CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/967,226, filed Oct. 17, 2022, which '226 application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/554,540, filed Dec. 17, 2021 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/881,018, filed Aug. 4, 2022, which '018 application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/310,369, filed Feb. 15, 2022. All of the above-listed parent applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to outboard motors and particularly to outboard motors which are transportable.

BACKGROUND

The following U.S. Patents and Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference:

U.S. Pat. No. 11,097,824 discloses an apparatus for steering an outboard motor with respect to a marine vessel. The apparatus includes a transom bracket configured to support the outboard motor with respect to the marine vessel; a tiller for manually steering the outboard motor with respect to a steering axis; a steering arm extending above the transom bracket and coupling the tiller to the outboard motor such that rotation of the tiller causes rotation of the outboard motor with respect to the steering axis, wherein the steering arm is located above the transom bracket; and a copilot device configured to lock the outboard motor in each of a plurality of steering positions relative to the steering axis. The copilot device extends above and is manually operable from above the steering arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,186,352 discloses a tiller system for steering a marine propulsion device. The tiller system includes a tiller arm rotatably coupled to the marine propulsion device. The tiller arm is rotatable from a down position to an up position through a plurality of lock positions therebetween. A toothed member is coupled to one of the tiller arm and the marine propulsion device. The toothed member defines a plurality of teeth corresponding to the plurality of lock positions for the tiller arm. A pawl is coupled to another of the tiller arm and the marine propulsion device, where the pawl engages with the plurality of teeth to prevent the tiller arm from rotating downwardly through the plurality of lock positions.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,097,826 discloses a tiller for an outboard marine drive including a tiller body that is elongated along a tiller axis between a fixed end connected to an outboard marine drive and a distal end. A lanyard switch on the tiller body is configured to prevent operation of the outboard marine drive when a lanyard clip is not attached to the lanyard switch. A controller is configured to identify that an operator has provided user input to start the outboard marine drive and that the lanyard clip is not connected to the lanyard switch. The controller then generates a lanyard error alert identifying that the lanyard clip is not connected to the lanyard switch.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,787,236 discloses a tiller system for steering an outboard motor. The tiller system includes a tiller arm that is rotatably coupled to the outboard motor. The tiller arm is rotatable from a down position to an up position through a plurality of lock positions therebetween. A tilt lock system is coupled between the tiller arm and the outboard motor and is configured to be activated and deactivated. When activated, the tilt lock system prevents the tiller arm from rotating downwardly through each of the plurality of lock positions. The tiller arm is further rotatable into an unlock position, whereby rotating the tiller arm into the unlock position automatically deactivates the tilt lock system such that the tiller arm is freely rotatable downwardly through the plurality of lock positions.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,696,367 discloses a tiller for an outboard motor has a throttle grip which is manually rotatable through first and second ranges of motion into and between an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at an idle speed, and first and second open-throttle positions, respectively, in which the outboard motor is controlled at an above-idle speed. A throttle shaft is coupled to the throttle grip and is configured so that rotation of the throttle grip causes rotation of the throttle shaft, which changes a throttle position of a throttle of the outboard motor. A rotation direction switching mechanism is manually position-able into a first position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the first range of motion controls the throttle of the outboard motor and alternately manually position-able into a second position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the second range of motion controls the throttle position.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,246,173 discloses a tiller for an outboard motor having a manually operable shift mechanism configured to actuate shift changes in a transmission of the outboard motor amongst a forward gear, reverse gear, and neutral gear. The tiller also has a manually operable throttle mechanism configured to position a throttle of an internal combustion engine of the outboard motor into and between the idle position and a wide-open throttle position. An interlock mechanism is configured to prevent a shift change in the transmission out of the neutral gear when the throttle is positioned in a non-idle position. The interlock mechanism is further configured to permit a shift change into the neutral gear regardless of where the throttle is positioned.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,764,813 discloses a tiller for an outboard motor. The tiller comprises a tiller body that is elongated along a tiller axis between a fixed end and a free end. A throttle grip is disposed on the free end. The throttle grip is rotatable through a first (left-handed) range of motion from an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at idle speed to first (left-handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed and alternately through a second (right handed) range of motion from the idle position to a second (right-handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,383 discloses a marine propulsion support system having a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, and a mounting bracket. A drive unit is connected to the mounting bracket by a plurality of vibration isolation mounts, which are configured to absorb loads on the drive unit that do not exceed a mount design threshold. A bump stop located between the swivel bracket and the drive unit limits deflection of the drive unit caused by loads that exceed the threshold. An outboard motor includes a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, a cradle, and a drive unit supported between first and second opposite arms of the cradle. First and second vibration isolation mounts connect the first and second cradle arms to the drive unit, respectively. An upper motion-limiting bump stop is located remotely from the vibration isolation mounts and between the swivel bracket and the drive unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,205,906 discloses a mounting arrangement for supporting an outboard motor with respect to a marine vessel extending in a fore-aft plane. The mounting arrangement comprises first and second mounts that each have an outer shell, an inner wedge concentrically disposed in the outer shell, and an elastomeric spacer between the outer shell and the inner wedge. Each of the first and second mounts extend along an axial direction, along a vertical direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction, and along a horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction and perpendicular to the vertical direction. The inner wedges of the first and second mounts both have a non-circular shape when viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the axial direction. The non-circular shape comprises a first outer surface which extends laterally at an angle to the horizontal and vertical directions. The non-circular shape comprises a second outer surface which extends laterally at a different, second angle to the horizontal and vertical directions. A method is for making the mounting arrangement.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/487,116 discloses an outboard motor including a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/585,214 discloses a marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a propulsor configured to generate a thrust force in a body of water; a battery that powers the propulsor; and a supporting frame which supports the marine drive relative to marine vessel. The supporting frame has a monolithic body defining a frame interior, and further has a support leg extending downwardly from the monolithic body and a steering arm extending forwardly from monolithic body. A cowling is fixed to the supporting frame via at least one hidden fastener that extends from the frame interior, through the supporting frame, and into engagement with the cowl body, wherein hidden fastener being accessible during installation.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.

A transportable outboard motor extends from a top to a bottom in an axial direction, from a port side to a starboard side in a lateral direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction, and from a front to a rear in a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction and perpendicular to the lateral direction. The transportable outboard motor may have a tiller which is pivotable about a lateral tilt axis into a plurality of tilt positions relative to the transportable outboard motor and also pivotable about an axial yaw axis into a plurality of yaw positions relative to the transportable outboard motor. The tiller may be pivotable about the lateral tilt axis out of each of the plurality of yaw positions.

The tiller may be pivotable about the axial yaw axis into a straight-ahead position, into a port yaw position which is oriented towards the port side relative to the straight-ahead position, and into a starboard yaw position which is oriented towards the starboard side relative to the straight-ahead position. The tiller may be pivotable downwardly about the lateral tilt axis from the port yaw position, and further the tiller may be pivotable downwardly about the lateral tilt axis from the starboard yaw position.

A steering arm may extend forwardly from a midsection of the outboard motor, wherein the tiller is coupled to the steering arm. A swivel tube may be coupled to the steering arm, the swivel tube configured to seat in a transom bracket assembly configured to support the outboard motor relative to a marine vessel. As such, pivoting the tiller into the plurality of yaw positions creates space for a user to manually grasp the swivel tube and thereby lift the transportable outboard motor from a rear-laydown position. Pivoting the tiller downwardly about the lateral tilt axis from the plurality of yaw positions stores the tiller alongside the outboard motor for transport via the swivel tube.

The tiller may comprise a tiller arm and a base bracket assembly, the base bracket assembly comprising a yaw bracket which is fixedly coupled to the outboard motor and a steering bracket which pivotably couples the tiller arm to the yaw bracket for movement about the axial yaw axis. The tiller arm may be pivotable through at least 90 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis, and the plurality of yaw positions may span at least 90 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis. The tiller arm may be pivotable through at least 180 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis, and the plurality of yaw positions may span at least 180 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis. A yaw lock may be configured to lock the tiller in the plurality of yaw positions relative to the yaw axis, wherein manually unlocking the yaw lock facilitates movement of the tiller into a new yaw position of the plurality of yaw positions.

The plurality of tilt positions may comprise a downward tilt position in which the tiller is angled downwardly in the axial direction so as to facilitate carrying of the marine drive via the tiller. The outboard motor may have a center of gravity which is centered below the tiller in the downward tilt position thus facilitating carrying of the transportable outboard motor via the tiller.

In non-limiting examples, a transportable outboard motor has a tiller having a tilt mechanism which facilitates pivoting of the tiller about a lateral tilt axis into a plurality of tilt positions relative to the transportable outboard motor and further has a yaw bracket which facilitates pivoting of the tiller about an axial yaw axis into a plurality of yaw positions relative to the transportable outboard motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples are provided with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an outboard motor supported on the transom of a marine vessel by a transom bracket with a tiller in a horizontal tilt position according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 a side view of the outboard motor of FIG. 1, with the tiller in a downward tilt position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking down at a tiller according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tiller, illustrating a tiller arm including a chassis, a cover and a hand grip, spaced apart from a base bracket assembly comprising a yaw bracket and a steering bracket.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the base bracket assembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the base bracket assembly.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views, partially in phantom, illustrating a yaw lock.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view looking up at the tiller arm.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the tiller arm along the grip restraining device.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating the tiller arm.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating the grip restraining device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, illustrating the grip restraining device.

FIG. 14 is a section side view of the grip restraining device.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the grip restraining device.

FIG. 16 is a sectional end view illustrating the grip restraining device.

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the base bracket assembly and tiller arm, with the tiller arm shown in phantom line in a vertically straight up tilt position and in a vertically straight down tilt position.

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the base bracket assembly and tiller arm, with the tiller arm shown in phantom line in a range of tilt positions.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the tiller illustrating portions of a tilt mechanism for the tiller, including a tilt shaft, tilt levers, and a cam device.

FIG. 20 is a view like FIG. 17, taken from a different perspective.

FIG. 21 is a view of one of the tilt levers shown in phantom and the cam device therein.

FIG. 22 is a side view illustrating the tilt shaft, tilt lever and cam device of the tilt mechanism in a disengaged position.

FIG. 23 is a view like FIG. 20 illustrating the tilt mechanism in an engaged position.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the engaged position with the tiller arm in a tilt position that is slightly downward from horizontal.

FIG. 25 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the engaged position with the tiller arm in a horizontal tilt position.

FIG. 26 is a side sectional view illustrating the tiller arm as it is pivoted upwardly towards the uppermost, vertically straight up tilt position and illustrating a tilt bracket of the tilt mechanism as it engages a pawl of the tilt mechanism in such a way that moves the tilt mechanism into the disengaged position by overcoming a cam force provided by the cam device.

FIG. 27 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the disengaged position and the tiller arm in the uppermost, vertically straight up tilt position.

FIG. 28 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the engaged position and the tiller arm in the uppermost, vertically straight up tilt position.

FIG. 29 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the disengaged position and the tiller arm in the lowermost, vertically straight down tilt position.

FIG. 30 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism in the engaged position with the tiller arm in a vertically straight down tilt position.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a steering arm extending forwardly from a midsection of the outboard motor and wings extending laterally from the steering arm.

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the steering arm and wings.

FIG. 33 is a view of section 33-33, taken in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a side perspective view looking down at the outboard motor.

FIG. 35 is a detailed view taken in FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a detailed view taken in FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a front view showing the outboard motor in a side laydown position.

FIG. 38 is a side view showing the outboard motor in a rear laydown position.

FIG. 39 is a view of section 39-39, taken in FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view looking up at an anti-ventilation plate of the outboard motor.

FIG. 41 is a side perspective view of another example of a marine drive supported on a transom bracket assembly configured for supporting the marine drive on the transom of a marine vessel.

FIG. 42 is a detailed perspective view of the marine drive and transom bracket assembly of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the marine drive supported on the swivel bracket of the transom bracket assembly of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of the steering bracket assembly and the swivel bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 45 is a view of section 45-45 taken in FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the swivel bracket of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is an exploded view of the lower end of the swivel cylinder of FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of the steering bracket assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 49 is a view of section 49-49 taken in FIG. 42 with the locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 50 is another view of section 49-49 with the locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 51 is another view of section 49-49 with swivel tube assembly removed from the swivel cylinder.

FIG. 52 is a detailed view of the locking mechanism in section 49-49 which depicts the insertion of the swivel tube into the swivel cylinder.

FIG. 53 is the detailed view of FIG. 52 depicting the locking mechanism returning to the locked position.

FIG. 54 is another view of section 49-49 with the copilot device in a disengaged position.

FIG. 55 is another view of section 49-49 with the copilot device rotating to compress friction members to restrict rotation of the steering bracket assembly.

FIG. 56 is a detailed perspective view of the steering bracket assembly and the swivel bracket of FIG. 3 with the steering bracket assembly slidably engaged with a ramped surface.

FIG. 57 is the detailed perspective view of FIG. 56, with the engagement member of the steering bracket assembly between the steering stops of the swivel bracket.

FIG. 58 is a view of section 58-58 taken in FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a top view of the tiller during adjustment via the yaw lock and tilt mechanism described according to the embodiment in FIGS. 1-40, showing yaw adjustment in dashed lines.

FIG. 60 is a view of the tiller and outboard motor according to the embodiment in FIGS. 1-40, showing in the rear laydown position, wherein the tiller arm is in is a vertically straight down tilt position and a yaw position relative to the outboard motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water, which in the illustrated example is an outboard motor 10. The outboard motor 10 extends from top to bottom in an axial direction AX, from front to back in a longitudinal direction LO which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX, and from side to opposite side in a lateral direction LA (see the example in FIG. 41) which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO. The outboard motor 10 includes a supporting frame (not shown) for rigidly supporting the various components of the outboard motor 10 with respect to the marine vessel and a gearcase 14 secured to the supporting frame. A cowling 16 is fixed to and surrounds most or all of the supporting frame, as further disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/585,214, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in entirety. The cowling 16 defines a cowling interior in which a portion of the supporting frame is enclosed and various components of the outboard motor 10 are disposed. It should be understood that the various components described above are exemplary and could vary from what is shown.

The outboard motor 10 generally includes an extension leg 18 which is coupled to the supporting frame and extends downwardly to a gearcase 14. The gearcase 14 has a front housing portion 21 and a rear housing portion 22 that are mated together and define a watertight lower housing cavity. The front housing portion 21 has a nosecone with a smooth outer surface which transitions to an upwardly extending stem 24 and a downwardly extending skeg 23. An anti-ventilation plate 26 is positioned between the extension leg 18 and the stem 24 and includes a flat tail 27 that extends rearwardly from the extension leg 18. A conventional propulsor 28 is mounted on the outer end of a propulsor shaft extending from the gearcase 14 such that rotation of the propulsor shaft causes rotation of the propulsor 28, which in turn generates a thrust force for propelling the marine vessel in water. The type and configuration of the propulsor can vary, and for example can include one or more propellers, impellers, and/or the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outboard motor 10 is coupled to the transom 17 of a marine vessel by a transom bracket assembly 30, which in the illustrated example includes a transom bracket 32 fixed to the transom 17 and a swivel bracket 34 pivotably coupled to the transom bracket 32. The transom bracket 32 has a pair of C-shaped arms 36 which fit over the top of the transom 17 and a pair of threaded, plunger-style clamps 40 which clamp the C-shaped arms 36 to the transom 17. Rotation of handles 43 in one direction clamps the transom 17 between the C-shaped arms 36 and plunger-style clamps 40. Rotation of the handles 43 in the opposite direction frees the C-shaped arms 36 for removal from the transom 17. The type and configuration of the transom bracket 32 can vary from what is shown and described. In other examples, the transom bracket 32 is fixed to the transom 17 by fasteners.

The swivel bracket 34 is pivotable with respect to the C-shaped arms 36 about a pivot shaft that laterally extends through the forward upper ends of the C-shaped arms 36, thereby defining a trim axis 38. Pivoting of the swivel bracket 34 about the pivot shaft trims the outboard motor 10 relative to the marine vessel, for example out of and/or back into the body of water in which the marine vessel is operated. A selector bracket 44 having holes is provided on at least one of the C-shaped arms 36. Holes respectively become aligned with a corresponding mounting hole on the swivel bracket 34 at different selectable trim positions for the outboard motor 10. A selector pin (not shown) can be manually inserted into the aligned holes to thereby lock the outboard motor 10 in place with respect to the trim axis 38, all as is conventional.

The outboard motor 10 is supported on the swivel bracket 34 by a steering arm 64 and a steering tube 66 (see FIG. 2), which is fixed to the steering arm 64 and seated in a swivel cylinder 48 of the swivel bracket 34. The steering arm 64 has a first end which is fixed to a supporting frame or other component of the outboard motor 10 and an opposite, second end configured to be coupled to a manually operable tiller 100. The outboard motor 10 can be steered left or right relative to the marine vessel by rotating about a steering axis 62 defined by the steering tube 66 and swivel cylinder 48 via the tiller 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example of a tiller 100 for controlling marine drive, such as an outboard motor. In general, the tiller 100 has a base bracket assembly 102 and a tiller arm 104 which is coupled to and extends outwardly from the base bracket assembly 102. The tiller 100 has several novel attributes which will be further explained herein below. Briefly, the base bracket assembly 102 is specially configured to facilitate yaw adjustment of the tiller arm 104, in particular into and between a variety of yaw positions relative to the marine drive. In addition, the tiller arm 104 has a novel grip restraining device 106 which is located on the bottom of the middle portion of the tiller arm 104 and is manually accessible from both sides of the tiller arm 104 for ambidextrous use. The grip restraining device 106 is specially configured to selectively restrain rotation of a hand grip 220 on the outer end of the tiller arm 104. In addition, the tiller arm 104 has a tilt mechanism 300 which facilitates tilting of the tiller arm 104 relative to the base bracket assembly 102 into and between a variety of tilt positions, including a straight upwardly extending tilt position and a straight downwardly extending tilt position (see FIG. 17) for manual carrying of the marine drive 10 via the tiller arm 104.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the base bracket assembly 102 includes a yaw bracket 114 and a steering bracket 116. The yaw bracket 114 is a rigid member having a body 118 and a base 120 which extends from the body 118 and is configured for fixed mounting to a steering arm 64 of the marine drive, by for example fasteners extending through holes 122 (see FIG. 8) in the end of the base 120. The body 118 of the yaw bracket 114 provides a pedestal 124. A through-bore 126 (FIG. 6) extends through the center portion of the pedestal 124. Three engagement recesses 128 extend into the pedestal 124. Each engagement recess 128 has a drain hole 129 (FIG. 5) which drains fluid that may accumulate in the engagement recess 128 during normal use. The three engagement recesses 128 are spaced apart fifteen degrees relative to the through-bore 126. Opposing partial recesses 130 (FIG. 6) are formed in the opposing sidewalls of the body 118 and are located one-hundred-and-eighty degrees apart from each other relative to the center of the through-bore 126. The center-most of the engagement recesses 128 is located ninety degrees apart from each of the partial recesses 130, respectively, relative to the center of the through-bore 126. The engagement recesses 128 and partial recesses 130 together span one-hundred-and-eighty degrees relative to the center of the through-bore 126. A washer 132 is seated in an annular cavity 136 extending about the through-bore 126.

The steering bracket 116 is a rigid member having a body 138 and a pair of upwardly angled arms 140 having opposed lower through-bores 142 through the lower ends of the arms 140 and opposed through-bores 144 through the upper ends of arms 140. A fastener 145 extends through the opposed through-bores 144 and through a corresponding through-bore 147 (FIG. 4) in the tiller arm 104 so as to couple the tiller arm 104 to the steering bracket 116 in a way that the tiller arm 104 is tiltable up and down relative to the steering bracket 116, as will be further described herein below.

A through-bore 146 (FIG. 6) extends through the body 138. A fastener 148 extends through the through-bore 146, through the washer 132 and through the through-bore 126 in the body 118 and into threaded engagement with a threaded bolt cap 151. The fastener 148 has a body 150 with a smooth outer surface, which is disposed in the through-bore 146, the washer 132 and the through-bore 126 when the fastener 148 is in its position of use. As such, the steering bracket 116 is rotatable in either direction relative to the yaw bracket 114 about the fastener 148. As explained above, the yaw bracket 114 is fixed to the steering arm of the marine drive and the steering bracket 116 is attached to the tiller arm 104. Thus, the tiller arm 104 and steering bracket 116 are pivotable together about the yaw axis 152 (FIG. 5) defined by the fastener 148 into and between a variety of yaw positions relative to the yaw bracket 114 and marine drive, as will be further described herein below.

A yaw lock 154 (FIG. 5) is specially configured to lock the tiller arm 104 and steering bracket 116 in a variety of yaw positions relative to the yaw bracket 114 and marine drive, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8. The yaw lock 154 includes a plunger 156 which resides in a through-bore 158 in the steering bracket 116 which defines an internal cavity and relatively smaller top and bottom openings in the body 138 of the steering bracket 116. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the plunger 156 is an elongated member with a top end 160 which normally protrudes out of the top opening, a bottom end 168 which in a locked position protrudes out of the bottom opening, and a relatively enlarged annular body 170 which is trapped in the cavity because it is too big to pass through top and bottom openings. A coiled spring 172 is disposed between the top of the annular body 170 and the inside of the cavity adjacent to the top and normally biases the bottom end 168 of the plunger 156 outwardly relative to the bottom opening into the position shown in FIG. 5.

The yaw lock 154 also includes a release lever 180 located on top of the steering bracket 116 such that it is easily manually accessible from above and from the sides of the tiller 100. The release lever 180 has a first end which is pivotably coupled to mounting boss 184 protruding up from the top of the steering bracket 116, a second end which can be manually lifted by the operator's finger(s) to pivot the release lever 180 upwardly about the pivot axis 188 defined through the mounting boss 184. The top end 160 of the plunger 156 protrudes out of the top opening and is pivotally coupled to the bottom of the middle portion of the release lever 180, between the first end and second end.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the yaw lock 154 in a locked position wherein the bottom end 168 of the plunger 156 is biased by the spring 172 into the center-most engagement recess 128, which retains the steering bracket 116 in a straight-ahead position relative to the yaw bracket 114 and associated marine drive for straight-ahead steering. As shown by arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8, to change the yaw position of the tiller 100 relative to the marine drive, the user manually pivots the first end of the release lever 180 upwardly relative to the mounting boss 184, which pulls upwardly on the plunger 156 and causes the annular body 170 to compress the coiled spring 172. As this occurs, the second end 168 of the plunger 156 is removed from the yaw bracket 114, which frees the steering bracket 116 and tiller arm 104 for pivoting motion about the yaw axis 152 (FIG. 5) relative to the yaw bracket 114 and marine drive. As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, the steering bracket 116 is pivotable through at least one-hundred-and-eighty degrees relative to the yaw bracket 114 and lockable in each of the yaw positions designated by the engagement recesses 128, 130. Particularly, the user can release the release lever 180, which permits the spring 172 to bias the second end of the plunger 156 outwardly towards and into engagement with the pedestal 124. Once the plunger 156 becomes aligned with a next of the engagement recesses 128, 130, the spring 172 will bias the bottom end 168 of the plunger 156 into the engagement recess 128, 130.

As such, it will be understood that unlocking the yaw lock 154 advantageously facilitates movement of the tiller arm 104 into a new yaw position relative to the marine drive. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the tiller arm 104 and steering bracket 116 are pivotable through one-hundred-and-eighty degrees relative to the yaw bracket 114. It will also be understood that the yaw lock 154 is advantageously configured such that upon movement of the tiller arm 104 and steering bracket 116 into the new yaw position, the yaw lock 154 automatically locks the tiller arm 104 and steering bracket 116 in the new yaw position via engagement of the spring-loaded plunger 156 with another engagement recess 128, 130 of the plurality of recesses.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tiller arm 104 extends from an inner end 200 to an outer end 202 in a longitudinal direction LO, from top 204 to bottom 206 in an axial direction AX which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO, and from a first side 208 to a second side 210 which is opposite the first side 208 in a lateral direction LA which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO and perpendicular to the axial direction AX.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tiller arm 104 has a chassis 212 which is elongated in the longitudinal direction LO and underlies and supports various components associated with the tiller arm 104. A cover 214 is mounted on top of chassis 212 and encloses the various components in an interior of the tiller arm 104. Referring to FIG. 11, a shaft 216 protrudes from the interior via a passage defined between the front of the chassis 212 and cover 214. The shaft 216 is rotatable about its own axis and has a front end 218 which is coupled to a hand grip 220. The hand grip 220 includes a grip member 222 and a grooved grip cover 224. The shaft 216 is coupled to the hand grip 220 such that manually rotating the hand grip 220 relative to the chassis 212 and cover 214 causes rotation of the shaft 216 relative to the chassis 212 and cover 214. The shaft 216 has a rear end 226 which includes a shaft extension 228 located within a supporting tray 230. A magnetic sensor is mounted to the supporting tray 230 and is configured to sense rotation of the shaft 216 (via the shaft extension 228) and communicate such sensed rotation to a controller for the associated marine drive. Sensing arrangements for sensing rotation of a shaft in a tiller arm are conventional and well known in this art and thus not further herein described. As such, it will be understood that rotation of the hand grip 220 causes rotation of the shaft 216, including shaft extension 228 within the supporting tray 230 and such rotation in turn causes change in the speed of the marine drive.

Referring to FIG. 16, the hand grip 220 and shaft 216, including shaft extension 228, are rotatable in opposite directions away from the center position shown and thus is configured for ambidextrous use. That is, the hand grip 220 can be rotated in the direction of arrow 234 to increase the speed of the marine drive and alternately the hand grip 220 can be rotated in the direction of arrow 236 to increase the speed of the marine drive. A detent mechanism 240 provides tactile feedback to the user grasping the hand grip 220 when the hand grip 220 is rotated into the center position shown, which corresponds to neutral position for the marine drive. The detent mechanism 240 includes a raised groove 242 on the top of the outer diameter of the shaft extension 228 and a roller pin 244 which is coupled to the supporting tray 230 and which becomes aligned with and pops into the raised groove 242 when the hand grip 220 and shaft 216 are rotated into the center position. Seating of the roller pin 244 provides tactile feedback in the form of a click which can be felt by the user grasping the hand grip 220. Smoothly contoured surfaces 246 provide ramps on opposite sides of the raised groove 242 leading up to the groove and thus provide a gradually increasing resistance to the user rotating the hand grip 220 towards the center position until the roller pin 244 becomes aligned with and seats in the raised groove 242. Referring to FIGS. 13-15, in the illustrated example a coiled torsion spring 248 is disposed on the shaft 216 and has a first end attached to the shaft 216 and an opposite, second end attached to the supporting tray 230. In other examples, the coiled torsion spring 248 can include one of two or more springs having opposite winding. The torsion spring 248 rotationally biases the shaft 216 towards the center position shown in FIG. 16, however the bias force provided by the torsion spring 248 is not great enough to overcome the engagement force between the roller pin 244 and the ramped surfaces 246. Instead, it is necessary to apply manual rotational force on the shaft 216 via the hand grip 220 to bring the raised groove 242 into alignment with the roller pin 244. As such, it will be understood that manually grasping and rotating the hand grip 220 away from the center position in either direction 234, 236 increases the speed of the marine drive. Manually releasing the hand grip 220 permits the bias of the torsion spring 248 to rotate the shaft 216 and hand grip 220 back towards the center position until the respective ramped surface 246 engages the roller pin 244. To fully move the hand grip 220 back to the center position, the user must grasp and rotate the hand grip 220 with a force needed to push the ramped surface 246 past the roller pin 244 so that the roller pin 244 will pop into place in the raised groove 242.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13-16, the grip restraining device 106 is specially configured to restrain rotation of the shaft 216 and thus rotation of the hand grip 220. This is useful when the user wants to maintain a certain speed of the marine drive without having to continuously hold the hand grip 220. This is also useful when the user wants to vary the amount of resistance which the hand grip 220 provides to rotational force. Some users prefer a hand grip which is more difficult to rotate. Others prefer a hand grip which is easier to rotate. The grip restraining device 106 advantageously allow the user to selectively vary and set the resistance.

The grip restraining device 106 restrains rotation of the hand grip 220 by frictionally engaging the outer diameter of the shaft extension 228 of the shaft 216. The shaft extension 228 is a generally cylindrical member having a groove 250 extending around its outer diameter. The groove 250 has flanges 252 which are retained in axial position by supporting surfaces of the supporting tray 230. The grip restraining device 106 generally includes a dial 254 which is mounted to a hole 256 in the bottom of middle portion of the chassis 212 of the tiller arm 104. A snap ring 257 mounts the upper portion of the dial 254 to the chassis 212 such that the dial 254 is freely rotatable relative to the chassis 212. Opposed ramped bottom walls 258 extend from the bottom of the chassis 212 and define a protective recess in which the dial 254 resides. Side cutouts 262 are defined in each of the bottom walls 258 and expose the outer diameter of the dial 254 on both first and second sides 208, 210 of the tiller arm 104.

The grip restraining device 106 further includes a shuttle 260 which is disposed in the dial 254, The shuttle 260 has an end 264 which is coupled to the interior of the dial 254 by flats such that rotation of the dial 254 causes rotation of the shuttle 260. The shuttle 260 has an opposite narrower end 265 which extends into and is engaged with the inner diameter of a boss 266 protruding downwardly from the supporting tray 230 by a threaded connection. As such, the shuttle 260 is coupled to the dial 254 and to the boss 266 in the supporting tray 230 such that rotation of the dial 254 in a first direction causes rotation of the shuttle 260 in the first direction, which causes the shuttle 260 to travel axially upwardly further into the boss 266 and towards the shaft extension 228. Rotation of the dial 254 in an opposite, second direction causes rotation of the shuttle 260 in the second direction, which causes the shuttle 260 to travel axially downwardly, outwardly relative to the boss 266, further away from the shaft extension 228.

The grip restraining device 106 further includes a friction plunger 270 which resides within the boss 266. The plunger 270 has an outer friction surface 272 which is curved to match and abut the curved outer diameter of the groove 250 of the shaft extension 228. A coiled spring 274 has a first end abutting the interior of the shuttle 260 and a second end abutting the inner surface of the friction plunger 270. The spring 274 tends to bias the friction plunger 270 away from the shuttle 260 and into frictional engagement with the groove 250 of the shaft extension 228.

As such, it will be understood that rotation of the dial 254 in a first rotational direction causes the shuttle 260 to axially move towards the shaft extension 228, which compresses the spring 274 and increases the force of which the friction plunger 270 frictionally engages with the shaft extension 228. This increases the restraining force or resistance to manual rotation of the hand grip 220. Rotation of the dial 254 in the opposite, second rotational direction causes the shuttle 260 to axially move away from the shaft extension 228, which allows the spring 274 to relax and decreases the force of which the friction plunger 270 engages with the shaft extension 228. This decreases the restraining force or resistance to manual rotation of the hand grip 220. Advantageously, the grip restraining device 106 is manually operable from either side 108, 110 of the tiller arm 104 and thus is configured for ambidextrous use. This is particularly advantageous in the illustrated embodiment wherein the hand grip 220 is rotatable relative to the tiller arm 104 through at least one-hundred-and-eighty degrees, including 90 degrees away from the center position in the first rotational direction (for right-handed use of the tiller 100), and 90 degrees away from the center position in the opposite, second direction (for left-handed use of the tiller 100).

As described herein above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the tiller 100 is pivotable relative to the base bracket assembly 102 via connection between the fastener 145 which extends through a through-bore 147 in the tiller arm 104, through the opposed through-bores 144 in the arms 140. The fastener 145 defines a tilt axis 299 about which the tiller arm 104 is pivotable relative to the base bracket assembly 102.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the tiller 100 also has a tilt mechanism 300, which advantageously facilitates selective retainment of the tiller arm 104 in any one of a range of user-selectable tilt positions relative to the tilt axis 299 on the base bracket assembly 102. FIG. 17 illustrates via arrows a range of selectable tilt positions of the tiller arm 104 facilitated by the tilt mechanism 300, including in solid line a horizontal tilt position and in phantom lines a vertical straight upward position and in phantom lines a vertical straight downward position, thus spanning a range of selectable positions that extends through 180 degrees relative to the tilt axis 299 on the base bracket assembly 102. FIG. 18 illustrates the tiller arm 104 in solid lines in the horizontal tilt position and in phantom lines additional upward tilt positions which are in fifteen degree increments relative to each other. As further described herein below, the tilt mechanism 300 advantageously allows the user to move and lock the tiller arm 104 in the illustrated range of tilt positions, including in some examples where the tiller arm 104 is movable at least forty-five degrees downwardly from horizontal, further including in some examples at least seventy-five degrees downwardly from horizontal, and further including in some examples at least ninety degrees downwardly relative to horizontal. As will be further described herein below, the tilt mechanism 300 is engageable to retain the tiller arm 104 in any one of a variety of selected positions. As will be further described herein below, the tilt mechanism 300 is further engageable to lock the tiller arm 104 in the uppermost or lowermost positions.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 24-30, the tilt mechanism 300 includes a tilt bracket 302 which is fastened to the inner end 200 of the tiller arm 104. The tilt bracket 302 has an inner arm 304 which extends into the interior of the tiller arm 104 defined by the chassis 212 and cover 214. The inner arm 304 is fixed via fasteners 307 extending through the chassis 212 and into engagement with the inner arm 304. The tilt bracket 302 extends from the inner end 200 of the tiller arm 104 and has a body 308. A through-bore 311 extending laterally through the body 308. Ratchet wheels 310 are located on laterally opposite sides of the body 308, each having a series of two-sided angular ratchet recesses 312 located along the outer radius of the rear side of the respective ratchet wheel 310. Upper and lower pairs of locking arms 314, 315 are located axially between the ratchet wheels 310 and radially extend from the body 308 on opposite sides of the series of ratchet recesses 312, respectively. Each of the upper and lower pairs of locking arms 314, 315 provide sidewalls for a respective rectangular-shaped locking recess 316, 317 having a bottom wall and opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the tilt mechanism 300 also includes a tilt shaft 320 which extends along a tilt shaft axis 322 and is rotatably supported within the opposed through-bores 142 in the arms 140. A pawl 324 is pinned to the middle of the tilt shaft 320, axially between the arms 140. The pawl 324 is rotatable along with the tilt shaft 320 about the tilt shaft axis 322 and relative to the base bracket assembly 102. The pawl 324 has opposing ratchet surfaces 326 having a series of pointed ratchet protrusions for mating in a meshed engagement with the ratchet recesses 312 on the ratchet wheels 310, as will be further described herein below. The pawl 324 also has a locking bar 328 located axially between the ratchet surfaces 326.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 19-21, the tilt mechanism 300 further includes tilt levers 330 fastened to each end of the tilt shaft 320. The tilt levers 330 are manually rotatable, which causes rotation of the tilt shaft 320 and pawl 324 about the tilt shaft axis 322 and with respect to the arms 140. A novel cam device 332 is located on one end of the tilt shaft 320. The cam device 332 includes a coil spring 334 disposed on the tilt shaft 320, a cam body 336 on the tilt shaft 320 and a cam receiver 338 formed on the inside surface of the respective tilt lever 330. The spring 334 and cam body 336 are located in a bore 337 in the respective arm 140 such that the cam body 336 remains rotatably fixed relative to the arm 140 but can axially travel with respect to the tilt shaft 320. The coil spring 334 provides a spring bias force that biases the cam body 336 axially outwardly towards the cam receiver 338 in the tilt lever 330. The cam body 336 has axially outwardly facing rounded ridges 340 which are configured to alternately nest in correspondingly contoured surfaces 342 in the cam receiver 338 depending on a rotational position of the tilt lever 330, as will be further described herein below. Generally speaking, the contoured surfaces 342 in the cam receiver 338 provide a first elongated pocket for nesting the rounded ridges 340 of the cam body 336 when the tilt mechanism 300 is in the disengaged position (see FIG. 22), and a second elongated pocket for nesting the rounded ridges 340 when the tilt mechanism 300 is in the disengaged position (see FIG. 23). As further described herein below, moving the cam device 332 from one of the disengaged position and engaged position to the other of the disengaged position and engaged position requires application of a rotational force on the cam device 332 that is greater than a cam force provided by the spring 334 plus camming engagement between the rounded ridges 340 and contoured surfaces 342 in the nested orientation of the cam body 336 in the cam receiver 338. The rotational force can be applied by manually rotating the tilt levers 330 or by rotating the tiller arm 104 upwardly into the vertical straight upward position shown in FIG. 17. This causes the contoured surfaces 342 to cammingly engage the rounded ridges 340, which in turn causes the cam body 336 to axially travel inwardly away from the cam receiver 338 along the tilt shaft 320 in the bore 337, against the bias of the spring 334, until the contoured surfaces 342 are removed from the existing pocket in which it resides, which permits further rotation of the tilt levers 330 and corresponding rotation of the tilt shaft 320 and pawl 324 to the other of the disengaged and engaged position, whereafter the spring 334 biases the cam receiver 338 back axially outwardly into engagement with the new pocket. In the illustrated example, the cam device 332 is located on one end of the tilt shaft 320, however in other examples, the tilt mechanism 300 includes cam devices 332 on both ends of the tilt shaft 320. Also, in other examples the orientation of the levers 330 can be flipped 180 degrees to better avoid interference of components.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view illustrating the tilt mechanism 300 in an engaged position with the tiller arm 104 in a tilt position that is angled slightly downward from horizontal. The tilt mechanism 300 is illustrated in the engaged position, wherein the spring 334 is biasing the pawl 324 in the counter-clockwise direction in the side perspective of FIG. 24, and such that the opposing ratchet surfaces 326 on the pawl 324 are mated with the first few ratchet recesses 312 on the ratchet wheels 310, respectively. As such, the tiller arm 104 is retained in the illustrated tilt position via engagement between the pawl 324 and the body 308 of the tilt bracket 302.

FIG. 25 illustrates the tilt mechanism after a user manually pivots the tiller arm 104 upwardly about the tilt axis 299 defined by the fastener 145, counter-clockwise in the side perspective of FIG. 24. The tilt mechanism 300 remains in the engaged position and the tiller arm 104 is shown in a generally horizontal position relative to the tilt axis 299 and the base bracket assembly 102. Upward pivoting of the tiller arm 104 is permitted by the tilt mechanism 300 via spring-biased ratcheting movement of the pawl 324 along the ratchet wheels 310, particularly as the ratchet surfaces 326 on the pawl 324 ratchet along the ratchet recesses 312 of the ratchet wheels 310, respectively, until the tiller arm 104 is brought to a rest position, which permits the spring 334 to rotate the pawl 324 towards the tilt bracket 302, causing meshed engagement between the ratchet surfaces 326 and ratchet recesses 312. The spring bias is provided by the axial bias of spring 334, pushing the cam body 336 axially into engagement with the cam receiver 338 such that the rounded ridges 340 tend to remain nested in the pocket corresponding to the locked position. As the tiller arm 104 is rotated upwardly, the ratchet surfaces 326 move along the ratchet surfaces 326, which causes slight counter-clockwise and clockwise movements of the pawl 324 and tilt shaft 320 about the tilt shaft axis 322. Such movements of the pawl 324 and tilt shaft 320 is facilitated by the counter-acting forces provided by the cam device 332. In particular, slight clockwise rotation of the pawl 324 and tilt shaft 320 is facilitated by camming engagement of the rounded ridges 340 upwardly along the contoured surfaces 342 of the respective pocket. Slight clockwise (return) rotation is cause by the bias of the spring 334, pushing the cam body 336 axially towards the cam receiver 338, which causes the rounded ridges 340 to cam back down along the contoured surfaces 342 into a fully nested position. Compared to the downwardly angled position shown in FIG. 24, more of the ratchet surfaces 326 are engaged with ratchet recesses 312 on the ratchet wheels 310.

FIG. 26 illustrates the tiller arm 104 as it is manually pivoted further upwardly relative to the tilt axis 299, further counter-clockwise in the side perspective of FIG. 26. Such upward pivoting of the tiller arm 104 relative to the tilt axis 299 brings the outside edge of the upper locking arms 314 into engagement with the upper surface of the locking bar 328 on the pawl 324, as shown. When the tiller arm 104 is further rotated upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 26, with a rotational force that is greater than the above-noted cam force provided by the cam device 332, the outside edge of the upper locking arms 314 forces the pawl 324 to rotate downwardly, clockwise in the side perspective of FIG. 26. More specifically, the rotational force applied on the pawl 324 and tilt shaft 320 rotates the cam receiver 338 relative to the cam body 336, which causes the rounded ridges 340 of the cam body 336 to travel upwardly along the contoured surfaces 342 of the cam receiver 338, against the bias of the spring 334, until the rounded ridges 340 fully leave the noted pocket corresponding to the engaged position and become aligned with and nested in the noted pocket corresponding to the disengaged position. This simultaneously causes the tilt shaft 320 and tilt levers 330 to also rotate downwardly until the pawl 324 is rotated out of the way of the tilt bracket 302, as shown in FIG. 27. Thus manually pivoting of the tiller arm 104 upwardly into the position shown in FIG. 27 automatically frees the tiller arm 104 to be pivoted back downwardly to any angle.

As shown in FIG. 28, if the user wants to lock the tiller arm 104 in the vertical upward position, the user manually rotates one or both of the tilt levers 330 with a force that is greater than the cam force provided by the cam device 332. This overcomes the bias of the spring 334 and the nested surfaces of the cam body 336 and cam receiver 338 and rotates the locking bar 328 of the pawl 324 into locking engagement with the recess 316 provided by the upper locking arms 314, effectively locking the tiller arm 104 in place.

As shown in FIGS. 29-30, if the user wants to unlock the tiller arm 104 and move it downwardly, for example to the vertically straight downward position shown, the user manually rotates one or both of the tilt levers 330 with a force that is greater than the noted cam force. This rotates the locking bar 328 of the pawl 324 downwardly, clockwise in the side view of FIGS. 29-30. This removes the locking bar 328 from the recess 316 and frees the tilt bracket 302 from the pawl 324 and permits the user to manually lower the tiller arm 104 about the tilt axis 299 into the vertically straight downward position shown. Thereafter the user can again rotate the tilt levers 330 counter-clockwise, which brings the locking bar 328 of the pawl 324 into locking engagement with the recess 317 defined by the lower locking arms 315. This effectively locks the tiller arm 104 in place with a robust tilt mechanism which can be made strong enough to permit a user to carry the associated marine drive via the tiller arm 104 in the position shown in FIG. 30.

During research and development, the present inventors realized it would be desirable to configure a marine drive, for example an outboard motor, in such a way that it can be conveniently lifted from its position on a marine vessel, or from a side or rear laydown position, transported to another location, and then safely set back down on the ground or other supporting surface without causing damage to the cowling other fragile components of the marine drive.

FIGS. 31-34 depict an embodiment of an outboard motor 10. The outboard motor 10 extends from top to bottom in an axial direction AX, from side to side in a lateral direction LA which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX, and from front to rear in a longitudinal direction LO which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX and perpendicular to the lateral direction LA. Like the embodiments described herein above, the outboard motor 10 has a cowling 16 and a gearcase 14 (see FIG. 34), which is located below the cowling 16. The outboard motor 10 also has the extension leg 18 extending axially below the cowling 16 and located axially above gearcase 14. A midsection 417 of the outboard motor 10 is located between the top and bottom of the outboard motor 10. In particular, the lower portions of the cowling 16 and the extension leg 18 constitute the midsection 417 (see FIG. 37) of the outboard motor 10, which is located axially between the upper portions of the cowling 16 and the gearcase 14. A steering bracket 116 having a steering arm 64 extends forwardly from the midsection 417. As described herein above regarding the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-30, the first end of the steering arm 64 is rigidly fastened to a supporting frame or other supporting component of the outboard motor 10. The opposite, second end of the steering arm 64 is fixed to a conventional tiller 100. As described herein above, the type and configuration of the tiller 100 can vary from what is shown and described. In the illustrated example, the tiller 100 is pivotable into and between a use position (FIG. 1) for steering of the outboard motor 10 and a storage position (FIG. 2) for manual transport of the outboard motor 10, as will be further described herein below, wherein the tiller 100 extends generally parallel to the steering tube 66.

As shown in FIGS. 31-34, first and second wings 410 extend from laterally opposite sides of the outboard motor 10, laterally from opposite sides of the steering arm 64. The wings 410 are located rearwardly of the noted tiller 100 and transom bracket assembly 30 with respect to the longitudinal direction LO, and forwardly of the noted midsection 417 of the outboard motor 10. Each wing 410 has a frame 412 with an inner end fastened to the steering arm 64 and an outer end providing a footing 414. The footing 414 has a laterally outer, planar surface 416 for supporting the outboard motor 10 in a side laydown position, as will be further described herein below with reference to FIG. 37. Each wing 410 also has first and second arms 418, 420 which extend laterally outwardly from the steering arm 64 to the footing 414. The first and second arms 418, 420 extend at an acute angle α to each other, such that the frame 412 has a triangular shape when viewed from above (see FIG. 33) with the footing 414 located at the apex of the triangular shape, adjacent to the acute angle α. Together, the first and second arms 418, 420 are configured to distribute the weight of the outboard motor 10 when the outboard motor 10 is in the noted side laydown position, as will be described herein below with reference to FIG. 37. A ribbed gripping surface 421 is located at the apex of the triangular shape. The ribbed gripping surface 421 facilitates easier manually grasping of the respective wing 410 during movement and/or transport of the outboard motor 10.

At the inner end of the frame 412, each of the first and second arms 418, 420 are fastened to a center wall 422 of the steering arm 64 and also to the other wing 410. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 32, a front fastener 424 extends through a sunken bore 426 in the first arm 418 of the first wing 410, through a hole 428 in the center wall 422 and into threaded engagement with a counter bore 430 in the first arm 418 of the second wing 410. Similarly, rear fasteners 432, 434 extend through sunken bores 436, 438 in an end flange 441 on the second arm 420 of the second wing 410, through holes 440, 442 in the center wall 422 and into threaded engagement with counter bores 444, 446 in the first arm 418 of the second wing 410. As shown, the wings 410 extend on opposite sides of the steering tube 66, with the first arm 418 located forwardly of the steering tube 66 and the second arm 420 located rearwardly of the steering tube 66. The inner ends of the frames 412 are disposed in recesses 450 located on opposite sides of the steering arm 64, in particular defined by the space between the center wall 422 and top and 3s 452, 454 of the steering arm 64.

As best shown in FIGS. 34-38, the cowling 16 has an angular outer profile and includes a top cowl surface portion 460 which is generally planar and extends upwardly from front to rear relative to the longitudinal direction LO. Optionally, in the illustrated example, the top cowl surface portion 460 includes a trap door 462 providing access to the powerhead compartment within the cowling 16. The cowling 16 also includes an angular backbone having an upper rear cowl surface portion 466 which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top cowl surface portion 460, and a lower rear cowl surface portion 468 which extends downwardly and forwardly from the top cowl surface portion 460. A top apex portion 470 is defined at the transition between the top cowl surface and the upper rear cowl surface portion 466. A rear apex portion 472 is defined at the transition between the upper rear cowl surface portion 466 and the lower rear cowl surface portion 468. The cowling 16 also has opposing (first and second) lateral cowl side portion 476 located on opposite sides of the top cowl surface portion 460, the upper rear cowl surface portion 466 and the lower rear cowl surface portion 468. Each lateral cowl side portion 476 has a front side cowl portion 478 and a rear side cowl portion 480. The front and rear side cowl portions 478, 480 are joined by a laterally raised transition rib 482 which extends along the entire height of the cowling 16, from the top cowl surface portion 460 to the extension leg 18. When viewed from the side, the raised transition rib 482 extends generally downwardly and rearwardly from the top cowl surface portion 460 to a side apex portion 484 located along the noted midsection 417 of the outboard motor 10, and then further downwardly and generally forwardly to the extension leg 18. The front side cowl portion 478 extends laterally outwardly from its front side to the raised transition rib 482. The rear side cowl portion 480 extends laterally outwardly from its rear side to the raised transition rib 482.

Referring to FIGS. 35 and 37, a first support members 486 is located on each of the lateral cowl side portions 476, along the raised transition rib 482, proximate to the side apex portion 484. In the illustrated embodiment, each first support member 486 is a thickened portion of the sidewall of the cowling 16 (i.e., having an increased thickness compared to the surrounding portions of the cowling 16), which thus has an increased rigidity compared to the surrounding portions of the cowling 16, in particular such that the support member 486 is suitable for supporting the weight of the outboard motor 10 in a side laydown position, as will be further described herein below regarding FIG. 37. The first support member 486 has a planar laterally outer surface 490 for abutting the ground or other supporting surface on which the outboard motor 10 is placed.

Referring to FIGS. 36 and 38, a second support member 492 is located on the rear apex portion 472 of the cowling 16. The second support member 492 comprises a laterally elongated rib 494 having a planar rear surface 496 for abutting the ground or other supporting surface on which the outboard motor 10 is placed.

Referring to FIGS. 34 and 37-40, the gearcase 14 has a torpedo housing which is bullet-shaped, having a nose cone 800 which transitions outwardly from front to rear to a body portion 802 having a generally cylindrical outer diameter. As shown in FIGS. 37-40, an anti-ventilation plate 26 is located below the midsection 417. In particular, the illustrated anti-ventilation plate 26 is located axially between the gearcase 14 and extension leg 18. The anti-ventilation plate 26 has a head portion 806 that mounted to the lower portion of the extension leg 18 and to the upper portion of the gearcase 14 by fasteners (not shown) extending through holes 810 in the head portion 806 and into engagement with one or both of the gearcase 14 and the stem 24 of the gearcase 14. The anti-ventilation plate 26 also has a tail portion 27, which is an elongated plate extending rearwardly from the head portion 806 and the outboard motor 10. The anti-ventilation plate 26 has laterally-outwardly curved sides 814 and a rear edge 816. The rear edge 816 has a spaced apart pair of laterally outer rear support members 818, which as described further herein below with reference to FIG. 38 support the outboard motor 10 in a rear laydown position. As shown in FIG. 39, the rear edge 816 has a V-shape with a valley 822, wherein the laterally rear support members 818 are the outermost edges of the V-shape of the tail portion 27 on opposite sides of the valley 822.

FIG. 37 depicts the outboard motor 10 in a side laydown position on a support surface 820. As shown, the outboard motor 10 is fully supported on the support surface 820 by a side tripod consisting of the outer, planar surface 416 of the footing 414 of the wing 410, the support member 486 on the lateral cowl side portion 476 of the cowling 16 that faces the support surface 820, and the lateral side of the gearcase 14 facing the support surface 820, particularly along the outer diameter of its body portion 802. It should be understood that FIG. 37 depicts the outboard motor 10 in one of two opposing side laydown positions, wherein only one of the wings 410 is configured to form the side tripod with the support member 486 and lateral side of the gearcase in one of the side laydown positions. In the depicted position, the opposing wing 410 along ribbed gripping surface 421 provides a convenient location to manually grasp and move the outboard motor 10. In addition or alternately, the tiller arm 104 and/or steering tube 66 provide convenient locations for grasping and lifting of the outboard motor 10.

FIG. 38 depicts the outboard motor 10 in a rear laydown position on the support surface 820. As shown, the outboard motor 10 is fully supported above the support on the support surface 820 by a rear tripod consisting of the planar rear surface 496 of the support member 492 on the rear apex portion 472 of the cowling 16 and the rear support members 818 on the tail portion 27 of the anti-ventilation plate 26. In this orientation, the tiller arm 104 and/or steering tube 66 provide convenient locations for grasping and lifting the outboard motor 10. In addition or alternately, either or both wings 410 can be manually grasped so as to lift the outboard motor 10.

Some non-limiting embodiments of an outboard motor may be configured as a transportable outboard motor 10 including a tiller 100 including a tilt mechanism 300 (see FIGS. 3-30) and laydown capabilities (see FIGS. 31-40). For example, FIGS. 1, 2, 34, 37, and 38 illustrate an embodiment of an outboard motor 10 including a tiller 100 that facilitates manual carrying of the outboard motor 10, and which includes features providing a tripod for supporting the outboard motor in a side laydown position (see FIG. 37) and/or a rear laydown position (see FIG. 38).

The transportable outboard motor 10 includes a tiller 100 extending forwardly from the midsection 417. While the tiller 100 is in a straight-forward position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tiller 100 is generally parallel to the steering arm 64. The tiller 100 is coupled to the steering arm 64 and is pivotable about a lateral tilt axis 299 into a downward tilt position in which the tiller 100 is oriented transversely to the lateral and longitudinal directions, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiments, the tiller 100 is perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions while in the downward tilt position. Other embodiments, however, may include a tiller configured to be retained in a different orientation while in the downward tilt position.

The rotation of the tiller 100 is selectively controlled by the tilt mechanism 300, which is movable into an engaged position in which the tiller 100 is locked in the downward tilt position and a disengaged position in which the tiller 100 is movable out of the downward tilt position. As discussed in reference to FIGS. 3-30, the tilt mechanism 300 includes the tilt bracket 302 which is coupled to a first one of the midsection 417 and/or steering arm 64 of the transportable outboard motor 10 and the tiller 100 and the pawl 324 coupled to a second one of the midsection 417 and/or steering arm 64 of the transportable outboard motor 10 and the tiller 100. When the tilt mechanism 300 is moved into the engaged position, the pawl 324 engages the tilt bracket 302 to retain the tiller 100 in the downward tilt position. When the tilt mechanism 300 is moved into the disengaged position, the pawl 324 is disengaged from the tilt bracket 302 so that that the tiller 100 is freely movable about the tilt axis 299 relative to the midsection 417 and the steering arm 64.

The tilt bracket 302 includes a ratchet wheel 310 having an outer radius with a recess 317 corresponding to the downward tilt position. The pawl 324 is coupled to the midsection 417 (or alternatively to the steering arm 64 or tiller 100) by a tilt shaft 320, which defines the lateral tilt shaft axis 322 about which the pawl is pivotable into the engaged position and the disengaged position. A spring or other biasing device biases the pawl 324 into contact with the ratchet wheel 310 such that the pawl 324 ratchets across the ratchet wheel 310 and engages with the recess 317 when the tiller 100 is pivoted downwardly about the lateral tilt axis 299. The recess 317 comprises a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls which engage with an end wall and sidewalls of the pawl 324, respectively, to securely lock the tiller 100 in the downward tilt position. Additionally, the pawl 324 is coupled to a cam device 322 which provides a cam force retaining the tilt mechanism 300 in the engaged position and alternately retaining the tilt mechanism 300 in the disengaged position.

While in the downward tilt position, the tiller 100 facilitates manual carrying of the transportable outboard motor 10. This may be particularly useful, for example, to pick up the outboard motor 10 from the rear laydown position, or to set the outboard motor 10 down in the rear laydown position. As discussed in reference to FIGS. 31-40, the anti-ventilation plate 26, together with the cowling 16, supports the transportable outboard motor 10 above a ground surface in a rear laydown position. The anti-ventilation plate 26 includes a rear edge 816 with laterally outer rear support members 818 spaced apart by a valley 822. The cowling 16 includes a support member 392 at the apex portion 472 of the rear of the cowling 16 and upper and lower cowl surface portions 466, 468 which extend transversely away from the apex portion 472. Together, the rear support members 818 and the rear of the cowling 16 form a rear tripod which supports the transportable outboard motor 10 in the rear laydown position. As illustrated in FIG. 38, the tiller 100, which is in the downward tilt position, is oriented above the outboard motor 10 and acts as a lift point for carrying the outboard motor 10.

Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments of a transportable outboard motor 10 may include other features configure for carrying the outboard motor 10. For Example, referring to FIG. 38, the outboard motor 10 includes a steering tube 66 that is coupled to the steering arm 64. The steering tube 66 is oriented such that it is generally parallel to axial direction and the tiller 100 in the downward tilt position. Thus, the steering tube 66 may act as a lift point thereby facilitating manual carrying of the transportable outboard motor.

It will thus be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure provides improved outboard motor configurations that are easily and safely lifted, transported and then placed on the ground or on another supporting surface in a manner that reduces the chances of the outboard motor being damaged in the process. In use, a person can manually pivot the tiller arm into the storage position shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. The person can manually grasp the tiller arm and/or the steering tube and lift the outboard motor off the ground. After the person is done carrying the outboard motor, it can be safely set down in one of the side laydown positions or in the rear laydown position, wherein the outboard motor is safely supported by one of the side tripods or the rear tripod described above, such that the likelihood of damage to the more delicate portions of the outboard motor is advantageously reduced.

FIGS. 41-43 depict another embodiment of a marine drive 510 for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water. In the illustrated embodiment, the marine drive 510 extends from top to bottom in an axial direction AX, from front to back in a longitudinal direction LO which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX, and from side to opposite side in a lateral direction LA which is perpendicular to the axial direction AX and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO. A transom bracket assembly 530 supports the marine drive 510 on the transom (not shown) of the marine vessel such that the drive assembly 512 is trimmable up and down relative to the transom bracket assembly 530, including in non-limiting examples wherein the drive assembly 512 is raised completely out of the water.

The drive assembly 512 includes a supporting frame 513 for rigidly supporting the various components of the marine drive 510 with respect to the marine vessel and a torpedo housing 514 secured to the supporting frame 513. A cowling 516 is fixed to and surrounds most or all of the supporting frame 513. The cowling 5

The cowling 516 has a cowling interior in which a portion of the supporting frame 513 is enclosed and various components of the marine drive 510 are disposed. The marine drive 510 includes an extension leg 518 which is coupled to the supporting frame 513 and extends downwardly to the torpedo housing 514. The torpedo housing 514 has a front housing portion 520 and a rear housing portion 522 which are mated together and define a watertight lower housing cavity. The front housing portion 520 has a nosecone with a smooth outer surface which transitions to an upwardly extending stem 524 and a downwardly extending skeg 523. An anti-ventilation plate 526 is positioned between the extension leg 518 and the stem 524 and includes a flat tail 527 that extends rearwardly from the extension leg 518. A conventional propulsor 528 is mounted on the outer end of a propulsor shaft extending from the torpedo housing 514 such that rotation of the propulsor shaft causes rotation of the propulsor 528, which in turn generates a thrust force for propelling the marine vessel in water. It should be understood that the various components described above are exemplary and could vary from what is shown

With continued reference to FIGS. 41-43, the marine drive 510 is coupled to the transom (not shown) of a marine vessel by a transom bracket assembly 530, which in the illustrated example includes a transom bracket 532 configured to be fixed to the transom and a swivel bracket 534 pivotably coupled to the transom bracket 532. The transom bracket 532 has a pair of C-shaped arms 536 which fit over the top of the transom and a pair of threaded, plunger-style clamps 540 which clamp the C-shaped arms 536 to the transom. Rotation of handles 543 in one direction clamps the transom between the C-shaped arms 536 and plunger-style clamps 540. Rotation of the handles 543 in the opposite direction frees the C-shaped arms 36 for removal from the transom. In some embodiments, the transom bracket 532 is additionally or alternatively fixed to the transom by fasteners 533.

The swivel bracket 534 is pivotable with respect to the C-shaped arms 536 about a pivot shaft that laterally extends through the forward upper ends of the C-shaped arms 536, thereby defining a trim axis 538 (see FIG. 42). Pivoting of the swivel bracket 34 about the pivot shaft trims the marine drive 510 relative to the marine vessel, for example out of and/or back into the body of water in which the marine vessel is operated. A selector bracket 544 having holes is provided on at least one of the C-shaped arms 536. Holes respectively become aligned with a corresponding mounting hole on the swivel bracket 534 at different selectable trim positions for the marine drive 510. A selector pin (not shown) can be manually inserted into the aligned holes to thereby lock the marine drive 510 in place with respect to the trim axis.

Referring to FIGS. 42-44, the marine drive 510 is supported on the swivel bracket 534 by a steering bracket assembly 550, which is fixed to and extends from supporting frame 513 of the marine drive 510, generally along the midsection of the marine drive 510. The steering bracket assembly 550 facilitates removable coupling of the marine drive 510 to the transom bracket assembly 530. This may be useful, for example, so that the marine drive 510 is steerable relative to the transom bracket assembly 530 about a steering axis 560 (see FIG. 42) and removable from the transom bracket assembly 530 for transport. The steering bracket assembly 550 includes a steering arm 552 and a swivel tube assembly 555, which extends transversely from the steering arm 552. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the swivel tube assembly 555 is removably received in a swivel cylinder 548 of the swivel bracket 534. Once inserted, the swivel tube 554 is disposed in and steerable relative the swivel cylinder 548 of the swivel bracket 534 through a steering range 760 (see FIG. 58) delimited by opposing steering stops 596 on the transom bracket assembly 530. The marine drive 510 can be steered left or right relative to the marine vessel by rotating about the steering axis 560, which is defined by the swivel tube 554 and swivel cylinder 548, via the tiller 558. The type and configuration of the tiller 558 can vary from what is shown. For example, a marine drive may be configured with an automatic steering system and/or any other known apparatus for steering a marine drive with respect to a marine vessel.

Referring to FIGS. 44-47, the swivel bracket 534 includes a swivel arm 562 having a first end 564 which is pivotably coupled to the C-shaped arms 536 of the transom bracket 532, along the trim axis 538. The swivel arm 562 has an opposite, second end 566 which is fixed to or formed with an elongated swivel cylinder 548. As best shown in FIGS. 46 and 49-51, the first end 564 of the swivel arm 562 has a pair of sidewalls 570 and a top wall 572 which connects the sidewalls 570. An axial passage 574 is formed through the middle of the swivel arm 562, between the first and second ends 564, 566, and generally next to the top wall 572 and next to and between the sidewalls 570.

The swivel cylinder 548 extends downwardly from the second end 566 of the swivel arm 562 and has an opening 578 at an upper end 582 of the swivel cylinder 548. An annular mouth 580 is nested in the opening 578 is and affixed to the swivel cylinder 548 by fasteners 584. The annular mouth 580 comprises a body 586 having a through-bore 588 for receiving the swivel tube 554. Centering members 581 are spaced around the through-bore 588 and project radially inward to define an eccentric profile that generally matches the inner surface 549 of the swivel cylinder 548. As further detailed below, the centering members 581 and the swivel tube assembly 555 have complementary inner and outer shapes, respectively, and as such are configured so that the swivel tube assembly 555 nests in the annular mouth 580 as the swivel tube assembly 555 is lowered into and seated in the swivel cylinder 548.

Referring to FIG. 46, the annular mouth 580 includes at least one ramp surface 590 configured to be engaged by the steering bracket assembly 550 as the swivel tube 554 is inserted into the swivel cylinder 548. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the annular mouth 580 includes diametrically opposed ramp surfaces 590 configured for engagement by an engagement member 666 (see FIG. 48) on the steering bracket assembly 550 during insertion of the swivel tube 554 into the swivel cylinder 548. The opposing ramped surfaces 590 are merged on a first side 592 of the through-bore 588 and taper away from each other towards steering stops 596 on an opposite, second side 594 of the through-bore 588. The steering stops 596 include end surfaces 598 located about the annular mouth 580, each end surface 598 being positioned on one of the ramp surfaces 590. As illustrated in FIG. 58, the steering range 760 is defined between the end surfaces 598. Referring to FIGS. 46 and 49-51, the body 586 of annular mouth 580 includes opposing top and bottom walls 612, 614 connected by opposing lateral side walls 616 that extend longitudinally from the through-bore 588. The top, bottom, and side walls 612, 614, 616 define an axial passage 618 extending through the annular mouth 580 from a first end 620 of the axial passage 618 that opens to the through-bore 588 to an opposite, second end 622 of the passage 618 that is aligned with and positioned proximate the axial passage 574 of the swivel arm.

In the illustrated embodiments, the marine drive 510 includes a novel locking mechanism 630 that extends through the body 586 of the annular mouth 580. The locking mechanism 630 is also configured to lock and alternately unlock the steering bracket assembly 550 relative to the transom bracket assembly 530. In a locked position of the locking mechanism 630 (FIG. 49), the locking mechanism 630 prevents removal of the steering bracket assembly 550 from the transom bracket assembly 530, thereby retaining the drive assembly 512 is on the transom bracket assembly 530 and thus on the marine vessel. In an unlocked position of the locking mechanism 630 (FIG. 50), the locking mechanism 630 permits removal of the steering bracket assembly 550 from the transom bracket assembly 530 such that the drive assembly 512 is removable from the transom bracket assembly 530 and the marine vessel.

The locking mechanism 630 includes a locking arm 632 which extends through the body 586 of the annular mouth 580 below and between the diametrically opposing ramped surfaces 590. The locking arm 632 is generally longitudinally elongated relative to the steering axis 560, extending along the swivel arm 562. The locking arm 632 includes a first, handle end 636, an opposite second, inner end 638, and a middle portion 640 between the handle end 636 and the inner end 638. The middle portion 640 of the locking arm 632 extends along the swivel arm 562, through the axial passages 574, 618 in the swivel arm 562 and the annular mouth 580. A cradle bracket 644 couples the locking arm 632 to the bottom of the top wall 572 of the swivel arm 562 so that the locking arm 632 is slidable along the swivel arm 562, radially towards and away from the swivel tube 554 The cradle bracket 644 has opposing cross-arms 642 for supporting the locking arm 632 and opposing bracket arms 648 which are fastened to the swivel arm 562 with fasteners 650 adjacent to the axial passage 574. The handle end 636 is supported by the cradle bracket 644 and includes a handle 652 that is coupled to the middle portion 640 with a fastener 654. The handle 652 extends out of the axial passage 574 and past the first end 564 of the swivel arm 562 such that the handle 652 is operable by a user to slide the locking arm 632 between the locked and unlocked positions.

With continued reference to FIGS. 46, 49 and 50, at least one lock spring 634 is positioned in the axial passage 618 of the annular mouth 580 and provides a spring force which biases the locking arm 632 into the locked position. The illustrated embodiments, for example, include two lock springs 634 positioned on opposite lateral sides of the middle section 640. In the locked position (FIG. 49), the inner end 638 of the locking arm 632 extends out of the axial passage 618 through the second end 622 and overlaps the flange 556 of the swivel tube 554 to prevent removal of the swivel tube 554 from the swivel cylinder 548. When the locking arm 632 is moved into the unlocked position (FIG. 50), the inner end 638 recedes into the body 586 of the annular mouth 580 such that the inner end 638 no longer overlaps the flange 556 and the swivel tube 554 may be from the swivel cylinder 548. A pin 656 extends vertically between the top and bottom walls 612, 614 of the body 586 and engages a slot 660 formed through the inner end 638 of the locking arm 632. Engagement of the slot 660 by the pin 656 retains the locking arm in the axial passage 618 and may act as a stop defining at the locked position and/or the unlocked position of the locking arm 632. The inner end 638 includes a ramp surface 662 which is configured engaged by the flange 556 as the swivel tube 554 is inserted into the swivel cylinder 548, and engagement of the ramp surface 662 by the flange 556 cams the locking arm 632 out of the locked position against the spring force of the lock springs 634.

Referring to FIG. 47, the lower end 684 of the swivel cylinder 548 includes an opening 686 that is sealed by a bolt 688. A washer 689 is arranged on the bolt 688 between the bolt head and the lower edge of the swivel cylinder 548. A return spring 690 is disposed in the lower end 684 of the swivel cylinder 48, and an end cap 692 on the return spring 690 is configured to operatively engage a lower end 678 of the swivel tube 554 in the swivel cylinder 548. As further discussed below, the return spring 690 has a spring force sufficient to move the swivel tube 554 outwardly relative to the swivel cylinder 548 when the locking arm 632 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thus, as part of a novel quick release mechanism, the return spring 690 is configured to eject the swivel tube assembly 555 from the swivel cylinder 548 when the locking mechanism 630 is moved into the unlock position.

Referring now to FIG. 48, the steering bracket assembly 550 has a steering arm 552 and a swivel tube assembly 555. The steering arm 552 has a first end 670 which is fixed to a supporting frame 513 or other component of the marine drive 510 and an opposite, second end 672 configured to be coupled to a manually operable tiller 558. The steering bracket assembly 550 includes an engagement member 666, for example a bolt in the illustrated embodiments, that is spaced apart from the swivel tube 54 and extends transversely from the steering arm 552 in a downward direction proximate the first end 670. As discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 56-57, the engagement member 666 is configured to engage the annular mouth 580 as the swivel tube 554 is inserted into the swivel cylinder 548, thereby causing the steering bracket assembly 550 to rotate about the steering axis 560 into alignment with the steering range 760.

The swivel tube assembly 555 includes the swivel tube 554 and a novel copilot device 720 that is at least partially disposed in the swivel tube 554 and configured to restrain rotation of the swivel tube 554 relative to the transom bracket 532. The swivel tube 554 is generally cylindrical, having a smooth outer surface 674 which extends generally downward along the axial direction from the steering arm 552. An upper end 676 of the swivel tube 554 is fixed to a middle portion of the steering arm 552, and a lower end 678 of the swivel tube 554 is disposed within the swivel cylinder 548. In particular, the upper end 676 of the swivel tube 554 extends through a through-bore 698 in the steering arm 552 and is coupled to the steering arm 552 by a washer 694 and threaded nut 696. A smooth frustoconical potion 702 abuts the inner surface of the through-bore 698, and a friction fit between the frustoconical potion 702 and the through-bore 698 prevents rotation of the swivel tube 554 in the through-bore 588. Thus, the swivel tube 554 is fixed to the steering arm 552 such that manually steering the tiller 558 about the steering axis 560 rotates the steering arm 552 and the swivel tube 554 together about the steering axis 560.

The copilot device 720 includes a sleeve 722 that is disposed on and rotatable about the swivel tube 554, which is coaxial with and disposed within the sleeve 722. The sleeve 722 remains stationary relative to the steering axis 560 due to the noted nested engagement between sleeve 722 and the annular mouth 580 and the swivel cylinder 548. In particular, the sleeve 722 has an eccentric outer surface 706 including three tapered alignment protrusions 708 spaced around the upper end 724 of the sleeve 722. As illustrated in FIG. 45, the shape of the eccentric outer surface 706 of the sleeve 722 is complementary to the shape of the inner surface 549 of the swivel cylinder 548 and the centering members 581. During insertion of the swivel tube 554, engagement between the tapered alignment protrusion 708 and the centering members 581 funnels the swivel tube assembly 555 into the center of the swivel cylinder 548. Advantageously, the alignment protrusions 708 and the centering members 581 are symmetrically spaced around the steering axis 560 so that the swivel tube assembly 555 may be inserted into the swivel cylinder 548 in any orientation. Once inserted, nested engagement between the eccentric outer surface 706 and the inner surface 549 of the swivel cylinder 548 prevents rotation of the sleeve 722 relative to the swivel cylinder 548.

Referring to FIGS. 48, 54, and 55, the copilot device 720 includes an actuator 726 with an actuator arm 728 extending coaxially through the swivel tube 554 and sleeve 722 and a nut 730 on a lower end 734 of the actuator arm 728. The actuator arm 728 of the copilot device 720 has an upper end 732 which protrudes from an upper end 676 of the swivel tube 554. The lower end 734 of the actuator arm 728 protrudes from a lower end 678 of the swivel tube 554, and the nut 730 extends past a bottom end of the sleeve 722 such that the lower end of the copilot device 720 is disposed in the swivel cylinder 548. An upper friction member 738 is disposed on the cylindrical portion of the swivel tube 554 and is sandwiched between the flange 556 of the swivel tube 554 and an annular upper flange surface 740 of the sleeve 722. A lower friction member 742 is disposed on the swivel tube 554 proximate the lower end 678 thereof. The lower friction member 742 is sandwiched between a lower edge 744 of the sleeve 722 and an annular flange 746 of the nut 730.

The copilot device 720 includes a handle 750 a handle for actuating the copilot device 720. The handle 750 is located at the upper end 676 of the swivel tube 554 and is coupled to the upper end 732 of the actuator arm 728 by a fastener 752. The handle 750 may be operated by a user to rotate the actuator arm 728. The nut 730 is engaged with the actuator arm 728 via a threaded connection such that rotation of the actuator arm 728 causes the nut 730 to axially travel along the actuator arm 728. Rotating the actuator arm 728 in a first direction indicated by arrow 751 in FIG. 55 causes the nut 730 to axially travel along the actuator arm 728 in a first direction. Rotating the actuator arm 728 arm in an opposite, second direction causes the nut 730 to axially travel along the actuator arm 728 in an opposite, second direction. As described in further detail below, movement of the nut 730 in the first direction moves the sleeve 722 against the friction members 738, 742, which thereby frictionally engages and restrains rotation of the swivel tube 554 relative to the sleeve 722 and the swivel bracket 534.

To mount the marine drive 510 on the transom bracket assembly 530, the swivel tube assembly 555 is lowered into the swivel cylinder 548 through the opening 578 of the swivel cylinder 548 and the through-bore 588 of the annular mouth 580, as shown by dash-and-dot line in FIG. 44. As the swivel tube assembly 555 is lowered into the swivel cylinder 548, the alignment protrusions 708 on the sleeve 722 engage the centering members 581 of the annular mouth 580, thereby funneling the swivel tube assembly 555 into the center of the swivel cylinder 548 and rotating the sleeve 722 so that the outer surface 706 of the swivel tube assembly 555 is nested against the inner surface 549 of the swivel cylinder 548. Advantageously, the self-aligning arrangement of the sleeve 722 allows a user to insert the swivel tube assembly 555 into the swivel cylinder 548 in any orientation without manually rotating the sleeve 722 into alignment with the eccentric inner surface 549 of the swivel cylinder 48.

Referring to FIGS. 56-58, the engagement member 666 is configured to operably engage the annular mouth 580, thereby causing the steering bracket assembly 550 to rotate into alignment with the steering range 760 defined by the steering stops 596. As the swivel tube assembly 555 is inserted into the swivel cylinder 548, the engagement member 666 of the steering bracket assembly 550 engages and slides along one of the ramped surfaces 662. The ramped surfaces 662 slope downward towards the second end 594 of the through-bore 588 of the annular mouth 580, which thereby causes the steering bracket assembly 550 to rotate into alignment with the steering range 760. Thus, the steering bracket assembly 550 is self-aligning and does not need to be manually oriented with the steering range 760 before the swivel stube assembly 555 is inserted into the swivel cylinder 548.

Referring to FIGS. 51-53, further insertion of the swivel tube assembly 555 into the swivel cylinder 548 moves the flange 556 of the swivel tube 554 into abutment with the inner end 638 of the locking arm 632. As the swivel tube assembly 555 is lowered, the flange 556 of the swivel tube 554 engages the ramp surface 662 of the locking arm 632. As illustrated in FIG. 52, engagement between the flange 556 and the ramp surface 662 pushes the locking arm 632 into the unlocked position against the force of the lock springs 634. As illustrated in FIG. 53, after the flange 556 has moved past the ramp surface 662, the lock springs 634 move the locking arm 632 into the locked position to prevent removal of the swivel tube 554 from the swivel cylinder 548. As the lower end of the swivel tube assembly 555 reaches the lower end 684 of the swivel cylinder 548, the nut 730 of the copilot device 720 engages and compresses the return spring 690. The swivel tube assembly 555 is supported on the end cap 692 of the return spring 690. The return spring 690 biases the swivel tube assembly 555 upward in the swivel cylinder 548, thereby pressing the upper surface of the flange 556 against the inner end 638 of the locking arm 632.

To remove the swivel tube assembly 555 from the swivel cylinder 548, the handle 652 of the locking mechanism 630 can be operated to move the locking arm 632 into the unlocked position. Referring to FIGS. 49 and 50, operating the handle 652 by pulling it in the direction of the arrow 653 slides the inner end 638 radially away from steering axis 560 defined by the swivel tube 554 and into the unlocked position. Once the locking mechanism 630 is in the unlocked position, the inner end 638 no longer overlaps the flange 556 and the return spring 690 pushes the swivel tube assembly 555 upward in the direction of arrow 691 in FIG. 50. The spring force of the return spring 690 is sufficient to move the swivel tube 554 (with the connected drive assembly 512) outwardly relative to the swivel cylinder 548 a distance sufficient to move the flange 556 past the inner end 638 of the locking arm 632. Thus, the locking mechanism 630 and return spring 690 advantageously provide a quick detach mechanism that ejects the steering bracket assembly 550 from the transom bracket assembly 530. Releasing the handle 652 of the locking mechanism 630 permits the lock spring 634 to bias the locking arm 632 back towards the locked position.

Once the swivel tube assembly 555 is fully inserted into the swivel cylinder 548, the engagement member 666 is thereafter configured to engage the end surfaces 598 of the opposing steering stops 596, which prevents steering of the marine drive 510 beyond the steering range 760. Steering the marine drive 510 in a first direction about the steering axis 560 brings the engagement member 666 into abutment with a first one of the end surfaces 598. Steering of the marine drive 510 in an opposite, second direction about the steering axis 560 brings the engagement member 666 into abutment with a second one of the end surfaces 598. In the illustrated embodiments, the steering range 760 extends only part way about the steering axis 560. Other embodiments, however, may be configured with a steering range that is wider or narrower than that of the illustrated embodiment. Further still, some embodiments may be configured without steering stops.

The copilot device 720 can be operated to selectively hold the steering bracket assembly 550 in a selected steering orientation about the steering axis 560. Referring to FIGS. 54 and 55, the copilot handle 750 can be rotated to adjust the friction between the swivel tube 554 and the sleeve 722 that is provided by the friction members 738, 742. Operating the handle 750 to rotate the actuator arm 728 in the first direction indicated by arrow 751 causes the nut 730 to slide the sleeve 722 upward along the swivel tube 554 so as to engage the friction members 738, 742 against the swivel tube 554, thereby restraining rotation of the swivel tube 554 in the swivel cylinder 548. As best illustrated in FIG. 55, upward movement of the nut 730 compresses the upper friction member 738 between the lower surface of the flange 556 of the swivel tube 554 and the annular upper flange surface 740 of the sleeve 722, and the lower friction member 742 is compressed between the lower edge 744 of the sleeve 722 and the annular flange 746 of the nut 730. Frictional engagement of the friction members 738, 742 with the swivel tube 554 and the sleeve 722 resists or prevents steering movement of the steering bracket assembly 550 and connected marine drive 510 relative to the transom bracket assembly 530. Operating the handle 750 to rotate the actuator arm 728 in the opposite, second direction causes the nut 730 to permit the sleeve 722 to slide downward along the swivel tube 554 so as to disengage the friction members 738, 742 from the swivel tube 554, thereby permitting rotation of the swivel tube 554 in the swivel cylinder 548.

Advantageously, the copilot device 720 provides the ability to selectively vary an amount of resistance against steering motions of the steering bracket assembly 550 relative to the transom bracket assembly 530. The degree of rotation of the handle 750 corresponds to the amount of axial movement of the nut 730 and the compressive force exerted on the upper and lower friction members 738, 742. Rotating the handle 750 in the first direction increases the strength of frictional engagement between the friction members 738, 742 and the swivel tube 554 and sleeve 722. Rotating the handle 750 in the second direction decreases the strength of frictional engagement between the friction members 738, 742 and the swivel tube 554 and sleeve 722. Thus, the copilot device 720 permits the user to control the degree of resistance to steering movements of the marine drive 510 via the tiller 558, for example, according to personal preference. Some users prefer more resistance to steering inputs than others, as a personal choice. The copilot device advantageously permits this characteristic to be selectively varied and set by the user.

As described herein above regarding FIGS. 3-8, the outboard motor 10 has a tiller 100 with a tiller arm 104 and a base bracket assembly 102. The base bracket assembly 102 includes a yaw bracket 114 which is fixedly coupled to the outboard motor 10 and a steering bracket 116 which pivotably couples the tiller arm 104 to the yaw bracket 114 for movement of the tiller 100 about the axial yaw axis 152. In some examples, the tiller arm 104 may be pivotable through at least 90 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis 152. The yaw positions may span at least 90 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis 152 so that the tiller 100 may be rotated 45 degrees from center towards the port or starboard sides of the marine drive. In some examples, the tiller arm 104 may be pivotable through at least 180 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis 152. The yaw positions may span at least 180 degrees relative to the axial yaw axis 152 so that the tiller 100 may be rotated 90 degrees from center towards the port or starboard sides of the marine drive. In the illustrated embodiments, for example the port and starboard side partial engagement recess 130 are oriented approximately 180 degrees from each other relative to the yaw axis 152.

The yaw bracket 114 includes a yaw lock 154 configured to lock the tiller 100 in the various yaw positions relative to the axial yaw axis 152 by engaging the engagement recesses 128, 130 formed in the yaw bracket 114. When in the locked configuration, the yaw lock 154 prevents the tiller 100 from being moved into a new position. Manually unlocking the yaw lock 154 disengages the yaw lock 154 from the engagement recesses 128, 130 and facilitates movement of the tiller 100 into a new yaw position. The tiller 100 is pivotable about the axial yaw axis 152 into a straight-ahead position in which the yaw lock 154 engages the center-most engagement recess 128, into a port yaw position which is oriented towards the port side relative to the straight-ahead position, and into a starboard yaw position which is oriented towards the starboard side relative to the straight-ahead position. In the illustrated embodiments, the port yaw position and the starboard yaw positions are oriented at an angle of approximately 15 degrees to the port or starboard from the straight-ahead position, respectively. Some embodiments, however, may be configured with port-side and/or starboard-side yaw positions that are different than those of the illustrated embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, a yaw bracket may include at least one additional yaw position for the tiller 100.

As previously discussed, the tiller arm 104 has a tilt mechanism 300 which facilitates tilting of the tiller arm 104 relative to the base bracket assembly 102 into and between a variety of tilt positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, for example, the tiller 100 may be tilted into and between a straight upwardly extending tilt position and a straight downwardly extending tilt position from the straight-ahead yaw position.

Referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the tiller 100 is pivotable upwardly or downwardly about the lateral tilt axis 299 from the starboard yaw position (see the solid lines in FIGS. 59 and 60). For example, rotation of the tiller 100 about the yaw axis 299 in the direction indicated by an arrow pivots the tiller 100 downward from the starboard-side yaw position. The tiller 100 is also pivotable upwardly or downwardly about the lateral tilt axis 299 from the port yaw position (see the dashed lines in FIG. 59).

Referring to FIG. 60, the outboard motor 10 is positionable in a rear laydown position, with the tiller 100 pivoted about the lateral tilt axis 299, into a starboard-side yaw position. The tiller 100 is shown in a vertical straight downward position, however via the tilt mechanism 300, the tiller 100 may be capable of being pivoted into a variety of other tilt positions (see e.g., FIG. 17). As shown in FIG. 60, pivoting the tiller 100 out of its straight-ahead yaw position while the tiller 100 is in a downward tilt position locates the tiller 100 laterally alongside the swivel tube assembly 555. That is, when tilted downward and moved into a port-side or starboard-side yaw position, the tiller 100 extends in an axial direction that is generally parallel to the steering axis and is offset laterally relative to the swivel tube assembly 555. The size of the lateral offset of the tiller 100 is a function of the yaw angle of the port-side or starboard-side yaw position. For example, pivoting the illustrated tiller 100 about the axial yaw axis 152 farther towards the starboard side of the marine drive 10 increases the lateral offset of the tiller 100, thereby decreasing the overlap between the tiller arm 100 and the swivel tube assembly 555.

Advantageously, pivoting the tiller 100 into one of the yaw positions creates space for a user to manually grasp the swivel tube assembly 555 and thereby lift the transportable outboard motor 10 from the rear-laydown position. Pivoting the tiller 100 into a port-side or starboard-side yaw position with the transportable outboard motor 10 is in the rear-laydown position moves the tiller 100 out of vertical alignment with the swivel tube assembly 555 so that there is clearance to reach down and grasp the swivel tube assembly 555 from above. Further, pivoting the tiller 100 downwardly about the lateral tilt axis 299 from the noted yaw position stores the tiller 100 in a compact arrangement alongside the swivel tube assembly 555 of the outboard motor 10.

Lowering the tiller 100 from the port-side or starboard-side yaw position better facilitates manually grasping and lifting of the outboard motor 10 via the swivel tube assembly 555, instead of via the tiller 100. That is, lowering the tiller 100 from its yawed position keeps the lifting area above the swivel tube assembly 555 clear, enabling easier manually grasping of the swivel tube assembly 555. Lifting via the swivel tube assembly 555 may enable the user to manually raise the outboard motor 10 further off the ground. As explained above, the swivel tube assembly 555 may be advantageously configured such that the rotatable (steerable) components and related lubricants are fully contained within the sleeve 722 of the swivel tube assembly 555. This facilitates said manually grasping and lifting of the outboard motor 10 via the swivel tube assembly 555 without dirtying the user's hands.

Through research and experimentation, the present inventors determined that pivoting the tiller 100 from a straight-ahead horizontal position into one of the yaw positions may facilitate lifting of the outboard motor 10 via the tiller 100 in that yawed position (i.e. by someone standing on the side of the outboard motor 10).

Through research and experimentations, the present inventors determined that functional advantages are provided in configurations wherein the outboard motor 10 has a center of gravity which is centered below the tiller 100, preferably directly below the tiller 100 located in the straight ahead, downward tilt position, which facilitates easier carrying of the outboard motor 10 via the tiller 100, for example as shown in FIG. 38. This nicely balances the outboard motor 10 during carrying via the tiller 100 or swivel tube assembly 555. The downward tilt position may be at least 45 degrees downwardly relative to a horizontal plane defined by the lateral and longitudinal directions. The downward tilt position may be at least 75 degrees downwardly relative to a horizontal plane defined by the lateral and longitudinal directions.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.