AU2007216760A1

AU2007216760A1 - A Motor Mounting Apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2007216760A1
Application number: AU2007216760A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Garry Lloyd Bilston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-12
Filing date: 2007-09-12
Publication date: 2009-03-26

Description

A Motor Mounting Apparatus Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a motor mounting apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a motor mounting apparatus that allows for the stowing and transportation of outboard motors.

Background Art.

Boats and similar water craft are often transported by road with their outboard motors still attached. However, outboard motors transported in this manner may be damaged by debris on the road that is flicked up by vehicles and the like.

However, outboard motors that are transported separately from a boat, such as in a trailer or the tray of a utility vehicle must be carefully secured in order to prevent movement of, and subsequent damage to, the outboard motor or the vehicle in which it is being transported. In addition, the size and weight of a typical outboard motor makes the task of loading or unloading an outboard motor into, or out of, a utility vehicle, trailer and the like hazardous to the person performing the task due to the potential for injury.

Some attempts have been made to a mounting mechanism for outboard motors in vehicles. However, these devices suffer from the drawback that the outboard motor must still be manually handled into and our of the mounting mechanism. Once removed from the mounting mechanism, the outboard motor must also be transferred from the vehicle to where it is to be used, resulting in the need for further manual handling of the outboard motor.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a motor mounting apparatus that allowed an outboard motor to be safely stowed and transported, as well as reducing the manual handling required to load, unload and transfer the outboard motor to where it is to be used.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates otherwise.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor mounting apparatus which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting a motor, the apparatus comprising a first part adapted for connection to a support and a second part adapted to hold a motor, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another, and wherein the second part is removably mounted to the first part.

The first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be of any suitable form. However, in some embodiments of the invention the first part comprises a frame. The frame may be adapted for fixed or removable connection to a support, such as, but not limited to, a trailer, the tray of a utility vehicle, the roof of a vehicle (such as a car, truck, van, boat or caravan, for instance) or the A-frame of a trailer, caravan and the like.

Preferably, the support is a substantially horizontal support.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a pair of rails.

Preferably, the rails are located parallel to one another. In some embodiments of the invention, the frame may comprise a first section and a second section movable relative to one another. The first and second sections may comprise an outer section and an inner telescoping section. Preferably, the outer section may be fixed while the inner telescoping section may be movable relative to the fixed outer section.

The first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be connected to a support using any suitable technique, such as using nails, screws, bolts, rivets or the like.

Alternatively, the first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be connected to a support by welding or through the use of adhesives.

The first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be constructed from any suitable material. Preferably, however, the first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be constructed from a corrosion resistant material. Still more preferably, the first part of the motor mounting apparatus is constructed from metal (such as, but not limited to, steel) that has been coated, such as by galvanizing. In some embodiments of the invention the metal of the first part of the motor mounting apparatus is provided with an SP5 zinc coating. Alternatively, the metal of the first part of the motor mounting apparatus may be stainless steel.

The second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be of any suitable form.

Preferably, the second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be adapted for mounting to the first part of the motor mounting apparatus. In embodiments of the invention in which the first part of the motor mounting apparatus comprises an outer fixed section and an inner telescoping section, the second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be adapted for mounting to the inner telescoping section.

In some embodiments of the invention, unwanted relative movement of the first and second parts may be prevented (such as during transportation of a motor) by providing the motor mounting apparatus with locking means for locking the first and second parts in place when connected to each other. The locking means may comprise any suitable form, such as a lock, latch, hook or any other suitable form of locking device.

However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises a locking pin. The locking pin may be adapted to lock the first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus together during use. Preferably, the locking pin is inserted and removed manually. In embodiments of the invention in which the first part comprises an outer section and an inner telescoping section, the locking means may be adapted to lock the outer section, the inner telescoping section and the second part of the motor mounting apparatus together.

The relative movement between the first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus may be achieved using any suitable technique. In some embodiments of the invention, the relative movement between first and second parts may be achieved by rolling or sliding (or similar technique) the second part relative to the first part. The relative movement may be achieved by providing the second part with means for assisting the movement of the second part. Such means may be of any suitable form, such as one or more pairs of wheels, rollers, bushes (such as nylon bushes), endless tracks and the like. Preferably, the means may be adapted to engage with at least a portion of the first part of the motor mounting apparatus. Preferably, the means may be adapted to sit in, and move along, a rail portion of the first part. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part is provided with more than one such means.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the second part may be adapted for use independent of the first part. Thus, when a motor is mounted on the second part and the second part is disengaged from the first part, a user may use the second part of the motor mounting apparatus to transport the motor to and from where it is needed.

Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention, the second part may be provided with means to allow a user to move the second part without the need for excessive manual handling. Such means may comprise any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, one or more wheels, endless tracks and the like. The means for allowing the user to move the second part may also be adapted to enhance the relative movement between the first and second part when the second part is being connected to, or disconnected from, the first part. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the means may comprise a pair of wheels. In some embodiments of the invention, the second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be in the form of a trolley.

Preferably, the first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus may move relative to one another between a retracted condition and an extended condition.

Preferably, the motor mounting apparatus may be transported in the retracted condition. In the retracted condition, the first and second parts may be prevented from moving relative to one another through the use of locking means, such as a lock, pin, latch, buckle, strap and the like.

In the extended condition, the first and second parts may be moved relative to one another as far as possible, for instance by moving the second part as far as possible relative to the first part. In the extended position, it may be possible to disengage the second part from the first part of the motor mounting apparatus.

The mounting means of the second part may comprise any suitable form and may be adapted to engage any suitable part of the motor in order to retain the motor in place.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting means may be adapted to engage an upper portion of a motor. In embodiments of the invention in which an outboard motor is retained on the second part, the mounting means may be adapted to engage a bracket portion of the outboard motor. Alternatively, the mounting means may comprise means for retaining a lower portion of the motor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting means may comprise more than one means for retaining a motor on the second part. In this embodiment of the invention, the mounting means may comprise an upper mounting means adapted to engage an upper portion of the motor and a lower mounting means adapted to engage a lower portion of the motor. In this way the motor may be retained by the second part with increased stability during transportation.

Preferably, the lower mounting means may be adapted to be pivotable. Thus, if a motor of a different shape or size is being transported, the lower mounting means may be pivoted either to engage with a different part of the motor or to move the lower mounting means out of the way entirely.

The second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be constructed from any suitable material. Preferably, however, the second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be constructed from a corrosion resistant material. Still more preferably, the first part of the motor mounting apparatus is constructed from metal (such as, but not limited to, steel) that has been galvanized. In some embodiments of the invention the metal of the second part of the motor mounting apparatus is provided with an SP5 zinc coating. Alternatively, the metal of the second part of the motor mounting apparatus may be stainless steel. In some embodiments of the invention, the material used for the second part is the same as that used for the first part in order to reduce the risk of corrosion.

The motor mounting apparatus may be suitable for any type of outboard motor, such as a two stroke or four stroke motor. However, depending on the size and type of motor being transported, the motor may need to be positioned on its side during transportation.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of loading a motor onto a motor mounting apparatus, wherein the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a vehicle, comprising the steps of retaining a motor on a second part of a motor mounting apparatus, mounting the second part of the motor mounting apparatus onto a first part of the motor mounting apparatus, wherein the first and second parts are movable relative to one another, and engaging a locking means to prevent movement of the first and second parts relative to one another when the motor mounting apparatus is in a retracted position, and wherein the first part of the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a support.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of unloading a motor from a motor mounting apparatus, wherein the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a vehicle, comprising the steps of disengaging a locking means adapted to prevent movement of first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus relative to one another, creating a relative movement of the first and second parts until the motor mounting apparatus is in an extended position and disengaging the second part from the first part.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Detailed Description of the Drawings.

It will be alppreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a motor mounting apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motor mounting apparatus 10 comprises a first part 11 and a second part 12. The first part 11 is in the form of a frame comprising a pair of rails 13 adapted to be secured to a support (not shown) and a number of cross pieces 14. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the first part 11 comprises an outer section 15 adapted to be fixed to a support (not shown) and an inner section 16 which telescopes in and out of the outer section 15 when loading or unloading a motor (not shown).

The second part 12 of the motor mounting apparatus is in the form of a trolley and comprises upper mounting means 17 adapted to retain an upper section of a motor (not shown) and a lower mounting means 18 adapted to retain a lower section of a motor (not shown). The second part 12 further comprises a first pair of rollers 19 and a second pair of rollers 20 adapted to enhance the relative movement between the first part 11 and the second part 12. The first pair 19 and second pair 20 of rollers are adapted to engage with recesses 21 in the rails 13 of the first part 11.

The second part 12 further comprises a pair of wheels 22 which allow the user to O transfer the second part (and motor if present) to where it is required once the second part 12 has been disconnected from the first part 11. The wheels 22 are mounted on nylon bearings (obscured). Nylon is preferred as the material chosen for the bearings (due to its high resistance to corrosion. The second part 12 also comprises a handle 23, allowing the user to easily control the movement of the second part 12 once Sdisconnected from the first part 11.

In Figure 2 there is shown a motor mounting apparatus 10 in its retracted position according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure the first part 11 and second part 12 of the motor mounting apparatus 10 are shown connected to each other, such as when transporting a motor (not shown) in a vehicle (not shown). It may be seen in this figure that the first pair of rollers 19 and the second pair of rollers engage with, and slide or roll along, a recess 21 in the rail 13.

It may also be seen in this figure that the lower mounting means 18 is pivotable, allowing the lower mounting means 18 to be moved out of the way when not in use.

The second part 12 of the motor mounting apparatus 10 further comprises an aperture 24 through which a locking pin (not shown) may be passed. The aperture 24 corresponds to an aperture (obscured) in the first part 11 of the mounting apparatus.

Thus, when a locking pin is passed through both apertures, the second part 12 is prevented from moving relative to the first part 11.

In Figure 3, the motor mounting apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be seen in its extended position. In this figure, the locking pin (not shown) has been removed, and the second part 12 of the motor mounting apparatus 10 has been slid along the first part 11 until the second pair of rollers 20 in the form of a pair of rollers abuts the ends 25 of the rails 13. Once the rollers 20 abuts the ends 25 of the rails 13, continuing to slide the second part 12 will cause the inner section 16 to telescope out of the outer section 15 of the first part 11.

In Figure 4 there is shown a motor mounting apparatus 10 in its retracted position according to an embodiment of the invention. The first part 11 of the apparatus 10 is connected to a support 26 in the form of the tray of a utility vehicle. A motor 27 is retained on the second part 12 of the apparatus 10. The second part 12 is prevented from moving relative to the first part 11 during transit by using a locking pin (obscured) to lock the first part 11 and second part 12 in place.

Turning now to Figure 5 there is shown a motor mounting apparatus 10 in its extended position according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the locking pin 28 has been removed and the second part 12 of the motor mounting assembly has been slid or rolled along the rails 13 of the first part 11. The telescoping inner section 16 of the first part 11 of the motor mounting apparatus 10 is now in its extended position. The user may now lift the second part 12 clear of the first part 11 so that the second part 12 may now function as a trolley.

In Figure 6, the second part 12 of the motor mounting apparatus 10 may be seen when disengaged from the first part 11. In this embodiment of the invention, the second part 12 is in the form of a trolley which may be pushed by the handle 23 to wherever it is required. The presence of wheels 22 on the trolley 12 makes the task of transporting the trolley 12 simple and safe.

It may be seen in Figure 6 that the motor 27 is retained on both upper mounting means 17 and lower mounting means 18, ensuring that the motor 27 is firmly retained by the trolley 12 with no chance of the motor 27 slipping or falling off the trolley 12 during transportation.

Turning now to Figure 7, there is shown the second part 12 when used as a trolley independently of the first part (not shown). The motor 27 is retained on the upper mounting means 17 and the lower mounting means 18 to prevent the motor slipping or falling off the trolley 12 during use. The trolley 12 may be used to transport a motor 27 to where it is required, such as from a vehicle to a boat, or from a boat to a vehicle.

It is important during use of the trolley 12 that the weight of the motor 27 does not cause the trolley 12 to tip over if left unattended. Therefore, the angle between the upper mounting means 17 and the back member 29 of the trolley 12, as well as the angle between the back member 29 and the base member 30 should be maintained such that the trolley 12 will not tip over when a motor 27 is retained on the trolley 12.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

7.

8.

9. An apparatus for mounting a motor, the apparatus comprising a first part adapted for connection to a support and a second part adapted to hold a motor, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another, and wherein the second part is removably mounted to the first part. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to claim I wherein the first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus are movable between a retracted condition and an extended condition. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the second part is able to be disengaged from the first part when the motor mounting apparatus is in the extended condition. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein relative movement of the first and second parts is able to be prevented when the motor mounting apparatus is in the retracted position. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second part of the motor mounting apparatus comprises at least one wheel. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second part of the motor mounting apparatus is in the form of a trolley. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means comprises an upper mounting means and a lower mounting means. An apparatus for mounting a motor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the motor retained on the motor mounting apparatus is an outboard motor. A method of loading a motor onto a motor mounting apparatus, wherein the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a vehicle, comprising the steps of retaining a motor on a second part of a motor mounting apparatus, mounting the second part of the motor mounting apparatus onto a first part of the motor mounting apparatus, wherein the first and second parts are movable relative to one another, and engaging a locking means to prevent movement of the first and second parts relative to one another when the motor mounting apparatus is in a retracted position, and wherein the first part of the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a support. A method of unloading a motor from a motor mounting apparatus, wherein the motor mounting apparatus is connected to a vehicle, comprising the steps of disengaging a locking means adapted to prevent movement of first and second parts of the motor mounting apparatus relative to one another, creating a relative movement of the first and second parts until the motor mounting apparatus is in an extended position and disengaging the second part from the first part.