US5797778A — Mounting arrangement for marine propulsion engine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 108 words

In combination, an internal combustion engine and a watercraft having a water propulsion apparatus and a hull, said engine having a block with a crankshaft extending therefrom in driving relation to said water propulsion apparatus, said crankshaft extending along a first line, said engine having a center of gravity positioned along a second line extending parallel to said first line but laterally offset therefrom, said engine mounted to said hull with a first mount, a second mount, and a third mount, said first and second mounts being positioned on opposite sides of said second line and equidistant therefrom, and said third mount being positioned along said second line.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 108 words

In combination, an internal combustion engine and a watercraft having a water propulsion apparatus and a hull, said engine having a block with a crankshaft extending therefrom in driving relation to said water propulsion apparatus, said crankshaft extending along a first line, said engine having a center of gravity positioned along a second line extending parallel to said first line but laterally offset therefrom, said engine mounted to said hull with a first mount, a second mount, and a third mount, said first and second mounts being positioned on opposite sides of said second line and equidistant therefrom, and said third mount being positioned along said second line.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 62 words

The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said engine includes a first bracket and a second bracket, said brackets extending from a lower portion of said engine on opposite sides thereof, and wherein said first and second mounts each comprise a pad connected to a shaft, said each pad engaging one of said brackets, and said shaft supported by said hull.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The combination in accordance with claim 2, including means for changing the height of each pad, and thus said engine.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein said means comprises threads positioned on said shaft for engagement with a threaded mounting of said hull.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hull of said watercraft includes an upwardly extending transom at an end thereof and said third mount comprises a bracket extending from a rear end of said engine where said crankshaft thereof extends from, said third mount connecting said engine to said transom.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combination in accordance with claim 5, wherein said bracket includes a pad and a plate engages said pad, said plate connected to said transom.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combination in accordance with claim 6, further including means for adjusting the height of said pad, and thus said engine, with respect to said transom.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second mounts are positioned on opposite sides of said engine and are generally vertically oriented.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 44 words

The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second mounts are positioned on opposite sides of said engine and are tilted inwardly towards one another and include a line passing therethrough lying in a plane passes through said center of gravity.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The combination in accordance with claim 2, wherein said pad is supported by an upwardly extending shaft.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The combination in accordance with claim 2, wherein said engine mounting portion rests upon said pad.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 84 words

A mounting arrangement for an engine powering a water propulsion device of a watercraft having a hull, said mounting arrangement coupling said engine to said hull of said watercraft and including at least two engine mounts for engaging respective mounting portions of said engine, said mounts including a rod connected to said hull and a pad mounted to said rod and means for effectuating a change in height of said pad relative to said hull, said pad engaging said mounting portion of said engine.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 84 words

A mounting arrangement for an engine powering a water propulsion device of a watercraft having a hull, said mounting arrangement coupling said engine to said hull of said watercraft and including at least two engine mounts for engaging respective mounting portions of said engine, said mounts including a rod connected to said hull and a pad mounted to said rod and means for effectuating a change in height of said pad relative to said hull, said pad engaging said mounting portion of said engine.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 47 words

The mounting arrangement in accordance with claim 12, wherein there are three engine mounts, a first and a second engine mount connecting said engine to said hull at opposite sides of said engine, and a third mount connecting a rear end of said engine to said hull.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

The mounting arrangement in accordance with claim 13, wherein said first and second mounts are positioned equidistant from a line passing through a center of gravity of the engine and extending parallel to a line extending along a crankshaft of said engine.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 31 words

The mounting arrangement in accordance with claim 12, wherein each mount includes a shaft extending from said pad, and means for changing the position of said shaft relative to said hull.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

The mounting arrangement in accordance with claim 15, further including an engine support positioned above said hull, and wherein first and second mounts are provided connecting said engine to said support.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 174 words

A watercraft having a hull, a water propulsion device, and an engine powering said water propulsion device, said engine having a cylinder block with a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side, a crankshaft extending from said rear end of said block in driving relation with said water propulsion device, said crankshaft extending along a first line extending through said block, a center of gravity positioned along a second line, said second line extending parallel to said first line, a first engine mount for mounting said engine to said hull and a second engine mount for mounting said engine to said hull, said first and second mounts positioned generally on opposite sides of said engine and generally equidistant from said second line, and a third mount for mounting said rear end of said engine to said hull, said third mount positioned along said second line, and wherein said first, second and third mounts include a pad engaging said engine and means for moving said pad relative to said hull.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 174 words

A watercraft having a hull, a water propulsion device, and an engine powering said water propulsion device, said engine having a cylinder block with a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side, a crankshaft extending from said rear end of said block in driving relation with said water propulsion device, said crankshaft extending along a first line extending through said block, a center of gravity positioned along a second line, said second line extending parallel to said first line, a first engine mount for mounting said engine to said hull and a second engine mount for mounting said engine to said hull, said first and second mounts positioned generally on opposite sides of said engine and generally equidistant from said second line, and a third mount for mounting said rear end of said engine to said hull, said third mount positioned along said second line, and wherein said first, second and third mounts include a pad engaging said engine and means for moving said pad relative to said hull.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The combination in accordance with claim 17, wherein each pad is connected to a shaft and said means for moving comprises a means for raising and lowering said shaft.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

The combination in accordance with claim 17, wherein said pad of said first and second mounts tilt inwardly towards one another, and a line passing through said pads thereof lies in a plane passing through said second line.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-08-24	2002-02-23	2002-08-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-08-24	2006-02-23	2006-08-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-08-24	2010-02-23	2010-08-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Mounting arrangement for marine propulsion engine

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