Stern drive unit with bellows enclosed reversing transmission and universal coupling steering control

Claim 2

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means connecting said housing to said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing, a propulsion leg including a rotatably mounted propeller, means connecting said propulsion leg to said housing for pivotal steering movement about a steering axis perpendicular to said tilt axis, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis, an output shaft journaled in said housing co-Axially with said steering axis and in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and connected to said propeller, a reversing transmission located, at least in part, within said bellows and connected to said input and output shafts for selectively controlling operation of said propeller, and steering means connected to said propulsion leg and extending at least in part within said bellows.

Claim 3

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reversing transmission includes a transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear, and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears.

Claim 4

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 2 including means for actuating said means for selectively connecting said transfer shaft to said spaced bevel gears and including a shaft rotatably extending in said support parallel to said input shaft and including one end extending rearwardly from said support and within said bellows and another end extending forwardly of said support, and an actuating lever connected to said forward end of said actuating shaft.

Claim 5

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reversing transmission includes an actuating lever located forwardly of said support.

Claim 6

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said steering means includes an actuating member located forwardly of said support.

Claim 7

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said steering means includes a first steering shaft rotatably journaled in said support in radial relation to said tilt axis and including a portion extending forwardly of said support and a portion extending rearwardly of said support within said bellows, a second steering shaft rotatably journaled in said housing in radial relation to said tilt axis and including an upper portion extending within said bellows and a lower portion, gearing connecting said lower second steering shaft portion and said propulsion leg to pivot said propulsion leg in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and a universal coupling within said bellows connected to said rearward portion of said first steering shaft and to said upper portion of said second steering shaft.

Claim 8

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said steering means includes an actuating member fixed to said forwardly extending portion of said first steering shaft.

Claim 9

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said universal coupling comprises a first member connected to said rearward portion of said first steering shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a section taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, a second member connected to said upper portion of said second steering shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a section taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, and a connecting unit having a first annular groove with an inwardly tapering cross section, said first groove receiving said forked portion of one of said first and second members, said connecting unit also having a second annular groove extending at a right angle to said first groove and with an inwardly tapering cross section, said second groove receiving said forked portion of the other of said first and second members.

Claim 10

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 including shock absorbing means connected between saId housing and said support and extending, at least in part, within said bellows.

Claim 11

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 including a water passage in said support, a water passage in said housing, and a flexible conduit extending exteriorly of said bellows and connecting said water passage in said housing to said water passage in said support.

Claim 12

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reversing transmission includes a transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting said disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with said transfer gear.

Claim 13

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 11 including means for actuating said means for selectively connecting said transfer shaft to said spaced bevel gears and including a shaft rotatably extending in said support parallel to said input shaft and including one end extending rearwardly from said support and within said bellows and another end extending forwardly of said support, and an actuating lever connected to said forward end of said actuating shaft.

Claim 14

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull and including rearwardly extending spaced arms, a housing including spaced arms located adjacent said arms of said support, bearing means connecting said support arms and said housing arms for support of said housing and for pivotal movement of said housing about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing and defining, between said support, said housing and said bellows, an enclosure containing said bearing means pivotally connecting said housing to said support, and input shaft journaled by said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis and extending into said enclosure, an output shaft journaled by said housing perpendicularly to said tilt axis in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and extending into said enclosure, and a reversing transmission located within said enclosure and including a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft axially inwardly of said bearing means for common rotation with said transfer shaft, spaced bevel gears mounted co-axially with said transfer shaft and axially inwardly of said bearing means for rotation independently of said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears.

Claim 15

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull and including rearwardly extending spaced arms, a housing including spaced arms located adjacent said arms of said support, bearing means connecting said support arms and said housing arms for support of said housing and for pivotal movement of said housing about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing and defining, between said support, said housing and said bellows, an enclosure containing said bearing means pivotally connecting said housing to said support, and input shaft journaled by said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis and extending into said enclosure, an output shaft journaled by said housing perpendicularly to said tilt axis in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and extending into said enclosure, and a reversing transmission located within said enclosure and including a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft axially inwardly of said bearing means for common rotation with said transfer shaft, spaced bevel gears mounted co-axially with said transfer shaft and axially inwardly of said bearing means for rotation independently of said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears.

Claim 16

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfr shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means mounted on said transfer shaft between said bevel gears for common rotation with said transfer shaft and for movement axially of said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaFt journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear, and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears.

Claim 17

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfr shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means mounted on said transfer shaft between said bevel gears for common rotation with said transfer shaft and for movement axially of said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaFt journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear, and a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears.

Claim 18

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull and including rearwardly extending spaced arms, a housing including spaced arms located adjacent said arms of said support, bearing means connecting said support arms and said housing arms for support of said housing and for pivotal movement of said housing about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing and defining, between said support, said housing and said bellows, an enclosure containing said bearing means pivotally connecting said housing to said support, an input shaft journaled by said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis and extending into said enclosure, an output shaft journaled by said housing perpendicularly to said tilt axis in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and extending into said enclosure, reversing transmission located within said enclosure and including a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft axially inwardly of said bearing means for common rotation with said transfer shaft, spaced bevel gears mounted co-axially with said transfer shaft and axially inwardly of said bearing means for rotation independently of said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, and a gear mounted on said output shaft in mesh with said transfer gear.

Claim 19

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull and including rearwardly extending spaced arms, a housing including spaced arms located adjacent said arms of said support, bearing means connecting said support arms and said housing arms for support of said housing and for pivotal movement of said housing about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing and defining, between said support, said housing and said bellows, an enclosure containing said bearing means pivotally connecting said housing to said support, an input shaft journaled by said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis and extending into said enclosure, an output shaft journaled by said housing perpendicularly to said tilt axis in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and extending into said enclosure, reversing transmission located within said enclosure and including a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft axially inwardly of said bearing means for common rotation with said transfer shaft, spaced bevel gears mounted co-axially with said transfer shaft and axially inwardly of said bearing means for rotation independently of said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, and a gear mounted on said output shaft in mesh with said transfer gear.

Claim 20

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting said disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaft journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear, a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, and a bllows connected to said support and to said tiltable housing and enclosing said spaced bevel gears, said transfer gear and said transfer shaft.

Claim 21

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting said disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaft journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with said transfer gear, a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, and a bllows connected to said support and to said tiltable housing and enclosing said spaced bevel gears, said transfer gear and said transfer shaft.

Claim 22

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 16 including means for actuating said means for selectively connecting said transfer shaft to said spaced bevel gears and including a shaft rotatably extending in said support parallel to said input shaft and including one end extending rearwardly from said support within said bellows and another end extending forwardly of said support, and an actuating lever connected to said forward end of said actuating shaft.

Claim 23

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 16 including a propulsion leg mounted on said housing for pivotal steering movement co-axially with said output shaft, a first steering shaft rotatably journaled in said support in radial relation to said tilt axis and including a portion extending forwardly of said support and a portion extending rearwardly of said support within said bellows, a second steering shaft rotatably journaled in said housing in radial relation to said tilt axis and including an upper portion extending within said bellows and a lower portion, gearing connecting said lower second steering shaft portion and said propulsion leg to pivot said propulsion leg in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and a universal coupling within said bellows connected to said rearward portion of said first steering shaft and to said upper portion of said second steering shaft.

Claim 24

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 18 wherein said universal coupling comprises a first member connected to said rearward portion of said first steering shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a section taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, a second member connected to said upper portion of said second steering shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a section taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, and a connecting unit having a first annular groove with an inwardly tapering cross section, said first groove receiving said forked portion of one of said first and second members, said connecting unit also having a second annular groove extending at a right angle to said first groove and with an inwardly tapering cross section, said second groove receiving said forked portion of the other of said first and second members.

Claim 25

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 18 including an operating lever connected to said forward portion of said first steering shaft.

Claim 26

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 16 including a shock absorber comprising a cylinder pivotally mounted on one of said support and said housing, a piston pivotally movable in said cylinder and a piston rod extending from said piston and pivotally connected to the other of said support and said housing, one of said piston rod and said cylinder extending within said bellows.

Claim 27

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 16 including a water passage in said support, a water passage in said housing, and a flexible conduit extending exteriorly of said bellows and connecting said water passage in said support to said water passage in said housing.

Claim 28

A stern drive unit comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a boat adjacent the stern thereof, a second member connected to said first member for vertical tilting movement about a horizontal axis, a third member connected to said second member for steering movement about an axis transverse to said horizontal axis, a first steering shaft rotatably mounted on said first member with the rotary axis of said first shaft extending in radial and perpendicular relation to said horizontal axis, a second steering shaft rotatably mounted on said second member with the rotary axis of said second shaft extending in radial and perpendicular relation to said horizontal axis, gearing connecting said second steering shaft to said third member for steering movement of said third member relative to said second member in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and universal joint means connecting said first and second steering shafts and operable to effect rotation of said second steering shaft in response to rotation of said first steering shaft, notwithstanding variation in the tilt relation between said first and second members.

Claim 29

A stern drive unit comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a boat adjacent the stern thereof, a second member connected to said first member for vertical tilting movement about a horizontal axis, a third member connected to said second member for steering movement about an axis transverse to said horizontal axis, a first steering shaft rotatably mounted on said first member with the rotary axis of said first shaft extending in radial and perpendicular relation to said horizontal axis, a second steering shaft rotatably mounted on said second member with the rotary axis of said second shaft extending in radial and perpendicular relation to said horizontal axis, gearing connecting said second steering shaft to said third member for steering movement of said third member relative to said second member in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and universal joint means connecting said first and second steering shafts and operable to effect rotation of said second steering shaft in response to rotation of said first steering shaft, notwithstanding variation in the tilt relation between said first and second members.

Claim 30

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 23 wherein said means connecting said first and second steering control shafts includes first and second elements respectively connected to said first and second steering shafts and each having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface, and a third element having a first annular groove receiving said forked portion of one of said first and second elements, said third element aLso having a second annular groove extending at a right angle to said first groove and receiving said forked portion of the other of said first and second elements.

Claim 31

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 23 wherein said means connecting said first and second steering shafts comprises a universal coupling including a first element connected to said first steering control shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a section taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, a second element connected to said second steering control shaft and having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a second taken transversely to said concave surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave surface, and a connecting unit having a first annular groove with an inwardly tapering cross section, said first groove receiving said forked portion of one of said first and second elements, said connecting unit also having a second annular groove extending at a right angle to said first groove and with an inwardly tapering cross section, said second groove receiving said forked portion of the other of said first and second elements.

Claim 32

A stern drive unit in accordance with claim 23 wherein said means connecting said first and second steering shafts includes first and second elements respectively connected to said first and second steering shafts and each having a fork-shaped portion including a concave surface and a cross section taken transversely to said arcuate surface and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said arcuate surface, third and fourth elements each having opposite end portions with a concave edge and a cross section taken transversely to said concave edge and tapering outwardly in the direction radially outwardly with respect to said concave edge, and fifth and sixth elements each having a first annular groove with an inwardly tapering cross section, said first grooves respectively receiving said concave surface of said first and second elements, said fifth and sixth elements each also having a second annular groove extending at a right angle to said first groove and with an inwardly tapering cross section, said second grooves respectively receiving said end portions of said third and fourth elements, and means adjustably connecting said third and fourth elements to each other to adjust the interfitting relationship of said first and second element forked shaped portions in said first grooves and to adjust the interfitting relationship of said third and fourth element end portions in said second grooves.

Claim 33

A stern drive unit comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a boat adjacent the stern thereof, a second member connected to said first member for vertical tilting movement about a horizontal axis, third member connected to said second member for steering movement about an axis transverse to said horizontal axis, a first steering shaft rotatably mounted on said first member with the rotary axis of said first shaft extending from said horizontal axis, a second steering shaft rotatably mounted on said second member with the rotary axis of said second shaft extending from said horizontal axis, gearing connecting said second steering shaft to said third member for steering movement of said third member relative to said second member in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and a universal coupling connecting said first and second steering shafts and operable to effect rotation of said second steering shaft in response to rotation of said first steering shaft, notwithstanding variation in the tilt relation between said first and second members.

Claim 34

A stern drive unit comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a boat adjacent the stern thereof, a second member connected to said first member for vertical tilting movement about a horizontal axis, third member connected to said second member for steering movement about an axis transverse to said horizontal axis, a first steering shaft rotatably mounted on said first member with the rotary axis of said first shaft extending from said horizontal axis, a second steering shaft rotatably mounted on said second member with the rotary axis of said second shaft extending from said horizontal axis, gearing connecting said second steering shaft to said third member for steering movement of said third member relative to said second member in response to rotation of said second steering shaft, and a universal coupling connecting said first and second steering shafts and operable to effect rotation of said second steering shaft in response to rotation of said first steering shaft, notwithstanding variation in the tilt relation between said first and second members.

Claim 35

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means connecting said housing to said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which iS substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing, a propulsion leg including a rotatably mounted propeller, means connecting said propulsion leg to said housing for pivotal steering movement about a steering axis perpendicular to said tilt axis, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis, an output shaft journaled in said housing co-axially with said steering axis and in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and connected to said propeller, and steering means connected to said propulsion leg and extending at least in part within said bellows.

Claim 36

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means connecting said housing to said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which iS substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a bellows connected to said support and to said housing, a propulsion leg including a rotatably mounted propeller, means connecting said propulsion leg to said housing for pivotal steering movement about a steering axis perpendicular to said tilt axis, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said tilt axis, an output shaft journaled in said housing co-axially with said steering axis and in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft and connected to said propeller, and steering means connected to said propulsion leg and extending at least in part within said bellows.

Claim 37

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaft journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with said transfer gear, and a bellows connected to said support and to said tiltable housing and enclosing said spaced bevel gears, said transfer gear and said transfer shaft.

Claim 38

A stern drive unit comprising a support adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull, a housing, means mounting said housing on said support for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when said support is fixed relative to the boat hull, a power transfer shaft journaled for rotation co-axially with said axis, a transfer gear fixed on said transfer shaft for common rotation therewith, spaced bevel gears mounted for rotation independently of said transfer shaft and co-axially with said transfer shaft, means on said bevel gears and on said transfer shaft for selectively connecting and disconnecting said transfer shaft to said bevel gears, an input shaft extending in said support perpendicularly to said transfer shaft, an output shaft journaled in said housing and extending perpendicularly to said transfer shaft in generally co-planar relation to said input shaft, a gear mounted on said input shaft in mesh with both of said spaced bevel gears, a gear mounted on said output shaft and in mesh with said transfer gear, and a bellows connected to said support and to said tiltable housing and enclosing said spaced bevel gears, said transfer gear and said transfer shaft.