US3658026A

US3658026A - Marine vehicle steering assembly

Info

Publication number: US3658026A
Application number: US877785A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clayton J Jacobson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-18
Filing date: 1969-11-18
Publication date: 1972-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-25

Abstract

A drive and steering assembly by means of which a marine vehicle on which it is installed may be maneuvered to turn with a minimum loss of speed and with little or no tendency for the bow thereof to nose into the water, as occurs when previously available power units are used for propelling a high speed boat.

Description

United States Patent Jacobson Apr. 25, 1972 l l [54] MARINE-VEHICLE STEERING 3,250,475 5/1966 Smith 14/151 x ASSEMBLY 1 3,266,733 8/1966 Goehler.. ...1l5/12 X 3,336,752 8/1967 Smith ...1 15/12 X [72] Inventor: Clayton J Jacobson, 5403 Seacrest Drive, 3,426,724 2/1969 Jacobson ml 15,12 x M11118 Callf- 90274 3,467,705 9/1969 Castoldi ..115/12 [22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1969 Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler [21 1 App! 877785 Assistant Examiner-Carl A. Rutledge 1 Attorney-William C. Babcock [52] 11.8. C1 ..115/12, 115/35 51 1111.01. ...B63h 5/14, B'63h 25/46 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..115/35, filial/21310111581; A driveyand steering assembly by means of which a marine vehicle on which it is installed may be maneuveredto turn with a minimum loss of speed and with little or no tendency [56] References Cited for the bow'thereof to nose into the water, as occurs when UNITED STATES PATENTS previously available power units are used for propelling a high 7 s eed boat. 3,089,454 5/1963 Chronie ..1 ..115/12 P 3,136,283 6/1964 McCormack ..115/35 2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEB APR 2 5 m2 6 2 FIG.I5 -1 z; J n II I N VEN TOR. Lmrmv J. J caaaozv BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A marine vehicle drive and steering assembly particularly adapted for use on lightweight, high speed boats, which minimizes the loss of forward propulsive effect encountered by a fast moving boat during a tight turn, as well as stabilizing the bow of the boat against nosing into the water.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past few years, water jet assemblies, outboard motors and inboard-outboard motor assemblies of ever-increasing power have been used to propel lightweight racing boats, and the like, that are frequently maneuvered through tight turns of 180. Guidance of a boat through such a turn has been accomplished by pivoting either the nozzle or the jet assembly, or the propeller when an outboard motor or inboard-outboard motor assembly is used, into an angular position relative to the transom of the boat. When the nozzle or propeller is so angularly disposed, a laterally directed force is exerted on the hull of the boat, causing it to tilt relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. Tilting of the boat in this manner so disposes the nozzle or propeller as to exert an upward force on the stern of the boat, whereby the bow of the boat will normally nose into the water, often with disastrous results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is to provide a marine vehicle drive and steering assembly that avoids the operational disadvantages of prior art devices of the character described, and one in which there is a minimum loss of a forwardly directed propulsive force of the boat as it is maneuvered through a tight turn, as well as to provide increased stability to the boat as it maneuvers through a turn.

A marine vehicle drive and steering assembly in which the drive portion thereof is so movable relative to the boat in which it is installed that the assembly may be used not only for steering the same and providing the necessary forward propulsive force, but with these functions being carried out with a minimum loss of efficiency as the boat is maneuvered through a sharp hairpin turn, and with a minimum tendency for the bow thereofto nose into the water in so turning.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a marine vehicle drive and steering assembly by means of which either a jet of water or a propeller is used in powering and steering a boat, with the jet or propeller being so moved relative to the boat that it may be guided through a tight turn of l80 with a minimum loss of forward propulsive power, and a minimum tendency for the bow of the boat to nose into the water.

Another object of the invention is to supply a steering assembly for a boat that imparts steering characteristics thereto inasmuch as the rudder remains in a substantially vertical position when the boat is driven through a tight turn.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a marine vehicle drive and steering assembly which permits braking of the vehicle and the reversal of movement thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ofa first form of marine vehicle drive and steering assembly;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the first form of the device;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second form ofa marine vehicle drive and steering assembly;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the stern portion of the boat on which the first form ofthe device is mounted, and with the nozzle of the assembly being so disposed that the boat is driven forwardly in a straight path, without tilting to either side;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view view of the boat shown in FIG. 4 with the nozzle angularly disposed relative to the transom to cause the boat to turn and tilt, but with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle remaining substantially horizontal to.

permit discharge of the jet of water from the nozzle to exert a maximum forward propulsive force on the boat, without the jet exerting any appreciable upward force on the stern of the boat;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the stern of a boat in which a third form of drive and steering assembly is embodied in an outboard motor;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the boat shown in FIG. 6

illustrating that the longitudinal axis of the propeller remains substantially horizontally disposed when the boat is tilted in making a turn;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a fourth form of the vehicle drive and steering assembly embodied in an inboard-outboard motor;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the stern portion of the boat shown in FIG. 8 illustrating that the longitudinal axis of the propeller remains substantially horizontal when the boat is tilted as occurs when it is guided through a sharp turn;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a boat driven by a propeller and on which a rudder is mounted on the stern of the boat, which rudder remains in a substantially vertical position when the boat is guided through a tight turn, and which constitutes a fifth form of .the invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the stern of the boat shown in FIG. 10 illustrating that the longitudinal axis of the rudder remains horizontal when the boat is in a tilted position, as occurs when a sharp turn is made; and

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sixth form of the invention wherein the nozzle is provided with a baffle and reversing discharge outlet formed as a part thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first form A of a marine vehicle drive and steering assembly of the present invention for mounting on the stern of a boat B. Form A includes a tubular suction member 10 having a power-driven shaft 12 extending longitudinally therein. A propeller 14 is mounted on shaft 12 and is situated within tubular member 10. The rear end of the shaft 12 is journaled in a bearing 16 that is supported in a fixed position in the tubular member 10 by a spider 18. The rear end of suction member 10 develops into a truncated spherical socket 20 in which two diametrically aligned openings are formed. The openings 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, lie on a common upwardly and rearwardly inclined axis 26. Openings 22 serve to rotatably support two pins 24 which are in longitudinal alignment along first axis 26.

A nozzle 28 is provided, which on the forward portion thereof an external surface 30 is defined in the form of a segment of a ball. The surface 30 slidably and rotatably engages the interior surface of socket 20. Pins: 24 are secured to the forward portion of nozzle 28 by means (not shown). The upwardly disposed pin 24 (FIG. 1) has a threaded shank 32 which engages a lever 34, as illustrated in FIG. 4. A nut 36 is threaded to shank 32, and holds lever 34 in a non-rotatable position relative to the shank.

The first form A of the invention is mounted in the sterm of the marine vehicle B, which in FIGS. 4 and 5, is illustrated as a boat having a bottom defined by two downwardly and inwardly disposed, longitudinally extending

sections

38 and 40. The outer extremities of

sections

38 and 40 develop into upwardly extending sides 42 of the boat. The outer end of the lever 34 is pivotally engaged by an upwardly and forwardly extending rod 44 that lies in the same plane as that of the lever. When the rod 44 is moved longitudinally relative to the boat B it causes pivotal movement of the lever 34 and upper pin 24. Such pivotal movement of the upper pin 24 permits pivotal movement of the nozzle 28 relative to the socket 20, as shown in FIG. 5.

The first axis 26 (FIG. 1) is at an acute angle C relative to a second axis 46 which extend longitudinally through the drive shaft 12. When the rod 44 is moved to dispose the nozzle 28 as shown in FIG. 5, water discharging from the nozzle due to rotation of propeller l4 exerts a force forwardly and to the right on the vehicle B. Due to this force the boat B assumes the tilted position shown in FIG. 5, due primarily to the action of the body ofwater D on section 40.

The angle C is preferably so selected that when water (not shown) is driven rearwardly from the nozzle 28, whereby vehicle B maneuvers through the tightest curve to which it may normally be subjected, with the second axis 46 being horizontally disposed. Such horizontal positioning of axis 46 results in the discharge ofa jet of water (not shown) from nozzle 28 in a horizontal path to exert a minimum forward propulsive force on the vehicle B. This maximum horizontal propulsive force of the rearwardly discharging jet of water has no vertical component that .tends to force the stern of the boat B upwardly and cause the bow (not shown) of the boat to nose into the water.

A second form E of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, which differs from the first form A thereof for the rear portion of the tubular member has at least one circumferentially extending protuberance 48 that defines a segment of a surface of a ball. The protuberance 48 is slidably and rotatably engaged by a socket 50 formed on the forward portion of a nozzle 28, All elements of the second form E common to the first form of the invention are designated in the drawing by the same numerals, but to which primes have been added. In both the first and second forms of the invention the interiors of the tubular members 10 and 10 and

nozzles

28 and 28 cooperate to provide a continuous boundary surface through which the water may flow to define ajet with a minimum of resistance.

A third form F of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, which is embodied in the structure of a conventional outboard motor 52. The outboard motor 52 includes an engine 54 provided with a structure 56 depending therefrom that rotatably supports a propeller 58. A bracket 60 is secured to the transom 62 of the boat B. The bracket 60 and structure 56 are provided with angularly disposed, inter-engaging apertured portions 64 through which an elongate pin 66 extends to pivotally support the outboard motor 52 from bracket 60.

The longitudinal axis 68 of pin 66 defines an angle C at its intersection with a horizontal axis 70 extending longitudinally relative to boat or marine vehicle B. Due to the angular pivotal connection between bracket 60 and outboard motor 52, the longitudinal axis 72 of propeller 58 remains substantially in a horizontal plane when the boat B is tilted in making a sharp turn, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The maintenance of the longitudinal axis 72 in a substantially horizontal plane as the boat B turns, provides the same operational advantages as achieved when the axis 46 in the first form A ofthe invention is so maintained. I

A fourth form G of the invention is illustrated as embodied in a conventional inboard-outboard motor 73 that is mounted on the boat B. A bracket 74 is secured to the external portion of transom 62. A structure 74 that supports a propeller 78 is provided. A downwardly and forwardly angled pin 80 pivotally supports structure 76 from bracket 76, as shown in FIG. 8.

An axis 82 that extends longitudinally through pin 80 intersects a horizontal longitudinal axis 84 of boat B to define said angle C. The motor for driving the propeller 78 is within the marine vehicle B and is not shown. Due to the angular pivotal positioning of the structure 76 relative to bracket 74, the longitudinal axis 86 of propeller 78 is substantially horizontal when the marine vehicle B tilts in making a sharp turn, in the manner shown in FIG. 9.

Maintaining the longitudinal axis 86 of propeller 78 in a horizontal plane provides the same operational advantages as described in connection with the third form F ofthe invention. A lever 88 is rigidly secured to the upper portion of pin 80. A rod 90 is pivotally connected to lever 88, and when the rod is moved, the propeller-supporting structure 76 is pivoted to guide the boat B in a desired direction.

A fifth form H of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in which the transom 62 of the marine vehicle B is provided with a protuberance 96 projecting rearwardly therefrom that rotatably supports a downwardly and forwardly positioned shaft 98, which may be pivoted by a lever 100. The longitudinal axis 104 ofthe boat B is driven by a propeller 94 secured to a drive shaft92. Shaft 98, together with a longitudinal axis 104 of boat B defines said angle C.

The lower end of shaft 92 supports a rudder 106. Rudder 106 is not only vertically disposed when in longitudinalalignment with boat B, but is also substantially vertically disposed when boat B is tilted laterally while making a turn such as illustrated in FIG. 11. Maintenance of rudder 106 in a substantially vertical plane as a boat B travels through a turn imparts improved steering characteristics to the boat. ln FIGS. 10 and 11 it will be seen that the longitudinal axis of the rudder I06 remains substantially horizontal, irrespective of the lateral tilting of the boat B.

A sixth form G of the invention is shown in FIG. I2, and includes a tubular member 110 through which water is discharged rearwardly by means (not shown). Member 110 may be secured to the transom 62 of boat B by screws (not shown) which extend through openings (not shown) formed in a flange 112 that projects outwardly from the forward portion of the member. A second tubular member 114 is disposed rearwardly of member 110. The transverse cross section of tubular member 114 is larger than that of member 110. Member 110 and second member 114 are provided with upwardly and forwardly tilted circular races 110a and 114a, respectively, as may best be seen in FIG. 12, and which are engaged by balls 117. When second tubular member 114 is pivoted relative to member 110, the rear.extremity of the second member 114 swings through an arc.

Two laterally spaced water discharge members 118 project forwardly from a second member 114, and are in communication with the interior thereof.

A baffle 120 is pivotally supported from the rear portion of the second tubular member 114. When baffle 120 is pivoted over the rear outlet of second tubular member 114, water is forced forwardly through discharge members 118 to brake the forward speed of the vehicle 13 on which the sixth form .I is mounted, or cause reverse movement of the vehicle.

Water does not leak from the second member 114, for due to the increased transverse cross section of second member 114, the water is under less pressure when flowing rearwardly therethrough than when the water is traveling rearwardly through member 110.

I claim:

I. In a marine vehicle having a bow and stern and a rearwardly extending tubular member through which a power driven propeller discharges ajet of water that is used to propel and steer said vehicle, said tubular member having a rearward portion that defines a segment of a first spherical surface, the improvement for maintaining said jet in a substantially horizontal direction when said vehicle is traveling forwardly as well as when negotiating a turn to prevent said jet raising said stern of said vehicle to cause said how thereof to nose into the water, said improvement comprising:

a. a tubular nozzle that includes a forward portion that defines a segment of a second spherical surface that slidably engages said first spherical surface, with the interior of said tubular member and nozzle cooperating to define a continuous boundary surface through which said jet discharges rearwardly with a minimum of resistance;

b. two spaced first and second pins rigidly secured to said forward portion and journalled in said rearward portion of said tubular member, said pins coaxially aligned on a first axis that intersects a second axis that extends longitudinally through said tubular member when said tubular member and tubular nozzle are longitudinally aligned as occurs when said vehicle is being driven forwardly in a straight line by said jet, said first and second axis sustaining an upwardly and rearwardly extending acute angle therebetween that is so selected that as said nozzle is c. means for pivoting one of said pins and said nozzle pivoted to turn saidvehicle as the latter is driven forsecured thereto to i e said boat b said rearwardly wardly by said jet and said first axis is tilted relative to the discharging jet f waten vertlcalas a result thereof, said acute angle so controls the pivotal movement of said nozzle that the discharge of said jet therefrom is in a substantially horizontal direction that does not tend to cause said bow of said vehicle to nose into the water supporting said vehicle; and

2. A marine vehicle as defined in claim I in which said rearward portion of said tubular member is of a socket-like configuration

Claims

1. In a marine vehicle having a bow and stern and a rearwardly extending tubular member through which a power driven propeller discharges a jet of water thAt is used to propel and steer said vehicle, said tubular member having a rearward portion that defines a segment of a first spherical surface, the improvement for maintaining said jet in a substantially horizontal direction when said vehicle is traveling forwardly as well as when negotiating a turn to prevent said jet raising said stern of said vehicle to cause said bow thereof to nose into the water, said improvement comprising: a. a tubular nozzle that includes a forward portion that defines a segment of a second spherical surface that slidably engages said first spherical surface, with the interior of said tubular member and nozzle cooperating to define a continuous boundary surface through which said jet discharges rearwardly with a minimum of resistance; b. two spaced first and second pins rigidly secured to said forward portion and journalled in said rearward portion of said tubular member, said pins coaxially aligned on a first axis that intersects a second axis that extends longitudinally through said tubular member when said tubular member and tubular nozzle are longitudinally aligned as occurs when said vehicle is being driven forwardly in a straight line by said jet, said first and second axis sustaining an upwardly and rearwardly extending acute angle therebetween that is so selected that as said nozzle is pivoted to turn said vehicle as the latter is driven forwardly by said jet and said first axis is tilted relative to the vertical as a result thereof, said acute angle so controls the pivotal movement of said nozzle that the discharge of said jet therefrom is in a substantially horizontal direction that does not tend to cause said bow of said vehicle to nose into the water supporting said vehicle; and c. means for pivoting one of said pins and said nozzle secured thereto to guide said boat by said rearwardly discharging jet of water.

2. A marine vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said rearward portion of said tubular member is of a socket-like configuration.