Abstract:
A remotely located steering system for an outboard motor that can be mounted at any position in the boat. The remotely located steering system generally includes a mounting bracket, gear box, coupling mechanism, and at least one handle. The handle can be used to control motor speed, boat direction, and combinations thereof. In addition, a second handle can be incorporated to control a second motor, such as a trolling motor. The remotely located steering system can eliminate the need of a handle attached to the casement or cowling of an outboard motor allowing the boat operator to operate the boat from any location within the boat while freeing up space in the rear of the boat. In addition, the remotely located steering system can isolate a user from harmful forces transmitted through the outboard motor.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/754,013, filed Dec. 23, 2005 and entitled, “REMOTE STEERING SYSTEM FOR OUTBOARD MOTOR”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a steering system for a motor boat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a steering system for a stern mounted outboard motor that is located remotely from the outboard motor to provide for safe operation and increased boat functionality. This could also apply in a tractor. The operator can be in a position to view the front and rear of the tractor in a more ergonomically correct position.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Outboard motors for use in propelling boats are well known. In their simplest form, outboard motors can include an attached tilling handle by which an operator can control both a direction and speed of travel. While the basic outboard motor design functions well, there remain instances in which the attached tilling handle can suffer disadvantages. In order to successfully operate the outboard motor with the attached tilling handle, the operator of the boat is confined to the rear of the boat and must generally be within reach of the tiller handle. The space available for use in the rear of the boat can also be restricted by the rotational path of travel of the tilling handle, thereby reducing the overall usable space in the boat for the operator, passengers, and boating activities such as, for example, fishing and storage of related equipment. Finally, the direct manipulation of the tilling handle by an operator does not offer and protection from unforeseen and/or sudden movement of the outboard motor and consequently, the tilling handle, as a result of contact with unexpected obstacles such as, for example, rocks, shallow water, weeds, rough water conditions, and other such obstacles. Such unexpected movement can result in quick and violent movement of the tilling handle with a potential to cause either accident or injury to the operator and is therefore not optimal for boat operators.  
         [0004]     Remote or auxiliary steering systems, on the other hand, provide the boat operator with more freedom of movement. For instance, console based steering systems can be used to control outboard motors with a steering wheel and throttle lever. However, these console based steering systems tend to be expensive and occupy valuable floor space within the boat. Examples of other remote steering systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,580,212 to Fortson and 6,053,781 for operating trolling style motors remotely and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,417,723 to Akermanis and 3,559,612 to Patterson for conventional trolling motors. However, not only are these designs impractical for controlling larger horsepower outboard motors but they fail to overcome the previously discussed limitations of space utilization, operator ergonomics and safety as previously discussed with traditional tilling handles.  
         [0005]     As such, there remains a need for a remote auxiliary steering system for outboard motors that provides safer, more ergonomically correct operation of a boat while providing complete steering and speed control of the motor.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A remote steering system for an outboard motor of the present disclosure generally comprises a housing assembly that can be positioned at any desirable position within a boat. The housing assembly can be mountable to a seat, bench or stand using upper and lower mounting portions. The remote steering system generally controls operation of the outboard motor with a hydraulic pump, a coupling mechanism, and at least one remote tilling handle. The at least one remote tilling handle can be used to control motor speed, boat direction, motor trim position and combinations thereof. The remote steering system can include a second remote tilling handle so as to operably control a second motor such as, for example, a trolling or backtrolling motor.  
         [0007]     In one aspect, a remote steering assembly of the present disclosure can comprise a remote housing enclosing a steering assembly and a throttle control. Marine steering lines and a throttle cable can operably connect the remote housing to an outboard motor for controlling a boat direction and boat speed. The remote housing can include at least one remote tilling handle allowing the operator to remotely interface with the outboard motor to determine boat direction and boat speed. In some embodiments, the remote tilling handle can include a trim control allowing the operator to vary the trim position of the outboard motor. In some embodiments, the remote housing can include a second remote tilling handle for operably controlling a second motor. The remote housing can include upper and lower mounting portions allowing the remote housing to be positioned at a desired location within the boat. The remote steering assembly can include a dampening assembly for reducing the impact of external forces to the outboard motor that are transmitted through the steering assembly.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, a method for a motor boat having a stern mounted outboard motor can comprise providing a remote steering assembly that is operably connected to the outboard motor. The method can further comprise providing a remote tilling handle on the remote steering assembly such that one or more of a boat direction, a boat speed and a trim position can be remotely manipulated. The method can further include the step of controlling as second motor with a second remote tilling handle. The method can further comprise eliminating a tiller handle attached to the motor so as to increase the usable space in a stern portion of the boat without the need for a large footprint steering console. The method can further comprise insulating an operator from sudden and/or harmful forces transmitted through the outboard motor.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a boat having a stern mounted outboard motor, wherein the motor speed and direction can be operably controlled through a remotely located tilling handle. The remotely located tilling handle can attached to a housing assembly that includes a steering assembly and a throttle control. In some embodiments, the housing assembly can include a second remotely located tilling handle for controlling a second motor such as, for example, a trolling or backtrolling motor.  
         [0010]     The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. For example, a remotely located steering systern of the present invention can be similarly employed in other vehicles such as, for example, a tractor. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat having a representative stern mounted outboard motor of the prior art.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remotely located outboard motor steering systern of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side, sectional view of the remotely located outboard motor steering system of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the remotely located outboard motor steering system of  FIG. 2  attached to a bench-style seat.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a boat having a stern mounted outboard motor controlled by the remotely located outboard motor steering system of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
       [0017]     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     As illustrated in the  FIG. 1 , a conventional outboard motor  100  of the prior art can be attached to a rear or stern portion  102  of a boat  104  to propel the boat  104  through the water. Outboard motor  100  generally includes a tilling handle  106  attached proximate a motor casement or cowling  108  on the outboard motor  100 . Generally, boat  104  is operated by a user through manipulation of the tilling handle  106  as well as a transmission lever  110 . Tilling handle  106  generally comprises a rotatable throttle control  107  for rotatably adjusting the motor&#39;s speed. Transmission lever  110  can be slidably adjusted between forward, neutral, and reverse dispositions for controlling the rotation direction of propeller  112  for providing forward and reverse motion to the boat  104 . Representative outboard motors  100  are manufactured by a variety of manufacturers such as, for example, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Evinrude, Nissan, Johnson, Mercury, and other outboard motor manufacturers.  
         [0019]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 , and  3 , an embodiment of a remotely located outboard steering system  200  can comprise a housing  202  that protects and mounts the various elements of remotely located outboard steering system  200 . Housing  202  can be comprised of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, treated or coated wood products, and other materials suitable for a marine environment. Depending upon the materials used for housing  202 , housing  202  can be fabricated as a single unitary structure or can comprise a plurality of subassemblies that are operably joined using suitable connecting methods.  
         [0020]     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , housing  202  is generally defined by an upper housing portion  204 , a lower housing portion  206 , an instrument panel  208  and a mounting panel  210 . Upper housing portion  204  generally includes an upper panel  204   a,  a rear panel  204   b  and bottom panel  204   c.  Lower housing portion  206  generally includes a front panel  206   a,  a bottom panel  206   b  and a rear flange  206   c.  Rear flange  206   c  can include a cut-away portion  206   d.  Instrument panel  208  provides a viewing surface  212  for operably locating appropriate an engine instrument  213  such as, for example, gauges, switches and indicators for monitoring operation of outboard motor  100 . For instance, engine instrument  213  can include one or more of fuel level indicators, rpm indicators, oil gauges, battery indicator, speed indicator, depth finder, power switch, priming switch, motor trim position and other such indicators and combinations thereof.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , housing  202  can further include a plurality of fastening members  214  for operably positioning the remotely located outboard steering system  200  at desired locations. For instance, fastening members  214  can be used to join the upper housing portion  204  and/or the lower housing portion  206  to structures such as, for example, a bench-style seat  215  as illustrated in  4 . In some embodiments, the fastening members can include adjustable clamp-style fasteners for detachable connecting the housing  202  to suitable structures within a boat such as, for example, the side walls, the bow wall, the stern wall, or the gunwale of the boat  
         [0022]     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , remotely located outboard steering system  200  can comprise a tilling handle  216  having a rotatable throttle control  218 . Tilling handle  216  is mounted to mounting panel  210  with a rotatable swivel mount  220 . Rotatable swivel mount  220  allows the operator to rotate tilling handle  216  around a vertical axis “y”. In some embodiments, rotatable swivel mount  220  can further provide for vertical movement of tilling handle  216  around a horizontal axis “x”. Vertical movement of tilling handle  216  can allow an operator to adjust the tilt angle of the tilling handle  216  to an ergonomic, comfortable position. Alternatively, tilling handle  216  can be positioned vertically to actuate a commercially available tilt-and-trim system for raising and lowering the position of the outboard motor. Preferably, tilling handle  216  is constructed to have a shorter length than tilling handle  106  as it is no longer necessary for tilling handle  216  to extend from the outboard motor  100  such that it is reachable by a user located in stern portion  102 . Thus, tilling handle  216  preferably occupies a minimum amount of space within the boat.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , remotely located outboard steering system  200  comprises means of translating movement of tilling handle  216  to a stern mounted outboard motor. Rotatable swivel mount  220  projects through the mounting panel  210  where a connector  221  operably interconnects the tilling handle  216  to a marine steering system  222  and a throttle command system  224 . Connector  221  can be retained to housing  202  with a connector bracket  223 . Connector  221  can comprise a Love Joy OR style coupling that can include a 4 to 1 gear ratio allowing for easier manipulation of the marine steering system  222 .  
         [0024]     Marine steering system  222  can comprise commercially available marine steering systems including hydraulic assemblies, mechanical assemblies and combinations thereof. In one representative embodiment, marine steering system  222  can comprise a SeaStar® hydraulic steering assembly available from the Teleflex® Marine of Litchfield, Ill. wherein a hydraulic steering pump  226  is operably coupled to the tilling handle  216 . The hydraulic steering pump  226  translates the rotational input from the tilling handle  216  into hydraulic pressure that is translated through steering lines  228   a,    228   b  for actuating a stern located hydraulic cylinder that in turn, is operably connected to the outboard motor such that the motor is rotated as directed by the tilling handle  216 . In some embodiments, marine steering system  222  can further comprise a damping system such as, for example, a hydraulic bleed valve operably coupled to the hydraulic steering pump  226  or to the stern located hydraulic cylinder so as to minimize unforeseen movement of tilling handle  216  due to an unexpected obstacle such as rock, weeds, rough waters, and the like. The damping system dissipates the energy of the unforeseen movement before it is transferred to tilling handle  216 . Therefore, the operator remains in control of tilling handle  216  and the risk of injury is reduced.  
         [0025]     Throttle command system  224  can comprise a throttle cable  230  that translates a rotational input on the rotatable throttle control  218  to the outboard motor for adjustably selecting the power output of the outboard motor. Throttle command system  224  can be rotated about an axis “z” running through the tilling handle  216 . Throttle command system  224  can comprise a neutral position wherein the throttle cable  230  maintains the motor in neutral. By rotating rotatable throttle control  218  clockwise from the neutral position, the output of outboard motor increases in a forward direction resulting in the boat being propelled forward. By rotating rotatable throttle control  218  in a counterclockwise direction from the neutral position, the rotation of the propeller is reversed causing the boat to move in a reverse direction.  
         [0026]     In use, remotely located outboard steering system  200  is positioned at a desired location within a boat  240  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Steering lines  228   a,    228   b  and throttle cable  230  can be located within a protective sheath or otherwise covered so as prevent exposure of the steering lines  228   a,    228   b  and throttle cable  230  to the elements and to protect them from damage. In embodiments where tilling handle  216  controls a tilt-and-trim system, trim wiring can accompany the steering lines  228   a,    228   b  and throttle cable  230 . Steering lines  228   a,    228   b  and throttle cable  230  are run through cut-away portion  206   d  to an outboard motor  244 , wherein the steering lines  228   a,    228   b  can be interconnected with the hydraulic cylinder and the throttle cable is connected to the engine throttle. With housing  202  fixedly mounted to the boat  240 , an operator manipulates tilling handle  216  and rotatable throttle control  218  in a manner similar that of the conventional tilling handle  106 . When tilling handle  216  is rotated about the vertical axis “y”, hydraulic steering pump  226  directs pressurized hydraulic fluid through the steering lines  228   a,    228   b  such that an outboard motor  244  turns in conjunction with the tilling handle  216 . When rotatable throttle control  218  is turned, the throttle cable  230  adjustably varies the output of outboard motor  244 . Using remotely located outboard steering system  200 , a user can control higher horsepower outboard motors than can be used with tilling handle  106 .  
         [0027]     Referring again to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 , remotely located outboard steering system  200  can further comprise a second tilling handle  250  rotatably attached to mounting panel  210  for remotely operating a second motor. Second tilling handle  250  can include a second marine steering system and a second throttle command system similar in design and arrangement to marine steering system  222  and throttle command system  224 . Second tilling handle  250  can be used for operably controlling a trolling or backtrolling motor from the remotely located outboard steering system  200 .  
         [0028]     The invention therefore addresses and resolves many of the deficiencies and drawbacks inherent with stern mounted outboard motors of the prior art and their operation. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms such as, for example, as a remote steering system for a tractor, without departing from the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The claims provided herein are to ensure adequacy of the present application for establishing foreign priority and for no other purpose.