US3602181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outboard motor steering control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-20
•
Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-06-20
Abstract
Abstract An outboard motor including a hollow casing assembly for mounting on a boat. A upstanding tubular shaft is rotatably mounted in the casing assembly. A hollow pinion is mounted on the shaft and a rack meshes with the pinion. The rack is coupled to a steering control pedal and is mounted for movement in the casing transversely of the shaft. An electric motor is mounted on a lower end of the shaft, and a propeller is driven by the motor and directed transversely of the shaft. The rack is moved transversely of the shaft for turning the direction of the propeller for steering the boat. Leads to the motor extend through the hollow pinion and along the shaft. A second pinion which meshes with the rack, carries a direction indicating pointer.
Inventors
- 👤 Garrett H Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:22
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/007; B63H20/08; B63H20/12; B63H25/00; B63H25/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An outboard motor which comprises a hollow casing assembly, means for mounting the casing assembly in selected fixed position on a board outboard thereof, an upstanding tubular shaft rotatably mounted in the casing assembly, an annular gear wheel pinion fixedly mounted on the shaft substantially coaxially therewith, a rack continuously in mesh with the pinion and mounted for movement in the casing transversely of the shaft to rotate the pinion and shaft, a motor mounted on a lower end of the shaft, power lead means connected to the motor and extending from the motor through the tubular shaft and the opening in the pinion, a propeller driven by the motor and directed transversely of the shaft, and means for moving the rack transversely of the shaft for continuous controlled orientation of the propeller axis of rotation in relation to the fixedly positioned casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An outboard motor which comprises a hollow casing assembly, means for mounting the casing assembly in selected fixed position on a board outboard thereof, an upstanding tubular shaft rotatably mounted in the casing assembly, an annular gear wheel pinion fixedly mounted on the shaft substantially coaxially therewith, a rack continuously in mesh with the pinion and mounted for movement in the casing transversely of the shaft to rotate the pinion and shaft, a motor mounted on a lower end of the shaft, power lead means connected to the motor and extending from the motor through the tubular shaft and the opening in the pinion, a propeller driven by the motor and directed transversely of the shaft, and means for moving the rack transversely of the shaft for continuous controlled orientation of the propeller axis of rotation in relation to the fixedly positioned casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the rack includes a wire attached to the rack, a sleeve surrounding the wire and attached to the casing assembly, and means for moving the wire with respect to the sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the rack includes a spring coupling the casing assembly and said shaft and urging the shaft to rotate to advance the rack in one direction, a wire attached to the rack, a sleeve surrounding the wire and attached to the casing assembly, and means for moving the wire with respect to the sleeve to shift the rack in a direction opposite to that in which the spring urges it.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the rack includes a wire attached to the rack, a sleeve surrounding a portion of the wire and attached to the casing assembly, a floor plate attached to the sleeve remote from the casing assembly, a foot pedal pivotally connected to the floor plate, a crank mounted on the foot pedal, and an actuator rod connected to the crank, movable lengthwise of the sleeve and cooperating with the wire to advance the rack for turning the shaft as desired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the rack includes a wire attached to the rack, a sleeve surrounding a portion of the wire and attached to the casing assembly, a floor plate attached to the sleeve remote from the casing assembly, a foot pedal pivotally connected to the floor plate, means coupled to the casing assembly and the shaft for resiliently urging the shaft to turn in one direction and to advance the rack in corresponding direction, a crank mounted on the foot pedal, and an actuator rod connected to the crank, movable lengthwise of the sleeve and cooperatinG with the wire as it is shifted lengthwise relative to the sleeve to advance the rack for turning the shaft to place the propeller in desired attitude to propel the boat in the direction desired.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein stops are associated with the rack and rack moving means to limit movement of the rack so that the rack and pinion are maintained in mesh.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An outboard motor as in claim 4 wherein stops are associated with the rack and the foot pedal to limit movement of the rack so that the rack and pinion are maintained in mesh.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An outboard motor as in claim 5 wherein stops are associated with the rack and the foot pedal to limit movement of the rack so that the rack and pinion are maintained in mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1 wherein a second pinion meshes with the rack and a pointer is mounted on the second pinion to indicated the line along which propeller produced thrust is directed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An outboard motor as in claim 9 wherein the pinions are of equal size.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An outboard motor as in claim 1, wherein a second pinion meshes with the rack and a pointer is mounted on the second pinion to indicated the direction of the propeller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2545086A
Cited
US3091977A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |