Brunswick Corporation

Martin E Olson Gunderson

Jeremy L Alby

Darin C Uppgard

Donald Anderson, Jr

Scott George Ahlswede

Kerry J Treinen

Thomas J Walczak

Timothy D Krupp

John F Zebley, Jr

Stephen E Polakowski

Stuart M Halley

Rock J Helsel

A connection system for connecting two or more marine propulsion devices together provides a coupler that can be rotated in place, without detachment from other components, to adjust the distances between the tie bar arms. In addition, the use of various clevis ends and pairs of attachment plates on the components significantly reduces the possibility of creating moments when forces and their reactions occur between the various components.

Tandem connection system for two or more marine propulsion devices

A jack plate is configured to allow removal of hydraulic components from a fixed portion of the jack plate without having to remove an outboard motor from the jack plate. A mechanical stop device is provided which supports a movable member of the jack plate relative to a stationary member of the jack plate and, as a result, supports the outboard motor even as the hydraulic components are removed from the jack plate. This allows the hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump, and motor to be removed from the jack plate by loosening and then detaching a removable bracket member from the jack plate. As a result, the hydraulic system can be inspected, maintained, or replaced without having to remove the outboard motor from the jack plate.

Compact jack plate with improved access to hydraulic components

A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Multiple part cowl structure for an outboard motor

A support system is provided for an outboard motor which uses four connectors attached to a support structure and to an engine system for isolating vibration from being transmitted to the marine vessel to which the outboard is attached. Each connector comprises an elastomeric portion for the purpose of isolating the vibration. Furthermore, the four connectors are disposed in a common plane which is generally perpendicular to a central axis of a driveshaft of the outboard motor. Although precise perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis is not required, it has been determined that if the plane extending through the connectors is within forty-five degrees of perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis, improved vibration isolation can be achieved. A support structure, or support saddle, completely surrounds the engine system in the plane of the connectors. All of the support of the outboard motor is provided by the connectors within the plane, with no additional support provided at a lower position on the outboard motor driveshaft housing.

Structural support system for an outboard motor

The fastener for attaching a first component to a second component comprises an elongated opening formed in the first component with, the elongated opening having a plurality of similarly shaped portions. An insert is disposable into each one of the plurality of similarly shaped portions, which can be square in a preferred embodiment, and each of the plurality of the similarly shaped portions of the elongated opening is shaped to receive the insert therein. The insert is limited in movement by the elongated opening to a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the elongated opening. A hole is formed in the second component and a cylindrical member is disposable through the insert, through the hole, and through the elongated opening. A capture mechanism prevents the insert from moving out of the elongated opening in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the elongated opening.

Fastener for attaching an outboard motor to a transom of a boat

The outboard motor of the present invention comprises a pedestal that is attached to a transom of a boat, a motor support platform that is attached to the outboard motor, and a steering mechanism that is attached to both the pedestal and the motor support platform. It comprises a hydraulic tilting mechanism that is attached to the motor support platform and to the outboard motor. The outboard motor is rotatable about a tilt axis relative to both the pedestal and the motor support platform. A hydraulic pump is connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic tilting mechanism to provide pressurized fluid to cause the outboard motor to rotate about its tilting axis. An electric motor is connected in torque transmitting relation with the hydraulic pump. Both the electric motor and the hydraulic pump are disposed within the steering mechanism.

Outboard motor with a hydraulic pump and an electric motor located within a steering mechanism

A shock absorbing hydraulic actuator comprises a cylinder with first and second pistons slidably disposed therein. The first and second pistons are moveable relative to each other. A poppet is supported by the first piston and is moveable relative to the first piston. In response to hydraulic fluid pressure within a passage of the first piston, the poppet can be caused to move in a direction which opens a passage through the first piston to allow the first piston to move relative to the second piston in response to a shock impact such as that which can result from an outboard motor striking a submerged or floating object. The second piston remains in its original position. A bleed passage allows the first piston to resume its original position next to the second piston after the impact has occurred. This movement towards its original position is caused naturally by the weight of an object supported by the hydraulic actuator, such as an outboard motor.

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Oshkosh, WI, United States of America

Martin E Olson Gunderson