GB2035934A

GB2035934A - Adjustable rake angle outboard motor bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2035934A
Application number: GB7914446A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-12-11
Filing date: 1979-04-25
Publication date: 1980-06-25
Also published as: AU4644979A

Abstract

An outboard motor bracket includes means to adjust the outboard motor rake angle no matter what angle of the transom or other portion of the boat the bracket is to be attached. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable rake angle outboard motor bracket The use of an auxiliary outboard motor on inboard or outboard motor boats, sailboats and the like is commonplace. However, because the transom angle of boats varies from manufacturer to manufacturer or model to model, it has not always been possible to obtain satisfactory rake angle for the motor in the water for proper propulsion of the boat and efficient operation of the motor.

This invention is directed to an outboard motor bracket, particularly an auxiliary motor bracket, for boats, including sailboats, inboard and outboard motorboats and the like. An outboard motor is attached via parallel upper and lower a ms connected and pivotal with respect to the outboard motorboard and a bracket which is attached to the boat, usually at the transom. A spring is operable to normally bias the arms and the motorboard upwardly and there is a latch to releasably retain the arms and the motorboard in the upward or downward position. The improvement includes means to adjust the angle of the motorboard for the desired rake angle when the motor is in the water no matter whan angle of the transom of the boat.This is accomplished utilizing a plurality of openings in the transom member brackets where the upper and lower arms are pivotally attached in a selected opening for each of said arms. The upper and lower openings being positioned on an imaginary arc of a circle of given diameter so that the arms will always be parallel.

According to the present invention there is provided an outboard motor bracket assembly for boating having a member attachable to a transom of said boat, a board to which said outboard motor is attachable aft thereof, a bracket attached to said motorboard at the foreward side thereof, an upper arm and a lower arm connecting between and pivotal with respect to said transom member and said motorboard bracket, said arms vertically spaced a distance D, a torque spring operable between one of said arms and said motorboard bracket to normally bias said arms and motorboard upwardly, a latch means to releasably retain said arms and motorboard in a downwardly position, the improvement comprising: means to adjust the angle of said motorboard no matter what angle the transom of said boat, comprising a plurality of openings in said transom member for pivotal attachment of said lower arm to a selected one of said openings, and a plurality of openings for pivotal attachment of saud upper arm to a selected one of said openings, said upper and lower openings positioned on an imaginary arc of a circle of diameter D.

The invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the bracket of this invention in the down position; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a top elevational view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing the transom of the boat and the outboard motor in the down position; Figures . and 6 are side elevational views describing the bracket of this invention in the up position; and Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a transom angle member depicting the rake adjustment openings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI MENT Referring to the drawings, first angle transom member 20 and second identical member 22 are attached to the boat transom 21, using bolts 24. The transom members are spaced sufficiently apart to receive an upper arm 26 and a lower arm 28, which are pivotally attached to one of a plurality of selected respective openings 30 and 32. The other end is pivotally attached to a similar motorboard angle brackets 36 and 38. The two arms 26 and 1 8 are maintained substantially parallel to each other and, therefore, the space between holes 30 and 32 is a fixed distance D in brackets 20 and 22 and likewise the corresponding holes in motorboard brackets 36 and 38.Motorboard 44, typically a wood member, is attached to the brackets 36 and 38 so as to receive an outboard motor 23, which is clamped thereto in a typical manner. (See Figs. 1 and 4). A torque spring adjuster shaft 50 is connected at the pivotal attachment axis where the lower arm 29 connects with the corresponding motorboard bracket openings 36 and 38. The ends of the shaft include larger diameter portions 58 and 59. A torque spring has dual coiled portions 52 and 55, coaxial about shaft 50, and straddling the arm 28 with an intermediate yoke 54 operable thereagainst. The outwardly projecting ends 56 and 57 of the spring coils are operably retained within respective axial openings of end portions 58 and 59.Spring reaction rods 60 and 61 are positionable in the outer periphery of members 58 and 59 in selected openings 62 or 63, respectively (See Fig. 2) and are used to create a variety of torque or counterbalancing forces depending on the size and weight of the outboard motor.

The torque spring is situated so as to normally bias the outboard motorboard 44 and its connected brackets 36 and 38 toward the upward position (See Figs. 5 and 6). Thus, some force is necessary to move the outboard motorboard into the down position against the torque of the springs 52 and 55.

A latch-arm assembly generally designated by the numeral 70 includes parallel arms 72 and 74 pivotally attached to where the arm 26 is also attached to the transom members.

The latch-arm assembly straddles the arms as shown. A handle assembly 76 is provided at one end so as to be convenient for operation from the boat. Notch 80 is provided to lock the bracket in its upward position by cooperative engagement with pin 82 located in the lower arm 28 (See Fig. 5). At least one notch 84 is provided in the outer end of the latch arm for engagement with said pin 82 when the outboard motor bracket is in the down position. Additional notches may be provided for additional adjustment of the height position of the motor in the water. A cross-bolt 86 connects between the parallel arms 72 and 74 at the outer end and beneath arm 28.

Latch springs 88 and 90 extend between the transom members 20 and 22 to respective arms 72 and 74 as shown to bias the assembly 70 in a clockwise rotation to maintain the latched condition either up or down.

Referring now to Fig. 7, a side view of the transom member 20 (22 would be identical) is shown without the attached arms 26 and 28 or latch-arm assembly 70. Pivotal attachment openings 30 and 32 are drilled such that they lie on an imaginary arc of a circle of diameter D. Thus, arms 26 and 28 will always be spaced apart such distance D no matter which holes 30 and 32 the respective arms 26 and 28 are attached. This aspect of the invention creates the ability to adjust the rake angle of the outboard motor relative to the transom of the boat and the water no matter what angle the transom of the boat.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element or step thereof is entitled.

Claims

1. In an outboard motor bracket assembly for boating having a member attachable to a transom of said boat, a board to which said outboard motor is attachable aft thereof, a bracket attached to said motorboard at the foreward side thereof, an upper arm and a lower arm connecting between and pivotal with respect to said transom member and said motorboard bracket, said arms vertically spaced a distance D, a torque spring operable between one of said arms and said motorboard bracket to normally bias said arms and motorboard upwardly, a latch means to releasably retain said arms and motorboard in a downwardly position, the improvement com- prising:: means to adjust the angle of said motorboard no matter what angle the transom of said boat, comprising a plurality of openings in said transom member for pivotal attachment of said lower arm to a selected one of said openings, and a plurality of openings for pivotal attachment of said upper arm to a selected one of said openings, said upper and lower openings positioned on an imaginary arc of a circle of diameter D.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said improvement comprises a plurality of openings in said motorboard bracket for pivotal attachment of said upper arm to a selected one of said openings and plurality of openings for pivotal attachment of said lower arm, to a selected one of said openings, said openings positioned on an imaginary arc of a circle of diameter D.

3. In an assembly of claim 1 the improvement wherein a plurality of openings are provided either in said transom member or said motorboard bracket for pivotal attachment of one of said arms to a selected one of said openings, said openings for both of said arms positioned on an imaginary arc of a circle of diameter D.

4. An outboard motor bracket assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.