U.S. patent number 3,861,628 [Application Number 05/394,782] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-21 for folding accessory bracket assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to St. Louis Diecasting Corporation. Invention is credited to George H. Krieger.
United States Patent |
3,861,628 |
Krieger |
January 21, 1975 |
FOLDING ACCESSORY BRACKET ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A bracket assembly for mounting a boat accessory to a deck of
the boat, and particularly adapted for mounting a trolling motor,
so as to automatically position the accessory vertically in the
water in an extended position and parallel to and on top of the
boat deck in a retracted position. The bracket assembly generally
comprises a mounting means attached to the boat deck and an
accessory bracket for mounting to the accessory. Arm means are
pivotally mounted between the mounting means and accessory bracket
for automatically positioning the accessory bracket as the arm
means are pivoted, to thereby properly position the accessory in
the extreme positions.
Inventors: |
Krieger; George H. (St. Louis,
MO) |
Assignee: |
St. Louis Diecasting
Corporation (Bridgeton, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
23560405 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/394,782 |
Filed: |
September 6, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/642; 440/62;
440/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H
20/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63H
20/00 (20060101); F16m 001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/4,284,286,278,279
;115/17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Foss; J. Franklin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rogers, Ezell & Eilers
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bracket assembly for mounting a trolling motor assembly to the
deck of a boat, the motor assembly including a motor adapted to
depend in the water by means of a shaft, the motor being mounted at
the lower end of the shaft, and for moving the trolling motor
assembly between an extended position with its shaft generally
perpendicular to the surface of the water and a retracted position
with its shaft generally parallel to and on top of the deck of the
boat, the bracket assembly comprising mounting means for mounting
to the boat deck, a motor bracket for mounting around the shaft of
the motor assembly, first arm means pivotally connected at a first
end to the motor bracket and pivotally connected at a second end to
the mounting means, second arm means pivotally connected at a first
end to the motor bracket, the pivotal axis of the first and second
arm means at the motor bracket being spaced apart, means connected
to the mounting means for pivotally and slideably connecting a
second end of the second arm means to the mounting means, and means
responsive to pivotal movement of the first arm means to slide the
pivotal axis at the second end of the second arm means, the
dimensions of the arm means and the locations of the pivotal axes
being such as to control the attitude of the motor assembly shaft
to be generally perpendicular to the surface of the water in the
extended position and to be generally parallel to and on top of the
deck of the boat in the retracted position.
2. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the last-named sliding
means further comprises linkage means connected between the first
and second arm means.
3. The bracket assembly of claim 2 wherein the linkage means is
pivotally connected at one end about the same axis as the second
end of the second arm means, and at the other end about an axis
parallel to and located between the axes of the first and second
ends of the first arm means.
4. The bracket assembly of claim 3 wherein the pivotally and
slideably connecting means further comprises a block, means for
mounting the block for sliding movement along a path generally
normal to the pivotal axes of the first arm at the mounting means,
said second end of the second arm means being pivotally connected
to the block for sliding movement therewith.
5. The bracket assembly of claim 4 wherein the block mounting means
further comprises a rod, and means for mounting the rod to the
mounting means with its longitudinal axes normal to the pivotal
axes of the first arm means at the mounting means, the block being
mounted to slide along the rod.
6. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second arm
means pivot approximately 180.degree. between the extended and
retracted positions.
7. The bracket assembly of claim 1 including releasable locking
means for locking the bracket assembly in the extended and
retracted positions.
8. The bracket assembly of claim 7 wherein said releasable locking
means further comprises a spring biased pin slideably mounted to an
arm means and operable between a release position and a retracted
position, and means associated with the mounting means for engaging
the pin when operated to its release position with the bracket
assembly in its extended and retracted positions.
9. The bracket assembly of claim 8 wherein said pin is oriented and
mounted to slide along an axis generally parallel to the arm means
to which it is mounted, and wherein said engaging means associated
with the mounting means further comprises members having apertures
therein and through which the pin extends in its release
position.
10. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting means
includes surfaces against which the arm means rest in the extended
and retracted positions.
11. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotal axis at the
second end of the second arm means is closer to the pivotal axis at
the second end of the first arm means with the bracket assembly in
the extended position than with the bracket assembly in the
retracted position.
12. The bracket assembly of claim 6 wherein the distance between
the pivotal axes at the second ends of the arm means is less than
the distance between the pivotal axes at the first ends of the arm
means with the bracket assembly in its extended position, and the
distance between the pivotal axes at the second ends of the arm
means is greater than the distance between the pivotal axes at the
first ends of the arm means with the bracket assembly in its
retracted position.
13. A bracket assembly for mounting a trolling motor assembly to
the deck of a boat, the motor assembly including a motor adapted to
depend in the water by means of a shaft, the motor being mounted at
the lower end of the shaft, and for moving the trolling motor
assembly between an extended position with its shaft generally
perpendicular to the surface of the water and a retracted position
with its shaft generally parallel to and on top of the deck of a
boat, the bracket assembly comprising mounting means for mounting
to the boat deck, a motor bracket mounting around the shaft of the
motor assembly, first arm means pivotally connected at a first end
to the motor bracket and pivotally connected at a second end to the
mounting means, second arm means pivotally connected at a first end
to the motor bracket, the pivotal axis of the first and second arm
means at the motor bracket being spaced apart, a third arm means,
means for pivotally connecting one end of the third arm means about
an axis parallel to and located between the axes of the first and
second ends of the first arm means, means at the mounting means for
pivotally mounting the second end of the second arm means and the
second end of the third arm means about the same pivotal axes and
for sliding movement along a path generally normal to the pivotal
axis of the first arm means at the mounting means, the distance
between the pivotal axes at the second ends of the first and second
arm means being less than the distance between the pivotal axes at
the first ends of the first and second arm means with the bracket
assembly in its extended position, and the distance between the
pivotal axes at the second ends of the first and second arm means
being greater than the distance between the pivotal axes at the
first ends of the first and second arm means with the bracket
assembly in its retracted position, the dimensions of the arm means
and the locations of the pivotal axes being such as to control the
attitude of the motor assembly shaft to be generally perpendicular
to the surface of the water in the extended position and to be
generally parallel to and on top of the deck of a boat in the
retracted position.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bracket assembly for use in mounting an
accessory to a boat and particularly one that moves the accessory,
such as a trolling motor or the like, between a vertical position
in the water and a position generally parallel to and on top of a
deck of the boat.
Bracket assemblies of this general type have long been used for
mounting boat accessories such as trolling motors. Their usefulness
lies in the fact that a fisherman will often have more than one
motor on his fishing boat. For example, he may have a relatively
large motor at the stern for powering the boat from one place to
another as he moves between fishing locations, and a much smaller
motor, which also may be mounted at the stern but is often mounted
at the bow, for trolling while he is fishing at a particular
location. While moving from one location to another it is necessary
to pull the trolling motor out of the water which, during a
particular fishing outing, usually occurs numerous times. For this
reason means must be provided for handling this operation quickly
and easily.
Various types of mounting brackets have been used for this purpose
including those where the trolling motor is mounted to the end of a
pivotal arm, the other end of which is pivotally mounted to a deck
of the boat such as near the bow. Of these pivotal arm types some
have required the use of pins that must be inserted when the motor
is in the water and removed when stored on top of the deck so that
the shaft of the motor will lie generally parallel to and on top of
the deck. Others have included the use of ordinary parallel
linkages which automatically control the attitude of the trolling
motor to position it in this manner.
The difficulty with the first type bracket is that it requires the
placement and removal of pins to effect proper attitude of the
motor at the extreme positions which is time consuming and often
aggravating to the fisherman. The difficulty with the second type
bracket is that the parallel linkages have been known to bind after
some period of use, probably due to wear at the pivot pins, which
binding causes at least a temporary malfunction that can also be
quite aggravating to the fisherman.
The bracket assembly of this invention automatically controls the
attitude of the boat accessory, such as a trolling motor, as it
moves between these extreme positions, while eliminating the
difficulties of the other brackets presently known. The bracket
assembly of the invention operates with exceptional smoothness and
without binding, leaving the fisherman to concentrate on his
fishing rather than worrying over operation of his trolling
motor.
Generally, the bracket assembly of this invention comprises a
mounting plate mounted to the deck of a boat such as near the bow.
A first arm is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the mounting
plate and pivotally mounted at its upper end to a suitable
accessory bracket such as one for mounting to the bearing sleeve of
a trolling motor shaft. A second arm is pivotally mounted at its
upper end to the accessory bracket at a pivotal axis spaced from
the pivotal axis of the upper end of the first arm. Means are
provided for pivotally mounting the lower end of the second arm to
a block, which block is in turn slideably mounted to the mounting
plate to alloy movement back and forth. Linkage means are also
pivotally mounted between the block and the lower end of the first
arm, such that pivotal movement of the first arm imparts forward or
rearward movement of the linkage means which in turn causes the
block and therefore the lower end of the second arm to slide. This
sliding movement of the block effectively changes the location of
the lower pivotal axis of the second arm relative to the lower
pivotal axis location of the first arm.
With proper dimensioning of the arms and linkages, and proper
positioning of the various pivotal axes, the attitude of the motor
is automatically controlled by the bracket assembly as it is
operated between extended and retracted positions to move the motor
between a position generally vertical in the water to a position
generally parallel to and on top of the boat deck. This novel
bracket assembly design produces an exceptionally smooth operating
movement.
Also included are releasable means for locking the bracket in the
extreme positions.
Hence, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a
bracket assembly of the general type heretofore mentioned that
automatically controls the attitude of the trolling motor as the
bracket is operated between extended and retracted positions to
move the motor between a position generally vertical in the water
in the extended position and a position generally parallel to and
on top of the boat deck in the retracted position, and to do so
with exceptional smoothness of operation.
This and other objects of the invention will become apparent from
the drawings and detailed description to follow.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an accessory bracket assembly of
this invention shown for mounting a trolling motor to a boat, the
bracket assembly being shown in its retracted position;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the bracket assembly
between its extended and retracted positions;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the bracket assembly
in its fully extended position;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the shaft bracket shown in FIG. 3
with parts shown in section;
FIG. 5 is a view in section taken generally along the line 5--5 of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of FIG. 1 showing the folding bracket
in its retracted position and with the motor not shown for
clarity;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the folding bracket
in its extended position;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section taken generally along the
line 8--8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but taken rearwardly thereof and
showing the locking pin in its retracted position;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view in section taken generally along the
line 10--10 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but taken forwardly thereof
and showing the locking pin in its retracted position;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the lower pivotal linkage of the
folding bracket assembly as viewed in FIG. 2 but with parts shown
in section for purposes of illustration; and
FIG. 13 is a view in section taken generally along the line 13--13
of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing and initially to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there
is shown a folding bracket assembly 10 of this invention for
mounting a trolling motor assembly 11 to the forward deck 12 of a
boat 13. It is to be understood that while the bracket assembly 10
is shown for mounting a trolling motor assembly to a boat, it may
also be used to mount other boat accessories where it is desirable
to provide a bracket means which automatically controls the
attitude of the accessory between extreme positions. A trolling
motor is certainly the primary accessory to which this invention
relates. It is also to be understood that while the bracket 10 is
shown mounted to the front deck of the boat, it could also be
mounted at other locations such as a rear deck.
As with most trolling motor assemblies, the trolling motor assembly
11 includes a motor 15 having an impeller 16 rotatably mounted
thereto, the motor 15 being mounted at the base of a shaft 17, at
the top of which is mounted a housing 18 which contains suitable
electrical leads to transmit power to the motor, steering
mechanism, and the like for operation and steering the motor
assembly. A bearing sleeve 20 surrounds the shaft 17 and includes
bearings therein for rotation of the shaft 17 and hence the motor
15 and impeller 16 relative to the sleeve for steering the boat.
The trolling motor assembly 11 thus described is of a type commonly
known in the art, it being understood that other types of such
motor assemblies could also be used such as those that are gasoline
powered.
The bracket assembly 10 to which this invention is directed
comprises a mounting plate 25 having a base member 26 and opposed
vertical sides 28, having axial aligned apertures 30 therethrough
about midway between the front and back of the plate 25. A vertical
post 35 is located near the forward end of the plate 25 and has an
aperture 36 therethrough. Another post 38, having an aperture 39
therethrough, extends vertically from the bottom of the plate 25 at
approximately its center and a generally cubicle hollow housing 42
is located near the rear end of the plate 25 which extends
vertically from the base 26 and has an aperture 43 through the
front wall thereof. The back side of the housing 42 is open as best
shown at 45 in FIG. 8. The apertures 36, 39, and 43 are in axial
alignment and located preferably midway between the sides 28. The
entire mounting plate 25 including the sides 28, posts 35 and 38,
and housing 42 may, for example, be cast of aluminum, and is
mounted to the deck 12 by any suitable means such as bolts 46.
A first arm member 50, which may for example also be of cast
aluminum and of one-piece construction, is formed at its lower end
with opposed bifurcated members 51 having an opening 53
therebetween. Spaced upwardly from the opening 53 and separated by
a wall 55 is an elongated opening 56, and spaced upwardly from the
opening 56 and separated by a wall 57 is another elongated opening
58. The wall 55 has an aperture 60 and the wall 57 has an aperture
61 therethrough (FIGS. 8 and 9). The apertures 60 and 61 are in
axial alignment with the apertures 36, 39, and 43.
The lower ends of the bifurcated members 51 have axially aligned
apertures 65 therethrough. Pins 70 extend through the apertures 30
and 65 to pivotally mount the arm 50 at its lower end to the sides
of the mounting plate 25, thus allowing the arm 50 to pivot between
a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9, through the
position shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, and an extended position as shown
in FIGS. 3, 10, and 11.
The upper end of the arm 50 is pivotally connected by means of a
pin 75 to a shaft bracket 76. The bracket 76 is shaped generally as
shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and may be of any suitable type, such as
a split sleeve, for fitting tightly around the sleeve 20 of the
motor assembly 11.
A locking pin assembly 78 is provided for locking the bracket
assembly 10 in both its extended and retracted positions. The
locking assembly 78 comprises a pin 80 extending through the
apertures 60 and 61, the pin having a flat end 81 located in the
opening 58 and a tapered end 82 extending in a release position
into the opening 53 between the bifurcations 51. A coil spring 85
surrounds the pin 80 within the opening 56 one end of which
contacts the wall 57 and the other end of which contacts a washer
86 which is held against a cotter pin or the like 87 extending
through a diametrical aperture in the pin 80. A ring 90 extends
through a diametrical aperture near the flat end 81 of the pin 80
to which is connected a release cord 91.
As best seen in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, when the pin 80 is in its
release position (FIG. 8) the tapered end 82 extends under the top
wall of the housing 42 to lock the arm 50 and hence the entire
bracket assembly 10 in the retracted position. With the pin 80
pulled against the spring 85, such as by means of the cord 91, the
tapered end 82 is slid from beneath the top wall of the housing 42,
as best shown in FIG. 9, so that the bracket assembly 10 can be
pivoted to its extended position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11. To
lock the assembly in its extended position, the cord and hence the
pin are released against the spring tension allowing the tapered
end 82 to slide within the aperture 36 of the post 35 as shown in
FIG. 10. In this manner the bracket assembly 10 can be locked in
either position.
It will be noted that in this preferred embodiment, where the same
latching assembly 78 is used to lock the bracket assembly in both
positions, the lower pivotal axis of the arm 50 is midway between
the rear edge of the housing 42 and the forward edge of the post
35. Also, the wall 55 should just clear the rear edge of the
housing 42 with the bracket in its retracted position, and the
front edge of the post 35 with the bracket in its extended
position.
Running generally parallel to the arm 50 is another arm 100 which
is slightly narrower than the arm 50 but like the arm 50 is formed
at its bottom end in bifurcated members 101 with an opening 103
therebetween (FIG. 7). The lower ends of the members 101 are formed
with ears 104 having axially aligned apertures 105
therethrough.
A rod 110 is mounted between the post 38 and housing 42 with one
end of the rod extending through the apertures 39 and the other end
through the aperture 43. A block 112 is slideably mounted on the
rod 110, the rod extending through an aperture 113 in the block
such that the block is free to slide along the rod between the post
38 and the housing 42. The block 112 also has apertures 115 at each
of its ends which are normal to the aperture 113.
The arm 100 is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the block 112
by means of pins 117 extending through the apertures 105 in the
bifurcations 101 and the apertures 115 in the block 112.
Parallel links 120 are located between the bifurcations 101 and the
ends of the block 112 with the pins 117 extending through apertures
121 in the ends of the links. The other ends of the links 120 have
apertures 122 which are axially aligned with apertures 124 (FIG. 7)
in the bifurcations 51 of the arm 50. As best shown in FIGS. 8, 10,
and 12, the apertures 124 are spaced slightly further from the
lower end of the bifurcations 51 than the apertures 65, and are
offset somewhat from a center line drawn between the upper and
lower pivotal axes of the arm 50. The links 120 are pivotally
mounted at their apertures 122 by means of a pin 128 extending
through the apertures 124 in the bifurcations 51 and the apertures
122 in the links 120.
The other end of the arm 100 is pivotally connected by means of a
pin 130 to the shaft bracket 76 at a point spaced upwardly and
rearwardly of the pivot 75 as viewed in FIG. 3. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the distance between the upper and
lower pivotal axes of the arm 50 is equal to the distance between
the upper and lower pivotal axes of the arm 100.
Spaced pads 135 of rubber or other suitable material are secured to
the deck 12 just forward of the mounting plate 25 and positioned
such that the motor 15 rests thereon with the bracket assembly 10
in its retracted position as best shown in FIG. 1. As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, support surfaces 136 are formed as part of the
mounting plate 25. These surfaces engage the lower surfaces of the
arms 50 and 100 with the bracket assembly 10 in its extended and
retracted positions, respectively, to support the bracket and motor
assemblies in those positions.
OPERATION
From the foregoing it can be seen that the motor assembly 11 can be
moved between a position with its shaft 17 generally vertical
relative to the surface of the water and with the motor 15 and
impeller 16 in the water to propel the boat, and a retracted
position with the shaft 17 of the motor assembly generally parallel
to and on top of the boat deck with the motor 15 resting on the
pads 135. This movement of the motor assembly is accomplished
merely by lifting the motor against its weight from either of its
two extreme positions, the bracket assembly 10 acting automatically
by means of its pivot arms 50 and 100 and its linkages 120 to
properly position the motor shaft at these positions.
To move the motor and bracket assemblies from their extended to
their retracted positions, it is only necessary to pull the cord
91, which extends from the pin 80 back over the pin 130, thus
sliding the pin 80 from within the aperture 36 and unlatching the
bracket. Further tension on the cord 91 in a somewhat upwardly
direction lifts the motor 15 out of the water in a rotating manner
as caused by rotation of the arms and linkages of the bracket 11.
Specifically, as the motor is lifted out of the water, the arm 50
pivots at the pins 70 and 75. As the arm 50 pivots, the linkages
120 begin to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in the drawings
about the pin 128 which itself begins to move in an arcuate path
from a position forward of the pivot pins 70 to a position rearward
of the pins 70 when the bracket reaches its retracted position
(FIG. 6). As the pin 128 moves in this arcuate and rearward path
between extended and retracted positions, the linkages 120, which
are pivotally connected about the pin 128 and which have their
other ends pivotally connected to the block 112 along with the
lower end of the arm 100, move the block 112 and hence the lower
end of the arm 100 rearwardly along the rod 110. Hence, as the arms
50 and 100 rotate between extended and retracted positions, the
lower end of the arm 100 moves rearwardly along the rod 110. This
rearward movement causes rotation of the shaft bracket 76 in a
clockwise direction causing a similar rotation in the shaft 17. As
will be noted from FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, in this preferred embodiment
the distance between the axes 70 and 117 is less than between the
axes 75 and 130 in the extended position but greater than between
the axes 75 and 130 in the retracted position.
With continued tension on the cord 91 the tapered end of the pin 80
passes by the rear edge of the housing 42 allowing the motor
assembly to take the position shown in FIG. 1. Releasing the cord
91 allows the tapered end of the pin 80 to extend beneath the top
of the housing 42 as best shown in FIG. 8 to latch the assembly in
the retracted position.
To place the motor assembly back in its extended position, the
above-described operation is simply reversed.
First, the cord 91 is pulled to release the latch, the motor
assembly 11 lifted upwardly and forwardly such as by the housing 18
until it can be held by means of the cord 91 at about the position
shown in FIG. 2, and then the motor is lowered, by holding tension
on the cord 91, to its extended position as shown in FIG. 3.
Releasing the cord 91 then latches the assembly in its retracted
position with the tapered end of the pin 80 extending into the
aperture 39 of the post 38 (FIG. 10). As the motor assembly is
moved from its retracted to its extended position, the lower end of
the arm 100 moves forward with the block 112 to take the position
shown in FIGS. 7 and 10.
By offsetting the lower pivotal axis of the arm 100 by use of the
ears 104, and by making the arm 50 narrower than the arm 100, the
two arms remain more nearly parallel in the extreme positions
without interference of one arm with the other, and the bottom
surface of the arm 100 rests on the top of the base plate 26 to
help support the motor assembly in its retracted position.
Various changes and modifications may be made in this invention, as
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this
invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *