U.S. patent application number 10/828738 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-21 for electromechanically actuated outrigger.
Invention is credited to McCaffrey, John.
Application Number | 20040206285 10/828738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33162424 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040206285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCaffrey, John |
October 21, 2004 |
Electromechanically actuated outrigger
Abstract
An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly includes a
main body having a bearing point. An outrigger support is to be
connected to an outrigger boom. The support is pivotally connected
to the main body at the bearing point. An electrical actuator is
connected to the main body and has a movable piston. A lever
assembly operatively connects the outrigger support to the piston
to pivot the outrigger support about the bearing point when the
piston moves. The lever assembly has a piston connection point
offset vertically and laterally from the bearing point and is
connected to the piston at the piston connection point, preferably,
in a pivotal connection.
Inventors: |
McCaffrey, John; (Big Pine
Key, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER AND GREENBERG, PA
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Family ID: |
33162424 |
Appl. No.: |
10/828738 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60464154 |
Apr 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
114/61.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 73/04 20130101;
B63B 35/14 20130101; B63B 17/00 20130101; A01K 91/08 20130101; B63B
34/05 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/061.16 |
International
Class: |
B63B 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly, comprising:
a main body having a bearing point; an outrigger support to be
connected to an outrigger boom, said support pivotally connected to
said main body at said bearing point; an electrical actuator
connected to said main body and having a movable piston; and a
lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger support to
said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said bearing
point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston
connection point offset vertically and laterally from said bearing
point and being connected to said piston at said piston connection
point.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a support
bearing connected to said main body and pivotally connecting said
outrigger support tube to said main body at said bearing point.
3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outrigger
support is an outrigger support tube having an at least partly
hollow portion adapted to receive the outrigger boom therein.
4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said electrical
actuator has a piston control body; and said piston is movably
connected to said piston control body.
5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein: said electrical
actuator has a power supply assembly electrically connected to said
piston control body and supplying at least one signal to said
piston control body; and said piston control body selectively moves
said piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position
and a fully extended position dependent upon a state of said
signal.
6. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein: said main body is
L-shaped with first and second ends; said piston control body is
disposed at said first end; and said bearing is disposed at said
second end.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said main body is
L-shaped with first and second ends; said actuator is disposed at
said first end; and said bearing point is located at said second
end.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said main body has a
boat connection area.
9. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said L-shape of main
body defines an angle portion and a boat connection area is
disposed at said angle portion.
10. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a boat
connection assembly connected to said boat connection area for
connecting said main body to a boat.
11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said boat
connection assembly has: a standoff plate; a standoff having first
and second ends, said first end connected to said main body, said
second end connected to said plate; a boat connector to be
connected to the boat; and an insulating plate disposed between
said boat connector and said standoff plate.
12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said standoff
plate, said insulating plate, and said boat connector are securely
connected to one another.
13. An electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly, comprising:
a main body having a bearing point; an outrigger support to be
connected to an outrigger boom; a support bearing pivotally
connecting said outrigger support to said main body at said bearing
point; an electrical actuator connected to said main body, said
electrical actuator having: a piston control body; a power supply
assembly electrically connected to said piston control body and
supplying at least one signal to said piston control body; a piston
movably connected to said piston control body, said piston having a
connection point; and said piston control body selectively moving
said piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position
and a fully extended position dependent upon a state of said
signal; and a lever assembly operatively connecting said outrigger
support to said connection point of said piston to pivot said
outrigger support about said bearing point when said piston moves,
said lever assembly having a piston connection point offset
vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being
connected to said piston at said piston connection point.
14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said signal is a
power signal having first and second polarities.
15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first polarity
of said power signal extends said piston and said second polarity
of said power signal retracts said piston.
16. A powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom to an
existing outrigger holder of a boat, comprising: an
electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having: a main body
having a bearing point; an outrigger support to be connected to the
outrigger boom; a support bearing pivotally connecting said
outrigger support to said main body at said bearing point; an
electrical actuator connected to said main body and having: a
piston control body; a power supply assembly electrically connected
to said piston control body and supplying at least one signal to
said piston control body; a piston movably connected to said piston
control body, said piston having a connection point; and said
piston control body selectively moving said piston within a range
defined by a fully retracted position and a fully extended position
dependent upon a state of said signal; and a lever assembly
operatively connecting said outrigger support to said connection
point of said piston to pivot said outrigger support about said
bearing point when said piston moves, said lever assembly having a
piston connection point offset vertically and laterally from said
bearing point and being connected to said piston at said piston
connection point; and a boat connection assembly connected to said
outrigger assembly and having a connector for connecting said
outrigger assembly to the existing outrigger holder at the
boat.
17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein said connector of said
boat connection assembly has: a standoff plate; a standoff having
first and second ends, said first end connected to said main body,
said second end connected to said plate; a boat connector to be
connected to the existing outrigger holder; and an insulating plate
disposed between said boat connector and said standoff plate for
galvanically insulating said standoff plate from said boat
connector.
18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein said standoff
plate, said insulating plate, and said boat connector are securely
connected to one another.
19. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein said boat connector
is to be welded to the existing outrigger holder.
20. A powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom to an
existing outrigger holder of a boat, comprising: an
electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having: a main body
having a bearing point; an outrigger support to be connected to an
outrigger boom, said support pivotally connected to said main body
at said bearing point; an electrical actuator connected to said
main body and having a movable piston; and a lever assembly
operatively connecting said outrigger support to said piston to
pivot said outrigger support about said bearing point when said
piston moves, said lever assembly having a piston connection point
offset vertically and laterally from said bearing point and being
connected to said piston at said piston connection point; and a
boat connection assembly connected to said outrigger assembly and
having a connector for connecting said outrigger assembly to the
existing outrigger holder at the boat.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/464,154, filed Apr. 21, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention lies in the field of boating and fishing
equipment. The invention relates to a fishing outrigger to be
attached to a boat.
[0004] Fishing outriggers have been used on boats for decades.
Outriggers are attached to a frame somewhere on the boat and, in
typical embodiments, pivot from a stowed position to a fishing
position. In the stowed position, a plane intersecting the
outrigger longitudinal axis is at a first angle to or parallel with
a plane intersecting the central bow to stern axis of the boat. In
comparison, in the fishing position, the plane intersecting the
outrigger longitudinal axis is at a second angle to the plane
intersecting the central bow to stern axis of the boat, the second
angle being greater than the first angle.
[0005] Some outriggers also can move between a lowered position and
a raised position as well. Such movement is beneficial when the
boat is passing under an overpass or obstruction above the water
and contact between the outrigger and the overpass needs to be
avoided. The lowered position as referred to herein is a position
that is closer to parallel with a water surface than the raised
position. In other words, the raised position is at a first angle
with respect to the water surface and the lowered position is at a
second angle with respect to the water surface, the second angle
being smaller than the first angle. Of course, the second angle can
be equal to zero degrees (i.e., parallel to the water surface) or
less than zero degrees (i.e., pointing towards the water but,
typically, not touching the water).
[0006] Because of the inherent length of the outriggers, large
torques are present at the pivoting area, which is, typically, the
sole point of contact between the outrigger and the boat. Some
outriggers include bracing bars to counteract and/or reduce such
torque, but these bars present a second fastening point of the
outrigger to the boat. Such a configuration presents a disadvantage
where the boater does not want two points of contact, where only
one area for contact is available, and/or where two points of
contact are cost prohibitive.
[0007] When the contact point for an outrigger is only available on
a T-top, each of these disadvantages become significant. High
torques must be compensated for. Only one point of contact is
available. Both stowed/fishing and lowered/raised degrees of
movement are needed. Further, because T-tops are not as strong as
fishing towers or as integrated cabin walls/surfaces, the total
weight of the outrigger assembly must be as low as possible.
[0008] Adjustment of most outriggers constructed for use on boats
equipped with a T-top, hard top, radar arch, or other member
capable of supporting the outriggers requires manually accessing
the outrigger boom itself for raising and lowering the outrigger
boom. Immediate access can be required in many instances,
especially when approaching low bridges, which may require the
operator to leave control of the vessel while adjusting outriggers.
Such access is also required when navigating in close proximity to
other vessels, marinas, docking, rafting, etc. Due to the physical
requirement of balancing on gunwales or otherwise accessing
outriggers located on the top of boats generally, use by
individuals unable to accomplish frequently required access has not
been practical or safe and, for the most part, such outriggers are
not used when frequent access is required. The advantage of this
type of outrigger is that it is out of the way and, thereby, allows
more freedom of movement for individuals in a boat. However, such
an advantage is negated by inaccessibility of the outrigger.
[0009] In smaller fishing boats, it is common for the captain to be
the only person on the boat. Even for small boats, outrigger
assemblies are not usually within easy reach of the captain's
operating controls (steering and engine). Thus, an inherent danger
is present if the captain needs to lower the outriggers while
piloting the boat because the captain will need to let go of the
controls for a period of time that is not safe. Accordingly, there
is a need to make available to a captain an ability to move
outriggers to a lowered position without having to take both hands
off of the operating controls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an
electromechanically actuated outrigger that overcomes the
hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices
of this general type and that compensates for high torques, only
needs one point of contact, permits both stowed/fishing and
lowered/raised degrees of movement, has a reduced and/or low total
weight, and makes available to a captain an ability to adjust
inaccessible outriggers to a lowered position without having to
take both hands off of the operating controls.
[0011] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, an electromechanically
actuated outrigger assembly, including a main body having a bearing
point, an outrigger support to be connected to an outrigger boom,
the support pivotally connected to the main body at the bearing
point, an electrical actuator connected to the main body and having
a movable piston, and a lever assembly operatively connecting the
outrigger support to the piston to pivot the outrigger support
about the bearing point when the piston moves, the lever assembly
having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally
from the bearing point and being connected to the piston at the
piston connection point.
[0012] In accordance with another feature of the invention, there
is provided a support bearing connected to the main body and
pivotally connecting the outrigger support tube to the main body at
the bearing point.
[0013] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the
outrigger support is an outrigger support tube having an at least
partly hollow portion adapted to receive the outrigger boom
therein.
[0014] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the
electrical actuator has a piston control body and the piston is
movably connected to the piston control body.
[0015] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the electrical actuator has a power supply assembly electrically
connected to the piston control body and supplying at least one
signal to the piston control body and the piston control body
selectively moves the piston within a range defined by a fully
retracted position and a fully extended position dependent upon a
state of the signal.
[0016] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
main body is L-shaped with first and second ends, the piston
control body is disposed at the first end, and the bearing is
disposed at the second end.
[0017] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention,
the main body has a boat connection area.
[0018] In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention,
the L-shape of main body defines an angle portion and a boat
connection area is disposed at the angle portion.
[0019] In accordance with yet an additional feature of the
invention, there is provided a boat connection assembly connected
to the boat connection area for connecting the main body to a
boat.
[0020] In accordance with again another feature of the invention,
the boat connection assembly has a standoff plate, a standoff
having first and second ends, the first end connected to the main
body, the second end connected to the plate, a boat connector to be
connected to the boat, and an insulating plate disposed between the
boat connector and the standoff plate.
[0021] In accordance with again a further feature of the invention,
the standoff plate, the insulating plate, and the boat connector
are securely connected to one another.
[0022] In accordance with still a further feature of the invention,
the boat connector is to be welded to the existing outrigger
holder.
[0023] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided an electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly,
including a main body having a bearing point, an outrigger support
to be connected to an outrigger boom, a support bearing pivotally
connecting the outrigger support to the main body at the bearing
point, an electrical actuator connected to the main body, the
electrical actuator having a piston control body, a power supply
assembly electrically connected to the piston control body and
supplying at least one signal to the piston control body, a piston
movably connected to the piston control body, the piston having a
connection point, and the piston control body selectively moving
the piston within a range defined by a fully retracted position and
a fully extended position dependent upon a state of the signal, and
a lever assembly operatively connecting the outrigger support to
the connection point of the piston to pivot the outrigger support
about the bearing point when the piston moves, the lever assembly
having a piston connection point offset vertically and laterally
from the bearing point and being connected to the piston at the
piston connection point.
[0024] In accordance with again an added feature of the invention,
the signal is a power signal having first and second
polarities.
[0025] In accordance with again an additional feature of the
invention, the first polarity of the power signal extends the
piston and the second polarity of the power signal retracts the
piston.
[0026] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided a powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom
to an existing outrigger holder of a boat, including an
electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having a main body
having a bearing point, an outrigger support to be connected to the
outrigger boom, a support bearing pivotally connecting the
outrigger support to the main body at the bearing point, an
electrical actuator connected to the main body and having a piston
control body, a power supply assembly electrically connected to the
piston control body and supplying at least one signal to the piston
control body, a piston movably connected to the piston control
body, the piston having a connection point, and the piston control
body selectively moving the piston within a range defined by a
fully retracted position and a fully extended position dependent
upon a state of the signal, and a lever assembly operatively
connecting the outrigger support to the connection point of the
piston to pivot the outrigger support about the bearing point when
the piston moves, the lever assembly having a piston connection
point offset vertically and laterally from the bearing point and
being connected to the piston at the piston connection point, and a
boat connection assembly connected to the outrigger assembly and
having a connector for connecting the outrigger assembly to the
existing outrigger holder at the boat.
[0027] In accordance with still another feature of the invention,
the connector of the boat connection assembly has a standoff plate,
a standoff having first and second ends, the first end connected to
the main body, the second end connected to the plate, a boat
connector to be connected to the existing outrigger holder, and an
insulating plate disposed between the boat connector and the
standoff plate for galvanically insulating the standoff plate from
the boat connector.
[0028] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided a powered outrigger kit for connecting an outrigger boom
to an existing outrigger holder of a boat, including an
electromechanically actuated outrigger assembly having a main body
having a bearing point, an outrigger support to be connected to an
outrigger boom, the support pivotally connected to the main body at
the bearing point, an electrical actuator connected to the main
body and having a movable piston, and a lever assembly operatively
connecting the outrigger support to the piston to pivot the
outrigger support about the bearing point when the piston moves,
the lever assembly having a piston connection point offset
vertically and laterally from the bearing point and being connected
to the piston at the piston connection point, and a boat connection
assembly connected to the outrigger assembly and having a connector
for connecting the outrigger assembly to the existing outrigger
holder at the boat.
[0029] The automatic outrigger of the present invention can be used
on fishing boats equipped with manual outrigger systems, most
commonly, the T-top supported type and permits remote control of
vertical movements of outrigger booms (about bearing horizontal
axis).
[0030] The outrigger system according to the invention only has two
moving parts, making it simply to construct and very durable in a
marine environment.
[0031] The outrigger system according to the invention eliminates
the need for a captain to climb on gunwales to raise or lower
outriggers on boats with T-tops. The system also provides complete
control of outrigger movement from the captain's console. With the
present invention, the outrigger booms can be raised and/or lowered
at any boat speed. The system can be incorporated into existing
boat outrigger holders simply.
[0032] The automatic outrigger of the present invention vests the
user with full control of vertical outrigger movements without
having to interrupt vessel control. With the present invention, it
is safe to adjust outriggers while only one person is present on
the vessel. Adjustments can be accomplished at any boat speed. The
present invention entirely eliminates the need to physically access
the remotely located outrigger boom. Rather, a conveniently located
control switch is used to energize the electric automatic outrigger
to effect outrigger boom movement.
[0033] The automatic outrigger of the present invention is easily
converted to fit many common manual outrigger systems.
[0034] The automatic outrigger of the present invention is
constructed of metallic tubing, employs an electric actuator, a
series of levers, and a receiver into which the outrigger pole is
to be placed. By energizing the electric actuator, the outrigger
can be raised or lowered as desired.
[0035] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0036] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in an electromechanically actuated outrigger, it is,
nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown
because various modifications and structural changes may be made
therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and
within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0037] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof,
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, partially cross-sectional and
partially perspective view of an outrigger system according to the
invention in a lowered position;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, partially cross-sectional and
partially perspective view of the outrigger system of FIG. 1 in a
raised position; and
[0040] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the outrigger system of
FIG. 1 along section line 3-3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown an
electromechanically actuated outrigger system 1 according to the
invention.
[0042] The outrigger system 1 has an outrigger connection assembly
10, a base assembly 20, an electromechanical actuator assembly 30,
and a boat connection assembly 40.
[0043] The outrigger connection assembly 10 includes a hollow,
stainless steel, outrigger pole support tube 12 defining a tube
interior. A sleeve 14 is inserted into the tube interior and has an
outer shape substantially corresponding to an inner shape of the
tube interior. The sleeve 14 defines a sleeve interior having an
inner shape corresponding to an outer shape of a standard outrigger
pole. For example, the sleeve 14 accommodates pole diameters up to
at least 3.8 cm (11/2").
[0044] To connect the outrigger boom 100 to the outrigger
connection assembly 10, the sleeve 14 is placed around the proximal
end of the outrigger boom 100 and the combined assembly 100, 14 is
inserted into the tube 12. The outrigger boom 100 and sleeve 14
assembly are secured in the tube 12 by inserting a fastener 16
(preferably a bolt, nut, and washer assembly) through a retaining
slot 18 in the tube 12 and, then, tightening the fastener 16 to
clamp the assembly 100, 14 to the tube 12. Preferably, the sleeve
14 is made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) to give the boom-tube
connection a cushioned, but not loose, connection.
[0045] The base assembly 20, preferably, is of stainless steel and
has a boom connection area 22, an actuator connection area 24, and
a boat connection area 26. The outrigger connection assembly 10 is
connected to the base assembly 20 at the boom connection area 22.
Similarly, actuator assembly 30 is connected to the base assembly
20 at the actuator connection area 24, and the base assembly 20 is
connected to a boat at the boat connection area 26.
[0046] The electromechanical actuator assembly 30 includes a power
supply 32 (preferably, 12 volt DC), a controller 34, and an
actuator 36 (preferably, an electro-mechanical ball drive linear
actuator). In particular, the actuator 36 is a current protected,
reversible, permanent magnet DC motor having a stroke of
approximately 5.7 cm (2.25") for an eight (8) second period. The
controller 34 can be a reversing switch assembly including a DPDT
MOM-ON/OFF/MOM-ON sealed rocker switch mounted on a 7.6
cm.times.5.1 cm (3".times.2") PVC plate pre-wired and ready for
installation. The actuator 36 has an actuator piston 38 that
extends and retracts based upon a signal produced by the controller
34.
[0047] Preferably, the boat connection assembly 40 has a shape that
can be retrofitted to an existing outrigger holder already
installed on the boat. Such outrigger holders have two basic
components: a structure 110 fixedly attached to the boat (e.g., a
portion of a T-top frame) and a vertically oriented outrigger
holder 120, typically in the form of a hollow tube connected to the
structure 110 in a freely rotating manner. The upper-most surface
of the hollow holder 120 defines an orifice into which is placed a
common outrigger assembly, for example, an outrigger produced by
E-Tec Marine Products, Inc. Rotation of the holder 120, therefore,
results in a corresponding rotation of the system 1 and the
outrigger boom 100.
[0048] According to the invention, a solid adaptor plate 56 is
affixed (preferably, welded) to the support tube 120 of the
existing boat outrigger. The plate 56 can be of any shape but
square is preferred. Also, the plate 56 defines four fastening
bores at each of the four corners for receiving a fastening
structure therein. A washer 54 (which can be a PVC gasket) having
four bores corresponding to the fastening bores of the plate 56 is
placed above and on the aluminum plate 56.
[0049] There is a standoff 28 at the boat connection area 26 of the
base assembly 20. This standoff 28 serves to fasten the base
assembly 20 to the boat connection area 26. The standoff 28 ends
with stainless steel plate 52. Preferably, the plate 52 is welded
to the stainless steel standoff 28. Accordingly, the insulating
washer 54 is disposed between the stainless steel base plate 52 and
the aluminum adaptor plate 56 to prevent galvanic action between
the dissimilar metals. The plate 52 also is square and has four
holes corresponding to the holes in the plate 56 and the washer 54.
Therefore, to fixedly attach the system 1 to the rotating holder
120, four non-illustrated fasteners (e.g., bolts) are inserted
through the bores of the plates 52, 56 and washer 54 and are
tightened to clamp the three plate structures 52, 54, 56
together.
[0050] Another possible embodiment for attaching the system 1 to a
non-rotating aluminum holder 120 can provide a T-shaped aluminum
part 56--the top of the T being a plate with four bores and the
trunk of the T being a hollow cylinder that is inserted into the
hollow of the holder 120 so that it is free to rotate therein. A
similarly T-shaped washer part 54 can have a corresponding hollow
trunk inserted into the hollow cylinder of part 56. The part 54
also has four bores corresponding to the bores of the part 56. A
similarly T-shaped stainless steel connector part 52 can be fixedly
connected to the standoff 28 with the trunk of the T being inserted
into the hollow of the trunk of the washer part 54.
[0051] The part 52 has four bores corresponding to the bores of the
parts 54 and 56. Alternatively, the washer part 54 and the
connector part 52 can merely be a plate without a trunk. Four
fasteners (e.g., bolts) can be used to fixedly clamp the parts 52,
54, 56 to one another. In such a configuration, the system 1 and
boom 100 are freely rotatable with respect to the fixed holder 120.
Therefore, a separate latching/ratcheting device would be needed to
prevent unwanted rotation of the system/boom assembly 1, 100.
[0052] The support tube 12 is operatively connected to the boom
connection area 22, in particular, pivotally connected thereto.
Various measures can be employed to make such a connection.
[0053] For example, an end cap 21 can be T-shaped with a solid
cylinder trunk having outer shape corresponding to the inner shape
of an upper hollow of the boom connection area 22 and be
liquid-tightly inserted therein. The end cap 21 can define a bore
23 having a shape that can accommodate a bearing post 25 therein
such that the tube 12, fixedly connected to the bearing post 25,
pivots with respect to the base assembly 20 from a horizontal
position shown in FIG. 1 (or a degree below horizontal) to at least
one raised position shown in FIG. 2.
[0054] Alternatively, the boom connection area 22 preferably forms
a U-shape, which is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3. In such
an embodiment, the boom connection area 22 defines a bore 23 for
receiving a bearing 25 therein. The tube 12 is formed with a
corresponding bore 23 also for receiving the bearing 25 therein.
First, the tube 12 is inserted into the U-shape of the boom
connection area 22. Then, the bearing 25 is inserted through a
first bore of the area 22, through the bore of the tube 12, and
through the second opposite bore of the area 22. Then, the bearing
25 is fixedly connected (preferably, welded) to the boom connection
area 22 so that the tube 12 can freely pivot about the axis of the
bearing 25 through at least 45 degrees (compare FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0055] The support tube 12 can be pivoted on the bearing axis from
an approximately horizontal position (in particular, approximately
four degrees above the horizontal) through approximately 50 degrees
above horizontal (in particular, to at least 47 degrees above
horizontal).
[0056] The casing of the bearing 25 is securely welded to the base
assembly 20 and support tube 12 and fitted with a length of 3/4"
self-lubricating acetal serving as bearing stock.
[0057] The actuator connection area 24 is hollow and is shaped to
contain therein an electro-mechanical ball drive linear actuator 36
in a watertight manner to prevent entry of liquid into the interior
of the base assembly 20 from the actuator connection area 24
side.
[0058] A lever assembly 60 operatively connects the piston 38 to
the support tube 12. A lever arm 62 is connected to the outrigger
support tube 12 at a bottom of the tube 12 (preferably, is welded
to or is integral therewith). The lever arm 62 projects downwards
away from the outer surface of the tube 12 at least past a first
distance 61. The lever arm 62 also projects along the longitudinal
axis of the tube 12 in a direction away from the outrigger boom 100
at least past a second distance 63. In a preferred configuration,
the first distance 31 is between approximately 6 and 10 cm (in
particular 7.3 cm (27/8")) and the second distance 63 is between
approximately 2 and 4 cm (in particular, 2.54 cm (1")). This ratio
of distances produces a preferred rotation of approximately
47.degree. at the fulcrum (bearing 25) with a horizontal
displacement of the bore 64 position shown in FIG. 1 of between
approximately 4 and 7 cm, in particular 5.7 cm (21/4")), to the
right of FIG. 1 or as approximately shown in FIG. 2.
[0059] The lever arm 62 is connected operatively to the piston 38
such that the piston 38 can impart a force against the lever arm 62
in a direction approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the tube 12. The pivotal connection of the lever arm 62 to the
piston 38 can be made by: (1) the lever arm 62 defining a bore 64
at a portion near the piston 38 and the piston 38 defining a
corresponding bore coaxial with the bore 64 such that a separate
pin can pass through both bores; (2) the piston 38 having a
laterally extending rod with an outer shape corresponding to the
shape of a bore 64 in the lever arm 62; or (3) the lever arm 62
having a laterally extending rod with an outer shape corresponding
to the shape of a bore 64 at a distal end of the piston 38. Other
similar connections are possible as well.
[0060] When the actuator is energized in an up position, the piston
38 extends from a position shown in FIG. 1 to a position shown in
FIG. 2, for example. The rotationally free connection between the
piston 38 and the lever arm 62 allows the lever arm 62 to rotate
with respect to the piston 38 as the piston 38 extends. The lever
arm 62 and support tube 12 are constrained by the bearing to only
rotate thereabout. Accordingly, as the piston 38 extends, the lever
arm 62 and support tube 12 rotate about the bearing 25 to raise the
distal end of the boom 100. The opposite occurs when the actuator
is energized in a down position to lower the boom 100.
[0061] The pivoting connection between the piston 38 of the
actuator 36 and the lever arm 62 converts linear motion of piston
38 into rotational motion controlling a horizontal angle of the
outrigger support tube 12.
* * * * *