Outdrive guard

A marine outdrive guard for shielding persons from undesired contact with a watercraft outdrive unit or outboard motor. The guard includes a shield member attached to a swim platform or transom and covers the outdrive particularly when the outdrive or outboard motor is in a raised position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to marine accessories and, more particularly,
 to devices that shield persons from undesired contact with an outdrive or
 outboard motor on a watercraft.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Over the years, growing numbers of individuals have chosen to spend their
 leisure time pleasure boating on inland lakes and open waters. Primary
 leisure activities associated with pleasure boating are swimming and water
 skiing. An objective of watercraft designs is to permit easy and safe
 entrance and exit from the water onto the pleasure boat or watercraft.
 Accessory designs specifically crafted for entering and exiting the water
 in the form of swim ladders and the like are known in the art. One popular
 device on both small and large watercraft is a swim platform. Swim
 platforms are typically permanent platforms that extend rearward from a
 lower portion of the rear or transom of the watercraft and allow one or
 more swimmers to easily push or pull themselves in and out of the water.
 It is popular for watercraft operators intending to swim to maneuver and
 anchor their watercraft in relatively shallow water so swimmers can
 casually wade in the water and touch the bottom of the lake or sea while
 swimming. In order to maneuver in shallow water, the outboard motor or
 outdrive portion of stern drive systems that protrude and extend rearward
 of the transom of watercraft must be raised or angled upward so the
 propeller or water jet propulsion system is less likely to contact the
 bottom of the lake.
 A common problem, and one of great concern for boat owners and users alike,
 is that when the outdrive is in a raised or angled position, often a large
 portion of the outdrive and, in particular, the propeller blades, extend
 rearward past the swim platform. Of farther concern is that raised the
 outdrive propeller is usually just slightly below the surface of the water
 and not readily visible to swimmers intending to enter the water from the
 swim platform This is a further concern on larger vessels having two or
 more outdrives. In all but the largest of watercraft, at least a portion
 of the raised outdrive remains exposed beyond the swim platform. In the
 smallest of pleasure craft, not having swim platforms, a portion of the
 outdrive is exposed even in the fully down or lowered position.
 Prior boating accessories such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,136 enclose or cover
 a portion of the outdrive or lower unit of an outboard motor through use
 of boots or cushioned bags which are placed around the outdrive to protect
 the outdrive from damage and to protect swimmers from undesired contact
 with the unit. Such boots or covers are problematic in that the boot only
 covers a portion of the outdrive unit and leaves the upper portion
 uncovered and subject to contact by swimmers or watercraft users. Further,
 such boots are complex in configuration, are difficult to install and
 remove from the outdrive and are subject to damage if the watercraft
 propulsion system is engaged while the boot is installed.
 Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an outdrive guard improving
 the problematic conditions that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use
 and provides increased safety and peace of mind for boat owners,
 passengers and swimmers.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The inventive guard of the present invention comprises a shield member that
 attaches to the rear of a marine watercraft, preferably to a swim
 platform, and extends rearward to prevent undesirable contact of persons
 with the outdrive.
 In a preferred aspect of the invention, the shield member is of sufficient
 length and width to fully extend over any portion of the outdrive that may
 extend beyond the swim platform or transom. The shield is attached to a
 mounting surface preferably on the rear of the watercraft or to a swim
 platform by at least one mounting bracket. The mounting bracket preferably
 includes a pin for attachment of the shield to a receptacle that is
 attached to the swim platform The mounting bracket allows free rotation of
 the shield about the pin which enables the shield to rotate down and come
 to rest in a vertical position, or more typically, in an angled position
 on the raised outdrive extending beyond the swim platform or transom.
 In an additional preferred aspect of the invention, the shield member is a
 substantially rigid panel attached to the swim platform or transom as
 described immediately above.
 In another preferred aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket includes
 a biasing member, which biases the pin into the receptacle for positive
 engagement of the shield to the swim platform while allowing rotation of
 the shield as described above. This facilitates quick and easy
 installation and removal of the shield from the swim platform
 These and other features and advantages of the invention win be apparent
 upon reading the following specification which, along with the drawings,
 describes and discloses preferred and alternative aspects of the invention
 in detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an outdrive guard of the present invention is
 illustrated. Referring to FIG. 2, outdrive guard 10 is comprised of a
 shield member 12 and a mounting bracket 22. The outdrive guard 10 is
 attached to a rear surface 44 of the watercraft.
 As used herein, the term outdrive includes an outdrive unit of marine stern
 drive systems as commonly known in the art as well as outboard motors
 including the lower unit extending below the engine or powerhead.
 The shield member 12 comprises an upper or first edge 14 and an opposing
 lower or second edge 16 defining a length 17 of shield member 12. The
 shield 12 also includes opposing side edges 18 adjacent the first and
 second edges 14 and 16 respectively. The side edges 18 define a width 23
 of shield 12. As seen in FIG. 2, the shield member 12 preferably has a
 square or rectangular shape although the shield 12 can take many shapes,
 such as a polygonal configuration without deviating from the present
 invention.
 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the shield 12 is preferably of a relatively
 small gauge or thickness 21 in comparison to the length 17 and width 23 of
 shield 12. The shield 12 is preferably made from a substantially rigid
 material that maintains the desired shape but is resistant to fracture,
 damage from impact and weather. Exemplary materials include marine grade
 polymer sheet and LEXAN, although other like substantially rigid materials
 not listed will suffice. It is further contemplated that non-rigid
 materials may also be used for the shield member 12 to prevent undesired
 contact with outdrive 50. Exemplary materials may include elastomers such
 as rubber or flexible polymers.
 FIGS. 1-6 also illustrate the shield 12 as preferably a substantially
 planar and flat sheet. In alternate aspects of the invention the shield 12
 may include bends or forms resulting in a change of cross section both as
 to length 17 and width 23. As illustrated in FIG. 5, alternate exemplary
 shapes may include an inverted flanged "U" shape (FIG. 5a) a partial dome
 or tunnel (FIG. 5b), or an "L" shape (FIG. 5c), or a combination of such
 exemplary forms or shapes to suit the particular watercraft, outdrive or
 application. The shield 12 could also be made from or marked with an
 highly visible material or color to further enhance its visibility to
 users.
 Referring now to FIG. 1, shield 12 is preferably attached to the rear
 surface 44 of the watercraft and most preferably on the rear vertical
 surface of a swim platform 46. In the perceived most typical application
 of the guard 10, the shield 12 is preferably attached to a swim platform
 46 on a watercraft including a stern drive system having an outdrive 50
 protruding through and extending rearward of the watercraft transom 48. As
 shown in FIG. 1, the outdrive 50 is in a raised position and extends a
 distance beyond the rear edge of the swim platform 45 and the rear surface
 44. In this application, the shield 12 is positioned at a downward angle
 and rests on top of the outdrive 50. As shown in FIG. 3, alternate
 applications of the guard 10 for use with the outdrive 50 provides for
 attachment of guard 10 directly to transom 48 where there is no swim
 platform 46 above the outdrive 50.
 In other alternate applications of the guard 10, the shield 12 may be is
 used on watercraft employing an outboard motor drive system as shown in
 FIG. 4. In this aspect, the guard 10 is mounted to the watercraft transom
 48 preferably above the outboard motor 52. When the outboard 52 is in the
 down or lowered position, the shield 12a rests at a shallow angle on top
 the outboard motor powerhead. In this aspect, a shield of a shorter length
 17 may be used. Upon raising or tilting the outboard 52, shown in phantom
 line, such as when the watercraft is in shallow water, shield 12b would be
 lowered to a greater angle and rest on the raised lower unit or outdrive
 of 52. In another alternate application using an outboard motor 52, the
 guard 10 can be attached to transom 48 below the outboard motor powerhead
 and the shield 12c would include an opening to allow the lower unit of
 outboard 52 to pass through the shield (not shown). In this aspect, the
 shield 12 would lower and rest on outboard 52 in a position as shown at
 12c. This position is less desirable as the powerhead and upper portion of
 the lower unit of outboard 52 would not be completely shielded from
 undesired contact.
 Referring back to FIG. 2, guard 10 includes a mounting bracket 22 which
 attaches shield 12 to the rear surface 44 on the watercraft, preferably
 the swim platform 46. As shown in FIG. 2, two mounting brackets 22 are
 preferably used for each shield 12. In a preferred aspect, each mounting
 bracket 22 comprises a pivot bracket 24 having two mounting plates 26
 which are positioned on opposing sides 19 and 20 near first edge 14 of
 shield member 12 as most clearly shown in FIG. 6. Pivot bracket 24 also
 includes a through bore 27. Pivot bracket 24 is attached to shield 12
 using common fasteners for example screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, or
 through other mechanical methods such as heat or mechanical staking
 processes. It is also contemplated that pivot bracket 24 could be bonded
 to shield 12 through adhesives or molded directly into the shield 12.
 In a preferred aspect shown in FIG. 2, each mounting bracket 22 includes an
 elongate pin 30 having an enlarged first end 32 and an opposed second end
 34. The pin 30 is positioned in through bore 27 of pivot bracket 24. Pivot
 bracket 24 allows pin 30 to slide within bore 27 and permits pivot bracket
 24 and shield member 12 to freely rotate about pin 30 Mounting bracket 22
 also preferably comprises a receptacle 38 which is attached to the
 watercraft rear surface 44, preferably on a swim platform 46, by common
 fasteners and methods described above. Receptacle 38 includes an opening
 40 for receipt and sliding engagement of the second end 34 of pin 30.
 In a preferred aspect, mounting bracket 22 further includes a biasing
 member 36 within through bore 27 of pivot bracket 24. Biasing member 36 is
 preferably a coil spring as shown in FIG. 2 and naturally biases the
 second end 34 of pin 30 outward from pivot bracket 24 and into opening 40
 of receptacle 38 attached to the watercraft.
 Upon installation of the preferred guard 10, the enlarged ends 32 of pins
 30 are pulled toward one another overcoming the force of biasing members
 36. Shield member 12 is positioned between receptacles 38 attached to rear
 surface 44 and the pins 30 are aligned with receptacle openings 40. The
 pins 30 are then released and the biasing members 36 automatically force
 and engage the second ends 34 of pins 30 into the receptacle openings 40.
 In this position, shield 12 is fully supported by the receptacles 38
 allowing free rotation of shield 12 about pins 30. Removal of the guard is
 accomplished by overcoming the force from biasing members 36 and
 displacing the second ends 34 of pins 30 from the receptacle openings 40.
 Although the preferred guard 10 is shown including two mounting brackets 22
 per each shield member 12, and includes biasing members 36, it is
 understood by those sidled in the art that rotational attachment of shield
 12 to the watercraft may be accomplished in many equivalent ways.
 In operation, guard 10 is attached to a watercraft in the manner described
 above. In a preferred application on the watercraft having an outdrive 50
 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, guard 10 can be installed regardless of a
 position of the outdrive. If the outdrive is in the fully down or lowered
 position, shield 12 is allowed to freely rotate to a vertical position
 with little or no contact of shield 12, and more specifically, inner
 surface 20, with the outdrive 50. In the event the watercraft enters
 shallow water and the outdrive 50 is raised, the outdrive 50 contacts the
 inner surface 20 of the shield 12 which freely rotates the shield about
 pins 30 to accommodate the position of the outdrive 50 and maintain
 coverage of the outdrive from undesired contact.
 As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the length 17 of the shield 12 is designed to extend
 at least as far from rear surface 44 to cover the rearwardmost portion of
 the outdrive 50 or outboard 52 regardless of position. Likewise, the width
 23 of the shield 12 is designed to extend at least as far outboard to
 fully cover the width of outdrive 50 or outboard 52 to prevent persons or
 objects from contacting the outdrives from the watercraft or swim
 platform. On larger watercraft employing two or more outdrives, one or
 more guards 10 may be employed to cover the outdrives in the manner
 described.
 The guard 10 is as easily installed or removed when the outdrive 50 or
 outboard 52 is in the fully raised, fully lowered, or at any position
 therebetween. Desirably, the guard 10 of the present invention can remain
 installed indefinitely while the watercraft is stationary or in motion.
 While the watercraft is in motion, guard 10 freely rotates upward to
 accommodate the flow of water or thrust from the outdrive 50.