Patent Application
20140319309
This system relates to an outboard motor lock. More particularly, the lock assists in securing an outboard motor to the hull of a boat.
The design of most outboard motors facilitates easy attachment and removal from the hull of a boat. In addition to providing convenience for the boat owner, it also means that outboard motors can be easily targeted for theft while the boat is not in use. While likely no method of securing an outboard motor to a boat could fully prevent theft, an easy way to secure the motor and deter theft, while also providing beneficial protection to the boat hull itself, is desirable.
In one embodiment, the outboard motor lock comprises an outboard motor lock bracket and an outboard motor lock securing mechanism. The bracket comprises a back plate, side plates and a lip, and may be attached to a boat hull or other surface through bracket attachment holes. The securing mechanism comprises a base and one or more securing rods. The securing mechanism can be inserted into the bracket by inserting the one or more securing rods through corresponding bracket securing holes. One or more aligned bracket locking holes and securing mechanism locking holes allow for a locking device to be passed through and lock the securing mechanism to the bracket. When the securing mechanism is inserted into the bracket after an outboard motor attaching mechanism has engaged the bracket, the securing mechanism prevents the attaching mechanism from being removed from the bracket.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
The bracket may be constructed of stainless steel, or another material. It may be manufactured by stamping, forming, laser cutting, water jetting or welding, or by another method. Further, the bracket may be constructed out of one sheet of material, or out of multiple pieces.
The securing mechanism 3 may be constructed of stainless steel, or another material. It may be manufactured by stamping, laser cutting, welding, extrusion or another process. The one or more securing rods 32 may be of circular cross section, or may have a cross section of another shape, such as a polygon.
The securing mechanism 3 can be inserted into the bracket 1 by inserting the one or more securing rods 32 through the bracket securing holes 22. The one or more securing rods 32 and corresponding bracket securing holes 22 may be of circular cross section, or may have a cross section of another shape, such as a polygon. Ideally the securing rods 32 should be long enough to fit through the bracket securing holes 22 on both sides of the bracket 1, but other configurations may be used. By aligning, the one or more securing mechanism locking hole 34 and corresponding bracket locking hole 24 allow for a locking device to be placed through both to prevent the securing mechanism 3 from being separated from the bracket 1. The locking device may be a padlock, combination lock or other device. By having bracket securing holes 22 and bracket locking holes 24 on both sides of the bracket 1, the securing mechanism 3 may be used ambidextrously, in that the securing mechanism 3 could be inserted through either side of the bracket 1. Such ambidextrous use is advantageous in that some boat setups might prevent the use of the securing mechanism 3 on one side of the bracket 1.
Frequently outboard motors utilize the outboard motor attaching mechanism 50 to secure the outboard motor. In many ways the attaching mechanism 50 resembles, and functions like, a C-clamp. The attaching mechanism 50 includes one or more tightening devices 52, such as bolts or other devices, and one or more contacting devices 54. By using the one or more tightening devices 52 to tighten the contacting devices 54 against a boat hull or other surface, the attaching mechanism 50 holds the outboard motor to the boat. Unfortunately, just as the tightening devices 52 can be tightened to hold the motor firm, they can also be loosened to allow the motor to be removed.
The attaching mechanism 50 can be placed over the bracket 1, such that the contacting devices 54 contact the bracket 1, such as on the back plate 10, instead of contacting the hull 40 directly. This provides the added benefit of protecting the hull 40, such as the transom which is often made of wood or other soft materials, from being damaged by the contact with the contacting devices 54, such as through over-tightening or general wear and tear. The bracket 1 can be positioned on the hull 40 such that the attaching mechanism 50 engages the bracket 1 properly. The lip 14 of the bracket 1 provides added benefit in that it prevents the motor from slipping off of the bracket 1 and/or hull 40 if the tightening devices 52 and corresponding contacting devices 54 become loose.
The attaching mechanism 50 includes one or more tightening devices 52, such as bolts or other devices, and one or more contacting devices 54. By using the one or more tightening devices 52 to tighten the contacting devices 54 against a boat hull or other surface, the attaching mechanism 50 holds the outboard motor to the boat. The attaching mechanism 50 can be placed over the bracket 1, such that the contacting devices 54 contact the bracket 1, such as on the back plate 10, instead of contacting the hull 40 directly. This provides the added benefit of protecting the hull 40, such as the transom which is often made of wood or other soft materials, from being damaged by the contact with the contacting devices 54, such as through over-tightening or general wear and tear. The bracket 1 can be positioned on the hull 40 such that the attaching mechanism 50 engages the bracket 1 properly.
The securing mechanism 3 can be inserted into the bracket 1 by inserting the one or more securing rods 32 through the bracket securing holes 22. The one or more securing rods 32 and corresponding bracket securing holes 22 may be of circular cross section, or may have a cross section of another shape, such as a polygon. Ideally the securing rods 32 should be long enough to fit through the bracket securing holes 22 on both sides of the bracket 1, but other configurations may be used. By aligning, the one or more securing mechanism locking hole 34 and corresponding bracket locking hole 24 allow for a locking device to be placed through both to prevent the securing mechanism 3 from being separated from the bracket 1. The locking device may be a padlock, combination lock or other device. By having bracket securing holes 22 and bracket locking holes 24 on both sides of the bracket 1, the securing mechanism 3 may be used ambidextrously, in that the securing mechanism 3 could be inserted through either side of the bracket 1. Such ambidextrous use is advantageous in that some boat setups might prevent the use of the securing mechanism 3 on one side of the bracket 1.
When the securing mechanism 3 is inserted into the bracket 1 after the attaching mechanism 50 has engaged the bracket 1, the securing mechanism 3 serves to secure the attaching mechanism 50 in place. Spacing of the one or more securing rods 32, along with proper placement of the bracket 1 on the hull 40, allows the securing rods 32 to be inserted into the bracket 1 without interfering with the tightening devices. Yet once the securing mechanism 3 is inserted into the bracket 1, the spacing of the one or more securing rods 32 prevents the contacting devices 54 from being removed from the bracket 1. Also some space between the contacting devices 54 and bracket 1 may be allowed, it is likely not enough space to allow for removal of the attaching mechanism 50, and in any case the securing rods 32 should prevent the tightening devices 52 and contacting devices 54, and thus the attaching mechanism 50, from being removed from the bracket 1. The lip 14 of the bracket 1 provides added benefit in that it prevents the motor from slipping off of the bracket 1 and/or hull 40 if the tightening devices 52 and corresponding contacting devices 54 become loose. When the securing mechanism 3 is inserted into the bracket 1, the securing rods 32 likely do not allow enough separation between the bracket 1 and contacting devices 54 for the contacting devices 54 to pass over the lip 14, regardless of the presence of the securing rods 32 in keeping the tightening devices 52 in place.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure.
