US2696188A - Engine and reversing control for outboard motors - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 7,1951" 0. A. ARMSTRONG ETAL 2,696,188

ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS GSheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 19. 1950 m 4 2 M My WWW M i 55 m- 2 w n mam/a IL, vl 4a 7 f e av, V|IW 1 W 0 [if m m ffil m 3 M 2 .m 6 6 n6 fin z z/ z/ z m n w a m. o J/// 47 Iol. 0 0 a. W m Z U 3 a a II 6 a y n W w s L M y WT 4 l M ,4. 7 6 l 1 n M e w 4 g 4 m w y 2. I F

m u in 7, 1954 D. A. ARMSTRONG E AL 2,696,188

ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 19, 1950 a Sheets-Sheet 2 as 64 I 4 30 I34 I? z? a J i j) J J 4? 4349- I s 4/ d m J 5 J 5 a; no if i a I I v J 7 I I .57 J l 6 2571 1 If I? 44 if #8 flaw/1. /l ARMSTRWVG l/flfiwr/i flNDERSfi/V 1954 D. A. ARMSTRONG EI'AL ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 19, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 flr/wwflvasm/ Dec. 7, 1954 ARMSTRONG ETAL 2,696,188

ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 19. 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FILE 7 INVENTORs 7 ATTORNEY Deb. 7, 1954 ARMSTRONG ETAL 2,696,188

ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 19, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FZ'EE 4 m B M Y D M M m l" mm g m a. m. m

l ln n m I m gwwnm i W m M r. a

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Dec. 7, 1954 D. A. ARMSTRONG ET AL ENGINE AND REVERSING CONTROL FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 19, 1950 mflmlwm WN M UN M .H J J H m United States Patent ENGINE AND C-QNTROL FOR OUTBO RD MOTORS Daniel A. Armstrong, Byron Carlson, and Harry A.

Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors .to Scott- Atwater ,Manufactnring .Co. Inc., 'Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of .Minnesota Application August19 ,'195.0, Serial No. 180,446

reclaims. 01. 1 -18) This invention relates to the structure of an outboard motor and particularly to novel means for adjusting the spark .on-w-said motor, and a :novel means for operating a reversing mechanism for the propeller shaft of said motor.

It is an object of this invention-to provide an outboa-rd motor structure comprising a handle lever for swinging said motor for steering, together with means carried by said lever foradjusting the spark and fuel supply.

It is another object of the invention :to provide an outboard .motor structure comprising a lever for swinging the motor for steering said lever having a grip handle whichisrotatable for adjusting the spark and fuel supply.

it is also an object 0f :the invention to provide an outboard motor structure comprising a bracket adaptedtobe attached to .a :boat, a casing carrying the power head and drivingshaft of said motor, a pivot connecting saidcas'ing and bracket about the axis of which said casing isswingable, a :propeller shafit, a propeller secured to said shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft, and means for operating said :reversingmechanismincluding a member coaxial with said :pivot.

It is another object of the 'invention to provide such an outboard motor structure as set forth in the preceding paragraph and in which said reversing mechanism includes a movable clutc h member, a'mernber movable substantially parallel to .the :driving shaft for moving said clutch member, .a rod for moving said last mentioned member connected to .said first mentioned member, and a shift lever :connected to said first mentioned member, said Ted preferably being coaxial with and disposed in said first mentioned member.

.It is still :another o'bject of the invent-ionto provide :an outboard motor structure comprising a bracket adapted to be :attached to .a boat, amember pivoted -to said -bracket about a substantially horizontal axis, .a casing carrying the power head and driving shaft of said motor, a pivot disposed :in said member :and connecting said member and casing, the axis of said pivot extending substantially at right angles to said first mentioned axis, a propeller shaft, a propeller secured to said shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft, means for operating said reversing mechanism including -a member coaxial with said pivot and movable longitudinally thereof, and a latch operated by :movement ofsaid member for engaging said bracket and preventing movement of said casing away from .said bracket.

It is still further an object of the invention .toaprovide an outboard motor structure .comprisinga power head and driving shaft, a propeller shaft, ;a propeller secured to said propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft, means for adjusting the spark and fuel supply of said motor including .a rotatable member, means for operating said reversing mechanism including a second rotatable member adjacent said .fiist mentioned rotatable member, said rotating members being adjacent each other andjhaving inter-engagingiportions forlirniting the operation of said reversing'mechanismat certaintimes in'accordance with the position of said means for adjusting the spark andiue'lsupply.

It is more specifically an object of this invention to provide an outboard motor structure comprising .a power head and driving shaft, a propeller Shaft, .a propeller secured to said propeller shaft, a reversing ,mechan'ism ,5 said propeller shaft movable to.forwarireverseandneutral positions, a hand lever for swinging said motor for Patented Dec. 7, 1.954

steering, a handle on said lever rotatable to adjust the spar-it and fuel supply of said motor, a lever for operating said reversing mechanism, and adjacent rotatable shelllike members movable to positions respectively by said shift lever and hand lever and having inter-engaging portions adapted to limit :the movement of said shift lever when :the means for adjusting the spark and fuel supply is in various positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable member, preferably a part of or carried by the magneto, which carries thereon a speed indicating means, a housing enclosing said member, an indicator on said housing indicating different speeds with which said means cooperates and a window in-said housing through which said means is visible.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar par-ts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view for the most part in vertical section taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 3, as indicated by the arrows, some parts being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is :-a view in vertical section in substantially the same :plane as Fig. :1 showing the lower portion of the motor;

.Fig. :3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line .393 of Fig. '1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a central horizontal section of the end of the steering lever;

Fig. 5 .is a vertical section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4, as indicated by the arrows, Figs. 4 and 5 being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. .6 vis a view for the most part in side elevation as seen from the right of Fig. 3, some parts being broken away and others shown invertical section;

Fig. '7 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section .of a portion at the upper part of said motor;

Fig. :8 :is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section taken substantially in the same plane as Fig. '11, Figs. .7 and .18 ibeingshown on .an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 isaview partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section .of the upper part of the motor;

Fig. 1-0.is:a1partial view similar to Fig. '8 showing the partsin different positions; I

Fig. .171 :awiew partly in plan 'and partly in horizontal section-:showinga shift-limiting structure;

F Fig.1 12 is a vertical section taken on line 12-42 of .Fig. .13 is a view similar to Fig. "11 showing the parts in different positions;

F Fig. .14 is a vertical section taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 15 is .a view similar :to Fig. :11 showing the parts in still-other positions;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken'on line 16-16 of Fig. '15;

Fig. :17 is .a top plan view of one of the shift-limiting members and'a portion of its carrying shaft; and

Fig. 1-8 is a wiew in side elevation of a sheave or pulley used.

Referring to the drawings, parts of an outboard motor are shown comprisinga casing 20 which carries the power head21 which includes thecylinder block 2111, the crankshaft casing 21b, the carburetor .(not shown), the magnefto 21,0 and the usual .cover or housing 21d. Casing 20 118.5 sections 20a and 20b connected by exterior bolts (not shown), A driving shaft23 is shown which will be connected to the crankshaft of the motor, said driving shaft being shown as having spaced portions embraced y a tu lar lee 24 e ured y a pic 2510 the upper portion of shaft 25 .and embracing the lower portion of said shaft. .A flat resilient strip 26 extends into central longitudinal slots of the spaced portions of shaft 23 and is secured bythepin 25 .to the upper portion of shaft 23. The lower portion of driving shaft 23 has a splined por tion 23a adjacent its lower end which fits into a correspondingly splined hub ofra beveled ,gear 28 which is thus secured to shaft .23, said .hub .being rotatable in "a ball bearing 29 carried in a propeller shaft casing 30 having upper and lower sections 30a and 30b secured'by bolts 31 and 32 to casing 20. Gear 28 meshes with another beveled gear 34 having a hub bored to receive a bushing 35 through which extends a propeller shaft 37. Shaft 37 is rotatable in a ball bearing 38 carried in casing 30 and extends through a thrust collar 40 disposed between the hub of gear 34 and bearing 38. Another beveled gear 41 meshes with gear 28 and has a hub journaled in a needle bearing 42 through which shaft 37 extends and on which said shaft also bears. Shaft 37 is also journaled in a ball bearing 44 carried in casing 30, said shaft extending through another thrust collar 45 disposed between the end of gear 41 and bearing 44. Shaft 37 extends through a sealing washer 47 and has secured thereto a hub 48a of a propeller 48. A bushing 49 is disposed in the hub 48a and secured to shaft 37 by a pin 50. An end member 52 is threaded on the end of shaft 37 and is also secured by a pin 53 extending through a slot 37a in shaft 37. A clutch member 55 is slidable on an enlarged portion of shaft 37 and is secured to said shaft by a pin 56 extending therethrough and through a slot 37b formed in shaft 37. Pin 56 also extends through a shaft 57 fitting in and longitudinally movable in a bore in shaftv3'7, the same being engaged at one end by a compression coiled spring 59 engaging the end of said bore in shaft 37, at its other end. Clutch member 55 has clutch teeth 55a at opposite sides engageable respectively with clutch teeth 34a and 41a on the adacent ends of gears 34 and 41 as disclosed in application S. N. 116,131, filed September 16, 1949, by Daniel A. Armstrong et al. One end of shaft 57 has a beveled end 57a adapted to be engaged by spaced beveled portions 60a, 60b and 60c of a shaft 60 which is vertically movable in a bore in casing 30. Casing 30 is shown as being in two parts separated on a horizontal plane. Shaft 60 extends through an arm 64 to which it is secured by a headed screw 65. Arm 64 is embraced by a bifurcated member 66 threaded on rod of members 104 and 108 intersect.

68 through which and through arm 64 extends a rod 68 having a lock nut 69 secured thereto below member 66.

A bracket 70 is shown having spaced surfaces 70a and 70b forming part of a substantially U-shaped recess in which the transom of a boat is adapted to be received on which the outboard motor will be supported. The motor will be clamped to the boat by a pair of threaded screws 72 having clamping heads 73 mounted on their ends. Bracket 70 has a member 74 pivotally connected thereto by a pivot bolt 75 extending transversely and substantially horizontally therein. bearing portions 74a and 74b which are bored to receive a tubular pivot member 76 which also extends through lugs 20c and 20d projecting from casing 20 which are disposed respectivelyabove lug 74a'and below lug 74b. Casing 20 is thus pivotally connected to member 74 and bracket 70 and can swing about the axis of pivot 76. Pivot 76 Q extends some distance above and below lugs 20c and 20d respectively and is provided with annular grooves in which are received holding plates or washers 77 which hold pivot 76 in place. Another tubular member 78 is disposed in and fits in the bore of pivot 76 and is thus concentric with member 76. Member 78 has a cupshaped member 80 secured to its lower end adapted to cooperate with a latching member to be later described. Member 78 is provided with an axial bore in which is disposed a tube 82 extending to adjacent the top of said axial bore and extending downwardly through member 80, through a sealing bushing 83 in a portion of casing 20, another sealing bushing 84 in a portion of casing 39, and

' a third bushing 86 also disposed in a portion of casing 30. Bushings 83, 84 and 86 may be made of some resilient material, such as rubber. Rod 68 is disposed in the tube 82 and is secured at its upper end to member 78 in any suitable manner as by the threaded connection shown. Member 78 is pivotally connected above pivot 76 in a bifurcated end of an arm 88 by a pivot member 89 shown as a headed pin (see Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of member 78 is flattened and a short link 79 connects said end and arm 88. From the described structure it will be seen that rod 68, which is moved for operating the reversing mechanism or the propeller shaft, is coaxial with the pivot 76 and also with the shift operating member 78. Arm 88 is secured to a shaft 90 in any suitable manner, as by a set screw 91. Shaft 90 is journaled in bushings 92 carried in a bore in Member 74 has vertically spaced I a portion 94a of a bracket 94. Shaft has secured at one end thereof a shift lever 95 which is thus disposed at one side of bracket 94. As shown in Fig. 9, lever 95 has a split hub which engages the splined end of shaft 90 and is tightly held on said shaft by a set screw 96 (see Fig. 9). Shaft 90 also extends through and is journaled in one side of bracket 94. As shown in Fig. 3, bracket 94 has converging side portions the ends of which engage the sides of the cylinder block 21a and are secured thereto by the headed bolts 98 shown as having split washers beneath the heads thereof. Bracket 94 also has a curved end portion 94b. Portion 94a is disposed between the side portions of bracket 94 and secured thereto by headed bolts 99 having their heads countersunk in the sides of bracket 94 and having split washers beneath said heads. Portion 94a is also secured to the crank case 21b by spaced studs 100 which extends through side flanges of portion 94a and through a transversely extending portion 940 of bracket 94. Studs 100 are provided with nuts 101 which have disposed therebeneath split washers. A cup-shaped member 104 is secured to the other end of shaft 90 by a headed screw overlying a washer. Member 104 is adapted to co-operate with a member 108 having a partial cup-shaped portion or flange and having a hub secured to a shaft 109 journaled in bushings 110 disposed in a bore in portion 94a. Member 108 is secured to shaft 109 in any suitable manner, as by a pin or set screw 111. Member 104 has a plurality of slots 104a, 104b, 1040 and 104d extending inwardly from the edge of its cylindrical portion, said slots being of different depth. Member 108 is provided with stepped portions 108a, 108b and 1080, as shown in Fig. 14. As shown in Figs. 11 to 16, the cylindrical surface A stop member 112 is secured to one end of shaft 109 by a headed screw 113, the head of which overlies a split washer engaging member 112. The other end of shaft 109 is provided with a flattened tongue portion 109a which is received in a central slot in the end of a shaft 115 which extends into the hub of member 108. The hub of member 108 has secured thereto a grooved sheave or pulley 118. Shaft 115 extends through a sleeve 119 disposed in a bore in a hub portion 940. of bracket 94 and having an enlarged end countersunk into said hub. The inner end of sleeve 119 is threaded and has threaded thereon a nut 120 engaging a corrugated spring washer 121 which engages the inner end of hub 94d. Shaft 115 has secured to its outer end a beveled gear 122 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by a pin 123. Sleeve 119 has at its outer end a projecting annular flange 119a which engages the outer side of an inwardly extending flange 125a of a head or end member 125b of a steering lever 125. An endless member 127 runs over pulley 118 and over another pulley 128 disposed in a plane at right angles to pulley 118 and secured to a shaft 130 journaled in a bracket 131 secured to the crank case 21b by the headed bolts 132. The upper end of shaft 130 has secured thereto a gear 134 which meshes with a gear 135 secured to the rotatable adjustable member of magneto 136 of the motor. Pulleys 118 and 128 have sheet metal sides with circumferentially spaced indentations which form pockets for the beads on member or belt 127. While the endless member or belt 127 could take various forms, in practice it has been made of a small bead chain. The end member 125b is bored to receive the end of a tubuiar portion 1250 of the steering lever 125 to which said member will be secured. Portion 125b has an opening in line with gear 122 which is closed by a cap 138 provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced prongs 138a which hold it in said opening. Member 125b is bored to receive a flanged bushing 140 in which is journaled a shaft 141 having secured to one end thereof a beveled gear 142 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the pin 149. Beveled gear 142 meshes with gear 122 and the end of its hub seats against the flange of bushing 140. The tubular portion 1250 at its other end extends into a hand grip member 125d having a bore at its outer end through which shaft 141 extends. Shaft 141 has extending thereabout a pair of disks 143 and 144. Disk 143 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 143a illustrated as of semi cylindrical form, and disk 144 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections 144a adapted to seat in the recesses'143a. Disk 144 has an outwardly projecting central hub 144-1) whichis secured to shaft 141 by a pin 145. Tubular portion 1-25c-is .counterbored at itsouter end to receive a block .orpcollarpl47 having a radial bore in which is disposed a pin 148 also extending into a bore in tubular portion 1250. Acompression coiled spring 1511 surrounds shaft 141, the same bearing at one end on collar 147 and at its other end on the end of member 125d. Portion 1125b is provided with a lug 125e adapted to engage a pin 139 secured in the side of bracket 94. Pin 139 thus forms a stop limiting the swinging movement of lever 125.

From the described structure it will be seen that oscillation of shift lever 95 will.move member 78 vertically in tubular member 76. This will move rod 68 vertically so that member 60 will be moved vertically. The portions 65a and 60b and 600 will act :to cam shaft 57 horizontally and move clutch member 155 to .engage one or the other of the gears 34 and 41. The bracket 70 has spaced side portions 700 of platerlike form to each of which is secured a plate .155 having an elongated slot 155a therein from which extend downwardly spaced slots 155k which as illustrated are four in number. A headed pin 156 extends .betweenplates 155 and through the same having heads at its ends. Pin 156 can be moved into the long shot 155a and dropped into any of the slots 15512. Said pin 156 forms an abutment for the rear side of member 74, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. The position of pin 156 'will determine the position of casing 20 relatively to bracket 70. The

plates 155 have projecting inwardly therefrom spaced narrow portions or tongues 1550. Member 74 has a depending portion 740 to which is pivoted by .a pivot 158 a latch member 159 having latch portions 159a at each side thereof having hooks or bills at their ends adapted to be swung into engagement with one of the tongues 1550. Member 159 is thus of U shape and has a lower or bight portion 159]; apertured to have secured therein one end of a tensile coiled spring 161 the other end of which is secured in a small bracket 161 secured to member 74 by a headed screw 162. Memher 159 has a resilient portion secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the rivets 163, which por tion 1590 has an opening 159d therethrough through which opening the tube 32 and the rod 68 therein pass. The member 1550 has a short depending flange about opening 159d and the portion about opening 159d is constructed and arranged to be engaged by member 80 when member 76 is moved downwardly in theshifting operation.

In Fig. 9 a front view of the motor is shown. A :memher 167 is secured to the plate-like portion166aof the rotatable part of the magneto .210, the position of which indicates different speeds of the motor. Member 167 is visible through an opening .21e which maybe .covered with a transparent sheet 168. As shown *in Fig. 9, certain legends will be placed on the motor casing or transparent sheet. These are respectively .Slow speed at the left of opening 212, Reduced speed to shift near the center of said opening, Top speed. in neutral, Top speed in reverse, and Top speed, which latter is at the right of opening 21a. Member 167 cooperates with said legends.

A plate 702 secured to a sleeve surrounding bolt 75 and extending between the sides of bracket 70 has an inner end which engages two washers 170 overlying a plate 171 beneath which are two other washers 172. supported on a plate 74) extending from one of the apertured lugs 740:. A headed bolt 174 extends through member 74 and is threaded in plate 7.0.2 so that said parts are secured together. Plate 171 has an opening through which passes pivot 76 and a yielding or resilient washer 175 is disposed below plate 171 and engages the top of lugs 74a. Friction is thus placed on lug 211a acting to prevent free swinging of casing 20. Said structure forms no part of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. l, a rotatable water pump 173 is secured to shaft 23 which pumps the cooling water. The water enters chamber a through openings not shown, the same entering the pump chamber and being forced therefrom into chamber 20] from which it passes into the tube 179 and is conveyed to the cooling passages in the power head. Said pumpand cooperating parts form no part of the present invention.

In operation the engine of the motor will .be operated as usual and drive shaft 23 will be driven. This-will drive gear 28 and gears 34 and 41 will be rotated in opposite directions. When clutch member '55 is in gits central position, as shown in Fig. .2, propeller shaft .37 will not be driven and the motor will thus be in neutral. At this time shift lever is usually in vertical posi? tion, as shown in Fig. 12. If the motor is to be propelled forwardly, shift lever 95 will be moved .to the position shown in .Fig. 16. This will swing arm 88 and raisemember 78 so thatrnemberfil will be raised. The portion 60a will move upwardly, pass the end of shaft 57 and spring 59 willrnove clutch member 55 .to engage gear 34. The propeller shaft 37 and propeller43 will now be rotated so that the boat is moved forwardly. Should it be desired to move the boat rearwardly, or in other words to put the motor in reverse shift, lever 55 will be swung to the position shown in Fig. 14. This will push down on member '78 and member .60 will be moved downwardly so that portion 6% thereof will cam shaft 57 inwardly so that the end thereof will come against the vertical portion of member .60 above the .inclined surface 60b. Clutch member 55 will then be moved into engagement with gear 41 and propeller shaft 37 and propeller 48 will .be rotated in a direction to move the boatrearwardly. When the motoris thus in reverse or the boat is being moved rearwardly, there is a tendency for the propeller to push or swing casing 29 away from bracket 70. To offset this, latch 15% is moved into engagement'with one of the tongues 1550, as shown in Fig. 8. When member 78 is moved downwardly to put the motor in reverse, member 80 engages portion 159a and this swings member 159 about its pivot 158 and latch member 15% engages one .of the tongues 1550 thus latching casing 211 to bracket 70 and preventing upwardswinging of said casing. There is one of the tongues 155C for each of the slots 15512. No matter which of the slots 155k pin 156 occupies, one of the tongues 1550 will be in position to be engaged by the latch members 159a. When the shift lever is moved and member '78 is raised to move the reversing mechanism into neutral, spring 160 will swing member 159 to unlatching position, as shownin Fig. 1.

In previous outboard motors it has been a common practice to have ,a spark adjusting lever secured to the magneto and swingable horizontally just above the power head. In the present structure the magneto .210 is moved and the spark is advanced or retarded by rotation of the grip handle 125d. The operator usually has hold of the steering lever 125 and grip handle 125d and can thus very easily and conveniently adjust the spark by a mere turning movement of his hand and of grip 125d. When grip handle. 125d. isrotated, shaft 141 is rotated, thus rotating gear 142 and gear 122. Shafts and 1119 are thus rotated and pulley'118 is rotated. Rotation of pulley 118 rotates pulley 128 through the belt or bead chain 127 which in turn rotates shaft 130, gears 134 and 135, and thus the magneto. The spark is thus advanced or retarded by merely rotating the grip handle d. The member 112 secured to the end of shaft 109 is rorated with said shaft and moves to positions with its ends respectively engaging shaft 90. In one .of these positions, namely the one shown in Fig. 12, said member 112 is engaging shaft 911 and limiting movement of the magneto rotor in its' movement to retard the spark. This prevents gear 134 from running. off of gear 135. In Fig. 16 member 112 is shown as engaging the opposite side of shaft 90 from that. engaged in the showing in Fig. 12 and this limits the movement of the magneto to advance the spark.

When the driving gears are in reverse position it is desirable to limit the speed of the motor for reasons of safety; As stated, reverse lever '95 is shown in reverse position in Fig. 14. This moves with member 104 to the position shown in Fig. 13. When member 168 moves with shaft 111? to advance the spark and thus increase the speed, the step portion 1030 will engage the outside of the cylindrical portion of member 104 and the advance of the spark and thus the increase in speed will be limited. t is also undesirable to shift the gears when the motor is running at high speed. The members 104 and 108 constitute means for preventing shifting at high speed. Assuming that the motor driving gears are in forward position, member 108 then occupies the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The cylindrical portion of member 108 can now pass freely through slots 104a-and 104d in member 104, as shown in,-Fig. 16., so

that there is no limit on advancing the spark or increasing the speed except that furnished by the stop member 112. However, if it is attempted to move the shift lever 95, the side of slot 104a would engage the cylindrical portion of member 108 and prevent shifting. It will be necessary to turn grip handle 125d and rotate member 108 until its cylindrical portion 108a is out of slot iii 4b before the shift lever and member 104 can be rotated. This is approximately the position of member 108 shown in Fig. 14. In Fig. 12 member 108 is also shown in reduced speed position. The motor must thus be reduced in speed before shifting can take place. When the motor is in neutral position, it is also desirable to limit the speed so that the motor will not race objectionably while in neutral. When the driving gears are in neutral, parts 104 and 103 occupy the position shown in Fig. 12. Step portion 108 is now in slot 104b, as shown in Fig. 11. -Member 108 can thus be moved to increase the speed some distance before its step b will engage the outer side of member 104 and this engagement will limt the movement of member 108 and thus limit the advance of the spark and the increase in speed while in neutral. Members 104 and 108 must not only prevent shifting while the motor is in high speed but they also limit the speed of the motor when in neutral and in reverse.

Lever 125 is secured to bracket 94 as described, and when said lever is swung, the casing is swung and the motor and boat are thus steered. The lever 125 can be swung upwardly about the axis of shaft through quite an angle. When said lever swings downwardly its movement will be limited by the stop pin 139. Should the operator swing lever upward when stop member 112 is in engagement with shaft 109, there would be great force exerted on shaft 109 and stopping memher 112 which might cause damage. It will be seen that there is great leverage on said members. To prevent any such damage the clutch comprising disks 143 and 144 is provided. There would be a tendency to rotate gear 142 as it moved about gear 122 and this would rotate shaft 141. The resistance offered would cause disk 144 to move away from disk 143 against the resistance of spring 150. The projections 144a would move out of the recesses 143a and shaft 141 would merely rotate freely. This would prevent any damage. When the stress is relieved from shaft 141, spring will again engage portions 143a and 144a. It may be stated that movement of the rotatable part of the magneto also adjusts the supply of fuel in synchronism with such movement as is common, one form of means for such adjustment being shown in the application of Walter 1. Raleigh, S. N. 163,062, filed May 19, 1950 for Carburetor Valve Regulator, now Patent No. 2,635,- 595.

The operator can see the member 167 and can by the legends associated therewith see at what speed the motor is operating. The front portion of member 94 forms a very convenient handle for carrying the motor.

From the above description it will be seen that we have provided a comparatively simple and yet novel and highly efficient structure of outboard motor. The steering and speed regulation by spark adjustment are operated from one member. The operator can thus regulate his speed very easily and conveniently with the same hand that is doing the steering. The members which are moved vertically for shifting are coaxial with the pivot about which the casing and motor swing and are thus kept free from strain and very nicely protected. When the motor is put in reverse the casing is with the same operation locked against swinging upwardly. A simple and ingenious mechanism limits the speed in neutral and reverse and prevents shifting when the motor is running at high speed. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and the same is being commercially made.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed .and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a bracket adapted to be attached to a boat, a memher pivoted to said bracket about a substantially horizontal axis, a casing carrying the power head and driving shaft of said motor, a pivot carried in said member having its axis substantially at right angles to said axis for connecting said casing and member so that said cas ing is swingable about the axis of said pivot, a propeller shaft, a propeller secured to said shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft, means for operating said reversing mechanism including a second member coaxial with said pivot and longitudinally movable relatively thereto, a latch pivotally mounted on said first mentioned member, a stop member carried in said bracket movable to different positions adapted to be engaged by said first mentioned member for holding the latter and said casing in different positions, said bracket having a plurality of spaced portions engageable by said latch, said portions corresponding respectively to the different positions of said stop member.

2. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a bracket adapted to be attached to a boat, a casing carrying the power head and driving shaft of said motor, a tubular pivot connecting said casing and bracket, said pivot extending beyond said casing and bracket at its ends, means at said ends for holding said pivot in position, a propeller shaft, a propeller secured to said shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft, a sleeve coaxial with and disposed in and fitting said pivot, a tubular member within said sleeve and extending to below said casing, a rod coaxial with and secured to said sleeve, said rod being secured to its upper end to said sleeve and means for operating said reversing mechanism including said sleeve and rod.

3. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a magneto, means for adjusting said magneto to advance or retard the spark on said motor for increasing or decreasing the speed of said motor, a member of cylindrical form movable in direct ratio to the movement of said magneto, a propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft movable to difierent positions, a shift lever for operating said reversing mechanism, a second member of general cylindrical form adjacent said first mentioned member and rotated in direct ratio to the movement of said shift lever, said members having co-operating engaging parts for limiting movement of said lever.

4. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a magneto, means for adjusting said magneto to advance or retard the spark on said motor for increasing or decreasing the speed of said motor, a member of cylindrical form movable in direct ratio to the movement of said magneto, a propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft movable to different positions, a shift lever for operating said reversing mechanism, a second member adjacent said first mentioned member movable in direct ratio to the movement of said lever, said second member having cylindrical portions the cylindrical surfaces of which intersect and are provided with slots and step portions respectively to limit the movement of said members under different conditions.

5. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a magneto, means for adjusting said magneto to advance or retard the spark on said motor for increasing or decreasing the speed of said motor, a member of cylindrical form movable in direct ratio to the move ment of said magneto, a propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft movable to different positions, a shift lever for operating said reversing mechanism, a second member adjacent said first mentioned member movable in direct ratio to the movement of said lever, said members having substantially cylindrical portions the cylindrical surfaces of which intersect, said portions having openings and engaging portions respectively for limiting relative movement of said members.

6. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a magneto, means for adjusting said magneto to advance or retard the spark on said motor for increasing or decreasing the speed of said motor, a member of cylindrical form movable in direct ratio to the movement of said magneto, a propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism for said propeller shaft movable to different positions, a shift lever for operating said reversing mechanism, a second member adjacent said first mentioned member movable in direct ratio to the movement of said lever, said members being of cylindrical cuplike form and having substantially parallel axes and open ends facing each other, one member having spaced slots extending longitudinally inward from its free edge and the other member having its cylindrical portion provided with circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending step portions, the cylindrical portion of said latter member being adapted to move through said slots and said step portions being adapted to engage the cylindrical portion of said first mentioned member.

7. An outboard motor structure having in combination. a bracket adapted to be secured to a boat, a casing carrying a power head, drive shaft, propeller shaft and propeller pivoted to said bracket about a substantially vertical axis whereby said casing is swingable about said axis, a magneto having a movable member for advancing or retarding the spark for increasing or decreasing the speed of said motor, a hand lever secured to said casing for swinging the same for steering, a second member rotatably carried on said lever, means connecting said second member and movable member including a rotatable shaft, a stop for limiting rotative movement of said rotatable shaft, said means also including a friction connection whereby said second member can rotate without moving said rotatable shaft when said stop is operative.

8. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a magneto carrying a rotatable part, a housing for said motor enclosing said magneto, said part having a speed indicating means thereon, an indication on said housing for different speeds with which said means cooperates, and a window in said housing through which said rotatable part and means are visible.

9. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a bracket adapted to be attached to a boat, said bracket having substantially vertically spaced bearings, a casing having substantially vertically spaced bearings disposed above and below said first mentioned bearings respectively, a tubular pivot extending through all of said bearings for connecting said bracket and casing so that said casing is swingable about the axis of said pivot, said pivot extending above and below said last mentioned bearings respectively, means engaging said pivot above and below said bearings respectively for holding said pivot in place, a cylindrical member fitting in said pivot and extending above and below the same, a tubular member disposed in said cylindrical member, a propeller shaft casing secured to the lower end of said casing, said tubular member extending into said propeller shaft casing, a rod slidable in said tubular member and secured at its upper end to said cylindrical member, a reversing mechanism in said propeller shaft casing, and means for operating said reversing mechanism including said rod and cylindrical member.

10. The structure set forth in claim 9, said first mentioned casing and propeller shaft casing having waterproof bushings therein through which said tubular member extends and in which it fits.

11. The structure set forth in claim 9, a latch for connecting said bracket and casing when said reversing mechanism is placed in reversed position, and a member Cal 10 carried by said cylindrical member for engaging said latch and moving the same to latching position.

12. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a bracket adapted to be secured to a boat, a casing carrying a power head, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft casing secured to said casing, a propeller shaft in said last mentioned casing, a propeller secured to said propeller shaft, a gear shift mechanism between said drive shaft and propeller shaft movable to forward, reverse and neutral positions, a lever movable to operate said shift mechanism, a second shaft secured to said lever, a third shaft, a steering lever having a fourth shaft extending longitudinally thereof, a grip handle for said steering lever secured to said fourth shaft, gears connecting said third and fourth shafts, a timer device, means for operating said timer device from said third shaft, and a stop member secured to said third shaft for limiting the rotation thereof.

13. The structure set forth in claim 12, and cooperating cup-shaped members having intersecting cylindrical step portions for limiting the movement of said first mentioned lever and operation of said gear shift at certam tmies.

14. An outboard motor structure having in combination, a casing carrying a power head, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a propeller secured to said propeller shaft, a reversing mechanism between said drive shaft and propeller shaft movable to forward, reverse and neutral positions, a movable lever for operating said reversing mechanism, a second shaft to which said lever is secured oscillatable by said lever, a third shaft extending substantially parallel to said second shaft, a steering lever, a hand grip at one end of said steering lever and rotatable thereon, means for rotating said third shaft by rotation of said hand grip, a timer device, means for turning said timer device from said third shaft, and cooperating members on said second and third shafts for limiting the speeds of said motor when operating said reversing mechanism.

15. The structure set forth in claim 14, a stop member on said third shaft engageable with said second shaft for limiting the rotation of said third shaft and thus the movement of said timer device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,192,377 Blakely July 25, 1916 1,683,893 Irgens Sept. 11, 1928 1,800,638 Kopke Apr. 14, 1931 1,932,521 Irgens Oct. 31, 1933 1,933,481 Mathias Oct. 31, 1933 2,026,481 Mathias Dec. 31, 1935 2,070,406 Irgens Feb. 9, 1937 2,308,749 Gee Ian. 19, 1943 2,351,050 Karey June 13, 1944 2,508,803 Schroeder May 23, 1950

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