Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-05-01
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S526000, C440S007000, C114S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223623
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to foot-operated motor boat throttles and more particularly to idle speed controls for such throttles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Foot-operated throttles are used in many boats, for example, in “Bass Boats,” and other types of boats having high performance outboard motors. One approach to design of throttles for this purpose, which was developed some years ago for after-market installation, employed a pedal pivotally mounted on a base, an eccentric, also pivotally mounted on a side of the base, and actuated by the pedal, a receptor mount adjustably attached to the base and a spring biasing the eccentric toward the rear of the receptor mount. The receptor mount included one or more receptors for securing the outer sheath of a throttle-actuating cable, and the eccentric made provision for being connected to the inner, movable member of the cable. Control of maximum gas feed for these throttles was obtained by means of a stop extending upward from the base at its front end and engageable by the bottom of the pedal. No provision was made in these throttles for control of idle speed upon release of the pedal. This function was instead performed by idle speed mechanisms built into the carburetor.
Recent developments in outboard motor technology have made the prior approach to idle speed control obsolete. Outboard motors now include numerous electronic sensors which control complex fuel injection systems, ignition timing and the like. Precise controls over cable positions are now required for idle speed control.
An idle stop mechanism for foot-operated throttles is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,865,068, issued Feb. 2, 1999. This patent shows a limiter in the form of a bolt adjustably mounted on the receptor mount and aligned to come into contact with a limiter block provided on the eccentric. Installation of throttles having this stop mechanism requires two adjustments between the eccentric and the receptor mount; one for adjustment of the cable to proper position, and the other for positioning the limiter bolt of the idle stop mechanism. It would be desirable to provide for making adjustments to the stop mechanism independent of adjustments to cable position. This would simplify installation of the throttle and allow more flexibility with regard to the types or brands of motors for which the footoperated throttle may be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to an idle stop mechanism for foot-operated motor boat throttles which comprise a pedal pivotally mounted on side support walls of a base, an eccentric pivotally carried by the base and adapted for connection to the inner, movable member of a cable assembly, the pedal being slidably attached to the eccentric for actuation of the eccentric, a cable receptor mount attached to the back end of a side support wall, bias means for urging the eccentric toward the receptor mount, and the cable receptor adapted for securing the outer sheath of a cable. The idle stop mechanism for such throttles comprises a first stop member connected directly to the pedal and a second stop member integral with a side support wall of the throttle base, the two members being arranged to come into contact with one another at a selected limiting position, and at least one of the members including adjustment means.
In a preferred arrangement, a first stop member, in the form of an adjustable bolt is disposed in a threaded aperture of a laterally extending tab of the pedal and is aligned to come into contact with an edge of a fixed shoulder formed in a side wall of the base. Interaction between the eccentric and receptor mount is avoided in this approach so that adjustment for purposes of operation of the stop mechanism does not affect or interfere with cable positioning adjustments made between the eccentric and receptor mount.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1553280 (1925-09-01), Wright
patent: 3885450 (1975-05-01), Tatum
patent: 4432390 (1984-02-01), Brazil
patent: 4527682 (1985-07-01), Gale
patent: 5865068 (1999-02-01), Huntley
patent: 6058796 (2000-05-01), Huntley
Beumer Joseph H.
Green Mary Ann
LandOfFree
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