Device for mounting and control outboard motors

Abstract: A replacement single tiller 1 has a cubical hollow base 4 from which throttle-operating cables 8a 8b (etc) extend to different motor throttles for simultaneous throttle control. Within base 4 is rotary shaft 33 mounting pinions 30, 31 about the peripheries of which cables 8a 8b are respectively moved by push-pull entrainment. Twist grip 3 on shaft 33 therefore controls both motors. Projection 5 fits between parallel arms of a motor bracket and is held therein by pin 18 in bore 14; such brackets are mutually interconnected by a transverse connecting rod for joint steering by the tiller.

Description: THIS INVENTION relates to outboard motors for light marine craft, and in particular to the placement, steering, and control of two or more such motors arranged for joint driving action at the stern of such a light vessel. It is of course well known to provide an outboard motor as a fitment at an end of a light marine craft. Typically this motor is bolted or clamped to the transom and provides motive power to a submerged propeller from an internal combustion engine at its upper part . Steering is effected by swinging the whole motor round a vertical pivoting axis using a forwardly-projecting steering tiller, and power to the motor, is typically controlled by a twist grip upon this steering tiller connected to a conventional throttle. It is also well known to mount two or more such motors side by side at the rear of the craft, to provide increased power. The invention is particularly concerned with such arrangements. For convenience of description it will refer to a twin motor arrangement, it being understood however that similar arrangements for a triple motor mounting also fall within the scope of the invention as defined below. When two motors are mounted side by side at the stern of a vessel, some provisions must be made for convenient control of steering and power of motors. One known arrangement provide a detachable bar to connect the two tillers, so that movement of one tiller automatically involves movement of the other tiller. Typically, with such an arrangement a separate throttle control is envisaged. Another known arrangement, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1 as described in our earlier G.B. Patent 2031362 is to provide an additional single tiller. Such a tiller is connected to one of the motors, and protrude forwardly essentially along the longitudinal median line of the vessel. The two motors are themselves interconnected by a tie rod, adjustable in length, between two motor mounting brackets. Push pull throttle cables extend from the additional tiller to each motor, and a joint gear change unit with connecting cables is attached to one side of the additional tiller. In use, the individual tiller arms are folded up out of the way, the single additional tiller arm is used to control both ends steering and power. Such an arrangement, while convenient for larger engines and readily useable in that only one tiller protrudes forward from the motors, is somewhat elaborate and expensive. Accordingly, it has recently been proposed by the present Applicants to utilise a further type of interconnection, comprising two parts. One part is a rod interconnecting the steering brackets of the two motors, so that as one motor turns for steering the other motor turns with it. The other part is a rod connected to the twist portion of the relative throttle grips, so that as one twist portions turns to control the throttle the other twist portion also turns. In this arrangement, instead of a single tiller there still remains both existing tillers, but either can be used to control both engines. In a study of such twin motor systems, we have realised that joint control arrangements can vary in accordance with the size, cost, and intended use of the craft, and that moreover their effectiveness is also linked to the accuracy of alignment of the two motors at the stern of the vessel, and to the accessibility of other controls such as gear levers. The present invention, while being generally concerned with the production, control, and use of a twin or like motor system for marine craft, is particularly concerned with such areas of improvement. This invention sets out to provide a readily attachable heavy duty single tiller, of modified internal construction. According to the invention an assemble of the type described in the preamble of claim 1 is defined as set out in the characterising part of claim 1. Usually there will be two such cables, for attachment to two motors, although three of more can be utilised. Preferably, the throttle cables will each be provided with easy-attachment terminations for a conventional throttle control in the motor. The operation of the invention depends upon the configured cable surface (e.g. a wound or twisted wire) being entrained around a suitable pinion. Preferably the inner cable end is not crumpled or looped in case its configuration is changed and it slips on the pinion Preferably, therefore, there are provided projecting cable end housings extending e.g. along lines tangential to the pinion perpheries. Typically, the tiller will be adapted for easy assembly to a motor bracket, by configuration comprising (a) a projection at the base of the tiller, having a through transverse bore (b) parallel spaced arms on the motor bracket have actually aligned through bores, to receive the projection in the space with all bores aligned and (c) a movable pin capable of being received within the aligned bores to connect the tiller and the bracket. Preferably, the pin will have an end latch capable of adapting a position in continuation of the length of the pin or a position transverse to the pin to prevent withdrawal. In a preferred embodiment there are two or more such motor brackets linked by a transverse connecting rod having means defining two or more recesses and a cover member normally biassed to obstruct access to each recess, the brackets possessing projections which fit in and are held within the recess. For example, a biassed slide cover can be pushed back to fit a spherically-ended projection into the recess, and then released to hold the projection. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show the essentials of a single additional tiller arrangement including such a control gear. Figure 1 shows a single heavy duty replacement tiller from the underside, with associated components, Figure 2 shows a side view of the base of such a tiller; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the base of such a tiller; Figure 4 shows the remote throttle connecting end of a cable attached to the tiller; Figure 5 shows a connecting pin by which the tiller of Fig. 1 is attached to a motor fixing bracket as described in relation to Figures 8 and 9 below, Figure 6 shows diagrammatically the arrangement of the cable wind-up at the base of the tiller, Figure 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 6 diagrammatically as viewed in a direction along the tiller; Figure 8 shows the end of the tiller and its connection to a motor fixing bracket, seen from one side, Figure 9 shows the motor fixing bracket in perspective view ready to receive the tiller, and further indicates an interconnecting member as between two such brackets. Figures 10a and 10b show, in two forms, one end of an interconnecting rod for placement between two such fixing brackets and Figure 11 shows diagrammatically such fixing brackets with the interconnecting rod in place. Figure 1 shows a heavy duty replacement tiller 1 comprising an arm 2 terminating in a conventional grip 3 which can twist in relation to the arm. At its inner end the tiller has a generally cubical base 4, configured at 5 for attachment to the steering arrangement of one a set of two (or more) outboard motors. Generally shown at 6 is a connecting pin for use in such interconnection. From the side of the generally cubical base 4 there extends two cable surrounds 7a and 7b, and from these extend cables 8a and 8b respectively, terminating in throttle-connecting ends 9a and 9b. Also extending from the generally cubical base 4 are hollow cylindrical arms 10a and 10b. Figure 2 generally shows the base portion of the replacement tiller. The attachment of tiller arm 2 to the base portion 4 is shown as being constituted by permanently bolted base plate 11, with through bolts 12. Figure 2 also shows in more detail the attachment portion 5 of the tiller base. This is in the form of a metal block 13 with a through bore at 14 and a recess 15 in which are threaded two studs 16 for adjustment purposes, as discussed below. Block 5 also secures one end of a chain 17, by which interconnecting pin 18 is attached to the block. Figure 3 shows in perspective view the nature of the base portion of the tiller including the features indicated above and needs no further explanation. Figure 4 shows structure at the remote ends of the cables. This terminal structure sequentially, comprises the housing 40, a bush 41, a diameter-change fitment 42, a sheath 43, a further fitment 44, and the end portion of the cable itself at 45. To this end portion is affixed a metal block 46, with a transverse shaft 47 passing therethrough and biased by spring 48 so that the end can be easily attached to a conventional throttle of an outboard motor. The chain 17 and pin 18 are shown in more detail in figure 5. The pin has an enlarged end 19, which locates one end of a compression spring 20 extending some way down the shank of the pin. The remote end of the pin is tapered at 21 and has a central slot 22 (see figure 1), to accommodate a movable catch 23 which runs over transverse pin 24. Catch 23 has an internal somewhat tapering slot 25 with a saw tooth configuration 26 along one longitudinal edge. The use of this pin will be described in more detail below. Figure 6 shows diagrammatically the nature of the connection inside of the base portion 4 of the replacable tiller. Cables 8a and 8b arrive within this base portion through the cyclindrical members 7a and 7b respectively, and pass around the respective toothed surfaces of pinions 30 and 31. Because the cables are formed as, or at least terminate in, a wound-wire covering, the teeth on the pinions 30 and 31 entrain the cables and pull them around their periphery. It is advantageous to introduce the end of the cable into the cylindrical extension member 10a or 10b, as shown in the end view of Figure 7, to prevent crumpling and distortion of cable ends when the cable moves. Because of the relatively stiff nature of the cable material the cables will advance or retract in an effective "push-pull" mode as the shaft 33, extending from the pinions to the twist grip 3, is rotated in one sense or the other. The consequence of the rotation of shaft 33 in one sense or the other, is to either extend or retract both cables 8a and 8b simultaneously. Thus, rotation of twist grip 3 in one sense or the other and consequent rotation of shaft 33 will ensure that throttles connected at the respective end configurations 46/47/48 of the cable 8a and 8b will operate simultaneously and in the same sense. The replacement tiller as shown is configured to fit easily and quickly into a motor fixing bracket 50, as shown in figures 8 and 9. Bracket 50 is in the form of a shell provided at 51 with an attachment suitable for connection to a conventional outboard motor mounting. Forwardly, the shell possesses two flat arms 52, possessing an aligned bore 53 and, on their outer faces, vertical slots 54 passing through the outer faces of the bores. A striker plate 55 is bolted into the base of the space defined between the parallel arm 52. Extending downward from the general region of the arms 52 is an inclined tab or connector 56 terminating in a horizontal end 57 upon which is mounted by shaft 58 an interconnecting knob 59, the purpose of which is discussed in more detail below. As will be apparent from figure 8, the replacement tiller fits by its attachment block 5 between the two knobs 52. At this time the aligned bracket bores 53 and the tiller bore 14 are coaxial. Pin 18 is thrust through the aligned bores until the clip 23 is free to move beyond the outer face of one of the arms 52. At this point the clip 23 is turned vertically by the operator and pushed downwards to engage by its serrated and tapering slot on pin 24. In this way the replacement tiller 1 is rapidly and securely assembled to the bracket 50. The function of adjustment studs 15 will thus be readily apparent. Adjustment of these screws slightly alters the projection of the threaded studs within them. These bear upon the striker plate 55 for prior adjustment to give optimum stability in use. The above description indicates how the tiller arm operates the throttle and how the tiller arm is attached to a mounting bracket. In practice, two such mounting brackets are interconnected so that the respective motors can turn about their steering axes simultaneously, their respective throttles being connected by cables 8a and 8b respectively for simultaneous operation meanwhile. Figures 10a and 10b show one end of an interconnecting rod 60, with a structure 61 adjustable in relation to the rod by threaded attachment 62. Structure 61 consists of a cylindrical member 62 and a sleeve 63 biased by a spring 64 so that normally it is forced outwardly to at least partly cover a through bore 65. The sleeve 63 can however be pushed back by finger pressure so as to make bore 65 available for use. There is structure of the above described nature at each end of the rod 60. In use, the sleeves 63 are pushed back against the springs 64 so as to free the opening of bores 65, and each of the bores 65 are placed over the respective connection knobs 59 as shown in figures 8 and 9. The assembled interconnection is as shown in figure 11, it being understood that the total assembly will include the tiller attached to one or other of the brackets 50, and with the cables 8a or 8b respectively attached to the respective throttle controls of each motor.

Claims: The assembly comprising two or more outboard motors mounted on two or more respective mutually mechanically interconnected motor steering brackets, and a single replacement tiller with a throttle twist grip, for attachment as a joint control system of steering and throttle characterised in that (a) the said single tiller possesses connected to its twist grip (3) a longitudinal shaft (33) rotary around its axis and carrying one or two pinions (30,31) interacting with the configured inner ends of throttle-operating cables (8a, 8b), one to each pinion, so as in each case to entrain the cable peripherally for movement in either direction, whereby twisting of the grip (3) on the tiller (1) and consequent rotation of the longitudinal shaft (33) rotates the pinions to cause the throttle cables (8a, 8b), attached thereto and passing one to each motor, to control the throttles of each said motor simultaneously and to like extents, and (b) any motor steering brackets are configured to accept and secure the inward end of the said single tiller. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the tiller comprises two pinions (30, 31) and two cables (8a, 8b) and operates the throttles of two motors. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which each tiller cable (8a, 8b) has easy-attachment terminations (46, 47, 48) for a conventional throttle control. An assembly as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the said tiller is characterised by comprising two or more projecting cable-end housings (10a, 10b) one for each cable (8a, 8b respectively) to accommodate retracted cable. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that (a) the tiller has a fixing projection (5) at its base possessing a through transverse bore (14) (b) each motor bracket (50,51) has parallel spaced arms (52) with mutually aligned through holes (53), between which arms of one or other bracket the fixing projection (5) is received so that the bores (14, 53) are all aligned and (c) a movable pin (18) is held in the aligned bores (14, 53) to connect the tiller (1) to the said bracket (50, 51). The assembly as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the pin (18) has a end latch (23) capable of movement between a first position in continuation of the length of the pin and a second position transverse to the pin to prevent pin withdrawal. The assembly as claimed in any one preceding claim characterised in that the motor steering brackets (50, 51) are mutally interconnected by a transverse connecting rod (60) having means defining two or more recesses (65) with a cover member (62) normally biassed (64) to cover each recess (65), and the brackets (50, 51) possess projections (59) each of which fits within and is held by a recess (65). The assembly as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the cover member (62) is a biassed transverse slide surrounding the rod (60, and each bracket projection (59) is spherical at the end to fit into the recess (65) and be held by the biassed cover (62).

Inventors: GLEN ROBERT D, GLEN, ROBERT D.
Applicants: BARRUS E P LTD, E.P. BARRUS LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B63H21
IPC codes: B63H21, F02B61