The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 1989
Filed:
Nov. 18, 1987
Robert G Dretzka, South Milwaukee, WI (US);
Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, IL (US);
Abstract
The invention provides a marine propulsion device having a lower unit including a power transmission mechanism comprising a bevel gear having a first clutch element, a propeller shaft having a second clutch element and mounted for rotational movement and for axial movement between a neutral position and an engaged position with the propeller shaft clutch element in driven engagement with the first clutch element, a collar mounted on the propeller shaft for common movement therewith and for axial movement relative to the propeller shaft and into a frictional driving engagement with the bevel gear to effect rotation of the propeller shaft at a rate less than the rotational rate of the bevel gear, and a spring biasing the propeller shaft to the neutral position, the spring being overcome to afford movement of the propeller shaft to the drive position in response to propeller shaft rotation.