US3645360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Upper bearing lubrication for outboard gearcase
Assignee: Outboard Marine Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-12
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for lubricating the upper bearing for a drive shaft in a marine propulsion drive shaft housing. In accordance with the invention, the drive shaft below the bearing is housed in a cavity which has a cross-sectional dimension only slightly greater than that necessary to afford rotation of the shaft. The cavity is provided with oil so that the cavity is only partially full when the shaft is not rotating, and the shaft is formed, below the bearing, with a noncircular cross section so that shaft rotation raises the level of the oil in the cavity and communicates the oil with the lower bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore J Holtermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N7/00; F16N7/36; F16N7/363; F16N2210/00; F16N2210/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A marine propulsion unit including a drive shaft housing having an interior cavity, an upper bearing in said drive shaft housing and a drive shaft supported in said cavity, at least in part, by said upper bearing and having, below said upper bearing, a noncircular cross-sectional area with its greatest radial dimension slightly less than that which would afford free rotation of said drive shaft in said cavity, and a quantity of oil such as would partially fill said cavity when said drive shaft is not rotating and such as to rise into communication with said upper bearing upon drive shaft rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A marine propulsion unit including a drive shaft housing having an interior cavity, an upper bearing in said drive shaft housing and a drive shaft supported in said cavity, at least in part, by said upper bearing and having, below said upper bearing, a noncircular cross-sectional area with its greatest radial dimension slightly less than that which would afford free rotation of said drive shaft in said cavity, and a quantity of oil such as would partially fill said cavity when said drive shaft is not rotating and such as to rise into communication with said upper bearing upon drive shaft rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A marine propulsion unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive shaft is twisted in the area below said upper bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A marine propulsion unit in accordance with claim 1 including a hole in said drive shaft housing for filling said cavity and establishing the level of oil in said cavity when said shaft is not rotating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A marine propulsion unit including a drive shaft housing having an interior cavity, an upper bearing in said drive shaft housing, and a drive shaft supported in said cavity, at least in part, by said upper bearing and having, below said upper bearing, a noncircular cross-sectional area with its greatest radial dimension slightly less than that which would afford free rotation of said drive shaft in said cavity to thereby provide a pumping action in response to drive shaft rotation, whereby, when the cavity is partially filled with oil, shaft rotation will cause such oil to rise in the cavity for lubrication of the upper bearing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A marine propulsion unit including a drive shaft housing having an interior cavity, an upper bearing in said drive shaft housing, and a drive shaft supported in said cavity, at least in part, by said upper bearing and having, below said upper bearing, a noncircular cross-sectional area with its greatest radial dimension slightly less than that which would afford free rotation of said drive shaft in said cavity to thereby provide a pumping action in response to drive shaft rotation, whereby, when the cavity is partially filled with oil, shaft rotation will cause such oil to rise in the cavity for lubrication of the upper bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |