US5238433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cover for the inboard-outboard motor
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-06-02
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2012-06-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an improved outer surface for an upper region of an encasing arrangement for the outboard unit of a watercraft inboard-outboard propulsion system. Particularly, an independent casing is disclosed which has a relatively smooth, even and continuous outer surface and which is mountable upon a portion of such an outboard unit. The casing mounts in such a manner that its outer surface locates so that it is substantially flush with the outer surface portions of the outboard unit encasement which lie adjacent to the mounted casing. The lack of uneven surfaces, according to the arrangement of the present invention, makes the unit particularly useful in connection with activities which employ a line which is utilized to tow someone or something behind the watercraft, as the line will not snag upon the upper region encasing arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenichi Hayasaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:35
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/32; B63H20/02; B63H20/06; F; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; B63H20/08; B63H20/10; B63H20/12; B63H20/14; B63H20/20; B63H20/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A casing for an outboard unit of a watercraft propulsion arrangement for a water vessel, comprising: an encasement assembly for said outboard unit, wherein said encasement assembly includes an upper encasing portion; a plurality of passages formed in said upper encasing portion; a recess formed in said upper encasing along the region of said passages; a plurality of fasteners having exposed portions and portions adapted to pass through said passages in order to mount said outboard unit along a rearward region of said vessel; an independent cover member having an inner surface and having a smooth, even, continuous outer surface, said cover member being adapted to surround a substantial region of said upper encasing portion; a plurality of primary mounting units secured at several locations along said inner surface of said cover member and adapted to slip over and fit about said fastener exposed portions, thereby mounting said cover member at said upper encasing portion within said recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A casing for an outboard unit of a watercraft propulsion arrangement for a water vessel, comprising: an encasement assembly for said outboard unit, wherein said encasement assembly includes an upper encasing portion; a plurality of passages formed in said upper encasing portion; a recess formed in said upper encasing along the region of said passages; a plurality of fasteners having exposed portions and portions adapted to pass through said passages in order to mount said outboard unit along a rearward region of said vessel; an independent cover member having an inner surface and having a smooth, even, continuous outer surface, said cover member being adapted to surround a substantial region of said upper encasing portion; a plurality of primary mounting units secured at several locations along said inner surface of said cover member and adapted to slip over and fit about said fastener exposed portions, thereby mounting said cover member at said upper encasing portion within said recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The casing of claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said cover member is located laterally outward of said fasteners.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The casing of claim 2 further comprising an indicating label secured upon said outer surface of said cover member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The casing of claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said cover member is substantially flush with adjacent outer surfaces of said upper encasing portion in the region whereat said cover member is mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The casing of claim 4 wherein a substantial portion of said inner surface of said cover member is separated from said upper encasing portion about which said cover member is mounted, thus defining an access area therebetween; said access area suitable for accessing said fasteners when said cover member is not mounted upon said upper encasing portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The casing of claim 4 further comprising a bracket interposed between said vessel and said outboard unit; wherein said outboard unit mounts to said bracket via said fasteners and said bracket is mounted against a rearward region of said vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The casing of claim 6 wherein said bracket is a swivel bracket having a rearward face; wherein said outboard unit is mounted against said rearward face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The casing of claim 6 wherein said cover member has an upper edge and a lower edge and two forward edges; wherein said upper edge and said lower edge locate very close to adjacent portions of said upper encasing portion upon mounting said cover member; and wherein said forward edges locate very close to adjacent portions of said bracket upon mounting said cover member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The casing of claim 8 wherein a very small gap is interposed between said upper and lower edges and said adjacent portions of said upper encasing; and wherein a very small gap is interposed between said forward edges and said bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The casing of claim 4 further comprising an additional mounting unit which includes a passage located through a rearward portion of said cover member and a brace attached to said encasement; said additional mounting unit also including a threaded fastening arrangement adapted to pass through said rearward passage of said cover member and a portion of said brace, in order to secure said cover member against said brace.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The casing of claim 4 wherein each of said primary mounting units comprises a cylindrical member having an opening extending from its forwardmost portion rearwardly along its longitudinal direction; said opening being adapted to slip over and fit about one of said fasteners.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The casing of claim 11 wherein each of said primary mounting units further comprises a flange extending radially inward from the inner circumference of a forwardly located portion of said opening; said flange being adapted to securely engage a portion of one of said fasteners.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The casing of claim 12 further comprising a slit formed longitudinally through a wall of said cylindrical member from a forwardmost region thereof rearwardly; said slit having opposing adjacent faces which may be separated from one another in order to increase the size of said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The casing of claim 13 further comprising plates extending off of said inner surface of said cover member; wherein said cylindrical members are secured to said plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The casing of claim 4 wherein said cover member has a generally U-shaped configuration along its horizontal cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The casing of claim 15 wherein said upper encasing portion has a generally cubical configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The casing of claim 16 wherein said upper casing houses a clutch mechanism and bevel gears of a transmission assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The casing of claim 17 wherein said watercraft propulsion arrangement is of the inboard-outboard type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The casing of claim 4 wherein said fasteners comprise mating nut and bolt assemblies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The casing of claim 4 wherein said fasteners include mounting studs secured in said bracket, said mounting studs extending in a generally rearward direction, and further including nuts adapted to securely mate with said mounting studs; and wherein each of said primary mounting units fastens upon a corresponding nut, upon mounting said cover member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
An encasement assembly for an outboard unit of a watercraft propulsion arrangement, comprising: an encasing portion for said outboard unit, said encasing portion having a generally vertical extending side-wall; an elongate recess extending laterally inward from an outer surface of said side-wall, wherein said recess spans in a generally horizontal fashion about a substantial region of said encasing portion; and further comprising an independent cover member adapted to mount securely within the entire recess so that said cover member is generally flush with the outer side-wall surface of said encasing portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
An encasement assembly for an outboard unit of a watercraft propulsion arrangement, comprising: an encasing portion for said outboard unit, said encasing portion having a generally vertical extending side-wall; an elongate recess extending laterally inward from an outer surface of said side-wall, wherein said recess spans in a generally horizontal fashion about a substantial region of said encasing portion; and further comprising an independent cover member adapted to mount securely within the entire recess so that said cover member is generally flush with the outer side-wall surface of said encasing portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The encasement assembly of claim 21 wherein said recess is generally C-shaped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
The encasement assembly of claim 22 further comprising a plurality of passages formed along a forwardly located region of said encasing portion; a plurality of fasteners having exposed portions and portions adapted to pass through said passages in order to mount said outboard unit along a rearward region of said vessel; wherein said cover member is adapted to slip over and fit about said fastener exposed portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The encasement assembly of claim 23 wherein inner boundaries of said generally C-shaped recess are located within an upper region of said encasing portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The encasement assembly of claim 24 wherein said inner boundaries of said generally C-shaped recess are defined in part by a top cover member which is secured across the top of said upper region of said encasing portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The encasement assembly of claim 25 wherein said top cover member possesses greater strength and rigidity than that of said encasing portion to which it is secured as well as said independent cover member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |