Inflatable Outdrive Saver Tool

Abstract

A portable, inflatable, waterproof tool to lift installed marine outdrives from incompatible immersion when not in operation. The deflated tool designed and constructed to be compatible with the craft's hull shape and positioned with the backing fabric against the hull is slipped under the craft's hull cross section adjacent to the outdrive and secured by two D-Rings that provide purchase capability. Inflation is provided by a pressurization device. Inflation is applied until the desired lift is achieved. Deflation is achieved by venting the fill valve and pulling the deflated tool to the desired side of the craft. The deflated tool is stored in the storage container.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

BACKGROUND

Marine outdrives that propel boats of all sizes experience shortened life spans when allowed to be immersed while non-operational causing premature maintenance and repairs. In addition, required sacrificial anodes that are attached to the outdrive for corrosion protection need periodic replacement due to electrolysis facilitated by the immersion. Outdrive repairs and anode replacements are bothersome and costly and there is considerable motivation to avoid them.

While there are complete boat lift systems that are suitable to lift entire vessels including their outdrives clear of immersion the lifts are expensive and complicated in their own right. In addition, most of the water craft lift systems also require periodic maintenance to keep them trouble free. Metal-based lift systems require periodic anode maintenance and all full boat lift systems should be kept fouling free. Some waterfront communities are critical of these lifts and restrict their use because of their appearance.

Accordingly a need exists for marine outdrives to be separated from immersion when not in use. Other than full watercraft lift systems no device is available to provide outdrive lift capability especially one that is almost hidden from sight.

Internet search and patent search reveals no such outdrive lift system exists. However, Lasch U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 identifies inflatable flotation but ignores V bottom compatibility, fabric requirements, air valve access, various sizes to handle a variety of boat weight, and specifics for the application to marine outdrives.

SUMMARY

Marine outdrive life can be extended and maintenance reduced by removing the outdrive from immersion except when in operational use. The outdrive saver tool achieves this objective using air lift. Available light weight waterproof and air tight fabric enables this inflatable tool to be handled by an operator to separate outdrive critical components from hostile immersion. The outdrive saver tool is slipped under the stern of the vessel adjacent to the outdrive, secured, and then inflated to the desired lift using a pressurization device. Air pressure venting facilitates tool removal and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 The plan view of the exterior of the outdrive saver tool.

FIG. 2 The elevation view of the deflated and collapsed outdrive saver tool.

FIG. 3 The elevation view of the inflated outdrive saver tool illustrating the details of the inflation portion sections A-A′ and B-B′ and the additional definable dimensions D4, D5, and angle D6.

FIG. 4 The stern elevation view including example boat outline (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

FIG. 5 The aft port side elevation view of example boat outline (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

FIG. 6 The aft port side perspective view of example boat (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures:

FIG. 1 The outdrive saver tool plan view illustrates all components and construction. Actual dimensions have been omitted as the unit's dimensions are tailored to the lift requirements of the application. The flexible fabric backing (1) is made of waterproof inflatable fabric such as welded poly vinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, rubber based fabric, etc. suitable for inflation under water. The inflation chamber (2) is made of similar fabric and is bonded to the backing material (1) to provide an air and water tight cavity to the prescribed dimensions D1, D3, D4, D5, and angle D6 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 determined by the vessel's weight, configuration, and lift required. The air inflation and deflation hose (3) is bonded to the inflatable cavity and is constrained to the backing fabric (1) by several attached belt loops (5) made of the same fabric and is configured so the hose assembly will slide within the belt loops. The air supply hose (3) terminates to an air supply open/closed valve (4). The backing fabric extends beyond the inflatable cavity D2 with the length sized to the hull configuration of the vessel. The two extreme ends of the backing fabric (1) terminate with D-rings (6) to facilitate installing, positioning, and securing the tool for inflation and removing the tool following deflation. If a cylindrical cross section of the inflatable cavity is desired then D3, D4, and D5 define the extremities of the cylindrical inflation chamber.

FIG. 2 The elevation view of the uninflated and collapsed outdrive saver tool.

FIG. 3 The elevation view of the inflated outdrive saver tool illustrating the details of the inflation portion sections A-A′ and B-B′ and the additional definable dimensions D4, D5, and angle D6. Watercraft fitted with outdrives are typically built with a range of V shaped hull angles indicated by D6 making a custom fit preferred to avoid collapsing of the inflated section at the vertex of the V angle.

FIG. 4 The stern elevation view including example boat outline (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed. This illustration highlights the location of the air fill valve for operator access and the V shape fit of the inflatable to the V hull shape.

FIG. 5 The aft port side elevation view of example boat outline (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed. This view illustrates the outdrive saver tool installed immediately adjacent to the outdrive location to maximize lift effectiveness.

FIG. 6 The aft port side perspective view of example boat (7) with outdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

Operation

Installation and Activation

1 The deflated outdrive saver tool is transported to the vessel's location in an easy to manage storage bag.

2 The outdrive saver tool is removed from the storage bag and unfolded to permit installation under the stern of the vessel with the backing face up and the inflatable chamber in the face down position.

3 A weighted removable pull line is attached to one of the D-rings and is dropped under the stern of the vessel in front of the “trailer positioned” outdrive to permit pulling the outdrive saver tool across the stern to the opposite side of the vessel until the tool V is fitted to the hull V at the stern of the craft. The D-rings are now accessible to the installer for joining with a bungee cord, belt, or other joining method.

4 The pressurization device is then attached to the fill hose and activated in the inflation mode.

5 The inflation chamber fills and critical outdrive components are lifted until clear of immersion.

6 The air valve may now be closed and the inflation device removed and stored.

Tool Removal

1 The inflation device is connected to the outdrive saver tool's air valve and the air valve opened.

2 The inflation device is activated in the suction mode.

3 When the inflated chamber is fully collapsed the inflation device is removed, the D-rings are released, and the outdrive saver tool is pulled to the desired side and retrieved.

4 The outdrive saver tool is then cleaned and rolled up for storage in the provided storage bag.

Deflation Option

The outdrive saver tool air valve is opened and allowed to vent without assistance. When deflated the outdrive saver tool is removed and stored.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An apparatus to lift installed marine outdrives from immersion in non-compatible environments, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable device to provide lift to the hull of an outdrive equipped boat, the inflatable device comprising waterproof inflatable fabric; a restraint system to support and position the inflatable and a hose and valve assembly to inflate or deflate the inflatable device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inflatable section is shaped as a V to conform to typical V-shaped outdrive powered hulls and avoid collapsing of the inflated portion at the V apex.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions and configuration can be sized to accommodate a wide range of hull shapes and displacements.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof fabric comprises at least one of vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber based, or other waterproof and inflatable fabric.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a inflate/deflate valve and hose assembly located for operator access.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising D-ring terminations of an inflatable backing to secure for operation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurization device to inflate the inflatable section.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is stored within a storage container.