US3698672A

US3698672A - Outboard motor mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: US3698672A
Application number: US212319A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur E Gilbert
Original assignee: Sears Roebuck and Co
Current assignee: Sears Roebuck and Co
Priority date: 1971-12-27
Filing date: 1971-12-27
Publication date: 1972-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-17

Abstract

An outboard motor mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat. The bracket includes a bracket member having clamping means for clamping the bracket to either end portion of a boat and a U-shaped body portion having a plurality of apertures adapted to receive either a pivot pin or a locking bar. The bracket further includes support means for supporting an outboard motor with the support means being pivotally secured to the bracket member by means of the pivot pin being received by an aperture formed in the support means and being received by a pair of axially aligned apertures in the bracket member. Means for releasably receiving a locking bar are provided in association with the support means whereby the support means is releasably held to the bracket member and upon release from the locking bar is pivotable about the pivot pin into a plurality of attitudes with respect to the bracket member.

Description

United States Patent Gilbert [54] OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNTING BRACKET [72] Inventor: Arthur E. Gilbert, Alva, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago,

Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 212,319

UNITED STATES PATENTS 650,558 5/1900 Hatch ..248/4 X 2,954,950 10/1960 Hart ..248/4 3,039,723 6/1962 Seyffer ..248/4 3,096,058 7/1963 Torre ..248/4 3,578,277 5/1971 Osborn ..248/4 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany ..l15/17 51 Oct. 17,1972

Primary Examiner.l. Franklin Foss Attorney-Nathan N. Kraus et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An Outboard motor mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat. The bracket includes a bracket member having clamping means for clamping the bracket to either end portion of a boat and a U-shaped body portion having a plurality of apertures adapted to receive either a pivot pin or a locking bar. The bracket further includes support means for supporting an outboard motor with the support means being pivotally secured to the bracket member by means of the pivot pin being received by an aperture formed in the support means and being received by a pair Of axially aligned apertures in the bracket member. Means for releasably receiving a locking bar are provided in association with the support means whereby the support means is releasably held to the bracket member and upon release from the locking bar is pivotable about the pivot pin into a plurality of attitudes with respect to the bracket member.

10 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3 6 sum 1 UP 3 98.672

FIG, 1

OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNTING BRACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an outboard motor mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat.

Outboard motor mounting brackets now in wide use permit a motor to be mounted on one end of a boat, usually the stern, and provide for the tilting of the motor from a generally vertical position upon the propelling portion of the motor striking an obstacle or upon the operator pulling the top of the motor toward the center of the boat. Less commonly, mounting brackets are used on the bow of a boat to mount a motor thereon for the purpose of pulling the boat through the water. However, the mechanism by which the motor is tilted, either upon the motor striking an obstacle or upon the operator effecting the tilting, generally prevents the mounting bracket by which the motor is mounted to one end of the boat from being used selectively on either end of the boat as the operator may desire or the circumstances may require. Thus, in the motor mounting brackets now in use, tilting of the motor on the mounting bracket is provided in only one direction and no provision is made for tilting in the opposite direction, which would be required upon mounting the motor at the opposite end of the boat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end ofa boat.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a mounting bracket which enables an outboard motor to be mounted on either end of a boat and which further provides for the tilting of the motor in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the boat irrespective of the end of the boat on which the bracket and motor are mounted.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat wherein the motor can be mounted in any of a plurality of attitudes with respect to the boat.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat wherein the mounting bracket is adapted to support a motor in an inoperative position without removal of the motor from the mounting bracket.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when the same is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an outboard motor mounting bracket for mounting an outboard motor on either end of a boat and generally comprising a bracket member and motor support means. The bracket member includes clamping means for clamping the bracket member to either end portion of a boat, and a pair of spaced parallel wings each having an upper and a lower series of apertures formed therein. The apertures in one wing are coaxially aligned with the apertures in the other wing. The support means supports an outboard motor while permitting rotation of the motor for the purposes of propelling and steering the boat. The support means is at least partially disposed between the wings of the bracket member and is pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin receivable through an aperture formed in the portion of the support means disposed between the wings of the bracket member, the pin also being received in aligned apertures in the wings of the bracket member. A second pin is selectively receivable into a pair of aligned apertures of the series of apertures in the bracket member, and latching means associated with the support means are provided for releasably latching the support means to the second pin. Upon release of the support means from the second pin, the support means is pivotable about the first pin into a plurality of attitudes with respect to the bracket member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally elevational view showing a typical boat with a motor mounted on the transom thereof by means of the mounting bracket of the present invention, and showing in broken line the alternate mounting of the motor on the bow of the boat.

FIG. 2 is a detailed side elevational view of a mounting bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention installed on the transom of a boat and supporting an outboard motor, the motor further being shown in broken lines in a tilted up position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the structural detail of a latching member.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, on an en- Iarged scale of the mounting bracket shown in FIGS. 2-4, with the motor being in a slightly tilted position.

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the mounting bracket in position for mounting on the bow of a boat.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view, on an enlarged scale taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale of a bracket member.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention and showing in broken lines the shaft of the motor in two different positions of operation.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the mounting bracket shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary detailed side elevational view of the mounting bracket shown in FIGS. 12-14 in position for bow mounting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the particular construction shown in FIGS. 1-11 of the drawings, the numeral 20 indicates, generally, a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. Mounting bracket 20 includes a bracket member 21 having clamping means for clamping the bracket member to either end portion of a boat. Referring to FIG. 2, bracket member 21 is clamped to the transom 22 of a boat by clamping means comprising thumb screw 23 cooperating with clamping face 24 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Clamping face 24 may have projections 25 to aid in securing bracket member 21 to transom 22. Bracket member 21 also has a shoulder 26 which is adapted to rest upon the top of transom 22. Bracket member 21 further includes a pair of

integral wings

28 and 29 in spacial parallel relation. Each of the

wings

28, 29 is provided with upper and lower series of

apertures

30a and 30c, and 30b and 30d, respectively. The apertures in wing 28 are coaxially aligned with the apertures in wing 29.

Apertures

30a, 30b, 30c and 30 d of member 31 with a selected pair of aligned apertures of the corresponding series of apertures 30c, and 3%, respectively, of member 21, and inserting hinge pin 36 through the aligned apertures.

Mounting bracket 20 includes a provision for preventing tilting or pivoting of the motor during a condition of forward thrust of the motor by providing a locking bar in the form of a second pin which cooperates with bearing member 31 and bracket member 21. Although the locking bar can have any suitable configuration, it is preferred to utilize a pin identical to hinge pin 36 so that the two can be used interchang eably for a purpose to be hereinafter are preferably disposed along the marginal portions of

wings

28, 29 and are located on arcs of circles as will be hereinafter described.

The mounting bracket of the present invention further includes support means for supporting an outboard motor. The support means comprises a bearing member 31 which has a tubular portion 32 adapted to fit over a motor support tube 33 of a small electric motor 34. Alternatively, bearing member 31 can be integral with the housing of an outboard motor (not shown) with the provision of means for steering the boat, commonly'by pivoting the motor with respect to bearing member 31. Tubular portion 32 of bearing member 31 is adapted to slip fit over motor support tube 33 to enable turning of motor support tube 33 within tubular portion 32. A locking collar 35 is secured to motor support tube 33 to prevent the motor support tube from slipping vertically within; -tub,ular portion 32 of bearing member 31 and to rjnaintain motor 34 at the proper depth in the water. Normally, bearing member 31 is disposed between

thewings

28, 29 of bracket member 21.

The bracket 20 of the present invention further includes a hinge pin 36 by means of which bearing member 31 and the motor supported thereby are pivotably secured to bracket member 21. Hinge pin 36 conveniently has a handle 37a to facilitate insertion of pin 36 into aligned apertures in

wings

28, 29 of bracket member 21. Hinge pin 36 may also have a retaining spring 383 which retains the pin within the aligned apertures in

wings

28, 29 until pin 36 is withdrawn therefrom, withdrawal being aided by the presence of handle 37a. Hinge pin 36 can be inserted into either of a pair of selected aligned

apertures

300 or 300! formed in bracket member 21 to accomplish the objects of the present invention.

Apertures

30a and 300 are disposed along an arc of a circle having its center in the center of aperture 30d, and

apertures

30b and 300! are disposed along an arc of a circle having its center in the center of aperture 300, as shown in FIG. 11, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Bearing member 31 has at least one aperture formed therein adapted to receive hinge pin 36 so as to be pivotable thereabout, and preferably bearing member 31 has two

apertures

39a and 39b formed therein, both adapted to receive hinge pin 36 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Bearing member 31 is pivotally secured to bracket member 21 by positioning bearing member 31 between the

wings

28, 29 of bracket member 21 and aligning one of the

apertures

39a, 39b

described. Thus, pin 40 has a handle 37b and a retaining spring 38b which serve the samefunctions as handle 37a and spring 38a of hinge pin 36. Bearing member 31 cooperates with pin 40 by means of recesses 41a and 41b formed

adjacent apertures

39a and 3%, respectively. Recesses 41a and 41b are formed with their open ends toward clamping face 24 of bracket member 21 so that bearing member 31 can be pivoted away from pin 40 upon receiving a force opposite to the force 'of forward thrust of an engine supported by member 31 and bearing member 31 is held against pin 40 by the forward thrust of the motor during the condition of forward thrust. Recesses 41a and 41b are formed with a cammed surface 42 to facilitate seating of the recess about pin 40 as hearing member 31 is pivoted about hinge pin 36 to its normal position. Pin 40 is inserted into an aligned pair of one series of

apertures

30a or 30b in bracket member 21. Thus, since apertures 30a and 30c are disposed along an arc equidistant from aperture 30d, pin 40 may be inserted into any of these apertures when hinge pin 36 is inserted in aperture 30d. Similarly, pin 40 may be inserted into any of

apertures

30b and 30d when hinge pin 36 is inserted in aperture 30c.

Pivoting bearing member 31 to seat one of recesses 41a or 41b therein about pin 40 secures the motor for normal operation.

Bracket member 20 further includes latching

members

43a and 43b associated with hearing member 31 for releasably latching pin 40 whereby bearing member 31 is releasably held to pin 40, and upon release is pivotable about hinge pin 36. Latching

members

43a and 43b, as shown in FIG. 5, are U-shaped and have an aperture 44 and a latching hook 45 formed in the legs thereof. The aperture 44 and hook 45 in one leg of the latching member are coaxially aligned with the aperture 44 and book 45, respectively, in the other leg of the latching member. The ends of the legs of latching members are tapered to form cammed surfaces 46. Bearing member 31 is provided with circular shaped bosses 47 on either side thereof which are adapted to support the latching members for rotation about bossed portions 47. Apertures 44 in the latching members are circular in shape and adapted to be positioned over circular bosses 47 of bearing member 31 for rotation thereabout. As shown in the drawings, bosses 47 are cylindrical in shape and further define

apertures

39 a and 39b in bearing member 31 which are formed to receive hinge pin 36. Construction of the latching members and bearing member 31 in this manner provide for rotatable mounting of the latching members on the bearing member irrespective of whether hinge pin 36 is inserted through either of the apertures 390 or 39d.

Bearing member 31 is further provided with stop members 48 against-which

latching members

43a and 43b normally abut for preventing the latching members from pivoting about bosses 47 in one direction and for maintaining the latching members in vertically spaced apart relation. A biasing spring 49 interconnects the center portions of the pair of the latching members, biasing .them toward abutment with stop members 48. Thus, in its normal condition, one of the latching members engages pin 40 at both sides of bearing member 31 interiorly of

wings

28, 29 of bracket member 21.

In this manner, bearing member 31 and the motor supported thereby are secured to pin 40 by one of the latching members against the reverse thrust of the motor. However, the shape of hooks 45 in latching

members

43a, 43b and the force exerted by biasing spring 49 are adapted to permit the latching member to rotate about bosses 47 to release the hold of the latching member on pin 40 upon a backwardly directed force to the motor substantially greater than the force exerted upon reverse thrust of the motor. Such a force greater than the reverse thrust of the motor is normally encountered if the motor should strike a submerged object or should run aground while the boat is moving forward. In this manner the motor by means of bearing member 31 will pivot about hinge pin 36 so as to ride over or on the top of the submerged obstacle.

A thumb tab 50 is provided on each of the latching members to assist in latching or unlatching the member from pin 40. Unlatching by use of thumb tab 50 may be desired to facilitate removal of pin 40 from one pair of aligned

apertures

30a, 30b to another pair of aligned

apertures

30a, 30b to alter the attitude of the motor and for other purposes to be hereinafter described.

' Mounting of a motor on the transom of a boat as shown in FIGS. 2-6 and 8-10 is effected by inserting hinge pin 36 through the upper aperture 39a of bearing member 31 as well as through aligned apertures 30c in the upper portion of bracket member 21. Second pin 40 is then inserted through aligned

apertures

30b or 30d in the lower portion of bracket member 21. The motor and bearing member 31 are then pivoted about hinge pin 36 to engage the lower recess 41b of bearing 31 and the lower latching member 43b with pin 40. Latching of lower latching member 43b to pin 40 is facilitated by cammed surface 46 which slightly pivots the latching member 43b about boss 47 as the cammed surface rides along pin 40 against the tension provided by biasing spring 49. The surface of book 45 then cams the latching member 43b aided by the biasing effect of spring 49, to seat book 45 about pin 40. In this manner, the motor is mounted on the transom and is tiltably held as heretofore described.

Mounting of a motor on the bow portion of a boat by means of the mounting bracket is effected, as shown in FIG. 7, by inserting hinge pin 36 through the lower aperture 39b formed in bearing member 31 as well as into aligned apertures 30d formed in the lower margin of bracket member 21. Second pin 40 is inserted into a pair of aligned apertures 30a or 30c formed in the upper margin of bracket member 21. The motor and bearing member 31 are pivoted about hinge pin 36 to engage the upper recess 41a of bearing member 31 with second pin 40 and at the same time cam the upper latching member 43a along its cammed surface 46 and the surface of its book 45 first against and then with the biasing of spring 49 to seat the book 45 about the second pin 40. In this manner, a motor mounted on the.

bow of a boat through the use of mounting bracket 20 is supported against movement of the motor forward of the boat by the action of both hinge pin 36locking the lower portion of bearing member 31 to bracket member 21 and by the upper portion of bearing member 31 being held against second pin 40 by the force of the motor pulling the boat. Tilting of the motor during reverse thrust of the motor is prevented by the I force of the upper latching member 43a being held to second pin 40 by biasing spring 49. However, tilting of the motor upon striking a submerged obstacle or running aground is provided by the force of impact exerted on the motor and bearing member 31 overcoming the tension of biasing spring 49 so that the upper latching member 43a slightly pivots about upper boss 47 releasing the latching member from the second pin 40. In this manner the motor is securely mounted and held during forward and reverse thrust of the motor under normal condition and is releasably tiltable to prevent damage to the motor upon the motor striking a submerged obstacle or running aground.

It is understood that since hinge pin 36 and locking 1 bar 40 are preferably interchangeable, the mounting bracket can easily be adapted for mounting a motor on either the front or rear of a boat by simply removing the hinge pin 36 and inserting it into another pair of aligned apertures of the same series for use as a locking bar and by removing the second pin from one pair of aligned apertures of the other series and inserting it through the selected aligned apertures 30c or 30d of that other series as well'as an aperture of bearing member 31 to use it as a hinge pin.

In addition, mounting bracket 20 is provided with at least one additional pair of coaxially aligned apertures 51 forming a rest position for the motor as illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 2. In the rest position mounting bracket is prepared as for mounting a motor on the stern of a boat with hinge pin 36 inserted through aligned apertures 300 formed in the upper portion of bracket member 21 and into the upper aperture 39a of bearing member 31. The motor and bearing member 31 are pivoted about hinge pin 36 until bearing member 31 clears the pair of additional apertures 51. Second pin 40 is inserted into the pair of aperutes 51 thereby supporting bearing member 31 and the motor supported thereby in a rest position with the motor out of the water. The pair of apertures 51 may also be used as an additional pair of apertures 30a.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a modified embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment parts of the mounting bracket as shown therein, which are similar to parts of mounting bracket 20 illustrated in FIGS. l-11 are identified by corresponding primed numerals and reference regarding these parts is made to the above description, further description of these parts being omitted for the sake of brevity.

Bracket member 21 of mounting bracket 60 of the present invention includes a pair of coaxially aligned apertures 61 centered in the vertical direction in the wings 28 and 29' adjacent clamping face 24' of the bracket member. A hinge pin 62 is maintained within apertures 61 such as by being driven therein. Apertures 30 correspond to

apertures

30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d hereinbefore described.

Mounting bracket 60 further includes a bearing member 63 having a portion 64 disposed between wings 28' and 29 of bracket member 21. Bearing member 63 is pivotally secured to hinge pin 62 adjacent the end of portion 64 nearest to clamping face 24. Bearing member 63 includes another portion 65 which is adapted to support an outboard motor. Portion 65 may support a motor similarly to the manner in which bearing member 31 supports a motor in the other preferred embodiment of this invention (as shown in FIGS. 12-14), or can support a motor by being integral therewith (not shown).

Mounting bracket 60 further includes latching members 66 affixed to bearing member 63 which are adapted to releasably latch about second pin 40 to releasably latch bearing member 63 to pin 40'. As shown in FIGS. 12-15, latching members 66 are formed of spring material and are affixed to bearing member 63 by suitable fastening means such as rivets or screws. Latching members 66 are formed with a detent 67 which serves to releasably hold bearing member 63 to pin 40'.

Mounting bracket 60 is adapted to support a motor at either end of a boat by inserting second pin 40 assisted by its handle 37 and retainer spring 38 into a pair of aligned apertures in either the top portion or the bottom portion of bracket member 21' as desired.

' More particularly, for mounting a motor on the stern of a boat second pin 40' is inserted in a pair of aligned apertures 30 formed in the lower portion of bracket member 21 In this manner, bearing member 63 and a motor supported thereby is held to second pin 40 during forward thrust by bearing member 63 being forced against pin 40' and against reverse thrust by means of latching member 66 holding bearing member 63 against second pin 40. However, upon the motor supported by bearing member 63 striking a submerged obstacle or running aground, the force of impact on the motor and bearing member 63 causes member 63 to pivot about hinge pin 62 away from second pin 40' against the tension of latching member 66 so as to release detent 67 formed in latching member 66 from a second pin 40' and permit the motor and bearing member 63 to pivot about pin 62 to permit the motor to ride over the submerged obstacle, etc. Similarly, mounting bracket 60 can be adapted to mount a motor on the bow of a boat by inserting second pin 40 into a pair of aligned apertures 30 on the upper portion of bracket member 21 In this condition, bearing member 63 and the motor supported thereby is held to second pin 40' by means of upper latching member 66 against the forward and reverse thrust of the motor. As in the case of mounting a motor on the rear of a boat, upon impact with a submerged obstacle or running aground, the impact causes bearing member 63 to pivot away from locking bar 40 releasing latching member 66 from second pin 40' as shown in FIG. 15.

Mounting bracket 60 is also provided with means for readily placing a motor supported by bearing member 63 in a rest position, and securing the motor in that position, with the motor out of the water. As with mounting bracket 20, mounting bracket 60 is provided with at least one additional pair of coaxially aligned apertures 51' adapted to receive second pin 40'. A motor supported by hearing member 63 is secured into the rest position by inserting second pin 40' into the pair of aligned apertures 51' and pivoting the top of the motor and bearing member 63 toward the center of the boat until the upper latching member 66 of bearing member 63 engages pin 40 and seats the detent 67 of latching member 66 about pin 40'. In this position, the motor and bearing member 63 is supported on bracket member 21' by hinge pin 62 and second pin 40 and is held in place by the upper latching member 66, as illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 12.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited being limited only by the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. An outboard motor mounting bracket for selectively mounting an outboard motor on either end of the boat comprising a. a bracket member having clamping means for clamping said bracket to a portion of a boat and including a pair of spaced parallel wings each having an upper and a lower series of apertures formed therein, with the apertures of one series in one wing being coaxially aligned with the apertures of the corresponding series in the other wing and with the apertures of each series being arranged on an arc of a circle;

b. support means for supporting an outboard motor,

said support means being at least partially disposed between said wings and having a transverse hearing opening therein;

0. a first pin received in said opening and being receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of said wings for pivotally securing said support means to said bracket member;

d. a second pin selectively receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of the series of apertures of said wings; and

e. latching means associated with said support means for releasably latching said support means to said second pin during the forward and reverse thrust of a motor supported by said support means.

2. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein said first pin is selectively receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of one series of said wings for pivotally securing said support means to said bracket member, and said second pin is selectively receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of said other series of apertures of said wings.

3. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein said latching means comprises a U-shaped member having an aperture and a latching hook formed in each leg with the aperture and hook formed in one leg being coaxially aligned with the aperture and hook respectively, formed in the other leg, said member being disposed about and pivotally mounted on said support means, and said ends of said legs being tapered so as to cam the U-shaped member about said second pin to seat the latching hooks formed therein about said second pin.

4. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 3, wherein said latching means comprises a pair of said U- shaped members, said pair of U-shaped members being opposingly vertically spaced apart with biasing means connecting the center portions thereof. 4

5. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 4, wherein said support means includes a. at least a pair of apertures formed therein adapted to receive said first pin;

b. bossed portions adjacent said apertures engageable with the apertures formed in said legs of said U-shaped members for pivotally supporting said U-shaped members thereon; and I 0. stop means for normally preventing said U-shaped members from being pivoted about said bossed portions by said biasing means and for normally maintaining said U-shaped members in vertically spaced apart relation.

6. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein said support means includes recesses formed therein adjacent said apertures and said bossed portions for releasably engaging said second pin for nor 1 Q mally supporting said support means on said second pin upon forward thrust of a motor supported thereby.

7. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises members atfixed to said support means having detents formed therein for releasably latching said support means to said second pin.

8. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 7, wherein said members having detents formed therein for releasably latching said support means to said second pin are formed of spring material.

9. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein said bracket member includes a pair coaxially aligned apertures generally centered in the vertical direction in said wings adjacent said clamping means for receiving said first pin.

10. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein said bracket member includes a pair of coaxially aligned apertures formed in the wings thereof adapted to receive said second pin to support said support means and a motor supported thereby in an inoperative position with the propelling portion of the motor out of the water.

Claims

1. An outboard motor mounting bracket for selectively mounting an outboard motor on either end of the boat comprising a. a bracket member having clamping means for clamping said bracket to a portion of a boat and including a pair of spaced parallel wings each having an upper and a lower series of apertures formed therein, with the apertures of one series in one wing being coaxially aligned with the apertures of the corresponding series in the other wing and with the apertures of each series being arranged on an arc of a circle; b. support means for supporting an outboard motor, said support means being at least partially disposed between said wings and having a transverse bearing opening therein; c. a first pin received in said opening and being receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of said wings for pivotally securing said support means to said bracket member; d. a second pin selectively receivable in a pair of aligned apertures of the series of apertures of said wings; and e. latching means associated with said support means for releasably latching said support means to said second pin during the forward and reverse thrust of a motor supported by said support means.

4. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 3, wherein said latching means comprises a pair of said U-shaped members, said pair of U-shaped members being opposingly vertically spaced apart with biasing means connecting the center portions thereof.

5. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 4, wherein said support means includes a. at least a pair of apertures formed therein adapted to receive said first pin; b. bossed portions adjacent said apertures engageable with the apertures formed in said legs of said U-shaped members for pivotally supporting said U-shaped members thereon; and c. stop means for normally preventing said U-shaped members from being pivoted about said bossed portions by said biasing means and for normally maintaining said U-shaped members in vertically spaced apart relation.

6. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein said support means includes recesses formed therein adjacent said apertures and said bossed portions for releasably engaging said second pin for normally supporting said support means on said second pin upon forward thrust of a motor supported thereby.

7. The outboard motor mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises members affixed to said support means having detents formed therein for releasably latching said support means to said second pin.