Marine propulsion – Screw propeller – With means effecting or facilitating movement of propulsion...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-17
2001-07-17
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Screw propeller
With means effecting or facilitating movement of propulsion...
C114S150000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261139
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related generally to steering control apparatus for inboard-outboard marine drive units and, more particularly, to steering control apparatus for sterndrive units for pontoon boats, houseboats, and other boats having a confined areas near the transom for steering control apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Inboard-outboard marine drive units present particularly difficult marine steering problems. Inboard-outboard marine drives, of course, are those having an outboard propellor assembly (with all the related drive train gearing, etc.), an inboard engine adjacent to the boat transom, a drive train through the transom between the engine and propellor assembly, and some kind of apparatus for changing the directional orientation of the outboard propellor assembly for purposes of steering.
A variety of steering control apparatuses have been developed for such units, including steering apparatus using cables (with all the related necessary paraphernalia), certain hydraulic apparatus with cylinders and control linkages mounted in various positions to carry out the necessary steering functions, and various other power-steering arrangements. Considerable development efforts have been made toward solving inboard-outboard steering control problems, but difficult problems and disadvantages remain in the field of steering of boats using inboard-outboard drives.
Inboard-outboard steering apparatus problems are particularly difficult in pontoon and houseboat applications, and for other boats having confined areas near their transoms. It is believed that inadequate steering arrangements have limited the number of sterndrive pontoon boats and the like which have been introduced into the marketplace.
In boats having inboard-outboard drive units of various kinds, it is typically desirable to conserve space within the boat, and thus desirable to have the engine close to the transom and to minimize the size of the engine compartment. Among the problems associated with typical inboard-outboard steering devices has been the inherent limitations imposed on boat designers who seek to accommodate steering systems to engine compartments of limited size. As a result, there have been shortcomings in steering apparatus and a lack of adequate mounting systems for steering apparatus.
Due to the typically restricted size of engine compartments in such boats, in some cases designers have had to construct separate cable boxes near the engine compartments, which necessarily take up additional floor space. Furthermore, designers have been required to exercise particular care in routing cables to avoid sharp bends and the like in an effort to ensure that cables have adequate room for free movement, in order that the cable itself does not impede steering or cause steering lock-ups. Cable steering systems can also give rise to potential leakage problems because of various holes typically required for cable systems.
Hydraulic steering systems have been developed and used for pontoons and houseboats and other boats with inboard-outboard drives, and can eliminate some of the above-noted concerns and limitations associated with cable systems. Examples of prior hydraulic steering devices for inboard-outboard drives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,295,833, 4,557,695, 4,645,463 and 5,340,341.
In the field of hydraulic steering apparatus for inboard-outboard marine drive, there are continuing problems, however, relating to difficulty in installation, use of excessive space, lack of ready understandability, and/or difficulty in serviceability. The marine industry continues to recognize the need for steering systems which are easily installed, take little space, are readily understood and easily serviceable.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved inboard-outboard steering control apparatus overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved inboard-outboard steering apparatus providing particular advantages for pontoons and houseboats, and allowing the use of hydraulic steering apparatus for such drive units.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved hydraulic steering system for inboard-outboard marine drives which is easily installed, takes little space, is easily understood, and is readily serviceable.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an improved steering control apparatus for inboard-outboard marine drive units. Inboard-outboard marine drive units are marine drives of the type having an outboard propellor assembly, an inboard engine adjacent to the boat transom, and a drive train through the transom between the engine and the propellor assembly. Many of such inboard-outboard drive units include a tiller which is above the drive train and extends from the propellor assembly through the transom to terminate in an operator end inside the boat. This invention relates to a particularly advantageous arrangement of control cylinder apparatus for tiller position control in inboard-outboard marine drive units of this type.
More specifically, this invention includes a control cylinder (preferably an hydraulic cylinder) mounted in a substantially horizontal orientation along the transom at an inboard position substantially centered on and above the drive train and tiller, and a rigid linkage between and engaging the distal portion of the cylinder rod and the operator end of the tiller, such rigid linkage extending downwardly from the distal portion of the cylinder rod and from there substantially along and below the cylinder to where the operator end of the tiller is engaged.
The linkage preferably includes (1) a substantially horizontal link member which is connected at one end thereof to the tiller and extends to an upturned opposite end that is vertically aligned with the distal portion of the cylinder rod and (2) a substantially vertical drag link adapter which interconnects the distal portion of the cylinder rod and the upturned end of the horizontal link member. This arrangement has the added advantage of providing space between the hydraulic cylinder and the horizontal link member to accommodate the possible presence of other apparatus, such as parts related to or connected to the inboard engine assembly. In such embodiments, the connection between the horizontal link member and the tiller is pivotable, and the connection between the horizontal link member and the drag link adapter is pivotable.
In certain highly preferred embodiments, the hydraulic cylinder is of the balanced type. Such balanced hydraulic cylinders are seen in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,864 (Peebles), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In preferred embodiments, the hydraulic cylinder is mounted to the transom, preferably using a bracket. The cylinder preferably includes a body member with a mounting portion centered along the length thereof, and a preferred bracket assembly includes first and second bracket portions for placement on the inboard and outboard sides of the transom, respectively, the first bracket portion being secured to the mounting portion of the hydraulic cylinder. In certain highly preferred embodiments, the first bracket portion includes a cylinder mounting member secured to the mounting portion of the hydraulic cylinder and a transom adaptor member secured to the inboard side of the transom and to the cylinder mounting bracket. The transom adaptor member preferably includes a transom-adjacent portion adjacent to the inboard side of the transom, a cylinder-adjacent portion adjacent to the cylinder mounting member, and a forwardly-extending portion extending between the transom-adjacent and cylinder-adjacent portions which serves to position the hydraulic cylinder substantially directly above the operator end of the tiller. The transom-adjacent portion and cylinder-adjacent portion preferably have of
Basinger Sherman
IMO Industries Inc.
Jansson & Shupe & Munger Ltd.
LandOfFree
Steering control apparatus for inboard-outboard drive does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Steering control apparatus for inboard-outboard drive, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Steering control apparatus for inboard-outboard drive will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2528702