Replaceable Wear Component

Description

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD

The invention relates to modifications to or accessories affixed to the submerged portion of an outboard or an inboard-outboard motor.

BACKGROUND

Outboard motors and inboard-outboard motors for boating typically include a keel-like projection extending below the propellor shaft. This portion of the motor is subject to the most abrasive wear as it is most likely to get plowed into submerged soil when dragging a boat ashore, or when operating in shallow waters and contacting sand bars or shoals. Worse mishaps may occur when a boater strikes an unanticipated submerged object such as a water-logged tree trunk or a rock at speed.

Damage or excessive accumulated wear on this part of an outboard or inboard-outboard motor usually results in a costly replacement of the entire motor housing. There remains unmet market interest in reducing repair and maintenance costs if it were possible to replace only the most worn or damaged portion of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A primary objective of the invention is to provide a motor housing or a modification to a motor housing of an outboard or an inboard-outboard motor which presents an adapter for receiving an exchangeable keel component also called a skeg.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a replaceable skeg component. A corollary objective of the invention is to provide fastening apparatus in the adapter for retaining the replaceable skeg.

Yet another corollary objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable mode for the fastening apparatus so that the retention force by which it retains an installed skeg is sufficient to withstand hydraulic drag on the skeg while the motor is powering a boat at typical speeds for its class, and also able to retain the installed skeg while withstanding drag and other impacts encountered during reasonably foreseeable contacts with a solid bottom beneath the boat such as a submerged shore or strand, sand or gravel shoals and the like, especially when hauling a boat ashore.

However, yet another corollary objective of the invention is to provide that the adjustable fastening mode for retaining the replaceable skeg to the adapter limits the retention force so that while traveling at speeds sufficient that contact with submerged objects or the bottom would damage the motor housing or the adapter, then the retention force is exceeded on such impact and the replaceable skeg separates from the adapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of system for a marine motor housing adapted to include a replaceable skeg in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows components of the system components for the marine motor housing of FIG. 1 exploded and defines section line A-A for the cross section views of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of a skeg-receiving component seen in FIG. 2, taken at section line A-A as defined therein.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of an upper portion of a replaceable skeg in accordance with the invention, including features for this portion to be securely received and retained by the skeg receiving component of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5a shows a ball détente set screw for an optional mode of use in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5b shows a cup point set screw for an alternative optional mode of use in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of a skeg retainer in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7a shows a side view of an embodiment of a replaceable skeg in accordance with the invention and defines section line B-B for the cross section view of FIG. 7b.

FIG. 7b shows a cross section view of the replaceable skeg seen in FIG. 7a, taken at section line B-B as defined therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION of CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have been summarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a few exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Several embodiments are described herein, and while various features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should be appreciated that the features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single feature or features of any described embodiment should be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

In this application the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” is equivalent to “and/or,” also referred to as “non-exclusive or” unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise. Where grammatical genders are concerned, a “user” of the invention may be of any gender regardless of any specific pronouns or grammar used in this specification. Thus, masculine grammatical forms may be interpreted to include and subsume feminine or any other grammatical genders.

The invention comprises a replaceable skeg system for a marine motor housing that includes a housing for a marine motor and a skeg retainer affixed to its underside surface. The skeg retainer has first and second faces spaced apart from the first and second sidewalls symmetrically disposed about a midplane. A closed-ended slot cut into the face is centered within the midplane and a second slot cut into the second face has at least one through aperture communicating between at least the second slot and either the first or second sidewall. A replaceable skeg receivable within the second slot includes a substantially planar membrane of a thickness, and has first, second, third, and fourth contours conjoined to form a perimeter. Proximal to the first contour, one or both lateral surfaces comprise a rabbet and a groove parallel to a straight portion of the first contour. A rabbet is a term for a physical, edged structure and the English word traces its roots to Norman French fortification architecture. The word is unrelated to the word “rabbit.”

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of a system [10] for a marine motor housing adapted to include a replaceable skeg in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows components of the system [10] for the marine motor housing of FIG. 1 exploded and defines section line A-A for the cross section views of FIGS. 3 and 4. Marine motors such as outboard and inboard-outboard motors include a gearbox inside the housing which transmits rotary power from the engine to rotary power for the propeller shaft. In this figure a propeller [5] is shown exploded from the propeller shaft. A replaceable skeg system in accordance with the invention and for use with a marine motor housing comprises a housing [1] for a marine motor with the marine motor having an underside surface [6.] A skeg retainer [2] is affixed to the underside surface of the motor housing. A replaceable skeg [4] inserts into the skeg retainer, and fasteners or shear pins insert into apertures [3] of the skeg retainer to secure the skeg therein. The grip strength of the fastening schema, or the shear strength of the fasteners or pins, or both, cooperate so as to allow the skeg to deform, rupture, or break away from the skeg retainer if a boater using the invention were to strike a submerged object at speed.

In such a case, rather than incurring permanent damage to the housing and the power transmission components within, the replaceable skeg sacrifices itself and may be discarded and a replacement installed into the retainer. In other cases, if and as the boat is repeatedly beached at the end of each use, contact with the bottom may progressively wear out the skeg by abrasion. In any case, to install a replacement skeg, the fasteners are loosened or removed, and the unwanted skeg or remnant there of is removed from the retainer. A new replacement skeg may then be fitted and aligned in the lower slot of the skeg retainer and then the fasteners are replaced or re-tightened. Boaters may even decide to acquire one or more spare replacement skegs to keep on hand so that a damaged, worn or lost skeg may be readily replaced.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of a skeg-receiving component seen in FIG. 2, taken at section line A-A as defined therein. A skeg retainer in accordance with the invention comprises a first face [21] and a second face [24] opposite and spaced apart from the first face. First and second sidewalls [22] and [23] span between the first and second faces, with the first and second sidewalls symmetrically disposed about a midplane [-C-]. A first, closed-ended slot [12] is cut into the first face and centered with respect to the midplane and a second slot [14] is cut into the second face and also preferably disposed symmetrically about the midplane. At least one through aperture [3] communicates between the second slot and a sidewall selected from the set of sidewalls consisting of the first and the second sidewall. This definition includes the exemplary embodiment shown, wherein more than one aperture [3] communicates between the second slot and both the first and second sidewalls. Fasteners inserted into these apertures secure the skeg in place within the second slot, either by compressing it from one side of the slot into an opposing sidewall of the slot, or as shown, by having mutually opposed pairs of fasteners clamp the skeg in place. The through apertures may be smooth-walled or scored for interference fits of pins, or roll pins (also called spring pins,) or they may be threaded to receive screws, bolts or set screws. According to the invention, threaded holes and threaded fasteners are preferred over using press-fit pins.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of an upper portion of a replaceable skeg [4] in accordance with the invention, including features for this portion to be securely received and retained by the skeg receiving component of FIGS. 2 and 3, which is a skeg retainer. The skeg comprises a substantially planar membrane having a thickness spanning between first and second surfaces. The first surface comprises a first rabbet [15a] and the second surface [28] comprises a second rabbet [15b,] with the first and second rabbets terminating at a first contour [36] which defines the top edge of the skeg. In less-preferred embodiments the skeg may include one or more through apertures [3′] that communicate between the first rabbet and the second rabbet.

These through apertures may receive a shear pin, a roll pin, a solid dowel pin, or a portion of a threaded fastener or set screw, or the extendable and retractable tip or ball of a ball plunger or a détente pin. However, in preferred embodiments the skeg does not include transverse through apertures but instead comprises one or more grooves [16] parallel to the top surface (which is the first contour) of the skeg.

FIG. 5a shows a ball detente set screw [31a] for an optional mode of use in accordance with the invention. This fastener, also called a ball plunger or a ball-nose spring plunger, includes an axially retractable and extendable spring-loaded ball [32a] at its tip which may be used advantageously to locate and seat into a groove in the rabbetted upper portion of the skeg as it seats within the underside groove of the skeg retainer. A détente pin is similar to a ball plunger except that its tip or nose is not capable of multiaxial rotation like the ball at the end of a ball plunger, and is thus less preferred to a ball plunger.

FIG. 5b shows a cup point set screw [32a] for an alternative optional mode of use in accordance with the invention. The cup point presents an incisive circular edge [32b] where an external conical surface meets an internal conical cavity. This fastener is one of the preferred fasteners for use in securing a replaceable skeg in accordance with the invention within the lower slot of a skeg retainer in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of a skeg retainer in accordance with the invention. A skeg retainer comprises a first face, which is the top surface in this figure, and which includes an upper slot [12] which is a first slot. A second face opposite and spaced apart from the first face is an underside surface which includes a lower slot [14] which is a second slot. First and second sidewalls [22] and [23] span between the first and second faces, with the first and second sidewalls symmetrically disposed about the midplane [-C-] shown in FIG. 3.

The skeg retainer has a first end or forward end [25] which preferably includes a pair of converging dihedral surfaces like the bows of a vessel. A second end or rear end [26] opposite the first end is preferably rounded like the stern or fantail of a vessel. The first slot is a closed-ended slot cut into the first face and centered with respect to the midplane, and the second slot is cut into the second face and has a closed end proximal to the first end of the skeg retainer. The other end of the second slot is an open end passing through an end face of the second end of the skeg retainer. A replaceable skeg may be aligned abaft of the second slot and slid into place within it until it is halted with its forward corner in contact with the closed end of the second slot.

A least one through aperture [3] communicates between the second slot and a sidewall selected from the set of sidewalls consisting of the first and the second sidewall, and a skeg receivable within the second slot. This means that one or more apertures communicate between the second slot and the first sidewall, and at least one or more other apertures communicate between the second slot and the second sidewall. In preferable embodiments, pairs of through apertures may be aligned as depicted in this figure so that fasteners inserted therein (and especially threaded fasteners) are aligned to present mutually opposed griping features for engaging and securely retaining the skeg in the second slot.

FIG. 7a shows a side view of an embodiment of a replaceable skeg [4] in accordance with the invention and defines section line B-B for the cross section view of FIG. 7b. The skeg has first and second opposed surfaces of which one is presented facing the reader in this figure. The skeg includes first, second, third, and fourth contours [36,] [39,] [37,] and conjoined to form a perimeter bounding the first and second surfaces. For contours which mostly include straight lines, the skeg is substantially trapezoidal in its perimeter as shown, but portions or entireties of the second, third, or fourth contour may include curves or arcuate portions, including circular, elliptical, parabolic, or hyperbolic curve sections. In preferred embodiments at least a majority of the first contour of a skeg in accordance with the invention comprises a straight line to form a flat top surface defining straight rabbets [15] proximal to the top surface as shown, wherein the first contour comprises a first straight line portion, and at least one rabbet selected from among the first and second rabbet [15a] and [15b] as shown in FIG. 4 further comprises a groove [16] parallel to the first straight line portion. Also in the exemplary embodiment shown, the groove continues forward beyond a boundary of the rabbet, which may be selected from among either or both the first and second rabbet of the skeg.

Also in preferable embodiments, a portion of the fourth contour of the skeg terminates with a face [34] substantially perpendicular to the first contour. Also presented here as a preferred alternative within the scope of the invention, at least a portion of a transition between at least one surface selected from the first and second surface of the skeg (i.e, the side of the skeg shown in this view or its opposite side,) and the second contour of the skeg [39] comprises at least one chamfered surface [42.] The second contour may also optionally comprise a rounded edge. In another preferred alternative embodiment, at least a portion of a transition between at least one surface selected from the first and second surface of the skeg and the fourth contour [38] of the skeg comprises at least one chamfered surface [41,] and also optionally, the fourth contour may further comprise a rounded edge.

FIG. 7b shows a cross section view of the replaceable skeg seen in FIG. 7a, taken at section line B-B as defined therein. As seen in cross section, the skeg comprises a substantially planar membrane having a thickness [t] spanning between first surface [27] and the second surface [28.] At least a portion of a transition between at least one surface selected from the first and second surface of the skeg and the second contour of the skeg comprises at least one chamfered surface. This means that either the first or second or both surfaces may include a chamfered surface [42] proximal to the second contour [39.] Similarly, the second contour may also further comprise a rounded edge.

Also, at least a portion of a transition between at least one surface selected from the first and second surface of the skeg and the fourth contour of the skeg may comprise at least one chamfered surface. This means that either the first or second or both surfaces may include a chamfered surface [42] proximal to the fourth contour [38.] Similarly, the fourth contour may also further comprise a rounded edge.

The invention differs from some related art, especially replaceable skegs which include a hollow, upward facing cavity which typically fits up with a downward facing keel portion of a motor housing which may be a remnant of an original housing after having been partially shorn off by a previous boater incident wherein a boater had indeed struck a submerged obstruction at speed and had damaged the motor housing. These inventions are repair kits whereby a replacement skeg fastens onto a vestigial remnant of the original motor housing, after deformed material has been removed. Most of these products require a positive remnant or feature, such as a fin, rib, or dovetail on the motor housing to be received into a corresponding negative feature such as a cavity or groove in the replacement skeg component. The invention is opposite to those arrangements: the slot is formed in an underside skeg adapter, and the skeg may or may not require a rabbeted portion where it is received within the slot. The inventive skeg is simpler to replace and stronger than the opposed arrangements mentioned above, especially compared to U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,868 to Fry for example, wherein the longitudinal undercuts of a dovetail groove in the '868 skeg weaken its grip on the motor housing.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,632 to Davis uses a skeg with fasteners and a hollow cavity which screws onto a ventral fin or remnant of the original motor housing. Unfortunately, in the event of a high-speed collision with a submerged object, the fin or remnant portion of the motor housing is likely to get damaged or get torn off, leaving the same residual damage and expense as with an unimproved marine motor housing.

Another superior feature of the invention is that the receiving longitudinal slot in the skeg adapter is open to the rear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,381 to Schlintz et al teaches a replaceable skeg having upward tongues or tabs that reach into a downward facing and closed-end slot fashioned in the motor housing. The closed-end slot of '381 is seen in its FIG. 6. The replaceable skeg of '381 may only be inserted vertically into the receiving slot. The slot of '381 includes two “scallops” that receive two “shear tabs” of the skeg. A user of the '381 device is limited to installing the replacement skeg in a vertical motion moving up from below.

In comparison, the invention allows a sliding insertion motion whereby transverse fasteners partially extend into the slot of the skeg adapter so that they locate within the grooves of the replaceable skeg. Once thusly located, the skeg may be smoothly inserted to meet the forward end of the slot in the skeg adapter while riding along the tips of the fasteners which are engaged within its longitudinal grooves. The improved ease of installing a replacement skeg is enabled in part by the skeg adapter of the invention having an aft-facing open-ended slot.

Furthermore, the '381 skeg is designed to break away on impact with an obstruction. If found on the bottom, the '381 skeg will be broken and must be replaced with a new unit. However, with the inventive skeg disclosed herein, a user may adjust the fasteners on its initial installation to grip the skeg firmly, but loosely enough so that in a collision the inventive skeg is allowed to slide out the back of the slot and fall away. If the boater finds it, it may be reinstalled but with the fasteners tightened a degree more than the last time. If it is found that the fasteners had skivved off some material of the skeg during the collision and the skeg's departure from its open-ended slot, then the boater may simply re-install and either tighten the fasteners more so as to grip the (slightly narrowed) rabbeted section of the skeg, or the boater may also relocate the skeg within the adapter groove so the fasteners bite into “new” material elsewhere from where they bit into the skeg during the previous use. Re-using a recovered skeg is not possible with the '381; a new replacement unit must be purchased.

While aligning a replacement skeg within the skeg adapter of the invention, the inventive skeg includes grooves that engage with the partially inserted fasteners, especially if they are ball plungers, and the balls may roll in the grooves of the skeg as it slides into place, moving from back to front until it meets the closed end of the second slot. The skeg of the invention may also be made having through holes aligned with the grooves, so that the ball detents may roll within the grooves and then “click in” when they find those holes. The transverse holes in the skeg may be smaller than the ball, so that when these fasteners are tightened the set screw portion of the ball detent will bite into the material of the skeg without entering the detent hole. The hole may be made smaller than the body diameter of the detent screw so that only the nose of the ball goes in to create the “click-in” feel. These advantageous features and benefits are entirely lacking in the '381 and in other currently known practices.

Lastly, the '381 is difficult or impossible to employ as a modification to an existing motor housing. It is most fit only as an OEM manufactured design. A person who already has a motor with a similar housing to that of '381 would thus most likely have to uninstall and sell the current motor (incurring lost labor costs for uninstalling an inboard or inboard-outboard motor) and buy a new motor equipped with the '381 features.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible. Also, while certain functionality is ascribed to certain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, this functionality may be distributed among various other system components in accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes described herein are described in a particular order for ease of description, unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may be reordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments. Furthermore, the procedures described with respect to one method or process may be incorporated within other described methods or processes; likewise, system components described according to a particular structural configuration and/or with respect to one system may be organized in alternative structural configurations and/or incorporated within other described systems.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations may be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Hence, while various embodiments are described with or without certain features for ease of description and to illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the various components and/or features described herein with respect to a particular embodiment may be substituted, added, and/or subtracted from among other described embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise. Thus, unauthorized instances of apparatuses and methods claimed herein are to be considered infringing, no matter where in the world they are advertised, sold, offered for sale, used, possessed, or performed.

Consequently and in summary, although many exemplary embodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.