Marine propulsion – Screw propeller – Propulsion unit casing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-02-20
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Screw propeller
Propulsion unit casing
C440S049000, C416S24400R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190220
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a protective cover for a boat propeller shaft and a method for protecting the same, and more particularly, toward a cover and method for protecting the propeller shaft and gears within the lower gear housing while the boat is being stored.
When boats are sitting out of the water and the propellers are uncovered, the propellers are exposed to damage. Small nicks or blemishes in a propeller can substantially reduce efficiency. Propellers also present a risk of injury to people when the boat is out of water. That is, the blades of the propeller, if left uncovered may injure a person who comes in contact with the propeller inadvertently. Furthermore, propellers may be expensive or of a unique design so that special care should be given to them. Therefore, propellers are often removed before a boat is stored and are stored separately because they do require special care and should be protected separately. Furthermore, the risk of injury to people is reduced.
A problem which occurs when a boat propeller is removed, however, is that the propeller shaft and gears of the lower gear housing are exposed to water, dirt, and possible damage. Again, a person may be injured by the protruding propeller shaft. Another problem is that water from rain or condensation within the gears may, during the winter months, turn into ice, causing damage to the propeller shaft and gears. The dirt and debris may also cause damage to the gears. Therefore, the lower gear housing should also be removed, covered, and stored separately.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,345 discloses a propeller cover which completely encloses and locks the propeller without removing it from the boat so that the entire propeller is protected from damage and theft. The problem with this cover is that it is in two pieces which do not seal so that dirt and water may enter the cover and possibly damage the propeller. Another problem with the design of this cover is that it is large and bulky, thereby possibly creating a space problem when storing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a boat propeller shaft which protects the propeller shaft and gears of the lower gear housing while the boat is being stored.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a protective cover with a retaining means which secures the cover to the gear housing.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a protective cover for a boat propeller shaft. The cover includes a casing in the shape of a truncated cone with an inner surface and an outer surface which surfaces have two notches formed therein and the notches are spaced 180° apart from each other. The cover is used with a retaining means which secures the casing onto the lower gear housing.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 333633 (1993-03-01), Issa
patent: D. 402667 (1998-12-01), Borrelli
patent: 662522 (1900-11-01), Butterworth
patent: 2143693 (1939-01-01), Harris
patent: 2696672 (1954-12-01), Durfee
patent: 2822183 (1958-02-01), Montgomery
patent: 2949092 (1960-08-01), Fortune
patent: 3981165 (1976-09-01), Wersinger
patent: 4257247 (1981-03-01), Sims
patent: 5246345 (1993-09-01), Adams, Jr.
patent: 5273399 (1993-12-01), Ojeda
patent: 5470262 (1995-11-01), Bustillo
Lehrer Norman E.
Swinehart Ed
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