Support system for a marine propulsion device

Abstract

A support system for a marine propulsion device attaches a plurality of mounts to a transom, or transom plate, of a marine vessel. The mounts remain generally stationary with respect to the transom when the outboard motor is trimmed or tilted about its trim axis. This allows easy access to the mounts which are not buried within the structure of the outboard motor.

1 . A support system of a marine propulsion device, comprising:
 a mounting bracket;   a plurality of mounts attached between said mounting bracket and a transom of a marine vessel; and   a support structure of an outboard motor which is attached to said mounting bracket, said outboard motor being pivotally trimable between upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions,   said mounting bracket being pivotally mounted relative to said transom and pivoting relative to said transom during pivotal trimming of said outboard motor between said upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions, each of said plurality of mounts comprising an elastomeric element, a first rigid member attached to said transom and a second rigid member attached to said mounting bracket, wherein said elastomeric element is disposed coaxially between said first and second rigid members, said plurality of mounts being generally stationary with respect to said transom when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom, said outboard motor being movable relative to said plurality of mounts when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom.   
     
     
         2 . The support system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transom bracket attached to said transom, said plurality of mounts being attached to said transom bracket and said mounting bracket.   
     
     
         3 . The support system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said mounting bracket has a central plane which is generally vertical and extends perpendicularly through said transom, at least a first one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a port side of said central plane, at least a second one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a starboard side of said central plane.   
     
     
         4 . The support system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a trim cylinder attached to said mounting bracket and to said outboard motor.   
     
     
         5 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said support structure of said outboard motor is detachable from said outboard motor.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A support system of a marine propulsion device, comprising:
 a mounting bracket;   a plurality of mounts attached between said mounting bracket and a transom of a marine vessel;   a support structure of an outboard motor which is attached to said mounting bracket;   a transom bracket attached to said transom, said plurality of mounts being attached to said transom bracket and said mounting bracket; and   a trim cylinder attached to said mounting bracket and to said outboard motor,   said outboard motor being pivotally trimable between upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions,   said mounting bracket being pivotally mounted relative to said transom and pivoting relative to said transom during pivotal trimming of said outboard motor between said upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions, each of said plurality of mounts comprising an elastomeric element, a first rigid member attached to said transom and a second rigid member attached to said mounting bracket, wherein said elastomeric element is disposed coaxially between said first and second rigid members.   
     
     
         12 . The support system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said mounting bracket has a central plane which is generally vertical and extends perpendicularly through said transom, at least a first one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a port side of said central plane, at least a second one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a starboard side of said central plane.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The support system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said plurality of mounts is generally stationary with respect to said transom when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom.   
     
     
         17 . The support system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 at least a first pair of said plurality of mounts is disposed entirely on a port side of said central plane and at least a second pair of said plurality of mounts is disposed entirely on a starboard side of said central plane.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A support system of a marine propulsion device, comprising:
 an outboard motor;   a plurality of mounts attached to a transom of a marine vessel and disposed in supporting relation with said outboard motor, said plurality of mounts being generally stationary with respect to said transom when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom, said outboard motor having a central plane which is generally vertical and extends perpendicularly through said transom, at least a first one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a port side of said central plane, at least a second one of said plurality of mounts being disposed entirely on a starboard side of said central plane;   a mounting bracket, said plurality of mounts being attached to said mounting bracket and to said transom;   a support structure of an outboard motor which is attached to said mounting bracket;   a transom bracket attached to said transom, said plurality of mounts being attached to said transom bracket and said mounting bracket, said transom bracket being disposed in contact with said transom; and   a trim cylinder attached to said mounting bracket and to said outboard motor, each of said plurality of mounts comprising an elastomeric element, said elastomeric element being disposed coaxially between first and second rigid members, said first rigid member being attached to said transom and said second rigid member being attached to said mounting bracket,   said outboard motor being pivotally trimable between upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions,   said mounting bracket being pivotally mounted relative to said transom and pivoting relative to said transom during pivotal trimming of said outboard motor between said upwardly and downwardly tilted pivoted trimmed positions.   
     
     
         20 . The support system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 said plurality of mounts is generally stationary with respect to said transom when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom; and   said outboard motor is movable relative to said plurality of mounts when said outboard motor moves relative to said transom.