Marine steering assembly with connecting member

Abstract

There is provided a hydraulic steering assembly for applying a force to two or more marine propulsion units. Each propulsion unit has a steering axis and a tilt axis. The tilt axis is generally perpendicular to the steering axis thereof. Each propulsion unit is rotatable about the steering axis and is supported for arcuate movement about the tilt axis thereof. The steering assembly comprises a hydraulic steering actuator including a cylinder and an elongated piston rod. The cylinder has a first end and a second end. The elongated piston rod is reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder and extends through the cylinder for movement along a piston rod axis. A pair of support arms are pivotable about the tilt axis of a first propulsion unit. The support arms are connected to the piston rod axis allowing arcuate movement of the piston rod about the tilt axis, while maintaining the piston rod axis parallel to the tilt axis. A pivot member is pivotally mounted on the first said propulsion unit for pivoting about a first link axis, which is parallel to the steering axis. The actuator is pivotally connected to the pivot member for pivoting about a second link axis, which is parallel to the piston rod axis. A connecting member is connected to the actuator. The connecting member includes a portion for connecting the connecting member to the actuator and a portion for pivotally connecting an elongated member to the connecting member.