Marine propulsion – With indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-03-13
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
With indicator
C440S055000, C440S06100B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200175
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an outboard motor and more particularly to a mounting arrangement for the outboard motor that facilitates its tilt and trim movement to provide stability and good support and also that permits the use of conduits that extend from components carried by the lower portion of the outboard motor to external devices while minimizing length and permitting the tilt and trim movement without obstruction to the conduit.
It is generally known that outboard motors are supported on the transom of a watercraft and the propulsion unit portion of the outboard motor is movable about a vertically extending steering axis for steering of the outboard motor and the associated watercraft and for tilt and trim movement so as to adjust the angle of attack of the propeller or propulsion unit and also so as to permit the propulsion unit so as to be raised out of the water. Thus, the movement of the propulsion unit relative to its connection to the watercraft requires movement in two distinct planes about two generally perpendicular axes.
It is desirable that the steering and tilt and trim movement be permitted relatively freely but it is also necessary that the side thrust and side loading on the outboard motor be well absorbed so as to provide insurance against wear on the members that form both the tilt and the steering axes.
Generally, the clamping bracket which is affixed to the transom of the watercraft has a pair of side plates that have a series of spaced apertures for receiving a trim pin for taking the forward thrust of the drive and for permitting trim adjustment in the maximum trim-down position. However, the pivot pin for the tilt operation must absorb large portions of the side thrust and this can placed unduly high wear on the trim pin.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved mounting arrangement for an outboard motor.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved side force taking arrangement that cooperates between the clamping bracket and the swivel bracket so as to accommodate side forces in the normal trim range of movement.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved side thrust taking arrangement between the clamping bracket and the swivel bracket which does not restrict the degree of steering movement of the outboard motor.
In addition to the thrust taking and wear problem, there is also the necessity to provide certain connections or conduits that extend between portions of the outboard motor and the interior of the watercraft. For example, a speed sensor of the pitot type is frequently used. In this type of device, the sensor is positioned at the forward portion of the lower unit. The sensor output is transmitted through either an electrical conductor or as a fluid pressure through a fluid conduit to an instrument mounted in the interior of the watercraft.
The conduit or conductor must accommodate both the tilt movement, the trim movement and also the steering movement. This can present significant problems, particularly that of binding or damage to the transmitter.
It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an improved conductor arrangement for conducting signals or electricity from the lower unit to the watercraft without binding or obstruction of the tilt and trim and steering movement.
Many times the outboard motor is provided with an electro-hydraulic system for assisting in the trim and tilt movement. Generally, this includes a reversible electric motor that drives a reversible hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the tilt and trim mechanism. Again, this requires electrical conductors to extend from the electric motor to the interior of the watercraft for control purposes. These conductors should be neatly arranged but also should be constructed so that they do not provide binding or unsightly appearance when the outboard motor is steered or effects tilt and trim.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is adapted to be embodied in an outboard motor having a propulsion unit comprised of a power head containing a powering internal combustion engine or other prime mover and a lower unit that contains a propulsion device driven by the prime mover and a transmission for effecting this driving connection. The propulsion unit is mounted on a steering shaft within a swivel bracket for permitting steering movement of the outboard motor about a generally vertically extending steering axis. The swivel bracket is, in turn, connected by a pivot pin to a clamping bracket that is affixed to the hull of an associated watercraft. This pivotal connection permits tilt and trim movement of the swivel bracket and propulsion unit relative to the clamping bracket and watercraft hull. The clamping bracket is comprised primarily of a pair of spaced apart side plates that extend along opposite sides of the swivel bracket.
In accordance with a first feature of the invention, interengaging, thrust-taking pads are formed on the swivel bracket and side plates of the clamping bracket so as to take side thrusts during at least the trim range of movement of the outboard motor.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, a conductor for conducting either fluid or electrical energy extends from a forward portion of the lower unit upwardly in an area contiguous to the axis defined by the steering shaft and passes through the protective cowling of the outboard motor for transmitting signals.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, a hydraulic tilt and trim unit acts between the swivel bracket and clamping bracket for effecting the tilt and trim movement. This unit is electrically powered and electrical conductors extend from this unit generally upwardly to a position close to the trim and tilt pin axis and from there pass through the protective cowling for transmitting electrical power to the tilt and trim unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3486724 (1969-12-01), Adamski
patent: 4826459 (1989-05-01), Slattery
patent: 4986773 (1991-01-01), Binversie
patent: 5004439 (1991-04-01), Onoue
patent: 5358436 (1994-10-01), Soda et al.
patent: 5514012 (1996-05-01), Natsuma
patent: 58-136594 (1983-08-01), None
Basinger Sherman
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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