Steering mechanism for outboard motors
AssigneeWagner Engineering, LLC
InventorWilliam Wagner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering mechanism is disclosed for a boat equipped with an outboard motor. The steering mechanism has a pair of opposed single acting cylinders maintained in a spaced relationship by a frame member. A pair of brackets enable pivotal connection of the steering mechanism with the mounting bracket of the motor. A piston is received in and extends between the cylinders and carries a lost motion linkage connectable with the tiller arm of the motor to induce steering movement of the motor upon actuation of the piston.
Claims8
A steering mechanism for an outboard motor rotatable about a steering axis by a tiller arm and tiltable about a tilt tube defining a tilt axis relative to a mounting bracket, said steering mechanism comprising:
- a pair of opposed single acting cylinders maintained in spaced relationship along a common axis by an elongate frame member,
- a pair of brackets to connect said cylinders to said motor, said brackets holding each of said cylinders near one end thereof, and extending transverse to said common axis, said brackets terminating at connection means to pivotally connect said mechanism to said tilt tube, the ends of said elongate member joining said brackets, said connection means including a plurality of bores formed in each of said brackets, the axis of each of said bores lying in the same plane, each of said bores in one of said brackets being coaxial with a respective bore in the other of said brackets, so as to receive a rod member upon said pivotal connection with said tilt tube,
- a piston rod received in and extending between said cylinders, and
- a lost motion linkage connected to the central region of said piston rod for movement therewith and connectable to a tiller arm to induce steering movement of said motor upon actuation of said piston rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.