# US 11,305,856 B2 · Steering apparatus for outboard motor

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,305,856 B2
- Document ID: US11305856B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/024,747
- Filed: 2020-09-18
- Published: 2021-04-29
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-28
- Assignees: Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Applicants: Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Inventors: Shouhei Tejima
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305856B2

## CPC

- B63H 20/06: on an intermediate support
- B63H 20/12: Means enabling steering
- B63H 20/02: Mounting of propulsion units (B63H20/08 takes precedence)
- B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00)

## Abstract

A steering apparatus for an outboard motor is provided, which stabilizes a steering load of the outboard motor to realize good steering performance, and further is excellent in durability even when a load acts on a steering handle from above. Between a steering bracket (15) and a swivel bracket (14), a steering load adjustment device (20) that adjusts a loaded load to a steering operation following steering of a steering handle (18), and a suspension portion (40) that allows the steering load adjustment device to be supported by the steering bracket are included, and load absorbing portions (44, 22b) that absorb a load applied to the steering bracket from above are provided respectively at the suspension portion and the steering load adjustment device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A steering apparatus for an outboard motor, the steering apparatus comprising:
a steering load adjustment device that adjusts a loaded load to a steering operation following steering of a steering handle; and
a suspension portion that allows the steering load adjustment device to be supported by a steering bracket,
wherein the steering load adjustment device and the suspension portion are provided between the steering bracket and a swivel bracket,
wherein load absorbing portions that absorb a load applied to the steering bracket from above are provided respectively at the suspension portion and the steering load adjustment device, and
wherein a spring constant of the load absorbing portion of the suspension portion is smaller than a spring constant of the load absorbing portion of the steering load adjustment device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a load receiving portion at the steering bracket,
wherein the load receiving portion abuts on the swivel bracket from above, and prevents a load of at least a predetermined value from being applied to the suspension portion and the steering load adjustment device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the load receiving portion is located closer to an outboard motor main body than the load absorbing portion of the steering load adjustment device.