Patent ID: 7104853

Claim:
A ball and socket joint assembly for a water vehicle outdrive system, said assembly comprising: control means for generating a user input and directing the outdrive system to rotate freely in a select arcuate path so that the water vehicle can be propelled in a corresponding direction; a ball and socket joint section operably connected to said control means and for cooperating therewith to selectively position the outdrive system corresponding to said user input; and support means for assisting to maintain said ball and socket joint section at a substantially stable position during operating conditions, said support means being secured to a water vehicle transom and said ball and socket joint section respectively, said support means being selectively operable independently of said control means; wherein said support means comprises a bracket including a plurality of elongated members secured along the water vehicle transom and engageable with said ball and socket joint section, said plurality of members being spaced along the water vehicle transom and converging rearwardly toward the outdrive system; wherein said ball and socket joint section further comprises a steering gear operably connected to said control means and for cooperating therewith to direct the outdrive system between select positions.