Patent ID: 6814635
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A marine propulsion device comprising first, second and third housings, the second housing being interposed between the first and third housings, a connector arranged to extend between the first and third housings and to couple the first, second and third housings with one another, a first shaft, at least a portion of the first shaft extending generally vertically through the first housing and extending into the second or third housing, a second shaft driven by the first shaft, at least a portion of the second shaft extending generally vertically through the third housing, the first shaft including a first plurality of external splines disposed at least near one of its ends, the second shaft including a second plurality of external splines disposed at least near one of its ends, a tubular coupling member defining a plurality of internal splines, the splines of the coupling member engaging the splines of the first and second shafts to couple together the first and second shafts, and a rotatable member driven by one of the first and second shafts, a majority of the rotatable member being generally positioned in the second or third housing, the coupling member being disposed between the rotatable member and said one of the first and second shafts.