Marine propulsion device with split drive shaft

Abstract

Abstract DISCLOSED HEREIN IS A MARINE PROPULSION UNIT WHICH INCLUDES A DRIVE SHAFT HOUSING HAVING UPPER AND LOWER HOUSING SECTIONS WITH THE UPPER HOUSING SECTION ROTATABLY SUPPORTED FOR VERTICAL SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL TILT AXIS. THE DRIVE TRAIN CONNECTING THE PROPELLER SHAFT TO ENGINE OUTPUT SHAFT INCLUDES FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SHAFTS. THE FIRST DRIVE SHAFT IS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED AND EXTENDS THROUGH THE UPPER DRIVE SHAFT HOUSING AND INTO THE LOWER HOUSING SECTION. THE LOWER HOUSING SECTION IS ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER HOUSING SECTION FOR ROTATION ABOUT THE AXIS OF THE FIRST DRIVE SHAFT TO AFFORD STEERING OF THE BOAT HULL. THE SECOND DRIVE SHAFT IS CONNECTED BY GEARS TO THE FIRST DRIVE SHAFT AND IS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN THE LOWER HOUSING SECTION FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE AXIS OF THE FIRST DRIVE SHAFT AND AT RIGHT ANGLES TO A PROPELLER SHAFT. THE TRANSFER OF POWER FROM THE ENGINE TO THE FIRST DRIVE SHAFT INCLUDES A HORIZONTAL CROSS SHAFT LOCATED IN COAXIAL RELATION TO THE HORIZONTAL TILT AXIS. STEERING OF THE LOWER HOUSING SECTION IS AFFORDED BY A STEERING DRIVE OR LINKAGE.

Inventors

• 👤 William J Shimanckas

Bibliographic Details