Patent ID: 7867046
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
1. A break-away mount for a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel, including a marine propulsion device extending from said vessel and having a water-engaging propulsor for propelling said vessel through a body of water, said marine drive having a first section mounted to said vessel, and a second section supporting said water-engaging propulsor for rotation, and first and second break-away mounts mounting said second section to and supporting said second section from said first section and breaking-away in stages in response to underwater impact against said second section to protect said first section and said vessel, said first break-away mount breaking-away at a first underwater impact strength, said second break-away mount breaking away at a second underwater impact strength, said first underwater impact strength being less than said second underwater impact strength, said first break-away mount having a first set of a plurality of necked-down threaded fasteners each having first and second distally opposite ends, and an intermediate necked-down reduced outer diameter portion between said first and second ends and fracturing in response to said first underwater impact strength, said second break-away mount having a second set of a plurality of threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners of said first set being hollowed-out at said intermediate necked-down reduced outer diameter portion.