US3752111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pivoting motor boat drive unit
Assignee: CRAWFISH BOAT CO Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-05
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit for essentially flat bottom boats which automatically retracts upon hitting obstructions with a self-repositioning feature which is both variable and predetermined. The entire unit is readily removed from a tunnel mounted in a boat. The pivotal mounting includes a spring bias arrangement and may include an automatic throttle retarding switch and a cut-off switch when the unit is fully retracted. The propeller shaft includes a water bearing with a flow-through washer.
Inventors
- 👤 M Meynier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:20
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H5/00; B63H5/07; B63H5/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boat having a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forward position, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperture therein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaft extending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of the boat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including: spring means biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclined position below the bottom of the boat, position selector means limiting the lower pivoted position of the drive shaft to discrete predetermined positions, upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft upon encountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selected position upon removal of the obstruction, the position selector means and upswing means including a ratchet pedestal mounted above the tunnel, a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal, a pawl selectively interconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal, a roTatable eyebolt mounted on the lever, a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft and extending upwardly and slideably through the eyebolt, and fastening means attached to the lift bolt above the eyebolt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boat having a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forward position, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperture therein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaft extending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of the boat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including: spring means biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclined position below the bottom of the boat, position selector means limiting the lower pivoted position of the drive shaft to discrete predetermined positions, upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft upon encountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selected position upon removal of the obstruction, the position selector means and upswing means including a ratchet pedestal mounted above the tunnel, a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal, a pawl selectively interconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal, a roTatable eyebolt mounted on the lever, a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft and extending upwardly and slideably through the eyebolt, and fastening means attached to the lift bolt above the eyebolt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a switch arranged to cut off the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft to a horizontal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1 the drive unit includes; a drive shaft housing extending from the motor to the propeller, a propeller shaft journaled in the housing, a rudder mounted on the propeller end of the housing, a tiller mounted adjacent to the motor, and tiller cables extending from the tiller to the rudder and arranged within the housing free of the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention of claim 3 including: a water lubricated bearing mounted in the housing adjacent the propeller, at least one water inlet port in the housing adjacent the bearing, a washer rotatable on the shaft and mounted between the bearing and propeller, said washer being recessed about the shaft adjacent the bearing, and said washer having radial holes extending from the recess to the outer periphery to allow water within the housing and bearing to flow through said washer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim 1 including: seal means mounted on the tunnel transom to prevent water from entering the boat from the tunnel beneath the drive shaft, said seal means including a flexible open topped boot attached to the transom at the aperture through which the drive shaft extends, and a ''''U'''' shaped flange fixing the edge of the boot to the tunnel transom and holding the boot to the bottom half of the drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a switch arranged to retard the speed of the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft upward to a position where the propeller breaks the water''s surface.
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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |