Engine control panel for a watercraft propelled by a plurality of motors

A control panel for a watercraft powered by a plurality of engines wherein the controls for each of the engines is mounted on the same panel. The controls comprise at least a first pair of control elements for controlling separate functions of the engine independently but positioned in juxtaposition to each other and a common control element for controlling the same functions of both engines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an control panel for a watercraft that is 
propelled by a plurality of motors and more particularly to an improved, 
and simplified control arrangement for plural motors of a watercraft. 
In many types of watercraft, it is the practice to use two or even more 
propelling engines. This is done both with inboard engines and also with 
outboard motors wherein it is common to use two or three motors for more 
power. However, the normal practice in connection with such engines is 
that each engine is relatively independent of the other and has its own 
separate controls. The positioning of these controls in a manner where 
they can be conveniently operated by the driver of the watrecraft and, at 
the same time, positioned and arranged in such a way that the operator 
controls the correct engine presents a number of problems. One of these 
problems is the adequate placement of all of the controls. For example, 
each engine may be supplied with a separate control panel that contains 
various controls such as a master switch, a choke switch and/or a kill 
switch. In addition, certain types of warning devices and warning lamps 
may also be provided on the control panel. If plural control panels must 
be mounted on the watercraft, it is obvious that the space required will 
be great. In addition, the adjacent mounting of plural control panels does 
not provide the operator with the proximity of the same controls for the 
various engines. That is, it is desirable for the operator to have the 
individual controls, such as the respective master switches and/or choke 
switches disposed adjacent to each other and in a relationship that 
corresponds to the relationship of the engines within the watercraft. 
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an 
improved and simplified control panel arrangement for a watercraft 
propelled by a plurality of motors. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved, compact and 
convenient control arrangement for the plural motors of a watercraft. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is adapted to be embodied in an engine control panel for 
controlling at least a pair of engines for a watercraft and comprises a 
control panel. A first pair of separate control elements are supported in 
juxtaposition to each other on the control panel. Each of the first 
control elements is adapted to provide a separate control function for the 
respective engine. In addition, a common control element is supported on 
the control panel and is adapted to control the same function for both 
engines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring first to FIG. 1, a watercraft embodying the invention is 
identified generally by the reference numeral 11. The watercraft 11 is 
comprised of a hull 12 having a transom 13 on which are mounted a pair of 
outboard motors 14 and 15. Although the invention is described in 
conjunction with the use of a pair of outboard motors, it is to be 
understood that the invention may be practiced in combination with 
watercraft having more than two motors and/or watercraft with inboard 
mounted engines. 
The interior of the watercraft 12 is provided with a driver's seat 16 that 
is positioned to the rear of a steering wheel 17. A combined throttle, 
transmission control mechanism 17 is also positioned in proximity to the 
driver's seat 16. A control panel, indicated generally by the reference 
numeral 18, and constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the 
invention, is positioned on the dash panel in front of the driver's seat. 
Referring now in detail to the remaining figures, the construction of the 
control panel 18 will be describe. The control panel 18 is comprised of a 
panel face 19 that may be formed from a suitable material and which mounts 
a number of controls, in a manner to be described. Because of the fact 
that there is a single panel face 19, the mounting of the control panel 18 
is simpler than if there were a plurality of separate control panels and, 
furthermore, as will become apparent, the individual engine controls can 
be located in groups next to each other. 
Mounted on the control panel face 19 in adjacent relationship are a pair of 
master switches 21 and 22. The switch 22 is for the motor 14 while the 
switch 21 is for the motor 15. In this way, the operator will know easily 
which switch controls which motor since the switches are arranged in the 
same relationship as the motor. Each switch 21 and 22 is operated by a key 
23. Preferably, the keys 23 are identical in construction and in their 
form so that the operator need not place a specific key in a specific one 
of the master switches 21 and 22. 
The master switches 21 and 22 are connected by means of conductors to a 
control unit 25 that functions to transfer power to the outboard motors 14 
and 15 and also to the outboard motors 14 and 15. If desired, the control 
unit 25 may employ a control circuit as shown in copending application 
Ser. No. 869,134, (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,669, issued 11/24/87) entitled 
"Warning Device For A Watercraft Provided With A Plurality Of Marine 
Propulsion Engines", filed May 30, 1986 in the names of Isao Kanno and 
Yasuo Yamamoto and assigned to the assignee of this invention. Basically, 
the control device of that patent application functions to permit 
individual control of the outboard motors, however, in the event a 
malfunction of one outboard motor occurs, both that outboard motor and the 
normally functioning outboard motor will be slowed so as to prevent damage 
to the malfunctioning outboard motor and while maintaining good control of 
the associated watercraft. 
Any of a plurality of other controls, such as a pair of choke controls 26 
and 27 are mounted in adjacent pairs on the panel face 19 for controlling 
functions of the outboard motors such as the choking for cold starting. 
The rear side of the control panel face 19 further can mount a pair of 
warning buzzers 28 and 29 that are controlled by the control circuit 25 
and which give an audible signal in the event of a failure or dangerous 
condition indication from one of the motors 14 and 15 through the control 
circuit 25. 
Main conductors 31 and 32 extend from the mail switches 21 and 22 and 
control circuit 25 to the respective motors 15 and 14. 
A kill switch, indicated generally by the reference numeral 33 and having a 
construction as best shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 is provided for killing 
both of the outboard motors 14 and 15. In this way, a single kill switch 
disables both outboard motors and thus simplifies the overall panel 
control. 
Referring now primarily to FIGS. 5 through 7, the kill switch 33 is 
comprised of a main housing 34 that is generally cylindrical in shape but 
which has a hexagonal shape portion so as to facilitate gripping by an 
appropriate wrench. Adjacent the hexagonal portion, there is formed a 
threaded part 35 that receives a nut 36 so as to permit attachment of the 
kill switch 33 to the control panel face 19. 
A connector portion 37 is threaded into the housing 34 and carries a first 
pair of terminals 38 that are associated with one of the outboard motors 
for grounding out and stopping its ignition and a second pair of terminals 
39 which are associated with the other of the outboard motors for serving 
the same purpose. It should be noted that the ends of the terminals 38 are 
aligned on one diametral plane of the connector 37 while the other pair of 
terminals 39 are aligned on a diametral plane which extends at right 
angles to the plane carrying the terminals 38. 
A plunger 41 is slidably supported within a bore 42 of the housing 34. The 
plunger 41 carries a first contact 43 which is biased against a snap ring 
44 by a coil compression spring 45. The coil compression spring 45 bears 
against the housing 35 and thus urges the plunger 41 in a downward 
direction as viewed in FIG. 6 which is inwardly of the panel 18 in actual 
use. The contact 43 is aligned with the terminals 39 and is adapted to 
complete the circuit between them for killing of the associated engine 
when the plunger 41 moves inwardly. A further floating contact 46 is 
carried by the plunger 41 in an axially spaced relationship to the 
floating contact 43. The floating contact 46 is urged downwardly by means 
of a coil compression spring 48 that abuts against the snap ring 44 so as 
to normally urge the floating contact 46 against a similar snap ring. An 
insulator 49 insulates the contact 46 from the spring 48. 
The plunger 41 is normally held in a position wherein the kill switch is 
held open by means of a lock plate 51 that is received within a groove of 
the plunger 41 and thus holds the plunger 41 in its retracted or opened 
position as shown in the figures. The lock plate 51 is connected to one 
end of a safety cord 52 by means of a fastener 53. The other end of the 
safety cord 52 is connected to a clip 54 so as to permit the cord 52 to be 
attached around the waist of the driver. if the driver is thrown from the 
watercraft, the cord 52 will pull the lock plate from the groove in the 
plunger 41 and the plunger 41 will be urged downwardly by the action of 
the spring 45 so that the floating contact 43 will contact the terminals 
39 and kill their engine and, at the same time, the contact 46 will 
contact the terminals 38 to kill their engine. 
It should be readily apparent that the described construction permits a 
very compact control panel and yet, at the same time, places all of the 
controls in an appropriate and adjacent position so that the operator can 
readily determine which engine he is controlling. In addition, by 
employing a common kill switch for both engines, the panel is simplified. 
Although an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and 
described, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that 
various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.