US3841257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High performance stern drive
Assignee: Outboard Marine Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-06
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-02-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion installation including a hinge pin pivotally connecting a mounting bracket to a mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis, a King pin pivotally connecting a propulsion unit to the mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement and for horizontal swinging movement therebetween about a steering axis, a first drive shaft rotatably supported by the mounting bracket about an axis extending perpendicularly to and vertically spaced from the tilt axis and perpendicularly to and in intersecting relation to the steering axis, a second drive shaft rotatably supported by the propulsion unit, an adjusting screw for adjustably vertically swinging the mounting bracket and the propulsion unit relative to the mounting plate through a limited range about the tilt axis, a universal joint extending across the steering axis and connecting the first and second drive shafts notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of the mounting bracket and the propulsion unit relative to the mounting plate and steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the mounting bracket, an engine mounted in the boat hull and including an output shaft connected to the first drive shaft for common rotation therewith, by a telescopic drive shaft and a universal coupling, whereby to accommodate vertical swinging movement of the mounting bracket and the propulsion unit relative to the mounting plate.
Inventors
- 👤 C Strang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/08; B63H20/10; B63H20/14; B63H20/22; B63H20/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about an axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said horizontal axis, a first drive shaft supported by said mounting bracket for rotation about an axis extending perpendicularly to and vertically spaced from said horizontal axis and perpendicularly to and in intersecting relation to said steering axis, a second drive shaft drivingly connected to said propeller and supported by said propulsion unit for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said steering axis and co-planar with the axis of said first drive shaft, means for adjustably vertically swinging said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plAte through a limited range about said horizontal axis, and a universal joint extending across said steering axis and connecting said first and second drive shafts notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plate and steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about an axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said horizontal axis, a first drive shaft supported by said mounting bracket for rotation about an axis extending perpendicularly to and vertically spaced from said horizontal axis and perpendicularly to and in intersecting relation to said steering axis, a second drive shaft drivingly connected to said propeller and supported by said propulsion unit for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said steering axis and co-planar with the axis of said first drive shaft, means for adjustably vertically swinging said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plAte through a limited range about said horizontal axis, and a universal joint extending across said steering axis and connecting said first and second drive shafts notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plate and steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first drive shaft is vertically spaced below said horizontal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a watertight flexible bellows surrounding said universal joint and extending between said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting plate includes therein an aperture, and wherein said mounting bracket includes a forwardly projecting tubular portion extending in said aperture, and further including flexible sealing means extending between said mounting plate and said tubular portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 4 and further including a pair of spaced bearings supported within said tubular portion and journaling said first drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including an engine mounted in said boat hull and including an output shaft, and means connecting said output shaft and said first drive shaft for common rotation and including telescopic drive means and universal coupling means, whereby to accommodate vertical swinging movement of said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a tiller supported by said mounting plate for pivotal movement about a generally vertical tiller axis, and means connecting said tiller to said propulsion unit for steering said propulsion unit in response to tiller movement, notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means connecting said tiller to said propulsion unit includes a first steering arm extending fixedly from said tiller for common movement therewith, a second steering arm extending fixedly from said propulsion unit, a steering link, and means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second arms are substantially parallel when said tiller axis and said steering axis are parallel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said tiller axis is aligned fore and aft with said steering axis and wherein said link has a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis when said tiller axis and said steering axis are parallel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said tiller axis is aligned fore and aft with said steering axis and wherein said first and second arms have substantially the same length and are substantially parallel when said tiller axis and said steering axis are parallel and wherein said link has a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis when said tiller axis and said steering axis are parallel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms provides pivotal movement of said link relative to each of said first and second steering arms about two axes at right angles to each other to accommodate vertical swinging movement of said steering axis relative to said tiller axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
194 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting brAcket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said tilt axis and transversely thereof, a tiller supported by said mounting plate for pivotal movement about a tiller axis extending in generally parallel relation to and in fore and aft alignment with said steering axis, a first steering arm extending fixedly from said tiller for common movement therewith, a second steering arm extending fixedly from said propulsion unit, a steering link having a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis, and means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
194 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting brAcket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said tilt axis and transversely thereof, a tiller supported by said mounting plate for pivotal movement about a tiller axis extending in generally parallel relation to and in fore and aft alignment with said steering axis, a first steering arm extending fixedly from said tiller for common movement therewith, a second steering arm extending fixedly from said propulsion unit, a steering link having a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis, and means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first and second arms are substantially parallel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
205 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly and transversely of said tilt axis, a tiller supported by said mounting plate for pivotal movement about a tiller axis extending substantially parallel to and in fore and aft alignment with said steering axis, a first steering arm extending rigidly from said tiller for common movement therewith, a second steering arm extending rigidly from said propulsion unit, said first and second arms having substantially the same length and being substantially parallel, a steering link having a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis and means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
205 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly and transversely of said tilt axis, a tiller supported by said mounting plate for pivotal movement about a tiller axis extending substantially parallel to and in fore and aft alignment with said steering axis, a first steering arm extending rigidly from said tiller for common movement therewith, a second steering arm extending rigidly from said propulsion unit, said first and second arms having substantially the same length and being substantially parallel, a steering link having a length substantially equal to the fore and aft distance between said tiller axis and said steering axis and means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means pivotally connecting said steering link to said first and second steering arms provides pivotal movement of said link relative to each of said first and second steering arms about two axes at right angles to each other to accommodate vertical swinging movement of said steering axis relative to said tiller axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about an axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said horizontal axis, a first drive shaft supported by said mounting bracket for rotation about an axis extending fore and aft, a second drive shaft drivingly connected to said propeller and supported by said propulsion unit for rotation about an axis extending fore and aft, and a universal joint connecting said first and second drive shafts notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relatIve to said mounting plate and steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
188 words
A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to the hull of a boat, a mounting bracket, means pivotally connecting said mounting bracket to said mounting plate for vertical swinging movement about an axis which is approximately horizontal when said mounting plate is attached to the boat hull, a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, means pivotally connecting said propulsion unit to said mounting bracket for common vertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said mounting bracket and for steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket about a steering axis extending rearwardly of said horizontal axis, a first drive shaft supported by said mounting bracket for rotation about an axis extending fore and aft, a second drive shaft drivingly connected to said propeller and supported by said propulsion unit for rotation about an axis extending fore and aft, and a universal joint connecting said first and second drive shafts notwithstanding vertical swinging movement of said mounting bracket and said propulsion unit relatIve to said mounting plate and steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said mounting bracket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |