Patent US3673978A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3673978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outboard drive unit for boats
Assignee: Vickers Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-12
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An outboard propulsion drive unit for a boat with an inboard engine utilizes a hydraulic pump on the engine hydraulically connected with a universal swivel mounting which receives an outboard propulsion unit to provide steering about a generally vertical axis and up-tilt motion about a transverse horizontal axis. The swivel mounting has a pair of hydraulic conduits extending through the bearing journals of both axes. The propulsion unit has a hydraulic motor geared to drive the propeller. A reservoir and a charging pump are mounted in the propulsion unit, the latter driven by the hydraulic motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Jeffery
- 👤 Robert A Brown Jr
- 👤 Allen F Cullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:50
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/14; B63H20/22; B63H23/00; B63H23/22; B63H23/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a propulsion drive for a boat having a transom, an engine inboard of the transom, and a steerable and up-tiltable screw propulsion unit outboard of the transom and supPorting a screw propeller, that improvement comprising a hydraulic pump coupled to be driven by the engine, a hydraulic motor mounted in the propulsion unit and coupled to drive the propeller, a pair of fluid conduits connected to the pump and passing through the transom, a universal swivel mounting attached to the outboard side of the transom and supporting the propulsion unit, and means forming a pair of conduits extending through the swivel mounting from the first-mentioned conduits to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a propulsion drive for a boat having a transom, an engine inboard of the transom, and a steerable and up-tiltable screw propulsion unit outboard of the transom and supPorting a screw propeller, that improvement comprising a hydraulic pump coupled to be driven by the engine, a hydraulic motor mounted in the propulsion unit and coupled to drive the propeller, a pair of fluid conduits connected to the pump and passing through the transom, a universal swivel mounting attached to the outboard side of the transom and supporting the propulsion unit, and means forming a pair of conduits extending through the swivel mounting from the first-mentioned conduits to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drive as defined in claim 1 having a fluid reservoir formed in the propulsion unit and a charging pump coupled to the hydraulic motor and connected to the reservoir and to one of the conduits to maintain the conduits filled during operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drive as defined in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic motor has an output shaft spaced from the steering axis of the swivel mounting and connected by bevel gearing to the propeller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A drive as defined in claim 1 wherein the swivel mounting includes a pair of hollow arms secured to the transom, coaxial bearings in the arms, a T-shaped pintle member mounted in the bearings and having a depending trunnion portion on which the propulsion unit swivels, and a pair of passageways in the pintle member extending from each of the hollow arms to the propulsion unit at points axially based along the trunnion portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drive as defined in claim 4 wherein a third passageway in the pintle member forms a seepage drain between the bearings and the propulsion unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An outboard drive unit for a boat comprising a universal swivel mounting having a pair of stationary hydraulic conduits attachable to and extending through the transom of the boat, a propulsion unit attached to the swivel mounting and having a pair of hydraulic conduits connected with the first mentioned conduits, and including swivel joints pivoting about two axes, a hydraulic motor connected with the last-mentioned conduits, and a propeller mechanically connected to be driven by the hydraulic motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
An outboard drive unit for a boat comprising a universal swivel mounting having a pair of stationary hydraulic conduits attachable to and extending through the transom of the boat, a propulsion unit attached to the swivel mounting and having a pair of hydraulic conduits connected with the first mentioned conduits, and including swivel joints pivoting about two axes, a hydraulic motor connected with the last-mentioned conduits, and a propeller mechanically connected to be driven by the hydraulic motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A drive unit as defined in claim 6, wherein the propulsion unit includes a charging pump driven by the hydraulic motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A drive unit as defined in claim 6 wherein the propulsion unit includes a fluid reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A drive unit as defined in claim 8 including means for draining seepage fluid from the swivel mounting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A drive unit as defined in claim 6 wherein the swivel mounting includes hydraulically balanced fluid connections at each swivel axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |