Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
  • B63H20/02—Mounting of propulsion units
  • B63H20/06—Mounting of propulsion units on an intermediate support
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
  • B63H20/08—Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt
  • B63H20/12—Means enabling steering
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
  • B63H20/007—Trolling propulsion units
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
  • B63H20/08—Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
  • B63H21/12—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels the vessels being motor-driven
  • B63H21/17—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels the vessels being motor-driven by electric motor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
  • B63H21/21—Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
  • B63H21/213—Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing an outboard motor to a boat, in particular to the rear apron of said boat, an assembly comprising a boat, an engine and such a fixing device and a method of fixing an engine to a boat using such a fixing device.
• One aim of the invention is to propose a fixing device whose design allows rapid and simplified assembly.
• the subject of the invention is a fixing device for fixing an outboard motor to a boat, characterized in that the fixing device comprises an arm coupleable to the motor, a support coupleable to the boat, and a connection interface interposable between the arm and the support, in that the connection interface is pivotally coupleable to the arm by a so-called pivot connection comprising at least one pivot axis for movement of the arm between two extreme pivoting positions, in that the connection interface is rotationally coupleable to the support by a so-called rotational connection comprising at least one axis of rotation to allow, in the coupled state of the connection interface to the arm and to the support, a movement of the arm and of the connection interface around the axis of rotation over an angular range at least equal to 160°, preferably at least equal to 180°, and in that the axis of rotation and the pivot axis are orthogonal to each other.
• the fixing device comprises an arm coupleable to the motor, a support coupleable to the boat, and a connection interface interposable between the arm and the support
• connection interface coupleable on the one hand to the support, on the other hand to the arm, allows rapid assembly.
• the pivoting connection of the connection interface to the arm comprises at least one so-called horizontal pivot axis.
• This pivoting connection of the connection interface to the arm for moving the arm between two extreme pivoting positions allows the motor to be raised and lowered. This results in the ability to easily adapt to the depth of the navigation area.
• the rotation axis of the rotation link of the connection interface to the support forms the axis around which the arm and the associated outboard motor can rotate in the state driven in movement by the steering bar of the motor to steer the boat.
• connection interface can make it possible to arrange the outboard motor inside the boat, to couple the arm and the support to the connection interface in the installed state of the outboard motor to inside the boat before positioning, by rotating the connection interface, the engine outside the boat.
• the axis of rotation and the pivot axis are orthogonal to each other allows, in the state positioned vertically of the axis of rotation, positioning in the horizontal state of the axis of rotation. pivoting.
• the extreme pivoting positions of the arm relative to the connection interface correspond, one, to a position close to the arm of the connection interface, the other, at a position away from the arm of the connection interface and the fixing device comprises at least one system for holding the arm in at least one of the pivoting positions, this holding system having an active configuration and an inactive configuration.
• the close position of the arm relative to the connection interface corresponds to a low position of the engine useful in deep waters while the position away from the arm relative to the connection interface corresponds to a high position of the engine useful in deep waters. shallow waters.
• the holding system allows, in active configuration, the arm to be held in the desired pivoting position which may be the extreme pivoting position in which the arm is spread a maximum of the connection interface or an intermediate position between the extreme pivoting positions.
• the system for holding the arm in at least one of the pivoting positions comprises a pivoting lever coupled to one of its pivoting ends to the arm and a series of notches mounted on the connection interface and the end of the pivoting lever opposite to that coupled to the arm is, in active configuration of the holding system, inserted in one of the notches.
• the or at least one of the pivoting positions of the arm in which the holding system can be positioned in active configuration is a pivoting position of the arm other than the extreme position of pivoting corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connection interface.
• the fixing device comprises at least one member for locking the arm in the pivoting position of the arm corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connection interface.
• This locking member is useful in reverse and prevents unwanted pivoting of the arm in the direction of raising the engine.
• this locking member is a lockable/unlockable member, this member being unlockable under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value exerted on the arm in the direction of a separation of the arm from the connection interface.
• This possibility of unlocking under the effect of a pushing force of a value greater than a predetermined value allows, in the event of the motor encountering an obstacle, to cause a pivoting movement of the arm in the direction of lifting the motor .
• the locking member is a pivoting hook pivotally coupled to the arm and capable of hooking with a complementary element carried by the connecting interface.
• the connection interface has the shape of a plate with two opposite faces, the pivot axis of the pivoting connection between the arm and the connection interface and the axis of rotation of the rotation connection between the support and the connection interface are respectively materialized by a shaft coaxial with the axis which they materialize, the shaft coaxial with the pivot axis is carried by the one of the faces called the first face of the plate and the shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation extends projecting from the other face called the second face of the plate.
• the connection interface has the shape of a plate with a first and a second face and the arm and the support are arranged on either side of the plate.
• the notches are carried by the first face of the plate.
• the pivoting connection between the arm and the connection interface comprises a first part carried by the arm, a second part carried by the connection interface, said first and second parts being configured to be coupleable to one another by automatic tool-free coupling by simple bringing together and relative movement of said parts relative to each other. This results in simple coupling between the arm and the connection interface.
• the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a boat, an outboard motor and a fixing device for fixing the outboard motor to the boat, characterized in that the fixing device is of the type aforementioned and, in the fixed state of the outboard motor to the boat, the pivot axis of the pivoting connection of the arm to the connection interface of the fixing device extends substantially horizontally to ensure , in the state driven by movement of the arm between the two extreme pivoting positions, a raising or lowering of the outboard motor, and the axis of rotation of the rotation connection of the connection interface to the support is extends noticeably vertically.
• substantially horizontal, or respectively substantially vertical we mean horizontal or respectively vertical to within plus or minus 25°.
• the outboard motor comprises a body, a propeller, a motor system for driving the propeller into rotation and a steering bar.
• the body is a hollow body delimiting a receiving cavity of the motor system for driving the propeller in rotation and a longitudinal axis guide path
• at least part of the bar steering wheel is mounted movable to slide along the guide path for the passage of the steering bar from a configuration at least partially retracted inside said body to an deployed configuration in which the bar is arranged at least partially at the exterior of said body, this steering bar being, in deployed configuration, mounted movable to pivot around a so-called horizontal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide path in the state positioned vertically of said longitudinal axis for passage of the steering bar from a position in which it extends in the extension of the guide path to a position in which it forms an angle generally between 60 and 120° with said longitudinal axis.
• the invention also relates to a method of fixing a motor to a boat using a fixing device, characterized in that the fixing device being of the aforementioned type, the method comprises a step positioning the outboard motor in the boat, a step of fixing the connection interface of the fixing device to the support, a step of fixing the connection interface of the fixing device to the arm, and a step of pivoting movement of the arm and rotating drive of the connection interface for the passage of the outboard motor from a position in which it is disposed in the boat to a position in which it is disposed outside of the boat.
• FIG. 1 represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine in a position inside the boat with an associated detail view;
• FIG. 2 represents a partial sectional view of a boat in the raised state of the engine in a position inside the boat;
• FIG. 3 represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine in a position outside the boat with an associated detailed sectional view;
• FIG. 4 represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the lowered state of the engine in a position outside the boat with an associated detail view;
• FIG. 5 represents a partial sectional view of a fixing device in the lowered state of the engine corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connecting interface and in which the locking member is in the unlocked state;
• FIG. 6 represents a partial sectional view of a fixing device in the lowered state of the engine corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connecting interface and in which the locking member is in the locked state;
• FIG. 7 represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine and activated of the system for maintaining a position outside the boat with an associated detailed sectional view;
• FIG. 8 represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the lowered state of the engine in navigation configuration of the boat where the bar of the engine makes it possible to steer the boat by rotational movement of the engine, the arm and the the connection interface around the axis of rotation of the connection to rotation of the connection interface to the support;
• FIG. 9 represents a perspective view of the fixing device during coupling of the arm to the connection interface
• FIG. 10 represents a sectional view of the fixing device during coupling of the arm to the connection interface
• FIG. 11 represents a partial perspective view of the fixing device in the coupled state of the arm at the connection interface
• FIG. 12 represents a perspective view of the connection interface and the support of the fixing device during coupling of the connection interface to the support
• FIG. 13 represents a perspective view of the connection interface and the support of the fixing device in the coupled state of the connection interface to the support
• FIG. 14 represents a sectional view of the fixing device and the engine in the retracted position of the engine steering bar
• FIG. 15 represents a sectional view of the fixing device and the engine in the extended position of the engine steering bar.
• the subject of the invention is a fixing device 1, as illustrated for example in Figure 1, for fixing an outboard motor 22, that is to say say a motor separable from a boat, to a boat 20, as well as the assembly comprising the boat 20, the outboard motor 22 and the fixing device 1, as well as the method of fixing the outboard motor 22 edge to the boat 20 using such a fixing device 1.
• the boat 20 can be any boat 20 capable of operating with an outboard motor 22.
• boat 20 is a semi-rigid boat. This boat 20 can be entirely rigid or flexible, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• This boat 20 generally has a transom shown at 21 in the figures at which the fixing device 1 used for coupling the outboard motor 22 to the boat 20 is positioned.
• outboard motor means an engine that can be separated from the boat.
• the outboard motor 22 can be a commercial outboard motor. This outboard motor is equipped in a manner known per se with a steering bar 24 ending at its end with a rotary acceleration handle 25.
• This outboard motor comprises a body 23, a propeller positioned at one end of the body and a propeller rotation drive system, these elements forming a single block.
• the steering bar 24 makes it possible to rotate the outboard motor 22 around an axis of rotation which will be described below, arranged at the level of the fixing device 1 to enable the boat to be oriented.
• this steering bar 24 is a retractable bar in the body of the engine.
• This steering bar 24 is therefore mounted movable to slide along a longitudinal axis guide path provided inside the body for the passage of the steering bar 24 of a configuration at least partially retracted to the interior of the body 23 to a deployed configuration in which the steering bar 24 is arranged at least partially outside the body, this steering bar 24 being in the deployed position mounted movable to pivot around a so-called horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide path in the state positioned vertically of the longitudinal axis for the passage of the steering bar 24 from a so-called raised position in which it extends in the extension of the guide path at a so-called lowered position in which it forms an angle, generally between 60 and 120° with said longitudinal axis and allows the control of a rotational movement of the outboard motor 22 around an axis of rotation arranged at the level of the device.
• the fixing device 1 which is the subject of the invention allows the fixing of such an outboard motor 22 to the boat 20, in particular to the rear transom 21 of the boat 20.
• This fixing device 1 comprises an arm 2, a support 3, and a connection interface 4 which can be interposed between the arm 2 and the support 3.
• the support 3 is intended to be coupled to the boat 20. This coupling can be carried out by screwing or otherwise.
• An example of a support 3 is illustrated in Figure 12.
• This support 3 is presented here in the form of a block of generally parallelepiped shape with one face of the block provided with a hole serving to connect the support 3 with the connection interface 4 as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6
• the constituent block of the support 3 has a positionable face applied to the rear apron of the boat, as illustrated in Figure 7.
• connection interface 4 is rotationally coupleable to the support 3 by a rotational connection 7 comprising at least one axis of rotation represented at YY' in the figures.
• This axis of rotation YY' is materialized by a shaft represented at 8 in Figure 12.
• One end of this shaft 8 is inserted into the bore of the support 3, while the other end of the shaft 8 is rotatably coupled to the connection interface 4.
• connection interface 4 is presented here in the form of a circular plate with two opposite faces which form one, called the first face 41, the top face of the plate facing the sky in the coupled state of the interface for connecting to the support 3 and coupled from the support to the boat, that is to say in the vertical state of the shaft 8, the other, called the second face 42, the face below the plate facing the ground in the coupled state of the connection interface to the support 3 and coupled from the support 3 to the boat, that is to say in the vertical state of the shaft 8.
• the shaft 8 extends projecting from the second face 42 of the plate perpendicular to this second face from the center of this second face.
• connection interface 4 in particular the plate of the connection interface 4 can rotate around the axis YY' at the stationary state of the support 3 and in particular in the fixed state of the support 3 to the boat 20.
• the arm 2 of the fixing device 1 is intended to be fixed to the engine 22 of the outboard.
• This arm 2 is preferably coupled to an exterior surface 23 of the body of the outboard motor 22, in a manner that can be shifted longitudinally along the body. of the outboard motor. This makes it possible to vary the position of the propeller relative to the bottom of the boat.
• this arm 2 comes, through one of its ends, to be fixed in a slide arranged outside the body of the outboard motor and developing along the longitudinal axis of body 2.
• Arm 2 can thus slide in the slide until it is immobilized in the desired spacing position relative to the propeller. Note that this arm is positioned on the body of the outboard motor, on a surface of the body of the outboard motor opposite to that carrying the propeller.
• This arm 2 extends below the steering bar 24 and along a line directly substantially parallel to said bar in the lowered position of the steering bar 24.
• This arm 2 is, at its opposite end, coupled to the connection interface 4 by a pivoting connection 5 comprising at least the pivot axis shown at XX' in the figures for movement of the arm 2 between two positions pivoting ends capable of allowing raising and lowering of the outboard motor 22.
• This pivot axis XX' extends parallel to one of the faces of the plate constituting the connection interface 4.
• the pivot axis XX' of the pivot connection 5 between the arm 2 and the connection interface 4 is materialized by a shaft 6 coaxial with said pivot axis XX' as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.
• This shaft 6 coaxial with the pivot axis XX' is carried by the first face 41 of the plate.
• the axis of rotation YY' and the pivot axis XX' are orthogonal to each other. Thanks to the design of the connection interface 4 and its pivoting connection 5 to the arm 2 and rotation 7 to the support 3 in the coupled state of the connection interface 4 to the arm 2 and to the support 3, the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4 are capable of moving around the axis of rotation XX' over an angular range at least equal to 160°, preferably at least equal to 180°.
• connection interface to the support 3 can be carried out before the step of positioning the motor in the boat or after said step. Generally, once the connection interface 4 has been fixed for the first time to the support, this assembly then remains permanent.
• the pivoting connection 5 between the arm 2 and the connection interface 4 comprises a first part 14 carried by the arm 2, and a second part 15 carried by the connection interface 4.
• the first and second parts 14 and 15 are configured to be coupled to one another by automatic coupling without tools, by simple bringing together and relative movement of said parts 14 and 15 relative to each other.
• An example of such an automatic coupling is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
• the second part 15 of the pivot connection carried by the connection interface 4 comprises the shaft 6 coaxial with the pivot axis XX' of the pivot connection 5, this shaft 6 extending parallel to the first face 41 of the plate constituting the connecting interface 4.
• the arm 2 is for its part equipped at its end coupling to the shaft 6 with a U-shaped jaw 140 capable of being closed by a pivoting U-shaped locking member 141, this locking member 141 being recalled by a spring not shown in the open position of jaw 140.
• This locking member 141 can be immobilized in pivoting by a pawl 142 returned to the position of support against the locking member 141 and can be maneuvered in the direction of a separation of the locking member 141 by a locking member.
• actuation 143 produced here in the form of a pivoting lever.
• the jaw 140 is brought closer to the shaft 6 to allow the shaft 6 to be accommodated in the jaw 140.
• the locking member 141 is, by contact with support with the shaft 6, driven in pivoting movement to move from an open position of the jaw 140 to a closed position of the jaw 140.
• the pawl 142 authorizes the pivoting movement of this locking member 141 up to a locking position in pivoting movement.
• the assembly is completed.
• connection interface and the arm can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.
• flanges mounted on the connecting interface 4 or the arm can be considered to ensure coupling and uncoupling of the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4.
• the arm 2 is therefore capable of pivoting between two extreme pivoting positions to allow, in the coupled state of the motor to the arm 2, the passage of the motor 22 from a low position, as illustrated in Figure 4, to a high position, as illustrated in Figure 7, or vice versa, the position being chosen according to the depth of the water.
• the arm 2 is able to take an intermediate position between the extreme pivoting positions.
• the fixing device 1 comprises at least one system 9 for holding the arm 2 in at least one of the pivoting positions.
• This holding system 9 has an active configuration and an inactive configuration. This holding system 9 is visible in active configuration in Figure 3 and in inactive configuration in Figure 5.
• the system 9 for holding the arm 2 in at least one of the pivoting positions of the arm comprises a pivoting lever 10 pivotally coupled to the arm 2, by one of its ends represented at 100 in the figures, and a series of notches 11 mounted on the connection interface 4.
• the end 101 of the pivoting lever 10 opposite to that coupled to the arm 2 is, in active configuration of the holding system 9, inserted in one of the notches 11.
• This pivoting lever 10 plays the role of a strut between the arm 2 and the connection interface 4 in active configuration, as illustrated in Figure 7, this strut preventing the arm 2 from moving at pivoting in the direction of bringing the connecting interface 4 closer together.
• This holding system 9 is characterized by its simplicity of construction and by its ease of switching from the active configuration to the inactive configuration and vice versa.
• the or at least one of the pivoting positions in which the holding system 9 can be positioned in active configuration is a position other than the extreme pivoting position corresponding to the close position of the arm 2 of the interface 4 connection.
• the fixing device 1 comprises at least one member 12 for locking the arm 2 in the pivoting position of the arm 2 corresponding to the close position of the arm 2 of the connection interface 4.
• This locking member 12 is a lockable/unlockable member. This member 12 can be unlocked under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value exerted on the arm 2 in the direction of a separation of the arm 2 from the connecting interface 4.
• the locking member 12 is a pivoting hook pivotally coupled to the arm 2 and capable of hooking with a complementary element 13 carried by the connecting interface 4.
• This complementary element 13 here has the shape of a notch in the plate pre-equipped with a rod and the locking member 12 is able to hook with said rod in the locked position.
• This complementary element 13 is arranged on the connection interface 4 at a location on the plate diametrically opposite to the location at which the pivoting connection 5 is arranged between the arm 2 and the connection interface 4.
• This locking member 12 is useful in reverse operation of the engine. Indeed, in forward motion, there is no need to prevent the lifting of arm 2 and the associated motor 22, the weight of the motor and the forward thrust keeping them lowered. Leaving the motor free to rise helps limit the risk of damaging it in the event of contact with the bottom. In reverse, the motor and the arm tend to rise if the reverse locking member 12 is not locked.
• This locking member 12 is bistable, that is to say it has at least two stable positions, one active in which it is hooked with the complementary element 13, the other inactive in which it is not. hooked with the complementary element 13 in a position close to the arm of the connection interface as illustrated in Figure 5.
• the locking member 12 cooperates with the complementary element 13 by cooperation of shapes to allow automatic unlocking under the effect of a predetermined force, again to avoid, in the event of encountering the motor with an obstacle, engine damage.
• the motor 22, boat 20, fixing device 1 assembly can therefore be used as follows: we assume that the motor 22 is not installed on the boat 20. We therefore proceed as described below above to couple the arm 2 pre-equipping the motor 22 and the support 3 pre-equipping the boat to the connection interface 4. The operator then chooses whether or not to activate the holding system 9 depending on the depth of the water and the locking member 12 depending on the direction of travel. For control in the direction of the boat 20, the operator conventionally acts on the steering bar 24 by pulling or pushing to generate a movement of the arm, the associated motor and the connection interface around the axis of rotation YY' of the rotation connection 7 of the interface 4 for connection to the support 3, depending on the direction desired for said boat.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Transmission Devices (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Jib Cranes (AREA)
• Actuator (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=85800330

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2023
  • 2023-03-14 US US18/850,456 patent/US20250269947A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-03-14 WO PCT/FR2023/050335 patent/WO2023180649A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2023-03-14 US US18/850,452 patent/US20250214692A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-03-14 EP EP23714795.4A patent/EP4499500A1/de active Pending
  • 2023-03-14 EP EP23714796.2A patent/EP4499501B1/de active Active
  • 2023-03-14 WO PCT/FR2023/050336 patent/WO2023180650A1/fr not_active Ceased

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events