US3136286A

US3136286A - Outboard propulsion unit mount providing for rotation in a generally transverse vertical plane

Info

Publication number: US3136286A
Application number: US180282A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kiekhaefer Elmer Carl; Jr Charles F Alexander; Robert A Boda
Original assignee: Kiekhaefer Corp
Current assignee: Kiekhaefer Corp
Priority date: 1962-03-23
Filing date: 1962-03-23
Publication date: 1964-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 1981-06-09

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. C. KIEKHAEFER ETAL OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PROVIDING FOR ROTATION IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE June 9. 1964 Filed March 25, 1962 Attorneys June 9. 1964 E. c. KIEKHAEFER ETAL 3,136,286

OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PROVIDING FOR ROTATION IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE Filed March 23, 1962 A 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z8 INVENTOR. 37 1 ELMER c. KIEKHAEFER CHARLES F. ALEXANDER JR.

BY ROBERT A. BODA 2 24 flndrus Sidrke Attorneys June 9, 1964 OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PROVIDING FOR ROTATION IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE Filed March 23, 1962 E. C. KIEKHAEFER ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet Z5 INVENTOR. ELMER c. KIEKHAEFER CH LES F. A EXANDER JR.

OBERT A. ODA

flair-us Stark:

Attorneys June 9, 1 E. c. KIEKHAEFER ETAL 3,136,286

OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PROVIDING O ROTATION N A GENERALLY TRANSVBRSE VERTICAL ANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ELMER C. KIEKHAEFER CHARLES E ALEXANDER JR. ROBERT A BODA BY flndrus srarke I Filed March 25, 1962 Attorneys June 9, 1964 E. c. KIEKHAEFER ETAL OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PROVIDING FOR ROTATION IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE Filed March 23, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 k m e m x MEDA r mm W XB IEE 5 I c EM 3 55% U Mum r am a H C Y 8 w Attorneys United States Patent C OUTBOARD PROPULSION UNIT MOUNT PRO- VIDING FOR ROTATION IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer, Winter Haven, Fla., and Charles F. Alexander, Jr., and Robert A. Boda, Oshkosh, Wis., assignors to Kiekhaefer Corporation, Cedarburg, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 180,282 23 Claims. (Cl. 115-41) operative or not in use. Several inboard-outboard drives are capable of such rotation in a generally transverse vertical plane, but the various structures employed appear to include certain inadequacies. In some drives it is even necessary to effect such rotation of the propulsion unit by manually lifting the unit which is at best very difficult and even hazardous, especially when such rotation must be attempted from inside the boat. It is generally an object of this invention to provide an improved means for rotating the propulsion unit of an inboard-outboard drive in a generally transverse vertical plane to an inverted position and including means whereby such rotation may be readily accomplished and with relative ease from inside the boat.

According to this invention, the propulsion unit of an inboard-outboard drive is pendantly and dirigibly suspended outboard of the watercraft from a support member having a portion which extends through an opening in the transom and is rotatable within the opening. Means mounted inboard of the watercraft are provided to rotate the support member within the transom opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane. Means are further provided for locking the propulsion unit in any position of its path in the noted plane.

The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best a mode for carrying out the invention as presently contemplated and set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the outboard portion of an inboard-outboard drive shown mounted on the I transom of a boat;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevation of an inboard-outboard drive with parts broken away and sectioned to better show portions of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the propulsion FIG. 5 is a view taken generally on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

3,136,286 Patented June 9, 1964 FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 and shows the relative positions of the threaded member and housing member after the housing member has been unclamped and moved rearwardly to a position disengaged from the transom and before the housing member together with the propulsion unit is rotated;

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally on line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and shows a switch which is disposed in the ignition and starting circuits of the engine and shows the position of the housing member in its unclamped position and spaced rearwardly from the switch to open the switch and render the said engine circuits inoperative;

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 and shows the housing member in its clamped position and in engagement with the switch disposed inthe ignition and starting circuits of the engine to close the switch and render the said circuits operative;

FIG. 10 is a view taken generally on line 10-10 of FIG. 6; 4

FIG. ll-is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 and shows the relative positions of the threaded member and housing member after the housing member has been rotated through to place the propulsion unit, not shown, in its inverted position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally on line 12-12 of FIG. 4 and shows the drive means for rotating the nut member and the lock means whereby the housing member together with the propulsion unit can be locked in any position of rotation;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 and shows how the threaded member positively returns the housing member along with the propulsion unit, not shown, to the operating position;

FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 12 and shows the means for driving the nut member, not shown, in the nonoperative position; and

FIG. 16 is a view with parts broken away and sectioned similar to FIG. 15 and shows-the means for driving the nut member in the operative position.

Referring to the drawings, the inboard-outboard drive includes a propulsion unit 1 which is pendantly and dirigibly suspended outboard from the transom 2 of a partially shown boat or other watercraft 3. The propulsion unit 1 includes a propeller 4 which is driven by the engine 5 mounted inboardof the boat to be propelled.

The propeller 4 of the propulsion unit is carried by the generally horizontal propeller shaft 6 which is driven through

beveled gears

7 and 8 by the generally vertical shaft 9 rotatably supported within the housing 10 of propulsion unit 1. A pair of vertically spaced beveled gears 11 and 12, one of which is a forward gear and the other a reverse gear, are mounted in suitable bearings and are freely rotatable on the upper end of shaft 9. The drive gear 13 the axis of which is disposed generally horizontally, drivingly engages the beveled gears 11 and 12 and causes the latter to rotate in opposed directions. A clutch element 14 disposed between beveled gears 11 and 12 is carried by shaft 9 and is slidable axially thereon to selectively engage gears 11 and 12 to complete the drive connection between the drive gear 13 and vertical shaft 9. The clutch element 14 also has an intermediate neutral position between gears 11 and 12 in which case the propeller 4 is inoperative.

The drive gear 13 is driven by engine through the generally horizontal drive connection including axially spaced and aligned shaft members 15 and 16 which are connected by the double universal joint 17 disposed generally at the intersection of the generally transverse vertical and horizontal planes respectively containing the swivel and tilt axes of the propulsion unit 1.

At the engine end, the horizontal drive shaft 15 is carried within the hub member 18 mounted on the engine flywheel 19. Shaft 15 is keyed within the inner hub 2%) by means of a spline connection and is freely movable axially relative thereto. An annular cushion element 21 is interposed between inner hub 2t and the outer hub member 18 and generally maintains shaft 15 in proper alignment relative to the engine shaft 22. Cushion element 21 in the hub structure serves to isolate engine vibration from the propulsion unit drive and is readily defiect able to accommodate engine movements on the resilient mounts 23. interposed between the engine 5 and the watercraft 3.

The suspension for the propulsion unit 1 includes inner and

outer plates

24 and 25 secured on opposed sides of transom 2 by means of a plurality of throughbolts 26'. The outer transom plate 25 is provided with a forwardly extending cylindrical flange 27 which projects through transom opening 28 and into opening 29 in the inner transom plate 24 and defines an effective cylindrical transom opening 30.

The suspension means further includes the housing member 31 comprising a forwardly extending cylindrical portion 32 and a rearwardly extending bell-shaped portion 33 which are separated by a partition wall 34 having an opening 35 centrally thereof through which the horiz'ontaldrive shaft 15. extends. The cylindrical housing portion 32 is slidably received within opening 30 of the outer transom plate 25 and extends forwardly beyond the forward end of flange 27 into the watercraft. Rearwardly the opening 39 is stepped to provide an annular shoulder 36 on outer transom plate 25 which is engageable by a corresponding shoulder 37 on housing member 31 in its forwardmost'position which is the normal operating position for the unit. Shoulder 36 is provided with a plurality of radially extending spline grooves 38 which are engageable by corresponding splines '39 and shoulder 37 to lock the housing member 31 against rotation within the opening 30 when the opposed shoulders are drawn together. Housing portion 32 is threaded forwardlybeyond the end of flange 27 of transom plate 25 andv a drive nut member 40 is threaded thereon to draw

shoulders

36 and 37 together and rigidly secure or' clamp the housing member 31 with respect tothe transom. An annular stepped cover plate :1 is secured to the inner transom plate 24 and extends over the peripheral portion of nut member 40 to confine the latter between the respective plates 24 and 41.

An intermediate gimbal ring member 42 is pivotably supported on a generally vertical swivel axis within the bell-shaped portion 33 of housing 31 to provide for steering movement of the propulsion unit in a generally horizontal plane. The bell-shaped portion 43 of the propulsion unit housing is in turn pivotably supported on a generally horizontal transverse axis within the gimbal ring member 42 to accommodate tilt movements of the propulsion unit'in a generally vertical plane as when the underwater unit strikes a submerged or floating obstruction. The horizontal drive connection between engine 5 and drive gear 13 extends through gimbal ring member 42 andfor steering and tilt movements of the propulsion unit the double universal joint 17 simply bends correspondingly and maintains the drive connection to the propulsion unit 1.

According to this invention, the propulsion unit 1 is not only pivotable on a generally vertical swivel axis and a generally horizontal transverse tilt axis, but is additionally rotatable on a generally horizontal axis extending fore-and-aft and coinciding generally with the axis of drive shaft 15 for movement in a transverse vertical plane to eifect inversion of the propulsion unit.

To move the propulsion unit 1 in a transverse vertical plane and thereby. effect inversion of the propulsion unit,

. it is first necessary to move the housing member 31 together with the propulsion unit rearwardly with respect to opening 30 in transom plate 25 from the normal operating position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in PEG. 10 wherein shoulder 37 on the housing member 31 is disengaged and moved rearwardly from shoulder 36 on the outer transom plate 25. The desired rearward movement of housing member 31 within opening 30 is obtained by turning the confined drive nut 4t) in an unthreading direction. As the housing member 31 moves rearwardly the propulsion unit drive system remains intact as the horizontal drive shaft 15 moves rearwardly and axially with the propulsion unit relative to the inner hub member 20 carried by the engine flywheel 19.

The annular cover plate 41 is provided with a switch housing 44 which projects radially inwardly of the circular opening 45 in the plate and contains an electrical safety switch 46 which is disposed in series with the electrical ignition and starting circuits of the engine 5. In the normal, operating position of the propulsion unit 1, the forward end of housing member 31 engages and maintains depressed the switch actuating rod 47 against the bias of a spring 48, as shown in FIG. 9, holding the switch contact rod in position to maintain the switch 46 closed and the ignition and. starting circuits operative. As the housing member 31 moves rearwardly for inversion of the propulsion unit, the switch rod 47 is biased to open the switch 46 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 breaking both the ignition and starting circuits of engine 5. While ordinarily an inversion of the propulsion unit should not be attempted with the engine 5 running, the provision of switch 46 in the engine ignition circuit will assure engine cutoff in the event such inversion is attempted with a running engine. With safety switch 46 disposed also in the starting circuit of the engine, accidental starting of the engine during inversion of the propulsion unit is also prevented.

If not otherwise prevented, the propulsion unit 1 would be free to sway back and forth in a transverse vertical plane because of wave action after the housing member 31 is'moved rearwardly and shoulders 36 and 37 on the transom plate 25 and housing member respectively are disengaged. To prevent oscillation of the housing member 31 within opening 30 of transom plate 25, a lug 49 projects forwardly from the forward edge of housing member 31 and engages an adjustable stop screw 5% threaded into the switch housing 44 in the path of the lug to prevent rotation of the housing member in one direction. Rotation of housing member 31 in the opposite direction is prevented by a pawl member 51 which is pivotably mounted on the threaded member 52 within a recessed portion 53 in the outer periphery of the housing member. The pawl member 51 includes an arcuate end portion 54 which is adapted to engage within a corresponding notch 55 provided in annular cover plate 41. A spring member 56 carried by housing member 31 engages the pawl projection 57 on the opposite side of pivot 52 from end portion 54 and bindingly biases end portion 54 into the notch 55 to hold housing member 31 against rotation in the noted opposed direction.

Generally rotation of the nut member 40 in an unthreading direction through or one-half revolution will move the housing member 31 rearwardly so that

shoulder

36 and 37* on transom plate 25 and the housing member respectively are separated to positions shown generally in FIG. 10. Nut member 4t} carries a pawl engaging member 53 inwardly from the annular cover plate 41 and which includes an inwardly projecting lug 59. Member 58 moves from its initial position shown generally in FIG. 4 to its pawl engaging position shown generally in FIGS. 6 and 10 during the first one-half revolution of the nut member required for separation of

shoulders

36 and 37. Pawl member 51 is provided with a recess 60 which is engageable by lug 59 of member 58 as it rotates with the nut member 40 in the unthreading direction to lift the pawl member out of the cover plate notch 55 against the bias of pawl spring 56. The opposed ends of recess 60 constitute

shoulders

61 and 62 disposed on opposite sides of pivot 52 and being selectively engageable by the corresponding sides of lug 59 as is more fully described hereinafter.

After the pawl member 51 is lifted out of the cover plate notch 55 by member 58, the lug 59 engages the lift shoulder 61 of the pawl member with continued rotation of nut member 40. After engagement between lug 59 and lift shoulder 61, the pawl member 51 rotates with the nut member 40 and carries with it the housing member 31 together with the propulsion unit 1 as the nut member is rotated further in the unthreading direction. The propulsion unit 1 is thereby rotated in a generally transverse vertical plane from its operating position to its fully inverted position as shown in FIG. 3. When the propulsion unit 1 has reached its fully inverted position, the stop lug 63 projecting forwardly from the forward edge of housing member 31 engages the switch housing 44 on the side 64 opposite from stop screw 56 as shown in FIG. 11 to prevent further rotation of the nut member 40, housing member 31 and the propulsion unit. Since substantially one-half revolution of nut member 40 is required to separate the propulsion unit and support housing 31 from transom plate 25, and another one-half revolution is required to carry the propulsion unit to its inverted position, it is evident that the complete inversion process requires substantially one full revolution of the nut member.

It is contemplated that inversion of the propulsion unit will only be effected when the drive system is in neutral and clutch element 14 is disposed intermediate bevel gears 11 and 12. Thus, as the propulsion unit is rotated for inversion of the unit, the bevel gears 11 and 12 will freely rotate on drive gear 13 which will remain generally stationary because of the frictional resistance in the engine drive. In the event, however, that inversion of the propulsion unit is attempted in gear with clutch element 14 engaging either gear 11 or 12, the vertical drive shaft 9, propeller shaft 6 and the propeller 4 will rotate correspondingly during inversion as the bevel gears 11 and 12 rotate on the generally stationary drive gear 13.

When it is desired to return the propulsion unit 1 to its operating position from the inverted position, nut member 40 is rotated in the opposed or threading direction. During initial movement of the nut member 40 in .the threading direction, the lug 59 on the pawl engaging member 58 moves relative to the pawl member 51 in the pawl recess 60 until the lug 59 engages with shoulder 62 of the pawl member. As the lug 59 moves away from lift shoulder 61, the pawl member 51 is pivoted under the influence of spring 56 until the pawl end portion 54 engages the surface 65 which defines opening 45 in cover plate 41. With the pawl member 51 pivoted into bearing engagement with cover plate surface 65, the lug 59 solidly engages shoulder 62 of the pawl member and upon further rotation of the nut member 40 in the threading direction the pawl member is positively pulled along by the lug to rotate the housing member 31 and thereby return the propulsion unit 1 to its operating position.

As the propulsion unit 1 approaches the operating position, the forces acting on the pawl member 51 causing the same to pivot into bearing engagement with cover plate surface 65, namely, the pull of lug 59 on shoulder 62 and the biasing pressure of spring 56, also cause the pawl member end portion to enter the cover plate notch 55 as the pawl member returns to its initial position. As

. 6 the pawl member pivots and the pawl end portion 54 approaches the bottom of notch 55, shoulder 62 is carried to a position clear of lug 59 to effect a disengagement between the pawl member 51 and the pawl engaging member 58. At the instant of disengagement between the pawl member 51 and the pawl engaging member 58, contact is imminent between the guide lug 49 on housing member 31 and the stop screw 5%) on switch housing 44. From the position of imminent contact, the weight and momentum of the propulsion unit are relied upon to rotate housing member 31 to effect contact between guide lug 49 and the stop screw 50 and to carry the pawl member end portion 54 deeper into notch 55. Thereafter the propulsion unit 1 is held against movement in a transverse plane between the engagement of lug 49 and stop screw 50 and the binding action of the pawl member 51 within the cover plate notch 55. After movement of the propulsion unit 1 and housing member 31 is interrupted by contact of lug 49 with stop screw 50, continued rotation of the confined nut member 40 in the threading direction draws the housing member together with the propulsion unit toward the transom to re-engage

shoulders

36 and 37 on the outer transom plate 25 and housing member 31 respectively. Stop screw 50 is of course properly adjusted to assure that the propulsion unit will return to its normal operating position and that the radial splines 39 on the housing member shoulder 37 will correctly align with the corresponding spline grooves 38 on transom plate shoulder 36.

The invention further contemplates means for operating the nut member 40 from inside the watercraft to move the propulsion unit 1 in the transverse vertical plane and lock means for securing the propulsion unit at any desired location in its path of movement within the stated plane.

To accomplish these objectives, the periphery of nut member 40 is provided with gear teeth 66 which are adapted to mesh with the worm 67 rotatably disposed within a cylindrical housing 68 supported in a generally vertical position by the inner transom plate 24. The worm 67 includes an upwardly extending shaft portion 69 rotatably supported in the cover member 70 of housing 68. Shaft portion 69 extends upwardly through the lock housing 71 secured on cover member 70 and adjacent the upper end thereof carries a pair of vertically spaced cross pins 72 and 73 which extend radially through shaft portion 69 and are disposed generally normal to each other; The upper end of shaft portion 69 is adapted to receive the hollow lower end portion of a crank member 74, shown only in part in FIGS. 15 and 16. The lower end portion of crank member 74 fits onto the end of shaft portion 69 and is provided with opposed axially extending slots 75 which open downwardly and are adapted to receive the opposed ends of the upper cross pin 72 so that cranking torque can be applied selectively in either direction to worm 67 to rotate the nut member 40 and thereby raise and lower the propulsion unit 1 in a transverse vertical plane.

Beneath cross pin 72, shaft portion 69 carries an axially movable lock sleeve 76 which is adapted to selectively lock the worm 67 against rotation and thereby secure and hold the propulsion unit 1 in any desired position in its path in the transverse vertical plane. The lower end of lock sleeve 76 is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth 77 which are adapted to be received in corresponding slots 78 extending outwardly from opening 79 in the lock housing 71 through which shaft portion 69 extends. The upper end of the lock sleeve 76 is provided with opposed axially extending slots 80 which open upwardly and are adapted to receive the opposed ends of the lower cross pin 73. Sleeve 76 is movable axially relative to cross pin 73 and in its uppermost position the cross pin is engaged by the base of slots 80 to hold the lock sleeve teeth 77 in engagement with the corresponding lock housing slots 78 to lock the amazes i7 worm 67 against rotation. A coil spring 81 is disposed around shaft portion 69 between the Worm housing cover member 70 and lock sleeve 76 in chamber 82 of the lock housing 71 and serves to bias the lock sleeve into the locked position.

To unlock the shaft portion 69 from the lock housing 71 and thereby render worm 67 operable in either direction to drive nut member 40, the crank member 74 is placed in position on the end of shaft portion 69 and the lower end thereof engages with the upper end of the lock sleeve 76. The crank member '74 is then pushed axially downwardly to move sleeve 76 correspondingly against the bias of coil spring 81 and thereby move the lock sleeve teeth 77 out of engagement with the lock housing slots 73 and into the lock'housing chamber 82 as shown in FIG. 16. With the lock sleeve teeth 77 disengaged from the corresponding slots 78, the sleeve 76 and shaft portion 69 are free to be rotated by the crank member 74 to actuate the worm 67. 7

When it is desired to again lock the propulsion unit in a given position, downward pressure on crank member '74 is relieved so the coil spring 81 can again bias the lock sleeve 76 upwardly into the locked position with the lock sleeve teeth 77 in engagement with the lock housing slots 73. In the event teeth 77 and slots 78 are not properly aligned to effect re-engagement, it may be necessary to rotatably back off or advance the sleeve 76 a slight amount by means of the crank member 74. After the sleeve 76 is locked relative to the lock housing 71, crank member 74 can be removed if desired.

The invention thus contemplates an improved mount for the outboard drive or propulsion unit of an inboardoutboard drive providing for rotation of the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane. Means are provided inboard of the watercraft for effecting such rotation when desired where it is readily accessible to an occupant of the watercraft. The invention further contemplates means for locking the propulsion unit in any position of its path in the generally transverse vertical plane.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

' We claim:

1. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, a support member carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a cylindrical portion extending forwardly through an opening in the transom and being adapted for rotation within said opening, a drive nut threaded upon said cylindrical portion inboard of the watercraft means confining the drive nut against fore-and-aft movement relative to the transom, means engageable vw'th the drive nut to rotate the same and move the support member longitudinally within said transom opening, said drive nut being rotatable in a threading direction to clamp the support member relative to the transom and maintain the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, said drive nut being rotatable in an unthreading direction to thereby unclamp the support member from the transom, and means for rotating the unclamped support member within said opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the propulsion unit is movable in a generally transverse vertical plane about the axis of said cylindrical support member portion through one-half revolution to a fully inverted position, and stop means mounted on the transom engageable by a projection on the support member to prevent movement of the propulsion unit beyond the inverted position.

3. The invention as set forth invclaim 1 wherein switch means disposed in the engine ignition and starting circuits is mounted on the transom and is engageable by the support member, said switch means being closed to render said circuits operative when the support member is clamped to the transom and the propulsion unit is in its normal operating position and open to render said circuits inoperative when the support member is un clamped from the transom.

4. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, a support member carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylindrical portion and a transom engaging shoulder rearwardly of said portion, said cylindrical support member portion being disposed in an opening through the transom and having an exteriorly threaded portion at its forward end and being adapted for rotation within said opening, a drive nut threadedly engaging said cylindrical portion inboard of' the watercraft, means confining the drive nut against fore-and-aft movement relative to the transom whereupon rotation of the drive nut in a threading direction pulls the support member shoulder toward the transom to rigidly clamp the support member relative to the transom and maintain the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, means to rotate the drive nut in an unthreading direction and thereby move the sup port member shoulder rearwardly away from the transom to unclamp the support member from the transom, and means for rotating the unclamped support member within said opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane.

5. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, plate means secured outboard of the transom and having a hollow cylindrical portion extending forwardly through the transom to define a transom opening, said plate means having an annular rearwardly facing shoulder, a support member pendantly and dirigibly carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylindrical portion and a forwardly facing shoulder engageable with the shoulder on said plate means, said cylindrical support member portion being disposed in said transom opening and extending therethrough into the watercraft and being adapted for rotation within the opening, drive means within the watercraft and engaging the cylindrical support member portion and adapted to selectively exert a force forwardly on said support member for movement longitudinally to draw the opposed shoulders on the plate means and support member together and thereby rigidly clamp the support member relative to the transom and maintain the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, said drive means being operable in the opposite direction to exert a force rearwardly to move said shoulders apart and thereby unclamp the support member from the transom, and means inside the watercraft for rotating the unclamped support member within said opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein interlock means are associated with the shoulders on the transom plate means and support member respectively to rotationally lock the support member relative to the transom when the force exerting means draws the shoulders together.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein one of the shoulders on the transom plate means and the support member is provided with radially extending spline grooves for engagement with corresponding splines on the other of 'said shoulders to rotationally lock the supportmember relative to the transom when the force exerting means draws the shoulders together, and guide means mounted on the transom and engageable by a support member projection to assure proper engagement between the splines and corresponding grooves on the respective shoulders.

8. The invention of claim wherein the portion of the cylindrical support member portion which projects into the watercraft is exteriorly threaded, and the means within the watercraft for exerting a force forwardly and rearwardly on said support member to respectively clamp and unclamp said member is a drive nut threaded upon the cylindrical support member portion, and means substantially confining said nut against fore-and-aft movement relative to the transom.

9. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, generally horizontal shaft means drivingly connecting the engine and the propulsion unit, opposed inner and outer plate members secured to the transom and a hollow cylindrical portion projecting from one of said members through the transom to define a transom opening and one of said plate members having an annular rearwardly facing shoulder, a support member pendantly and dirigibly carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylindrical portion and a forwardly facing shoulder corresponding to the shoulder on one of said plate members, said cylindrical support member portion being disposed in said transom opening and having an exteriorly threaded portion at its forward end which extends into the watercraft and being adapted for rotation within the opening on the axis of the drive shaft means, a drive nut threadedly engaging the cylindrical support member portion inboardly of the watercraft, said drive nut being rotatable in a threading direction to effect clamping of the support member relative to the transom as the opposed shoulders on the transom plate and support member respectively are drawn together to thereby secure the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, said drive nut being substantially confined against movement fore-and-aft relative to the transom whereupon rotation of the drive nut in an unthreading direction moves the support member rearwardly to separate the said opposed shoulders and thereby unclamp the support member from the transom, lock means on the support member engaging transom mounted means to rotationally lock the unclamped support member, and means inside the watercraft for disengaging the support member lock means and rotating the unclamped support member within the transom opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane to a substantially inverted position.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the lock means for rotationally locking the unclamped support member comprises a pivotable pawl member on the support member which bindingly engages transom mounted means to prevent rotation of the support member within the transom opening in one direction, and a forwardly projecting lug on the support member which engages transom mounted means to prevent rotation of the support member in the opposite direction.

11. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, generally horizontal shaft means drivingly connecting the engine and the propulsion unit, opposed inner and outer plate members secured to the transom and a hollow cylindrical portion projecting from one of said members through the transom to define a transom opening and one of said plate members having an annular rearwardly facing shoulder, a support member pendantly and dirigibly carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylin drical portion and a forwardly facing shoulder corresponding to the shoulder on one of said plate members, said cylindrical support member portion being disposed in said transom opening and having an exteriorly threaded portion at the forward end thereof which extends into the watercraft and being adapted for rotation within the opening on the axis of the drive shaft means, a drive nut threadedly engaging the cylindrical support member portion inboardly of the watercraft, said drive nut being rotatable in a threading direction to effect clamping of the support member relative to the transom as the opposed shoulders on the transom plate and support member respectively are drawn together to thereby secure the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, means on the inner transom plate member to substantially confine the drive nut against movement fore-and-aft relative to the transom whereupon rotation of the drive nut in an unthreading direction moves the support member rearwardly to separate the said opposed shoulders and thereby unclamp the support member from the transom, means projecting forwardly from the drive nut and rotating therewith, means on the support member disposed in the path of the drive nut projecting means, said drive nut projecting means engaging the support member means after the support member is unclamped from the transom and thereafter the support member together with the propulsion unit move with the drive nut upon continued rotation of the drive nut in the unthreading direction,

means to interrupt movement of the drive nut when the propulsion unit reaches the inverted position, drive means inside the watercraft for rotating the drive nut, and means to lock the drive means for the drive nut and thereby lock the propulsion unit in any position in its path in the plane of rotation.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the outer periphery of the drive nut is provided with gear teeth, and the drive means for rotating the drive nut comprises a worm in meshing engagement with the gear teeth.

13. The invention of claim 11 wherein the outer periphery of the drive nut is provided with gear teeth, and the drive means for rotating the drive nut comprises a Worm in meshing engagement with the gear teeth and having a drive shaft, and the means for locking the drive means comprises a housing having an opening through which the worm drive shaft extends, a sleeve on said shaft and having a plurality of radially extending teeth at the lower extremity thereof engageable with corresponding slots provided in the housing at said opening, stop means on the shaft and engageable by the sleeve when the teeth engage with said slots, and means biasing said sleeve in the direction of said stop means, said sleeve being rotationally locked to the shaft and movable axially on the shaft and being normally biased to place the teeth into engagement with said slots to rotationally lock the shaft and its worm relative to the housing, said shaft and its worm being rotatable to drive the drive nut only when the sleeve is moved against the pressure of said biasing means out of engagement with said slots to unlock the shaft from said housing.

14. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, generally horizontal shaft means drivingly connecting the engine and the propulsion unit, opposed inner and outer plate members secured to the transom and a hollow cylindrical portion projecting from one of said members through the transom to define a transom opening and one of said plate members having an annular rearwardly facing shoulder, a support member pendantly and dirigibly carrying said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylindrical portion and a forwardly facing shoulder corresponding to the shoulder on one of said plate members, said cylindrical support member portion being disposed in said transom opening and having an exteriorly threaded portion at its forward end which extends into the watercraft and being adapted for rotation within the opening on the axis of the drive shaft means, a drive nut threadedly engaging the cylindrical support member portion inboardly of the watercraft, said drive nut being rotatable in a threading directionto effect clamping of the support member relative to the transom as the opposed shoulders on the transom plate and support member respectively are drawn together to thereby secure the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, an annular plate member secured to the inner transom plate member and extending over the periphery of the drive nut to confine the drive nut against movement fore-and-aft relative to the transom whereupon rotation of the drive nut in an unthreading direction moves the support member rearwardly to separate the said opposed shoulders and thereby unclamp the support-member from the transom, pick-up means extending forwardly from the drive nut and into the opening of said annular plate, a pawl member on the support member disposed in the path of the drive nut pick-up means, said pick-up means engaging the pawl member after the support member is unclamped from the transom and thereafter the support member together with the propulsion unit move with the drive nut upon continued rotation of the drive nut in the unthreading direction, means to interrupt movement of the drive nut when the propulsion unit reaches the inverted position, drive means mounted on the inner tran som plate for rotating the drive nut, and means to lock the drive means for the drive nut and being operable to lock the propulsion unit in any position in its path in the plane of rotation.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein the pawl mem ber is pivotably secured to the support member and is biased into binding engagement with a notch in the annular plate member toprevent oscillatory movement of the propulsion unit with the 'unclamped support member in one direction relative to the transom by reason of wave motion on" the Water, and a forwardly projecting lug on the support member which engages a stop means on the annular plate to prevent oscillatory movement in the opposite direction.

16. The invention of claim 14 wherein the pawl member is pivotably secured to the support member and is provided with a recess defining opposed shoulders disposed on either side of the pawl member pivot axis, spring means biasing the pawl member into engagement with a notch in the surface defined by the opening in the annular plate member to rotatably lock the unclamped support member against movement in the unthreading direction of the drive not, said pawl memberrecess being engageable by the drive nut pick-up means as the drive nut is rotated in an unthreading direction to lift the pawl member out of the notch and render the support member rotatable with the drive nut, said drive nut pick-up means moving relative to the pawl member recess to engage the corresponding shoulder and thereby pick up and carry the support member with the drive out upon continued rotation of the drive nut in an unthreading direction, said support member being movable with the drive nut to rotate the propulsion unit in a generally transverse vertical plane to an inverted position whereupon further movement of the drive nut in the unthreading direction is interrupted by means comprising a stop mounted on the annular plate member and engageable by a lug projecting from the support member, said support member together with the propulsion unit being returnable to the initial unclamped position by rotation of the drive nut in a threading'direction with initial threading movement of the drive nut moving the pick-up means relative to the pawl member recess and into engagement with the opposed shoulder and t-herebypivoting the pawl member into engagement with the annular plate member surface defined by the opening therein to cammingly confine the pawl member and provide forpositive return of the support member by the drive nut, said pawl member being biased to re-enter the annular plate member notch as the support member approaches the initial unclamped position and thereby moves the opposed pawl member shoulder clear of the drive nut pick-up means to permit continued rotation of the drive nut in the threading direction, and a second stop on said annular plate member engageable by a second lug on said support member to positively stop rotation of the support member when the propulsion unit reaches its lowered position, said second stop engagement by the support member lug and the notch engagement by the pawl member together serving to prevent oscillatory movement of the propulsion unit with the unclamped support member by reason of wave motion on the water, said second stop further serving as guide means to provide for proper engagement between the shoulders on the support member and outer transom plate respectively when the drive nut is further rotated in a threading direction to clamp the support member relative to the transom and return the propulsion unit to its normal operating position.

17. The invention of claim 14- wherein switch means disposed in the engine ignition and starting circuits is mounted on the annular plate member and is engageable by the support member, said switch means being closed to. render said circuits operative when the support member is clamped relative to the transom and the propulsion unit 18 in its normal operating position and open to render said circuits inoperative when the support member is unclamped from the transom.

18. The invention of claim 14 wherein interlock means are associated with the shoulders on one of the transom plate members and support member respectively to rotationally lock the support member relative to the transom when the drive nut draws said shoulders together.

19. The invention of claim 14 wherein one of the shoulders on the support member and one of the transom plate members respectively is provided with radially extending spline grooves for engagement with corresponding splines on the other of said shoulders to rotationally lock the support member relative to the transom when the drive nut draws the shoulders together, and guide means mounted on the annular plate member and engageable by a support member projection to assure proper engagement between the splines and corresponding grooves on the respective shoulders.

20. The construction of claim 17, and means to interlock said mounting means with the transom to prevent rotation of said mounting means when said propulsion unit .isin position for driving the watercraft.

21 The construction of claim 17 in which said mounting means has a'portion adapted to extend through the transom and receiving said drive connection, and said actuating means engages the inner end of said mounting means portion to effect turning of the same.

22. The construction of claim 19 and means to lock said mounting means in any angular position of rotation.

23. In an inboard-outboard drive for watercraft having a transom, a propulsion unit disposed outboard of the Watercraft, an engine mounted inboard of the watercraft for driving the propulsion unit, generally horizontal shaft means drivingly connecting the engine and the propulsion unit, a support member carrying. said propulsion unit rearwardly thereof and including a forwardly extending cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion being disposed in. an opening through the transom and extending into the watercraft and being adapted for rotation within said opening, a confined drive nut threadedly engaging said cylindrical portion inboard of the watercraft to clamp the support member relative to the transom and maintain the propulsion unit in its normal operating position, means to rotate the drive nut in an unthreading direction to effect thereby movement of the support member longitudinally together with the propulsion unit rearwardly away from the transom to unclamp the support member from the 13 transom, coupling means disposed between the engine and horizontal shaft means to rotatably lock the engine and 14 References Citetl in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS shaft together and providing for rearward movement of Re. 129 Ericsson Dec 4, the horizontal shaft means with the propulsion unit rela- 3 9 Ericsson D 21, tive to the engine when the support member is-unclarnped 5 1,693,590 Borgman Dec. 4, and moved rearWardly with respect to the transom; and 2,9 ,30 l ip ly means for rotating the unciarnped support member within FOREIGN PATENTS said opening to thereby move the propulsion unit in a gen- 992 395 France J l 13, erally transverse vertical plane. 340,367

Great Britain Ian. 1, 1931

Claims

1. IN AN INBOARD-OUTBOARD DRIVE FOR WATERCRAFT HAVING A TRANSOM, A PROPULSION UNIT DISPOSED OUTBOARD OF THE WATERCRAFT, AN ENGINE MOUNTED INBOARD OF THE WATERCRAFT FOR DRIVING THE PROPULSION UNIT, A SUPPORT MEMBER CARRYING SAID PROPULSION UNIT REARWARDLY THEREOF AND INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL PORTION EXTENDING FORWARDLY THROUGH AN OPENING IN THE TRANSOM AND BEING ADAPTED FOR ROTATION WITHIN SAID OPENING, A DRIVE NUT THREADED UPON SAID CYLINDRICAL PORTION INBOARD OF THE WATERCRAFT MEANS CONFINING THE DRIVE NUT AGAINST FORE-AND-AFT MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE TRANSOM, MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE DRIVE NUT TO ROTATE THE SAME AND MOVE THE SUPPORT MEMBER LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN SAID TRANSOM OPENING, SAID DRIVE NUT BEING ROTATABLE IN A THREADING DIRECTION TO CLAMP THE SUPPORT MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE TRANSOM AND MAINTAIN THE PROPULSION UNIT IN ITS NORMAL OPERATING POSITION, SAID DRIVE NUT BEING ROTATABLE IN AN UNTHREADING DIRECTION TO THEREBY UNCLAMP THE SUPPORT MEMBER FROM THE TRANSOM, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING THE UNCLAMPED SUPPORT MEMBER WITHIN SAID OPENING TO THEREBY MOVE THE PROPULSION UNIT IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE VERTICAL PLANE.