Marine propulsion – Screw propeller – With means effecting or facilitating movement of propulsion...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-01-16
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Screw propeller
With means effecting or facilitating movement of propulsion...
C114S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174211
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a steering device for outboard motors. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for mechanically retaining an outboard motor in a desired angular orientation relative to a watercraft while permitting pivotal movement of the outboard motor about a tilt and trim axis.
2. Description of Related Art
As is well-known in the art, an outboard motor typically includes a clamping bracket which secures the outboard motor to a transom of a watercraft. A swivel bracket is pivotally secured to the clamping bracket so as to allow both steering movement of the motor about a steering axis and trimming and tilting movement of the motor about a tilt and trim axis. The trimming movement relative to the watercraft transom is often required to adjust the angular orientation of a thrust vector associated with a propeller. In particular, by adjusting the trim position of the outboard motor, an optimum orientation of the thrust vector can be obtained.
A tiller or handle is attached to the outboard motor to facilitate steering movement. In many instances, it is desirable to mechanically maintain a predetermined tack of the watercraft so that the operator is not required to continually have a hand on the tiller. For example, when the operator is trolling for fish, he or she may want to keep both hands free while the watercraft continues a straight-ahead or circular tack. Similarly, when traveling in a straight line across a current, it is necessary to position the motor to steer slightly into the current to compensate for the forces of the current that tend to turn or propel the watercraft in an undesired direction. Thus, it is desired to have a tiller position-locking device that is capable of maintaining the steering components in any of a continuous array of positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Previous restraining devices have had a guide plate which defines a range of locking positions. The guide plate provides a location upon which a friction member can lock to secure an outboard motor in a desired position relative to a watercraft. Structurally, the guide plate extends forward of the tilt and trim axis. Consequently, when the propeller end of the outboard motor are pivoted upward, out of the water, about the tilt and trim axis, the guide plate strikes a component of the watercraft or outboard motor which was located near the transom of the watercraft, such as a transom screw of a clamping bracket. Thus, the guide plate is often bent when the propeller end of the outboard motor was pivoted out of the water for storage or servicing. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention involves the recognition that reducing or eliminating the exposure of the guide plate forward of the tilt and trim axis can prevent possible damage to the guide plate.
Another aspect of the present invention involves an outboard motor comprising a clamping bracket adapted to be attached to a watercraft. A pin connects a swivel bracket to the clamping bracket. The swivel bracket is pivotally attached to allow a tilting or trimming movement relative to the clamping bracket about a substantially horizontal tilt and trim axis. The swivel bracket also enables steering movement of the outboard motor relative to the watercraft about a steering axis that is substantially normal to the tilt and trim axis. A tiller is attached to the outboard motor to facilitate the steering movement. The tiller extends forward of the steering axis and includes a tiller locking device. The tiller locking device is attached to the swivel bracket and the tiller and is arranged at least partially rearward of the pin.
A further aspect of the present invention involves an outboard motor mounting assembly comprising a swivel bracket pivotally attached to a clamping bracket by a pin. The swivel bracket is rotatable relative to the clamping bracket about a substantially horizontal tilt and trim axis. A steering shaft is journalled by the swivel bracket for movement of the steering shaft about a steering axis which is substantially normal to the tilt and trim axis. A tiller arm is connected to the steering shaft for controlling the movement of the steering shaft. The assembly also includes a locking mechanism which is operable between the swivel bracket and steering shaft so as to selectively maintain the position of the steering shaft relative to the swivel bracket. The locking mechanism is arranged to lie at least partially rearward of a substantially vertical plane defined through the pin.
Another aspect of the present invention involves an outboard motor comprising a powerhead connected by a driveshaft housing to a propulsion unit. The driveshaft housing is connected to a steering shaft. The steering shaft is journalled by a swivel bracket for rotational movement. The swivel bracket is attached to a clamping bracket which has a transom screw. The swivel bracket is able to be pivoted relative to the clamping bracket about a substantially horizontal tilt and trim axis. A locking mechanism is operable between the swivel bracket and a tiller for securing the relative position between the swivel bracket and the tiller. The locking mechanism has a friction track interposed between at least two braking members which are alternately engageable with the friction track.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4521201 (1985-06-01), Watanabe
patent: 4701141 (1987-10-01), Sumigawa
patent: 5582527 (1996-12-01), Nakamura
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Sotelo Jesus D.
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