Patent ID: 6524069
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B63H,F04D,F16D

Abstract:
A propeller assembly for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft, the propeller shaft extending along an axis and terminating at a threaded end, comprising:a central hub mountable on the propeller shaft for rotational movement therewith, the central hub defining a generally cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced keys therealong, each key having a first, narrow end and a second, wider outer end; a generally tubular propeller housing slidable onto the central hub for rotational movement with the propeller shaft, the propeller housing including an inner surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of axially extending lobes therealong, each pair of lobes defining a corresponding keyway for receiving a corresponding key along the central hub; and a locking structure mountable on the propeller shaft, the locking structure including: a spider washer having first and second ends and an aperture therebetween for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough, the spider washer including a nose portion extending from the first end thereof; a locking washer having an opening for receiving the nose portion of the spider washer therethrough and an outer periphery for engaging the lobes and preventing removal of the propeller housing from the central hub; and a locking element mountable on the threaded end of the propeller shaft for retaining the spider washer on the propeller shaft.