US3072091A

US3072091A - Indicator for direction of movement of a boat

Info

Publication number: US3072091A
Application number: US84221A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Booth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-01-23
Filing date: 1961-01-23
Publication date: 1963-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-08

Description

Jan. 8, 1963 w. M. BOOTH 3,072,091

INDICATOR FOR DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF A BOAT Filed Jan. 25, 1961 iUni -te rates Patent 3,072,091 TNDHJATQR FGR DHRECTTON 0F MOVEMENT @F A BOAT William M. llooth, 213% Vista Place, Grand Haven, Mich. Filed .lan. 23, 1961, 501'. No. 84,221 1 Claim. (Cl. 1116-31 This invention relates to an indicator for direction of movement of a boat, and more particularly to an indicator which is readily viewable by the boat operator.

Presently, a great number of boats using outboard motors as a source of power have steering mechanism at the front of the boat whereas the motor is placed at the stern of the boat. Many of the outboard motors have electric starting systems so that the operator needs only to position himself behind the steering mechanism of the boat, press a button to start the motor, and the boat is ready to move. With this type of equipment it is necessary for the operator to turn around to determine the position of the motor. This is necessary, particularly when the boat is docked since if the motor is turned in the wrong direction the boat will ram the dock resulting in injury to the boat.

There are many other instances when it is desirable to know the position of the motor and thus the direction in which the boat will travel. Also, on some of the boats the motor is hidden from view due to the stern construc tion. With this type of installation it is absolutely necessary to have a direction indicating device.

The present invention provides a device which is driven from the steering wheel shaft. The device may be placed on the steering wheel housing or boat dash immediately in front of an operator for quick reference.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a direction indicator which is controlled by the rotation of the steering wheel shaft.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a direction indicator which is composed of a minimum number of component parts and is therefore economical to manufacture and maintain.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a direction indicator which can be utilized with existing steering mechanisms with minor changes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a direction indicator which is readily viewable by the operator to indicate the position in which the boat will travel.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the direction indicator;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the direction indicator taken along the section 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged plan view of the direction indicator mechanism;

PEG. 4 is a still further enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the section lines 'IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of direction indicator;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the modified direction indicator taken along the section lines VI- VI of FIG. 5.

Generally, this invention relates to a device which indicates the position of the motor or tiller, and thus indicates the direction the boat will travel. On many installations, the steering wheel shaft to which the steering wheel is connected is journaled in a housing which is secured to the dashboard of a boat. The other end of the steering wheel shaft is provided with a winding drum around which tiller cables are wrapped. The ends of the tiller cables are attached to the motor or rudder of the boat via sheaves in a conventional manner. Thus, rotation of the steering wheel will cause movement of the rudder or motor to steer the boat. In one form of this invention the steering wheel shaft is provided with threads in the vicinity of the housing. A threaded collar is in engagement with the threads on the steering wheel shaft and is capable of translation therealong. A sleeve surrounds the steering wheel shaft and collar and has a cam slot located over the collar. A cam pin is fixed to the collar and operates in the cam slot. An indicator needle is connected to the cam pin. As the steering wheel turns the collar is translated therealong and rotated by the cam pin operating in the cam slot. Thus, as the steering wheel is rotated the indicator needle is also rotated. An indicator dial having indicia thereon is carried by the housing. The indicator dial is calibrated with respect to the indicator needle such that one rotation of the steering wheel shaft causes the indicator needle to move one indicium. Depending on the direction of rotation of the steering wheel the indicator needle will move to the right or left of center thus indicating the position of the motor.

A modified form of direction indicator uses gear means to transmit the motion of the steering wheel shaft to the indicator needle.

The direction indicator assembly is designated generally as 10. The assembly includes the steering wheel shaft 14, the shaft housing 17, and the indicator mechanism 25.

FIGS. 1 through 4 best show the direction indicator assembly 10, now to be described.

The steering wheel shaft housing 17 is an oval or oblong generally cup-shaped member. The open side of the housing is fitted against the front of a boat dash 12. The housing is secured to the boat dash 12 by conventional fastening means. It has an outwardly projecting hub 19 which has bearing means such as the sleeve 28 for supporting the steering wheel shaft 14. The hub and housing are provided with an aperture 2d to allow passage of the steering wheel shaft 14. The boat dashboard 12 is also provided with an aperture 15 to allow passage of the steering wheel shaft 14.

The housing 1'7 has a sight glass 18 which provides means whereby the operator may view an indicator needle 33 and an indicator dial 26 which forms part of the indicator mechanism 25.

The steering wheel shaft 14 is provided with a conven tional steering wheel 13 (as shown in FIG. 1) affixed to one end thereof. The other end of the shaft 14 is provided with a winding drum (not shown) which is positioned behind the boat dashboard 12. The steering wheel shaft 14 is fixed against longitudinal movement by conventional means such as snap rings (not shown).

The steering wheel shaft 14 is provided with threads 31 which are located on a portion of the shaft located within the confines of the housing 17.

A collar 30 having internal threads 34 is threaded onto the threads '31 of steering wheel shaft 14. The collar 3d also has a cam pin 32 which is fixed to the outer periphery of the collar and projects therefrom.

The steering wheel shaft 14 and collar 36 are sur rounded by a sleeve 28 which is formed integral with the interior of housing 17. The sleeve 28 has a cam slot 29 through which the cam pin 32 projects. The cam slot 29 is placed at an angle with respect to the shaft 14 to allow translation of the cam pin 32.

An indicator dial 26 is carried by the housing 17. It is positioned adjacent the boat dashboard 12 and behind the collar 30 and cam slot 2? as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The face of the indicator dial 226 is provided with indicia 27. The indicia 27 include a. centrally disposed marker and three marks positioned at equally spaced intervals on either side of the central mark.

The cam pin 32 has an indicator needle 33 affixed 3 thereto. The indicator needle 33 is carried by the cam pin and moves across the face of the indicator dial to indicate the position of the motor.

The indicator dial 26 is calibrated such that the indicator needle moves the distance between next adjacent indicia upon one complete rotation of the steering shaft 14. The indicator needle 33 moves to the right or left of the central marker depending upon the direction of rotation of the steering wheel.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified form of direction indicator assembly 40. The assembly it} is a more versatile arrangement than the assembly 10. This is true since the indicator may be added to existing equipment. As shown in FIGS 5 and 6, the indicator mechanism is secured to a conventional steering wheel shaft housing 17 which is connected to the dashboard 12; however, within the broadest aspect of the invention, the indicator may be positioned elsewhere than on the dashboard.

The assembly 44 includes a steering wheel drive shaft 41 which is provided with gear teeth 42 at a point hehind the dashboard 12, as shown in FIG. 6. The teeth 42 may be formed by knurling or in some other conventional manner. The shaft 41 is journaled in a cowling or sleeve 43 and fixed against longitudinal movement by conventional means such as snap rings (not shown). The cowling 43 is provided with a gear opening 44 to allow a pinion to mesh with the teeth 42 formed on the shaft 41.

A gear reduction box 54} is fixed to the cowling 43 adjacent the gear opening 44. The reduction gear box 50 is of conventional design and therefore will not be explained in detail.

A take-01f gear 52 is journaled in the side of the reduction gear box 5t? and the teeth thereof mesh with the teeth 42 formed on steering wheel shaft 41. A drive pinion 51 is meshed with the take-off gear 52 and connected with the mechanism within gear reduction box 51. The rotation of steering wheel shaft 4-]. is thus conveyed to the reduction gear box 50 via take-off gear 52 and drive gear 51.

A flexible power cable 53 is connected to the output of reduction gear box 5%) and passes through apertures formed in the dashboard l2 and the front of housing 17.

An indicator cover at having ears 62 is secured to the housing 17 by conventional fasteners 63. The indicator cover 6% may be attached to the dashboard per se at any appropriate position as the situation may demand. The cover so has a sight glass 61 which allows the operator to view an indicator dial 65 fixed to the cover 69.

The indicator dial 65 is similar in design to the indicator dial 26, having indicia 66 formed on the face thereof. The indicia include a central mark and three marks on either side thereof positioned at equally spaced intervals.

An indicator pinion 55 is positioned between the back of the cover of? and the indicator dial 65. The pinion 55 is fixed to a shaft 56 which is journaled in the back of the cover 60 and the indicator dial 65. The shaft 56 is of a length such that it extends a substantial distance beyond the indicator dial 65. An indicator needle 57 is fixed to the projecting end of the shaft 56.

A transfer shaft 58 is journaled in the indicator dial 65 and the back of cover 60 and projects beyond the back of cover 6%. The transfer shaft 58 is provided with one element of a connector 59. The other element of the connector 59 is secured to the power cable 53.

A transfer pinion 54 is fixed to the transfer shaft 58 and meshes with the indicator pinion 55. The output from reduction gear box 50 is conveyed through power cable 53, transfer pinion 54 to indicator pinion 55 which, when rotated, rotates the indicator needle 57.

Operation The direction indicator assemblies in and 40 both function to showthe boat operator the position of the boat motor or rudder which in turn indicates the direction the boat will travel when propelled.

In the assembly 10 the steering wheel shaft 14 is provided with a winding drum (not shown) which has cables wrapped thereabout also fixed to the motor or rudder in a conventional manner. Rotation of the steering wheel 13 results in turning of the motor or rudder.

As the steering wheel shaft 14 is turned by the steering wheel 13, the threads 31 work on the threads 34 formed on the interior of collar 30. The cam pin 32 is fixed to the collar 30 and rides in the cam slot 29 of stationary sleeve 28. Due to this arrangement, the collar 3'!) is free to rotate only as allowed by the cam slot 29. Thus, as the steering shaft 14 rotates, the collar 30 translates longitudinally therealong and rotates as allowed by the cam slot 29. By cutting threads at sixteen threads for each of an inch, six turns of the wheel can be indicated with only inch of axial or longitudinal travel of the cam pin and indicator needle 33. Since a majority of the steering systems only require six turns from hard left to hard right, this mechanism is ideal.

As the cam pin 32 follows in the slot 29, the indicator needle is carried with the cam pin. The indicator dial 26 is so calibrated that when the steering wheel shaft 14 makes one revolution the needle has traveled from, for example, the central marker to the next adjacent marker either to the left or right, depending upon the direction of rotation of the-steering wheel shaft. The indicator needle 33 is then lined with this marker or indicium and indicates to the operator that the motor is turned one turn to the right or left, as the case may be. With another turn of the wheel in the same direction, the indicator needle move over another indicium or mark and so on until three complete turns have been made. The rudder or motor is then turned hard right or hard left, depending upon the direction of rotation. Thus, it can be seen that the position of the motor is readily indicated and provides an instant reference to the operator since the indicating mechanism is immediately in front of him on the dashboard.

The direction indicator assembly 4% indicates the posit-ion of the motor or rudder in a manner similar to the assembly lltl except that the mechanism used to move the indicator needle 57 is different from that used to move the indicator needle 33. In the assembly 45, the rotation of the steering Wheel shaft 41 is conveyed to the indicator needle 57 through the various gears and power cable. Thus, rotation of the shaft 41 causes rotation of take-off gear 52 and drive gear 51. Drive gear 51 in turn operates the reduction gear unit 56, the output of which is conveyed through power cable 53 to the transfer shaft 58. The motion of transfer shaft 58 is conveyed through transfer pinion 54 to indicator pinion 55. The indicator needle 57 is affixed to the end of shaft 55 which is also connected to indicator pinion 55. Thus, the rotation of indicator pinion 55 causes rotation of indicator needle 57.

The output of reduction gear box 56 is such that one rotation of steering wheel shaft 41 results in the indicator needle 57 moving, for example, from the central marker or indicium to the next adjacent marker. The indicator needle 57 moves to the right or left depending on the direction of rotation of the steering Wheel shaft 41, indicating the position of the motor or rudder.

The assembly 40 can be used with existing equipment. It is only necessary to fix a gear ring (not shown) to the steering wheel shaft with which the take-off gear 52 can mesh. 'In the alternative the steering wheel shaft may be removed and teeth out or knurled thereon as shown in FIG. 6. The indicator assembly is otherwise installed as in an initial installation.

From the above description of this invention, it can be seen that the posit-ion of the motor or rudder is readily available to the boat operator by a mere glance at the direction indicator assembly. The indicator assembly isconstructed from a minimum number of component parts and is therefore economical to manufacture and maintain. The direction indicator eliminates the necessity of the boat operator turning around to determine the position of the motor or rudder With respect to the boat. Such an indicator is particularly desirable Where the motor installation is such that it is necessary for the operator to stand up to see the motor or motors to determine the position thereof. The indicator assembly can also be used with existing equipment with minor variations.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, it will be understood that modifications and improvements may be made thereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate the principles of this invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

An indicator for direction of movement of a boat comprising; a steering shaft, said shaft journaled in a housing, said shaft having an externally threaded portion, an internally threaded collar in threaded engagement With said portion and movable relative thereto, a cylindrical sleeve fixed With respect to said housing and surrounding said shaft and said collar, said sleeve having a cam slot formed therein, a cam pin fixed to aid collar and extending through said cam slot, an indicator needle fixed to said cam pin, an indicator dial carried by said housing and having indicia thereon, whereby rotation of said steering shaft causes said collar to move axially of said shaft; said slot thereupon cooperating with said cam pin to move said indicator needle with respect to said dial thereby indicating a change in the direction of travel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,337,848 Pendzuviater Apr. 20, 1920 1,431,797 Hess Oct. 10, 1922 2,707,451 Brink May 3, 1955 2,934,035 Hardy Apr. 26, 1960