US 12258111

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 12258111:

Title: Swivel mounts for attaching and maneuvering accessories over the gunnel of a boat or any other mounting surface

Assignee: Sea Swivel Inc.

Inventors: Mark S. Berta, Jr.

Filing Date: September 26, 2024, for application US18/897,527.

Issue Date: March 25, 2025.

Abstract: Swivel mounts, mounting assemblies for boating accessories, and boats having such are disclosed. The swivel mounts include a support member, a mounting member, and a swivel element for enabling the mounting member to swivel relative to the support member. In some cases, a trolling motor mount bracket and/or a trolling motor may be coupled to the swivel mount. In further embodiments, the swivel mount may be coupled to a surface of a boat, such as but not limited to a boat gunnel. In particular, a swivel mount may be configured and disposed above an upward facing surface of the gunnel such that a mounting member of the swivel mount is able to swivel about an axis that is perpendicular to and passes through the upward facing surface of the gunnel. Mounting members having a hole pattern to accommodate different types of trolling motors is also provided.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a swivel mount. It includes an elongated mounting plate and a support plate, both with opposing faces and peripheral sidewalls. The support plate is designed to be no more than half the length of the elongated mounting plate. The mount also features a swivel element. These components are connected so that the support plate and elongated mounting plate's first faces are parallel and partially overlap. The swivel element is positioned so that the elongated mounting plate can rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to its first face and offset from its central widthwise line.
• Independent Claim 8: This claim describes a boat that includes a gunnel and a swivel mount positioned above the gunnel's upward-facing surface. The swivel mount's mounting member can rotate around an axis perpendicular to and passing through the gunnel's surface. The swivel mount also has a support member fastened to the gunnel's upward-facing surface using bolts or screws. A trolling motor mounting bracket is attached to the upward-facing surface of the swivel mount's mounting member.
• Independent Claim 15: This claim further specifies the elongated mounting plate from Claim 5 (which depends on Claim 4, which depends on Claim 1). It details a particular hole pattern on the second, cantilevered portion of the elongated mounting plate, designed to accommodate various trolling motor mounting brackets. This pattern includes a first set of four holes and a second set of four holes, all of the same size and linearly aligned along the plate's length. Each hole in the second set aligns with a different hole in the first set along the plate's width, with a 2.88-inch spacing between corresponding hole centers. Both sets include a first hole closest to an end, a second hole 4.5 inches from the first, a third hole 3.5 inches from the second, and a fourth hole 1.0 inch from the third, all measured along the length of the plate.

Uncertainty Note:
The patent is currently active and subject to litigation. A Post-Grant Review (PGR) for claims 1-18 of US12258111 was filed on September 25, 2025, by Shuttleslide, LLC, challenging their patentability. Additionally, Sea Swivel Inc. filed a federal lawsuit on August 8, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, alleging infringement of US12258111 against ShuttleSlide, Rhodan Marine Systems, and T/6 Marine. This indicates ongoing legal challenges regarding the patent's validity and enforcement.## US12258111: Swivel Mounts for Boating Accessories – Summary and Independent Claims

Patent Number: US12258111

Title: Swivel mounts for attaching and maneuvering accessories over the gunnel of a boat or any other mounting surface

Assignee: Sea Swivel Inc.

Inventor: Mark S. Berta, Jr.

Filing Date: September 26, 2024 (for application US18/897,527)

Issue Date: March 25, 2025

Abstract: Swivel mounts, mounting assemblies for boating accessories, and boats having such are disclosed. The swivel mounts include a support member, a mounting member, and a swivel element for enabling the mounting member to swivel relative to the support member. In some cases, a trolling motor mount bracket and/or a trolling motor may be coupled to the swivel mount. In further embodiments, the swivel mount may be coupled to a surface of a boat, such as but not limited to a boat gunnel. In particular, a swivel mount may be configured and disposed above an upward facing surface of the gunnel such that a mounting member of the swivel mount is able to swivel about an axis that is perpendicular to and passes through the upward facing surface of the gunnel. Mounting members having a hole pattern to accommodate different types of trolling motors is also provided.

---

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a swivel mount that includes an elongated upper plate (mounting plate) and a shorter lower plate (support plate). The support plate is at most half the length of the elongated mounting plate. These plates are coupled together by a swivel mechanism, ensuring their main surfaces are parallel and at least partially overlap. The swivel mechanism is positioned so that the elongated mounting plate can rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to its main surface, but this axis is offset from the center of the plate's width.

Independent Claim 8: This claim describes a boat featuring a swivel mount installed on its gunnel (the upper edge of the hull). The swivel mount's upper part (mounting member) can rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to the gunnel's top surface and passes through it. The lower part of the swivel mount (support member) is securely fastened to the top surface of the gunnel using bolts or screws. A bracket for attaching a trolling motor is then connected to the top surface of the swivel mount's rotating upper part.

Independent Claim 15: This claim, which further defines aspects of Claim 5 (which itself depends on Claim 4, referencing Claim 1), details a specific arrangement of holes on the cantilevered, or overhanging, portion of the elongated mounting plate. This hole pattern allows for various types of trolling motor mounting brackets to be attached. The pattern includes:

• A first group of four equally sized holes, linearly arranged along the length of the plate.
• A second group of four equally sized holes (matching the first group), also linearly arranged along the length of the plate. Each hole in this second group lines up with a different hole in the first group across the width of the plate, with the center points of corresponding holes being 2.88 inches apart.
• Within each of these four-hole groups, the holes are spaced as follows, starting from the hole closest to one end of the plate:
  • The second hole is 4.5 inches from the first.
  • The third hole is 3.5 inches from the second.
  • The fourth hole is 1.0 inch from the third.

---

Uncertainty Note: US Patent 12258111 is currently active. However, its legal status is being challenged. On September 25, 2025, Shuttleslide, LLC filed a Post-Grant Review (PGR) challenging the patentability of claims 1-18. Additionally, Sea Swivel Inc. filed a federal lawsuit on August 8, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, alleging infringement of US12258111 by ShuttleSlide, Rhodan Marine Systems, and T/6 Marine. This indicates ongoing legal proceedings that could impact the patent's validity or enforceability.