Outboard motor steering structure

Abstract

A steering system for an outboard motor uses bearing support structures to attach a steering mechanism to a trim/tilt bracket which is attachable to a transom of a marine vessel. The steering mechanism comprises upper and lower attachment brackets which are permanently attached to a tubular member extending therebetween. The tubular member is attached to the bracket through the use of two bearing support structures in combination with two pairs of split bearings.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An outboard motor steering system comprising:
 a bracket which is attachable to a transom of a marine vessel, said bracket comprising first and second semi-circular depressions axially spaced from each other by an axial span therebetween, said axial span having a section eliminating said semi-circular depressions;   a steering mechanism which comprises a tubular member and is supported by said bracket for rotation about a generally vertical steering axis;   a first bearing support structure configured to attach said steering mechanism to said bracket, said first bearing support structure comprising a first generally semicircular member which is removably attachable to said bracket with said tubular member therebetween; and   a second bearing support structure configured to attach said steering mechanism to said bracket, said second bearing support structure comprising a second generally semicircular member which is removably attachable to said bracket with said tubular member therebetween, said bracket being shaped to cooperate with said first and second bearing support structures to define generally circular openings to capture said tubular member therein when said first and second bearing support structures are attached to said bracket.   
     
     
         22 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 21  wherein:
 said first semi-circular depression has a first radial depth extending laterally of said axis; 
 said second semi-circular depression has a second radial depth extending laterally of said axis; 
 said axial span has first and second axially distally oppositely spaced sections, and a central section axially spaced therebetween, 
 said first section of said axial span has a radial depth equal to said first radial depth, 
 said second section of said axial span has a radial depth equal to said second radial depth, 
 said central section of said axial span has a radial depth less than each of said first and second radial depths. 
 
     
     
         23 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 22  wherein said first radial depth equals said second radial depth. 
     
     
         24 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 22  wherein said radial depth of said central section of said axial span is zero. 
     
     
         25 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 21  wherein:
 said first semi-circular depression has a first radial depth extending laterally of said axis; 
 said second semi-circular depression has a second radial depth extending laterally of said axis; 
 said axial span has a radial depth of zero. 
 
     
     
         26 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 21  wherein said axial span extends along an arc as it extends axially between said first and second semi-circular depressions. 
     
     
         27 . The outboard motor steering system according to  claim 26  wherein said arc bows away from said first and second bearing support structures.