Hub assembly for marine propeller

#This invention relates to propellers, and in particular, to a hub assembly for translating rotational movement from a propeller shaft of a marine vehicle to the blades of a propeller.

#It is known to propel a marine vehicle utilizing a propeller assembly mounted on a rotatable shaft. The propeller assembly includes propeller blades extending from a central hub. A motor rotates the drive shaft which, in turn, rotates the central hub and the propeller blades. A hub assembly is provided to interconnect the central hub to the drive shaft. As is known, rotation of the propeller blades extending from the central hub propels the marine vehicle through the water.

#Typically, the propeller assembly is constructed as a unit wherein the propeller blades, the central hub and the hub assembly are mounted or removed from the drive shaft in unison. Typically, the central hub of the propeller assembly includes an outer cylindrical housing which is welded or otherwise attached to a plurality of propeller blades. The central hub also includes an inner cylindrical housing which is co-axial with the outer cylindrical housing and radially spaced therefrom. The inner housing is supported within the outer housing by a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs. The propeller assembly further includes a hub assembly disposed within the inner cylindrical housing of the propeller hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a drive member having an inner surface which meshes with splines on the outer surface of the drive shaft and an outer surface. A bushing formed from a rubber or elastomeric material is provided between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the drive member. The elastomeric bushing provides shock absorbency between the propeller hub assembly and the drive shaft.

#The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a propeller assembly in accordance with the present invention;

#Referring to FIG. 1, a propeller assembly in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. It is intended that propeller assembly 10 be mounted on a rotatable propeller shaft 12 which, in turn, is driven by a marine engine (not shown). Propeller shaft 12 extends along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a threaded terminal end 14 adapted for receiving a locking nut 16 thereon, for reasons hereinafter described. As is conventional, rotatable shaft 12 includes an outer surface 17 having longitudinally extending splines 18 therealong adjacent terminal end 14.

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, propeller assembly 10 includes a central hub 20 having an inner cylindrical housing 22 and an outer cylindrical housing 24. Outer housing 24 has an outer surface 26 and an inner surface 28. A plurality of circumferentially spaced propeller blades 30 project radially from outer surface 26 of outer housing 24. Inner surface 28 defines an inner housing receipt cavity 32.

#Inner housing 22 is received within inner housing receipt cavity 32 defined by outer housing 24. Inner housing 22 includes an outer surface 34 and an inner surface 36. A plurality of circumferentially spaced connection spokes 38a-c extend between the outer surface 24 of inner housing 22 and the inner surface 28 of outer housing 24 so as to rigidly connect inner housing 22 to outer housing 24.