Brunswick Corporation

Devan R Faust

Brad J VanRuiswyk

Steven J Amerling

John D Skroski

A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has first and second cowl portions for enclosing a powerhead, and a latching device which is movable into a latched position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the first cowl and second cowl portions and an unlatched position in which the second cowl portion is movable with respect to the first cowl portion so that the powerhead is accessible. The latching device has an electric actuator configured to automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position and a manually-operable input device which is accessible from outside of the cowling and is configured to actuate the electric actuator to thereby automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Cowlings for marine drives and latching devices for cowlings for marine drives

A hinge assembly is for a cowling on a marine drive. The cowling has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which together enclose a cowl interior. The hinge assembly has a first base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the first cowl portion and a second base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the second cowl portion. The second base frame is pivotally coupled to the first base frame by a connection device that enables manual removal of the second base frame from the intermediate frame without use of a tool, thus facilitating manual removal of the second cowl portion from the first cowl portion without the use of the tool.

Cowlings and hinge assemblies for cowlings on marine drives

A cowling has first and second cowl portions that enclose a powerhead on a marine drive. A latching assembly is for latching the first and second cowl portions together. The latching assembly has a retainer portion fixed to the first cowl portion and a latching portion fixed to the second cowl portion. The latching portion comprises a latch arm and a bell crank, the latch arm and bell crank being rotatable into and between a latched position in which the latch arm is latched to the retainer portion and an unlatched position in which the latch arm is unlatched from the retainer portion. A novel detent mechanism mechanically retains the latch arm and bell crank in the latched position and alternately in the unlatched position. A pair of bolted connections that fix the first and second cowling portions together and are located on opposite sides of the cowling.

Cowlings and latching assemblies for cowlings for marine drives

A latching assembly is for a cowl on a marine drive, the cowl having a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion that mates with the first cowl portion. A latching device is configured to latch and unlatch the first cowl portion to the second cowl portion. An actuator actuates the latching device. A flexible connector has a first end coupled to the latching device and a second end coupled to the actuator. Actuation of the actuator pulls the flexible connector to rotate a pulley and actuate the latching device. One of the first and second ends has a spherical bearing that is nested in a cylindrical bearing and seated in a cavity in the pulley. Pulling on the flexible connector pulls the spherical bearing against the cylindrical bearing such that the cylindrical bearing is pulled against the cavity in the pulley, thereby causing the pulley to rotate.

Growing community of inventors

Fond du Lac, WI, United States of America

Devan R Faust