Abstract:
A tiltable marine steering helm assembly which includes a steering-wheel shaft mounted in a universal joint permitting the steering wheel shaft to be tilted at various angles and providing the full rotational movement of the wheel regardless of the tilt angle. The universal joint includes two pairs of yokes mounted perpendicularly to each other, and a coupling operatively engaged by these yokes. The wheel shaft is able to tilt vertically and to rotate freely due to the design of the universal joint. The components of tilt helm assembly may be reconfigured to permit mounting on either a vertical or a 20 degree tilt dashboard. Also provided in a flexible helm cover which can be installed to the helm assembly without hardware.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to marine steering helms, and, more particularly, to a tiltable steering helm having a universal joint which allows the steering wheel to be tilted at a variety of angles while maintaining the ability to rotate freely and steer the vessel. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In modern marine vessels, including for example, motor boats, it is common to provide a helm in which a dashboard-mounted steering wheel mechanism controls the boat rudder. The function of the steering mechanism is to translate rotational movement of the steering wheel into an angular deflection of the rudder thereby steering the boat 
     Most prior art helms are built with the dashboard disposed either vertically or tilted 20 degrees from vertical. Although these helms are suitable for steering the vessel, the fixed steering wheel does not allow for adjustment to meet the needs of individual users. For example, a tall person may prefer the wheel to be tilted up higher than would a shorter person, but the standard fixed helm cannot be tilted and must remain at the angle set by the manufacturer. 
     Because it would be much more convenient to have an adjustable helm, several tiltable helms have been proposed. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,090 issued to Grinnell, et al. discloses a steering mechanism in which the steering column may be pivoted around a pivot bolt to accommodate the operator. U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,545 issued to Loeffler discloses a different type of adjustable helm wherein the steering post may be adjusted either longitudinally or angularly by manipulating a segmental adjusting block and fasteners which lock the post in place. 
     Several types of vertical-mount adjustable helms are also known and available from Teleflex Marine, of Limerick, Pa. Such vertical-mount prior art helms permit steering wheel adjustment over a range of degrees. 
     While these prior art helms provide steering wheel tilt capabilities, they nevertheless suffer from significant shortcomings and drawbacks. For example, different steering mechanisms are required for vertically mounted and tilt-mounted helms. Prior art helm adjustment may require the use of tools, and may be quite time consuming. Also, in many prior art helm designs, efficient and durable linkage between the wheel and the rudder is sacrificed for the sake of adjustability. These and other disadvantages of prior art adjustable helms, suggest the need for a more versatile and practical design. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved tiltable helm for marine vessels. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tiltable helm in which the rotational movement of the wheel position is independent of the angle of the wheel shaft. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable helm having a single mounting mechanism that permits mounting of the helm either on a vertically or 20 degree tilted dashboard. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a helm which operates efficiently and may be used on most modern marine vessels. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tiltable helm utilizing a universal joint having a five-piece yoke which provides a reliable linkage between the steering wheel and boat rudder while allowing steering wheel adjustability. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide an accordion-type tilt helm cover which is flexible and attachable to the tilt helm assembly without the use of hardware. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention concerns a tiltable marine steering helm comprising a wheel shaft connected to a universal joint that allows the wheel shaft to be tilted at various angles and provides for full rotational movement of the wheel regardless of the tilt angle. The universal joint includes two pairs of adjoined yoke halves that are mounted perpendicularly to each other by way of a coupling embraced by these yokes. 
     Another aspect of the present invention also concerns a mounting mechanism which permits mounting of the helm on either a vertical or a 20 degree tilt dashboard. In particular, the helm base is designed to be utilized as a common part for both mounting configurations. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention concerns an adjustable helm assembly provided with an accordion-type tilt helm cover that requires no mounting hardware and yet protects helm components from the natural elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the objects of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the tilt helm assembly of the present invention adapted for either vertical or 20 tilt mounting to the front of a boat dashboard; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the helm drive assembly of the present invention, adapted for installation behind and in operable association with the tilt helm assembly through the boat dashboard as shown along line A--A in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tilt helm assembly of the present invention shown configured and mounted on a dashboard positioned 20 degrees from vertical, and without the tilt helm cover; 
     FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the tilt helm assembly of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the tilt helm assembly shown reconfigured and mounted on a vertically disposed dashboard, without the tilt helm cover; 
     FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the tilt helm assembly of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of a coupling of the present invention, taken along line 5A--5A of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the coupling of FIG. 5A taken along line 5B--5B of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of the yoke halves of the tilt helm assembly in operable association with the coupling, shown with the steering wheel shaft of the tilt helm assembly and the drive shaft of the helm drive assembly, each being disattached from respective yoke halves; 
     FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of the yoke halves, coupling, steering wheel shaft and drive shaft in operable association; 
     FIG. 7A is an elevated side view of the tilt helm cover of the present invention which is adapted for enclosing the components of the tilt helm components from natural elements; 
     FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the shaft cover of FIG. 7A being installed onto the tilt helm assembly; 
     FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the tilt helm cover installed over tilt helm assembly, with the steering wheel in place; and 
     FIG. 7D is a plan view of the tilt helm assembly of the present invention, showing a cross-section of the tilt helm cover installed on the tilt helm assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2, the components of the tilt helm assembly 1 and helm drive assembly 70 of the present invention, are shown in exploded view. Tilt helm and drive assemblies fully assembled, are shown in FIGS. 3, 3A and 4, 4A respectfully, in two different mounting configurations. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, tilt helm assembly 1 generally comprises helm base 2, steering-wheel shaft support frame 3, universal joint subassembly 4, steering wheel shaft 5, support frame mounting plates 6A and 6B, and steering-wheel shaft position locking mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 7. 
     Helm base 2 comprises base plate 8 having a centrally disposed port 9 and a plurality of mounting holes 10 disposed about its circumference. Base plate 8 is adapted for mounting to the dashboard 11 of a maritime vessel as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 4 and 4A. Base plate 8 also includes a continuous flange 12 circumferentially disposed about the perimeter of base plate 8. Helm base 2 also includes a pair of spaced-apart parallelly disposed helm brackets 13A, 13B which orthogonally project from base plate 8, proximate port 9 as shown in FIG. 1. Each helm bracket 13A, 13B has a first end 14 and a second end 15, and bears a first and second set 16, 17 of helm base mounting holes, respectively. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, first and second ends 14 and 15 of the helm brackets 13A, 13B are provided with a first pair and a second pair of bores, 18 and 19 respectively. The function of these pairs of bores 18 and 19 will described in detail hereinafter. 
     Support frame mounting plates 6A and 6B are provided for pivotally mounting support frame 3 relative to helm base 2. As illustrated, each support frame mounting plate 6A, 6B bears a pair of mounting plate holes 21, which are adapted to coincide with either of the first and second sets of helm base mounting holes 16 and 17, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4B, and 7D. Additionally, each support frame mounting plate 6A and 6B has a bore 22 for pivotally mounting support frame 3. A tilt delimiting channel 23 is also formed in each mounting plate 6A, 6B for restricting the range of tilt of support frame 3 relative to helm base 2, in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7D, support frame 3 comprises an annular portion 24 having a port 25 for passage and support of steering-wheel shaft 5. Annular portion 24 is provided with a support flange 26 which is circumferentially disposed and lies generally within the same range of planes as port 25. As shown, support flange 26 has a smooth support surface 26A that provides support to flexible helm assembly cover 27 when fitted over tilt helm assembly, in a manner to be described hereinafter. 
     Support frame 3 also includes a generally cylindrical frame portion 28 which extends substantially orthogonally from annular portion 24 and is coaxially aligned with steering wheel shaft axis 29 that passes through port 25, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Support frame 3 has a pair of posts 30A and 30B projecting from opposite sides of cylindrical frame portion 28. The end of each post 30A, 30B is provided with a bushing 31, that is fitted inside a respective bore 22 of support frame mounting plate 6A, 6B. The underside of annular portion 28 is provided with a set of teeth 32, whereas the upperside of cylindrical frame portion 28 is provided with a cut-out portion 33. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A, 4 and 4A, cut-out portion 33 is provided to facilate passage of helm tilt-biasing spring 34 which is connected at one end to cylindrical frame portion 28 at 35, and at its other end to helm base 2 at 36. In addition, a pair of tilt-delimiting pins 37A, 37B project from opposite sides of cylindrical frame portion 28, adjacent support posts 30A and 30B. Tilt-delimiting pins 37A, 37B are adapted to move within respective tilt delimiting channels 23 formed in mounting plates 6A and 6B, that is, over a range of tilt-positions determined by these channels 23. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 4, 4A, steering wheel shaft 5 and drive shaft 38 of the helm drive assembly are operably associated or linked in such a way that permits transfer of torque from steering wheel shaft 5 to drive shaft 38 while support frame 3 is locked into each tilt position permitted over the tilt range. In accordance with the present invention, steering wheel shaft 5 and drive shaft 38 are operably associated by universal joint subassembly 4 which comprises a first and a second pair of yoke halves 40A, 40B and 41A, 41B and a coupling 42. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6A and 6B, each yoke half comprises a body portion 43 from which extends a half of a C-shaped projection 44, which has a smooth inner bearing surface 45. Body portion 43 of each yoke half has a bore 46 formed therethrough, and an adjoining surface 47 which is adapted to brought into contact with the adjoining surface 47 of its mating yoke half. In such body portion 43 a groove 48 is provided for insertion of the end portion of steering wheel shaft 5 or drive shaft 38. 
     In FIGS. 6A and 6B, first and second pairs of joined yoke halves 40A, 40B and 41A, 41B, form first and second C-shaped members 49A and 49B respectively, which engage the coupling 42 in a manner described below. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, coupling 42 has first and second pairs of opposing surface channels 50A and 50B. Notably, the first pair 50A is orthogonally disposed with respect to the second pair 50B. Each pair of surface channels is defined by side walls 51, 52, and 53, and are adapted to be engaged with inner bearing surfaces 45 of each respective yoke half, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in particular. As shown, first pair of surface channels 50A are operably associated with first C-shaped engaging member 49A. Similarly, second pair of surface channels 50B are operably associated with second C-shaped engaging member 49B. 
     With end portions 53 and 54 each clamped between a pair of yoke halves, as shown in FIG. 6B, a bolt 55 can be passed through bore 46, and secured with a nut 56 to connect steering wheel shaft 5 and drive shaft 38 to pairs of yoke halves 40A, 40B and 41A, 41B, respectively. With coupling 42 embraced by pairs of adjoined yokes via engaging inner bearing surfaces 45 and surface channels 50A, 50B, first and second pairs of adjoined yokes 40A, 40B and 41A, 41B are free to rotate (i) partially in a first plane, (ii) fully in a second plane (orthogonal to the first plane), and (iii) independent of the rotational position of coupling 42 with respect to the first plane. With universal joint subassembly 4 of the present invention, steering wheel shaft 5 can be tilted in a first plane which is locked into position, and then rotated freely in the second plane independent of the angle of tilt of the steering wheel shaft in the first plane. 
     In order to selectively lock pivotally supported support frame 3 into one of the range of tiltable positions, the tilt helm assembly further includes releasable locking mechanism 7. Releasable locking mechanism 7 comprises an extension member 60, a lever 61, axle 62, and biasing spring 63. Extension member 60 includes a pair of spaced-apart side arms 60A and 60B which are joined by transverse bar 60D, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, an extension bar 60C is supported at the ends of side arms 60A and 60B, through a pair of bores formed therein. The other ends of arms 60A and 60B are pivotally connected to helm base 2, by passage of axle 62 through bores formed in the arms, and bores 18 (19) formed in helm brackets 13A and 13B. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3A and 4A, lever 61 is attached to transverse bar 60D, and spring 63 is disposed between arms 60A and 60B with axle 62 passing therethrough. This structural arrangement ensures that extension bar 60C is biased towards a locking position defined between a pair of adjacent teeth 32. By depressing lever 61 downwardly, extension bar 60C is disengaged from the set of teeth 32 on support frame 3; thereafter, the tilt angle of the support frame 3 relative to helm base 2, can be repositioned. By releasing lever 61, extension bar 60C engages in a new set of teeth to maintain a newly selected tilt position. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, helm drive unit 70 comprises drive shaft 38, housing 71, cable take-up/supply wheel 72 and cover plate 73. Housing 71 generally includes a housing portion 74 having a geometry sufficient to enclose cable take-up/supply wheel 72 when helm drive unit 70 is assembled. Housing portion 74 has a centrally disposed stem portion 75 which extends outwardly from the front portion thereof and is fitted with lining bearings 88A, 88B, and washers 89A, 89B, as shown in FIG. 2. The rear portion of housing, on the other hand, is open so that cable take-up/supply wheel 72 can be installed within housing portion 74. Housing portion 74 also has a pair of cable outlet ports 76 for feeding out and reeling in cable as required. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer portion of cable take-up/supply wheel 72 comprises a cable storage rim 77 having a channel depth sufficient to store a supply of cable (not shown). In a conventional manner, such cable is operatively connected to a boat motor or rudder (not shown). The inner surface of cable take-up/ supply wheel 72 is provided with gear teeth 78. One side of cable take-up/supply rim 72 is provided with a circular mounting plate 79, having a centrally disposed mounting shaft 80, fitted with bearing lining 81. Cover plate 73 is provided with a raised bearing projection 82 over which shaft 80 mounts so that cable take-up/supply reel 72 is free to rotate thereupon. Drive shaft 38 is provided with a pinion gear 83 that meshes with gear teeth 78 when (i) drive shaft 38 is installed through housing shaft 75, (ii) cable take-up/supply wheel 72 is installed in housing portion 74 and (iii) cover plate 73 is fastened to rear of housing 71 by a set of screws 84 and nuts 85. In order to mount helm drive assembly 70 to the rear of dashboard 11, housing portion 74 is provided with a triad of mounting sanctions 86A, 86B, and 86C which extend parallel along the direction of shaft housing 75 and are connectable to dashboard mounting bracket 87 which is fastenable to the rear of dashboard using wood screws. 
     In order to protect universal joint subassembly 4, shafts 5 and 38, and support frame 3 from contact with foreign objects, such as dirt, salt water, etc., a flexible tilt-helm cover (i.e., boot) 27 is installed between helm base flange 12 and support frame flange 26, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. Flexible helm cover 27 illustrated in FIGS. 7A through 7D is generally of conical geometry, defined between a generally open first end portion 90 and a generally closed off second end portion 91. Flexible helm cover 27 has a flexible continuous accordion-type surface 92 extending between first and second end portion 90 and 91, as shown in FIGS. 7A through 7C. Second end portion 91 has an opening 93 on order of the diameter of shaft 5, and is formed so as to snap over support flange 26. First end portion 90 has a rim 94 which has a continuous internal groove 95 which is adapted to snap-fit over continuous flange 12 on helm base 8. No external hardware is required to maintain helm cover 27 installed over tilt helm assembly of the present invention. After installation of flexible helm cover 27 over tilt helm assembly 1, steering wheel 96 can be installed upon shaft 5 in a manner known in the art. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 7A through 7D, flexible helm cover 27 has accordion-like folds so that it may easily adjust to the tilting of shaft support 3. Helm cover 27 also has an aperture 95 formed in surface 92 to permit lever 61 to snugly protrude through helm cover 27 and enable operation of releasable locking mechanism 7. Any suitable flexible material may be used for helm cover 27, although attention should be paid to the need for long-term durability and resistance to the corrosive effects of salt water and ultra-violet exposure. Furthermore, the material should have sufficient structural integrity so that it will not fall into the mechanism and interface with the operation of the tilt helm. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 4, 4A, tilt helm assembly 1 can be mounted to both vertically disposed as well as inclined (i.e., slanted) dashboards, while providing substantially the same range of tilt positions with respect to vertical reference axis 98. This versatile mounting capability is achievable by simply reconfiguring helm base plate 8 and support frame mounting plates 6A, 6B, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for inclined and vertical mounting positions, respectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each helm bracket 13A and 13B is capable of being connected to one of support frame mounting brackets 6A and 6B in either a first mounting configuration or a second mounting configuration. 
     For example, in the first mounting configuration, shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, helm base 2 is mounted to dashboard 11 inclined at 20°, and helm brackets 13A, 13B are connected to support frame mounting brackets 6A, 6B respectively, with mounting plate holes 21 coinciding with first pair of helm base mounting holes 16. In this configuration, first end 14 of helm brackets are directed upwardly, and support frame 3 (and thus shaft 5) can be adjustably positioned into one of the range of tilt positions, indicated in FIG. 3. 
     In the second mounting configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, helm base 2 is mounted to a vertically disposed dashboard 11 and helm brackets 13A, 13B are connected to support frame mounting brackets 6A, 6B respectively, with mounting plate holes 21 coinciding with second pair of helm base mounting holes 17. Notably in this second mounting configuration, helm base plate 8 is rotated 180° so that the second ends 15 of helm brackets 13A, 13B are directed upwardly rather than downwardly, as in the first mounting configuration. In either second mounting configurations of the illustrated embodiment, steering-wheel shaft 5 can be adjustably positioned into one of the tilt positions ranging between about 20 to about 60 degrees. It is understood that this tilt range can be larger or smaller in any particular embodiment of the present invention. 
     While the particular embodiments shown and described above have proven to be useful in many applications in the maritime helm art, modifications and variations of the present invention herein disclosed will occur to persons skilled in the art. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described, but encompasses all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.