pivotally connecting said outrigger support tube to said main body at said bearing point.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said outrigger support is an outrigger support tube having an at least partly hollow portion adapted to receive the outrigger boom therein.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said electrical actuator has a piston control body; and    said piston is movably connected to said piston control body.    
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said electrical actuator has a power supply assembly electrically connected to said piston control body and supplying at least one signal to said piston control body; and    said piston control body selectively moves said piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position and a fully extended position dependent upon a state of said signal.    
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said main body is L-shaped with first and second ends;    said piston control body is disposed at said first end; and    said bearing is disposed at said second end.    
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said main body is L-shaped with first and second ends;    said actuator is disposed at said first end; and    said bearing point is located at said second end.    
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said main body has a boat connection area.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said L-shape of main body defines an angle portion and a boat connection area is disposed at said angle portion.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a boat connection assembly connected to said boat connection area for connecting said main body to a boat.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said boat connection assembly has: 
 a standoff plate;    a standoff having first and second ends, said first end connected to said main body, said second end connected to said plate;    a boat connector to be connected to the boat; and    an insulating plate disposed between said boat connector and said standoff plate.    
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said standoff plate, said insulating plate, and said boat connector are securely connected to one another.  
     
     
         13 . An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly, comprising: 
 a main body having a bearing point;    an outrigger support to be connected to an outrigger boom;    a support bearing pivotally connecting said outrigger support to said main body at said bearing point;    an electrical actuator connected to said main body, said electrical actuator having: 
 a piston control body;  
 a power supply assembly electrically connected to said piston control body and supplying at least one signal to said piston control body;  
 a piston movably connected to said piston control body, said piston having a connection point; and  
 said piston control body selectively moving said piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position and a fully extended position dependent upon a state of said signal; and  
   a lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger support to said connection point of said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said bearing point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being connected to said piston at said piston connection point.    
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said signal is a power signal having first and second polarities.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said first polarity of said power signal extends said piston and said second polarity of said power signal retracts said piston.  
     
     
         16 . A powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom to an existing outrigger holder of a boat, comprising: 
 an electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having: 
 a main body having a bearing point;  
 an outrigger support to be connected to the outrigger boom;  
 a support bearing pivotally connecting said outrigger support to said main body at said bearing point;  
 an electrical actuator connected to said main body and having: 
 a piston control body;  
 a power supply assembly electrically connected to said piston control body and supplying at least one signal to said piston control body;  
 a piston movably connected to said piston control body, said piston having a connection point; and  
 said piston control body selectively moving said piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position and a fully extended position dependent upon a state of said signal; and  
 
 a lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger support to said connection point of said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said bearing point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being connected to said piston at said piston connection point; and  
   a boat connection assembly connected to said outrigger assembly and having a connector for connecting said outrigger assembly to the existing outrigger holder at the boat.    
     
     
         17 . The kit according to  claim 16 , wherein said connector of said boat connection assembly has: 
 a standoff plate;    a standoff having first and second ends, said first end connected to said main body, said second end connected to said plate;    a boat connector to be connected to the existing outrigger holder; and    an insulating plate disposed between said boat connector and said standoff plate for galvanically insulating said standoff plate from said boat connector.    
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein said standoff plate, said insulating plate, and said boat connector are securely connected to one another.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein said boat connector is to be welded to the existing outrigger holder.  
     
     
         20 . A powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom to an existing outrigger holder of a boat, comprising: 
 an electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having: 
 a main body having a bearing point;  
 an outrigger support to be connected to an outrigger boom, said support pivotally connected to said main body at said bearing point;  
 an electrical actuator connected to said main body and having a movable piston; and  
 a lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger support to said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said bearing point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being connected to said piston at said piston connection point; and  
   a boat connection assembly connected to said outrigger assembly and having a connector for connecting said outrigger assembly to the existing outrigger holder at the boat.