Patent Application
20090117791
The present disclosure generally relates to marine propulsion, and more particularly to a marine motor lift for vertically positioning a marine propulsion device relative to a boat.
Recreational boats are used for many different activities including, but not limited to, fishing, water skiing, racing, etc. During these different activities, the operational efficiency of an outboard motor can vary. One reason for the variation in operational efficiency is due to cavitation or slippage of the propeller of the outboard motor.
Cavitation occurs when air passes through the propeller of the outboard motor. In order to prevent cavitation, outboard motor manufacturers provide cavitation plates that are designed to glide across the surface of the water during operation of the outboard motor and prevent air from reaching the propeller.
While these cavitation plates have proven to be effective, several factors can impact the effectiveness of these plates. One such factor is the speed of travel of the boat being propelled by the outboard motor. When the boat is being operated at low speeds (e.g., while trolling or fishing), the cavitation plate should be at a lower position relative to the transom of the boat than when the boat is being operated at higher speeds (e.g., while water skiing, racing, etc.) to ensure proper function of the cavitation plate.
In addition to the cavitation issues of outboard motors on recreational boats, there also exist issues regarding the boarding of a boat from the water. Often times during the above mentioned recreational activities, a person in the water wishes to board the boat. While there are various boarding ladders available which allow persons to board a boat, the size of these boarding ladders and spatial constraints in the boat make the storage of these ladders difficult.
Therefore, a current need exists for a system that addresses these issues.
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a boat having a transom and a motor lift assembly mounted to the transom. The motor lift assembly includes a first side plate defining a first channel and a second side plate being oppositely disposed from the first side plate and defining a second channel. The motor lift assembly further includes a motor mount having a first side end and a second side end that are selectively slidably engaged with the first channel of the first side plate and the second channel of the second side plate. A first actuator assembly includes a first actuator body and a first piston. The first actuator body is connectedly engaged with the first side plate while the first piston is connectedly engaged with the motor mount. A second actuator assembly includes a second actuator body and a second piston. The second actuator body is connectedly engaged with the second side plate while the second piston is connectedly engaged with the motor mount. The first and second actuator assemblies selectively raise and lower the motor mount in the first and second channels. An outboard motor is mounted to the motor mount of the motor lift assembly.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a motor lift assembly. The motor lift assembly includes a first side plate and a second side plate oppositely disposed from the first side plate. The motor lift assembly further includes a motor mount that is selectively moveable relative to the first and second side plates. A ladder assembly is disposed on at least one of the first and second side plates.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of extending a ladder assembly. The method includes the step of pulling the ladder assembly from a motor lift assembly where the ladder assembly is engaged with the motor lift assembly.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like structure.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Each side plate 20 includes a front portion 24, a back portion 26, an inner surface 28, and an outer surface 30. In the subject embodiment, the front portion 24 extends outwardly from the side plate 20 in a generally perpendicular direction. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the front portion 24 extending outwardly from the side plate 20 in a generally perpendicular direction. The front portion 24 includes a mounting surface 32 disposed on the outer surface 30 of the side plate 20 and a plurality of mounting holes 34 that extends through the front portion 24 of the side plate 20.
In the subject embodiment, the back portion 26 of the side plate 20 defines a channel 36. The channel 36 is disposed on the inner surface 28 of the back portion 26 of the side plate 20 and extends from a top end 38 of the side plate 16 to a bottom end 40. The channel 36 in each side plate 20 is adapted to receive a side end 42 (shown in
Referring now to
The actuator body 46 defines an actuator bore 48 having an axis 50 (shown as a dashed line in
In the subject embodiment, the actuator assembly 44 is a double acting actuator assembly. The fittings 62 port fluid having a fluid pressure into opposite ends of the actuator bore 48. If fluid is ported into the fitting 62 disposed on the lower end portion 60 of the actuator body 46, fluid pressure in the lower end portion 60 of the actuator bore 48 causes the piston 52 to extend relative to the actuator body 46. If fluid is ported into the fitting 62 disposed on the upper end portion 56 of the actuator body 46, fluid pressure in the upper end portion of the actuator bore causes the piston 52 to retract relative to the actuator body 46. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the actuator assembly 44 being a double acting actuator assembly as the actuator assembly 44 could also be a single acting actuator assembly.
Referring now to
The actuator bracket 70 defines a central opening 84 that is adapted to receive the end 68 of the rod 66 of the piston 52. The front wall 74 of the actuator bracket 70 defines a mount opening that is adapted to receive a fastener 86 (i.e., pin, bolt, screw, etc.). The fastener 86 passes through the mount opening of the front wall 74, through a hole 88 (shown in
In one embodiment, the actuator bracket 70 includes a locking pin that engages the motor mount through the back wall 76 of the actuator bracket 70 and prevents the actuator bracket 70 from rotating about the engine mounting fastener during operation. In another embodiment, the fastener 86 passes through the back wall 76 of the actuator bracket 70 and engages the motor mount 22, thereby preventing the actuator bracket 70 from rotating about the engine mount fastener during operation.
Referring now to
Each of the upper and lower side supports 88a, 88b includes a thru hole 94 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 90. In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the upper and lower side supports each include two thru holes 94 with the thru holes 94 disposed on opposite ends of the side supports 88.
The motor lift assembly 16 further includes a first fluid line 96a and a second fluid line 96b that provide fluid to/from the actuator assemblies 44 disposed on the left and right side plates 20a, 20b. In the subject embodiment, the fluid lines 96 are metal tubing made of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc. A transom fitting 98 is disposed at an end of each of the fluid lines 96. The transom fittings 98 extend through the transom 12 of the boat 10, where they are connected with a pump powered by a power unit that is mounted in the rear storage area of the boat 10. In the subject embodiment, the power unit is a 12VDC power supply. The extension of the transom fitting 98 through the transom 12 is beneficial as it prevents the need to route fluid hoses over the transom 12 to the motor lift assembly 16. In addition, it prevents the need for greater lengths of fluid hoses for providing fluid to and from the transom fittings 98.
As previously stated, the motor mount 22 is selectively slidable engaged with the left and right side plates 20a, 20b of the motor lift assembly 16. By communicating fluid to/from the actuator assemblies 44, the motor mount 22 can be raised or lowered. In operation, fluid from the pump that is disposed in the rear storage area of the boat 10 is pumped through the fluid hoses and into the transom fitting 98 associated with the second fluid line 96b. The fluid in the second fluid line 96b is communicated through the fitting 62 on the lower end portion 60 of the actuator body 46. As the fluid fills the lower end portion 60 of the actuator assembly 44, the piston 52 is displaced and extends relative to the actuator body 46. As the end 68 of the rod 66 is connectedly engaged with the motor mount 22, the motor mount 22 extends causing the side ends 42 of the motor mount 22 to slide within the channel 36 of the side plates 20. During extension of the piston 52, fluid that is disposed in the upper end portion 56 of the actuator assembly 44 is communicated to a reservoir in the rear storage area of the boat 10 through the first fluid line 96a.
To lower the motor mount 22, fluid is pumped through the first fluid line 96a to the upper end portion 56 of the actuator assembly, which causes the piston 52 and the motor mount 22 to retract. During the retraction of the piston 52, fluid that is disposed in the lower end portion 60 of the actuator assembly 44 is communicated to the reservoir through the second fluid line 96b.
The positioning of the actuator assemblies 44 on both side plates 20 and the engagement of the rod 66 of each of the actuator assemblies 44 with the motor mount 22 provides balanced extension and retraction of the motor mount 22. This is advantageous as it protects the sliding engagement of the motor mount 22 in the channel 36 from the effects of unbalanced loading that detract from the operation of the motor mount 22.
Referring now to
A The body 102 of the ladder assembly 100 includes a base 108 and sidewalls 110. The base 108 includes a first portion 112 and a second portion 114. In the subject embodiment, the base 108 is generally rectangular in shape. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape of the base 108 being generally rectangular.
The sidewalls 110 extend outwardly from the base 108 such that the base and sidewalls define a channel 116. In the subject embodiment, the sidewalls 110 extend outwardly from the base 108 such that the sidewalls 110 are generally perpendicular to the base 108. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the sidewalls 110 extending outwardly from the base 108 in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the base 108. In the subject embodiment, a height H (shown in
In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, there are two extension rods 104. Each of the extension rods 104 of the ladder assembly 100 extends outwardly from the base 108 of the body 102. In the subject embodiment, the extension rods 104 extend outwardly from the first portion 112 of the base 108 in a generally perpendicular direction. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the extension rods 104 extending outwardly from the first portion 112 of the base 108 in a generally perpendicular direction. In the subject embodiment, the extension rods 104 are cylindrical rods that are adapted for engagement with rod supports 118 disposed on the motor lift assembly 16.
The rod supports 118 of the motor lift assembly 16 are adapted to receive the extension rod 104 of the ladder assembly 100. Ends of the rod supports 118 are connectedly engaged with the left and right side plates 20a, 20b such that each of the rod supports 118 extends between the left and right side plates 20a, 20b. In the subject embodiment, the rod supports 118 are aluminum cylindrical tubes with each rod support 118 having an opening that extends through the length of the rod support 118. The extension rods 104 of the ladder assembly 100 slidingly engage the openings of the rod supports 118. This sliding engagement allows the body 102 of the ladder assembly 100 to be positioned adjacent to the side plate 20 in a stowed position (shown in
The ladder assembly 100 further includes a step extender 120. The step extender 120 includes a first end portion 122 and a second end portion 124. The first end portion 122 of the step extender 120 is connectedly engaged with the body 102 of the ladder assembly 100. In the subject embodiment, the first end portion 122 is pivotally connected to the sidewalls 110 at the second portion 114 of the body 102. A pin member 126 (i.e., dowel pin, roll pin, bolt, screw, etc.) extends through the sidewalls 110 and through a pivot mount in the first end portion 122 of the step extender 120. The outer diameter of the pin member 126 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pivot mount in the first end portion 122 of the step extender 120. This smaller size allows the step extender 120 to pivot about the pin member 126 between an open position (shown in
The step extender 120 includes a step bracket 128 that is adapted for connected pivotal engagement with the step 106. In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the step extender 120 includes two step brackets 128. The step brackets 128 are oriented on the step extender 120 such that the steps 106 extend outwardly from the motor lift assembly 16 when the ladder assembly 100 is in the open position.
A pivot member 130 connectedly engages the step 106 to the step extender 120 by extending through a bifurcated end portion 132 of the step 106 and through the step bracket 128, which is disposed in the bifurcation of the end portion 132 of the step 106. The pivot member 130 is sized such that the step 106 can pivot about the pivot member 130 between a folded position (shown in
Each of the step brackets 128 includes a bottom portion 134. In the subject embodiment, the bottom portion 134 is generally planar, although it will be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the bottom portion 134 being planar. In the unfolded position, the bifurcated end portion 132 of the step 106 abuts the bottom portion 134 of the step bracket 128. In the subject embodiment, the bottom portion 134 of the step bracket 128 is disposed perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis 136 (shown as a dashed line in
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6-8, a method for extending the ladder assembly 100 will be described. With the steps 106 in the folded position, the step extender 120 in the closed position, and the extension rods 104 of the ladder assembly 100 disposed in the rod supports 116 such that the body 102 is adjacent to side plate 20 of the motor lift assembly 16, the ladder assembly 100 is in the stowed position (shown in
With the body 102 of the ladder assembly 100 positioned away from the side plate 20 of the motor lift assembly 16, the step extender 120 can be pivoted about the pin member 126 to the open position (shown in
With the body 102 of the ladder assembly 100 positioned away form the side plate 20 and the step extender 120 pivoted to the open position, the steps 106 can be pivoted about the pivot members 130 until the bifurcated end portions 132 of the steps 106 abut the bottom portion 134 of the step bracket 128 (shown in
While the ladder assembly 100 has been shown as extending from the right side plate 20b, it will be understood that the ladder assembly 100 could also extend from the left side plate 20a. In one embodiment, the rod supports 118 have openings that extend through the left and right side plates 20a, 20b so that the ladder assembly 100 can be used in either location. If the ladder assembly 100 is not used in one of the side locations, aluminum plugs can be inserted into the openings of the rod supports 118. In one embodiment, the aluminum plugs are threaded into the openings of the rod supports 118.
As previously stated, the motor lift assembly 16 is advantageous because it provides actuator assemblies 44 disposed on each of the left and right side plates 20a, 20b. This dual actuator assembly 44 design provides balanced lifting and lower of the motor mount as compared to single actuator assembly 44 designs. In one embodiment, the actuator body 46 of the actuator assembly 44 and the side plate 20 are integral, or monolithic. By making the actuator bodies 46 of the actuator assemblies 44 integral with the side plates 20, greater lifting and lowering stability can be achieved. In addition to stability improvements, the monolithic design can also reduce manufacturing costs associated with the motor lift assembly 16. Furthermore, the position of the actuator assemblies 44 near the side ends 42 of the motor mount 22 improves the sliding engagement of the motor mount 22 in the channel 36 of the side plates 20 as compared to single actuator assembly 44 designs.
In one embodiment of the motor lift assembly 16, the ladder assembly 100 is potentially advantageous because it mounts directly on the motor lift assembly 16. This location is convenient for both storage and use of the ladder assembly 100. In one embodiment, the ladder assembly 100 is advantageous as it is collapsible into a compact shape for storage purposes but is expandable for boarding purposes.
In one embodiment of the motor lift assembly 16, the ladder assembly 100 can be used on either side of the motor lift assembly 16. This allows the ladder assembly 100 to be used on a variety of boats 10 having different transom 12 configurations.
Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
