Outboard motor with elevated horizontal pivot axis

Claim 2

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said transom bracket and said swivel bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 3

An outboard motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said propulsion unit extends at a forward and upward incline to the horizontal.

Claim 4

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 5

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 6

An outboard motor in accordance with claim 3 wherein said propulsion unit extends at a forward and upward incline to the horizontal.

Claim 7

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected to said propulsion unit and to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket for steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 8

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected to said propulsion unit and to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket for steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 9

An outboard motor in accordance with claim 5 wherein said propulsion unit extends at a forward and upward incline to the horizontal.

Claim 10

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 11

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 12

An outboard motor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said propulsion unit extends at a forward and upward incline to the horizontal.

Claim 13

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 14

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 15

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 16

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 17

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 18

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 19

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected between said swivel bracket and said propulsion unit so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 20

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected between said swivel bracket and said propulsion unit so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 21

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 22

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 23

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket and tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 24

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket and tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 25

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 26

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 27

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 28

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below the tilt axis.

Claim 29

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said transom bracket and said swivel bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 30

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said transom bracket and said swivel bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 31

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel racket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 32

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel racket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 33

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 34

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 35

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 36

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 37

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 38

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 39

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 40

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 41

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 42

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 43

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected between said swivel bracket and said propulsion unit so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 44

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connected between said swivel bracket and said propulsion unit so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 45

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 46

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 47

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 48

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 49

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 50

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 51

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 52

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket, and such that the totality of said means connecting said propulsion unit and said second bracket is wholly located below said powerhead.

Claim 53

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said transom bracket and said swivel bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 54

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said transom bracket and said swivel bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 55

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said lower unit below said powerhead and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 56

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said lower unit below said powerhead and said lower leg of said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 57

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located below said powerhead and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 58

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located below said powerhead and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said powerhead is located substantially wholly rearwardly of said tilt axis, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below said tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 59

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 60

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat and having a generally flat mounting surface for engagement with the back of the transom, a swivel bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said swivel bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of said mounting surface so as to pivotally connect said swivel bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said swivel bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit rigidly secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connected to said propulsion unit between said powerhead and said gearcase and connected to said rearward end of said lower leg of said swivel bracket for pivotally connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below the tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said swivel bracket, and such that said propulsion unit remains substantially rearwardly of the plane of said transom bracket mounting surface throughout movement of said swivel bracket from the normal operating position to the tilt position.

Claim 61

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket for pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 62

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a lower unit and a powerhead secured to said lower unit below the tilt axis, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket for pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 63

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsin unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 64

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsin unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 65

An outboard motor comprisinng a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 66

An outboard motor comprisinng a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said lower unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 67

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and directly connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 68

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and directly connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket.

Claim 69

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position.

Claim 70

An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a unitary swivel bracket, a tilt pin directly pivotally connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom for tilting movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit and said swivel bracket so as to enable pivotal steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said swivel bracket, and such that at least one-half of said powerhead is located below the tilt axis when said swivel bracket is in a normal operating position.

Claim 71

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket.

Claim 72

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead and a lower unit secured to said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket.

Claim 73

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a proulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a kin pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket.

Claim 74

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising of a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a proulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a kin pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said vertical leg of said second bracket and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said lower leg of said second bracket.

Claim 75

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket.

Claim 76

A marine propulsion arrangement comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to the transom of a boat, a second bracket including a vertical leg having an upper end, a rearward surface extending below said upper end, and a lower end, and a lower leg fixedly extending rearwardly from said lower end of said vertical leg and having an outer rearward end spaced substantially from said lower end of said vertical leg and an upper surface extending forwardly from said rearward end and located substantially below said upper end of said second bracket, a tilt pin extending between said upper end of said second bracket and said transom bracket rearwardly of the transom so as to pivotally connect said second bracket and said transom bracket for tilting movement of said second bracket between a normal operating position and a raised tilt position and about a tilt axis which is generally horizontal when said transom bracket is fixed to the boat transom, a propulsion unit including a powerhead having a forward portion with front and bottom surfaces, and a lower unit secured to said powerhead rearwardly of said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead and including a gearcase carrying a propulsion element, and means including a king pin located wholly below the tilt axis and connecting said propulsion unit to said rearward end of said lower leg of said second bracket so as to enable steering movement of said propulsion unit relative to said second bracket about an axis transverse to the tilt axis, and such that said propulsion unit only pivots about the transverse axis with respect to said second bracket, and such that said front surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located primarily below said tilt axis and in rearwardly spaced relation from said rearward surface of said vertical leg of said second bracket, and such that said bottom surface of said forward portion of said powerhead is located in upwardly spaced relation from said upper surface of said lower leg of said second bracket.