Patent ID: 8460041

Claim:
An outboard motor configured to be mounted on a marine vessel, the outboard motor comprising: a housing including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein at least one output shaft extends outward from the lower portion upon which at least one propeller is supported; an engine configured to provide first torque at a first shaft extending outward from the engine, the engine being substantially situated within the housing; a first transmission device that is in communication with the first shaft so as to receive the output torque and configured to cause second torque including at least some of the first torque to be communicated to a first location beneath the engine; a second transmission device configured to receive the second torque and to cause third torque including at least some of the second torque to be communicated to a second location beneath the first location within or proximate to the lower portion; and a third transmission device positioned within or proximate to the lower portion that is configured to receive the third torque and cause at least some of the third torque to be provided to the at least one output shaft, wherein the third torque is communicated from the second transmission device to the third transmission device via an additional shaft that is substantially vertical in orientation.