Patent Publication Number: US-4254946-A

Title: Lower unit repair fixture

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention: 
     This invention pertains to clamping devices used in the servicing and/or repair of outboard motors or outdrive lower units. 
     2. Statement of the Prior Art: 
     This invention is an improvement in the subject matter of prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,317,205 and 3,290,040. Other patents in this general field include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,590,664 and 3,982,740. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years lower units employed in outboard motors and inboard/outboard outdrives have undergone substantial design modifications. These modifications have included the incorporation of double cavitation plates or flanges. Also, some units involve closed gear cases which renders it desirable that the unit be side-mounted, inasmuch as such mounting allows for vertical rather than horizontal alignment. 
     The fixture hereof is provided with a unique side mounting arrangement which is extremely stable and safe in operation, and which maximizes access to the work piece. 
     A further advantage of the holder resides in the incorporation therein of a V-notch for engagement of the leading edge of the unit in the tool. The notch ensures correct alignment of the unit relative to the tool. 
     Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with annexed drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lower unit repair fixture according to this invention, a lower unit of typical form being shown engaged therein in phantom lines; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 3 is a transverse cross section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and 
     FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the unit. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, a lower unit holding fixture according to this invention is therein shown and identified generally by reference numeral 10. The unit is for engaging a lower unit 12 of an outboard motor or outdrive which comprises a housing 14 with a pointed leading end 16. These housings have horizontal cavitation plates or flanges including an upper flange 18 and a lower flange 20 which, in many current engine designs, are closely spaced relative to one another. 
     The fixture 10 is adapted to clampingly engage the lower unit during servicing and repair operations. Fixture 10 includes a main body section 22 formed integrally as by casting. The body section 22 is of U-form and includes a bight portion 24, and proximal and distal side arms 26, 28, respectively projecting from the opposite ends of the bight portion. Each of the side arms is of inverted L-shape, and the arms have top plates 30 and 32, and side plates 34, 36. The top plates have top surfaces 38 and 42, and a protective pad 44, 46 is adhesively secured along the major portion of each. 
     The bight portion 24 has a top surface 48, co-planar with the surfaces 38 and 42, a bottom surface 50 and a slant inside wall 52 extending from the bottom to a front wall 54. A substantially V-form notch is formed in the bight portion centrally thereof, and opens inwardly on the slant wall 52 and front wall 54. The notch has a rearwardly sloping, rounded apex 58, and is shaped to receive and to engage the aforesaid leading end 16 of the lower unit in the fashion suggested in FIG. 1. 
     The side plate 36 of the proximal side arm 26 has an enlarged substantially rectangular boss member 60 thereon. The boss member has a plurality of threaded openings 62 tapped therein. An elongated tubular supporting projection 64 has a mounting plate 68 secured, as by welding, to one end thereof. The plate 66 has holes 68 aligned with the openings 62, and screws 70 with washers 72 are employed to lock the plate 66 flush against the boss member 60. The body section thus is employed with, for example, a sleeve mount (not shown, but identical to that disclosed in Pat. No. 3,316,205) into the sleeve of which the supporting projecton 64 is telescopically received. Thus, the body section, and the workpiece mounted thereon may be adjusted both rotationally and longitudinally as to position. 
     Integrally formed on each of the side plates 34 and 36 of the side arms are outwardly extending bracket ledges 74 and 76. The tops of these ledges are co-planar with the top surfaces 38 and 42 of the arms, and the ledges extend outwardly. The ledges have vertical openings 75 and 77 formed therein. Depending from the ledges and secured also to the side plates are pairs of depending, spaced apart legs 78. The ledges each also have a depending lip 80 which is connected also to the legs, whereby a substantially rectangular chamber 82 is formed beneath each ledge, for a purpose appearing below. 
     Clamp plates 84 and 86 are provided, and have elongated inner sections 88 and 90 with flat lower surfaces 92, 94. Pads, formed of cord strips 96 or the like are adhesively bonded thereto. Outboard of the elongated section, the plates each have outer sections 98 and 100 with transversely elongated slots 102, 104 formed therein. Extending from the lower surfaces of these sections are pairs of laterally spaced lugs 106. The spacing between the lugs is such that the lugs ride on either side of the ledges 74 and 76 to serve as guides for the clamping plates. The slots 102 and 104 are aigned over the openings 75 and 77, and elongated bolts 108, 110 extended therethrough, the bolts having bolt heads 112 and having suitable washers 114. Nuts 116, 118 are threadedly engaged on the bolt and upon preliminary tightening are engaged in the chambers 82. Continued torque applied to the heads 112 thus tightens or loosens this connection. When the lower cavitation flange 20 of the lower unit is placed between the top plates of the side arms and the clamp plates, the motor or lower unit is then effectively held in selected position. By virtue of this configuration, the unit may be clamped even where the space between the upper and lower cavitation plates is very small. Also, the slot and guide lug features permit close adjustment of positioning of the unit.