Prior art

This analysis identifies the prior art cited in US Patent 12258111, focusing on potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. It's important to note that this is a technical assessment based on the titles and brief descriptions provided within the US12258111 patent document, and not a comprehensive legal determination of anticipation, which would require a full review of each cited patent's specifications, drawings, and claims. The priority date for US12258111 is September 26, 2023. All listed citations have publication dates prior to this, qualifying them as potential prior art.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US12258111

Based on the titles, the following citations appear most directly relevant to the claimed subject matter of US12258111:

1. US20030194921A1

   • Full Citation: US20030194921A1, Peter Leiss, "Universal boat motor mount for mounting and controlling an electric trolling motor," published 2003-10-16.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a universal mount specifically designed for electric trolling motors on boats.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference is highly relevant to Claim 8, which describes a boat with a swivel mount and a trolling motor mounting bracket. The "universal" aspect might also touch upon the versatility for different trolling motor brackets mentioned in Claim 15, though specific hole patterns are not detailed in the title.

2. US20100242828A1

   • Full Citation: US20100242828A1, Gratsch Gary L, "Boat accessory mounting apparatus," published 2010-09-30.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a general apparatus for mounting accessories on a boat.
   • Potential Anticipation: This broadly relates to mounting "boating accessories" over a gunnel, making it relevant to the overall scope of US12258111 and potentially anticipating general concepts in Claim 8 regarding a swivel mount for a boat accessory.

3. US5607136A

   • Full Citation: US5607136A, Johnson Fishing, Inc., "Omni-directional breakaway mounting device for trolling motor," published 1997-03-04.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a mounting device for a trolling motor that can break away and move in any direction.
   • Potential Anticipation: Directly relates to a "trolling motor mounting device," which is central to Claim 8. While "omni-directional breakaway" features are distinct from the specific swivel and locking mechanisms of US12258111, the core function of mounting a trolling motor could be relevant.

4. US6053471A

   • Full Citation: US6053471A, Brown; Edward D., "Convertible, tilt-bracket assembly for mounting trolling motors," published 2000-04-25.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a convertible and tiltable bracket assembly for mounting trolling motors.
   • Potential Anticipation: Like US5607136A, this is highly relevant to the application of mounting trolling motors and could potentially anticipate elements of Claim 8 regarding a trolling motor mounting bracket coupled to a mounting member.

5. US5779309A

   • Full Citation: US5779309A, Lu; Cheng-Ho, "Swivel plate device," published 1998-07-14.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a device featuring a swivel plate.
   • Potential Anticipation: This is directly relevant to the core "swivel mount" and "plate" components of Claim 1, particularly the concept of an elongated mounting plate and a support plate being coupled to swivel.

6. US4322208A

   • Full Citation: US4322208A, Beloit Corporation, "Swivel mounted propulsion and steering apparatus," published 1982-03-30.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a propulsion and steering apparatus that is mounted to swivel.
   • Potential Anticipation: This relates to "swivel mounted propulsion," which includes trolling motors, thus potentially anticipating the general concept of mounting a propulsion unit (like a trolling motor) with a swivel mechanism as broadly covered in the application context of Claim 8.

Other Cited Prior Art

The following references are also cited and could potentially anticipate more general aspects or sub-elements of US12258111's claims.

General Swivel Mechanisms / Plates:

1. US2779642A

   • Full Citation: US2779642A, Wil Mat Corp, "Swivel," published 1957-01-29.
   • Brief Description: A general swivel mechanism.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly anticipate the "swivel element" component of Claim 1.

2. US3199826A

   • Full Citation: US3199826A, Middletown Mfg Co Inc, "Self-return swivel of opposed plate type," published 1965-08-10.
   • Brief Description: A swivel featuring opposed plates, possibly with a self-return function.
   • Potential Anticipation: Relevant to the "elongated mounting plate" and "support plate" being coupled as parallel, overlapping faces in Claim 1.

3. US4076346A

   • Full Citation: US4076346A, Roy F. McMahan, Jr., "Face-to-face plate-type swivel," published 1978-02-28.
   • Brief Description: A swivel mechanism employing face-to-face plates.
   • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US3199826A, this could be relevant to the plate arrangement in Claim 1 where faces are parallel and overlap.

4. US4919383A

   • Full Citation: US4919383A, Trans World Marketing Corp., "Rotating display," published 1990-04-24.
   • Brief Description: A display unit designed to rotate.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly relate to the concept of a "swivel element" or rotating plates in Claim 1.

5. US5080322A

   • Full Citation: US5080322A, Titus Tool Company Limited, "Turntable," published 1992-01-14.
   • Brief Description: A turntable mechanism.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly anticipate the rotational movement provided by a "swivel element" in Claim 1.

6. US5685514A

   • Full Citation: US5685514A, Carnahan; Garnett, "Swivel base apparatus and method of making a swivel base," published 1997-11-11.
   • Brief Description: A swivel base apparatus and its method of manufacture.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could relate to the "swivel element" and "support plate" aspects of Claim 1.

7. US6231020B1

   • Full Citation: US6231020B1, James H. T. Willson, "Swivel device for cable connected electronic components," published 2001-05-15.
   • Brief Description: A swivel device designed for electronic components with cable connections.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly relate to the general "swivel element" of Claim 1.

8. US7302901B1

   • Full Citation: US7302901B1, Brendan Gerald Meyer, "Self-tacking swivel base," published 2007-12-04.
   • Brief Description: A swivel base that includes a self-tacking feature.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could relate to the "swivel element" or "support plate" of Claim 1.

9. US20090101786A1

   • Full Citation: US20090101786A1, Faull Ted W, "Three-piece furniture swivel," published 2009-04-23.
   • Brief Description: A swivel mechanism specifically for furniture, composed of three pieces.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly relate to the general "swivel element" of Claim 1, particularly if its three-piece construction involves plates.

10. US7975969B2

    • Full Citation: US7975969B2, Hon Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., "Rotatable positioning structure," published 2011-07-12.
    • Brief Description: A structure designed for rotational positioning.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly relate to the "swivel element" and the ability of the mounting plate to swivel into a "set position" (Claim 1 and Claim 2).

11. US9829148B2

    • Full Citation: US9829148B2, Samuel Choquette, "Rotatable platter for a monitor having a passage for wiring and a stopper," published 2017-11-28.
    • Brief Description: A rotatable platter for a monitor, including a passage for wiring and a stopper mechanism.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could relate to the "swivel element" and the "locking pin" (Claim 1 and Claim 2).

General Mounting / Base Assemblies:

1. US4640486A

   • Full Citation: US4640486A, International Glide Mfg. Corp., "Seat swivel apparatus," published 1987-02-03.
   • Brief Description: A swivel apparatus for a seat.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly anticipate the concept of a mount with swivel capability, relating to the "swivel element" in Claim 1.

2. US4715259A

   • Full Citation: US4715259A, Wittman Kenneth L, "Strap mounting assembly for electric guitars permitting multiple guitar rotations," published 1987-12-29.
   • Brief Description: A strap mounting assembly for electric guitars that allows for multiple rotations.
   • Potential Anticipation: Broadly relates to a "mounting member" with rotational capability, as described in Claim 1.

3. US6338464B1

   • Full Citation: US6338464B1, Mitac Technology Corp., "Base assembly of indifferent equilibrium," published 2002-01-15.
   • Brief Description: A base assembly designed with properties for indifferent equilibrium.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly relate to the "support plate" or overall stability aspects of the swivel mount in Claim 1.

4. US7448812B2

   • Full Citation: US7448812B2, Heibel Thomas S, "Camera mount," published 2008-11-11.
   • Brief Description: A mount designed for a camera.
   • Potential Anticipation: Broadly relates to the concept of a "mounting member" in Claim 1 and Claim 8.

5. US20230356807A1

   • Full Citation: US20230356807A1, Henry L. Ratzlaff, "Mount Adapter," published 2023-11-09.
   • Brief Description: A general mount adapter.
   • Potential Anticipation: Given its generic title, it could broadly anticipate the concept of a "mounting member" or "support member" in Claim 1.

It is crucial to emphasize that a definitive determination of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would require a detailed claim-by-claim analysis against the full disclosure of each prior art reference.