[0001] This invention relates to an outboard motor comprising an internal combustion engine
and a power transmitting structure.
[0002] Many of small boats generally seen in use are provided with outboard motors removably
supported one a hull as propulsion units.
[0003] Usually, the outboard motor comprises; a case elongate in one direction with its
one end removably supported on a hull and with the other end made submergible in the
water, a propeller supported on the other end of the case, an internal combustion
engine capable of outputting power to the propeller through a power transmitting means
housed inside the one end side of the case, and a cowling covering the internal combustion
engine from above and supported with one end of the case. The internal combustion
engine comprises; a crankcase supported with the one end of the case, and a cylinder
projecting from the crankcase.
[0004] When the hull is to be propelled, the above-mentioned case is brought to the vertically
elongate "usable attitude" and the other end of the case is submerged in the water
together with the propeller. Next, the internal combustion engine is operated and
its output power is transmitted through the transmitting means to the propeller. Then
the propeller receives the power and rotates to propel the hull.
[0005] When the outboard motor is not in use, the outboard motor is removed from the hull,
brought to the laterally elongate "stowage attitude", placed and supported on the
horizontal placing surface, and stowed or transported in that state.
[0006] When the outboard motor is stowed or transported, it is preferable to keep the outboard
motor in the "stowage attitude" on the placing surface in a more stabilized manner
so that the stowage or transport is facilitated. However, sufficient consideration
has not been given to the point of keeping the "stowage attitude" in a more stabilized
manner.
[0007] There is another problem: if lubricant oil in the internal combustion engine flows
toward the cylinder when the outboard motor is placed in the "stowage attitude", there
is a risk of the oil wetting the ignition plug and making the start of the engine
thereafter difficult, or the oil leaking through ports outside.
[0008] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an outboard motor comprising
an internal combustion engine and a power transmitting structure, wherein the handling
of the outboard motor is improved.
[0009] According to the present invention this objective is solved by an outboard motor
comprising: an internal combustion engine and a power transmitting structure for transmitting
driving power from said internal combustion engine to a propeller; an outboard motor
supporting structure comprising at least two spaced supporting projection portions
adapted to support the outboard motor in a stable position when being removed from
a hull.
[0010] It is an advantage of the present invention to facilitate the work of stowing or
transporting an outboard motor when it is removed from a hull, brought to the laterally
elongate "stowage attitude" and placed on a placing surface, by making it possible
to keep the outboard motor in the "stowage attitude" in a more stabilized manner than
in the conventional arrangement.
[0011] It is a further advantage of the present invention when the outboard motor is brought
to the "stowage attitude", lubricant oil in the internal combustion engine does not
wet the ignition plug or does not leak outside the engine.
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are laid down in the dependent claims.
[0013] Preferably the outboard motor comprises: a case 7 elongate in one direction with
its one end 8 removably supported on a hull 3 and with its other end 10 made submergible
in the water 2, a propeller 14 supported on the other end 10 of the case 7, an internal
combustion engine 16 capable of outputting power to the propeller 14 through a power
transmitting means 15 housed within the case 7 on the one end 8 side of the case 7,
and a cowling 17 covering the internal combustion engine 16 from above and supported
with the one end 8 of the case 7, said internal combustion engine 16 comprising; a
crankcase 23 supported with the one end 8 of the case 7, and a cylinder 26 projecting
from the crankcase 23, wherein said structure being adapted such that, when the outboard
motor 5 is removed from the hull 3 and placed on a horizontal placing surface 36 in
a lateral "stowage attitude" in which the cylinder 26 projects upward from the crankcase
23, portions 40, 41 of the case 7 on the underside of the other end 10 and a pair
of portions 42, 42 of the underside of the cowling 17 on right and left of an imaginary
vertical plane 37 passing the first-mentioned portions 40, 41 and extending along
the longitudinal direction of the case 7 respectively come into contact with the placing
surface 36.
[0014] Preferably said outboard motor is provided with a steering handlebar 18, and said
steering handlebar 18 being rotatably pivoted on either the internal combustion engine
16 or the cowling 17, wherein, when the outboard motor 5 is brought to the "stowage
attitude", the rotating end of the handlebar is capable of being placed above the
cowling 17 by rotating the steering handlebar 18.
[0015] In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail with respect
to several embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1
- is a side view, partially in cross section, of an outboard motor placed in a "stowage
attitude";
- FIG. 2
- is a side view, partially in cross section, of the outboard motor placed in a "usable
attitude"; and
- FIG. 3
- is a front view of the outboard motor placed in the "stowage attitude".
[0016] Embodiments will be hereinafter described in reference to the appended drawings.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a boat 1 floating on the water 2 so as to be propelled in the forward
direction indicated with the arrow Fr.
[0018] The boat 1 has a hull 3 with its rear part constituted with a transom 4. An outboard
motor 5 is removably mounted and supported on the transom 4 and located behind the
transom 4 to propel the hull 3. In FIG. 2, the outboard motor 5 is depicted in the
"usable attitude".
[0019] The outboard motor 5 comprises a tubular case 7 elongate in one direction (vertical
direction) with its one end, upper end 8, removably supported on a transom 4 by means
of a clamp bracket 9 and with its other end 10 made submergible in the water 2. The
case 7 is supported with the clamp bracket 9 so as to be rotatable about a support
axis 11 located in the vicinity of and directed approximately parallel to the axis
of the case 7.
[0020] The outboard motor 5 also comprises; a propeller 14 supported on the other end 10
of the case 7, an internal combustion engine 16 capable of outputting power to the
propeller 14 through a power transmitting means 15 housed within and on the one end
8 side of the case 7, a cowling 17 covering the internal combustion engine 16 from
above and supported on the one end 8 of the case 7 by means of a tightening member
(not shown), and a steering handlebar 18 projecting by the side of the internal combustion
engine 16 or the cowling 17.
[0021] The steering handlebar 18 is made rotatable about a support axis 19 extending in
the direction of width of the hull 3, and projects toward the front, the hull 3 side,
so as to be operated from the hull 3 side.
[0022] The internal combustion engine 16 comprises; the crankcase 23 supported with one
end 8 of the case 7, the crankshaft 25 supported with the crankcase 23 and with its
axis extending in the approximately vertical direction, a cylinder 26 projecting from
the crankcase 23 in the radial direction (approximately horizontal rearward) of the
crankshaft 25, a piston 27 inserted for axial sliding within the cylinder 26, a connecting
rod 28 connecting the piston 27 for interlocked movement to the crankshaft 25, and
an oil pan 29 closing the bottom opening of the crankcase 23 from under.
[0023] A space surrounded with the cylinder 26 and the piston 27 is made a combustion chamber
30. A valve means 31 is provided to open and close a port for making gas communication
between the combustion chamber 30 and the outside of the internal combustion engine
16. An ignition plug (not shown) is provided to face the combustion chamber 30. Lubricant
oil 32 for lubricating the internal combustion engine 16 collects in the oil pan 29
within the internal combustion engine 16.
[0024] When the hull 3 is to be propelled, the outboard motor 5 is brought to the vertically
elongate "usable attitude" and the other end 10 is submerged in the water 2 together
with the propeller 14. Next, the internal combustion engine 16 is operated and its
output power is transmitted through the transmitting means 15 to the propeller 14.
Then the propeller 14 rotates to propel the hull 3.
[0025] Steering from the hull 3 side is made by gripping the projecting end of the steering
handlebar 18 and swinging it right and left about the support axis 11 together with
right and left swinging of the internal combustion engine 16, the cowling 17, the
case 7, and the propeller 14.
[0026] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 3, when the clamp bracket 9 is loosened and the outboard
motor 5 is removed from the hull 3, and placed on the horizontal placing surface 36
in the laterally oblong "stowage attitude" so that the cylinder 26 projects upward
from the crankcase 23, the portions 40, 41 of the other end 10 of the case 7 on the
underside, and a pair of portions 42, 42 on the right and left underside of the cowling
17 with respect to the imaginary vertical plane 37 passing the former portions 40,
41 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the case 7 respectively come
into contact with the placing surface 36. In this way, the outboard motor 5 is supported
on the placing surface 36.
[0027] In the above case, the imaginary vertical plane 37 passes approximate center of the
width of the case 7 (approximately the support axis 11). The center of gravity of
the outboard motor 5 is approximately located on the imaginary vertical plane 37 and
also located between the portions 40, 41 of the case and the portions 42, 42 of the
cowling 17 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the case 7. The portions
42, 42 of the underside of the cowling 17 are located at approximately the same distances
from the imaginary vertical plane 37 and project out (down) from the main part of
the cowling 17.
[0028] Therefore, the outboard motor 5 in its "stowage attitude" is placed in a three-point
support state with the portions 40 to 42 in contact with the placing surface 36.
[0029] As a result, the outboard motor 5 remains in the stabilized "stowage attitude" on
the placing surface 36, and the work of stowage and transport is facilitated.
[0030] When the outboard motor 5 is in the "stowage attitude", the cylinder 26 of the internal
combustion engine 16 is held to the state of projecting up from the crankcase 23.
Therefore, the lubricant oil 32 in the internal combustion engine 16 collects in the
inside bottom part of the crankcase 23 and does not flow toward the cylinder 26.
[0031] Therefore, the lubricant oil 32 in the internal combustion engine 16 does not wet
the ignition plug and does not leak outside the internal combustion engine 16.
[0032] It is also arranged as described above that, when the outboard motor 5 is brought
to the "stowage attitude" and placed on the placing surface 36, the clamp bracket
9 is capable of being positioned above the case 7 by rotating it about the support
axis 11, and the rotating end side of the steering handlebar 18 is also capable of
being positioned above the cowling 17 by rotating the handlebar about the support
axis 19.
[0033] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the outboard motor 5 is brought to the "stowage
attitude" and placed on the placing surface 36, if the rotating end of the steering
handlebar 18 and the clamp bracket 9 are positioned above the cowling 17 and the case
7, the steering handlebar 18 and the clamp bracket 9 are prevented from contacting
the placing surface 36. As a result, the outboard motor 5 is held unchanged in the
"stowage attitude" in a more stabilized manner on the placing surface 36 without being
obstructed with the steering handlebar 18.
[0034] A grip 43 is integrally formed with the cowling 17 on the upper surface side of the
cowling 17 and on the imaginary vertical plane 37 in the state of the outboard motor
5 in the "stowage attitude".
[0035] Therefore, the work of changing the outboard motor 5 from the "usable attitude" to
the "stowage attitude" is made easier by gripping the grip 43.
[0036] While the above description is made by way of the example shown, it may be alternatively
arranged that only one of the portions 40, 41 of the case 7 on the underside is placed
on the placing surface 36. It may also be arranged that the portions 40, 41 project
from the main part side of the case 7 toward the placing surface 36.
[0037] The embodiment described above shows a structure for stowing an outboard motor, said
outboard motor comprising; a case elongate in one direction with its one end removably
supported on a hull and with its other end made submergible in the water, a propeller
supported on the other end of the case, an internal combustion engine capable of outputting
power to the propeller through a power transmitting means housed within one end side
of the case, and a cowling covering the internal combustion engine from above and
supported with one end of the case, said internal combustion engine comprising; a
crankcase supported with the one end of the case, and a cylinder projecting from the
crankcase, wherein said structure being adapted such that, when the outboard motor
is removed from the hull and placed on a horizontal placing surface in a lateral "stowage
attitude" in which the cylinder projects upward from the crankcase, portions of the
case on the underside of the other end and a pair of portions of the underside of
the cowling on right and left of an imaginary vertical plane passing the first-mentioned
portions and extending along the longitudinal direction of the case respectively come
into contact with the placing surface.
[0038] As a result, the outboard motor in its "stowage attitude" is placed in a stabilized
three-point support state with the portions in contact with the placing surface.
[0039] Therefore, the work of stowing and transporting the outboard motor is made easier
as the outboard motor is held in the stabilized "stowage attitude" on the placing
surface.
[0040] When the outboard motor is in the "stowage attitude", the cylinder of the internal
combustion engine is held to the state of projecting up from the crankcase. Therefore,
the lubricant oil in the internal combustion engine collects in the inside bottom
part of the crankcase and does not flow toward the cylinder.
[0041] Therefore, the lubricant oil in the internal combustion engine is prevented from
wetting the ignition plug and from leaking outside the internal combustion engine.
[0042] Moreover, according to the structure for stowing an outboard motor, said outboard
motor being provided with a steering handlebar, and said steering handlebar being
rotatably pivoted on either the internal combustion engine or the cowling, wherein,
when the outboard motor is brought to the "stowage attitude", the rotating end side
of the handlebar is capable of being placed in a position higher than the cowling
by rotating the steering handlebar.
[0043] Therefore, the steering handlebar is prevented from contacting the placing surface
when the rotating end of the handlebar is placed above the cowling in the state of
the outboard motor being brought to the "stowage attitude" and placed on the placing
surface.
[0044] As a result, the outboard motor is held unchanged in the "stowage attitude" in a
more stabilized manner than in conventional arrangement on the placing surface without
being obstructed with the steering handlebar, and the work of stowage and transport
is further facilitated.
[0045] The embodiment described above is suitable to facilitate the work of stowing or transporting
an outboard motor by keeping it in a more stabilized "stowage attitude" when it is
removed from a hull and placed in the horizontally oblong "stowage attitude" on a
placing surface, and to prevent lubricant oil in an internal combustion engine from
wetting an ignition plug and from leaking outside the internal combustion engine when
the outboard motor is brought to the "stowage attitude."
[0046] Thus it is arranged, when an outboard motor 5 is removed from a hull 3 and placed
in a horizontally oblong "stowage attitude" on a placing surface 36 with a cylinder
26 projecting up from a crankcase 23, so that portions 40, 41 on the underside of
a distal end 10 of the case 7 of the outboard motor 5 and a pair of portions 42, 42
on the underside of a cowling 17 on right and left of an imaginary vertical plane
37 passing the portions 40, 41 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the
case 7 respectively come into contact with the placing surface 36.
[0047] The outboard motor according to the embodiment comprises an internal combustion engine
16 and a power transmitting structure 7,15 for transmitting driving power from said
internal combustion engine 16 to a propeller 14. Said outboard motor further comprises
an outboard motor supporting structure comprising at least two spaced supporting projection
portions 42 adapted to support the outboard motor in a stable position when being
removed from a hull 3.
[0048] A cowling 17 covering said internal combustion engine 16 is provided, wherein said
cowling 17 is provided with the supporting projection portions 42.
[0049] Said internal combustion engine 16 comprises a cylinder 26 extending in a first direction,
and the supporting projection portions 42 are projecting in a direction opposite to
the extending direction of said cylinder 26.
[0050] Said power transmitting structure comprises a case 7 elongating in a second direction
with a first end 8 removably supported on the hull 3 and with a second end 10 made
submergible in the water 2, said case 7 is provided with at least one further supporting
projection portion 40,41 on the second end 10 thereof.
[0051] Said propeller 14 is supported on the second end 10 of the case 7 and facing in a
direction which is substantially perpendicular with the second direction, and said
further supporting projection portion 40,41 is projecting a direction opposite to
the facing direction of said propeller 14, wherein the supporting projection portions
42 are provided on a same side as the further supporting projection portion 40, 41.
[0052] A center of gravity of the outboard motor is provided between the spaced supporting
projection portions 42 and the further supporting projection portion 40, 41 with regard
to the second direction. Said supporting projection portions 42 are provided on right
and left of an imaginary vertical plane 37 passing the further supporting projection
40, 41 and extending along the second direction. The center of gravity of the outboard
motor is located approximately in said vertical plane 37.
[0053] A steering handlebar 18 is rotatably pivoted on either the internal combustion engine
16 or the cowling 17, wherein said steering handlebar 18 is positionable out of a
plane defined by said supporting projection portions 42 and the further supporting
projection 40,41.
[0054] A clamp bracket 9 is moveably provided on the case 7, wherein said clamp bracket
9 is positionable out of a plane defined by said supporting projection portions 42
and the further supporting projection 40, 41.
1. An outboard motor comprising:
an internal combustion engine (16) and a power transmitting structure (7,15) for transmitting
driving power from said internal combustion engine (16) to a propeller (14);
an outboard motor supporting structure comprising at least two spaced supporting projection
portions (42) adapted to support the outboard motor in a stable position when being
removed from a hull (3).
2. An outboard motor according to claim 1, characterized by a cowling (17) covering said internal combustion engine (16), wherein said cowling
(17) is provided with the supporting projection portions (42).
3. An outboard motor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said internal combustion engine (16) comprises a cylinder (26) extending in a first
direction, and the supporting projection portions (42) are projecting in a direction
opposite to the extending direction of said cylinder (26).
4. An outboard motor according to at least one of the claim 1 or 3, characterized in that said power transmitting structure comprises a case (7) elongating in a second direction
with a first end (8) removably supported on the hull (3) and with a second end (10)
made submergible in the water (2), said case (7) is provided with at least one further
supporting projection portion (40,41) on the second end (10) thereof.
5. An outboard motor according to claim 4, characterized in that said propeller (14) is supported on the second end (10) of the case (7) and facing
in a direction which is substantially perpendicular with the second direction, and
said further supporting projection portion (40,41) is projecting a direction opposite
to the facing direction of said propeller (14), wherein the supporting projection
portions (42) are provided on a same side as the further supporting projection portion
(40, 41).
6. An outboard motor according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a center of gravity of the outboard motor is provided between the spaced supporting
projection portions (42) and the further supporting projection portion (40, 41) with
regard to the second direction.
7. An outboard motor according to at least one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said supporting projection portions (42) are provided on right and left of an imaginary
vertical plane (37) passing the further supporting projection (40, 41) and extending
along the second direction.
8. An outboard motor according to claim 7, characterized in that a center of gravity
of the outboard motor is located approximately in said vertical plane (37).
9. An outboard motor according to at least one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized by a steering handlebar (18) being rotatably pivoted on either the internal combustion
engine (16) or the cowling (17), wherein said steering handlebar (18) is positionable
out of a plane defined by said supporting projection portions (42) and the further
supporting projection (40, 41).
10. An outboard motor according to at least one of the claims 4 to 9, characterized by a clamp bracket (9) moveably provided on the case (7), wherein said clamp bracket
(9) is positionable out of a plane defined by said supporting projection portions
(42) and the further supporting projection (40, 41).