Abstract:
An apparatus for protecting a marine engine comprising; a shield and a device for securing the shield over the engine.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There is routine or accelerated damage to the marine engine due to the failure to prevent the hostile environment from entering the engine compartment or other areas that were not designed to prevail under these harsh conditions. The engine compartment and the transom area of many vessels manufactured today are almost directly over the engine and the parts that need protection, thus the need for a water diverter. According to most marine manufacturers and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, many products are not designed to prevail in salt water. Their repair manuals are geared to dominant usage in fresh water. A user can always clean their motor, however, rust will not come off.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be portable. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be damage resistant. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be flame retardant. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be low cost. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to have the ability to protect a marine engine from hostile environment spray, rain leakage and rust thus preserving the cosmetic appearance, mechanical integrity and thus adding to the retail value when resold. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to act like an umbrella. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to comprise a rubber shield. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to prevent damage and divert any leakage water or in use spray away from these areas and divert this hostile agenda to the area it was intended to be, typically under the motor, where a pumping system will expel the water overboard, when activated, or to a predetermined area of accumulation thus preserving and extending the actual life of a device that is expected to fail more rapidly.  
           [0004]    It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be made in several shapes and sizes to cover different size motors. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to comprise a rubber sheet, large enough to cover a marine type engine with the exhaust manifolds in place. It is an object of the present invention for the rubber sheet to have a rim grommet in at least two of the corners. It is an object of the present invention for the rubber sheet to have a rim grommet in at least four of the corners. It is an object of the present invention for the rim grommets to be stainless steel self-piercing rolled rim grommets. It is an object of the present invention for the rim grommets to have spur washers. It is an object of the present invention for the grommets to attach to a bulk length stretch cord cut to size and self binding cord hooks to be affixed to the ends of this cord when cut to size by the user. It is an object of the present invention for the cord to be a shock cord.  
           [0005]    It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to be supplied in a kit form package. It is an object of the present invention for a user to open the package, unroll the rubber sheet and place it on an area to be protected. The user then measures and cuts the stretch cord supplied and attaches the supplied hooks and fastens the apparatus to anything nearby on the boat that creates a snug fit. The fit should not be to tight to interfere with any moving parts on the boat. It is an object of the present invention to protect linkage, carborator and electrical system components. It is an object of the present invention for the apparatus to create longevity of metal parts, electrical systems, fuel system and linkage when the apparatus is in place.  
           [0006]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a marine engine comprising: a shield, at least two grommets and a device for securing the shield over the engine. It is an object of the invention for the device to comprise cord and hooks. It is an object of the invention for the grommets to attach to the cord. It is an object of the invention for the hooks to be self binding and be affixed to the ends of the cord.  
           [0007]    It is an object of the invention for the shield to be rolled up when it is not in use.  
           [0008]    The present invention relates to a method for protecting a marine engine comprising unrolling a shield, and placing the shield on an area to be protected. The cord is measured and cut to the appropriate size and hooks are attached to the cord. The cord is fastened to the shield and the shield is fastened to the boat. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 shows a top view of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 shows an example of a cord used in the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 shows an example of hooks used with the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 shows the apparatus as used when covering an engine.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 shows the apparatus in a stored position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the apparatus through A-A in FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention showing the apparatus  10  comprising a shield  12 . In a preferred embodiment the shield is made of a rubber material. The shield  12  comprises a composition which shields the engine from damage caused by salt water. Grommets  14  are placed in the corners of the shield  12 . At least two grommets are necessary, however four grommets are preferred.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 shows a cord  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the cord is a stretch cord. In a preferred embodiment, the cord is a shock cord. FIG. 3 shows the hooks  18  which are affixed to the ends of the cord  16 . The grommets  14  attach to a bulk length stretch cord  16  which is cut to size. Self binding cord hooks  18  are affixed to the ends of cord  16  when cut to size by the user. The cord  16  can be of any length sufficient to bind the shield over the engine. In an embodiment, the length of cord  16  is approximately 60 inches. In an embodiment the cord  16  is approximately {fraction (3/16)}″ in width.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus  104  of the present invention being placed on an engine  102  on a boat  100  in the tronsom area  120 . The engine comprises a distributor  108 , carborator  106 , alternator  110 , crank  112 , and water pump  114 . The front of the boat is indicated by arrow  116 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 shows the apparatus  200  in the rolled up form for storage when it is not in use.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the apparatus  300  as shown through lines A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows the shield  304  and the grommets  302 .  
         [0020]    The apparatus of this invention can also be used to protect other engines and other parts which are subject to a hostile environment and can rust due to the forces of nature.