Trolley for transport, storage and maintenance of outboard motors >.
The invention relates to a device for transport, storage and maintenance of outboard motors.
Such a device is known of for example GB 2113620 and US 32418522. Presently known trolleys are in fact a hand- truck on which as mounting mechanism a straight panel, usually made of wood, is fitted in order to hang and restrain the outboard motor by which a transport and storage device is obtained for moving an outboard motor by hand. Also known are trolleys which are collapsible so they can be made compact enough to carry along in the trunk of a passenger' car or on board of a boat.
Presently known trolleys, functioning to the above described principle of a hand-truck, do not have a height adjustable mounting mechanism for hanging and securing the outboard motor so the user has to lift the heavy and awkward outboard motor above his strength in order to mount it. Furthermore, before the outboard motor is secured, it can slide sideways over the straight panel with risk of falling and consequential damage. Moreover, the shaft of the outboard motor is hanging loose so the outboard motor can rotate in relation to its mounting mechanism which results in instability which risks falling and consequential damage. Besides the clamp screws of the outboard motor have to be tightened in order to' secure the outboard motor sufficiently for transport. Moreover the construction is wide because the two handles are positioned on the outside. Due to this, the device needs a lot of space and has a high weight. At last, with known devices, the weight of the device and the outboard motor comes down on the user during transport because the handles are positioned too close to the outboard motor which makes the centre of gravity during transport very unfavourable.
The invention aims at solving foregoing difficulties' " "b"y~plac±"n-g""the"-sh-af-t"-Of -the- -outboard- -mo-tor--in-a—special profile shape which is located close to the ground and a height adjustable mounting plate which automatically centres and secures the outboard motor. The weight of the outboard motor is not transferred to the mounting plate but completely to the profile shape. The mounting plate has a special shape which ensures stability, automatically centres the outboard motor, prevents sliding sideways and makes the tightening of the clamp screws redundant. The shaft of the outboard engine is secured in the profile shape with a specially designed fastening device as a result of which the outboard motor can not turn in relation to its mounting mechanism and can not slide in the profile shape. The combination of the special profile shape with fastening device and the mounting plate, the outboard motor is secured at two positions by which the outboard motor stands very stable on the trolley. The invention consists of a single vertical bar to which a handle is connected. By using just one bar instead of two, a very compact and light weight device comes into existence. Because the end of the handle is located on a certain distance of the outboard motor and by the chosen angle of the handle in relation to the vertical tube, an optimally geared to the user centre of gravity of the invention with outboard motor is obtained, as a result of which little effort is needed during transport. A stabiliser bar is connected to the profile shape by which a very stable device comes into existence for storage and maintenance of the outboard motor. The adjustable track of the wheels contributes to the compactness and stability. The invention further warrants rigidity, stability and compactness by using rectangular telescopic or hinged tubes which are secured with rotary knobs or different fasteners. Finally the construction of the invention is such that in unused condition it can be made into one compact whole device by folding and/or shoving in and/or separate several parts. Possible loose parts..are-.conn.e.c.ted..to. the frame_. The invention is further specified by means of a preferred specific embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2 in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view of the invention in functional condition. In the figure the frame of the invention is indicated with 1. The mounting mechanism consisting of the special profile shape 2 and the mounting plate 4 are connected to frame 1. Profile shape 2 is connected to frame 1 with rotary knob 3. Mounting plate 4 is connected to bar 13 with knob 12. Bar 13 is connected to frame 1 with rotary knob 5. To obtain more stability, stabiliser bar 9 is connected to profile shape 2 with rotary knobs 16 and the track of the wheels 17 is enlarged by turning knobs 7. The outboard motor is placed with the shaft in profile shape 2. The shaft is secured in profile shape 2 with fastening mechanism 14. Then mounting plate 4 is moved upwards until it reaches the mounting bracket of the outboard motor. With rotary knob 5 the height of mounting plate 4 is secured. For obtaining a favourable centre of gravity the angle of handle 6 in relation to frame 1 can be adjusted with knob 15.
Figure 2 shows the product in compact condition. Profile shape 2 is placed in hook 8 while stabiliser bar 9 is placed in hooks 10. Handle 6 is placed in holder 11. Mounting plate 4 is turned around using rotary knob 12. Bar 13 as visible in figure 1 slides down in frame 1 using rotary knob 5.
It is obvious that the figures and above description are just showing one preferred specific embodiment of the invention and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.