Patent Application
20230059065
The present disclosure generally relates to an improved mounting assembly and system for mounting a device to a bulkhead, and specifically relates to a mounting plate assembly and system for mounting a water engagement device to a transom of a stern on a marine vessel, watercraft or boat.
In the marine industry, it is commonly understood that mechanical devices may be used to generate a variable lifting force in a marine vessel, as desired. The variable lifting force may be generated by deploying a device into the water flow under a transom of the marine vessel when the vessel is underway or by changing the angle of attack of the device relative to the water flow during operation of a marine vessel. A non-exhaustive list of commonly available and conventionally used devices includes trim tabs, fins, wake gates, interceptors, and other devices that that engage the water in similar manner and/or provide similar functionality. Each of these devices also includes an actuator that enables the deployment, angle of attack change or retraction of the device. The actuator may be electric, hydraulic or other technology to provide the same functionality. In this disclosure such devices and their associated actuators and other components are collectively referred to as water engagement devices.
Conventional techniques for mounting the water engagement devices to the transom or near the transom of the watercraft are usually a pivotal or linear sliding arrangement, but each is disadvantageous because of a large number of transom or hull penetrations and a lack of modularity or adjustability.
The pivotal arrangement includes a mounting flange through which fasteners secure the flange to the transom. The fasteners may extend into or through the transom. Commonly, a through fastener is used but, due to the construction of the watercraft, a reinforcing member or stringer is disposed in the same location making secure fitment impossible or requiring re-installation of the water engagement device in a different location, possibly less desirable. Fasteners that extend into the transom do not pass through the transom. In order to facilitate the pivotal movement of the water engagement devices the actuator is mounted to or near the transom or inside the watercraft via a pass-through opening.
The linear sliding arrangement is limited to interceptor water engagement devices and usually includes a housing fixed to the transom by through fasteners that includes the water engagement device and in some cases the actuator. Other examples dispose the actuator inside the vessel with a operative link connected to the water engagement device via a pass-through opening.
Therefore, there exists a need for an assembly and system that mounts a water engagement device to or near the transom of a marine vessel and does not require fasteners, either into or through, to secure the water engagement device to or near the transom and is modular and adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of marine vessel transom configurations.
Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the embodiments, including preferred embodiments, illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, an assembly may be adapted for mounting a water engagement device to a marine vessel may include a transom plate, an actuator plate and a clamping assembly. The transom plate may have a front surface that is adapted to be connected to the marine vessel and a bottom side. The actuator plate may have a front surface and a flange extending from the front surface, wherein the flange is disposed under the bottom side of the transom plate. The clamping assembly may be configured to engage the transom plate and the actuator plate to connect the actuator plate to the transom plate.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator plate may have a front surface and a bottom side that extends beyond the front surface to define a flange, wherein the bottom side of the transom plate is disposed above the flange.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a wedge pack including at least one shim may be disposed between the transom plate and the actuator plate.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator plate may include an upper coupling pocket configured to be disposed therein an upper nut retainer and a nut, where the nut oriented to receive a fastener through the back surface.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the upper nut retainer may include an opening that is registered in alignment with the nut opening.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator plate may include a lower coupling pocket configured to be disposed therein a lower nut retainer and a nut, where the nut is oriented to receive a fastener through the bottom side.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the upper nut retainer and the lower nut retainer may be cantilever snap-fit into the respective coupling pocket.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a marine vessel may include a transom, a transom plate connected to the transom, an actuator plate having a ledge, where a bottom side of the transom plate disposed adjacent a rear surface of the transom plate is disposed above the ledge, a wedge pack including at least one shim disposed between the transom plate and the actuator plate, and a clamping assembly that, when tightened, forces the actuator plate and wedge pack against the transom plate.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the transom plate may include a projection disposed on and extending from the front surface into contact with the transom.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a positioning fastener may be connected to the transom and disposed in a positioning opening formed in the transom plate.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of installing an assembly adapted for mounting a water engagement device to a transom of a marine vessel may include the steps of: measuring an angle of the transom with respect to a bottom surface of the marine vessel; selecting a shim for a wedge pack based on the angle of the transom; installing a positioning fastener into engagement with the transom; compressing the assembly including the wedge pack disposed between the transom plate and an actuator plate with a clamping assembly; aligning a positioning opening formed in the transom plate with the positioning fastener; and affixing adhesively the assembly to the transom.
Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosure to not encompass within the disclosure any previously known product, process of making the product, method of using the product, or method of treatment such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously known product, process, or method. It is further noted that the disclosure does not intend to encompass within the scope of the disclosure any product, process, or making of the product or method of using the product, which does not meet the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC), such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously described product, process of making the product, or method of using the product.
It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the disclosure.
These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by the following Detailed Description.
A positioning opening 116 may be defined or formed in the transom plate 100. In one embodiment, a positioning opening 116 may be disposed adjacent to each projection 114. In another embodiment, a positioning opening 116 may have a center line 118 where a projection 114 is bisected by the center line 118. In another embodiment, each of the three projections 114 is disposed in vertical alignment with the center line 118 of the positioning opening 116.
A clamping pocket 120 may be defined or formed in the front surface 102 of the transom plate 100. The clamping pocket 120 may include a contoured surface 122 that is recessed from the front surface 102 and a clamping opening 124 that extends through the transom plate 100. In one embodiment, the contoured surface 122 is configured to be complementarily shaped to the washer 404 so as to enable the washer 404 to have multiple orientations to facilitate even compressive clamping of the transom plate 100 and actuator plate 300 over a wide range of angles. In another embodiment, the contoured surface 122 has a semi-cylindrical configuration that complementarily engages the semi-cylindrical washer 404. In another embodiment, the clamping opening 124 has an oblong configuration to facilitate, without binding or limitation of movement of the threaded fastener 402, the even compressive clamping of the transom plate 100 and actuator plate 300 over a wide range of angles.
An upper coupling pocket 340 may be defined or formed in the front surface 302 of the actuator plate 300. The upper coupling pocket 340 may be disposed adjacent the top side 308 and may include a contoured surface 342 that is recessed from the front surface 302 and a upper coupling opening 344 that extends through the actuator plate 300. In one embodiment, the contoured surface 342 is configured to be complementarily shaped to dispose therein the upper nut retainer 430 and a nut 432. In another embodiment, the upper coupling opening 344 extends through the back surface 302 of the actuator plate 300. In another embodiment, the upper coupling opening 344 may be aligned in registration with an opening 433 in the nut 432 so that the upper coupling opening 344 and the nut opening 433 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener 434 therethrough. The threaded fastener 434 may be useful to facilitate connection of the water engagement device to the actuator plate 300, directly or indirectly. Since the nut 432 is installed into the upper coupling pocket 350 prior to the upper nut retainer 430 being connected to the actuator plate 300, the nut 432 will remain properly positioned to facilitate engagement by the threaded fastener 434 without any contact with the nut. In another embodiment, the upper nut retainer 430 may include a back surface 436 including an opening 438 defined or formed therein aligned in registration with the nut opening 433. In one embodiment, the nut retainer 430 is connected to the upper coupling pocket 430. In another embodiment, the nut retainer 430 is cantilever snap-fit into the upper coupling pocket 340 via an arm 440 having a catch 442 that causes the arm 440 to deflect during insertion into the upper coupling pocket 340 until the catch 442 is disposed in an opening 444 in the top side 308 of the actuator plate 300.
A lower coupling pocket 350 may be defined or formed in the front surface 302 of the actuator plate 300. The upper coupling pocket 340 may be disposed adjacent the bottom side 306 and may include a contoured surface 352 that is recessed from the front surface 302 and a lower coupling opening 354 that extends through the actuator plate 300. In one embodiment, the contoured surface 352 is configured to be complementarily shaped to dispose therein the lower nut retainer 450 and a nut 452. In another embodiment, the lower coupling opening 354 extends through the bottom side 306 of the actuator plate 300. In another embodiment, the lower coupling opening 354 may be aligned in registration with an opening 453 in the nut 452 so that the lower coupling opening 354 and the nut opening 453 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener 454 therethrough. The threaded fastener 454 may be useful to facilitate connection of the water engagement device to the actuator plate 300, directly or indirectly. Since the nut 452 is installed into the lower coupling pocket 350 prior to the lower nut retainer 450 being connected to the actuator plate 300, the nut 452 will remain properly positioned to facilitate engagement by the threaded fastener 454 without any contact with the nut. In another embodiment, the lower nut retainer 450 is cantilever snap-fit into the lower coupling pocket 350 via an arm 456 having a catch 457 that causes the arm 456 to deflect during insertion into the lower coupling pocket 350 until the catch 457 is disposed in an opening 458 in the bottom side 306 of the actuator plate 300.
A flange 360 may be defined by the bottom side 306 extending beyond the front surface 302 or formed by extending from the front surface 302. In one embodiment, the flange 360 is disposed under the bottom side 106 of the transom plate 100 when the assembly 10 is compressed by the clamping assembly 400. In another embodiment, the bottom side 306 of the transom plate 100 is disposed above the flange 360 when the assembly 10 is compressed by the clamping assembly 400.
A clamping pocket 320 may be defined or formed in the rear surface 302 of the actuator plate 300. The clamping pocket 320 may include a contoured surface 322 that is recessed from the rear surface 302 and a clamping opening 324 that extends through the actuator plate 100. In one embodiment, the contoured surface 322 is configured to be complementarily shaped to the nut 406 so as to enable the nut 406 to have multiple orientations to facilitate even compressive clamping of the transom plate 100 and actuator plate 300 over a wide range of angles. In another embodiment, the contoured surface 322 has a semi-cylindrical configuration that complementarily engages the cylindrical nut 406. In another embodiment, the clamping opening 324 has an oblong configuration to facilitate, without binding or limitation of movement of the threaded fastener 402, the even compressive clamping of the transom plate 100 and actuator plate 300 over a wide range of angles.
In order to properly connect the assembly 10 to the transom 602 one should use the transom plate 100 as a template to transfer the location of the positioning openings onto the transom 602 so that the positioning fasteners 420 may be disposed in engagement with the transom 602 so as to penetrate the transom 602 but stand proud sufficiently to function to facilitate the installation of the compressed assembly 10. The assembly 10 comprising the transom plate 100, wedge pack 20 (including the proper shims 200 based on the measured transom angle 604), actuator plate 300 and clamping assembly 400 may be combined into a functional integral unit. The clamping assembly 400 may be tightened by rotating the threaded fastener 402 against the fixed nut 406 to compress the assembly 10 so that the wedge pack 20 is disposed between the transom plate 100 and the actuator plate 300 to a desired force.
The installed assembly 10 in
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.
It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure, and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure without undue burden. It is further understood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objectives, features and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description.
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/235,988, filed Aug. 23, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63235988 | Aug 2021 | US |
