US 7,476,134 B1Granted

Jet powered steering system for small boat outboard motors

OwnerWilliam P. Fell, William P. O'Harainventors

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A directional nozzle for the jet output that is attached to a control cable system. This cable turns the directional nozzle, which causes the trust of the jet output to turn the boat. Thus, the boat can be steered without having to turn the entire motor. Two different mechanisms are disclosed that enable the steering. The first is a tiller system that operates much like the traditional tiller on an outboard motor. However, unlike those tillers, this tiller operates the directional nozzle and does not turn the entire motor. The second mechanism is a bicycle handlebar system that is placed forward of the motor, much like a traditional wheel. The handlebar system, when combined with the directional nozzle system, produces faster steering response without the effort required to turn the wheel to make large sweeping turns.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A steering system for a boat having an outboard motor with a jet drive output comprising:

a) a directional nozzle, pivotably mounted to said outboard motor such that said directional nozzle surrounds said jet drive output and extends backward therefrom;
b) a tiller handle attached to said outboard motor;
and
c) a means for connecting said tiller handle to said directional nozzle
d) wherein said tiller handle includes:
i) a mounting arm, which is secured to the outboard motor and extends forward therefrom, said mounting arm having an upper bracket and a lower bracket;
ii) a steering control portion, having a handgrip and a steering arm, extending rearward therefrom, said steering arm having an upper bracket and a lower bracket;
iii) a fastener means for pivotably connecting the upper bracket on said mounting arm to the upper bracket of said steering arm;
iv) a fastener means for pivotably connecting the lower bracket on said mounting arm to the lower bracket of said steering arm;
and
v) a cable connector, attached to said steering arm.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/696,418Filed 29 Oct 2003
Granted: 13 Jan 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B63H 21/213
Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels: levers or the like for controlling the engine or the…
B63H 20/12
Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt: means enabling steering
B63H 2025/024
Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring: handle-bars; Posts for…
B63H 2025/026
Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring: using multi-axis control…