Abstract:
This invention relates to a method to an apparatus and method for securing an outboard boat motor during transportation. More particularly the invention is directed towards a removable support mount capable of attaching to the hydraulic trim cylinders mounted on the transom of a boat. Once attached, the opposite end of the support mount rests beneath the motor keeping it away from the transom in a tilted upward position in order to avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transportation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed towards a removable support mount of the type which can be used to support an outboard motor in a tilted upward position away from its associated boat transom in order to avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transportation. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A “motorboat” is generally understood to mean a vessel other than a sailboat or personal watercraft, propelled by an internal combustion engine driving a jet or a propeller. Historically, motorboats have been designed to be used in a variety of activities, such as to pull water skiers, to operate as patrol boats, and to generally support recreational marine driving and fishing activities. The engine, or powerplant, used to propel the boat through water is installed at the rear, or “transom,” of the motorboat. 
   There are three popular variations of powerplants used in motorboats at the present time: inboard, inboard/outboard, and outboard. If the engine is installed within the boat, it is referred to as an inboard motor; if the engine is a removable module attached to the boat, it&#39;s commonly known as an outboard motor. An outboard motor is installed on the rear of a boat and contains the internal combustion engine, the gear reduction, and the propeller. An inboard/outboard is a hybrid of an inboard and an outboard motor, where the internal combustion engine is contained inboard and the gear reduction and propeller are outside. 
   In addition to providing propulsion, outboard motors provide steering control, as they are designed to pivot over their mountings and thus control the orientation of the propeller. The propeller is located at the bottom of the transmission leg, and the transmission leg must be long enough to place the propeller at an adequate depth in the water. to provide fluid motion in the surrounding environment. Consequently, this means that the transmission leg is longer than the length of the transom, usually extending one or more feet below the bottom horizontal plane of the boat. In addition to supporting the propeller, the transmission leg in the water also acts as a rudder even when the propeller is not providing power. Most commercial outboard motors at the present time utilize hydraulic tilt and trim cylinders mounted on the transom of the boat, which have output shafts extending from the transom to the motor. The hydraulic tilt and trim cylinders allow the user to raise and lower the motor from the level of the water and also change the angle of the outboard motor underwater. 
   It often happens that motorboats are stored in areas other than the location of intended use. In order to transport the boat over land to the desired destination, boat trailers are commonly used to hold the boat while in tow behind a vehicle. Due to the length of the transmission leg of the motor, it is necessary to tilt the motor in an upwards position in order to avoid contact of the motor with the road, or objects on the road, during transport. In addition, the motor must be held away from contact with the transom of the boat, or turbulence during transportation could cause damage to both the motor and the transom. 
   There are a number of prior art references which show devices and methods for securing the motor in an upwardly tilted position for safe transport. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,506 shows an apparatus that is permanently fixed to the transom of the boat. The apparatus is capable of restraining the free swivelling movement of the motor. However, designs such as this can be complex and cumbersome to operate, as well as provide difficulties in maintenance, or future removal, due to its permanent nature. 
   Alternatively, the support apparatus can be detachable, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,571. This reference shows a device for supporting an outboard motor in a tilted position, relative to the transom of a boat, during transportation by trailer. The outboard motor is affixed to a boat&#39;s transom by means of a motor mounting bracket. A motor support bracket is interposed between the motor mounting bracket and the outboard motor&#39;s drive shaft housing. 
   One frequently encountered design consists of an arm or rod placed between the trailer and the motor. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,888 shows a shock arm which is mounted between a trailer and the shaft of an outboard motor attached to a boat. The shock arm includes a lower member rigidly affixed to the trailer frame and an upper member having a V-shaped opening adapted to receive the motor shaft. Between the lower and upper ends of the shock arm is a shock absorber which absorbs the shock of the motor whenever the trailer hits a bump in the road. The shock absorber includes either a spring or a hydroelectric.tilt mechanism to return the compressed shock absorber to its normal position. Historically, rods with similar designs have presented problems once the boat shifts on the trailer, perhaps due to turbulence on the road or general trailer movement during travel. When this happens, the motor is likely to shift along with the boat, and thereby cause the rod to slide away or change position underneath the motor and become ineffective. 
   In yet another alternative design, a support device can connect the boat body, rather than the trailer, to the outboard motor. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,239 shows a device to support an outboard boat motor mounted on a boat during transportation, which includes an elongate support shaft adjustable in length, a U-shaped foot connected to one end of the support shaft, and a transverse engagement rod and bracket connected to the opposite end of the support shaft. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,842 shows an adjustable motor support strut extending between the lower unit of an outboard motor and the drain hole in the transom of the boat. A pivoted support member is insertable into the drain hole. A Y-shaped cradle element at the top of the strut member is adapted to receive an intermediate portion of the lower unit of the motor mounted on the transom. However, in this and similar designs it is important to note that the location and type of connection to the transom can create greater stress on the transom itself. 
   Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,561 shows a brace device formed as a rigid member, preferably having all parts integral. The brace device includes an elongate rod which has a bifurcated portion at each end thereof. One portion engages the shaft which supports the hydraulic operators which tilt the outboard drive unit, and the other bifurcated portion engages the forward part of the outboard drive unit. 
   Despite improvements of the above type in the area of outboard motor supports, a need continues to exist in support mounts of the type capable of securely keeping a motor away from the transom in an upwardly tilted position in order to avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transport. 
   A need also exists for such a support mount that is easily attachable as well as removable. 
   A need also exists for such a support mount which can be securely fashioned to the transom of the boat, thereby eliminating possibilities of disengagement from the motor during transportation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus to secure an outboard motor from the transom of a boat during transportation. The invention also has as its object to overcome the above-described limitations and other problems associated with the prior art devices of the same general type. 
   In one form, the support mount of the invention is comprised of a junction bar, pair of cylindrical support arms, and brace block. The junction bar has inner and outer opposed planar sides and is generally rectangular in shape having a pair of relatively short opposing sides and a pair of relatively long opposing sides. A pair of cylindrical support arms are arranged in spaced parallel fashion to extend outwardly from the inner planar side of the junction bar adjacent the short sides thereof. Each of the support arms has an open interior sized to closely receive a respective one of the hydraulic trim cylinder&#39;s output shafts to thereby securely mount the support mount on the boat transom. 
   In one version, the support mount also includes a brace arm which extends from the outer planar surface of the junction bar generally perpendicular to the plane thereof. The brace arm terminates in a brace block configured to engage a mating surface on the engine motor for supporting the motor in a selected angular position with respect to the transom for transport operations. 
   In another version of the support mount of the invention, the brace block is mounted directly on the outer planar surface of the junction bar, omitting the brace arm. The brace block has a cupped upper surface, and is configured to cradle a mating surface on the engine motor within the cupped upper surface, for purposes of supporting the motor in a selected angular position with respect to the transom for transport operations 
   In both versions of the device, the support mount is attachable and removable from the boat transom by sliding the support arms on and off the output shafts of the boat&#39;s hydraulic trim cylinders. The cylindrical support arms have a predetermined length which is selected to support the motor at the preferred selected angular position with respect to the transom. The support mount can be formed as an integral body without moving parts. 
   The present invention also encompasses an improved method for securing an outboard motor during transport. Once the motor support mount specified above is provided, the motor is raised upwardly and the mount is placed on the hydraulic trim cylinders located on the transom of the boat by sliding the support arms over the hydraulic trim cylinder output shafts. The motor is lowered until it rests against the support block, thereby keeping the motor away from the transom in a tilted upward position which avoids contact with the road or objects on the road during transportation. As mentioned above, the length of the support mount determines the ultimate tilt angle, as well as the distance of the motor from the ground and the distance of the motor from the transom during transport. 
   In order to remove the motor support mount, the same process is repeated in reverse. The motor is raised upwardly and the support arms are slid off the hydraulic trim cylinder output shafts. Next, the motor is allowed to rotate downwardly in the direction of the boat transom until it comes to a resting position. 
   Additional objects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exposed set of hydraulic tilt and trim cylinders capable of receiving the support mount of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the transom of a boat with an outboard motor secured away from the transom in a tilted upward position by a support mount. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the transom of a boat with an outboard motor lifted in an upright tilt from the transom and exposing the hydraulic trim cylinders. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one version of the support mount of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another version of the support mount of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The discussion which follows uses the term “outboard motor.” As mentioned earlier, the term “outboard motor” should be taken to mean a motor that is installed on the rear of a boat and contains the internal combustion engine, the gear reduction, and the propeller. The present invention assumes the motor is for a boat of the type having hydraulic tilt and trim cylinders located on the transom with output shafts extending therefrom which are used to position the motor at various tilt angles. As is conventional in the art, the tilt cylinder  16  is used for tilting the outboard motor upwardly out of and downwardly into the water where the trim cylinders  13  are used for changing the angle of the motor boat engine underwater. 
   The present invention will now be described with references to  FIGS. 1-5 , illustrating an outboard motor support mount  19  ( FIG. 2 ) for securing an outboard motor  11  from the transom  15  of a boat during transportation on a trailer. For example, the outboard motor  11  could be one of the many models manufactured by, for example, Yamaha, Evinrude or Johnson; Typically, these engines have shafts that range from 15 to 30 inches in length, with power output ranging from 3 HP to 300 HP, depending on the make, model and pricing. 
   The drawings in  FIGS. 1-3  are intended to illustrate the general environment of the present invention. For the purposes of the present invention, the outboard motor  11  is of the general type having hydraulic trim cylinders  13  ( FIG. 1 ) located on the transom  15 . The trim cylinders have cylindrical output shafts  17 , 18  extending therefrom, as shown in  FIG. 1 . As will be well understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, these hydraulic mechanisms are used to convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy in the form of translational motion. Hydraulic fluid pumped under pressure from a conventional source acts upon a selected piston chamber to force the respective output shaft to move in or out. In the case of the present invention, the output shafts  17 , 18 , extend outwardly in the direction of the transmission leg  12  ( FIG. 3 ) of the outboard motor  11 . When used on the transom  15  of a boat, the hydraulic trim cylinders  13  use the output shafts  17 ,  18  to adjust the trim of the motor with respect to the transom  15  by either applying or releasing hydraulic pressure to thereby raise or lower the motor  11  respectively. As will be appreciated with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hydraulic trim cylinders  13  move the motor  11  through a range of angles as the motor pivots about the pivot point  14 . 
   The various components that make up the motor support mount  19  are perhaps best appreciated with reference to  FIG. 4 . The support mount  19  can be formed as an integral body without moving parts. Without the inclusion of moving or separate parts, the present invention is sturdy in design and reduces the possibilities of bending or breaking. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in one version, the motor support mount  19  includes a junction bar  21  having inner and outer opposed planar sides which, in use, lie in planes generally parallel with an exterior plane of the boat transom  15 . The junction bar  21  is generally rectangular in shape having a pair of relatively short opposing sides and a pair of relatively long opposing sides. In the embodiment illustrated, the support mount  19  is machined out of aluminum. 
   Extending outwardly from the inner planar side of the junction bar  21  adjacent to the short sides thereof, a pair of cylindrical support arms  23 ,  24  are arranged in spaced parallel fashion. Each of the support arms  23 ,  24  have an open interior sized to closely receive a respective one of the hydraulic trim cylinder&#39;s  13  output shafts  17 , 18  to thereby securely mount the support mount  19  on the boat transom  15 . The support mount  19  is attachable and removable from the transom  15  by sliding the cylindrical support arms  23 ,  24  on and off the cylindrical output shafts  17 ,  18 , as illustrated in exploded fashion in  FIG. 1 . The cylindrical support arms  23 ,  24  have a selected length, the length being chosen to support the motor  11  at the desired angular position with respect to the transom  15 . 
   In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a brace arm  25  extends from the outer planar surface of the junction bar  21  generally perpendicular to the plane thereof. The brace arm  25  terminates in a brace block  27  configured to engage a mating surface on the engine motor  11  for supporting the motor  11  in a selected angular position with respect to the transom  15  for transport operations. The brace block  27  has a wide planar area  29  that contacts the mating motor  11  surface in order to create stability with more points of engagement than the traditional rod or arm connection. 
   By attaching to both hydraulic trim cylinder  13  output shafts  17 ,  18 , the support mount  19  provides extra stability, as compared to a single point attachment, for the motor  11 . This design eliminates the possibility that the support mount  19  could shift from its attachment point during turbulence experienced while traveling. In addition, the weight of the motor  11  is spread more equally between a broader area of the transom  15 , thereby relieving some of the stress inflicted on the transom  15  during transportation and allowing the support mount  19  to act as an auxiliary support to the transom  15 . 
   Another version of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the illustrated support mount  19  is intended for use with Mercury motors. The support mount  19  still consists of a junction bar  21 , and cylindrical support arms  23 ,  24 . However, this version of the support mount does not have a brace arm, and instead the brace block  27  directly extends from the outer planar surface of the junction bar  21  generally perpendicular to the plane thereof. In addition, the brace block  27  has a cupped upper surface  31  that contacts the mating motor  11  surface in order to create stability by cradling the motor  11  within the confines of the cupped upper surface  31 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention, the support mount  19  can be formed of separate components that are connected by use of flat socket cap screws, or other convenient means. 
   The operation of the motor support mount  19  of the invention will now be briefly described.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the method of the invention by outlining the three major steps involved. To begin, the motor  11  is raised upwardly, using the tilt cylinder  16 , thereby exposing the output shafts  17 ,  18  of the hydraulic trim cylinders  13 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the transom  15  of a boat with an outboard motor  11  lifted in an upright angle from the transom  15  with the hydraulic trim cylinders  13  output shafts  17 ,  18  exposed underneath. The support mount  19  is placed on the output shafts  17 ,  18  by sliding the cylindrical support arms  23 ,  24  over the output shafts  17 ,  18  until the support mount  19  is firmly in place. Finally, the motor  11  is lowered until the motor  11  rests against the brace block  27 . This will keep the motor  11  away from the transom  15  in a tilted upward position and avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transportation.  FIG. 2  is a view of the outboard motor  11  secured away from the transom  15  in a tilted upward position (transit position) by a support mount  19 . 
   The motor support mount  19  is also easily removed from the transom  15  of the boat by following the reverse pattern of steps mentioned above. The motor  11  is raised upwardly and the support mount  19  is removed by sliding the support arms  23 ,  24  off the hydraulic trim cylinder  13  off the output shafts  17 ,  18 . Next, the motor  11  is allowed to slowly rotate downwardly in the direction of the boat transom  15  until reaching a resting position. 
   An invention has been provided with several advantages. The support mount securely keeps a motor away from the transom in an upwardly tilted position in order to avoid contact with the road or objects on the road during transport, as well as preventing contact with the motor and the transom. In addition, the support mount is easily attachable as well as removable. The support mount can be securely fashioned to the transom of the boat, thereby eliminating possibilities of disengagement from the motor during transportation. The operation of attaching and removing the support mount to and from the hydraulic trim cylinders is simple in nature, requiring little effort from the user. Due to the point of contact on the transom, the support mount is capable of acting as an auxiliary support to take stress off of the transom. The support mount of the invention is simple in design and economical to manufacture. The support mount is made of readily available materials and components and is of extremely sturdy design.