Patent Application
20240217639
The present invention is generally related to a lock for an outboard motor. More particularly, the invention relates to a retention device which permits a movable portion of an outboard motor to be rigidly positionally retained in place relative to a stationary portion of the outboard motor.
Outboard motors are well-known to those skilled in the art and are available in many different types and horsepower ratings. Outboard motors are provided with a hydraulic steering mechanism that can be used to steer the motor by actuating an operably connected portion of the outboard motor relative to a stationary portion of the outboard motor, the stationary portion being rigidly attached adjacent the transom of a boat. For example, this can be a steering wheel and hydraulic steering assembly to cause the moveable portion of the outboard motor to rotate relative to the stationary portion.
When transporting the boat, it is desirable to have the capability of locking the moveable portion of the outboard motor in place relative to the stationary portion of the outboard motor to prevent damage. This can be upon the initial shipping when an outboard motor is shipped from the factory where it is manufactured to various dealerships which sell the motors or when a user is moving the boat from one place to another. In any case, it is necessary to provide some type of hardware to prevent the moveable portion of the outboard motor from moving relative to its stationary portion during shipping.
Also, during transit on highways, when a boat is transported on a towed boat trailer, it is beneficial to prevent the moveable and stationary portions of the outboard motor from moving relative to each other while the boat is being towed.
There have been a number of devices provided over the years which are aimed at solving this problem. There continues to be a need to improve such devises. Accordingly, it is desirable to improve the means of retaining position of such parts of the outboard motor which allows the operator to lock the moveable and stationary portions together with and easy and cost effective single device.
It is an object of the invention to improve boating experience.
It is another object to provide a device for easy and cost effective retention of relative position of an outboard motor to a fixed stationary part connected to the motor.
It is still another object to provide a retention device for fixing relative position of an outboard motor to other motor parts and which is adapted to work with various multiple outboard configurations.
It is a further object to reduce wear of a steering system of an outboard motor which can occur from unwanted movement of the outboard motor in trailer transporting the boat.
Accordingly, the invention is directed to a single device which enables the restriction the movement of an outboard motor on a boat. The outboard position retention device in one embodiment includes a first member configured to removably connect about a part of a rod on which the motor moves, and a second member connected to the first member which includes a retention pin extending therefrom such that when the first member is connected to the rod, the pin is fixably disposed in a complementary configured open receiving surface on a plate which is connected to the outboard motor and thereby substantially prevents the outboard motor from moving.
A preferred embodiment envisions the first member including a front snap fit recess to receive the part of the rod. The second member can preferable include a main body which has a receiving surface to receive a back surface of the first member. Additionally, the main body can include a handle which extends from the main body. An arm can preferably extend from the handle and includes the pin which extends therefrom. It is envisioned the arm can be adjustably connected, preferably to the handle, by way of a plurality of aligned threaded connections and in this way is adjustable to be fixed at a desired length to fit a predetermined motor and open receiving surface configuration.
Other objects advantages will become apparent from the drawing and specification which follows.
Referring now to the drawings, a single outboard position retention device is generally designated by the numeral 10. The outboard position retention device 10 enables the restriction the movement of an outboard motor 12 on a boat 14. The outboard position retention device 10 can includes a first member 16 configured to removably connect about a part of a rod 18 on which the motor 12 moves. By way of example, the device 10 can be installed over the hydraulic steering rod 18 on the outboard motor 12 by use of the pliable polyurethane component 16, keeping the device 10 in place. The polyurethane component 16 also prevents the outboard motor from being able to turn to the port side. A preferred embodiment envisions the polyurethane component 16 including a front snap fit recess 20 to receive part of the rod 18.
A second member 22, which in the preferred embodiment is comprised of multiple components although it is contemplated these may be integrally formed as one or more component with the first member, is connected to the first member 16. The second member 22 can preferable include a main body 24 which has a receiving surface 26 to receive a back surface 28 of the first member 16.
Additionally, the main body 24 can include a handle 30 which extends from the main body. An arm 32 can preferably extend from the handle 30 and includes a pin 34 which extends therefrom. It is envisioned the arm 32 can be adjustably connected, preferably to the handle 30, by way of a plurality of aligned threaded connection surfaces 36 which can be selectively aligned with through holes 40 in arm 32 to receive screws 42 and in this way is adjustable to be fixed at a desired length to fit a predetermined motor 12 and open receiving surface 44 configuration of a plate 46 connected to the motor. With the retention pin 34 extending from such arm 32 connected to the plate 46 and the first member 16 connected to the outboard motor 12, the device 10 substantially prevents the outboard motor 12 from lateral movement. The polyurethane member 16 can connected for example, bolted via bolts 55 to the second member 22 by way of apertures 50 in member 16 which coalign with threaded apertures 52 in main body 24 and bolts 57 connect main body 24 through apertures 54 to threaded apertures 56 in handle 30.
Installation is performed by inserting pin 34 is into open surface 44 of steering/motor plate 46 towards starboard side, for example. The port side of device 10 employs the polyurethane member 16 which goes over the outside of steer system, namely the rod 18 to prevent the motor 12 from turning to the starboard. The device 10 can be used on either side of the motor 12. The previous mentioned directions are all competed with one action. With this design, unlike other steering locks, only one device 10 is required on one side, e.g., port side of boat, versus steer locks on both port and starboard side.
The components of the device can be constructed from machined 6061 aluminum, polyurethane and the use of stainless steel bolts. All aluminum parts are powder coated. It is envisioned that other materials could be employed to carry out the invention and that the parts may be integrally formed or formed in multiple parts.
While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. In other words, the teachings of the present invention encompass any reasonable substitution or equivalents of the claim limitations. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
