Patent Application
20230102741
The present disclosure relates to outboard motors that are small and lightweight enough to be relatively easily installed on a marine vessel for use and removed from the marine vessel for transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,806 discloses a locking mechanism for an outboard motor which prevents a moveable segment of the outboard motor from rotating about a steering axis relative to a stationary segment of the outboard motor. A slidable rod is disposed within a tilt tube of the outboard motor and is connected by a connecting link to the moveable segment of the outboard motor. If a locking device, such as a pin, is inserted through holes in the tilt tube and the rod, relative movement of the tilt tube and the rod can be prevented. If this relative movement is prevented, the moveable segment of the outboard motor is locked in position relative to the stationary segment of the outboard motor to which the tilt tube is attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,817 discloses first and second pliable members that are each attached to an outboard motor and to a fixed location on the transom or transom bracket associated with the outboard motor. One pliable member is used on the starboard side of the outboard motor while another is used on the port side. As the outboard motor is tilted about its trim axis, the two pliable members work in coordination with each other to exert a force on the outboard motor in a direction away from any direction in which the outboard motor is rotated about its steering axis as it is being tilted about its trim axis. This coordinated action by the two pliable members aligns the outboard motor in a straight ahead position when it is tilted upward into an inoperable position for transportation.
U.S. Pat. No. 11,097,824 discloses an apparatus for steering an outboard motor with respect to a marine vessel. The apparatus includes a transom bracket configured to support the outboard motor with respect to the marine vessel; a tiller for manually steering the outboard motor with respect to a steering axis; a steering arm extending above the transom bracket and coupling the tiller to the outboard motor such that rotation of the tiller causes rotation of the outboard motor with respect to the steering axis, wherein the steering arm is located above the transom bracket; and a copilot device configured to lock the outboard motor in each of a plurality of steering positions relative to the steering axis. The copilot device extends above and is manually operable from above the steering arm.
The above-noted patents and patent application are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.
An outboard motor according to one example of the present disclosure comprises a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is configured to be supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.
In some examples, the propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket without the use of tools.
In some examples, the swivel bracket is pivotable with respect to the transom clamp bracket so as to tilt and/or trim the propulsion unit with respect to the transom of the marine vessel.
According to some examples, the swivel bracket is connected to the propulsion unit and the swivel bracket and propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket. In some examples, a tilt tube is connected between a pair of arms of the transom clamp bracket, and the swivel bracket comprises a notch configured to receive and be supported by the tilt tube. In some examples, a tab bracket is provided on the swivel bracket, the tab bracket configured to be moved between a locked position in which the tilt tube is trapped within the notch by the tab bracket and an unlocked position in which the tilt tube is not trapped within the notch by the tab bracket and the swivel bracket is able to be removed from the tilt tube.
According to some examples, a steering assembly is connected to the propulsion unit, and the steering assembly and the propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the swivel bracket and the transom clamp bracket. In some examples, the steering assembly comprises a steering tube configured to be supported by the swivel bracket and a steering arm supported by the steering tube, wherein the steering arm is connected to the propulsion unit. In some examples, a pin extends through the swivel bracket and is configured to be received within a notch in the steering tube, the pin configured to be moved between a locked position in which the pin is received in the notch and the steering tube is prevented from being removed from the swivel bracket and an unlocked position in which the pin is not received in the notch and the steering tube is able to be removed from the swivel bracket. In some examples, the swivel bracket comprises a hollow tube for receiving the steering tube therein. The hollow tube comprises a seat therein. In some examples, the steering tube comprises a fitting configured to rest on the seat so as to support the steering tube within the hollow tube of the swivel bracket.
Another example of an outboard motor according to the present disclosure comprises a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a propulsion unit configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. The propulsion unit comprises a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection, wherein the head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The outboard motor has a support bracket assembly by way of which the propulsion unit is suspended from the transom clamp bracket, and the support bracket assembly and propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket.
In some examples, the support bracket assembly and propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket without the use of tools.
According to some examples, the support bracket assembly comprises a swivel bracket supported by the transom clamp bracket, the swivel bracket supporting the propulsion unit. In some examples, the swivel bracket is pivotable with respect to the transom clamp bracket so as to tilt and/or trim the propulsion unit with respect to the transom of the marine vessel. In some examples, the swivel bracket is connected to the propulsion unit and the swivel bracket and propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket. In some examples, a tilt tube is connected between a pair of arms of the transom clamp bracket, and the swivel bracket comprises a notch configured to receive and be supported by the tilt tube. In some examples, the support bracket assembly further comprises a tab bracket on the swivel bracket, the tab bracket configured to be moved between a locked position in which the tilt tube is trapped within the notch by the tab bracket and an unlocked position in which the tilt tube is not trapped within the notch by the tab bracket and the swivel bracket is able to be removed from the tilt tube.
According to some examples, a swivel bracket is supported by the transom clamp bracket, and the support bracket assembly comprises a steering tube configured to be supported by the swivel bracket and a steering arm supported by the steering tube, wherein the steering arm supports the propulsion unit. In some examples, the steering arm is connected to the propulsion unit, and the steering arm, steering tube, and propulsion unit are detachable together as a unit from the swivel bracket and the transom clamp bracket. In some examples, a pin extends through the swivel bracket and is configured to be received within a notch in the steering tube, the pin configured to be moved between a locked position in which the pin is received in the notch and the steering tube is prevented from being removed from the swivel bracket and an unlocked position in which the pin is not received in the notch and the steering tube is able to be removed from the swivel bracket. In some examples, the swivel bracket comprises a hollow tube for receiving the steering tube therein. In some examples, the hollow tube comprises a seat therein. In some examples, the steering tube comprises a fitting configured to rest on the seat so as to support the steering tube within the hollow tube of the swivel bracket.
Examples are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.
The head unit 18, midsection 20, and lower unit 22 are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor 10 is in a neutral tilt/trim position, as shown in
The transom clamp bracket 12 is attachable to the transom 13 of the marine vessel by adjustable clamps 28 that extend through each of the respective arms 12a, 12b of the transom clamp bracket 12 and are configured to rest on an inside surface of the transom 13. The outside surface of the transom 13 supports the opposite portions of the arms 12a, 12b of the transom clamp bracket 12, which are both configured with an upside-down U-shape to fit over the upper edge of the transom 13. Such an arrangement is well known and will not be described further herein.
A steering assembly 30 is connected to the propulsion unit 16, the steering assembly 30 comprising a steering tube 32 (see
According to the present disclosure, the propulsion unit 16 is detachable from the transom clamp bracket 12. In fact, in the present example, the propulsion unit 16 is detachable from the transom clamp bracket 12 without the use of tools, such as wrenches, screw drivers, or other tools other than the operator's hands, as will now be described. Note, however, that in some embodiments the outboard motor 10 is provided with an anti-theft device, which may require the use of a key or other type of unique key-like tool for removal of the propulsion unit 16 from the transom clamp bracket 12. Such anti-theft devices are usually aftermarket assemblies, and it is here noted that such a key is not considered to be a “tool” as discussed herein.
A housing 45 is supported on top of the cup 43, and the housing 45 and cup 43 have lugs 41 that allow them to be bolted to a flange on the upper end of the hollow tube 40. The housing 45 holds a pin 46 that extends through the swivel bracket 14, more specifically through the inner and outer walls of the housing 45. The pin 46 may be threaded along a portion of its length, as shown at 47, such that an operator can twist a handle 48 (
Referring to
Referring back to
By way of turning the pin 46 using the handle 48, the pin 46 is configured to be moved between a locked position, shown in solid lines in
When the pin 46 is received in the notch 60, the steering tube 32 is prevented from being removed from the swivel bracket 14. Contact between the pin 46 and the lower surface 60b of the notch 60 prevents the steering tube 32 from being lifted out of the hollow tube 40 of the swivel bracket 14. With the pin 46 in the unlocked position, in which the pin 46 is not received in the notch 60, the steering tube 32 is able to be removed from the swivel bracket 14. The steering tube 32 is no longer prevented from being lifted upwardly by contact between the pin 46 and the lower surface 60b of the notch 60 after the pin 46 is withdrawn from the notch 60.
The steering tube 32 comprises an outer tube 62 and an inner tube 64. The inner tube 64 rotates within the outer tube 62 when the operator steers the propulsion unit 16. This is because an upper end 64a of the inner tube 64 is connected to the steering arm 34 (at bolt 66), which is in turn connected to the bracket 38, which is in turn connected to the tiller 36. Thus it is the inner tube 64, which extends upwardly above and out of the outer tube 62, which has the notch 60 formed in the outer surface thereof for receiving the pin 46. As noted herein above, the inner end 49 of the pin 46 is not threaded, so that it can ride smoothly within the notch 60 in the inner tube 64 of the steering tube 32 as the inner tube 64 rotates within the swivel bracket 14. The outer tube 62 remains stationary as the tiller 36 is moved to steer the propulsion unit 16, because the fitting 52 seated around the outside of the outer tube 62 prevents rotation of the outer tube 62. An upper bearing 68 located concentrically with the fitting 52 and a lower bearing 70 at the lower end of the inner tube 64 facilitate smooth rotation of the inner tube 64 within the outer tube 62. A threaded end fitting 72 on the lower end of the outer tube 62 holds the lower bearing 70 in place.
To install the propulsion unit 16 on the transom clamp bracket 12, the operator turns the handle 48 of the pin 46 to move the pin 46 laterally outwardly away from the center of the hollow tube 40. The operator then lines up the fitting 52 on the steering tube 32 with the seat 42 within the hollow tube 40 of the swivel bracket 14, as shown in
Referring back to
As shown in
Referring now also to
To install the propulsion unit 116 and swivel bracket 114 connected thereto onto the transom clamp bracket 112, the tab bracket 178 is moved to the unlocked position of
To remove the propulsion unit 116 and swivel bracket 114 together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket 112, the operator pulls the tab bracket 178 forward to the position shown in
Thus, the outboard motors 10, 110 according to the present disclosure comprise a transom clamp bracket 12, 112 configured to be supported on a transom 13 of a marine vessel and a propulsion unit 16, 116 configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket 12, 112. The propulsion unit 16, 116 comprises a head unit 18, a midsection 20 below the head unit 18, and a lower unit 22 below the midsection 20, wherein the head unit 18, midsection 20, and lower unit 22 are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor 10, 110 is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The outboard motor 10, 110 has a support bracket assembly 90, 190 (
According to one example, the support bracket assembly 190 comprises a swivel bracket 114 supported by the transom clamp bracket 112, the swivel bracket 114 supporting the propulsion unit 116. The swivel bracket 114 is pivotable with respect to the transom clamp bracket 112 so as to tilt and/or trim the propulsion unit 116 with respect to the transom 13 of the marine vessel. The swivel bracket 114 is connected to the propulsion unit 116, and the swivel bracket 114 and propulsion unit 116 are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket 112. A tilt tube 124 is connected between a pair of arms 112a, 112b of the transom clamp bracket 112, wherein the swivel bracket 114 comprises a notch 176 configured to receive and be supported by the tilt tube 124. The support bracket assembly 190 further optionally comprises a tab bracket 178 on the swivel bracket 114, the tab bracket 178 configured to be moved between a locked position in which the tilt tube 124 is trapped within the notch 176 by the tab bracket 178, and an unlocked position in which the tilt tube 124 is not trapped within the notch 176 by the tab bracket 178 and the swivel bracket 114 is able to be removed from the tilt tube 124.
According to another example, a swivel bracket 14 is supported by the transom clamp bracket 12, and the support bracket assembly 90 comprises a steering tube 32 configured to be supported by the swivel bracket 14 and a steering arm 34 supported by the steering tube 32, wherein the steering arm 34 supports the propulsion unit 16. The steering arm 34 is connected to the propulsion unit 16, and the steering arm 34, steering tube 32, and propulsion unit 16 are detachable together as a unit from the swivel bracket 14 and the transom clamp bracket 12. A pin 46 extends through the swivel bracket 14 and is configured to be received within a notch 60 in the steering tube 32, the pin 46 being configured to be moved between a locked position in which the pin 46 is received in the notch 60 and the steering tube 32 is prevented from being removed from the swivel bracket 14, and an unlocked position in which the pin 46 is not received in the notch 60 and the steering tube 32 is able to be removed from the swivel bracket 14. The swivel bracket 14 comprises a hollow tube 40 for receiving the steering tube 32 therein. Optionally, the hollow tube 40 comprises a seat 42 therein. Optionally, the steering tube 32 comprises a fitting 52 configured to rest on the seat 42 so as to support the steering tube 32 within the hollow tube 40 of the swivel bracket 14.
In some examples, the support bracket assembly 90, 190 and propulsion unit 16, 116 are detachable together as a unit from the transom clamp bracket 12, 112 without the use of tools. For example, the pin 46 can be screwed into and out of the swivel bracket 14 by hand via the handle 48. The tab bracket 178 can be pulled and pushed within the swivel bracket 114 by hand, and the pin 180 is also placeable by hand. As noted herein above, in embodiments in which the outboard motor 10, 110 is provided with an anti-theft device, the key or other type of unique key-like tool for removal of the propulsion unit 16, 116 from the transom clamp bracket 12, 112 is not considered to be a “tool” as referred to herein as not being required for such removal of the propulsion unit 16, 116.
Although the above examples are described as being steerable with a tiller, in other examples, the propulsion units 16, 116 are steered remotely by input to a steering wheel, joystick, automatic steering algorithm, foot pedal, or other known steering device, which may be physically and/or electronically connected to the steering arm 34, 134 as appropriate.
Although the above examples are described as being manually trimmed and tilted, in other examples, the transom clamp brackets 12, 112 are equipped with hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic tilt/trim systems, which may pivot the swivel bracket 14, 114 about the tilt tube 24, 124 so as to tilt and trim the propulsion unit 16, 116 with respect to the transom 13.
By providing a propulsion unit 16, 116 that is easily connected to and disconnected from the transom clamp bracket 12, 112, the present inventors have solved the problem of needing to unclamp the clamps (e.g., 28, 128) that hold the transom clamp bracket to the transom every time an operator wants to remove the outboard motor for storage or transport. Typically, additional fasteners, including screws, washers, and nuts, are recommended to add mounting security to the installation of the transom clamp bracket on the transom, but operators who want a portable outboard motor do not use these additional fasteners. Having a propulsion unit that can be removed from the transom clamp bracket allows an operator to safely and securely install the transom clamp bracket on the transom, while still providing the operator with the convenience of a transportable outboard motor.
In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
