Patent US6343083B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4940434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine propulsion unit universal drive assembly with through-bellows exhaust
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
•
Filing: 1989-01-17
•
Granted: 1990-07-10
•
Expires: 2009-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A marine propulsion device (11) is provided wherein a pair of generally telescoped bellows (31; 38,46) surround the universal joint (18) and provide an exhaust passage (44) therebetween which communicates between the inboard engine (9) and the stern drive unit (2). In the embodiment disclosed herein, the inner bellows (31) rotates with the universal joint while the outer bellows (38,46) is stationary. The bellows are preferably of helical or spiral configuration and the rotating inner bellows forms an exhaust pump. In one embodiment, (FIGS. 1-3), the bellows (31,38) are concentrically disposed, while in another embodiment (FIGS. 4-5) the bellows (31,46) are eccentrically mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Kiesling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:42
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/12; B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/24; B63H20/245; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A universal drive assembly (11) for connecting the rotary output (10) of an inboard marine engine (9) having an exhaust discharge element (15) to a rearwardly disposed outboard mounted stern drive unit (2), comprising, in combination: (a) a universal joint (18) rotatable about a drive axis (27) and adapted for respective connection to the engine and stern drive unit, (b) and exhaust passage means (44) surrounding said universal joint and connected to carry exhaust from the engine exhaust discharge element to the stern drive unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A universal drive assembly (11) for connecting the rotary output (10) of an inboard marine engine (9) having an exhaust discharge element (15) to a rearwardly disposed outboard mounted stern drive unit (2), comprising, in combination: (a) a universal joint (18) rotatable about a drive axis (27) and adapted for respective connection to the engine and stern drive unit, (b) and exhaust passage means (44) surrounding said universal joint and connected to carry exhaust from the engine exhaust discharge element to the stern drive unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said exhaust passage means (44) is formed by a pair of generally cylindrical telescopingly disposed inner and outer bellows (31;38,46).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said inner bellows (31) is mounted for rotation with said universal joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 3 which includes means (36,39) fixedly mounting said outer bellows (38,46) against rotation relative to said drive axis (27).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 3 in which said inner bellows (31), when rotating, forms pump means for pumping engine exhaust through said passage means (44).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said inner and outer bellows (31,38) are disposed generally concentrically to said drive axis (27).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 2 in which: (a) one of said bellows (31) is disposed generally coaxial with said drive axis (27), (b) and the other of said bellows (46) is disposed on a second axis (47) which is offset from said drive axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3136285A
Cited
US3181495A
Cited
US3847108A
Cited
US4178873A
Cited
US4201391A
Cited
US4289488A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |