US20050250393A1

US20050250393A1 - Isolated motor pan for watercraft

Info

Publication number: US20050250393A1
Application number: US11/178,813
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley Fishburn; Jeremiah Warfel
Original assignee: Bennington Marine LLC
Current assignee: Bennington Marine LLC
Priority date: 2003-03-06
Filing date: 2005-07-11
Publication date: 2005-11-10

Abstract

A watercraft floating in water including a deck and a motor isolated from the deck. In an embodiment of the invention, the watercraft includes a frame comprising cross-members for supporting the deck. The watercraft further includes a dampening assembly connecting the motor to the components of the watercraft floating in the water while isolating the motor from the deck of the watercraft. The dampening assembly allows the vibrations generated by the motor to be transferred into the water in order to reduce the overall vibration in the deck.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,447 filed Mar. 6, 2003, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the reduction in the transfer of vibration in watercraft. Specifically, the present invention relates to an increase in dampening of the vibrational energy generated by the motor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, in the field of watercraft, the propulsion unit, or motor as it is commonly referred to, is mounted directly to the frame of the watercraft. Standard motor units, notably those of the outboard variety, are commonly known to vibrate, especially at low speeds. Traditionally, the direct mounting of the motor to the frame of the watercraft allows the transfer of vibrations from the motor directly into the deck of the watercraft, thereby creating high levels of vibration in the deck.
The presence of high levels of vibration in the deck of the watercraft can be problematic for a variety of reasons. For example, the high vibration levels can reduce the enjoyment of the passengers in the watercraft. In addition, high levels of vibration may also loosen fasteners present within the watercraft, such as screws or bolts, thereby requiring an operator to perform frequent maintenance in order to ensure that the fasteners remain secure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a watercraft configured for a reduction in the transfer of vibrations from the motor of the watercraft to the deck. In an embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft includes a motor, a deck, at least one pontoon, a motor pan, at least one member connecting the deck to the pontoon and at least one member connecting the motor pan to the pontoon. The motor may be affixed to the motor pan in a conventional manner.
In an embodiment of the invention, the watercraft includes a second pontoon spaced apart from the first pontoon. The members connecting the deck to the first pontoon may also connect the first pontoon to the second pontoon. In addition, the member connecting the motor pan to the first pontoon also connects the first pontoon to the second pontoon. In an embodiment of the invention, the various members of the watercraft have substantially equivalent lengths.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft includes a plurality of brackets configured to connect the members to the pontoons. In an embodiment of the present invention, the brackets are each sized to connect a plurality of members to the at least one pontoon. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each bracket is sized and configured to connect only a single member to the at least one pontoon. Moreover, an embodiment of the present invention provides for a watercraft including both larger brackets, configured to connect multiple members to the pontoons, and smaller brackets, configured to connect a single member to the pontoons.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft includes an extended motor pan. The extended motor pan projects rearward from the watercraft beyond the pontoons. In an embodiment of the present invention, the extended motor pan allows a member to connect the rear end of the first pontoon to the rear end of the second pontoon. This rear member may be comprised of a thicker material than the remaining members utilized in the watercraft. Moreover, the rear member comprised of the thicker material may be connected to both the motor pan and/or the deck, in addition to being connected to the pontoons.
In an embodiment of the invention, the watercraft includes a shim located between the mounting pan and the member connected to the mounting pan. The shim positions the motor pan in a plane located vertically below the lower surface of any members connected in the deck, thereby isolating the motor pan from the deck. In an embodiment of the invention including the member comprised of the thicker material, the motor pan may be mounted directly to the thicker member. In turn, the thicker member may be connected directly to the deck in an embodiment of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the invention, the motor of the watercraft comprises an outboard motor of the type typically known in the art. The outboard motor is affixed to the motor pan in a conventional manner.
In an embodiment of the invention, the pontoons of the watercraft may be pressurized in a conventional manner. In addition, the watercraft may also include a third pontoon connected to the deck via the members described above.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description contained herein. However, it should be understood that the detailed description, and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent and the present invention will be better understood upon consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention employed in a watercraft;
FIGS. 2 through 2B depict side views at various magnifications of the watercraft depicted in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 and 3A depict perspective views at various magnifications of the watercraft depicted in FIGS. 2 through 2B with the deck removed for illustrative purposes;
FIG. 4 depicts a section view taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3A;
FIGS. 5 and 5A depict side views at various magnifications of the watercraft illustrated in FIG. 1 employing an alternative arrangement configured to reduce the transfer of vibrational energy from the motor into the deck;
FIGS. 6 and 6A depict perspective views at various magnifications of the watercraft depicted in FIGS. 5 through 5A with the deck removed for illustrative purposes;
FIG. 7 depicts a section view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIGS. 8 and 8A depict side views at various magnifications of the watercraft illustrated in FIG. 1 employing a further alternative arrangement configured to reduce the transfer of vibrational energy from the motor into the deck;
FIGS. 9 and 9A depict perspective views at various magnifications of the watercraft depicted in FIGS. 8 through 8A with the deck removed for illustrative purposes;
FIG. 10 depicts a section view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9A;
FIGS. 11-11B depict side views at various magnifications of the watercraft illustrated in FIG. 1 employing an alternative arrangement configured to reduce the transfer of vibrational energy from the motor into the deck;
FIGS. 12 and 12A depict perspective views at various magnifications the watercraft depicted in FIGS. 11 through 11A with the deck removed for illustrative purposes;
FIG. 13 depicts a section view taken along section line 13-13 of FIG. 11;
FIGS. 14 and 14A depict side views at various magnifications of the watercraft illustrated in FIG. 1 employing an alternative arrangement configured to reduce the transfer of vibrational energy from the motor into the deck;
FIGS. 15-15B depict perspective views at various magnifications the watercraft depicted in FIGS. 14 through 14A with the deck removed for illustrative purposes;
FIG. 16 depicts a section view taken along section line 16-16 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment from the suspended motor pan showing FIG. 16; and
FIG. 18 shows a magnification of the portion depicted in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive, nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.
Referring first to FIG. 1, numeral 10 generally indicates a watercraft. Although any type of watercraft may be used in conjunction with this invention, for illustrative purposes, a pontoon boat will be depicted as embodying the present invention. In the embodiment depicted, watercraft 10 includes a first pontoon 12, a second pontoon 14, a deck 16, a motor pan 18 and a motor 20. Although the watercraft 10 includes only two pontoons 12, 14 in the present embodiment, the number of pontoons may be increased as is known in the art without varying from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, a third pontoon (not shown) may be located intermediate pontoons 12, 14 while also extending in a direction parallel thereto. Moreover, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the watercraft 10 may be any other conventional type of watercraft.
Referring still to FIG. 1, the motor 20 is of a type generally referred to as an outboard motor. In the embodiment depicted, motor 20 is mounted to motor pan 18 in a well known manner. For example, the motor 20 may tilt relative to the motor pan 18 in a known manner. The motor pan 18 supports the motor 20 as the motor 20 propels the watercraft 10. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, other types of motors such as those of the inboard/outboard variety may be employed.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an embodiment of the watercraft 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is illustrated. It should be noted that FIGS. 3-4 depict the watercraft 10 with deck 16 (indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2) and all components attached to the top surface thereof removed for descriptive purposes. FIGS. 2-4 show that watercraft 10 further includes a frame 22. In the embodiment depicted, frame 22 includes a plurality of cross-members 24 and a plurality of brackets 26. As depicted, the frame 22 joins the deck 16 to the first and second pontoons 12, 14.
As can be seen specifically in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the brackets 26 include a horizontal plate 28 and a vertical plate 30, disposed perpendicular to each other. Additionally, in the embodiment depicted, once brackets 26 have been attached to pontoons 12, 14 each of the horizontal plates 28 of the plurality of brackets 26 are located in the same horizontal plane. Conversely, vertical plates 30 are disposed in a plurality of vertical planes depending upon the attachment portion of the brackets 26 to the pontoons 12, 14.
As is depicted in FIG. 3, brackets 26 extend along the outer portion of each of the pontoons 12, 14, and an additional group of brackets 26 are located along the inner portions of the pontoons 12, 14. The number of brackets 26 attached to the pontoons 12, 14 may vary as needed in order to provide adequate support to deck 16. Brackets 26 may be attached to the pontoons 12, 14 in any manner well known in the art. For example, in the embodiment depicted, the brackets 26 are welded to the pontoons 12, 14. The method of attachment, however, may be altered to conform to any method well known in the art. Moreover, the configuration of the brackets 26 may be altered in any manner still allowing the brackets 26 to ultimately support the deck 16.
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 2A, it can be seen that the rearmost cross-member 24 need not extend completely across the width of watercraft 10. As is depicted, shorter cross-members 24 may be employed in frame 22 near the rear of the craft 10. The inclusion of shorter cross-members 24 may be necessary in order to allow motor 20 to tilt upwards without contacting frame 22 ensuring the motor 20 remains isolated from frame 22.
FIGS. 2-4 depict the cross-members 24 as being attached to the brackets 26. In the embodiment illustrated, each cross-member 24 extends a length approximately equal to the distance separating the outer edges of brackets 26 located on the outer edges of pontoons 12, 14. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the cross-members 24 include a lower plate 32, an upper plate 34 and a vertical plate 36. Lower plate 32 and upper plate 34 extend parallel to each other with vertical plate 36 located intermediate plates 32, 34 and positioned perpendicular thereto. This configuration forms a known configuration commonly referred to as a “C-channel.” In alternative embodiments of the present invention, cross-members 24 comprising alternative configurations may be employed. The cross-members 24 may be formed from stainless steel, aluminum, or other similar material well known in the industry with high strength and high resistance to corrosion.
Referring now to FIG. 2A, the watercraft 10 is illustrated as further including a plurality of fasteners 38. Fasteners 38 may be manufactured from any material well known in the art having high strength and high resistance to rust and corrosion. Fasteners 38 are dispersed throughout frame 22 and generally extend through both the lower plate 32 of the cross-members 24 and the horizontal plate 28 of the brackets 26. Accordingly, the fasteners 38 succeed in attaching the cross-members 24 to the brackets 26 in a conventional manner.
As depicted, FIGS. 2 and 2A, watercraft 10 further includes a plurality of fasteners 40 extending through both the deck 16 and the upper plates 34 of the cross-members 24. Fasteners 40 secure deck 16 to frame 22. To accomplish this, fastener 40 may be of any type utilized in the art, such as carriage bolts, screws or the like. Fasteners 40 may be manufactured from a material with high resistance to corrosion when in contact with water, thereby extending the life and durability of the fasteners 40. It should be noted that in the embodiment depicted, both sets of fasteners 38, 40 extend into nuts 60 in order to secure fasteners 38, 40 in a known manner.
Now that the general superstructure of watercraft 10 has been described, an embodiment of the mechanism attaching the motor pan 18 to the pontoons 12, 14 will be described in detail. Specifically, FIGS. 2-4 depict a plurality of dampening assemblies 42. In this embodiment, each dampening assembly 42 includes a first cross-member 44, a second cross-member 46 and a bushing 48. The first cross-member 44 is illustrated as having a structure identical to the cross-members 24. In this embodiment, however, the size of the two cross-members 24, 44 differ. In a manner similar to the cross-members 24, the first cross-member 44 may be extruded from stainless steel or aluminum as required. As can be seen in FIG. 3, both the first cross-member 44 and the dampening assembly 42 overall has a length approximately equal to the distance separating the brackets 26 of the frame 22 located on the inner portions of the pontoons 12, 14. In addition, a plurality of apertures (not shown) is disposed throughout the lower surface of the first cross-members 44.
The second cross-member 46 of the dampening assembly 42 consists of a similar C-shaped design utilized in the cross-members 24 of the frame 22 and the first cross-members 44 of the dampening assemblies 42. The second cross-member 46, however, is rotated 90° along its longitudinal axis from the position of first cross-member 44, thereby orientating the opening of second cross-member 46 upwards. In one embodiment of the invention, the second cross-member 46 may be extruded from the same mold as the cross-members 24 and merely rotated 90° in order to perform the function as described herein.
FIGS. 2B and 4 depict bushing 48 as separating first cross-member 44 from second cross-member 46. The bushing 48 may be manufactured from any material well known in the art for dampening or absorbing vibration. For example, in the embodiment depicted, a bushing 48 is comprised of a rubber material. Furthermore, it should be noted that the distance separating the top surface of first cross-member 44 from the bottom surface of second cross-member 46 is controlled by the height of bushing 48. In the embodiment depicted, the distance separating the top of member 44 and the bottom of member 46 is less than the overall height of the cross-members 24 comprising frame 22.
Now that the structure of an embodiment of the dampening assembly 42 has been described in detail above, the manner in which the dampening assembly 42 attaches the motor pan 18 to the frame 22 will now be described. Referring first to FIGS. 2-3, it can be seen that the dampening assembly 42 may be attached to the inner brackets 26 of the frame 22 by way of at least one fastener 52. Fasteners 52 may be of a similar type to that of fasteners 38, 40 and comprised of a similar material. Specifically, the fasteners 52 should be manufactured from a material having high strength and rigidity while also resistant to rust and corrosion, especially when coming into contact with water. The fasteners 52 succeed in attaching the dampening assembly 42 to the brackets 26 by extending through apertures (not shown) located within first cross-member 44, second cross-member 46, and bushing 48 in addition to an aperture (not shown) located within the horizontal plate 28 of bracket 26. Furthermore, it should be noted that fastener 52 extends through a nut 60 similar to that described above with regards to fasteners 38, 40.
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the attachment of the motor pan 18 to the dampening assembly 42. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a shim 50 extends along the bottom surface of the dampening assembly 42 in order to separate the mounting surface 19 of motor pan 18 from the lower surface of the dampening assembly 42. Shim 50 may be manufactured from any lightweight material known for resisting corrosion, such as aluminum. In addition, shim 50 generally includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) that extending therethrough.
The attachment of the dampening assembly 42 to the motor pan 18 is achieved by way of the extension of additional fasteners 52 through the first cross-member 44, the second cross-member 46, the bushing 48, the shim 50 and the mounting surface 19 of the motor pan 18. A nut 60 is then employed to secure the fastener 52 in a well known manner. The presence of the shim 50 between the bottom surface of the second cross-member 46 and the mounting surface 19 of the motor pan 18 spaces the motor pan 18 in a horizontal plane located vertically below the horizontal plates 28 of the brackets 26. Consequently, as should be appreciated, the motor pan 18 is disposed at a level below the lower surface of the cross-members 24 to ensure cross-members 24 do not contact motor pan 18. Accordingly, the height of the shim 50 determines the distance separating the cross-members 24 from the motor pan 18.
In some embodiments, the rearmost cross-members 24 may also be attached to motor pan 18 in a manner similar to that in which the dampening assemblies 42 are attached to the motor pan 18. The attachment of the rearmost cross-members 24 to the pan 18 provides additional support to motor pan 18. In embodiments with the rearmost cross-members 24 attached to the pan 18, a shim (not shown) with a height substantially identical to that of shim 50 is included between the lower surface of lower plate 32 and the mounting surface 19 of the motor pan 18. This ensures that the frame 22 remains separated from the motor pan 18. Once the shim has been positioned between the cross-member 24 and the mounting surface 19, a fastener (not shown), similar to fastener 52 discussed above, is inserted through the lower plate 32, the shim and the mounting surface 19. In an embodiment, a nut (not shown) engages the fastener in a known manner in order to secure the shim, cross-member 24 and motor pan 18. It should be appreciated, however, that alternative methods of attaching cross-member 24 to the motor pan 18 may be utilized as desired.
FIGS. 5-7 depict an alternative embodiment of the dampening assembly 42. In this embodiment of the watercraft 10′, all remaining components are identical to that described above and indicated by numeral accordingly. The alternative embodiment of the dampening assembly, however, is generally indicated by numeral 42′.
As can be seen, dampening assembly 42′ includes a one-piece extrusion having a base 54, a pair of walls 56 and a top portion 58. In the embodiment depicted, dampening assembly 42′ is depicted as being formed from a single extrusion of a material having high rigidity, high beam strength and high resistance to rust and corrosion when in contact with water. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, however, the dampening assembly 42′ need not be extruded as one solid component, but rather, dampening assembly 42′ may be comprised of separate components affixed to one another in a conventional manner. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the embodiment depicted, the dampening assembly 42′ has a length allowing for the extension of the dampening assembly 42′ between the outer brackets 26 included in the frame 22. The length of the damping assembly 42′, however, may be shortened so that damping assembly 42′ extends between the inner brackets 26 of frame 22. Furthermore, the rearmost dampening assembly 42′ need not extend across the watercraft 10, but rather may have a length sufficient to allow the assembly 42′ to extend to just the motor pan 18.
Referring still to FIGS. 5-7, base 54 of dampening assembly 42′ represents the flat, planar, rectangularly shaped lower portion of the dampening assembly 42′. Walls 56 rise perpendicularly upward from base 54 and extend longitudinally parallel to the long edges of the rectangularly shaped base 54. In the embodiment depicted, the walls 56 each extend a distance upwards from the base 54 less than the distance vertical plate 36 extends upwards from lower plate 32 in the cross-members 24.
Dampening assembly 42′ further includes top portion 58. Top portion 58 represents a slightly curved horizontal piece connecting the top edges of walls 56. In alternative embodiments, the shape and curvature of the top portion 58 may be altered as desired. When altering the shape of the top portion 58, however, one must ensure that the overall height of the dampening assembly 42′ does not increase to a height greater than the height of the cross-members 24.
Dampening assemblies 42′ may attach the motor pan 18 to the frame 22 in a variety of ways. For example, with reference to FIG. 6A, it can be seen that in the embodiment illustrated, the rearward dampening assemblies 42′ are arranged in a way allowing the dampening assemblies 42′ to extend perpendicularly from the mounting surfaces 19 of motor pan 18. In alternative embodiments, the rear dampening assemblies 42′ may be arranged such that each dampening assembly 42′ extends parallel to the cross-members 24 of the frame 22. In either embodiment, regardless of the direction of extension of the rear dampening assemblies 42′, the dampening assemblies 42′ are affixed to both the frame 22 and the motor pan 18 in a similar manner.
The dampening assemblies 42′ are joined to frame 22 at the brackets 26. Specifically, the dampening assemblies 42′ are positioned atop the brackets 26 with base 54 resting upon the horizontal plates 28 of the brackets 26. The dampening assemblies 42′ are then affixed to brackets 26 by way of fasteners 52 extending through both the horizontal plate 28 and the base 54. The fastener 52 may be affixed to the horizontal plate 28 and the base 54 by way of a nut 60 in a well known manner. Furthermore, as should be appreciated, the top portion 58 may limit the ease in which the nuts 60 may fasten to the fasteners 52. Therefore, if desired, the fasteners 52 may be inserted through the base 54 outside of the walls 56.
The dampening assembly 42′ is joined to the motor pan 18 in a similar manner. Referring specifically to FIG. 7, it can be seen that fasteners 52 extend through both the base 54 of the dampening assembly 42′ and the mounting surface 19 of the motor pan 18. As can be viewed in FIG. 7, shim 50 is located intermediate the base 54 and the mounting surface 19. As should be apparent, the inclusion of the shim 50 disposes the motor pan 18 at a height below the lower plates 32 of the cross-members 24. Consequently, the cross-members 24 of frame 22 do not contact the motor pan 18.
Now that the attachment of the motor pan 18 to the frame 22 by way of the dampening assemblies 42′ have been described, the next step in assembling watercraft 10 requires the attachment of deck 16 to the frame 22. Deck 16 may be manufactured from any material commonly utilized in the art, such as plywood or aluminum. The deck 16 is placed across the top surface of the upper plates 34 of the cross-members 24 and affixed thereto by way of a plurality of fasteners 38, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 5 and 5A. Fasteners 38 may be of any type well known capable of affixing the deck 16 to the cross-members 24 by way of insertion through both the deck 16 and the cross-members 24 in a well known manner. In addition, fasteners 38 may even be identical to fasteners 40, if desired. Furthermore, it should be noted that in both of the embodiments depicted herein the dampening assembly 42, 42′ has a height less than that of the cross-members 24. This ensures that the dampening assemblies 42, 42′ do not contact the deck 16 following the attachment of the deck 16 onto the cross-members 24. Once the deck 16 has been attached to frame 22, additional components, such as seats, tables, side rails, etc. may be installed upon deck 16 in a conventional manner in order to complete the assembly of watercraft 10.
The above-described assembly has the affect of isolating the motor pan 18 from the frame 22 of the watercraft 10. Furthermore, as the frame 22 supports deck 16 of the watercraft 10, the above-described assembly also isolates the motor pan 18 from the deck 16. This isolation reduces the transfer of motor vibration from motor 20 to deck 16 and further, reduces motor vibration experienced by the occupants of the watercraft 10 in the manner described immediately following.
As should be appreciated, motor vibration generated by the operation of the motor 20 is transferred through motor pan 18 into the dampening assembly 42, 42′. The vibrational energy is then transferred into the pontoons 12, 14 before being transferred to the cross-members 24 of the frame 22. This is accomplished by having a set of cross-braces 24 for attachment of the deck 16 to the pontoons 12, 14 and a set of dampening assemblies 42, 42′ for attachment of the motor pan 18 to the pontoons 12, 14. As the pontoons 12, 14 reside within water during the operation of motor 20; the vibrational energy is partially absorbed by and transferred into the water. This transfer of vibrational energy into the water reduces the magnitude of the vibrational energy transferred into the cross-members 24 of the frame 22. Said differently, as the motor pan is connected to a different set of cross braces as is the deck, and because the only common connection between the cross braces is the pontoons, the motor vibration is dissipated in the water. Consequently, minimal vibrational energy is transferred directly into deck 16 by way of the cross-members 24 is minimal. This reduction in vibrational energy transferred is appreciated when considered with respect to the prior art watercraft, which generally mount the motor pan directly to the frame, thereby allowing for the direct transfer of the vibrational energy from the motor to the deck. Consequently, the dampening effect of the present invention results in significantly less vibrational energy being transferred into the deck 16 of the watercraft 10 and, therefore, allows occupants of the watercraft 10 to enjoy a smoother ride with less vibration being observed by the occupants.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an alternative embodiment of the watercraft 10 is depicted and generally indicated by numeral 110. In describing the following embodiment, components common to previous embodiments will be indicated with the same reference numeral. Components similar to previously described components, but modified from the previous embodiments, have the same base numeral, but are indicated by a reference numeral increased in magnitude by a factor of 100 from reference numerals of a previous embodiment.
In the present embodiment, watercraft 110 includes first and second pontoons 12, 14 and a substantially planar deck 16. Watercraft 110 also includes an extended motor pan 118. Extended motor pan 118 has a structure similar to that of motor pan 18, described above. Extended motor pan 118, however, has a greater length than motor pan 18. Extended motor pan 118 also includes mounting surfaces 119 similar to mounting surface 19 of motor pan 18.
FIG. 9 depicts a motor 20 attached to extended motor pan 118. Motor 20 may be attached to extended motor pan 118 in any conventional manner allowing extended motor pan 118 to support motor 20 as motor 20 propels watercraft 110. In addition, the connection between extended motor pan 118 and motor 20 may be generally configured to allow motor 20 to tilt with respect to extended motor pan 118 in a manner well known. It should be noted that in comparison with previous embodiments, the length of extended motor pan 118 positions motor 20 rearward of the position of motor 20 when connected to motor pan 18.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9A, watercraft 110 includes a frame generally indicated by numeral 122. In this embodiment, frame 122 includes a plurality of cross-members 24 extending across watercraft 110 and affixed to the outer brackets 26. It should be noted that frame 122 differs from previous embodiments of the frame 22 due to the inclusion of a full length cross-member 24 positioned nearest the stern of the watercraft 110.
Referring still to FIGS. 9 and 9A, watercraft 110 includes two dampening assemblies 42′, each with a length approximately equal to the width of the watercraft 110. Dampening assemblies 42′ have the same configuration as that described above with respect to previous embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 10 depicts a section view taken along section line 10-10 in FIGS. 9 and 9A. As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the dampening assemblies 42′ include a plurality of fasteners 52 connecting dampening assemblies 42′ to the mounting surfaces 119 of extended motor pan 118. In the present invention, shims 50 are located intermediate the dampening assemblies 42′ and the mounting surfaces 119. The fasteners 52 extend through the dampening assemblies 42′, shims 50 and mounting surface 119 in order to connect the components together.
It should be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the plane of the mounting surfaces 119 is located below the plane in which the lower plate 32 of the cross-member 24 is located. Accordingly, the vibration of motor 20 travels through the extended motor pan 118 into dampening assemblies 42′ and into pontoons 12, 14. The lack of a direct contact between the extended motor pan 118 and the frame 122 reduces the magnitude of the vibrations transferred into the deck 16 from motor 20, as in previous embodiments.
FIGS. 11-13 depict another embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment of the invention includes extended motor pan 118 and a pair of dampening assemblies 42′ connecting the extended motor pan 118 to the pontoons 12, 14 in a manner similar to that described above.
As shown in FIGS. 11-12, the present embodiment of the invention includes a modified frame 222. As depicted, modified frame 222 includes a plurality of cross-members 24 connected to pontoons 12, 14 in a conventional manner. Moreover, frame 222 further includes modified cross-member 224 also connected to pontoons 12, 14 in a similar manner.
FIG. 13 depicts a section view taken along section lines 13-13 in FIG. 12A. As shown in FIG. 13, modified cross-member 224 has a structure similar to that of cross-members 24. Modified cross-member 224 includes a lower plate 232, an upper plate 234 and a vertical plate 236. In the present embodiment, lower plate 232 and upper plate 234 extend in a parallel direction but are spaced apart from each other. Vertical plate 236 extends in a direction perpendicular to that of lower plate 232 and upper plate 234 and may be joined to lower plate 232 and upper plate 234 in a conventional manner. For example, vertical plate 236 may be welded to complementary outer edges of lower plate 232 and upper plate 234. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical plate 236 may be formed integrally with lower plate 232 and upper plate 234.
Referring still to FIG. 13, a comparison of cross-member 24 and modified cross-member 224 shows that in the present embodiment, modified cross-member 224 includes plates 232, 234, 236 having a thickness comparatively larger than the thickness of plates 32, 34, 36 comprising cross-member 24. The relatively thicker plates 232, 234, 236 provide modified cross-member 224 with a comparatively greater strength than the strength of cross-member 24.
With reference now to FIGS. 14-16, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, the present embodiment of watercraft 310 includes an extended motor pan 118. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, watercraft 310 includes a plurality of cross-members 24, a dampening assembly 42′ and a modified cross-member 224.
FIGS. 15-15B depict a perspective view of watercraft 310 with deck 16 removed for illustrative purposes. As seen in FIG. 15, watercraft 310 includes a plurality of brackets 26 attached to the top surface of pontoons 12, 14. In the present embodiment, brackets 26 may be attached to the pontoons 12, 14 in the manner described above with respect to previous embodiments. Watercraft 310 further includes modified brackets 326 attached to pontoons 12, 14 along the respective interior facing surfaces of the pontoons 12, 14. As shown in FIG. 15B, modified brackets 326 include a modified horizontal plate 328 and a modified vertical plate 330 arranged in a perpendicular orientation.
In the present embodiment of modified bracket 326, the modified horizontal plates 328 and modified vertical plates 330 have substantially equal widths. In addition, modified horizontal plate 328 may be attached in any conventional manner to modified vertical plate 330. For example, in embodiments of modified brackets 326, the modified plates 328, 330 may be welded or bolted to one another. In other embodiments, the plates 328, 330 may be integrally formed of a single portion of material bent into the right angle depicted.
In the present embodiment, the width of the modified plates 328, 330 is substantially smaller than the comparative width of plates 28, 30. As depicted in FIGS. 15 and 15A, modified brackets 326 have a width approximately equal to the width of cross-members 24. Accordingly, each modified bracket 326 is sized and configured to connect only a single cross-member 24 to one of the pontoons 12, 14.
Referring still to FIGS. 15-15B, the depicted embodiment of watercraft 310 includes a dampening assembly 42′ and a modified cross-member 224 similar in structure to those described in detail above. Dampening assembly 42′ is attached to the extended motor pan 118 proximate the front of extended motor pan 118. Conversely, modified cross-member 224 is attached to the extended motor pan 118 proximate the rear of the motor pan 118.
As shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of fasteners 52 connect dampening assembly 42′ to the mounting surface 119 of modified motor pan 118. Fasteners 52 extend through the mounting surface 119 of the modified motor pan 118 and the base portion 54 of dampening assembly 42′. Nuts 60 engage the fasteners 52 in order to affix the extended motor pan 118 to the base portion 54 of the dampening assembly 42′.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, a shim 50 is disposed intermediate the base portion 54 of dampening assembly 42′ and the extended motor pan 118. As described in previous embodiments, shim 50 includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) to receive fasteners 52. The extension of fastener 52 through shim 50 and dampening assembly 42′ connects the shim 50 to the assembly 42′ and pan 118.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, extended motor pan 118 is connected directly to modified cross-member 324. In order to facilitate the connection of modified cross-member 324 to the mounting surface 118 of extended motor pan 118, modified lower plate 332 includes a plurality of apertures (one of which is shown in section in FIG. 16) at various positions. Similarly, the mounting surface 119 includes a plurality of apertures (one of which is shown in section in FIG. 16) located in positions complementary to the locations of the apertures disposed throughout lower plate 332. This arrangement allows fasteners 52 to extend through the apertures of both mounting surface 119 and lower plate 332. Nuts 60 may then be threaded onto the fasteners 52 thereby connecting pan 118 to cross-member 324.
Referring still to FIG. 16, the present embodiment of the invention does not include a shim 50 or any other conventional means separating the modified lower plate 332 from the mounting surface 119. Accordingly, the mounting surface 119 abuts the modified lower plate 332 of the modified cross-member 324.
It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the lower surface of modified lower plate 332 of modified cross-member 324 and base 54 of dampening assembly 42′ reside in a first substantially horizontal plane (as shown in FIG. 16). Unlike previous embodiments of the invention, in this embodiment, the mounting surface 119 does not reside in a second plane (not shown) substantially parallel to the first plane. Rather, shim 50 is disposed intermediate dampening assembly 42′ and mounting surface 119, the front portion of extended motor pan 118 is located at a vertical position below the first plane. Conversely, the rear portion of the extended motor pan 118 abuts the modified lower plate 332 of modified cross-member 324 meaning the rear portion of extended motor pan 118 is positioned vertically above the front portion of the extended motor pan 118. Thus, extended motor pan 118 is tilted forward.
In the present embodiment, extended motor pan 118 is pitched sufficiently to ensure the mounting surface 119 only contacts modified cross-member 324 of frame 322. The mounting surface 119 is spaced apart from the extended motor pan 118 from each of the cross-members 24 comprising the modified frame 322.
In the present embodiment, vibrational energy from motor 20 travels into extended motor pan 118 whenever motor 20 is in operation. The vibrational energy concentrated at the rear of the extended motor pan 118 travels into deck 16 via modified cross-member 324 (FIG. 14). Due to the stiffness associated with the thicker plates 326, 328, 330 comprising modified cross-member 324, and due to the proximity of cross-member 324 to the very rear of pontoon, the vibrational energy transferred through the modified cross-member 324 is smaller in magnitude than would be associated with standard cross-members 24.
As explained previously, the front of the extended motor pan 118 is connected to dampening assembly 42′. Thus, vibrational energy at the front of extended motor pan 118 travels into pontoons 12, 14 via the dampening assembly 42′. As explained above, the floating of the pontoons 12, 14 in water supporting the watercraft 310 results in the dampening and dissipation of the vibrational energy into the water.
With reference now to FIGS. 17 and 18, the attachment of motor pan 118 can alternatively have a rubber spacer or grommet 400 placed intermediate motor pan 118 and C-channel 324, as best shown in FIG. 18. As should appreciated by one skills in the art rubber spacer 400 could take on any form, such as a rubber bushing or grommet, or could be an elongate gasket extending along the length of the C-channel 324 having multiple apertures for connection to the C-channel at multiple longitudinal positions.
While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising:

a first pontoon;

a second pontoon spaced apart from said first pontoon;

a frame comprising a plurality of cross-members connected to at least one of said first pontoon or said second pontoon;

a dampening assembly extending from said first pontoon to said second pontoon;

a motor pan connected to said dampening assembly; and

a deck attached to said frame;

wherein said motor generates vibrational energy during operation and the transfer of vibrational energy from said motor to said deck is reduced by said dampening assembly.

2. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a shim located intermediate said dampening assembly and said motor pan.

3. The watercraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dampening assembly comprises a base, a pair of walls and a top portion; and said shim is positioned intermediate said base and said motor pan.

4. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor pan extends rearward from said watercraft a distance sufficient to ensure that each of said cross-members is connected to both said first pontoon and said second pontoon.

5. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cross-members include a lower plate, a parallel upper plate and a vertical plate connecting said lower plate to said upper plate, said vertical plate being arranged perpendicular to said lower plate and said upper plate.

6. The watercraft as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a plurality of brackets connected to said first pontoon and said second pontoon wherein said cross-members are connected to said pontoons via said brackets.

7. The watercraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein said dampening assembly is connected to at least one of said brackets.

8. The watercraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein said lower plates of said cross-members are connected to said brackets and said upper plates of said crossmembers are connected to said deck.

9. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame further includes a second type of cross-member comprised of a material with a thickness greater than the thickness of the material comprising said first types of cross-members.

10. The watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein said motor pan is connected to said second type of cross-member and does not contact said first type of cross-member.

11. The watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and said second types of cross-members each include an upper plate, a lower plate and a vertical plate connecting said upper plate to said lower plate.

12. The watercraft as set forth in claim 11 wherein said upper plate, said lower plate and said vertical plate comprising said second type of cross-member have a greater thickness than the thickness of said upper plate, said lower plate and said vertical plate comprising the first type of said cross-member.

13. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a second dampening assembly connecting said motor pan to said first pontoon and said second pontoon.

14. The watercraft as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first dampening assembly extends parallel to said second dampening assembly.

15. The watercraft as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first dampening assembly and said second dampening assembly are approximately equal in length to said cross-members.

16. The watercraft as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first and second dampening assemblies include a base, a pair of side walls and a top portion connecting said pair of said walls.

17. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor pan includes a mounting surface configured to connect said motor pan to said dampening assembly.

18. The watercraft as set forth in claim 17 wherein said mounting surface is positioned in a plane located vertically below said cross-members.

19. The watercraft as set forth in claim 18 wherein said mounting pan is spaced apart from said cross-members when said mounting pan is connected to said dampening assembly.

20. The watercraft as set forth in claim 19 further comprising a shim intermediate said dampening assembly and said mounting surface; said shim having a thickness defining the distance separating said mounting surface from said cross-members.

21. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of brackets; each of said brackets connecting at least one of said dampening assembly or said cross-members to one of said first pontoon or said second pontoon.

22. The watercraft as set forth in claim 21 wherein said brackets are sized to connect only one of said dampening assembly or said cross-members to one of said first pontoon or said second pontoon.

23. The watercraft as set forth in claim 21 wherein said brackets are sized to connect a plurality of said cross-members to one of said first pontoon or said second pontoon.

24. The watercraft as set forth in claim 23 further comprising a plurality of second type of brackets sized to connect only one of said cross-members to one of said first pontoon or said second pontoon.

25. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor is an outboard motor.

26. A watercraft comprising:

a floatation means for supporting a majority of said watercraft above the surface of water;

a motor pan for supporting a motor, said motor pan comprising a mounting surface, said motor pan configured to support a motor;

a deck positioned above said floatation means;

a first member connected to said floatation means and said deck; and

a second member connected to said motor pan and said floatation means, said second member being isolated from said deck.

27. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a third member connected to said deck and said motor pan.

28. The watercraft as set forth in claim 27 wherein said third member includes an upper surface and a lower surface, said deck being attached to said upper surface and said motor pan being attached to said lower surface.

29. The watercraft as set forth in claim 28 wherein said lower surface of said third member is attached to said floatation means.

30. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said first member includes an upper surface and a lower surface, said deck being attached to said upper surface and said floatation means being attached to said lower surface.

31. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said second member includes a lower surface attached to said mounting surface and said floatation means.

32. The watercraft as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a shim intermediate said lower surface of said second member and said mounting surface of said motor pan.

33. The watercraft as set forth in claim 32 wherein said motor pan does not contact said first member.

34. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said floatation means includes a plurality of pontoons.

35. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said first member extends substantially parallel to said second member.

36. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 further comprising at least one bracket sized to connect said first member and said second member to said floatation means.

37. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 further comprising at least one bracket sized to connect only said first member to said floatation means.

38. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a second said second member, said second of said second members spaced apart from said first of said second members, said first member being located intermediate said first of said second members and said second of said second members.

39. The watercraft as set forth in claim 38 wherein said first and said second of said second member extend in parallel directions.

40. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said first member has a length approximately equal to the length of said second member.

41. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said first member includes a lower plate, an upper plate an intermediate plate, said lower plate being arranged parallel to said upper plate and said intermediate plate being arranged perpendicular to said lower plate and said upper plate, said intermediate plate connecting said lower plate to said upper plate.

42. The watercraft as set forth in claim 41 wherein said upper plate is connected to said deck and said lower plate is connected to said floatation means.

43. The watercraft as set forth in claim 26 wherein said motor is an outboard motor.

44. A watercraft comprising:

at least one pontoon;

a motor pan including a mounting surface;

a motor connected to said motor pan;

a deck supported by said at least one pontoon;

a first member including an upper surface and a lower surface; said lower surface being attached to said at least one pontoon and said upper surface being attached to said deck;

a second member including a lower surface and an upper surface, said lower surface being connected to both said mounting surface of said motor pan and said at least one pontoon;

wherein said upper surface of said second member is spaced apart from said deck.

45. The watercraft as set forth in claim 44 further comprising a second pontoon spaced apart from said first pontoon said first member connecting said first pontoon to said second pontoon.

46. The watercraft as set forth in claim 45 wherein said first member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first pontoon and said second pontoon.

47. The watercraft as set forth in claim 46 wherein said second member also connects said first pontoon to said second pontoon, said first member and said second member being substantially equivalent in length.

48. The watercraft as set forth in claim 47 wherein said motor pan is located intermediate said first pontoon and said second pontoon.

49. The watercraft as set forth in claim 45 wherein said first pontoon and said second pontoon are pressurized.

50. The watercraft as set forth in claim 44 wherein said at least one pontoon includes a front end and a rear end, and said motor pan extends outward from said watercraft a distance sufficient to locate said motor rearward of said rear end of said pontoon.

51. The watercraft as set forth in claim 50 wherein said motor is an outboard motor.

52. The watercraft as set forth in claim 50 further comprising a third member comprising an upper surface connected to said deck and a lower surface connected to said mounting surface of said motor pan.

53. The watercraft as set forth in claim 52 wherein said lower surface of said third member is connected to said at least one pontoon.

54. The watercraft as set forth in claim 52 wherein said third member is located at a position intermediate said second member and said motor.

55. The watercraft as set forth in claim 54 wherein said rear end of said at least one pontoon and said third member is connected to said at least one pontoon proximate said rear end.

56. The watercraft as set forth in claim 44 further comprising a bracket comprising a horizontal plate and a vertical plate; said bracket being attached to said at least one pontoon and said lower surface of first member being attached to said horizontal plate.

57. The watercraft as set forth in claim 56 wherein said lower surface of said second member is attached to said horizontal plate.

58. The watercraft as set forth in claim 56 wherein said horizontal plate is sized to receive only said first member.

59. The watercraft as set forth in claim 44 wherein said first member has a C-shaped profile.

60. A pontoon boat, comprising:

first and second elongate pontoons;

a plurality of first cross braces extending transversely between, and connected to, said first and second pontoons;

a deck supported by said first cross braces;

at least one second cross brace extending transversely between, and connected to, said first and second pontoons;

a motor pan being connected to said at least one second cross brace, and being isolated from said plurality of cross braces at the location of said second cross brace; and

a motor connected to said motor pan.

61. The pontoon boat of claim 60, wherein the motor pan is also connected to one of the first cross braces, at a position adjacent the motor.

62. The pontoon boat of claim 61, further comprising rubber spacers positioned between the one said first cross brace, and motor pan.

63. A watercraft comprising:

a plurality of pontoons;

a frame including a plurality of cross-members and a plurality of brackets, said brackets being affixed to said pontoons and said cross-members being affixed to said brackets and extending between said pontoons;

a deck positioned on top of said frame;

a motor mounting assembly, isolated from said frame, and attached to said pontoons;

a motor attached to said motor mounting assembly.

64. The watercraft as set forth in claim 63, wherein said motor mounting assembly is affixed to said brackets of said frame.

65. The watercraft as set forth in claim 63, wherein said deck is attached to said frame opposite said pontoons.

66. The watercraft as set forth in claim 65, wherein said deck is attached to said cross-members of said frame.

67. The watercraft of claim 64, wherein said motor mounting assembly is comprised of a cross beam assembly attached to said brackets, and a motor pan connected to said cross beam assembly.

68. The watercraft as set forth in claim 67, wherein said motor mounting assembly further includes a shim disposed between said motor pan and said cross beam assembly.

69. The watercraft as set forth in claim 67, wherein said cross beam assembly includes a first cross-member, a second cross-member, and a bushing, said first cross-member and said bushing disposed within said second cross-member.

70. The watercraft as set forth in claim 69, wherein said bushing is comprised of rubber.

71. The watercraft as set forth in claim 67, wherein said cross beam assembly is comprised of a metal extrusion.

72. The watercraft as set forth in claim 71, wherein said metal extrusion includes a base, a pair of walls, and a top portion, said base separated from said motor pan by way of said shim.

73. The watercraft as set forth in claim 67, wherein said cross beam assembly is located above said motor pan and is spaced apart from said motor pan.

74. The watercraft as set forth in claim 63, wherein any vibration energy created through operation of said motor is transferred by said motor mounting assembly into said pontoons and dampened by water supporting said pontoons.

75. The watercraft as set forth in claim 63, wherein said motor mounting assembly is positioned in a plane below said frame cross-members.

76. The watercraft as set forth in claim 75, wherein said motor mounting assembly includes a plurality of beams spanning across and fixed to said brackets, wherein a vertical height of said beams is less than a vertical height of said frame cross-members.

77. The watercraft as set forth in claim 63, wherein a rear portion of the motor mounting assembly is connected to a rearward most cross-member.

78. The watercraft of claim 77, wherein the motor mounting assembly includes at least one cross beam member extending traversely between and connected to the pontoons, and a motor pan being connected to said at least one cross beam.