Patent ID: 6544083
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B63H,F16H

Abstract:
A shift mechanism for a marine propulsion system, comprising:an output shaft rotatable about a first axis; a first drive gear which is rotatable about said first axis and rotatable relative to said output shaft; a clutch member which is rotatable with said output shaft about said first axis, said clutch member being movable relative to said output shaft in a direction parallel to said first axis; an actuator attached to said clutch member for axial and rotational movement in synchrony with said clutch member; a cam which is rotatable about a second axis, said cam being shaped to have a protrusion extending in a direction away from said second axis, said cam having a cam surface proximate a distal end of said protrusion; a cam follower attached to said actuator; a first channel formed in said cam follower, said first channel being generally perpendicular to said first axis and extending between a first pair of cam follower surfaces in a first direction away from said first axis, said protrusion extending into said first channel and between said first pair of cam follower surfaces, said actuator being movable in an axial direction in response to rotation of said cam about said second axis; and a second channel formed in said cam follower, said second channel being generally perpendicular to said first axis and extending between a second pair of cam follower surfaces in a second direction away from said second axis, said second direction being opposite and parallel to said first direction, said protrusion being alternatively disposable into said first and second channels and between said first and second pairs of cam follower surfaces.