Abstract:
A motor boat drive mounting configuration connects the drives of a boat together at their centerlines so that the drives are turned at equal angles and are synchronized by the boat&#39;s steering system. The tie bar that interconnects the drives includes an end assembly that is configured to rotate 360 degrees with respect to an outer tube. The end assembly using a lug rotatably disposed in a threaded insert to provide the rotation. An end assembly disposed at the other end of the outer tube provides selective length adjustment through a threaded connection between the end assembly and the outer tube. A lock nut locks the position of the end assembly. In one embodiment, the tie bar is connected to a reconfigurable motor mount that may be selectively reconfigured in left hand, right hand, and center configurations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to boat drive mounting configurations and, more particularly, to the tie bars and the mounts used to connect the boat drives to the steering system and to each other. 
     2. Background Information 
     Many different types of boats use multiple drives to power the boat. Whether these drives are inboard or outboard, the drives must be synchronized to efficiently power the boat. The typical prior art synchronization arrangement is depicted in FIGS. 1-3 wherein tie bars  10  extend between the drives  12 . Tie bars  10  are connected to mounting flanges  14  that extend from the portions of drives  12  that project out from the rear of the boat  16 . 
     Prior art mounting arrangements such as the one depicted in FIGS. 1-3 do not completely synchronize drives  12  when drives  12  are turned as depicted in FIG.  2 . The incomplete synchronization results in inefficient drive arrangement in the turns and boat  16  loses power. FIG. 2 depicts a turning configuration wherein angle A is different from angle B which is different from angle C. The differences in these angles are caused by the relationship between mounting flanges  14  and the centerlines of drives  12 . The art desires a mounting configuration that allows drives  12  to turn at identical angles. The interconnections between drives  12  must also compensate for different vertical offsets depending on the vertical locations of drives  12  with respect to boat  16 . 
     Another problem with prior art mounting configurations is that tie bars  10  used to connect drives  12  rapidly wear when each tie bar  10  rotates about its longitudinal axis. Such rotation is caused when drives  12  turn back and forth. The wear is also caused by the constant vibration experienced by each tie bar  10 . Worn tie bars  10  become loose and do not accurately turn drives  12 . Boat owners do not like changing the bars and desire an engineered, high-quality tie bar designed to withstand the operating environment over time. The boat owner must also replace worn bars. Severely worn bars create a dangerous situation where control over a drive may be lost suddenly. The art thus desires a tie bar configuration that may continuously rotate in a manner that does not loosen the bar. 
     Another problem with some prior art systems is that the rotation of the tie bar changes the length of the bar. The length of the bar changes because the bar includes threaded parts. Such rotation is undesirable because of the length change and the wear between the threaded parts. 
     Another drawback with prior art mounting configurations is that the brackets and mounting flanges connected to drives  12  cannot be adjusted and do not provide connection arrangements that may be selectively reconfigured for different types of drives  12  and different types of boats  16 . The art desires a drive mount that can accommodate a variety of drive configurations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a drive mounting configuration wherein the drives of a boat are connected together at their centerlines so that the drives are turned at equal angles and are synchronized by the steering system of the boat. 
     The invention provides a tie bar used to interconnect the drives wherein the tie bar is designed to repeatedly and reliably rotate 360 degrees in the same direction without loosening or changing its length. 
     The invention also provides a reconfigurable mount that is adapted to be connected to the portion of the drive that extends from the back of the boat. The mount may be configured in a right hand, center, double, or left hand configuration. The mounts may also support different vertical offset mounting configurations in a reliable manner using a single mounting pin and spacer combination. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the rear portion of a boat with three propulsion units or drives connected with prior art tie bars connected to prior art mounting flanges. 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the prior art drive connection turned to a first position. 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the prior arrangement of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the tie bar of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of the tie bar of the invention. 
     FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the first end of the tie bar of the invention. 
     FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the second end of the tie bar of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the drives of FIG. 1 connected with the tie bars of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the rear portion of a boat with three drives connected with the tie bars of the present invention wherein the connection configuration is adapted to turn each drive at the same angle with respect to the boat. 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the drives turned to a first position. 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of FIG. 8 showing a first mounting configuration. 
     FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing a second mounting configuration. 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a reconfigurable mounting bracket according to the present invention in a first configuration. 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the reconfigurable mounting bracket of the invention in a second or center configuration. 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the reconfigurable mounting bracket in a third configuration that is opposite to the configuration of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the reconfigurable mounting bracket in a fourth or double configuration. 
     FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the second mounting configuration of the mounting bracket with overlapped tie bar ends connected to the mounting bracket in a first mounting position. 
     FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing a second mounting position. 
     FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing a third mounting position. 
     FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing a fourth mounting configuration. 
     FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a drive using the reconfigurable motor mount of the invention to connect the steering cylinder to the drive. 
     FIG. 23 is an end view of FIG.  22 . 
     FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a drive using the reconfigurable motor mount of the invention to connect a pair of steering cylinders to the drive. 
     FIG. 25 is an end view of FIG.  24 . 
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The tie bar of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  50  in the accompanying drawings. Tie bar  50  is adapted to continuously rotate about its longitudinal axis without changing its overall length and without loosening. Tie bar  50  is also configured to reliably experience the continuous vibrational forces created by a boat. 
     Tie bar  50  includes a centrally-disposed, outer tube  52 , a first end assembly  54  connected to outer tube  52 , and a second end assembly  56  connected to outer tube  52 . Outer tube  52  may be provided in different lengths in order to alter the overall length of tie bar  50 . First and second end assemblies  54  and  56  are adapted to connect with the drives of the boat in a variety of different mounting configurations. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, second end assembly  56  is adapted to rotate in one direction continuously without changing the overall length of tie bar  50  and without loosening. Second end assembly  56  thus provides significant benefits to tie bar  50  over prior art tie bars. 
     First end assembly  54  (FIG. 6A) generally includes a first threaded lug  60 , a lock nut  62 , a linkage  64 , a pivot pin  66 , and a pivot pin lock nut  68 . First end assembly  54  may also include bearings or bushings  69  that are designed to reduce friction and wear between the moving parts of end assembly  54 . These elements of first end assembly  54  cooperate together to allow the first end of tie bar  50  to pivot with respect to the mounting flange to which it is mounted. First end assembly  54  also provides for fine length adjustment of tie bar  50  through the threaded engagement between threaded lug  60  and outer tube  52 . 
     Outer tube  52  includes a first end  70  that defines a recess  72 . The inner surface of first end  70  defines a thread  74  that projects inwardly into recess  72 . Threaded lug  60  includes a first end  76  and a second end  78 . The outer surface of first end  76  defines a thread  80  that is adapted to cooperate and threadably engage thread  74  of outer tube  52  such that threaded lug  60  may be screwed into first end  70  of outer tube  52 . The length of threads  74  and  80  as well as the lengths of first ends  70  and  76  define the overall length of the fine adjustment of tie bar  50 . The overall length of tie bar may be finely adjusted by turning threaded lug  60  with respect to outer tube  52  to move threaded lug  60  inwardly and outwardly with respect to outer tube  52 . 
     Lock nut  62  is used to lock the position of threaded lug  60  with respect to outer tube  52 . Lock nut  62  has an inner surface that defines a thread  82  that is substantially similar to thread  74  such that thread  82  will threadably engage thread  80  so that lock nut  62  may be screwed onto threaded lug  60 . Lock nut  62  is screwed onto threaded lug  60  before threaded lug  60  is screwed into outer tube  52 . Once the position of threaded lug  60  is set with respect to outer tube  52 , lock nut  62  is rotated until it abuts the end  84  of outer tube  52 . Lock nut  62  is tightened against end  84  to create a locking force between threads  74 ,  80 , and  82 . Threaded lug  60  provides a stop wall  86  to prevent lock nut  62  from moving off of first end  76 . 
     Second end  78  of lug  60  defines an opening  88  adapted to slidably receive pivot pin  66 . Opening  88  is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of pivot pin  66  so that a tight connection between second end  78  and pivot pin  66  is formed when pivot pin  66  is slidably received in opening  88 . The dimensions allow lug  60  to pivot about pin  66 . 
     Linkage  64  defines a pair of opposed ears  90  adapted to slidably extend over second end  78  of threaded lug  60 . Each ear  90  defines an opening  92  sized to slidably receive pivot pin  66  in the same manner as opening  88 . Linkage  64  also defines an opening  94  adapted to slidably receive a connection pin  98  that mounts linkage  64  to a mounting flange as described below. 
     Pivot pin  66  defines a flange  96  that is adapted to engage the outer surface of ear  90  when pivot pin  66  is positioned in openings  92  of ears  90 . Flange  96  prevents pivot pin  66  from slipping through ears  90  and allows linkage  64  to freely pivot with respect to pivot pin  66  and threaded lug  60 . Lock nut  68  threadably engages pivot pin  66  in a locking arrangement to prevent pin  66  from loosening once pin  66  is disposed through linkage  64  and threaded lug  60 . Lock nut  68  may be any of a variety of lock nuts known in the art that function without compressing pivot pin  66  against linkage  64  so that free pivotal movement may be provided. 
     Second end assembly  56  (FIG. 6B) is adapted to provide the 360 degree continuous rotation feature of tie bar  50 . Second end assembly  56  provides the continuous rotation while not changing the length of second end assembly  56  or the length of tie bar  50 . Second end assembly  56  is also configured to remain tight and fully functional while experiencing vibrational forces. 
     Second end assembly  56  generally includes a threaded insert  102  that is threaded into the second end  104  of outer tube  52 . Threaded insert  102  has an outer surface that defines an outwardly disposed thread  106  that is configured to threadably cooperate with an inwardly disposed thread  108  that projects into the recess  110  defined by second end  104  of outer tube  52 . Threaded insert  102  includes a flange  112  configured to abut the end of outer tube  52  as depicted in FIG.  5 . Flange  112  may be configured to have the same outer diameter as outer tube  52  so that the transition between outer tube  52  and threaded insert  102  is smooth. Threaded insert  102  defines a bore  114  that is symmetric about the longitudinal axis of threaded insert  102 . Bore  114  is substantially cylindrical. Insert  102  defines a seal-receiving recess  116  disposed at the outer end  118  of threaded insert  102 . Recess  116  is a continuous part of bore  114 . 
     Second end assembly  56  also includes a second lug  120  (the first lug being a part of first end assembly  54 ) that is slidably positioned through threaded insert  102  and is designed to rotate within threaded insert  102  when end assembly  56  is assembled. Lug  120  has a first end  122  that defines an outwardly disposed thread  124 . As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6B, first end  122  is stepped down (has a smaller diameter than) from the main body portion  126  of lug  120  so that lock nuts  128  and  130  may be threaded onto first end  122  while being disposed inside second end  104  of outer tube  52 . Each lock nut  128  and  130  is configured to be threaded onto first end  122  of lug  120 . Each lock nut  128  and  130  thus includes an inwardly projecting thread  132  that cooperates with thread  124 . The outer diameter of each lock nut  128  and  130  is less than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of threaded insert  102  as depicted in FIG. 5 so that nuts  128  and  130  fit within tube  52 . 
     Second end assembly  56  further includes a sleeve  140  that slides over body  126  of lug  120  and inside threaded insert  102  to allow lug  120  to easily rotate within threaded insert  102 . Sleeve  140  may be fabricated from brass or other materials that promote a rotation or sliding movement between two metal parts. Brass is found to be useful when threaded insert  102  and second lug  120  are fabricated from stainless steel. 
     Sleeve  140  is held in place with a seal  142  that is seated in recess  116  defined by threaded insert  102 . Seal  142  keeps lubricants used to reduce friction between sleeve  140 , lug  120 , and threaded insert  102  from exiting tie bar  50 . 
     Lug  120  includes a flange  150  configured to abut outer end  118  of threaded insert  102  as depicted in FIG.  5 . The second end  144  of lug  120  projects outwardly from flange  150  and defines an opening  146  similar to opening  88  described above. 
     Second end assembly  56  further includes a linkage  160  that functions similar to and is connected to second end  144  of lug  120  in a manner similar to that described above with respect to linkage  64 . As such, linkage  160  includes ears  162  that each define an opening  164 . Openings  164  are aligned to receive a pivot pin  166  that is locked in position with a lock nut  168 . Linkage  160  also defines an opening  170  to allow linkage  160  to function in the same manner as linkage  64  described above. As described above with respect to first end assembly  54 , second end assembly  56  may be equipped with bearings or bushings  169  to reduce friction and wear between the moving parts of second end assembly  56 . 
     When assembled and in operation, second end assembly  56  provides free rotation to tie bar  50  because second lug  120  may freely rotate with respect to threaded insert  102 . Threaded insert  102  is threaded to outer tube  52  and does not loosen because it receives substantially no torque forces. The threads between threaded insert  102  and outer tube  52  may be coated with a substance that locks the position of the threads so that the position of threaded insert  102  is locked with respect to outer tube  52 . Second lug  120  may continuously rotate through multiple  360  degree revolutions without changing the length of tie bar  50  and without loosening any element of second end assembly  56 . 
     The second end assembly  56  is assembled by snapping seal  142  into recess  116 . Sleeve  140  is then slid over body  126  and the combination of lug  120  and sleeve  140  is slid into threaded insert  102 . Lock nuts  128  and  130  are threaded onto lug  120 . This assembly is then threaded into second end  104  of outer tube  52 . Linkage  160  is then connected to lug  120  to form second end assembly  56 . 
     FIG. 7 depicts the prior art drive arrangement with drives  12  connected with tie bars  50 . A pair of steering cylinders  180  are connected to drives  12  to move them back and forth. Although this motor mounting configuration has the same non-synchronized angles A, B, C described above with respect to FIG. 2, tie bars  50  still provide a benefit because of their longevity and reliability. 
     FIG. 8 depicts an improved motor mounting configuration wherein drives  12  are connected centerline to centerline with tie bars  50 . FIG. 9 shows that this motor mounting configuration results in synchronized drives  12  because each turning angle D is equal. FIG. 10 shows the use of overlapped linkages on the center drive to provide the centerline-mounted configuration. FIG. 10 also shows that the mounts  200  on drives  12  may be vertically offset from each other. The connectors  98  disclosed herein provide for different offsets while providing increased reliability and durability. Connectors  98  include spacers  184  that accommodate the vertical offset. FIG. 11 shows a different mounting configuration wherein a different vertical offset is required. In this mounting configuration, each linkage is a half overlap linkage so that each tie bar  50  is moved upwardly half the thickness of a linkage. Different offsets may also be provided by altering the lengths of connectors  98  or spacers  184 . 
     As shown in FIG. 10A by way of example, each connector  98  includes a first shoulder  186  and a second shoulder  188  configured to abut the lower (or upper when reversed) side of the flanges  204  of mounts  200 . The body also includes a first end  190  that slides through flange  204  and receives a lock nut  192 . The body further includes a central shank  194  that is disposed between flanges  204  when connector  98  is installed. A compression spacer  196  is slidable disposed on shank  194  to support flanges  204  when they are forced toward each other. Spacer  184  is disposed intermediate shank  194  and a second end  197 . Second end  197  slides through linkage  64  and receives lock nut  198 . 
     In accordance with one of the objectives of the invention, motor mount  200  includes components that may be assembled in different configurations as shown in FIGS. 12-17. Motor mount  200  may be configured in a right hand (FIG.  12 ), center (FIG.  15 ), left hand (FIG.  16 ), or double (FIG. 17) configuration as needed to work with drives  12  described above. Each motor mount  200  includes a base  202  and a mounting flange  204 . Each reconfigurable motor mount  200  may be used with a pair of opposed mounting flanges  204  that clamp against base  202  as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14. In other embodiments or configurations, motor mount  200  may be used with a single flange  204  as depicted in FIGS. 18-21. A right hand flange may be removed from base  202  and flipped over to create a left hand flange. 
     Base  202  defines a plurality of mounting holes  206  that are used to receive connectors that hold base  202  to drive  12 . At least three of mounting holes  206  are formed as through holes. In one embodiment of the invention, base  202  defines a pair of false holes  208  that may be used to receive a connector if the extra two connectors are desired or if drive  12  provides for five connectors instead of three. False holes  208  may be indentations instead of through holes. When holes  208  are used, holes  208  are punched or drilled through so that they may receive the appropriate connector. 
     Base  202  defines a protuberance  210  having an upper surface and a lower surface that receives mounting flanges  204 . The upper and lower surfaces of protuberance  210  are preferably substantially parallel and substantially flat. Protuberance  210  defines at least two but preferably three connector openings that receive connectors  212  that are used to connect flanges  204  to base  202 . Connectors  212  clamp mounting flanges  204  against protuberance  210 . 
     Reconfigurable motor mount  200  tie bars  50  to be connected to drive  12  in a variety of different mounting configurations. A few examples are depicted in FIGS. 18-21. The inventor contemplates numerous configurations that are not specifically shown in the drawings. Different configurations may be obtained by varying the arrangements and dimensions of connectors  98 , spacers  184 , linkages  64 ,  160 , flanges  204 , and base  202 . These different configurations allow drives  12  having different vertical offsets to be interconnected with tie bars  50 . FIGS. 18-21 show exemplary vertical offset arrangements in different mounting configurations. In FIG. 18, a single flange  204  is used above protuberance  210  with linkages  160  disposed immediately on top of a flange  220 . In FIG. 19, a different connector  98  is used with flange  204  mounted below protuberance  210 . In FIG. 20, flange  204  is mounted below protuberance  210  and connector  98  having flange  220  is used. FIG. 21 shows yet another configuration wherein flange  204  is mounted above protuberance  210  with connector  98  being disposed with flange  220  immediately against flange  204 . 
     FIGS. 22-25 show the use of motor mount  200  to connect steering cylinders  180  to a single drive  12  in single and double configurations. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.