Spring-Biased Flushing Accessory for Outboard Motors

This relates in general to spring-biased attachments for marine motors, and methods of using the same.

It is well-known that when outboard or stern-drive motors are removed from the water for transportation or storage purposes, it is necessary to flush them out to remove debris such as sand, silt, mud or alkalis, which has accumulated from their use, and all traces of salt water which tends to have a corrosive effect on the engine parts.

Several types of systems for accomplishing this purpose have been developed in the prior art. These include systems employing various types of mechanical coupling devices, such as disclosed in W. R. O'Hara U.S. Pat. No. 2,005,385, issued June 18, 1935; F. M. Houchin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,644,474, issued July 7, 1953; K. G. Guhlin U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,488, issued Oct. 3, 1961. Other prior art patents disclose systems which include portable cleaning containers such as, H. E. Crozier, U.S. Pat. No. 3,003,456, issued Oct. 10, 1961; J. E. Kiefer U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,812, issued Dec. 9, 1952; and A. J. Burger, U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,889, issued June 3, 1975.

Still other prior art patents disclose various types of straps and belts for applying the hose outlet to the motor housing intake ports. These include O. B. Bensen U.S. Pat. No. 2,611,631, issued Sept. 23, 1952; R. A. Patel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,953, issued Oct. 11, 1977; and my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,190, issued Aug. 22, 1978. None of the foregoing provides a fully satisfactory system for flushing out marine engines.

Accordingly, it is the broad object of this invention to provide an improved attachment and method for flushing outboard or stern-drive motors. A more specific object of the invention is to provide a flushing attachment which can be quickly and easily snapped into place against the water intake ports on opposite sides of the motor housing, which provides a snug, resilient coupling which retains its shape after repeated use, and may be simply and economically manufactured.

Another object of the invention is to speed up the flushing operation by enabling the equipment to handle a larger volume of flushing water than possible with prior art equipment.

These and other objects are realized in accordance with the present invention in a flushing apparatus comprising a pair of resilient suction cups adapted to be maintained in fluid-communicating relation with water intake ports on opposite sides of the motor housing by attachment to opposite ends of a U-shaped retainer rod which is spring-biased to urge the cups toward one another. In one embodiment, the bias is created by a separate coil-spring connected between the two arms at the lower end of the U-shaped retainer rod. In a second embodiment, a single coil is integrally formed into the nadir of the U-shaped rod. In a third embodiment, the single coil is replaced by a pair of loupes formed in opposite arms of the U-shaped retainer rod. In a fourth embodiment, the opposite arms of the U-shaped construction are separately molded of rigid plastic material, for example; and the lower ends are snapped together in a concentric hub relation, being biased against outward rotation by the prongs at opposite ends of a torsion spring. In still another embodiment, which is a variation of the U-shaped retainer rod formed with a single coil in the nadir, a Y-shaped hose connection enables flushing water to be transmitted from a faucet or other source to the resilient cups on opposite sides simultaneously.

Particular advantages of the flushing device of the present invention are that it maintains the resilient suction cups closely coupled to the intake ports on opposite sides of the motor housing; and the U-shaped retainer rod does not readily relax its grip after multiple uses. The device is easily and inexpensively manufactured and is readily installed on the motor housing. For example, the embodiment comprising separate arms is adapted so that the hub portions snap together and the arms are biased toward one another by a torsion spring enclosed in the hub, which may be formed of molded plastic. Further, the embodiment having the Y input connection for simultaneously servicing water input couplings at ports on opposite sides of the motor housing is adapted for use by dealers and mechanics servicing engines operating at 1200 or more revolutions per minute, and requiring large quantities of flushing water. A particular feature of this embodiment is that because the volume of water passing into each input arm of the Y connection is divided in half, a smaller stream passes in through each individual suction cup. If a stream of double volume were to be forced into a cup on one side only, it would have the tendency to pass through the motor housing and force the cup at the opposite side away from the housing wall, thus causing an excessive loss of flushing water, causing the engine to run hot. This is avoided when two smaller streams are interposed into the cups on opposite sides through the Y hose connection.

These, and other objects, features and advantages will be better understood from a detailed study of the invention with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A shows in front elevation one embodiment of a flushing apparatus of the present invention which comprises a pair of resilient cups held in place against cooling water intake ports on opposite sides of a marine motor housing by the free ends of a U-shaped retainer rod which is spring-biased by a coil-spring interposed between its legs.

FIG. 1B shows the embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1A with the lateral portions in side elevation, and the central portion in contact with the motor housing, in section.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show in front and side elevations, respectively, a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, in which the coil-spring-biasing means is replaced by a single coil formed integrally into the closed end-portion of the U-shaped retainer rod.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show in side, front and rear elevation, respectively, another modification of the invention in which the single-coil of FIGS. 2A, 2B is replaced by a pair of coils interposed into opposite side arms of the U-shaped retainer rod.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show in front and side elevation, respectively, a further modification of the invention in which the U-shaped retainer device comprises a pair of separately formed arms of semi-rigid plastic, in which the ends opposite to the resilient cups are fitted together in concentric relation to form a hub, the arms being biased to move toward one another by a torsion spring mounted in the hub. FIG. 4C is a detailed sectional showing of the hub of FIGS. 4A, 4B.

FIG. 5A is a further modification of the invention in which the water input hose is connected through a Y connection simultaneously to intake ports on both sides of the motor housing. FIG. 5B is a cross-section through one of the hoses of FIG. 5A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, 1 indicates the lower motor housing of a typical outboard or stern-drive motor, having two sets of interconnected water intake ports 2a and 2b, each comprising, for example, three elongated elliptical intake ports. The two sets of intake ports 2a and 2b are spaced apart, preferably on opposite sides of housing 1.

A pair of frusto-conical suction cups 3a, 3b is designed to be superposed in contact with the lower motor housing wall 1, so as to cover each of the sets of intake ports 2a, 2b. In a preferred embodiment, the suction cups 3a, 3b are formed of any elastomer or flexible material, such as, for example, natural rubber, or synthetic rubber, known as neoprene, or other plastic material such as polyethylene. In the present illustrative embodiment, the cups 3a, 3b are of neoprene, having an overall diameter of 31/2 inches, a wall thickness of, say, 3/16 inch, and a depth of 3/4 inch on the internal central portion. A coupling pipe 3d of circular cross-section, say, 1/2 inch in internal diameter, and 5/8 inch in outer diameter protrudes outwardly 1 inch from the center of the flexible cup 3b, coaxially accommodating the coupling pipe 10 protruding from the conventional hose coupling 8. Pipe 3d is held in place on pipe 10 by a hose clamp 9b. Pipe 3c on the other cup extends an axial distance of 1 inch in the opposite direction, and may be closed at its outer end.

An important feature of the present invention is that a retainer 4, which may be formed, for example, of a rod of stainless steel, or any similar rigid metal, 5/16 inch in diameter, is bent into a U-shaped retainer rod, roughly 10 inches long, in an axial direction, from the closed to open ends, the latter terminating in a pair of eyelets 4d and 4e, which are respectively mounted to surround pipes 3c and 3d externally, in such a manner that they each bear against the central portions of the cups 3a and 3b tending to compress and flatten the cups against the outer surface of housing 1 to substantially enclose the area surrounding the water intake ports 2a and 2b.

Transversely mounted near the closed end of the U-shaped retainer 4, is a coil spring 6. In the present example, the coil spring 6 is formed of a metal rod approximately 1/8 inch in cross-section, which is wound into 12 turns, to produce a coil having an overall diameter of about 5/8 inch. The terminals 6a and 6b are bolted or otherwise secured in openings drilled through the thickness of the rod 4 in diametrically opposite positions. A spring housing 7, which may comprise, for example, a substantially rectangular sheet of stainless steel, or the like, is bolted or otherwise rigidly fastened along one edge to the closed end of the U-shaped retainer 4 to form an enclosure which partially encloses, but is not contiguous with spring 6. The latter provides a spring-bias between the arms 4a and 4b, which tends to urge the cups 3a and 3b towards one another, and into substantially snug elastic contact against the wall of housing 1, covering the intake ports 2a and 2b. Alternatively, housing 7 may be plastic.

One modification of the device of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in which the like numbered portions of the gripping head, including the cups 3a and 3b and the hose coupling 8, are substantially the same as the elements described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B. In the device of FIGS. 2A, 2B, the U-shaped retainer 4 of FIGS. 1A, 1B is replaced by the retainer 14. This comprises a metal rod of cold rolled steel or the like, 5/16 inch in cross-section, which is formed to include in the bent-portion at its closed end, a single turn 14g. This turn may, for example, be 3 inches in overall diameter. This provides spring action which imposes a spring-bias between the arms 14a and 14b tending to force the cups 3a and 3b towards one another, as in FIGS. 1A, 1B.

Another modification of the invention is indicated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C of which the portion of the device in the plane above the line X--X is substantially similar in form to the devices described in the previous figures. The U-shaped retainer 24, which is substituted for the retainers 4 and 14 of the previous figures, comprises a rod of the same material and cross-sectional dimension as in the previous figures, which is formed to include at diametrically opposite positions on each of its legs 24a and 24b, a pair of single turns 24h and 24i. These may, for example, be 11/4 inches in outer diameter. The turns 24h and 24i provide the same spring action between the legs as is provided by the coil spring 6 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, and as is provided by the single turn 14g of FIGS. 2A, 2B.

Another modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, in which the two-part moulded plastic retainer 34 replaces the U-shaped retainer 4 of FIGS. 1A, 1B.

The two part retainer 34 is moulded out of a rigid plastic, such as, for example, an acetate copolymer manufactured and sold by the Celanese Plastics Company under the trademark "CELCON", or alternatively, by E. I. DuPont de Neymours Company, under the trademark "DELRIN". Each of the component arms 34a and 34b is manufactured to include an eyelet, 34d and 34e at its upper end, which fits over a respective one of the pipes 3c and 3d. The arm 34b broadens out at its lower end to form a hub having a hollow inner axial member 34f which extends in a direction normal to the principal plane defined by the arms 34a and 34b, and an externally connected member 34g which partially surrounds 34f in a coaxial configuration. The other arm 34a broadens at its lower end to form a hollow cylindrical fitting 34c which snap-fits between the inner axial member 34f and the coaxial outer member 34g. Between 34c and the base of 34f is mounted a torsion spring 36, which is wound around the axial member 34f, and has two projecting ends 36a and 36b which are respectively disposed to bear on projecting shoulders of arms 34a and 34b, thereby imposing a spring-bias between them which tends to urge the cups 3a and 3b towards one another. Pin 35 holds 34c and 34f together.

Another modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 5A which is adapted for use in connection with large marine motors requiring a large flow of flushing water. Instead of having the water source hose connection to one side only, in the manner indicated in the previous figures, the device of FIG. 5A is adapted to accommodate hose connections to both of the cups 3a and 3b simultaneously, thus doubling the flushing water input to the marine engine. In FIG. 5A, the elements bearing the same numbers to those of FIGS. 2A, 2B are substantially similar to like-numbered elements described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and will not be redescribed. The coupling pipes 13c and 13d protrude 11/8 inches out from the center of each of the cups 3a and 3b. Coupling pipes 13c and 13d are 1/2 inch in inner diameter and 5/8 inch in outer diameter. The arms 14a and 14b are respectively mounted on the coupling pipes 13d and 13c by means of the eyelets 14d and 14e, so that spring-bias is exerted against the cups 3a and 3b as in FIGS. 2A, 2B.

A hose coupling 18 is provided for coupling the device to a water source. This has a Y fitting with a single pipe 20a which leads into a pair of pipes 20b and 20c. A pair of hose members 30a and 30b, of natural rubber or artificial rubber, such as neoprene, or other plastic are each 12 inches long, and has an inner diameter of 5/8 inch, and an outer diameter of 1 inch.

The hose 30a extends between the Y pipe arm 20b, where it is held in place by pipe clamp 29a, to the coupling pipe 13d, where it is held in place by pipe clamp 19a. Likewise, hose 30b extends between the other Y pipe arm 20c, where it is held in place by hose clamp 29b to the coupling arm 13c, where it is held in place by hose clamp 19b. Thus, water from a single source is divided into two streams passing through the arms 20b and 20c of the Y coupling, and is injected simultaneously into each of the sets of intake ports 2a and 2b on opposite sides of motor housing 1.

The present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described herein by way of example, but only by the scope of the appended claims.