US3752111A

US3752111A - Pivoting motor boat drive unit

Info

Publication number: US3752111A
Application number: US00140335A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Meynier
Original assignee: CRAWFISH BOAT CO Inc
Current assignee: CRAWFISH BOAT CO Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-05
Filing date: 1971-05-05
Publication date: 1973-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-14

Abstract

A Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit for essentially flat bottom boats which automatically retracts upon hitting obstructions with a self-repositioning feature which is both variable and predetermined. The entire unit is readily removed from a tunnel mounted in a boat. The pivotal mounting includes a spring bias arrangement and may include an automatic throttle retarding switch and a cut-off switch when the unit is fully retracted. The propeller shaft includes a water bearing with a flow-through washer.

Description

United States Patent [191 Meynier, Jr.

[451 Aug. 14, 1973 PIVOTING MOTOR BOAT DRIVE UNIT [75] Inventor: Maurice J. Meynier, Jr., Houston,

Tex.

[73] Assignee: Crawflsh Boat Company, Inc.,

Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 5, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 140,335

[52] US. Cl. 115/35, 115/34 R [51] Int. Cl. B6311 5/12 [58] Field of Search 115/.5 R, 17, 34 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1969 Puretic 115/41 R 6/1912 Desenberg et a1, 115/35 8/1909 Stribling 115/41 R 1/1920 Borchert 115/17 13.324 7/1855 Sandgren 115/34 R Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson Attorney-James F. Weiler, Jefferson D. Giller, William A. Stout, Paul L. De Verter, 11, Dudley R. Dobie,

Jr. and Henry W. Hope [5 7 ABSTRACT A Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit for essentially flat bottom boats which automatically retracts upon hitting obstructions with a self-repositioning feature which is both variable and predetermined. The entire unit is readily removed from a tunnel mounted in a boat. The pivotal mounting includes a spring bias arrangement and may include an automatic throttle retarding switch and a cut-off switch when the unit is fully retracted. The propeller shaft includes a water bearing with a flow-through washer.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PIVOTING MOTOR BOAT DRIVE UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit, and more particularly one designed to be mounted in a tunnel arranged in an essentially flat bottom boat to provide the features of an inboard motor with a retractable propeller.

The general concept of providing boats with inboard motors and pivoting propeller shafts is known in the art, and it is believed that the following patents are most pertinenti Puretic, US. Pat. No. 3,469,558; Daniels, US. Pat.

No. 2,569,802; Ramsey, U.S. Pat. No. 1,850,770; and

Turnbull US. Pat. No. 1,490,046.

The foregoing patents do not disclose a Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit which may be readily removed from the boat, and which will automatically retract and reposition itself to the predetennined variable position once the obstruction is passed.

SUMMARY The Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit of the present invention generally includes a ratchet control which is used to provide a variable and predetermined pivoted position for the drive unit. At the same time, the control allows the drive unit to retract upon hitting an obstruction, and to reposition itself to the predetermined position once the obstruction is passed. The entire unit is designed to be readily removed from a boat by loosening several bolts, and lifting out. An improved water bearing with a flow-through washer is provided for lubricating the propeller bearing. An automatic throttle retarding switch and a cut-off switch are provided to slow or kill the motor as the propeller is retracted free of the water. The control for the rudder is incorporated within the propeller shaft housing. A flexible, open-top boot is provided to seal the propeller shaft housing, to prevent entry of water around the housing into the interior of the boat.

Thus, it is the principal object of the present'invention to provide a pivoting motor boat drive unit which includes a mechanism for the automatic retraction of the unit upon encountering obstructions, and which further includes a self-repositioning feature, to reposition the drive unit in a predetermined initial position.

Other and further objects, features and advantages are enumerated above, or will be apparent from an examination of the following description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Like character references designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawings:

FIG. I is a partial sectional side view showing the drive unit of the present invention positioned for propulsion of the boat;

FIGQZ is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the unit fully retracted;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the method of mounting the unit to the tunnel transom;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side view showing the interconnection between the motor and the propeller shaft;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional side view showing the water bearing and propeller assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of thewater bearing; and

FIG. 7 is an end view, partly in section taken along the Line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. I, the reference numeral 10 generally refers to the complete drive unit of the present invention, which includes the base 12, motor 14, pivot mount 16, propeller shaft housing 18, propeller 20, and associated control devices. The base 12 sits at the forward or transom end 25 of the tunnel 24, which is centrally located in the boat 22 and extends to the rear 26 thereof. The base 12 is suitably attached to the tunnel transom 25, and through the pivotalmounting block 16, supports the drive unit 10. The width of the tunnel 24 is just sufficient to allow the entrance of the propeller 20 and associated guards, through the top cover 28. The cover 28 is suitably hinged, as at30 to allow the installation and removal of the drive unit.

The motor 14 may be any convenient prime mover, such as an electric, diesel, gasoline or hydraulic engine. The motor is here shown as a four-cycle, air cooled engine, which may exhaust through the flexible line 32 into the tunnel 24. The exhaust line may include a union 33 to allow breaking the line. Mounted on the carrying handle 34 is the motor control, which may comprise a conventional combined throttle and choke with an on-off switch, as' in lawnmower practice. Mounted beneath the motor 14 is a cut-off switch38, which serves to kill the motor when it is pivoted down- *wardly as seen in FIG. 2, so that the switch 38 contacts the'base l2. Mounted adjacent the cut-off switch 38'is a throttle retarding switch 39 which servesto reduce the motor speed as the propeller is pivoted upwardly toward the waters surface. Next tothe cut-off switch 38 is an override switch 40 which maybe utilized to prevent the cut-off switch from automatically killing the motor, or to disengage the throttle retarding switch 39.

The propeller shaft housing 18 is suitably attached to the motor 14 and extends through an aperture 42 in the tunnel transom 24. The aperture-42 is sealed by'means of a flexible (e.g., rubber) boot 44 as seen in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, it is seen that the'boot 44 is held against the tunnel end by the U" shaped boot retainer 46 and the screws 48, and it thus serves as a seal to prevent the entrance of water about the bottom of the housing 18. The boot 44 is open-at the top, so that the entire drive unit 10 may be removed by lifting up wardly.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the propeller'shaft housing 18 terminates with the tail piece 64, propeller- 20 and the rudder 50. In front of and on either side of the propeller are guards 52, which in conjunction with the rudder supports, help prevent damage to the propeller-20.

As seen in FIG. 4, the propeller shaft housing 18 is hollow, and extending therethrough is the propeller shaft 54. At its inner end, the propeller shaft 54 is-attached by a suitable coupling 56'to the motor shaft 58, as by appropriate screws 60 and pin 62.

As seen in FIG. 5, the propeller shaft 54 passes through the tail piece 64 and is attached to the propeller 20 by means of a suitable shear pin 66, nut 68 and cotter key 70. The tail piece 64 'includesa bearing 72 in which is journaled a sleeve 74 suitably attached, and by the pin 76, to the shaft 54. Situated between the bearing 72 and the propeller 20 is a washer 78. The bearing 72 is water lubricated, and this is accomplished by the entrance of water through ports 80 in the propeller shaft housing 18. Water flows along the outside of the shaft 54 and sleeve 74, thence through slots 82 in the bearing 72. These slots are best seen in FIG. 6.

The washer 78 abutts the bearing 72, as well as the rear of the propeller 20, and ordinarily would prevent any substantial flow of water through the bearing 72. However, by recessing the washer, as at 84, and then drilling radial holes 86 from the outside of the washer 78 into the recessed portions 84, water may pass freely through the bearing 72. It further appears that rotation of the washer 78 tends to pull water through the bearing 72, because of the centrifugal action, thus further aiding lubrication.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the rudder 50 is pivoted to the tail piece 64 by means of the integral pivot pins 88 extending from the rudder into suitable bearings. The upper pin 88 has a pulley 90 formed thereon. A tiller cable 92 extends through the propeller shaft housing 18, under rollers 94, over rollers 96, past vertical roller 98 to the pulley 90. The cable 92 is suitably attached to the pulley 90 as by the screw 100, and returns by essentially the same path through the propeller shaft housing 18. Thus, it is seen that pulling one of the cables 92 results in turning the rudder in one direction, and vice versa, allowing for steering of the boat.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the cables 92 proceed under the

rollers

102 and 104, thence upwardly to the handle 34, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to those figures, the cables 92 proceed over rollers 106, mounted on either side of the handle 34 to either side of tiller 108, where they are suitably attached. Thus, it is readily seen that actuation of the pivotally mounted tiller 108 results in actuation of the rudder 50 through the medium of the cable 92. It is further seen that the cable 92 is enclosed within the housing 18 and within

suitable fairing pieces

110 and 112 on the tail piece 64, as seen in FIG. 5, so that it is not exposed to sticks, twigs, or the like under water.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and 2, the extreme positions of the drive unit are illustrated. The unit pivots on the pivotal mounting block 16 through the pin 112. Since the motor is heavier than the shaft, propeller and rudder, and since the result of operation of the propeller tends to raise it from the water, it is necessary to bias the propeller downwardly. This is accomplished by means of the lever 114 and one or more springs 116. One end of the spring 116 is attached to the base 12, while the other end is attached to the lever 114. The lever is pivotally attached to the base through pedestal 118. Protruding from the lever 114 is a boss having a hole 115 therein adjacent the pedestal. This hole in combination with a conventional pin is used to lock the lever in the position shown in FIG. 2 when removing the motor. The other end of the lever 114 may include a roller 120 which bears against the base of the motor 14. The size and number of the springs 116 may be varied to suit the particular motor and running characteristics desired.

It is, however, necessary that the springs not be so strong as to prevent the propeller from pivoting upwardly when an obstruction is encountered. It is also desirable that the propeller be adjustable to various predetermined positions, and this is accomplished by means of the ratchet mechanism 122. Mounted on top of the tunnel 24 is the ratchet pedestal 124. Pivotally mounted therein is the handle 126, which includes a trigger 128 attached through the rod 130 to the pawl 132. The pawl 132 engages the ratchet teeth on the ratchet pedestal. Extending from the handle 126 is the arm 134, which has a rotating eyebolt 136 mounted thereon. Attached to the propeller drive shaft housing 18 is a clamp 138 to which is pivotally attached a lift bolt 140. The lift bolt 140 extends upwardly through an opening 142 in the tunnel cover 28, through the eye of the eyebolt 136 and terminates in a removable fastener 144. The eye of the eyebolt 136 through which the bolt 140 passes is sufficiently large to allow free vertical movement of the bolt therethrough.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1, if the tail piece 64 hits an obstruction, then the housing 18 will pivot upwardly about the pivot point 112. Since the bolt 140 passes freely through the plug 136, the bolt 140 will move upwardly, and the handle will remain in the present position. Further, when the obstruction is passed, the housing 18 will return downwardly, because of the spring bias on the motor, to the previous predetermined position. On the other hand, if it is desired to set the propeller at some higher position, this is readily accomplished by pulling back on the handle 126 so that the pawl 132 engages another tooth in the ratchet pedestal 124. The fully retracted position is seen in FIG. 2. In other than in the fully retracted position, again, upon encountering obstructions, the drive shaft will raise upwardly, and once the obstruction is passed, will fall back to the predetermined position. Note in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the bottom of the block 16 fits into stops 146 in the base 12, to prevent downward movement. The block is retained in the base by the fasteners 148, seen in FIGS. 3 and 7.

To remove the drive unit 10 from the boat, it is only necessary to loosen or remove the fasteners 148, and to remove the fastening device 144 so that the bolt 140 is freed from the eyebolt 136, and break the exhaust line connection to the tunnel, as at the union 33. To lock the lever 114 so that it does not bear against the motor base, a pin may be inserted in the hole 115 in the lever 114. Then, the cover 28 on the tunnel 24 is opened. The entire drive unit may now be lifted free of the boat by lifting the mounting block 16 from the base 12. The drive unit may now be stored, repaired, replaced, or the like, as the owner may desire. The reverse of this procedure reinstalls the drive unit 10.

Thus, it is seen that the present invention has provided a pivoting motor boat drive unit which is particularly useful in providing a variable and predetermined pivoted position for the drive unit, which drive unit will pivot upwardly upon striking an underwater obstruction, and will automatically return to the predetermined position once the obstruction is passed, as well as the other features previously mentioned. The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in details of construction, and the combination, shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boat having a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forward position, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperture therein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaft extending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of the boat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including:

spring means biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclined position below the bottom of the boat,

position selector means limiting the lower pivoted position of the drive shaft to discrete predetermined positions,

upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft upon encountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selected position upon removal of the obstruction,

the position selector means and upswing means including a ratchet pedestal mounted above the tunno],

a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal,

a pawl selectively interconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal,

a rotatable eyebolt mounted on the lever,

a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft and extending upwardly and slideably through the eyebolt, and fastening means attached to the lift bolt above the eyebolt.

2. The invention of claim 1 including:

a switch arranged to cut off the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft to a horizontal position.

3. The invention of claim 1 the drive unit includes;

a drive shaft housing extending from the motor to the propeller,

a propeller shaft journaled in the housing,

a rudder mounted on the propeller end of the housa tiller mounted adjacent to the motor, and

tiller cables extending from the tiller to the rudder and arranged within the housing free of the shaft.

4. The invention of claim 3 including:

a water lubricated bearing mounted in the housing adjacent the propeller,

at least one water inlet port in the housing adjacent the bearing,

a washer rotatable on the shaft and mounted between the bearing and propeller,

said washer being recessed about the shaft adjacent the bearing, and

said washer having radial holes extending from the recess to the outer periphery to allow water within the housing and bearing to flow through said washer.

5. The invention of claim 1 including:

seal means mounted on the tunnel transom to prevent water from entering the boat from the tunnel beneath the drive shaft,

said seal means including a flexible open topped boot attached to the transom at the aperture through which the drive shaft extends, and

a U" shaped flange fixing the edge of the boot to the tunnel transom and holding the boot to the bottom half of the drive shaft.

6. The invention of claim 1 including:

a switch arranged to retard the speed of the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft upward to a position where the propeller breaks the water's surface.

Claims

1. In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boat having a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forward position, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperture therein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaft extending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of the boat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including: spring means biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclined position below the bottom of the boat, position selector means limiting the lower pivoted position of the drive shaft to discrete predetermined positions, upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft upon encountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selected position upon removal of the obstruction, the position selector means and upswing means including a ratchet pedestal mounted above the tunnel, a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal, a pawl selectively interconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal, a roTatable eyebolt mounted on the lever, a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft and extending upwardly and slideably through the eyebolt, and fastening means attached to the lift bolt above the eyebolt.

2. The invention of claim 1 including: a switch arranged to cut off the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft to a horizontal position.

3. The invention of claim 1 the drive unit includes; a drive shaft housing extending from the motor to the propeller, a propeller shaft journaled in the housing, a rudder mounted on the propeller end of the housing, a tiller mounted adjacent to the motor, and tiller cables extending from the tiller to the rudder and arranged within the housing free of the shaft.

4. The invention of claim 3 including: a water lubricated bearing mounted in the housing adjacent the propeller, at least one water inlet port in the housing adjacent the bearing, a washer rotatable on the shaft and mounted between the bearing and propeller, said washer being recessed about the shaft adjacent the bearing, and said washer having radial holes extending from the recess to the outer periphery to allow water within the housing and bearing to flow through said washer.

5. The invention of claim 1 including: seal means mounted on the tunnel transom to prevent water from entering the boat from the tunnel beneath the drive shaft, said seal means including a flexible open topped boot attached to the transom at the aperture through which the drive shaft extends, and a ''''U'''' shaped flange fixing the edge of the boot to the tunnel transom and holding the boot to the bottom half of the drive shaft.

6. The invention of claim 1 including: a switch arranged to retard the speed of the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaft upward to a position where the propeller breaks the water''s surface.