Patent ID: 6893305
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: B63H,F16D

Abstract:
1. A marine propulsion unit comprising a first shaft adapted to be driven by a prime mover, a second shaft driven by the first shaft, the second shaft driving a propulsion device, the first shaft carrying a first gear, the second shaft carrying second and third gears, the first gear meshing with the second and third gears, the first gear driving the second and third gears in opposite directions relative to each other, a sleeve rotatable with the second shaft, the sleeve being slidably disposed on the second shaft between the second and third gears, the second and third gears each having a tooth on a surface thereof that opposes the sleeve, the sleeve having a recess on each surface thereof that opposes the second or third gear, each tooth being capable of insertion into the associated recess, each tooth having a length substantially the sarne as a length of the associated recess in a circumferential direction.