Patent Publication Number: US-11377186-B1

Title: Apparatuses and devices for operably connecting a marine drive to a marine vessel

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to marine drives for propelling marine vessels in water, and more particularly to rigging apparatuses for marine drives, such as outboard motors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,847 discloses a strain relief assembly for an outboard motor for relieving strain on wires, cables, lines or the like which extend between the boat and the cowl assembly which encloses the power head of the outboard motor. The strain relief assembly is preferably disposed within an opening formed in one of the cowl sections, and comprises a two-piece member. The two-piece member includes a series of indentations which cooperate to clamp the wires, cables, lines or the like there between when screwed together. With the strain relief assembly fixed to the wall of the cowl section forming the opening, this acts to maintain the wires, cables or lines in position relative to the cowl section for relieving strain thereon during movement of the outboard motor. A fuel line strain relief assembly is also provided, comprising a stem fixed to the two-piece member. An external fuel line supplies fuel to the stem, which is communicated there through to an internal fuel line extending between the stem and the power head. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,108 discloses a protective containment device provided to serve as a strain relief component for hoses, wires, and push-pull cables extending through a front surface of an outboard motor. The protective containment device is formed from first and second portions that are assembled together with a flexibly connected divider that segregates certain components within the protective device from other components. A cylindrical ring, made of first and second retainers, is disposed around an outer surface of the cylindrical conduit to hold the first and second portions together and to retain a flexible tube in place. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,856 discloses a rigging apparatus provided for an outboard motor in which an attachment member is shaped to be rigidly attached to a housing structure, or cowl, of an outboard motor, without the need for additional hardware such as clamps, brackets, or screws. The attachment member is shaped to receive a threaded sleeve in threaded association therewith so that hoses, wires, and cables can be protected within the threaded sleeve. An attachment member of the rigging apparatus is made to be asymmetrical to avoid improper assembly into an opening of the housing structure of an outboard motor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,375 discloses a system for controlling trim position of a marine propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a trim actuator having a first end configured to couple to the marine propulsion device and a second end configured to couple to the marine vessel. A controller controls position of the trim actuator between an extended position wherein the propulsion device is trimmed up with respect to the vessel and a retracted position wherein the propulsion device is trimmed down with respect to the vessel. A shock relief mechanism overrides position control by the controller and allows extension of the trim actuator upon the occurrence of an overpressure event. An arresting mechanism, when activated, prevents extension of the trim actuator beyond a certain limit. The controller selectively activates the arresting mechanism in response to a determination that the propulsion device is being commanded in reverse. Methods for controlling trim position are also included. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,969,475 discloses a system for mounting an outboard motor propulsion unit to a marine vessel transom including a support cradle having a head section coupled to a transom bracket and a pair of arms extending aftward from the head section and along opposite port and starboard sides of the propulsion unit. A pair of upper mounts is provided, each upper mount in the pair coupling a respective arm to the propulsion unit aft of a center of gravity of an engine system of the propulsion unit. A pair of lower mounts is also provided, each lower mount in the pair coupling the propulsion unit to the transom bracket. The pair of upper mounts is located aft of the pair of lower mounts when the propulsion unit is in a neutral position, in which the propulsion unit is generally vertically upright and not tilted or trimmed with respect to the transom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,136 discloses an outboard motor that can be coupled to a transom of a marine vessel via the described rigging system. The rigging system includes a plurality of engine-sourced lines extending from an engine of the outboard motor, through an aperture in the motor housing, and to the marine vessel. A protective tube surrounds the plurality of engine-sourced lines and has a first end coupled to the motor housing and a second end coupled to the marine vessel. A rigging center is located aboard the marine vessel and holds distal ends of each of the engine-sourced lines. A plurality of connectors is provided on the distal ends of the engine-sourced lines. At the rigging center, each engine-sourced line is configured to be coupled, via a respective connector, to a corresponding vessel-sourced line. The vessel-sourced lines are in turn connected to respective engine-related devices aboard the marine vessel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,202,180 discloses an outboard motor including an engine coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with a propulsor via a driveshaft. A protective covering for the outboard motor includes a cowl that houses the engine within a closed interior thereof. An opening in an outer surface of the cowl provides access to the closed interior. A rigging tray can be inserted through the opening to a retracted position, in which a majority of the rigging tray is within the closed interior. A plurality of electrical lines extends from the engine and into the rigging tray from a first end thereof. Each electrical line in the plurality of electrical lines terminates in the rigging tray at a respective one of a plurality of electrical connectors. A second end of the rigging tray receives a complementary plurality of vessel electrical lines for connection to the plurality of engine electrical lines via the plurality of electrical connectors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,286,989 discloses a marine drive including an engine; a cowl having first and second cowl portions. The first cowl portion is movable with respect to the second cowl portion into an open position in which the engine is manually accessible and a closed position in which the engine is enclosed; and a rigging port in the second cowl portion. The rigging port provides a passageway for rigging connectors extending from the engine to a component located remotely from the engine. A rigging window provides manual access to the rigging connectors and the engine, including when the first cowl portion is in the closed position. A removable access door covers the rigging window and prevents manual access to the engine and rigging connectors via the rigging window. The removable access door is fastened to the second cowl portion by a removable fastener that is hidden from view. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,259,554 discloses an outboard motor having an adapter plate with an upper surface supporting an engine, a lower surface spaced therefrom, and fore and aft sides connecting the upper and lower surfaces. A first pocket is defined in the adapter plate&#39;s fore side and a second pocket is defined in its aft side. A midsection housing is coupled to the adapter plate&#39;s lower surface and suspends a propulsion unit therebelow. A driveshaft coupling the engine&#39;s output shaft to the propulsion unit&#39;s propeller shaft extends through the adapter plate. A steering arm, which extends into the first pocket, has a hole through which the driveshaft extends. A mount in the second pocket is located aft of the driveshaft, and the mount&#39;s fore side is coupled to the steering arm&#39;s aft end by way of connectors. A cover plate attached to the adapter plate&#39;s aft side secures the mount within the second pocket. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In certain examples disclosed herein, an apparatus is for operably connecting a marine drive to a marine vessel. A transom bracket is configured for fixed attachment to the marine vessel and for attachment to the marine drive such that the marine drive is trimmable up and down with respect to the marine vessel about a trim axis. The transom bracket has a sidewall with a rigging opening through which at least one elongated rigging member extends for operably connecting the marine drive to the marine vessel, wherein the rigging opening is located along the trim axis. 
     In certain examples disclosed herein, a rigging device is for routing at least one elongated rigging member from a marine drive to a marine vessel. The rigging device has an elbow conduit with an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the outlet end is positionable into a plurality of clock positions relative to the inlet end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is provided with reference to the following drawing Figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an outboard motor in dash-and-dot lines and the transom of a marine vessel in dashed lines. An apparatus for coupling the outboard motor to a marine vessel is shown in solid lines and includes a supporting cradle, a transom bracket, and a rigging device configured according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective of the rigging device, showing a plurality of elongated rigging members extending from the rigging device. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the rigging device and a portion of the transom bracket. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded section view of the rigging device. 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of internal portions of the rigging device. 
         FIG. 6  is another exploded view of internal portions of the rigging device and a clamshell portion of the cover of the rigging device along with a portion of the transom bracket. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the rigging device and transom bracket, showing clocking movement of internal portions of the rigging device in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of internal portions of the rigging device along with a portion of the transom bracket and a section of a lower clamshell portion. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are side views of the rigging device and transom bracket, showing clocking movement of the rigging device, including internal portions of the rigging device in solid lines and cover portions of the rigging device in dashed lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts the transom  10  of a marine vessel  12 . A transom bracket  14  is fixed to the transom  10  in a conventional manner. A marine drive, which in this example is an outboard motor  16 , is pivotally coupled to the transom bracket  14  via a supporting cradle  18 . The type and configuration of the marine drive, transom bracket  14  and supporting cradle  18  can vary from what is shown. Examples of suitable marine drives, transom brackets and supporting cradles for use with the present invention are disclosed in the above-incorporated U.S. patents, for example especially see U.S. Pat. No. 9,969,475, among others. 
     The transom bracket  14  has a base portion  20  and port and starboard sidewalls  22  that extend aftwardly from the base portion  20 . The base portion  20  is mounted to the transom  10  via port and starboard mounting flanges  24 .  FIG. 1  depicts only the starboard mounting flange  24 . The supporting cradle  18  has a forward mounting portion  26  disposed between the port and starboard sidewalls  22 . The supporting cradle  18  further has port and starboard resilient mounting devices  28  that couple the outboard motor  16  to the supporting cradle  18 . The port and starboard resilient mounting devices  28  are configured to reduce noise, vibration and harshness of the outboard motor  16 , for example dampening the transfer of vibrations of the outboard motor  16  with respect to the transom bracket  14  and marine vessel  12 . Examples of suitable resilient mounting devices are provided in the presently-incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,969,475 and 10,259,554, among others. 
     The mounting portion  26  is pivotably coupled to the port and starboard sidewalls  22  along a trim axis  30 , in particular so that the supporting cradle  18  and associated outboard motor  16  are trimmable (i.e., pivotable) up and down about the trim axis  30  relative to the transom bracket  14  and marine vessel  12 . Reference is made to the presently-incorporated U.S. Patents, in particular U.S. Pat. No. 9,969,475, for further explanation of this type of pivotal connection between a supporting cradle and a transom bracket. 
     As further described herein below with reference to  FIGS. 2-10 , a novel rigging device  32  is coupled to the starboard sidewall  22  of the transom bracket  14  and configured to efficiently route a plurality of elongated rigging members  34  from the outboard motor  16  to the marine vessel  12 . In other examples the rigging device  32  can be coupled to the port sidewall  22  of the transom bracket  14 . The rigging members  34  are conventional items for operationally connecting the outboard motor  16  to the marine vessel  12 , and often include for example electrical wires for transferring electrical signals between the outboard motor  16  and marine vessel  12 , and/or fuel conduits for conveying fuel, etc., between the outboard motor  16  and marine vessel  12 . Other examples of conventional rigging members are disclosed in the presently-incorporated U.S. Patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,202,180 and 10,286,989, among others. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the starboard sidewall  22  of the transom bracket  14  has an upwardly extending mounting ear  36  with a circular rigging opening  38 . The rigging opening  38  is coaxial and concentric with the noted trim axis  30 . The rigging device  32  is mounted on the ear  36 , over the rigging opening  38 , and generally includes a base plate  40 , an elbow conduit  42 , and an elbow cover  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the base plate  40  has a circular outer diameter  46  and a circular center opening  48  which is coaxially aligned with the rigging opening  38 . Four fasteners  50  extend through corresponding holes  52  in the base plate  40  and are engaged in threaded connection with corresponding bores  54  in the ear  36 , to thereby rigidly fasten the base plate  40  to the transom bracket  14 . Other known means for connecting the base plate  40  to the transom bracket  14  can be used in place of or in addition to the fasteners  50 . Optionally, a rubber ring seal  56  is sandwiched between the back surface of the base plate  40  and the ear  36 , and provides a sealed interface that limits water ingress to the rigging device  32 . Optionally, a different seal can be disposed between the base plate  40  and elbow cover  44 . Other known means for providing the sealed interface can be used in place of or in addition to the rubber ring seal  56 . Other seals can be provided between various components shown in  FIG. 3 , as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     The elbow conduit  42  has an inlet end  58 , which is coaxial with and faces the rigging opening  38  and the center opening  48 . The elbow conduit  42  also has an opposite outlet end  60  which is transversely oriented relative to the inlet end  58  and generally faces towards the marine vessel  12 . In the illustrated example, the elbow conduit  42  defines a ninety-degree bend between the inlet end  58  and outlet end  60 , so that the outlet end  60  is oriented about ninety degrees transversely to the inlet end  58 . In other examples, the degree of the bend can be different than ninety-degrees. A radial flange  64  on the inlet end  58  has diametrically opposed and elongated slots  66 . Fasteners  68  extend through the slots  66  and into threaded engagement with bores  70  in the base plate  40 , to thereby fasten the elbow conduit  42  to the base plate  40 . The fasteners  68  have radially enlarged heads which are tightened onto the top surface of the radial flange  64  alongside the slots  66  during installation when the fasteners  68  are manually tightened into the bores  70 , to thereby securely fasten the elbow conduit  42  to the base plate  40 . As will be further described herein below, the slots  66  facilitate repositioning or “clocking” of the elbow conduit  42  during installation, into a variety of clock positions relative to the rigging opening  38 . Optionally, inserts are located in the bores  70  and have internal threads for engaging with external threads on the fasteners  68 . While fasteners  68  and bores  70  are shown in the drawings, other known means could be used to couple the base plate  40  to the transom bracket  14 . 
     The elbow cover  44  is mounted on the base plate  40  and encloses the elbow conduit  42 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the elbow cover  44  has an inlet end  72  that faces the rigging opening  38  and is concentric with the inlet end  58  of the elbow conduit  42 , and an outlet end  74  that generally faces the marine vessel and is concentric with the outlet end  60  of the elbow conduit  42 . The inlet end  72  and outlet end  74  are transversely oriented relative to each other and in the illustrated embodiment are oriented at ninety degrees relative to each other, parallel to and concentric with the inlet end  58  and outlet end  60  of the elbow conduit  42 , respectively. The elbow cover  44  has upper and lower clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  which together enclose the elbow conduit  42 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the upper and lower clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  are fastened together by fasteners  80  which extend through bosses  82  in the lower clamshell half  44   b  and into threaded engagement with bosses  84  on the upper clamshell half  44   a . The bosses  82  and  84  have differently sized inner and outer diameters so that the bosses  82 ,  84  nest together in a male-female connection fit when the clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  are fastened together, as shown. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inlet end  72  has an internal groove  85  that engages the outer diameter  46  of the base plate  40  when the clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  are fastened together, thus affixing the elbow cover  44  to the base plate  40  when the fasteners  80  are tightened. Optionally, a rubber ring seal (not shown) is disposed in the groove  85  between the upper and lower clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  and the base plate  40  and configured to prevent ingress of water. 
     A switch  86  facilitates manual actuation of a conventional trim actuator  88  (see  FIG. 1 ) for trimming the outboard motor  16  about the trim axis  30 , and is advantageously located on the rigging device  32 . A switch  86  has a manually actuated toggle button  89  supported within a switch housing  90 . The switch housing  90  is mounted to an adapter  92  by fasteners  94  and the adapter  92  is in turn mounted to the elbow conduit  42  via mounting flanges  96  on the outer top surface of the inlet end  58  of the elbow conduit  42 , and via a fastener  98  that engages in threaded connection with a threaded boss  100  on the elbow conduit  42 . The switch  86  could alternately be connected to the rigging device  32  by other conventional means. The switch  86  is manually accessible via an aperture  102  in the upper clamshell half  44   a  of the elbow cover  44  and is efficiently located on the rigging device  32  so that an operator standing in the marine vessel  12  can manually actuate the switch  86  and trim the outboard motor  16  up and down relative to the marine vessel  12 . The switch  86  is also efficiently located so that when the marine vessel  12  is trailered, an operator standing alongside the outboard motor  16  can manually actuate the switch  86  and trim the outboard motor  16  up and down relative to the marine vessel  12 . The switch  86  is electrically connected to the trim actuator  88  by electrical wires  104  that extend from the switch  86  through an aperture  106  in the elbow conduit  42 . A rubber seal or other conventional sealing means can be used to seal the interface between the switch  86  and the elbow cover  44  in order to limit ingress of water. The trim actuator  88  can include any conventional fuel and/or electric device for trimming the outboard motor  16 , examples of which are disclosed in the presently-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,375, among others. Optionally, the switch  86  can be configured to actuate other operational features of the outboard motor  16 , in addition to or instead of trim, for example steering, speed (e.g. fine adjustment speed or troll control), lights, and/or any other similar feature. In other examples, a data interface, shown schematically at reference character  45  in  FIG. 2 , can be located on the rigging device  32  and provide information to the operator regarding the outboard motor  16 . Optionally the data interface can include lights, and/or a touch screen, and/or a plurality of switches, and/or any other conventional means for inputting operational commands to the outboard motor  16  and/or displaying operational characteristics of the outboard motor  16  to a user. Optionally, the interface  45  can include an electrical power source, for example a plug, and/or an electronic data port, for example a USB connector and/or the like that facilitates diagnostics of the outboard motor  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a novel guide member  108  is located at the outlet end  60  of the elbow cover  44  and is configured to properly orient the rigging members  34  relative to each other and relative to the inner diameter of the rigging device  32  and marine vessel  12 . In the illustrated example, the guide member  108  includes a generally circular disc  110  having a plurality of separate axial pathways  112  extending there through, which are each configured to receive and radially separate and position the rigging members  34  relative to each other and relative to the internal diameter of the outlet end  60  of the elbow cover  44 . The disc  110  is seated within a groove  114  formed between a pair of outer ribs  116  that extend radially inwardly from the inner diameter of the outlet end  60 . The disc  110  is seated on an inner rib  118  that extends radially inwardly from the inner diameter, between the pair of outer ribs  116 , but is shorter than the outer ribs  116 . The guide member  108  may be made of rubber or other appropriate elastomeric material for providing a seal to limit the ingress of water, particularly via a press fit engagement between the relatively rigid inner rib  118  and relatively elastic outer diameter of the guide member  108 . During installation, the guide member  108  is automatically rotationally positioned within the groove  114  between the pair of outer ribs  116  by a clocking feature, which in the illustrated example includes a radially outer recess  120  in the disc  110 , which receives a protrusion  122  extending radially into the groove between the pair of outer ribs  116 . This facilitates proper rotational orientation of the guide member  108  so that the desired orientation of the pathways  112  and associated rigging members  34  is achieved. The diameters of the pathways  112  may be sized differently relative to each other so as to accommodate the different diameters of the rigging members  34 . 
     The inside diameter of the elbow cover  42  has a series of helical grooves  124  located laterally between the pair of outer ribs  116  and the outlet end  60 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the helical grooves  124  engage with and retain the outer ridges  126  of a corrugated member  128 , which encloses the rigging members  34  from the rigging device  32  to the marine vessel  12 . The corrugated member  128  can be made of any suitable material, as either a flexible or hard plumbing, and could be integrated with the transom of marine vessel. Such rigging members are connected to the marine vessel  12  by connections that are known in the art, for instance, by way to of those connections disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,136. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the rigging device  32  has novel features that advantageously facilitate proper installation during rigging setup of the outboard motor  16  on the marine vessel  12 . 
     To install the rigging device  32 , the installer first rigidly connects the base plate  40  to the ear  36  via the fasteners  50 , as described herein above. Next the installer connects the elbow conduit  42  to the base plate  40 . A first alignment mechanism  130  facilitates rotational alignment and positioning of the inlet end  58  of the elbow conduit  42  relative to the base plate  40  and thus relative to the rigging opening  38 . In particular, the first alignment mechanism  130  permits the installer to choose between and position the elbow conduit  42  in a plurality of clock positions, wherein in each clock position the outlet end  60  of the elbow conduit  42  extends at a different angle relative to the top surface of the base plate  40 , similar to different positions of a hand on a clock. In the illustrated example, the first alignment mechanism  130  includes a plurality of grooves  132  on the outer diameter of the radial flange  64  and a corresponding engagement member  134  on the base plate  40  that registers with each groove in the plurality of grooves  132 . During installation, the installer manually centers the inlet end  58  of the elbow conduit  42  with respect to the rigging opening  38  and lowers the inlet end  58  towards the base plate  40 . Next, the installer inserts the fasteners  68  through the slots  66  and into only an initial threaded engagement with corresponding bores  70  in the base plate  40 , i.e., without clamping the heads onto the top of the radial flange  64 . In this position, slots  66  allow the installer to manually rotate the elbow conduit  42  until the outlet end  60  is in a desired clock position. A post  133  on the base plate  140  is located in a slot  135  in the radial flange  64  and guides the manual rotational movement of the radial flange  64  relative to the base plate  40 . Each groove  132  registers with the engagement member  134  at a different respective clock position. Once the desired clock position of the elbow conduit  42  is set, in particular via registration of the engagement member  134  with the appropriate groove  132 , the installer completes installation of the elbow conduit  42  by further tightening the fasteners  68  into the bores  70  until the heads clamp down onto the top of the radial flange  64 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a first group of numerical indicia  135  is provided on the radial flange  64 , one number for each groove  132 . 
     Once the elbow conduit  42  is installed, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the installer can install the switch  86 , as described herein above and shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Next, the installer installs the elbow cover  44 , guide member  108  and associated rigging members  34 . As explained herein above, the elbow cover  44  has upper and lower clamshell halves  44   a ,  44   b  that together enclose the elbow conduit  42 . Advantageously, the rigging device  32  has a second alignment mechanism  136 , which facilitates rotational alignment and positioning of the inlet end  72  and outlet end  74  of the elbow cover  44  with the inlet end  58  and outlet end  60  of the elbow conduit  42 , and relative to the rigging opening  38 . In particular, the second alignment mechanism  136  permits the installer to choose between and position the elbow cover  44  in a plurality of clock positions, wherein in each clock position the outlet end  74  of the elbow cover  44  extends at a different angle relative to the top surface of the base plate  40 , similar to different positions of a hand on a clock. 
     In the illustrated example, the second alignment mechanism  136  includes a plurality of grooves  138  on the outer diameter of the base plate  40  and a corresponding engagement member  140  on the inner diameter of the inlet end  72  of the lower clamshell half  44   b  of the elbow cover  44 , which registers with each groove in the plurality of grooves  138  at a different respective clock position of the lower clamshell half  44   b . A second group of numerical indicia  142  that is the same as the first group of numerical indicia  135  is located on the base plate  40  adjacent to the plurality of grooves  138 . During installation, the installer manually brings the lower clamshell half  44   b  onto the outer diameter of the base plate  40 , such that the outlet end  74  of the elbow cover  44  is generally aligned with and concentric on the outlet end  60  of the elbow conduit  42  and more particularly so that the engagement member  140  is seated in the groove  138  having the same numerical indicia as the numerical indicia of the groove  132  in which the engagement member  134  is seated. When the engagement members  134  and  140  are seated in grooves  132 ,  138  having the same numerical indicia as each other, the installer know that the elbow conduit  42  and elbow cover  44  are concentric and aligned. Next the installer inserts the guide member  108  into the groove  114  and rotationally positions the guide member  108  until the noted clocking feature accommodates proper seating of the guide member  108  in the groove  114 . Before or after insertion of the guide member  108 , the installer inserts the rigging members  34  through the pathways  112  and nests the corrugated member  128  in the helical grooves  124 . Finally, the installer lowers the upper clamshell half  44   a  onto the outer diameter of the base plate  40  and fastens the upper clamshell half  44   a  to the lower clamshell half  44   b  via fasteners. 
     Thus, it will be seen that the present disclosure provides a novel rigging apparatus including a rigging device for operationally coupling a marine drive to a marine vessel. According to the present disclosure, the present inventors have realized that, especially in embodiments of marine drives that maintain a fixed steering position relative to the transom bracket, it is desirable to provide rigging apparatuses that facilitate multiple orientations or positions, including angular and lateral positions, of rigging members spanning a junction between the marine drive and the marine vessel. This advantageously would allow one configuration of rigging device to be used with a variety of marine vessel designs and common rigging hardware. The inventors further realized it is desirable to provide such an arrangement wherein the attitude of the rigging elbow and rigging hose can be adjusted and able to be installed at an optimum position, depending upon the specific marine vessel configuration, particularly the transom configuration. Advantageously, the presently disclosed embodiments provide nine predefined positions for the rigging elbow, which allow for five degree incremental changes for a total of forty-five degrees of adjustment. Location of the rigging device on the transom bracket and particularly along the trim axis allows the marine drive to be trimmed relative to the transom bracket and marine vessel without an effect on the attitude of the rigging elbow and associated rigging hose. These items advantageously remain in their originally installed positions. The present embodiments advantageously enable seamless integration between marine vessel and marine drive, with hidden and unobtrusive routing of fuel lines, electronics, and control system hardware. 
     It will thus be realized that the present disclosure provides: 
     An apparatus for operably connecting a marine drive to a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising a transom bracket configured for fixed attachment to the marine vessel and configured for attachment to the marine drive such that the marine drive is trimmable up and down about a trim axis, wherein the transom bracket comprises a sidewall with a rigging opening through which at least one elongated rigging member extends for operably connecting the marine drive to the marine vessel, and wherein the rigging opening is located along the trim axis. 
     In certain examples, the elongated rigging member comprises at least one of an electrical wire and a fuel conduit. The apparatus comprises a rigging device on the transom bracket, the rigging device being configured to route the elongated rigging member from the rigging opening towards the marine vessel. The rigging device is positionable into a plurality of clock positions relative to the rigging opening and the plurality of clock positions spans at least forty-five degrees. The rigging device comprises an elbow conduit having an inlet end facing the opening and an outlet end oriented towards the marine vessel, and further comprises an elbow cover on the elbow conduit. A switch is on the rigging device, the switch being configured for electrical connections to a trim actuator for trimming the marine drive up and down about the trim axis relative to the transom bracket and the marine vessel. The switch is mounted on the elbow conduit and is manually accessible via an aperture in the elbow cover. 
     In certain examples, the elbow cover has an outlet that is concentric with the outlet end of the elbow conduit. A guide member is disposed along the outlet of the elbow cover. The guide member provides a plurality of pathways for radially separating and guiding the plurality of elongated rigging members through the outlet. In certain examples, the guide member comprises a disc that is nested in a pair of grooves formed on an inner diameter of the outlet of the elbow cover. The disc comprises a clocking feature that engages with a corresponding clocking feature on the elbow cover to automatically clock the guide member in a preferred orientation during installation. A series of grooves are on the inner diameter of the outlet of the elbow cover, the series of grooves configured to engage with and retain a corrugated member that conveys the plurality of elongated rigging members from the rigging device to the marine vessel. 
     In certain examples, the rigging device comprises a first indicia that indicates a current clocked position of the elbow conduit and a second indicia that indicates a current clocked position of the elbow cover. A first alignment mechanism is for rotationally aligning and positioning the elbow conduit in each of the plurality of clocked positions and a second alignment mechanism for rotationally aligning and positioning the elbow cover in each of the plurality of clocked positions. The first alignment mechanism comprises a first plurality of grooves on the elbow conduit and an engagement member alongside the rigging opening, and the second alignment mechanism comprises a second plurality of grooves on the base plate and an engagement member on the elbow cover. The first indicia are alongside the first plurality of grooves and the second indicia are located along the second plurality of grooves. The elbow conduit has a radial flange having at least one elongated slot in which a fastener extends for fastening the elbow conduit to the transom bracket, wherein loosening the fastener permits rotation of the elbow conduit into each of the plurality of clocked positions and wherein tightening the fastener retains the elbow conduit in place. 
     In the above description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different assemblies described herein may be used alone or in combination with other assemblies. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.