Patent Publication Number: US-2010127150-A1

Title: Outboard Motor Mount

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to outboard motor mounts for boats. More particularly, the invention relates to a maneuverable mount for outboard motors to be fitted to the transom of a boat. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Typically, outboard motors on water craft, such as a boat, are mounted onto a transom of the boat or an external transom bracket. It is known that placing the propeller of the motor at different distances and/or angles from the boat provides different handling, acceleration, and speed characteristics. 
     The motor can be mounted rearward of the transom which provides some advantages. For instance, having the significant weight of the engine further back can assist in lifting the bow of the boat. This minimises the surface area of the boat on the water, maximising speed. 
     Fuel efficiency is also improved as at a cruising speed a boat with less surface area needs less power to push it through the water. However, there are also negative side effects. Because the bow of the boat is more easily lifted, the boat will tip back when crossing big waves or rough water. It is therefore optimum to have the motor close to the transom when operating in rough water and further from the transom when operating in calm water. 
     It is known to manually reposition motors on boat transoms before starting a journey to accommodate changing operating conditions. However, the mounting bracket provided with boat motors typically has a very small range of adjustments available and furthermore, boat motors are usually heavy making it difficult to manually change the motor&#39;s position. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a maneuverable mount for outboard motors, or to at least provide consumers with a useful or commercial choice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maneuverable motor mount for a boat motor comprising: 
     a least one support structure having a portion extending substantially perpendicular to the transom of a boat; 
     a mounting plate that is substantially perpendicular to the support structure wherein the boat motor is bolted on to the mounting plate; and 
     a movement means to move a portion of the mounting plate along the support structure. 
     The performance of the boat is generally enhanced by the maneuverable motor mount adjusting the distance from the transom and thereby permitting the centre of gravity of the boat backwards, changing the leverage of the front of the boat. By moving the motor further back, the centre of gravity is also moved back, making the nose of the boat lighter and easier to lift. If the nose is lighter or easier to lift, the boat can achieve the minimum surface area with less of an angle against the water and consequently with less resistance and better high speed performance. 
     The maneuverable motor mount may further comprise a pivot assembly that engages with the support structure (and is typically attached thereto) to allow the support structure to be placed at an adjustable angle relative to waterline and the transom of the boat. Preferably the pivot assembly further comprises at least two separate plates that are hinged along one edge, normally an upper edge. The pivot assembly may be lockable at a desired angle to keep the support structure, and hence the boat motor, at the desired angle relative to the transom and waterline. 
     Alternatively, the at least one support structure may be attached directly to the boat, preferably the transom. 
     The mounting plate may be associated with one or more perpendicular extension plates that fit adjacent the at least one support structure. Furthermore, the perpendicular extensions may be provided with guide means to guide the movement of the mounting plate and preferably restrict the movement of the mounting plate beyond predetermined limits. 
     Preferably, the mounting plate can be moved relative to the support structure, with the boat motor attached, in a direction that is longitudinal to the boat axis. However, no limitation is meant thereby and the mounting plate may also be moved in any direction including horizontal, vertical, or at an angle. 
     Preferably, the maneuverable motor mount further comprises a locking or securing means to hold the mounting plate at a particular location on the support means. Even more preferably the locking or securing means comprises at least one bolt that can be bolted into at least one hole on both the mounting plate and the support structure. 
     In a preferred embodiment the support structure includes a face plate preferably extending substantially parallel to the transom of the boat, with two spaced apart support plates extending perpendicularly to the transom of the boat. Each perpendicular extension preferably has paired sets of locking openings. In the preferred embodiment, the locking openings are holes through the plates but it is anticipated that alternatives such as matching depressions formed in the plates can also be used. 
     Each of the support plates will typically be provided with a guide opening in addition to the locking openings. The guide openings will typically be an opening through the support plate but it is anticipated that alternatives such as matching depressions formed in the plates may be used. The guide openings will typically receive guide means provided on the extension plates of the mounting plate in order to guide and preferably support the mounting plate relative to the support. 
     The perpendicular extension plates will typically be received between the support plates with the motor received between the perpendicular extension plates. Preferably, the support plates extend further rearward than the perpendicular extension plates. 
     There will preferably be an upper and a lower set of locking openings on each support plate with an elongate guide opening adjacent each set of locking openings. 
     The mounting plate preferably has corresponding perpendicular extensions, each having two holes that match the paired sets of holes on the support plates, each matched hole preferably receiving a bolt to temporarily lock the mounting plate at a fixed position with respect to the support structure. The bolt may be any suitable size, but is preferably a half inch bolt. 
     The movement means may be a guide rail and a person applying force, or alternatively may be a powered means. If the movement means is powered, it is preferably affixed to at least the mounting plate and a portion of the transom of the boat. Alternatively, the movement means may be affixed to at least the mounting plate and a portion of the support structure. 
     Preferably, the movement means comprises an actuator such as one or more hydraulic cylinders, wherein a hydraulic cylinder is affixed to at least a portion of the transom and the piston is affixed to the mounting plate. When the hydraulic cylinder is extended the mounting plate is preferably at least moved along the support structure further away from the transom of the boat. When the hydraulic cylinder is retracted the mounting plate is preferably moved at least along the support structure towards the transom of the boat. The use of a hydraulic cylinder is used by way of example only and any other movement means, such as a pneumatic arrangement, or a rack and pinion system, could also be used. 
     In this arrangement the hydraulic cylinder can be used to manoeuvre the mounting plate with respect to the boat and subsequently move the boat motor, closer or further away from the rear of the boat. This enables an operator to select the desired distance from the transom that they would like the boat motor to operate at, and move it there with relative ease. The motor can then be temporarily locked in position, 
     The hydraulic cylinder may be used as an alternative locking means to the locking openings provided in the perpendicular extension plates. 
     Preferably, the mounting plate can be moved at least 20 cm away from the transom of the boat. Even more preferably the mounting plate can be moved at least 30 cm away from the transom of the boat dependant upon the length of the boat wherein the typical limits for a 30′ boat would be an adjustment of up to 60 cm. 
     The support structure may be recessed into the transom. This preferably enables the mounting plate to be moved to a location that is substantially flush with the transom of the boat. 
     Accordingly, the performance of the boat motor is generally enhanced by the maneuverable motor mount as the motor can be easily mounted away from the transom of the boat where the propeller of the motor can operate in quieter water. This occurs because the centre of gravity of the boat moves according to the position of the motor and the angle of the transom to the water and the angle of the motor to the waterline. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of moving a boat motor with respect to a boat transom comprising the steps of: 
     ensuring a mounting plate is unlocked with respect to at least one support structure having at least one extension extending perpendicular to the boat transom; 
     moving the mounting plate along the perpendicular extensions of the support structure with a movement means to a desired location; 
     and securing the mounting plate at the desired location on the perpendicular extension of the support structure. 
     Preferably, the method of moving a boat motor with respect to a boat transom further comprises the step of mounting the boat motor to the mounting plate if it is not already fitted. 
     In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maneuverable motor mount for a boat motor comprising: 
     a mounting plate adapted to attach a boat motor; 
     a support structure attached to a rear portion of the boat and mounting the mounting plate; and 
     a movement means to move at least a portion of the mounting plate relative to the support structure to adjust the separation distance of the boat motor from the rear of the boat. 
     The separation distance is preferably the distance between the mounting of the boat motor and the transom of the boat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the maneuverable motor mount showing the mount with respect to a boat and an outboard motor. 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up of the maneuverable motor mount as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the maneuverable motor mount showing the mount with respect to a boat and an outboard motor. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up of the maneuverable motor mount as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the side. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the top and side. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the back and side. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the front and side. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the side. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the maneuverable motor mount from the top. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a boat  10  having a transom  11  and an outboard motor  12 . The outboard motor  12  would normally receive the transom  11  of the boat  10  into clamps (not shown). In an embodiment of the present invention, the outboard motor  12  instead clamps onto a mounting plate  13  which is received by a support structure  14 . The support structure  14  is subsequently affixed to a pivot plate  15  that is affixed to the transom  11  of the boat  10 . These components can be seen in more detail in  FIG. 2 . 
     An actuator  16  is provided that is preferably situated on the boat. The actuator  16  preferably assists movement of the mounting plate  13  with respect to the support structure  14  when they are engaged (i.e. as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  8  to  10 ). The pivot plate  15  comprises two plates hinged along one side (at point  15  in  FIGS. 1 to 4 ). One plate  17  of the pivot plate  15  attaches to the transom  11  of the boat  10 , and the second plate  18  is what the support structure  14  is attached to. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the same views and parts as  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but with the components constructed. In  FIG. 4 , details of the support structure  14  when engaged with the mounting plate  13  can be seen. The support structure  14  has guides  19  cut out of it which receives extrusions  20  on the mounting plate  13  (which cannot be seen clearly because it is behind the support structure  14 ). This allows the mounting plate  13  to be slid towards, and further away from, the transom  11  of the boat  10 . As the guides  19  in the support structure  14  are closed, the mounting plate  13  is can only be removed from the support structure  14  by removing the extrusions  20 . 
     Locking holes  21  are provided in the support structure  14  (as shown) and the mounting plate  14  (at no.  22 , shown best in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). When the holes  21  in the support structure  14  are lined up with the holes  22  in the mounting plate  13 , a bolt can be placed through both sets of holes  21 ,  22  to lock the mounting plate  13 , with the boat motor  12  thereon, at a desired distance from the transom  11  of the boat  10 . 
     As the boat motor  12  is usually heavy, the actuator  16  can provide power to assist movement of the mounting plate  13  with respect to the support structure  14 . Additionally, the actuator  16  may be able to provide power to assist movement of the two plates  17 ,  18 . The actuator  16  preferably drives a hydraulic cylinder (not shown), but other movement means may also be used. 
       FIGS. 5 to 7  show the moveable boat motor mount parts in greater detail and  FIGS. 8 to 10  show the moveable boat motor mount as a whole in greater detail. As can be seen from these perspective figures, the support structure  14  is a squared ‘U’ shape, having a rear wall  23  that is attached to plate  18  of the pivot plate  15 . The support structure  14  has sides  24  that extend perpendicularly from the rear wall  23 . The sides  24  each have two guides  19  and two rows of holes  21 . 
     The mounting plate  13  is also a squared ‘U’ shape and has a rear wall  25  with perpendicularly extending sides  26 . The distance between the two sides  26  of the mounting plate  13  is slightly less than the distance between the two sides  24  of the support structure  14  so that the mounting plate  13  can be received by the support structure  14 . Each of the sides  26  have two holes  22  the same distance apart as the holes  21  on the support structure  14 . Each side  26  also have two extrusions  20  that have enlarged heads  27 . 
     When assembled the extrusions are received by the guides  19  in the support structure  14 . Each of the four guides  19  (two on each side  24 ) receives one extrusion  20  from the mounting plate  13 . The guides are preferably elongate and approximately the width of the extrusions  20 . When assembled (as shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10 ) this allows the mounting plate  13  to slide back and forth in the support structure  14 . The enlarged heads  27  of the extrusions  20  prevent the extrusions  20  from sliding through the guides  19  in the support structure  14 . As the mounting plate  13  slides in the support structure  14 , the holes  22  on the mounting plate  13  move past the holes  21  on the support structure  14 . The mounting plate  13  can be locked at a particular location by putting a bolt (not shown) through each set of matching holes. 
     Plate  17  of the pivot plate  15  has holes  28  in it, as seen in  FIG. 7 , to enable it to easily be affixed to the transom  11  of the boat  10 . In the preferred embodiment there are six holes, but any number and/or any suitable method may be used to attach the pivot plate  15  to the transom  11 . Furthermore, is some embodiments the support structure  14  may be affixed directly onto the transom  11  of the boat  10 . In this case the rear wall  23  of the support structure  14  may have holes and/or the affixing means to attach the maneuverable motor mount to the boat  10 . 
     An advantage of the maneuverable motor mount is that the boat motor  12  can be set at desired distances from the transom  11  of the boat  10  allowing the motor placement to shift the centre of gravity and maximise boat performance in all water conditions. 
     For example, in calm waters to get maximum speed from a boat you need minimum surface are and minimum resistance against the water. To do this typically the boat is trimmed upwards allowing the angle of the boat against the water to create lift. The angle of the boat against the water also creates resistance against the water. By moving the motor further back, the centre of gravity is also moved back, making the nose of the boat lighter and easier to lift. If the nose is lighter or easier to lift, the boat can achieve the minimum surface area with less of an angle against the water and consequently with less resistance and better high speed performance. 
     In the majority of circumstances, boats are too long and heavy in the nose for the power of the motor. In these circumstances boats cannot achieve minimum surface area. To move the centre of gravity back in these boats will also achieve less surface area on the water. 
     In rough water, on the other hand, it is desirable to keep the nose of the boat down so the waves don&#39;t throw the boat nose in the air. For this reason, longer boats usually go better in rough water as the leverage of the length of the boat is equal to more weight at the nose. Other ways to make boats perform better in rough water is to place ballast in an appropriate positions in to boat. 
     Obviously, having the motor set far back, making the nose light, will be a disadvantage in rough conditions. An optimum setup is to have the motor against the transom, moving the centre of gravity forward, reducing the leverage and making the nose harder to be lifted by waves it may encounter. 
     Advantageously, the maneuverable motor mount gives the operator the opportunity to adjust the boat setup to suit all water conditions. 
     A further advantage of the maneuverable motor mount is that the water that rushes past the boat hull at the point where the bottom joins the boat transom is forced upwardly and a turbulence develops and extends rearward of the boat transom. This turbulence decreases with increasing distance from the boat transom. Accordingly, the performance of the boat motor  12  is generally enhanced by the maneuverable motor mount as the motor can be easily mounted away from the transom  11  of the boat  10  where the propeller of the motor can operate in quieter water beyond the cavitation created by the boat hull. 
     It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The foregoing embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Although the invention has been described with respect to a boat motor and a transom, no limitation is meant thereby. 
     Throughout this specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term “comprise” and variants thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.