Patent ID: 6682379
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: B63H,Y10T

Abstract:
A cowl latching system for an outboard motor, comprising:a cowl structure which is removably attachable to said outboard motor; a retainer attached to said outboard motor; a first retention member attached to said retainer, said first retention member being movable, relative to said retainer, between an extended position and a retracted position; a second retention member attached to said retainer, said second retention member being movable, relative to said retainer, between an extended position and a retracted position, said first and second retention members being urged into their respective extended positions when no external force is present to urge said first and second retention members into their respective retracted positions; and a catch device attached to said cowl structure, said catch device comprising a first extension portion and a second extension portion, said first extension portion having a first extension surface, said second extension portion having a second extension surface, said first and second extension portions being spaced apart by a preselected distance which is selected to allow a portion of said retainer to pass between them and to urge said first and second retention members into their respective retracted positions when said catch device is moved along a first path in a first direction relative to said retainer, said catch device being removable from said retainer while said first and second retention members remain in their respective extended positions when said catch device is moved along a second path in a second direction relative to said retainer, said first and second directions being nonparallel to each other, said first and second retention members being shaped to prevent said first and second extension portions from moving past them, along a third path in a third direction, when said first and second retention members are disposed in their respective extended positions, said third direction being generally opposite to said first direction.