Tilt-trim subsystem for boats using a stern drive system
AssigneeOutboard Marine Corporation
InventorsGerald Francis Bland, Stephen R. Johnson, Gerald F. Neisen, Dan E. Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tilt-trim subsystem assembly affixed to an outdrive of a stern drive that may be supported by a gimbal unit and may be configured to rotate about a predetermined axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system is provided. The tilt-trim assembly has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive one anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes one or more cylinders having one end thereof pivotally connected to another anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated the outdrive and the tilt-trim subsystem assembly are jointly rotated about the predetermined axis.
Claims18
A tilt-trim assembly for use with an outdrive of a stern drive, the assembly comprising:
- a cylinder having a slidable piston for effectuating at least one of a tilt and a trim of an outdrive of a stern drive;
- a first anchor pin configured to connect one end of the slidable piston to a gimbal unit;
- a second anchor pin configured to connect an end of the cylinder opposite the one end of the slidable piston to the outdrive;
- and
- an actuating circuit configured to effectuate at least one of a tilt and a trim of the outdrive, wherein the actuating circuit is positioned generally between the first anchor pin and the second anchor pin;
- and
- wherein the circuit is configured to be positioned within a footprint of the outdrive to avoid resistance to water flow.
A stern drive system having an outdrive rotatable about a generally horizontal axis to impart at least one of a tilt and a trim to the drive system, the stern drive system comprising:
- a gimbal unit;
- a cylinder having one end connected to the gimbal unit by a first anchor pin;
- a piston slidable within the cylinder having an end opposite the one end of the cylinder connected to an outdrive by a second anchor pin;
- and
- a circuit disposed between the first anchor pin and the second anchor pin, the circuit configured to actuate at least one of the cylinder and piston to rotate the outdrive about a horizontal axis;
- and
- wherein the circuit and the cylinder comprise a single unitized body and wherein the unitized body is positioned in a footprint of the outdrive.
A boat having a stern drive propulsion system including an outdrive generally disposed downstream relative to water flow aft a transom of the boat, the outdrive rotatable about a predetermined axis to impart one of a tilt and a trim to the drive system, the boat comprising:
- a gimbal unit receiving a first anchor pin pair;
- a tilt-trim subsystem assembly affixed to the outdrive, the tilt-trim assembly having an end configured to pivotally connect to the outdrive by a second anchor pin pair;
- a pair of cylinders, each cylinder straddling a respective side of the outdrive and having one end thereof connected to a corresponding first anchor pin so that when the cylinder pair is actuated the outdrive and the tilt-trim subsystem assembly are rotated together about the predetermined axis;
- and
- a hydraulic circuit configured to actuate the cylinder pair therein, the hydraulic circuit comprising a pump and a fluid storage tank connected to pass a predetermined fluid to the pump, the pump and tank being positioned between a first anchor pin and a second anchor pin and positioned rearwardly of the outdrive to avoid resistance to water flow.
A kit affixed to an outdrive of a stem drive supported by a gimbal unit and configured to rotate together with the outdrive to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system, the kit comprising:
- a tilt-trim assembly including:
- a cylinder having a slidable piston for effectuating at least one of a tilt and a trim of an outdrive of a stern drive;
- a first anchor pin configured to connect one end of the slidable piston to a gimbal unit;
- a second anchor pin configured to connect an end of the cylinder opposite the one end of the slidable piston to the outdrive;
- and
- an actuating circuit configured to effectuate at least one of a tilt and a trim of the outdrive, wherein the actuating circuit is positioned generally between the first anchor pin and the second anchor pin and in a footprint of the outdrive;
- and
- a tubing assembly configured to provide fluid communication between a pump, the cylinder, and a tank wherein the tubing assembly is externally located relative to the assembly.
A method of assembling a tilt trim assembly for use in a stern drive system generally disposed off of a boat transom and having an outdrive rotatable about a generally horizontal axis to impart at least one of a desired trim and a desired tilt to the drive system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first anchor pin to be pivotally supported by a gimbal unit;
- connecting one end of a piston-cylinder assembly to the first anchor pin;
- connecting other end of the piston-cylinder assembly to an outdrive via a second anchor pin;
- and
- positioning a circuit configured to effectuate at least one of a tilt and a trim to the outdrive generally between the first anchor pin and the second anchor pin such that the circuit is within a region circumscribed by and rearward of the outdrive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.