Outboard motor mounting process and apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for mounting an outboard motor to the transom of a boat and especially to a vertically adjustable mounting structure for raising and lowering an outboard motor relative to the transom of the boat on which the motor is mounted for supporting the motor at selected positions of elevation relative to the boat in which the outboard motor mount actuator is attached to the inside of a boat transom.

1 . A process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom comprising:
 selecting and mounting an actuator cylinder having a cylinder rod to the inside of a boat transom;   selecting and attaching a pair of slide tracks to the exterior side of a boat transom;   selecting a motor mounting plate having a top and a pair of side edges, each said side edges being sized to slidably fit into one of said pair of slide tracks, said motor mounting plate having a generally perpendicular extending lift bracket extending from the top thereof;   slidably mounting said selected motor mounting plate in said pair of slide tracks; and   coupling said actuator cylinder rod to said motor mounting plate lift bracket for raising and lowering said motor mounting plate on the exterior of a boat transom;   whereby an outboard motor mount is mounted on the outside of a boat transom and the actuator therefor is mounted on the inside of a boat transom to provide a low profile outboard motor mount.   
     
     
         2 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 1  in which the step of selecting a pair of slide tracks includes slide tracks having polymer inserts therein for said selected motor mounting plate to slide in. 
     
     
         3 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 2  in which the step of selecting an actuator cylinder includes selecting an electrically actuated cylinder rod. 
     
     
         4 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 2  in which the step of selecting an actuator cylinder includes selecting a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulic cylinder rod. 
     
     
         5 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 2  in which the selected pair of slide tracks are aluminum slide tracks. 
     
     
         6 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 5  in which the selected motor mounting plate is an aluminum motor mounting plate. 
     
     
         7 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 2  including the step of forming said motor mounting plate and lift bracket as one member. 
     
     
         8 . The process for adjustably supporting an outboard motor to a boat transom in accordance with  claim 7  in which said motor mounting plate lift bracket has a coupling member thereon for coupling said actuator rod thereto. 
     
     
         9 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom comprising:
 an actuator cylinder having a cylinder rod means for attaching said actuator cylinder to the inside of a boat transom;   a pair of slide tracks;   means for attaching said slide tracks to the exterior side of a boat transom;   a motor mounting plate having a top and a pair of side edges slidably mounted in said pair of slide tracks, said motor mounting plate having a generally perpendicular extending lift bracket extending from the top thereof; and   coupling means coupling said actuator cylinder rod to said motor mounting plate extension bracket for raising and lowering said motor mounting plate on the exterior of a boat transom responsive to the movement of said actuator cylinder rod on the interior of said boat transom;   whereby an outboard motor mount is mountable on the outside of a boat transom and the actuator therefor is mountable on the inside of the boat transom to provide a low profile outboard motor mount for adjustably mounting an outboard motor to a boat transom.   
     
     
         10 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom in accordance with  claim 9  in which each of said pair of slide tracks has a polymer inserts therein. 
     
     
         11 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom in accordance with  claim 10  in which said actuator cylinder is electrically actuated. 
     
     
         12 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom in accordance with  claim 10  in which said actuator cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder driving a hydraulic cylinder rod. 
     
     
         13 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom in accordance with  claim 10  in which said pair of slide tracks are aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . An outboard motor mount for a boat transom in accordance with  claim 13  in which said motor mounting plate is aluminum.