Shift mechanism for marine propelling unit
First Claim
1. In a shifting mechanism for coupling a driving mechanism to a driven mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable positive clutching elements each operatively connected for rotation with a respective one of said mechanisms, said clutching elements being relatively movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, detent means for restraining said clutching elements in their disengaged positions, said detent means being biased for requiring a predetermined force to release said detent means for relative movement of said clutching elements to their engaged position, and actuating means for moving said clutching elements relative to each other between their engaged and disengaged positions, the improvement comprising said actuating means including an element having a first end portion adapted to be moved by an operator for actuating said clutching elements, a second end portion cooperable with said clutching elements for their relative movement and a resilient intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being sufficiently resilient for relative rotation of said first and second ends upon operation of said first end by an operator until the predetermined force required to release said detent means is exceeded for release of the resilient force stored in said intermediate portion upon release of said detent means for providing a spring force for driving said clutching elements into engagement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved shifting mechanism for the outboard drive unit of a marine propulsion device. The unit includes a torsion bar actuator that resiliently deflects until a detent on the shifting sleeve is released. Upon release of the detent, the torsional loading on the torsion bar is released so as to slap the clutch elements into engagement.
30 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. In a shifting mechanism for coupling a driving mechanism to a driven mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable positive clutching elements each operatively connected for rotation with a respective one of said mechanisms, said clutching elements being relatively movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, detent means for restraining said clutching elements in their disengaged positions, said detent means being biased for requiring a predetermined force to release said detent means for relative movement of said clutching elements to their engaged position, and actuating means for moving said clutching elements relative to each other between their engaged and disengaged positions, the improvement comprising said actuating means including an element having a first end portion adapted to be moved by an operator for actuating said clutching elements, a second end portion cooperable with said clutching elements for their relative movement and a resilient intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being sufficiently resilient for relative rotation of said first and second ends upon operation of said first end by an operator until the predetermined force required to release said detent means is exceeded for release of the resilient force stored in said intermediate portion upon release of said detent means for providing a spring force for driving said clutching elements into engagement.
- 10. A shifting mechanism having an output shaft, a pair of bevel gears rotatably supported at spaced location upon said output shaft and being driven in opposite directions, a sleeve slidably supported upon said output shaft and coupled for rotation therewith between said gears, opposite ends of said sleeve and said gears having respective clutching elements, said sleeve being axially movable upon said output shaft between a neutral position, a forward drive position wherein said clutching elements of said sleeve are engaged with the corresponding clutching elements of one of said gears and a reverse position wherein the clutching elements at the other end of said sleeve are operatively engaged with the clutching elements of the other of said gears, and actuating means for moving said sleeve between its neutral position and its forward drive position and its reverse position, the improvement comprising said actuating means including an element having a first end portion adapted to moving said sleeve between its neutral position and its forward drive position and its reverse position, the improvement comprising said actuating means including an element having a first end portion adapted to be moved by an operator for actuating said sleeve, a second end portion cooperable with said sleeve for moving said sleeve and a resilient intermediate portion, detent means for restraining said sleeve in its neutral position, said detent means being biased for requiring a predetermined force to release said detent means for relative movement of said sleeve from its neutral position, said intermediate portion being sufficiently resilient for relative rotation of said first and second ends upon actuation of said first end by an operator until the predetermined force required to release said detent means is exceeded for release of the resilient force stored in said intermediate portion upon release of said detent means for providing a spring force for driving said sleeve into engagement with either of said gears.
Specification