Lift and swinging device for a steerable propeller

Claim 2

A steerable propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a guide secured to said watercraft; a carriage slidably secured to said guide and supported for vertical movement; a housing pivotally secured to said carriage and pivotable about means defining a horizontaL axis between first and second positions, said housing including means having a propeller rotatably secured thereto extending below the waterline when said housing is in said first position; first drive means for raising and lowering said carriage in said guide to effect a depth adjustment of said propeller; second drive means for moving said housing about said horizontal axis between said first position and an intermediate position spaced from said second position; and cooperating means adapted to cooperate with said first drive means to permit a movement of said housing, including the means having the propeller, between said intermediate position and said second position, said second position being spaced at least 180* from said first position.

Claim 3

A steerable propeller according to claim 1, including means for rotatably driving said propeller and releasable coupling means for coupling said driving means to said propeller when said housing is in said first position, said coupling means being automatically released upon a movement of said housing toward said second position.

Claim 4

In a lift and swinging device for a steerable propeller steerable by a steering control on a watercraft having a housing which extends beneath the waterline and contains drive transfer elements and carries a propeller which, for the purpose of steering, is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is vertical in operating position and depth adjustable carriage means for adjusting the depth of said propeller in direction of said axis and support means for supporting the housing for movement about an approximately horizontal axis out of the water, wherein the improvement comprises drive means for swinging said propeller out of the water, said swinging movement being divided into two partial and separate movements, the one of which being driven by a first drive mechanism which on one side is connected to the depth adjustable carriage means and on the other side is connected to the housing, the other partial movement being driven by a second drive mechanism for adjusting said depth adjustable carriage means, said other drive mechanism being connected on one side to the depth adjustable carriage means and on the other side to the frame.

Claim 5

In a lift and swinging device for a steerable propeller steerable by a steering control on a watercraft having a housing which extends beneath the waterline and contains drive transfer elements and carries a propeller which, for the purpose of steering, is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is vertical in operating position and depth adjustable carriage means for adjusting the depth of said propeller in direction of said axis and support means for supporting the housing for movement about an approximately horizontal axis out of the water, wherein the improvement comprises drive means for swinging said propeller out of the water, said swinging movement being divided into two partial and separate movements, the one of which being driven by a first drive mechanism which on one side is connected to the depth adjustable carriage means and on the other side is connected to the housing, the other partial movement being driven by a second drive mechanism for adjusting said depth adjustable carriage means, said other drive mechanism being connected on one side to the depth adjustable carriage means and on the other side to the frame.

Claim 6

Device according to claim 3, wherein the housing is swingable around a shaft supported on the depth adjustable carriage and includes means for releasably locking said housing to the frame after the first partial movement.

Claim 7

Device according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanisms are conventional hydraulic or pneumatic lift cylinders.

Claim 8

Device according to claim 3, wherein the housing is held in operating position by selectively releasable catch means.

Claim 9

Device according to claim 6, wherein the selectively releasable catch means is maintained in resilient engagement but is automatically releasable.

Claim 10

Device according to claim 3, wherein the drive transfer elements include releasable coupling means for releasably coupling the propeller drive and steering control drive to the propeller and the steering control, respectively.