Patent Publication Number: US-2022212766-A1

Title: Outboard motor support device

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURE BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR UNDER 37 C.F.R. 1.77(B)(6) 
     An outboard motor support device, in accordance with the present disclosure and jointly invented by the present inventors, was publicly shown at the BASSMASTER CLASSIC 2020 IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA ON MARCH 6-8, 2020. Prior Disclosure Photos 1-3 showing this outboard motor support device are provided on a concurrently filed Information Disclosure Statement. In Prior Disclosure Photo 3, features of the outboard motor support device described herein are shown with reference numerals corresponding to the reference numerals used in the present application for identical features shown and described in the Detailed Description and drawings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to outboard motor support devices for marine vehicles and, more specifically, to an outboard motor support device which provides support to outboard motors during trailering and transportation of marine vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many marine vehicles, such as boats with outboard motors, include a transom to support the outboard motor via brackets and hydraulic tilt/trim structures. The transom is typically formed as a rigid surface on the stern of a boat to which motor support structures are mounted during use and transport. During trailering and transport, with the motor in a raised or tilted position, the motor requires additional support to prevent the motor, the hydraulic tilt and trim mechanism, and transom from being damaged due to movement of the motor such as via bouncing and vibration, for example. Many outboard marine motors are very expensive, heavy, and powerful units that employ complex hydraulic systems for both steering and tilt control during use and transport. As such, any stress on the hydraulic systems of an outboard motor can potentially cause severe structural damage, as well as undesired aesthetic damage. 
     One known outboard motor support device includes a rigid, rod-type structure attached to the transom brackets at one end, which contacts the lower unit of the outboard motor at its opposite end. During installation, a user mounts the support device to the transom and raises the other end while lowering the motor via the trim mechanism. As the motor is lowered, a front-facing surface of the lower unit of the motor engages the support end of the motor support device. The motor then rests by gravity on the support device, with motor load transferred via the device to the transom. Disadvantageously, this and similar devices typically only provide vertical gravitational support, with little or no resistance to lateral movements of the motor during trailering. Also, the device may become dislodged during trailering and/or may scratch or mar the lower unit of the motor. 
     In order to more fully protect the motor, transom, and the hydraulic tilt/trim mechanism, steering clips may be used along with devices such as that described above, which are installed on the hydraulic pistons of the steering mechanism to restrain lateral movement during trailering. These steering clips are typically sold separately from motor support devices, are assembled separately, and function separately as “add-on” devices in addition to the primary motor support. Disadvantageously, use of separate steering clips requires additional installation steps for supporting the motor during trailering, adding undesired complexity to the operation of completely securing the motor during trailering. 
     What is needed is an improvement over the foregoing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides an outboard motor support device including a transom connection mechanism, a pivot joint, and a motor support. The transom connection mechanism engages directly with a transom bracket to maximize stability and is configured to provide a consistently correct angular orientation of the motor support relative to the motor during use. In particular, the pivot joint adjustably aligns the motor support device to the motor in a desired orientation during installation to ensure a firm and “nested” engagement with the lower unit of the motor within the motor support. The motor support can be designed to fit specific motors, allowing for maximum stability and maximum surface area contact when properly aligned and engaged with the motor. The present outboard motor support device advantageously provides robust vertical support as well as horizontal stabilization to the motor during transit, thereby also preserving the transom brackets and tilt/trim structure of the motor. 
     The transom connection mechanism may further include two plunger pin mechanisms disposed parallel to one another. Each plunger pin mechanism has an attachment point on each of its ends, and the spatial arrangement of the attachment points corresponds to standard pre-drilled holes in a transom bracket. The two parallel plunger pin mechanisms provide four corresponding attachment points, which cooperate with the pivot mechanism to create a four-bar linkage when the device is connected to a transom bracket. 
     The pivot joint works in conjunction with the connection mechanism to ensure a desired angle, orientation and position for the motor support as it rises to meet and engage with the motor. When so engaged, the motor is both vertically and horizontally supported and stabilized by firm engagement between the motor and motor support at an optimal angle and position. 
     The outboard motor support device is designed to provide dynamic load support, static load support, and lateral stability. A motor cradle in the rear provides vertical and lateral support to the lower unit of the motor, such that the motor support absorbs various force vectors. Extended arms connect the motor cradle to a solid support base removably connected to the transom. The motor support supports the motor via a large area of contact. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a stern of a boat mounted on a trailer, showing an outboard motor mounted to the transom and supported for trailering using an outboard motor support device made in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the outboard motor support device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the outboard motor support device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 , showing a plunger pin mechanism in an extended, engagement configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the portion of outboard motor support device of  FIG. 4 , showing the plunger pin mechanism in a retracted, unlocked configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the portion of outboard motor support device of  FIG. 4 , showing the plunger-pin mechanism in retracted, locked configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a portion of the outboard motor support device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a portion of the outboard motor support device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a bottom perspective view of the motor support of the outboard motor support device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a top perspective view of the motor support of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a top plan view of the motor support of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9D  is bottom plan view of the motor support of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a first step in mounting of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second step in mounting of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third step in mounting of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a fourth step in mounting of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a final step in mounting of the outboard motor support device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Drawings are drawn to scale except as otherwise noted. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. One embodiment of the disclosure is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present disclosure may not be shown for the sake of clarity. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , outboard motor support device  20  is shown for use in trailering the motor of a boat  21  on trailer  22 . Motor  23  is mounted on the stern of boat  21  and is shown hydraulically trimmed to an appropriate pitch for trailering, as further described below. Transom  24  is fixed to the stern of boat  21  below the location of the pivotable coupling between motor  23  and boat  21 . Transom  24  is a reinforced part of the stern of boat  21  and includes brackets with apertures  25  which are sized and configured to receive fasteners or pins, as best shown in  FIGS. 10-14 . As described below, outboard motor support device  20  is configured to releasably mount to transom  24  via the bracket apertures  25  at a front end portion, and to receive motor  23  at the opposing rear end portion. As described in further detail below, outboard motor support device  20  provides vertical, or gravitational, support as well as horizontal, or lateral, support to motor  23 , which protect the motor and its associated structures from static dynamic forces during storage and transport, such as trailering. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , outboard motor support device  20  includes a first end portion having a transom mount  26 , an opposing second end having motor support  27 , and pivot joint axle  28  therebetween. Transom mount  26  includes plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B and support gusset  30 . A swivel joint, shown herein as pivot joint axle  28 , is rotatably disposed within pivot joint housing  31 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , support gusset  30  is fixed to plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B at an upper end, and fixed to pivot joint housing  31  at its opposing lower end. In the illustrated embodiment, support gusset  30  is fixed to plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B and to pivot joint housing  31  via welding, though other suitable means of fixation may of course be used. 
     Motor support  27  includes motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B, cross brace  33 , and motor cradle  34 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B are spaced laterally apart and extend parallel to one another rearwardly from pivot joint axle  28 . Motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B are fixed to pivot joint axle  28  at their front ends, e.g., by welding. Cross brace  33  extends perpendicularly between motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B at a midpoint of their length and is mounted to each of motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B to provide structural rigidity and provide an anchor point for strap  46 , as further described below. Motor cradle  34  is received over rear end portions of motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B, and provides a custom-fit motor interface as discussed further below. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , transom mount  26  includes plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B and support gusset  30  to provide a connection mechanism configured for easily coupling motor support device  20  to transom  24  ( FIG. 1 ). Motor support device  20  includes at least two plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B, as shown, though more such mechanisms may be used as required or desired for a particular application. As best illustrated in  FIG. 8 , plunger pin mechanism  29 A is spaced forwardly from plunger pin mechanism  29 B, and mechanisms  29 A and  29 B each define longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel to one another (e.g., within 1 degree of perfectly parallel) and oriented horizontally (i.e., substantially parallel to the ground) when device  20  is mounted to boat  21  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B is generally parallel to a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of support frame members  32 A and  32 B when coupling motor support device  20  is in an at-rest position (i.e., with strap  46  in tension as further described below). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , plunger pin mechanism  29 A includes a fixed retainer pin  35 A, a moveable pin  36 A, a biasing element, such as spring  37 A, and handle  38 A, with each of these components partially or completely housed within plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 3 , plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A is a hollow tube which extends horizontally across the width of outboard motor support device  20 , and is welded to gusset  30 . Retainer pin  35 A includes a plug which is sized to be fixed within plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A, and a pin which protrudes outwardly from housing  39 A. Fixed pin  35 A may be fixed within plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A, via welding or adhesive, or another other suitable fixation method. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3 , plunger pin mechanism  29 A further includes spring  37 A which is sized to extend between retainer pin  35 A at one end and moveable pin  36 A at its opposite end. Spring  37 A is configured to bias moveable pin  36 A away from fixed pin  35 A. As best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , plunger pin mechanism  29 A also includes handle  38 A, which cooperates with drive slot  40 A to retain moveable pin  36 A within a defined range of motion. Drive slot  40 A is an L-shaped cutout in plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A, including an axial translation portion  41 A and a retention portion  42 A. As shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , moveable pin  36 A is slidably disposed within plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A, and handle  38 A is mounted to moveable pin  36 A by threaded engagement) and extends laterally outwardly through drive slot  40 A. 
     Handle  38 A is configured to allow a user to drive moveable pin  36 A into plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A. In particular and with reference to  FIG. 4 , the user may pull handle  38 A against the biasing force of spring  37 A ( FIG. 3 ) to manually advance handle  38 A through axial translation portion  41 A of slot  40 A in the direction of arrow A 1 . 
     Once retracted, the user can advance handle  38 A along the direction of arrow A 2  as shown in  FIG. 5 , which rotates moveable pin  36 A and places handle  38 A in retention portion  42 A of slot  40 A as shown in  FIG. 6 . This locks moveable pin  36 A in the retracted position against the biasing force of spring  37 A. As shown in  FIG. 4 , when handle  38 A is disposed within axial translation portion  41 A of drive slot  40 A, spring  37 A forces moveable pin  36 A to extend out of plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A. The position reflected in  FIG. 4  is an extended or engagement configuration. 
     Accordingly,  FIG. 5  illustrates plunger pin mechanism  29 A after handle  38 A has been fully retracted along arrow A 1  ( FIG. 4 ) but before handle  38 A has been rotated along arrow A 2  ( FIG. 5 ). At this “transition configuration” of plunger pin mechanism  29 A, moveable pin  36 A is retracted into plunger pin mechanism housing  39 A against the force of spring  37 A, but will automatically extend back outwardly under the biasing force of spring  37 A if handle  38 A is released. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates plunger pin mechanism  29 A after handle  38 A has been rotated along arrow A 2  ( FIG. 5 ) to place handle  38 A into the locked position, such that plunger pin mechanism  29 A is in its “retracted configuration.” In this configuration, spring  37 A is prevented from moving pin  36 A outwardly to its extended configuration even if handle  38 A is released. 
     Plunger pin mechanism  29 B includes the same parts, function, and configurations as plunger pin mechanism  29 A, with corresponding reference numbers having corresponding features and functions, except with “A” being replaced with “B.” Plunger pin mechanism  29 B will not be described in further detail, it being understood that the description of mechanism  29 A herein applies equally to mechanism  29 B. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , support gusset  30  of transom mount  26  also includes upright panel  43  and side panels  44 A and  44 B. Upright panel  43  extends in a substantially vertical direction between pivot joint housing  31  and plunger pin housing  39 B. Upright panel  43  of support gusset  30  includes slot  45  formed as a cut out at the top edge of upright panel  43 . Slot  45  is sized and configured to allow strap  46  to wrap around plunger pin mechanism housing  39 B and extend toward cross brace  33  ( FIG. 2 ) without rubbing or touching upright panel  43 . 
     Side panels  44 A and  44 B extend forward from upright panel  43 . Side panels  44 A and  44 B extend vertically between pivot joint housing  31  and plunger pin mechanism housings  39 A and  39 B. The top edges of side panels  44 A and  44 B include rounded cutouts sized to receive the outer surfaces of housings  39 A,  39 B (e.g., to create a seam for a welded or adhesive connection). Likewise, the bottom edges of side panels  44 A and  44 B are shaped to receive the tubular pivot joint housing  31  (e.g., to create a seam for a welded or adhesive connection). 
     Support gusset  30  provides dispersion of forces applied on outboard motor support device  20  along two axes. Upright panel  43  extends along a lateral direction, and side panels  44 A and  44 B extend along a forward/rearward direction. This creates a box-like shape capable of absorbing and dispersing a multitude of forced generated during storage and transport of boat  21 , such that outboard motor support device  20  can provide rigid support for vertical, horizontal and torsional force vectors. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , outboard motor support device  20  also includes a pivotable connection between transom mount  26  and motor support  27 . This pivot connection includes pivot joint axle  28  and housing  31 , the frame subassembly including motor support frame members  32 A,  32 B and cross brace  33 , and strap  46 . 
     Pivot joint housing  31  is fixed to support gusset  30 , such as by welding as described above. Pivot joint axle  28  is rotatably received within pivot joint housing  31 . Pivot joint axle  28  and pivot joint housing  31  together define a pivot axis, which, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of frame members  32 A,  32 B and of the overall outboard motor support device  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , pivot joint axle  28  extends outwardly from pivot joint housing  31  sufficiently to allow fixation of motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B thereto which, as shown in  FIG. 2 , are disposed outwardly from the ends of pivot joint housing  31 . In this way, the frame assembly including axle  28 , frame members  32 A,  32 B and cross brace  33  is pivotable as a single unit relative to transom mount  26 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , caps  47 A and  47 B are sealingly fitted within the open ends of support frame members  32 A and  32 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , strap  46  is secured to plunger pin mechanism housing  39 B at a first end and to cross brace  33  at an opposing second end. The ends of strap  46  are configured to wrap around and secure to plunger pin mechanism housing  39 B and cross brace  33  via a sewn connection, rivets, or other fixing means, or optionally by an adjustable connection such as hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps, for example. Alternatively, one end of strap  46  may be permanently secured around either plunger pin mechanism housing  39 B or cross brace  33 , and opposite end may be adjustably connected. Yet another option is to include length adjustability in the middle of strap  46 . Strap  46  is configured to suspend motor cradle  34  of outboard motor support device  20  in a desired rotational position and to prevent motor cradle  34  from sliding down the lower unit of the motor during use, as described further below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , outboard motor support device  20  also includes a generally U-shaped motor cradle  34 , which may be a molded component made from an elastomeric material, for example, to prevent motor support from scratching or marring the lower unit of a motor. Motor cradle  34  is coupled to outboard motor support device  20  by sliding ends of motor support frame members  32 A and  32 B within correspondingly formed bores molded within motor cradle  34 . In an exemplary embodiment, the elastomeric material of motor cradle  34  is firm enough to support the outboard motor  23  during trailering and with significant deformation, but also pliable enough to cradle outboard motor  23  without risk of scratching or marring the surfaces of motor  23 . In an exemplary embodiment, motor cradle  34  is made from an elastomeric material, such as a rubber material, or a synthetic material such as urethane or another thermoplastic. The material of motor cradle  34  may have a hardness value ranging from 40 Shore D, 45 Shore D, or 50 Shore D to 75 Shore D, 80 Shore D, or 85 Shore D, or any other range using any two of the foregoing values as endpoints. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , motor cradle  34  includes arms  48 A and  48 B, collar  49 , ribs  50 A and  50 B, shoulders  51 A and  51 B, and arch  52 . Although other embodiments and structural features are envisioned, the present embodiment of motor cradle  34  and its components are shaped and configured to receive portions of the lower unit of a Mercury ProXS 250 Four Stroke Motor, manufactured by Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation. However, the geometric configuration of motor cradle  34  may be tailored to receive and support the particular lower unit geometry of other outboard motors using the same general principles described herein with respect to cradle  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , most outboard motors, including motor  23  depicted herein, include a powerhead  53  including an internal combustion engine covered by a cowl, a midsection including a trim switch  57  mounted thereon, and a lower unit  55  including an anti-cavitation plate  54 , prop  56 , and associated structures. Powerhead  53  is the largest portion of motor  23  and houses the inner mechanics of motor  23 . Cavitation plate  54  is an outwardly extending flange below the powerhead  53  and forms a visual delineation between the large dimensions of powerhead  53  and the much more slender lower unit  55 . Lower unit  55  has a smaller width and overall profile than powerhead  53  and extends vertically down from powerhead  53  and includes mechanical driveline components which transmit power from powerhead  53  to prop  56  to propel boat  21  during use. Trim switch  57  is disposed on powerhead  53  and is a button, series of buttons, or toggle switch which is configured to hydraulically adjust the pitch of motor  23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D , motor cradle  34  includes arms  48 A and  48 B laterally spaced apart from one another and generally parallel to one another. Arms  48 A,  48 B are joined to one another by collar  49  and ribs  50 A and  50 B to form a single unitary piece of material. Shoulders  51 A  51 B, and arch  52  are disposed between arms  48 A and  48 B and extend inwardly from arms  48 A and  48 B respectively. Shoulders  51 A,  51 B, and arch  52  thereby form a second, inwardly-spaced U-shaped profile which defines a space sized to receive a portion of lower unit  55  of motor  23 . Arms  48 A and  48 B include cavities or bores (not shown) which extend partially along the length of arms  48 A and  48 B and are sized to receive frame members  32 A,  32 B. 
     Arms  48 A and  48 B are laterally (i.e., horizontally) spaced apart sufficiently to extend around either side of lower unit  55 , below cavitation plate  54 , to cradle the side surfaces of the lower unit  55  and prevent lateral movement during trailering. As shown in  FIG. 9B , collar  49  is a raised, curved portion which spans the lateral distance between, and matches the height of arms  48 A and  48 B. Collar  49  is configured to receive the radiused portion of the lower unit leading up toward cavitation plate  54  as outboard motor  23  is moved into the supported position engaged by motor cradle  34 . That is, collar  49  engages and abuttingly supports the leading edge of the lower unit  55  of outboard motor  23 , without allowing the lower surface of cavitation plate  54  to come into contact with the adjacent upper surfaces of arms  48 A and  48 B. This prevents any scuffing or other adverse contact between motor support  27  and cavitation plate  54 . 
     Ribs  50 A and  50 B are substantially thinner in cross-section as compared to arms  48 A and  48 B, but connect the rear portions of arms  48 A and  48 B to the rear portion of collar  49  and are configured to provide rigidity, support dynamic loads, and absorb the weight of the outboard motor  23 . 
     Shoulders  51 A and  51 B and arch  52  also extend inwardly of arms  48 A and  48 B and collar  49 . Shoulders  51 A and  51 B are substantially thinner than arms  48 A and  48 B, but substantially thicker than ribs  50 A and  50 B. Shoulders  51 A and  51 B are shaped to match the shape of lower unit  55  to further engage its surfaces and and support the static and dynamic loads from motor  23 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10-14 , a series of steps are shown depicting the use of outboard motor support device  20  in connection with supporting the motor  23  of boat  21  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 10  illustrates a first step, in which outboard motor support device  20  is mounted to transom  24 . After retrieving motor support device  20 , the operator pulls handles  38 A and  38 B back (e.g., along arrow A 1  as shown in  FIG. 4 ), then rotates the handles  38 A and  38 B down (e.g., along arrow A 2  of  FIG. 5 ) into portions  42 A and  42 B of slots  40 A,  40 B respectively. This retracts and retains moveable pins  36 A and  36 B in their retracted configurations. With pins  36 A and  36 B retracted, clearance is provided to allow plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B to be placed between the transom brackets. Initially, the operator inserts fixed pins  35 A and  35 B into correspondingly spaced apertures  25  of the transom bracket  24  to orient and initially position motor support device  20  with respect to transom  24 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a second step in the mounting of outboard motor support device  20  to transom  24  illustrated in which, with continued insertion of fixed pins  35 A and  35 B into apertures  25  of the transom brackets, motor support device  20  is positioned to align moveable pins  36 A and  36 B with apertures  25  in the opposite bracket of transom  24 . 
     In the assembly step illustrated in  FIG. 12 , user moves each of handles  38 A and  38 B back into the transition configuration ( FIG. 5 ) such that moveable pins  36 A and  36 B are allowed to extend outwardly under the biasing force of springs  37 A and  37 B respectively ( FIG. 3 ). This allows plunger pin mechanisms  29 A and  29 B to transition back into their locked configuration. In such locked configuration, moveable pins  36 A and  36 B pass into apertures  25  of transom  24 , locking transom mount  26  into transom  24 . At this point, motor support device  20  is fixed to boat  21  and strap  46  may be used to hold motor support  27  in place at a generally horizontal or slightly upwardly turned configuration, without any input from the operator. 
     In the assembly step illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the operator lifts up motor support  27  of outboard motor support device  20  to position motor cradle  34  at a desired angle to receive outboard motor  23 . Advantageously, this can be done with one hand of the operator manipulating motor support  27 , while the other hand is free to operate trim switch  57 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the operator then uses his or her free hand to lower outboard motor  23  into motor cradle  34 , such as by actuating trim switch  57 , while still holding motor support  27  up with the other hand. In this way, the operator can ensure a perfect alignment of lower unit  55  of motor  23  and the corresponding features of motor cradle  34 , making any necessary fine adjustments as the motor lowers into engagement with motor cradle  34 . Once the weight of outboard motor  23  nests within arms  48 A and  48 B, collar  49 , and shoulders  51 A and  51 B, and holds outboard motor support device  20  in place, the installation is complete. 
     To remove motor support device  20 , the foregoing steps are performed in reverse. That is, the operator may use trim switch  57  to raise motor  23  upwardly and clear of motor cradle  34 , optionally holding support  27  to support its weight as it is disengaged by the motor. Handles  38 A and  38 B may then be retracted against the biasing force of springs  37 A and  37 B to withdraw moveable pins  36 A and  36 B from apertures  25 , and transom mount  26  may be disconnected from transom  24  by withdrawing fixed pins  35 A,  35 B from their apertures  25 . Motor support device  20  may then be lifted free and stowed for its next use. 
     Advantageously, motor support device  20  provides highly robust, non-marring support to heavy motors, such as motor  23 , while also being easy to use. The support provides not only protection from the effects of “bouncing” forces typically associated with the weight on motor  23  as it is trailered, but also other, less predictable dynamic forces such as lateral and torsional forces. Motor support device  20  also advantageously performs these functions as a single unit which can be purchased, used and stowed more easily as compared to multiple-part devices. 
     While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure may be further modified with the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.