Patent US3976027A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3976027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strut drive mechanism
Assignee: RON JONES MARINE ENGR Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-23
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1994-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An exterior stern steering device for inboard motor boats to adjust not only the directional movement, but also the trim of the boat. The steering strut is pivotally connected to a swivel mounting to allow movement of the strut in both the vertical and lateral directions. A shaft housing in the strut contains the propeller shaft which is pivotally connected to the power transmission shaft by a constant velocity joint to provide a direct drive mechanism capable of the requisite maneuverability for allowing angular offset between the propeller shaft and the transmission shaft as the boat is propelled forward.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald O. Jones, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:33
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H5/00; B63H5/07; B63H5/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A steering unit for use on a power boat, said steering unit comprising: means for attaching said unit to said boat; a strut member; means for rotatably mounting said strut member to said attaching means for movement of said strut member in a vertical direction; means attached to said mounting means for rotatably connecting said strut member to said boat for movement of said strut member in a lateral direction; a propeller shaft mounted adjacent said strut member;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A steering unit for use on a power boat, said steering unit comprising: means for attaching said unit to said boat; a strut member; means for rotatably mounting said strut member to said attaching means for movement of said strut member in a vertical direction; means attached to said mounting means for rotatably connecting said strut member to said boat for movement of said strut member in a lateral direction; a propeller shaft mounted adjacent said strut member;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
a propeller attached to said propeller shaft; a constant velocity universal joint connecting said propeller shaft to the power transmission shaft of said boat, said power transmission shaft extending from the bottom of said boat, said constant velocity universal joint allowing said propeller shaft to operate at an angular offset from said transmission shaft in response to any combination of movement of said strut about said mounting means and connecting means; means for pivoting said propeller shaft vertically; and means for pivoting said propeller shaft laterally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
a propeller attached to said propeller shaft; a constant velocity universal joint connecting said propeller shaft to the power transmission shaft of said boat, said power transmission shaft extending from the bottom of said boat, said constant velocity universal joint allowing said propeller shaft to operate at an angular offset from said transmission shaft in response to any combination of movement of said strut about said mounting means and connecting means; means for pivoting said propeller shaft vertically; and means for pivoting said propeller shaft laterally.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A steering unit for use on a power boat as described in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises: a horizontal pivot shaft supported within said attaching means; and a swivel mounting rotatable on said horizontal pivot shaft, said strut member connected to said swivel mounting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steering unit for use on a power boat as described in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a vertical shaft supported within said mounting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A power boat steering unit comprising: means for pivotally mounting said unit to said boat; a propeller shaft mounted adjacent said mounting means; means for connecting said propeller shaft in line with the transmission shaft of said boat and for allowing said propeller shaft to pivot to an inclined position with respect to the transmission shaft while said boat is in operation; a fairing to cover the exposed portions of said transmission shaft extending below said boat; and an inlet port extending below said fairing to receive water as said boat moves forward.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A power boat steering unit comprising: means for pivotally mounting said unit to said boat; a propeller shaft mounted adjacent said mounting means; means for connecting said propeller shaft in line with the transmission shaft of said boat and for allowing said propeller shaft to pivot to an inclined position with respect to the transmission shaft while said boat is in operation; a fairing to cover the exposed portions of said transmission shaft extending below said boat; and an inlet port extending below said fairing to receive water as said boat moves forward.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power boat steering unit as described in claim 4 wherein said inlet port is connected to a flow channel leading to the engine of said boat, said inlet port and said channel receiving water and directing said water to said engine for cooling purposes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A power boat steering unit as described in claim 4 wherein said inlet port is connected to a flow channel leading to a speed indicator in said boat, said inlet port and said channel receiving water and directing said water to said speed indicator for determination of the speed of said boat.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |