US3139254A

US3139254A - Control cable mounting for outboard type craft

Info

Publication number: US3139254A
Application number: US279875A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Voorhees
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-13
Filing date: 1963-05-13
Publication date: 1964-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1981-06-30

Description

June 30, 1964 c. H. VOORHEES 3,139,254

CONTROL CABLE MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT Filed ma 15, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i I Z! If 1 3 I i E 4/ i if 59 7/ June 30, 1964 c. H. VOORHEES CONTROL. CABLE MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1963 ti /4A! [5 A. Vii/54655 United States Patent 3,139,254 CfiNTRQiQ (IAiiLE MOUNTING FUR GUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT Charles H. Voorhees, 1078 E. Santa Anita, Burbank, Calif. Filed May 13, 1963, Ser. No. 27%,875

. 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-74) This invention relates to push/pull control mountings, and more particularly to an improved mounting for push/pull controls for an outboard motor as used in boats.

Existing Bowden-type push/pull controls for outboard motors, and for the outboard portions of inboard-out board motorboat drive mechanisms, are equipped with mounting devices which frequently cause the control cable to kink or break as the portion of motorboat drive mechanism mounted to the boat transom is moved between its operative and inoperative positions. The Bowden-typepush/pull cable comprises a small diameter metal rod with one end connected to the transom mounted portion of the motorboat drive and the other end connected to an actuating mechanism controlled by the operator of the boat. The rod is enclosed in a flexible metal sheath extending over substantially the entire length of the rod. The rod is movable reciprocally within the sheath. The sheath is secured in a generally fixed position relative to the boat.

Push/pull control mechanisms are presently marketed for use with outboard engines in which the movablerod is connectable to the outboard motor, and the end of the sheath adjacent the motor is mountable to the transom of the boat. The motor is tipped forwardly about a horizontal pivot axis when the underwater portion of the motor encounters a submerged obstruction or when the boat is beached. The existing clamp mechanism does not permit satisfactory movement of the push/pull cable as the engine is tipped forwardly into its inoperative position. The result is either that the sheath breaks due to repeated flexing as the engine is moved, or that the rod kinks when the engine is tipped forward suddenly on impact with an underwater object.

The present invention provides an improved cable clamp for such push/pull cable mountings. The improved clamp permits increased movement of the motor ends of the sheath and the rod with the result that the deflection curve of the rod and sheath for the retracted position of the motor is improved over the deflection curve produced by the existing device. Accordingly, breaking of the sheath or kinking of the push/pull rod is eliminated as the motor is moved between its operative and retracted positions.

Generally speaking, the present invention provides an improved mounting apparatus for a push/pull-type control mechanism for use in motorboats, having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom of the boat and controlled in its movement bythe control mechanism. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a hinge member connectable to the transom and defining a pivot portion having an axis disposed substantially parallel to the control mechanism. The pivot portion is spaced from the control mechanismlwhich includes a reciprocal rod and an enveloping sheath. The apparatus also includes means connected to the sheath secured from axial movement relative thereto and engaged with the hinge member pivot portion for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. More specifically, the invention resides in an improved trunnion bolt defining the hinge member and comprising a unitary member having a head portion. An elongated cylindrical shank portion extends from the head portion to an end. The shank portion is externally helically threaded over a substantial portion of its elongate extent 3,139,254 Patented June 30, 1964 "ice from the end toward the head portion. The unitary. member also includes a trunnion portion extending from the head portion and defining a pivot axis. The pivot axis is disposed substantially perpendicular to the elongate extent of the shank portion,

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention are more fully set forth in the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a typical outboard motorboat with the gunwale shown broken away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a push/ pull control cable mounting mechanism according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the spindle member illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the intermediate member illustrated in FIG. 2; p

FIG. 5 is an end view of the cable clamp member illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the transom engageable mounting member illustratedin FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the transom engageable mounting member;

FIG. 8 is a plan view ofthe mounting mechanism according to the present invention showing the improved trunnion bolt; I

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view of the prior art apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 showing in dashed lines the deflection curve for the cable when the motor is in its tipped or retracted position; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevation view of the clamp mechanism according to the present invention showing in dotted lines the deflection curve of the'cable when the I engine is in its tipped or retracted position.

Throughout the drawings, like numerals indicate like parts.

Referring initiallyto FIG. 1, a portion of a typical outboard motorboat 10 is shown; The deck of the boat is broken awayalong the aft starboard gunwale to show the installation of a push/pull motor control mechanism 11 connected between an outboard motor 12 mounted to a transom 13 of the boat and a control mechanism actu ator 14 controllable in response to rotation of a steering wheel 15. The outboard motor is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis 16 for maneuvering the boat upon actuation of the controlcable and about a horizontal axis for retracting the motor out of the water. The control cable comprises a flexible metal rod, 17 and a spirally wound metal sheath or envelope 18 extending along substantially the entire extent of the rod. Sheath 18 is secured in substantially fixed position by a cable sheath clamp mechanism 19 secured to the transomadjacent the motor; reciprocalrod 17 extends beyond the clamp mechanism to the engine at which point it is secured relative to the engine. The sheath clamp mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is according to the prior art. Element (shown in FIG. 2) comprises a portion of the outboard engine to which the reciprocal rod is connected at a location spaced apart fromclamp mechanism 19.

The foregoing environment of the push/pull control cable is shown for the purposes of illustration only. It is within the scope ofthe present invention that the control cable may be used with the outboard portion of the inboard/outboard motorboat drive. mechanism. In such a case the control rod is connected to the outboard portion of the drive mechanism which is mounted to the transom for movement about horizontal and vertical axes similar to the axes of pivotal movement associated with the conventional outboard motor shown in FIG. 1.

Prior art sheath clamp mechanism 19, over which the present invention represents an improvement, is comprised of a spindle'Ztl, an intermediate member 21, and

a sheath or cable clamp member 22 together with a transom mounting plate 23. As shown in FIG. 3, spindle comprises a cylindrical tubular member having a minor exterior diameter portion 24 at its upper end and an enlarged or major diameter portion 25 contiguous with the minor diameter portion and disposed at the lower end of the spindle. An axial bore 26 is formed through the extent of the spindle for receiving a pivot pin, such as bolt 27 shown in FIG. 2, defining a pivot axis 27A. The bolt has its head disposed between the transom mounting plate and the transom and has its shank extending longitudinally through bore 26 to be secured axially of the bore by a nut 28 engaged with a washer 29. Intermediate member 21 of the prior art sheath clamp mechanism is engaged between washer 29 and a shoulder 30 formed between the major and minor diameter portions of the spindle. The transom mounting plate 23, shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, has a planar portion 31 having a pair of spaced apart apertures 32 formed therethrough in order to receive a pair of through bolts 33 engaged therein and passing through transom 13 (as shown in FIG. 2). The planar portion of the mounting plate is thereby clamped securely against the inner or forward face of transom 13 adjacent a substantially longitudinally extending bulkhead 34 defining a splash well 35 in the rear of boat 10. The upper extent of the transom mounting plate defines an olfset portion 34 and a spindle mounting portion 35 disposed forwardly of planar portion 31 but lying substantially parallel to planar portion 31. An aperture 36 is formed through portion 35 for receiving bolt 27.

The intermediate member of the prior art clamping mechanism has a boss portion 38 having an axial bore 39 therethrough.- A pair of parallel spaced apart

flanges

40 and 41 extend laterally from boss 39 and then upwardly parallel to the axis of bore 39 to cantilevered ends. Adjacent the end of each flange an aperture 42 is provided through each flange in alignment with the aperture in the other flange so that the flanges define a portion of a clevis connection mechanism with respect to a depending flange 43 extending from a boss portion 44 of clamp member 22. The common axis of apertures 42 is disposed perpendicular to the axis of aperture 39 in intermediate member 21. An aperture 45, preferably of equal diameter with apertures 42 in

flanges

40, 41 is formed through flange 43. Flange 43 is of a thickness such that the flange is engageable between spaced apart flanges 40, 41. The common axis of apertures 42 is disposed perpendicular to the axis of aperture 39 in intermediate member 21. A clevis pin 48 is engageable with aligned

apertures

42, 45 to secure clamp member 22 relative to intermediate member 21 for pivotal movement between these two parts about an axis disposed vertically at right angles to horizontal pivot axis 27A defined by pivot pin 27.

The opposite ends of bore 46 are countersunk at a taper to receive seat members 49 having complementarily tapered seating faces 50. Each seat member is engaged circumferentially of sheath 18 of the push/pull control cable at spaced apart locations along the cable with the seating faces being disposed opening to one another (see FIG. 2). The control cable is passed through aperture 46. The seat members cooperate with the countersunk portions of aperture 46 to secure sleeve 18 in a fixed position relative to,clamp member 22.

Where a splash well bulkhead 34 is provided in boat 10 the control cable is passed through the bulkhead and then forwardly along the shell of the boat under the gunwale to actuating mechanism 14. Preferably the actuating mechanism is a rack-and-pinion device for initiating reciprocal movement of rod 17 within sheath or sleeve 18. The sheath is secured in fixed relation to frames 52 of boat 10. A water-tight sealing grommet 51 is circumferentially engaged with the control cable where the cable. passes through the splash well bulkhead. As illustrated 4 in FIG. 2, the clamping mechanism 19 is spaced apart from the splash well bulkhead between the bulkhead and the movable, transom-mounted portion of the motorboat drive mechanism.

In the prior art control cable clamp mechanism the pivot axis defined by pivot bolt 27 passes horizontally through the control cable at a location spaced from bulkhead 34. 7

FIG. 8 illustrates an improved control cable mounting apparatus 54 according to the present invention which includes an improved trunnion bolt 55. The improved apparatus also includes an intermediate member 21 and a cable clamp member 22, as described above. Apparatus 54 is comprised of a plurality of hinge members.

Trunnion bolt 55 has an elongated cylindrical shank portion 56 extending from a head portion 57 to an end spaced from the head portion. The shank portion is helically threaded along its exterior from the head to its .end. A trunnion portion 58 extends laterally from trunnion bolt head 57 and has a cylindrical exterior adapted to be journaled within bore 32 of intermediate member boss portion 38. An aperture 59 is formed axially through the trunnion portion for receiving a pivot pin in the form of a bolt 60 having a head 61 and a shank 62. Bolt 60 defines a pivot axis 60A. A washer 63 is disposed between bolt head 61 and the boss portion of "the intermediate member to secure the intermediate member to the trunnion bolt for pivotal movement about axis 60A. The pivot bolt is secured to trunnion bolt head 57 by a nut and washer engaged with the threaded end of the shank opposite from intermediate member 21. Shank 56 of the improved trunnion bolt is disposed in a hole 65 formed horizontally through transom 13 in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the centerline of boat 10 with trunnion portion 58 extending horizontally parallel to transom 13. The shank portion is secured in hole 65 by a pair of washer 66 and nut 67 combinations disposed on opposite sides of the transom. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the external diameter of trunnion portion 58 is less than the external dimensions of the adjacent bolt head such that a shoulder 68, opening toward the cantilevered end of the trunnion portion, is formed in the trunnion bolt. Boss portion 38 of intermediate member 21 abuts this shoulder.

Sheath clamp member 22 is engaged between the intermediate member of clamp mechanism 54 and the control cable sheath as shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, line 70 represents the disposition of the centerline of the control cable in the forwardly tipped position of motor 12 when a prior art clamping apparatus 19 is relied upon to secure sheath 18 in a fixed position relative to motor 12. As the motor is moved into its inoperative position, that is when the motor is tilted forward, portion of the motor moves downwardly from the position shown in solid lines into the position represented by centerline 70. Accordingly, the parts of the prior art cable clamping mechanism pivot about axis 27A such that the axis of the control cable has a sharply reversely curved portion between axis 27A and splash well bulkhead 34. As the motor is repeatedly moved between its operative andv inoperative conditions, cyclic sharp flexing of the cable is produced. This flexing causes cold working of either the sheath or the rod such that either the rod or the sheath may fracture. Even though fracture may not result directly from movement of the motor between its operative and inoperative positions, the fiexing action may lead to such aweakening of the structural portions of the push/pull control mechanism that a subsequent sudden load upon the motor (acting either about the horizontal or vertical axes of motion of the motor) may lead to a structural failure. Also, if the motor is in its operative position and an underwater object is struck so that rod coupling element 80 is thrown suddenly downwardly, the control rod may kink and prevent further push/ pull action of the rod relative to sheath 18.

In FIG. 10, line 75 represents the position of the centerline of control rod 17 when the motor is tipped forwardly into its retractedposition. As seen from FIG. 10, line 75 is smoothly curved without any sharp reversals in curvature. This improved deflection characteristic is a result of disposing axis 60A parallel to the normalposition of that portion of the control cable which lies between bulkhead 34 and engine 12 and by spacing axis 60A from the control cable. As rod coupling element 80 is moved downwardly, the intermediate member of clamping mechanism 54' moves about trunnion portion 58 of the improved trunnion bolt such that the movement of the control cable is accommodated without sacrificing the fixed position of the end of sheath 18 relative to the outboard motor. The improved deflection characteristic provided by the present invention may also be considered to result from the eliminationvof a pivot axis passing through the control cable. This result is accomplished by means which in efiect combines two elements, previously required by the prior art to be separate, into a single unitary element, namely: trunnion bolt 55.

A particular advantage inherent in the present invention is that a trunnion bolt according to the present invention may replace spindle 20 and mounting plate 23 to obtain all the benefits of clamping mechanism 54.

While the foregoing description has been in conjunction with specific apparatus and configurations of apparatus, this has been by way of example and illustration only and is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom of the boat and controlled in its movements relative to the transom by a push/pull rod connected to the drive unit and reciprocally movable in an enveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relative to the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to the transom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having an axis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portion being spaced from the sheath, and means connected to the sheath secured from axial movement relativeto the sheath and engaged with the hinge member pivot portion for pivotal movement about said axis.

2. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom of the boat for movement relative to the transom about horizontal and vertical axes and controlled in its movements relative to the transom by a push/ pull rod connected to the drive unit and extending horizontally therefrom parallel to the transom and reciprocally movable in an enveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relative to the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to the transom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having an axis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portion being spaced from the sheath, and means connected to the sheath secured from axial movement relative to the sheath and engaged with the hinge member pivot portion for pivotal movement about said axis, the apparatus accommodating vertical movement of the sheath and rod when the drive unit is moved about its horizontal axis of movement.

3. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom of the boat and controlled in its movements relative to the transom by a push/pull rod connected to the drive unit and reciprocally movable in an enveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relative to the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to the transom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having an axis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portion being spaced from the sheath, and second and third hinge members connected between the sheath and the hinge member pivot portion for pivotal movement about said axis, the second and third hinge members being hingeably connected one to another for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis disposed perpendicularto the first axis intermediate the first hinge member and'the sheath.

4. Improved apparatus for mounting a sheath of a push/ pull control rod in a boat having a transom and a movable drive unit mounted thereto, the sheath and rod comprising means for controllably moving the drive unit relative to the transom for steering the boat, the sheath having an end disposed adjacent the drive unit, the apparatus comprising a member mountable to the transom adjacent the drive unit and adjacent the sheath end, said member defining a hinge portion having an axis disposed substantially parallel to the transom and the sheath adjacent the sheath end, and means rotatably engaged with the member hinge portion for movement about said axis and engaged with the sheath adjacentthe end thereof, said means being secured from movement relative to the sheath.

5. An improved mounting apparatus for a push/pull type control mechanism, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a first member having a laterally extending trunnion portion defining a first pivot axis, a second member having an axially bored boss portion journaling the first member trunnion portion for rotational movement about the first pivot axis and having a flange extending from the boss portion to an end, the flange having an aperture therethrough adjacent said flange end concentric to a second pivot axis disposed perpendicular to the first pivot axis, a third member having a flange portion and a boss portion having an annular bore therethrough concentric to an axis disposed substantially parallel to the first pivot axis, and means engaged in the aperture for coupling the third member to the second member for relative movement therebetween about the second pivot axis.

6. An improved mounting apparatus for a push/pull control cable for a movable drive unit secured to the transom of a motorboat, the cable including a reciprocal rod and a stationary enveloping sheath, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a first member having a laterally extending trunnion portion defining a first pivot axis, said member being mounted relative to the transom adjacent the drive unit with the axis disposed parallel to the transom, a second member having an axially bored hinge portion journaling the first member trunnion portion for rotational movement about the first pivot axis and having a flange extending from the boss portion to an end, the flange having an aperture therethrough adjacent said flange end concentric to a second pivot axis disposed perpendicular to the first pivot axis and intermediate the first axis and the cable, a third member having a flange portion and a boss portion having an annular bore therethrough concentric to an axis disposed substantially parallel to the first pivot axis, means for securing the sheath in the third member bore, and means engaged in the aperture for coupling the third member to the second member for relative movement therebetween about the second pivot axis.

7. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member having a head portion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the head portion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threaded over a substantialv portion of its elongate extent from the shank end toward the head portion, and a trunnion portion defining a pivot axis extending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposed substantially perpendicular v to the elongate extent of the shank portion.

8. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member having a head portion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the head portion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threaded over a substantial portion of its elongate extent from the shank end toward the head portion, and a trunnion portion defining a pivot axis extending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposed substantially per- 7 pendicular to the elongate extent of the shank portion, the trunnion 'portion and the head portion having an aperture therethrough concentric to said pivot axis.

9. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member havinga head portion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the head portion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threaded over a substantial portion of its elongate extent from the shank end toward the head portion, and a cylindrical trunnion portion defining a pivot axis extending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposed substantially perpen- 8 dicular to the elongate extent of the shank portion, a shoulder formed in the bolt circumferentially of the trunnion portion between the head portion and the trunnion portion, the trunnion portion and the head portion having 5 an aperture therethrough concentric'to said pivot axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. IN A MOTORBOAT HAVING A MOVABLE DRIVE UNIT MOUNTED TO THE TRANSOM OF THE BOAT AND CONTROLLED IN ITS MOVEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE TRANSOM BY A PUSH/PULL ROD CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE UNIT AND RECIPROCALLY MOVABLE IN AN ENVELOPING SHEATH, IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SECURING THE SHEATH RELATIVE TO THE TRANSOM COMPRISING A FIRST HINGE MEMBER CONNECTABLE TO THE TRANSOM ADJACENT THE DRIVE UNIT AND DEFINING A PIVOT PORTION HAVING AN AXIS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SHEATH, THE PIVOT PORTION BEING SPACED FROM THE SHEATH, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO THE SHEATH SECURED FROM AXIAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SHEATH AND ENGAGED WITH THE HINGE MEMBER PIVOT PORTION FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID AXIS.