Patent ID: 6254443
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
An assembly of a replaceable tower and a bearing race and circumferential bearings for supporting gear drives and shaft components for a marine engine out-drive contained in an outdrive housing defining an upwardly disposed propeller drive cavity, the tower at its medial rim and lower end being secured within the housing along respective, circular recessed grooves of the housing, securement of the tower within the housing including one of the following: press fitting, threading, and a pin and bolt connection; the tower comprising: a hollow, cylindrically-shaped, tubular element defining upper and lower ends; a flange formed medially of the tower support, the flange defining base and rim portions; a circular shoulder support formed around the base portion of the flange; and a channel cut-out circumferentially formed inside the upper end of the tubular element; the shoulder support being configured for supporting the bearing race, and the channel cut-out being configured for securement therein of the circumferential bearings; whereby: the bearing race is arranged and configured to support the gear drives and a centrally mounted shaft extending from the gear drives, and shaft components; the gear drives horizontally engaging a propeller drive shaft connected to a propeller, both being mounted within the propeller drive cavity; the bearings are arranged and configured to support, center and rotatably secure therein the centrally mounted shaft; the centrally mounted shaft is supported along a lower shoulder of the tubular element and by an idler shaft, the flange being secured along its medial rim within a recessed circular groove of the housing; the tower thereby being secured into the housing with reduced vibration of the gear drives and engine the tower, bearings and bearing race being removable and replaceable when they become worn.