Attachment device for attaching an outboard motor to a craft

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachment device (1) for attaching an outboard motor (22) to a craft. The attachment device (1) comprises an arm (2) which can be coupled to the motor (22), a support (3) which can be coupled to the craft, and a connecting interface (4) which can be inserted between the arm (2) and the support (3). The connection interface (4) can be pivotably coupled to the arm (2) by means of a so-called pivot connection (5) comprising at least one pivot axis (XX1) for a movement of the arm (2) between two end pivot positions. The connection interface (4) can be rotatably coupled to the support (3) by a so-called rotational connection (7) comprising at least one axis of rotation (YY1) to allow, in the coupled state of the connection interface (4) to the arm (2) and to the support (3), a movement of the arm (2) and of the connection interface (4) about the axis of rotation (YY1) over an angular range at least equal to 160°, preferably at least equal to 180°, and the axis of rotation (YY1) and the pivot axis (XX1) are orthogonal to each other.

Description

Description Title of the invention: fixing device for fixing an outboard motor to a boat

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing an outboard motor to a boat, in particular to the rear deck of said boat, an assembly comprising a boat, a motor and such a fixing device and a method of fixing a motor to a boat using such a fixing device.

[0002] Existing mounting devices for attaching an outboard motor to a boat, particularly to the transom of a boat, are in the form of a clamp straddling the upper edge of the transom and / or in the form of a parallelogram-type hinged connecting structure also known as a chair. Such mounting devices mostly allow the motor to be raised and lowered to allow movement in shallow water. Such mounting devices are tedious to assemble and require the operator to lean from inside the boat towards the motor located outside the boat, supporting the motor, at the risk of injury, particularly to the back, due to the load that such a motor represents.

[0003] An aim of the invention is to propose a fixing device whose design allows rapid and simplified assembly.

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a fixing device for fixing an outboard motor to a boat, characterized in that the fixing device comprises an arm coupleable to the motor, a support coupleable to the boat, and a connecting interface interposable between the arm and the support, in that the connecting interface is pivotally coupleable to the arm by a so-called pivoting connection comprising at least one pivot axis for movement of the arm between two extreme pivoting positions, in that the connecting interface is rotationally coupleable to the support by a so-called rotation connection comprising at least one rotation axis to allow, in the coupled state of the connecting interface to the arm and to the support, movement of the arm and the connecting interface around the rotation axis over an angular range at least equal to 160°, preferably at least equal to 180°, and in that the rotation axis and the pivot axis are orthogonal to each other. The design of the fixing device with a connecting interface which can be coupled on the one hand to the support, and on the other hand to the arm, allows for rapid assembly. The pivoting connection of the connecting interface to the arm comprises at least one so-called horizontal pivot axis. This pivoting connection of the connecting interface to the arm for moving the arm between two extreme pivot positions allows the motor to be raised and lowered. This results in the possibility of easily adapting to the depth of the navigation area. The rotation axis of the rotational connection of the connecting interface to the support forms the axis around which the arm and the associated outboard motor can rotate in the state driven in movement by the motor's steering bar to steer the boat.The design of the connecting interface can allow the outboard motor to be placed inside the boat, the arm and the support to be coupled to the connecting interface in the installed state of the outboard motor inside the boat before positioning, by rotating the connecting interface, the motor outside the boat. It is noted that the fact that the rotation axis and the pivot axis are orthogonal to each other allows, in the state positioned vertically to the rotation axis, a positioning in the horizontal state of the pivot axis.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extreme pivoting positions of the arm relative to the connecting interface correspond one to a position close to the arm of the connecting interface, the other to a position separated from the arm of the connecting interface and the fixing device comprises at least one system for holding the arm in at least one of the pivoting positions, this holding system having an active configuration and an inactive configuration. The close position of the arm relative to the connecting interface corresponds to a low position of the motor useful in deep water while the position separated from the arm relative to the connecting interface corresponds to a high position of the motor useful in shallow water.The holding system allows, in active configuration, the arm to be held in the desired pivot position which can be the extreme pivot position in which the arm is spread out as far as possible. the connecting interface or an intermediate position between the extreme pivot positions.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system for holding the arm in at least one of the pivoting positions comprises a pivoting lever coupled at one of its pivoting ends to the arm and a series of notches mounted on the connecting interface and the end of the pivoting lever opposite that coupled to the arm is, in the active configuration of the holding system, inserted into one of the notches. This results in simplicity of activation by simply inserting one end of the lever into the notches and deactivation of the holding system by simply removing one end of the lever from the notches.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least one of the pivoting positions of the arm in which the holding system can be positioned in the active configuration is a pivoting position of the arm other than the extreme pivoting position corresponding to the position close to the connecting interface of the arm.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing device comprises at least one member for locking the arm in the pivoting position of the arm corresponding to the position close to the connecting interface of the arm. This locking member is useful when reversing and makes it possible to avoid untimely pivoting movement of the arm in the direction of raising the engine.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, this locking member is a lockable / unlockable member, this member being unlockable under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value exerted on the arm in the direction of a separation of the arm from the connecting interface. This possibility of unlocking under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value makes it possible, in the event of the motor encountering an obstacle, to cause a pivoting movement of the arm in the direction of a lifting of the motor.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is a pivoting hook pivotally coupled to the arm and capable of hooking with a complementary element carried by the connecting interface.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting interface has the shape of a plate with two opposite faces, the pivot axis of the pivot connection between the arm and the connecting interface and the rotation axis of the rotation connection between the support and the connecting interface are respectively embodied by a shaft coaxial with the axis that they embody, the shaft coaxial with the pivot axis is carried by one of the faces called the first face of the plate and the shaft coaxial with the rotation axis extends projecting from the other face called the second face of the plate. In other words, the connecting interface has the shape of a plate with a first and a second face and the arm and the support are arranged on either side of the plate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the notches are carried by the first face of the plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivoting connection between the arm and the connection interface comprises a first part carried by the arm, a second part carried by the connection interface, said first and second parts being configured to be coupleable to each other by automatic coupling without tools by simply bringing together and moving said parts relative to each other. This results in simplicity of coupling between the arm and the connection interface.

[0014] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a boat, an outboard motor and a fixing device for fixing the outboard motor to the boat, characterized in that the fixing device is of the aforementioned type and, in the fixed state of the outboard motor to the boat, the pivot axis of the pivot connection of the arm to the connection interface of the fixing device extends substantially horizontally to ensure, in the driven state in movement of the arm between the two extreme pivot positions, a raising or lowering of the outboard motor, and the axis of rotation of the rotation connection of the connection interface to the support extends substantially vertically. By substantially horizontal, or respectively substantially vertical, is meant horizontal or respectively vertical to within plus or minus 25°.

[0015] Preferably, the outboard motor comprises a body, a propeller, a motor system for rotating the propeller and a steering bar. equipped with a rotating throttle handle, the body is a hollow body delimiting a cavity for receiving the motor system for driving the propeller in rotation and a guide path with a longitudinal axis, at least part of the steering bar is mounted to slide along the guide path for the steering bar to move from a configuration at least partially retracted inside said body to a deployed configuration in which the bar is arranged at least partially outside said body, this steering bar being, in the deployed configuration,mobile mounting pivoting around a so-called horizontal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide path in the state positioned vertically to said longitudinal axis for the passage of the steering bar from a position in which it extends in the extension of the guide path to a position in which it forms an angle generally between 60 and 120° with said longitudinal axis.,

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for fixing a motor to a boat using a fixing device, characterized in that the fixing device being of the aforementioned type, the method comprises a step of positioning the outboard motor in the boat, a step of fixing the connecting interface of the fixing device to the support, a step of fixing the connecting interface of the fixing device to the arm, and a step of pivoting the arm and rotating the connecting interface to move the outboard motor from a position in which it is arranged in the boat to a position in which it is arranged outside the boat. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine in a position inside the boat with an associated detail view;

[0019] [Fig. 2] shows a partial sectional view of a boat in the raised state with the motor in a position inside the boat;

[0020] [Fig. 3] represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine in a position outside the boat with an associated sectional detail view;

[0021] [Fig. 4] shows a partial perspective view of a boat in the lowered state of the motor in a position outside the boat with an associated detail view;

[0022] [Fig. 5] represents a partial sectional view of a fixing device in the lowered state of the motor corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connecting interface and in which the locking member is in the unlocked state;

[0023] [Fig. 6] represents a partial sectional view of a fixing device in the lowered state of the motor corresponding to the close position of the arm of the connecting interface and in which the locking member is in the locked state;

[0024] [Fig. 7] represents a partial perspective view of a boat in the raised state of the engine and activated of the holding system in a position outside the boat with an associated sectional detail view;

[0025] [Fig. 8] shows a partial perspective view of a boat in the lowered state of the motor in the boat's navigation configuration where the motor bar allows the boat to be steered by rotational movement of the motor, the arm and the connection interface around the rotational axis of the connection to the support;

[0026] [Fig. 9] represents a perspective view of the fixing device when coupling the arm to the connecting interface;

[0027] [Fig. 10] shows a sectional view of the fixing device when coupling the arm to the connecting interface;

[0028] [Fig. 11] represents a partial perspective view of the fixing device in the coupled state of the arm at the connecting interface;

[0029] [Fig. 12] shows a perspective view of the connecting interface and the bracket of the fixing device when coupling the connecting interface to the bracket;

[0030] [Fig. 13] represents a perspective view of the connecting interface and the support of the fixing device in the coupled state of the connecting interface to the support;

[0031] [Fig. 14] shows a sectional view of the fixing device and the motor in the retracted position of the motor steering bar;

[0032] [Fig. 15] shows a sectional view of the fixing device and the motor in the extended position of the motor steering bar.

[0033] As mentioned above, the subject of the invention is a fixing device 1, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1, for fixing an outboard motor 22, that is to say a motor detachable from a boat, to a boat 20, as well as the assembly comprising the boat 20, the outboard motor 22 and the fixing device 1, as well as the method for fixing the outboard motor 22 to the boat 20 using such a fixing device 1.

[0034] The boat 20 may be any boat 20 capable of operating with an outboard motor 22. In the example shown, the boat 20 is a semi-rigid boat. This boat 20 may be entirely rigid or flexible, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0035] This boat 20 generally has a transom shown at 21 in the figures at which the fixing device 1 used to couple the outboard motor 22 to the boat 20 is positioned.

[0036] As mentioned above, an outboard motor is a motor that can be detached from the boat.

[0037] The outboard motor 22 may be a commercially available outboard motor. This outboard motor is equipped in a manner known per se with a steering bar 24 terminated at its end by a rotating throttle handle 25.

[0038] This outboard motor comprises a body 23, a propeller positioned at one end of the body and a system for rotating the propeller, these elements forming a single unit.

[0039] The steering bar 24 allows the outboard motor 22 to rotate around an axis of rotation which will be described below, arranged at the level of the fixing device 1 to allow the boat to be oriented.

[0040] In the examples shown, this steering bar 24 is a bar that is retractable in the body of the engine. This steering bar 24 is therefore mounted to slide along a guide path with a longitudinal axis arranged inside the body for the steering bar 24 to move from a configuration that is at least partially retracted inside the body 23 to a deployed configuration in which the steering bar 24 is arranged at least partially outside the body, this steering bar 24 being in the deployed position mounted to pivot about a so-called horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide path in the state positioned vertically to the longitudinal axis for the steering bar 24 to move from a so-called raised position in which it extends in the extension of the guide path to a so-called lowered position in which it forms an angle,generally between 60 and 120° with said longitudinal axis and allows the control of a rotational movement of the outboard motor 22 around an axis of rotation arranged at the level of the fixing device by simple traction or push exerted on the steering bar 24. These two positions are illustrated in figures 14 and 15. It should be noted that an outboard motor 22 with a lifting steering bar or a telescopic steering bar or a traditional steering bar can be used without departing from the scope of the invention, even if the solutions in which the steering bar is a telescopic and / or lifting and / or retractable bar are preferred.,

[0041] The fixing device 1 which is the subject of the invention allows the fixing of such an outboard motor 22 to the boat 20, in particular to the rear transom 21 of the boat 20.

[0042] This fixing device 1 comprises an arm 2, a support 3, and a connecting interface 4 interposable between the arm 2 and the support 3.

[0043] The support 3 is intended to be coupled to the boat 20. This coupling can be carried out by screwing or otherwise. An example of a support 3 is illustrated in Figure 12.

[0044] This support 3 is presented here in the form of a block of generally parallelepiped shape with one face of the block provided with a hole serving for the connection of the support 3 with the connection interface 4 as illustrated in figures 5 and 6 for example. The constituent block of the support 3 has a face that can be positioned on the rear deck of the boat, as illustrated in figure 7.

[0045] The surface mounting can be done by screwing or other means.

[0046] When the rear apron is inclined relative to a vertical plane as illustrated in the figures, the application face of the support on the rear apron takes up this inclination to, ideally, allow a drilling of the block used for the connection of the support 3 with the connection interface 4 to have a longitudinal axis extending vertically in the fixed state of the support to the boat.

[0047] The connecting interface 4 is rotatably coupled to the support 3 by a rotational connection 7 comprising at least one rotation axis represented at YY' in the figures. This rotation axis YY' is materialized by a shaft represented at 8 in figure 12. One end of this shaft 8 is inserted into the bore of the support 3, while the other end of the shaft 8 is rotatably coupled to the connecting interface 4.

[0048] This connection interface 4 is here in the form of a circular plate with two opposite faces which form one, called first face 41, the top face of the plate facing the sky in the coupled state of the connection interface to the support 3 and coupled from the support to the boat, that is to say in the vertical state of the shaft 8, the other, called second face 42, the bottom face of the plate facing the ground in the coupled state of the connection interface to the support 3 and coupled from the support 3 to the boat, that is to say in the vertical state of the shaft 8.

[0049] The shaft 8 projects from the second face 42 of the plate perpendicular to this second face from the center of this second face.

[0050] Thanks to this rotational connection 7 between the support 3 and the connection interface 4, the connection interface 4, in particular the plate of the connection interface 4, can rotate around the axis YY' in the stationary state of the support 3 and in particular in the fixed state of the support 3 to the boat 20.

[0051] The arm 2 of the fixing device 1 is intended to be fixed to the outboard motor 22.

[0052] This arm 2 is preferably coupleable to an outer surface 23 of the body of the outboard motor 22, in a manner that can be shifted longitudinally along the body. of the outboard motor. This allows the propeller's position to be varied in relation to the bottom of the boat.

[0053] In the examples shown, in particular in figure 4, this arm 2 comes, by one of its ends, to be fixed in a slide arranged outside the body of the outboard motor and developing along the longitudinal axis of the body 2.

[0054] The arm 2 can thus slide in the slide until it is immobilized in the desired position of separation from the propeller. Note that this arm is positioned on the body of the outboard motor, on a surface of the body of the outboard motor opposite that carrying the propeller.

[0055] This arm 2 extends below the steering bar 24 and along a line substantially directly parallel to said bar in the lowered position of the steering bar 24.

[0056] This arm 2 is, at its opposite end, coupled to the connecting interface 4 by a pivoting connection 5 comprising at least the pivot axis shown at XX' in the figures for movement of the arm 2 between two extreme pivoting positions capable of allowing lifting and lowering of the outboard motor 22.

[0057] This pivot axis XX' extends parallel to one of the faces of the plate constituting the connecting interface 4. In particular, the pivot axis XX' of the pivoting connection 5 between the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4 is embodied by a shaft 6 coaxial with said pivot axis XX' as illustrated in figures 12 and 13.

[0058] This shaft 6 coaxial with the pivot axis XX' is carried by the first face 41 of the plate. The rotation axis YY' and the pivot axis XX' are orthogonal to each other. Thanks to the design of the connecting interface 4 and its pivoting connection 5 to the arm 2 and rotation 7 to the support 3 in the coupled state of the connecting interface 4 to the arm 2 and to the support 3, the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4 are able to move around the rotation axis XX' over an angular range at least equal to 160°, preferably at least equal to 180°. If it is assumed that the arm 2 and the support 3 are respectively pre-fixed to the outboard motor 22 and to the boat 20, it is possible to implement a method of fixing the motor 22 to a boat 20 by implementing the following steps, namely a step of positioning the motor 22 in the boat, a step of fixing the connecting interface 4 to the support 3, a step of fixing the connecting interface 4 of the fixing device 1 to the arm 2 and a step of pivoting the arm 2 to raise the motor away from the bottom of the boat and obtain a configuration such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a step of rotating the connecting interface and the associated arm for the passage of the motor 22 from a position in which it is arranged in the boat 20 to a position in which it is arranged outside the boat 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3, before again pivoting the arm in the direction of lowering to position the motor in a navigation configuration such as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0059] It should be noted that the step of fixing the connection interface to the support 3 can be carried out before the step of positioning the engine in the boat or after said step. Generally, once the connection interface 4 has been fixed a first time to the support, this mounting then remains permanent.

[0060] The various operations as described above make it possible to avoid any fatigue for the operator when coupling the engine to the boat, this coupling being able to be carried out from the boat. The operator can in fact be brought from the boat 20 to mount or dismount the engine from the boat. It is understood that for dismantling, the procedure is similar, that is to say that the engine is raised by pivoting the arm upwards. During this maneuver, the operator can grasp a handle installed on the engine to assist in pivoting the engine and the arm. The connecting interface is then rotated to bring the engine inside the boat before pivoting the arm in the direction of lowering the arm to place the engine on the bottom of the boat and then uncouple the arm from the connecting interface.

[0061] To facilitate such assembly, the pivoting connection 5 between the arm 2 and the connection interface 4 comprises a first part 14 carried by the arm 2, and a second part 15 carried by the connection interface 4. The first and second parts 14 and 15 are configured to be coupleable to each other by automatic coupling without tools, by simply bringing together and moving said parts 14 and 15 relative to each other. An example of such automatic coupling is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the second part 15 of the pivoting connection carried by the connection interface 4 comprises the shaft 6 coaxial with the pivoting axis XX' of the pivoting connection 5, this shaft 6 extending parallel to the first face 41 of the plate constituting the connection interface 4.

[0063] The arm 2 is equipped at its end which can be coupled to the shaft 6 with a U-shaped jaw 140 capable of being closed by a pivoting U-shaped locking member 141, this locking member 141 being returned by a spring (not shown) to the open position of the jaw 140.

[0064] This locking member 141 can be immobilized in pivoting by a pawl 142 returned to the support position against the locking member 141 and maneuverable in the direction of a separation of the locking member 141 by an actuating member 143 produced here in the form of a pivoting lever.

[0065] The operation is as follows: the jaw 140 is brought closer to the shaft 6 to allow the shaft 6 to be housed in the jaw 140. During this movement, the locking member 141 is, by bearing contact with the shaft 6, driven into pivoting movement to move from an open position of the jaw 140 to a closed position of the jaw 140. The pawl 142 authorizes the pivoting movement of this locking member 141 to a locking position in pivoting movement. The assembly is complete. To open the jaw and allow uncoupling of the arm and the connecting interface, it is necessary to act on the member 143 for actuating the pawl 142 which allows the pawl 142 to be moved away from the locking member 141 and to allow, under the action of the spring equipping the locking member 141, a pivoting movement of the locking member 141 in the direction of opening the jaw 140.

[0066] Obviously, other automatic coupling systems of the connecting interface and the arm can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0067] Similarly, flanges mounted on the connecting interface 4 or the arm may be considered to provide coupling and uncoupling of the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4.

[0068] In the coupled state of the arm 2 to the connecting interface 4, the arm 2 is therefore able to pivot between two extreme pivoting positions to allow, in the coupled state of the motor to the arm 2, the passage of the motor 22 from a low position, as illustrated in figure 4, to a high position, as illustrated in figure 7, or vice versa, the position being chosen as a function of the depth of the water.

[0069] It is noted that the extreme pivoting positions of the arm 2 relative to the connecting interface 4 correspond, one, to a position close to the arm 2 of the connecting interface 4, the other, to a position separated from the arm 2 of the connecting interface 4.

[0070] Furthermore, the arm 2 is able to take an intermediate position between the extreme pivoting positions.

[0071] To avoid the operator having to hold the motor 22 in the desired position, the fixing device 1 comprises at least one system 9 for holding the arm 2 in at least one of the pivoting positions.

[0072] This holding system 9 has an active configuration and an inactive configuration. This holding system 9 is visible in the active configuration in Figure 3 and in the inactive configuration in Figure 5.

[0073] The system 9 for holding the arm 2 in at least one of the pivoting positions of the arm comprises a pivoting lever 10 pivotally coupled to the arm 2, by one of its ends shown at 100 in the figures, and a series of notches 11 mounted on the connecting interface 4. The end 101 of the pivoting lever 10 opposite that coupled to the arm 2 is, in the active configuration of the holding system 9, inserted into one of the notches 11.

[0074] This pivoting lever 10 acts as a strut between the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4 in the active configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 7, this strut preventing the arm 2 from pivoting in the direction of moving closer to the connecting interface 4.

[0075] This 9-position system is characterized by its simplicity of construction and its ease of switching from active to inactive configuration and vice versa.

[0076] In practice, the operator simply needs to grasp the outboard motor 22 by its handle to pivot the arm 2 and the outboard motor 22 to the desired lifting position and to position the pivoting lever 10 in the corresponding notch 11.

[0077] To lower the engine, it is sufficient to slightly lift the engine to allow the lever 10 to exit the notch 11, to return the lever 10 to a position in which it extends substantially parallel to the arm 2 so as not to hinder the pivoting of the arm 2, this position of the lever being able to be maintained by a hard point, then to pivotally move the arm 2 and the outboard engine 22 in the direction of lowering to the desired position.

[0078] It is noted that the or at least one of the pivoting positions in which the holding system 9 can be positioned in the active configuration is a position other than the extreme pivoting position corresponding to the close position of the arm 2 of the connecting interface 4.

[0079] The fixing device 1 comprises at least one member 12 for locking the arm 2 in the pivoting position of the arm 2 corresponding to the position close to the connecting interface 4 of the arm 2.

[0080] This locking member 12 is a lockable / unlockable member. This member 12 is unlockable under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value exerted on the arm 2 in the direction of a separation of the arm 2 from the connecting interface 4.

[0081] In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking member 12 is a pivoting hook pivotally coupled to the arm 2 and capable of hooking with a complementary element 13 carried by the connecting interface 4. This complementary element 13 here takes the form of a notch in the plate pre-equipped with a rod and the locking member 12 is capable of hooking with said rod in the locked position.

[0082] This complementary element 13 is arranged on the connecting interface 4 at a location on the plate diametrically opposite the location at which the pivoting connection 5 between the arm 2 and the connecting interface 4 is arranged.

[0083] This locking member 12 is useful when the engine is operating in reverse. In fact, when moving forward, there is no need to prevent the arm 2 and the associated engine 22 from being raised, the weight of the engine and the forward thrust keeping them lowered. Leaving the engine free to raise limits the risk of damaging it in the event of contact with the bottom. When moving backward, the engine and the arm, on the other hand, tend to raise if the reverse locking member 12 is not locked.

[0084] This locking member 12 is bistable, that is to say it has at least two stable positions, one active in which it is hooked with the complementary element 13, the other inactive in which it is not hooked with the complementary element 13 in the position close to the arm of the connecting interface as illustrated in figure 5.

[0085] In the locked position, the locking member 12 cooperates with the complementary element 13 by cooperation of shapes to allow automatic unlocking under the effect of a predetermined force, again to avoid, in the event of the motor encountering an obstacle, damage to the motor.

[0086] In practice, the engine 22, boat 20, and attachment device 1 assembly can therefore be used as follows: it is assumed that the engine 22 is not installed on the boat 20. The procedure is therefore as described above to couple the arm 2 pre-equipping the engine 22 and the support 3 pre-equipping the boat to the connecting interface 4. The operator then chooses whether or not to activate the holding system 9 depending on the depth of the water and the locking member 12 depending on the direction of travel. For the control in the direction of the boat 20, the operator conventionally acts on the steering bar 24 by pulling or pushing to generate a movement of the arm, the associated engine, and the connecting interface around the rotation axis YY' of the rotation connection 7 of the connecting interface 4 to the support 3, depending on the desired direction for said boat.

Claims

Claims

1. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20), characterized in that the fixing device (1) comprises an arm (2) coupleable to the motor (22), a support (3) coupleable to the boat (20), and a connecting interface (4) interposable between the arm (2) and the support (3), in that the connecting interface (4) is pivotally coupleable to the arm (2) by a so-called pivoting connection (5) comprising at least one pivot axis (XX') for a movement of the arm (2) between two extreme pivoting positions, in that the connecting interface (4) is rotationally coupleable to the support (3) by a so-called rotational connection (7) comprising at least one rotation axis (YY') to allow, in the coupled state of the connecting interface (4) to the arm (2) and to the support (3), a movement of the arm (2) and of the connecting interface (4) around the axis of rotation (YY') over an angular range at least equal to 160°,preferably at least equal to 180°, and in that the axis of rotation (YY') and the pivot axis (XX') are orthogonal to each other.,

2. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the extreme pivoting positions of the arm (2) relative to the connecting interface (4) correspond one to a position close to the arm (2) of the connecting interface (4), the other to a position separated from the arm (2) of the connecting interface (4), and in that the fixing device (1) comprises at least one system (9) for holding the arm (2) in at least one of the pivoting positions, this holding system (9) having an active configuration and an inactive configuration.

3. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the system (9) for holding the arm (2) in at least one of the pivoting positions comprises a pivoting lever (10) coupled at one (100) of its ends (100, 101) pivoting to the arm (2) and a series of notches (11) mounted on the connecting interface (4) and in that the end (101) of the pivoting lever (10) opposite that (100) coupled to the arm (2) is, in the active configuration of the holding system (9), inserted into one of the notches (11).

4. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the or at least one of the pivoting positions of the arm (2) in which the holding system (9) can be positioned in the active configuration is a pivoting position of the arm (2) other than the extreme pivoting position corresponding to the position close to the arm (2) of the connecting interface (4).

5. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the fixing device (1) comprises at least one member (12) for locking the arm (2) in the pivoting position of the arm (2) corresponding to the close position of the arm (2) of the connecting interface (4).

6. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that this locking member (12) is a lockable / unlockable member, this member (12) being unlockable under the effect of a thrust force of a value greater than a predetermined value exerted on the arm (2) in the direction of a separation of the arm (2) from the connecting interface (4).

7. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking member (12) is a pivoting hook pivotally coupled to the arm (2) and capable of hooking with a complementary element (13) carried by the connecting interface (4).

8. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting interface (4) has the shape of a plate with two opposite faces (41, 42), in that the pivot axis (XX') of the pivoting connection (5) between the arm (2) and the connecting interface (4) and the rotation axis (YY') of the rotational connection (7) between the support (3) and the connecting interface (4) are respectively materialized by a shaft (6, 8) coaxial with the axis that they materialize, in that the shaft (6) coaxial with the pivot axis (XX') is carried by one of the faces called the first face (41) of the plate and in that the shaft (8) coaxial with the axis of rotation (YY') extends projecting from the other face called the second face (42) of the plate.

9. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the notches (11) are carried by the first face (41) of the plate.

10. Fixing device (1) for fixing an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pivoting connection (5) between the arm (2) and the connecting interface (4) comprises a first part (14) carried by the arm (2), a second part (15) carried by the connecting interface (4), said first and second parts (14, 15) being configured to be coupleable to each other by automatic coupling without tools by simple bringing together and relative movement of said parts (14, 15) relative to each other.

11. An assembly comprising a boat (20), an outboard motor (22) and a fixing device (1) for fixing the outboard motor (22) to the boat (20), characterized in that the fixing device (1) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 10 and in that, in the fixed state of the outboard motor (22) to the boat (20), the pivot axis of the pivot connection (5) of the arm (2) at the connection interface (4) of the fixing device (1) extends substantially horizontally to ensure, in the driven state in movement of the arm (2) between the two extreme pivot positions, a raising or lowering of the outboard motor (22), and the rotation axis (7) of the rotation connection of the connection interface (4) to the support (3) extends substantially vertically.

12. Method for attaching an outboard motor (22) to a boat (20) using a fixing device (1), characterized in that the fixing device (1) being in accordance with one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprises a step of positioning the outboard motor (22) in the boat (20), a step of attaching the connecting interface (4) of the fixing device (1) to the support (3), a step of attaching the connecting interface (4) of the fixing device (1) to the arm (2), and a step of pivotally moving the arm (2) and rotating the connecting interface (4) for the passage of the outboard motor (22) from a position in which it is arranged in the boat (20) to a position in which it is arranged outside the boat (20).

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