Patent Grant
11932366
The present invention relates to accessories for boats and outboard motors. More particularly, it relates to outboard motor mounts for pontoon boats.
Kicker motors, sometimes referred to as a spare outboard motor or a trolling motor, are typically mounted to the side of a main, larger outboard motor. Kicker motors serve a number of useful functions beyond merely being a backup in the event of main engine failure. Kicker motors are generally quieter than main outboard motors. Kicker motors may be generally better suited for activities than a main outboard motor such as maintaining a position or gently propelling a boat through water, particularly when fishing. Such activities are often enjoyed on pontoon boats. Pontoon boats typically have a flat deck atop two or more pontoon hull structures. The flat deck is typically made of plywood and has outer trim attached to the edge and extending entirely around the perimeter of the deck. A prior art kicker motor mount for a pontoon boat is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,022,342 illustrating the kicker motor mounted behind a pontoon.
The shape of the transom on pontoon boats makes it difficult to easily and securely attach a secondary motor. Further, as maintaining the integrity of the pontoon hull structures is critical to keeping a pontoon boat afloat, it is generally unwise to mount anything to the hull structure, particularly using fasteners which could penetrate the structure and impact floatability. Further yet, the round, tubular structure of the two or more pontoon hull structures in close proximity to the flat deck atop the hull structures creates very small and hard to reach spaces making it difficult to securely attach items to the transom and/or decking of a pontoon boat. A mounting system that can attach a kicker motor to a pontoon boat without the need to get underneath the boat or use specialized tools, and further without compromising the integrity of the pontoon hull structures, would be well received by the industry. The device of the present application substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry. The kicker motor mounting system provides a mechanism easily secured to a pontoon boat using standard tools and minimizing or eliminating the need to go under the boat or access tight spaces.
The flat deck in conventional pontoon boats is typically made of plywood deck pad and has an outer trim configured as a rail attached to an edge of the plywood deck pad and extending entirely around the perimeter of the plywood deck pad. The outer trim rail, also known as a rub rail, generally being formed of extruded aluminum and having a shape in cross section of an inverted L. The short leg mounting on the top of the plywood deck and the longer leg engaging the edge of the plywood deck and extending several inches below the lower surface of the deck. The downwardly extending leg typically having reinforcing structure projecting inwardly and along the length of the trim rail. A fence about 26 inches high extends around the deck perimeter and may be offset rearwardly from the bow edge of the deck and forwardly from the stern edge of the deck.
In embodiments, a kicker motor mount for a pontoon boat has a motor receiving unit that is vertically adjustably attached to a deck mount unit. When viewed from above, the motor receiving unit having opposing parallel wall portions defining a box shape with an open top and open bottom. When viewed from above, the deck mount unit having opposing parallel walls defining a box shape with open top and bottom. The deck mount unit having an L-shaped pontoon deck plate with a horizontal deck plate portion extends over the short leg of the trim rail and that attaches to the deck top surface, and a vertical deck plate portion connected at a right angle to the horizontal deck plate portion and that extends down along the trim rail and attaches with a toggle bolt into the trim rail. A pair of upright cantilevered extension plates project rearward from the L-shaped deck plate, each upright extension plate having an L-shaped interface with the deck plate and being welded to the horizontal deck plate portion and also being welded to the vertical deck plate portion. In embodiments, each extension plate having an upper margin that extends upwardly from the horizontal deck plate portion and rearwardly defining a first arcuate curve, and a lower margin that extends rearwardly and downwardly from a lower edge of the vertical deck plate portion defining a second arcuate curve. The upright extension plates extending rearwardly to a rearward attachment portion comprising a bridging plate portion or a pair of flanges. The attachment portion having a height greater than a height of the vertical deck plate portion. A pair of columns of vertically aligned apertures are respectively positioned at a starboard side of the rearward attachment portion and a port side of the rearward attachment portion. A connecting plate portion of the motor receiving unit abuts against the attachment portion of the deck mount unit and has a plurality of holes in selective alignment with the apertures of the pair of columns of vertically aligned apertures providing the vertical adjustability. Fasteners such as bolts and nuts adjoin the connecting portion of the motor receiving unit to the rearward attachment portion of the deck mount unit. The connecting portion can be a bridging plate or a pair of flange portions. A pair of sidewalls extend rearward from the connecting portion of the motor receiving unit to a rearward kicker motor mounting end plate. A clamping block may be positioned within the motor receiving unit at the kicker motor mounting end plate.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the kicker mount is securely attached to pontoon boat only at the pontoon deck. The kicker motor mount is secured to the trim rail and to the deck pad and does not rely upon brackets or other attachment structure associated with the pontoon hulls or struts supporting the pontoon hulls.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the kicker mount is attached using threaded fasteners that do not need cooperating nuts on the threaded ends of the fasteners. In embodiments a minimal number of fasteners are needed to securely attach the kicker motor mount.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the kicker mount places the kicker motor rearwardly of one of the pontoon hulls of the pontoon boat and is vertically adjustable.
In embodiments, the kicker mount system comprises two cooperating unitary steel box structures cantilevered off of the stern end of pontoon boat deck. From a side view, the two box structures present an S-shape rotated forward ninety degrees. The vertical height of the box shape structures converging toward the stern end of the pontoon boat deck.
In embodiments, cantilevered extension plates have an upwardly extending hump portion extending above an L-shaped welded interface with an L-shaped deck plate, the hump portion and the L-shaped interface effectively strengthening the connection between the extension with the L-shaped deck plate as well as strengthening the L-shaped plate, such that it effectively cannot bend out of the L-shape, and greatly reducing the tension that would be on the vertical weldment between the cantilevered extension plate and the deck plate. The upwardly extending hump portions facilitate a vertical interface with the deck of only the deck thickness defined by the height of the trim rail. A feature and advantage is that the enhanced strength provided by the humped portion between the L-shaped deck plate and the cantilevered extension plates allows the connection of the motor mount to the pontoon boat to be exclusively at the stern end of the deck with a pair of fasteners extending through a vertical portion of the deck plate into the trim rail and only two or four threaded fasteners extending through the horizontal portion of the deck plate into the deck pad.
The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.
Referring to
In embodiments, motor receiving unit 103 has a kicker motor mounting end plate 117 that is unitary with starboard sidewall 113 and port sidewall 115, which connect to and are unitary with connection portion which is illustrated as configured as a pair of apertured flanges 114, 116. Motor receiving unit may be an integral or unitary component with the end plate, sidewall, and connecting portion all welded or formed of bent metal, such as steel or aluminum, plate. Brace 111 may be added within an interior cavity 114.6 spanning between starboard sidewall 113 and port sidewall 115 for rigidifying the box structure.
In embodiments, clamping block 109 also fits within motor receiving unit 103. Clamping block 109 is rectangular block and is positioned such that a back surface is generally flush with back wall 117, side surfaces are generally flush with starboard and port sidewalls 113, 115 and top surface 119 is generally flush with a top edge of motor receiving unit 103.
As best seen in
Referring to
In embodiments, long leg 121 has a width 201 between 10 and 24 inches. In embodiments, width 201 is about 14 inches. In embodiments, long leg 121 has a length 203 between 4 and 16 inches. In embodiments, length 203 is about 8 inches. In embodiments, the cut away portion of long leg 121 has a length 205 of about four inches and a width 206 of about ten inches. In embodiments, the cut away portion of long leg 121 has a radius 207 of about 2 inches. It is preferable that where users come into contact with components of the pontoon boat kicker mounting system, that those components are scrubbed of burrs and sharp edges are removed such as by rounding corners or beveling edges. In embodiments, mounting apertures 125 have a diameter of about 0.31 inches. In embodiments, mounting apertures 125 are about twelve inches from center to center. In embodiments, mounting apertures 125 are about one inch from the nearest side edge of long leg 121. In embodiments, mounting apertures 125 are less than one inch from a forward edge of long leg 121. In embodiments, long leg 121 has six mounting apertures 125. In embodiments, long leg 121 has four to ten mounting apertures 125.
Referring to
As depicted in the top view in
An upper portion of extension plates 105, 106 are unitary with deck plate 107. Extension plates 105 have a hump portion 105.3 that extends upwardly above deck plate 107 with a height 213 between two and six inches. In embodiments, height 213 is about three inches. In embodiments, a top margin 105.5 of extension plates has a curved profile with a radius 221 between 1.5 and 2.5 inches on either side of the peak. In embodiments, radius 221 is about two inches. In embodiments, extension plate 105 forms an angle 223 with long leg 121 between forty and eighty degrees. In embodiments, angle 223 is about sixty degrees. Upper hump portion 105.3 of extension plate 105 extends over long leg 121 of deck plate 107. In embodiments, the overlap length 219 is between one and three inches. In embodiments, the bolt holes 125, 127 of the deck plate are positioned laterally exterior with respect to the starboard and port extension plates 105, 106. Accordingly, bolt holes 127 remain easily accessible to a user for securing deck plate 107 to a pontoon boat. Deck plate 107 is fixedly attached to extension plates 105. A fixed attachment includes any attachment means that is permanent in nature such that separating the components would cause damage to one or more of the components. For example, in embodiments, deck plate 107 is welded to extension plate 105. Having a portion of extension plate 105 extend vertically above deck plate 107 redirects forces exerted on deck plate 107 when a kicker motor is mounted. Accordingly, this redirection of forces permits deck plate 107 to be secured to a pontoon boat with fewer fasteners and without extensive bracing along the sides of a pontoon hull or the underside of the boat. The arcuate profile may be varied for aesthetic or other purposes. For example, the profile may be altered to be more rectangular than arcuate without impacting the ability to reduce fasteners and eliminate additional bracing. Similarly, dimensions disclosed may be varied to accommodate larger or smaller kicker motors.
Motor receiving unit 103 is generally configured as a box, with port sidewall 113, starboard sidewall 115, end plate 117, and connection portion. Connection portion is configured as a pair of mounting flanges 114, 116, adjoining port sidewall 113, and starboard wall 115 respectively. Each mounting flange 114, 116 includes a plurality of bolt holes 127.4 corresponding to bolt holes 127.2 in rear wall 108 of the deck mount unit 101. In embodiments, mounting flanges 114, 116 have a height equivalent to the height of rear wall 108 connection to extension plates 105, 106. In embodiments, back wall 117 of motor receiving unit 103 has a height 251 between eight and sixteen inches. In embodiments, back wall 117 is taller than mounting flanges 114, 116. In embodiments, height 251 is about 12.75 inches. In embodiments, a top edge of starboard and port walls 113, 115 has an arcuate profile. The profile may have a larger radius towards mounting flanges 114, 116 and a smaller radius towards rear wall 117. A top portion of motor receiving unit may be configured to retain clamping block 109. Clamping block may be positioned such that it is simultaneously flush with rear wall 117 and the top portions of port and starboard walls, 113, 115. Clamping block may be formed of a block of polymer, wood, composite, or other materials. The top portion of motor receiving unit 103 further includes a plurality of thru holes 129 aligned with clamping block 109. In embodiments, thru holes 129 have a diameter of about 0.28 inches. In embodiments, each of starboard and port walls 113, 115 have two thru holes 129. Fasteners inserted through thru holes 129 may retain clamping block 109 in place. It will be appreciated by those in the art that the raised top portion of motor receiving unit 103 along with the arcuate top edge of port and starboard walls 113, 115 provide a user easier access to clamping block 109. Easy access to clamping block 109 facilitates securing a kicker motor to the pontoon boat kicker mounting system as will be discussed below. To minimize shearing forces, one or more cross bars 111 may be mounted between starboard and port walls 113, 115. Bolt holes 127 in starboard and port walls 113, 115 provide mounting locations for cross bars 111. In embodiments, a single cross bar 111 may be mounted diagonally. For example, a first end of cross bar 111 might be mounted on starboard wall 115 near mounting flange 116 and the opposite end of cross bar 111 might be mounted on port wall 113 near to rear wall 117. In embodiments, two or more cross bars 111 may be mounted in a variety of patterns. For example, two cross bars 111 might be mounted in parallel with one another and parallel to rear wall 117.
Referring to
Bolt holes 127 in rear wall 235 of extension plate 105 generally correspond to bolt holes 127 in mounting flanges 114, 116 of motor receiving unit 103. As seen in the side view shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Deck plate 107, extension plate 105, motor receiving unit 103, and brace 111 may be made of any durable materials. For example, deck plate 107, extension plate 105, motor receiving unit 103, and brace 111 may be made of metal or sheet metal. In embodiments, deck plate 107, extension plate 105, motor receiving unit 103, and brace 111 may be made from 10 gauge steel. While steel or other metals are highly durable, they are susceptible to rust and wear from being used in the water. Accordingly, in embodiments, the metal is coated. For example, the metal be powder coated. In embodiments, metal components may be ceramic coated.
The following patents are incorporated by reference for all purposes: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,022,342; 9,598,159; 8,535,105; 5,782,662; 8,657,637.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/003,639, filed Apr. 1, 2020.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 63003639 | Apr 2020 | US |
