Boat steering torque compensator

Details Boat steering torque compensator Boat steering torque compensator

2000-01-11

2002-01-29

Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)

Marine propulsion

Screw propeller

With means effecting or facilitating movement of propulsion...

C114S1440RE, C440S062000, C440S063000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06341992

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mechanisms for countering the steering torque of a boat.
2. Prior Art
A typical prior art outboard motor
10
for a boat is shown in FIG.
1
. Motor
10
is pivoted about a vertical axle
11
on a motor mount
12
attached to the stern of a boat (not shown). A control shaft
13
is movably positioned through a sleeve
14
extending transversely through motor mount
12
. A follower shaft
15
is positioned through another sleeve
16
in parallel with control shaft
13
. A connecting bar
17
is connected between a first end
18
of control shaft
13
and a first end
19
of follower shaft
15
, so that when control shaft
13
is moved, follower shaft
15
is moved simultaneously. A link arm
20
is hinged between motor
10
and connecting bar
17
. Motor
10
is steered to turn right by moving control shaft
13
toward the right of the figure, and steered to turn left by moving control shaft
13
toward the left of the figure.
The torque generated by motor
10
tends to pivot motor
10
counterclockwise about axle
11
and steer the boat right, as shown in FIG.
2
. The driver of the boat must constantly resist the right-turning tendency by counter steering with the steering wheel. The constant application of counter steer is tiring. Further, if the driver releases the steering wheel, or if there is a failure in the steering linkage, the torque from motor
10
will automatically snap the boat into a sharp, uncontrolled right turn.
A steering mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,994 to Hayes prevents outboard motor torque from feeding back to a steering wheel. It is a replacement for a preexisting steering mechanism, not an add-on. It requires numerous arms and links, so that it is complicated to make and install.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, objects of the present boat steering torque compensator are:
to precisely counteract torque from an outboard motor;
to eliminate the need for a driver to apply counter steer on the steering wheel;
to eliminate a boat's natural tendency to turn even when the driver releases the steering wheel, or during steering linkage failure; and
to be easily retrofitted to a boat without modifying or dissembling an existing steering linkage.
Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present boat steering torque compensator is for being attached to a boat with a pivotable outboard motor, and a linearly movable control shaft with a first end connected to the outboard motor and a second end connected to a steering wheel. The compensator is comprised of a tube for being attached to the boat in a fixed position parallel to the control shaft. A compression spring positioned in the tube has a fixed first end adjacent the first end of the control shaft, and a movable second end. An elongated shaft positioned in the tube and through the spring has a first end connected to the first end of the control shaft by an adapter arm, and a second end positioned adjacent the movable second end of the spring. An engaging member on the second end of the elongated shaft engages the movable second end of the spring to compress the spring when the control shaft and elongated shaft are moved in the direction of the first end of the tube. As a result, the tendency of the motor to pivot under the influence of motor torque is opposed by the spring. The engaging member on the elongated shaft disengages and moves away from the movable second end of the spring when the control shaft and elongated shaft are moved in the direction of the second end of the tube, so that the control shaft is free to move independently of the spring.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2895445 (1959-07-01), Foraker
patent: 4263994 (1981-04-01), Hayes
patent: 4362515 (1982-12-01), Ginnow
patent: 5423277 (1995-06-01), Gai

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