US 5,855,496 A · Overcenter uplock assembly for an outboard motor

Abstract

An uplock assembly for an outboard motor tilt mechanism has a pair of brackets pivotally connected with an overcenter hinge. The uplock assembly has a lever that an operator uses to force the brackets into an in-line, end-to-end overcenter configuration in which a lower bracket supports against a horizontal support axle attached to the tilt mechanism and an upper bracket pushes against a swivel bracket of the tilt mechanism. The upper and lower brackets are sized so that the swivel bracket is pushed beyond its normal full up trailering position into a tight configuration in which the swivel bracket and motor are restrained from bouncing even under excessively rough transportation conditions. Preferably, the uplock assembly includes a lever guide member having a catch mechanism that secures the lever in a fixed position when the uplock assembly is engaged to support the outboard motor.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A kit for an uplock assembly that supports an outboard motor in a maximum tilt position comprising:

a lower bracket that can be pivotally mounted to a support axle in a fixed horizontal plane behind a transom of a boat;
an upper bracket pivotally connected to the lower bracket with an overcenter hinge;
and
a lever connected to the upper bracket;
wherein the lever can be moved to position the lower bracket and the upper bracket in an end-to-end relationship so that the combination of the upper and lower brackets support an outboard motor by bracing against the support axle.

2 more elements

In a tilt mechanism for an outboard motor, the tilt mechanism including a transom bracket and a swivel bracket, the transom bracket attaching to a transom of a boat and having a first generally horizontal axis, the swivel bracket attaching pivotally to the transom bracket for rotation about the first horizontal axis to a plurality of trim positions and a full up position, the outboard motor being rotatably mounted to the swivel bracket, an uplock assembly for supporting the outboard motor in a maximum tilt position comprising:

a lower bracket pivotally mounted to a horizontal support axle attached to the transom bracket;
an upper bracket pivotally connected to the lower bracket with an overcenter hinge;
and
a lever connected to the upper bracket;
wherein the lever can be moved to position the lower bracket and the upper uplock bracket in an end-to-end relationship so that the combination of the upper and lower brackets support the outboard motor in the maximum tilt position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Overcenter uplock assembly for an outboard motor

Life of this patent

Overcenter uplock assembly for an outboard motor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19