Motor protection for a pleasure boat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frame (32) for protecting a propeller (24) of an outboard motor (22) intended to be attached to a pleasure boat (10), the protective frame (32) comprising at least one bar (34) for protecting the propeller (24), the protective bar (34) being independent of the motor (22) and intended to be directly attached to the boat, the protective frame (32) comprising at least one support (36) capable of holding at least one accessory (38) separate from the boat (10) on the protective frame (32), the support (36) being carried by the protective bar (34) such that the protective bar (34) and the support (36) extend in directions intersecting one another.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: ENGINE PROTECTION FOR PLEASURE BOATS

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a protective frame for, among other things, ensuring the protection of an engine of a pleasure boat. Technical background

[0005] Pleasure boats with motors can be used by individuals to practice various activities such as trips and water sports. Such pleasure boats then include at least one propeller engine intended to drive the boat. A distinction is then made between so-called "inboard" boats, whose engine is integrated into the structure of the boat and which remains permanently submerged, and so-called "outboard" boats, "outboard motor boats", which have an engine attached to the boat and fixed to the outside of the hull. For outboard motor boats, it is commonly provided to be able to lift the engine when the boat is not in use by tilting it.

[0006] Aside from their use at sea, it is common for these pleasure boats to be kept in a port by being moored next to each other and attached to pontoons. Such mooring in a port among other boats can cause damage to both your own boat and to boats already moored. Indeed, mooring a boat is delicate and it is not uncommon to find your boat damaged by another careless user.

[0007] Such damage can then have significant economic consequences, particularly when it relates to the engine propeller. Indeed, for boats with their engine raised, the propeller, while out of the water, can easily be subject to impacts from boats maneuvering to moor.

[0008] There are protections for outboard boat motors, but these consist only of protective covers against external debris such as leaves or against bad weather. Such covers do not provide physical protection for the motor's propellers.

[0009] Cage-type propeller guards are also known which surround the propeller, but these are restrictive and reduce the boat's performance in terms of speed while increasing the boat's fuel consumption.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention proposes a protective frame for a propeller of an outboard motor intended to be fixed to a pleasure boat, the protective frame comprising at least one propeller protection hoop, the protective hoop being independent of the motor and intended to be directly fixed to the boat, the protective frame comprising at least one support capable of holding at least one accessory separate from the boat on the protective frame, the support being carried by the protective hoop such that the protective hoop and the support extend in directions intersecting one another.

[0012] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0013] - the protective hoop forms a first hoop and the support forms a second hoop, the first hoop and the second hoop each having a U shape;

[0014] - the protective hoop and the support delimit a housing for receiving the motor in which said motor can be moved around an axis of rotation between a position of use and a guarding position;

[0015] - the frame comprises at least one fixing assembly, the fixing assembly comprising at least one removable coupling member and a fixing member intended to be fixed to the boat, the removable coupling member being intended to secure the protective arch to the boat by fitting into at least one housing of the at least one fixing member;

[0016] - the protective arch comprises at least one rectilinear portion extended on either side by two arms, the removable coupling member corresponding to a free end of at least one of the arms, the free end having an L-shaped curvature intended to fit into the housing;

[0017] - the frame comprises at least one flat surface which extends parallel to the protective arch, covering at least in part the motor receiving housing, the flat surface being supported at least by the support and by an additional arch which extends from the protective arch, and such that the flat surface forms at least one other fixing space for the boat accessory;

[0018] - at least the protective arch is formed by at least two tubes sliding one inside the other in a translation direction and such that the two sliding tubes are configured to be blocked in translation relative to each other by means of a blocking member;

[0019] - the support comprises at least one device for fixing the accessory to the protective frame.

[0020] The invention also relates to a pleasure boat comprising at least one engine provided with at least one propeller which extends at one end of an engine body, the boat comprising at least one protective frame according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the protective arch of the protective frame extending beyond the propeller of the engine in a direction of main elongation of the boat when the engine is in a use position and in a guarding position.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, the pleasure boat comprises at least two rear platforms which delimit at least one space for receiving at least one engine, the protective arch extending at least partly between the rear platforms.

[0022] Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a pleasure boat comprising a protective frame for a propeller of an outboard motor of the boat according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic top view of the boat of Figure 1;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of the boat of Figure 1 carrying an accessory on the protective frame in a fixing position;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view of the boat of Figure 1 carrying the accessory on the protective frame in a detached position;

[0027] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the protective frame of Figure 1 comprising a protective hoop and a support;

[0028] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of the protective arch of the protective frame according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the protective frame of Figure 1 according to another particular embodiment of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.8] is a longitudinal and vertical sectional view of a flat surface of the protective frame of Figure 7;

[0031] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a protective frame according to a variant of Figure 7.

[0032] Detailed description of the invention

[0033] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted as a non-limiting example and without limiting reference to Earth's gravity. By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front.

[0034] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0035] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a pleasure boat 10 that can be used for leisure activities such as water sports or even sea trips. The pleasure boat 10 usually comprises a hull 12 delimiting, among other things, a living area on the boat 10 for at least one user. In particular, a main longitudinal elongation direction L of the boat 10 is defined, corresponding, among other things, to a main elongation direction of the hull 12. A front end 14 and a rear end 16 of the boat 10 are then also defined along the longitudinal direction L of the boat 10 and along a conventional direction of movement of said boat 10 when sailing forward.

[0036] The pleasure boat 10 comprises at least two rear platforms 18 which delimit at least one reception space 20 for at least one engine 22. More precisely and particularly visible in FIG. 1, the two rear platforms 20 extend longitudinally from the hull 12 of the boat, at its rear end 16.

[0037] Thus, it is understood that the two rear platforms 18 extend at a non-zero distance from each other in a transverse direction T of the boat 10, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction L. Such a transverse spacing between the two rear platforms 18 then delimits the reception space 20 of the engine 22 of the boat 10.

[0038] Thus, the boat 10 comprises an engine 22 provided with at least one propeller 24 which extends at one end of a body 26 of the engine 22. In the illustrated example of the invention, the boat 10 comprises two engines 22.

[0039] In the remainder of the description, the structural and functional details will be discussed for an engine 22 but it is understood that these apply mutatis mutandis indifferently to one or more engines 22 of the boat 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the engine 22 of the boat 10 is here an outboard type engine 22, that is to say an engine 22 designed to be raised outside of navigation use and corresponding to a guarding position.

[0041] More precisely, a lower part 28a of the motor 22 and an upper part 28b of the motor 22 are defined, opposite each other in a main elongation direction P of the motor 22. The lower part 28a of the motor 22 corresponds in particular to the part of the motor carrying the propeller 24. The lower part 28a of the motor 22 is therefore intended to be immersed in water in a position of use of the motor 22 visible in FIG. 3 and to be emerged in the guarding position of the motor 22 visible in FIG. 4. The upper part 28b of the motor 22 corresponds to the emerged end of the motor 22 regardless of whether the latter is in its position of use or its guarding position, visible respectively in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0042] The guarding position of the engine 22 is for example implemented when the boat 10 is moored at the pontoon of a port.

[0043] It is then understood that in a position of use of the engine 22 visible in figure 3, the engine 22 extends substantially in a vertical direction V of the boat 10, and that in a guarding position of the engine 22 visible in figure 4, the latter extends in a plane secant to the vertical direction V of the boat 10.

[0044] According to the example of the invention illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the motor 22 is connected to the boat 10 by a pivoting device 30 allowing the passage of said motor 22 from its position of use to its guarding position and vice versa, around an axis of rotation R. More particularly, the axis of rotation R of the motor 22 is parallel to the transverse direction T of the boat 10.

[0045] The boat 10 according to the invention comprises at least one protective frame 32.

[0046] The protective frame 32, particularly visible in Figures 1 and 5, comprises at least one protective hoop 34 for the propeller 24, the protective hoop 34 being fixed to the boat 10. The protective frame 32 also comprises at least one support 36 for an accessory 38 separate from the boat 10, visible in Figures 2 and 3.

[0047] The support 36 of the protective frame 32 is carried by the protective hoop 34. More particularly, the protective hoop 34 and the support 36 extend relative to each other in intersecting directions.

[0048] In other words, the protective arch 34 and the support 36 extend relative to each other in intersecting planes.

[0049] Advantageously, the protective hoop 34 and the support 36 extend perpendicularly to each other. As seen in Figures 2 to 4, the protective hoop 34 extends in a longitudinal plane L and transverse plane T and the support 36 extends in a transverse plane T and vertical plane V.

[0050] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the protective hoop 34 forms a first hoop 40 and the support 36 forms a second hoop 42. It is then understood that the first hoop 40 and the second hoop 42 each extend in a plane perpendicular to each other.

[0051] In the remainder of the description, it should be considered that the term first hoop 40 will always be associated with the protective hoop 34, and that the term second hoop 42 will always be associated with the support 36.

[0052] Each of the first hoop 40 and the second hoop 42 is here formed by a rectilinear main portion 44 extended on either side by two arms 46, so as to have a U-shape. It is then understood that each of the arms 46 of each of the hoops 40, 42 comprises a joining end 48 with the associated main portion 44, and a free end 50, opposite the joining end 48 in a direction of elongation of the arm 46. According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the arms 46 of each of the hoops 40, 42 extend substantially perpendicularly from the associated main portion 44.

[0053] The first hoop 40 and the second hoop 42, respectively forming the protective hoop 34 and the support 36, may be formed by hollow cylindrical tubes.

[0054] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the protective hoop 34 and the support 36 delimit a receiving housing 52 of the motor 22 in which said motor 22 can be moved around the axis of rotation R of the pivoting device 30, between its position of use and its guarding position.

[0055] In other words, it is understood that the protective frame 32 is configured such that it allows the at least one motor 22 to switch from one position to the other without it being necessary to move or remove the protective arch 34 and / or the support 36. Such a characteristic is advantageous in that it facilitates the use of the protective frame 32 without constraining a user with additional maneuvers. It is further understood that at least the protective arch 34 of the protective frame 32 is independent of the motor 22 of the boat 10. In other words, the protective arch 34 and the motor 22 are strictly distinct from each other such that the movement of one does not cause the other to move.

[0056] It is also understood that the reception housing 52 is at least partly merged with the reception space 20 delimited by the rear platforms 18.

[0057] The protective arch 34 of the protective frame 32 extends at least partly between the rear platforms 18. More particularly, the protective arch 34 is secured to the boat 10 by means of a fixing assembly 54, visible in FIG. 5.

[0058] The fixing assembly 54 comprises at least one coupling member 56 which is removable from the protective arch 34 to the boat 10. By removable is meant the fact that the coupling member 56 can be detached and reattached to the boat without breaking or deforming or unscrewing the fixing assembly 54.

[0059] In the illustrated example of the invention in Figure 5 and in a non-limiting manner, the fixing assembly 54 comprises two removable coupling members 56 corresponding to the free end 50 of each of the arms 46 of the first hoop 40 forming the protective hoop 34, the free ends 50 having a curvature such as to have an L shape in a longitudinal plane L and vertical plane V.

[0060] The fixing assembly 54 also comprises a fixing member 58 secured to the boat 10. More precisely, the fixing member 58 is secured to one of the rear platforms 18 of the boat 10 and in such a way that it faces towards the receiving space 20 of the engine 22. Even more precisely, an internal side wall 19 of the rear platform is defined.

[0061] 18, the internal side wall 19 being turned towards the receiving space 20 of the motor 22, the fixing member 58 being integral with the internal side wall

[0062] 19.

[0063] In the illustrated example of the invention, the fixing assembly 54 comprises two fixing members 58 secured to each of the internal side walls 19 of the rear platforms 18 and in such a way as to cooperate with the arms 46 of the first hoop 40.

[0064] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the fixing members 58 comprise at least one hollow housing 60 which extends vertically.

[0065] Thus, the L-shaped free end 50 of each of the arms 46 of the first hoop 40 is capable of cooperating by vertical insertion with the hollow housing 60 formed on each of the fixing members 58 secured to the boat 10.

[0066] The fixing members 58 may, for example and in a non-limiting manner, be secured to the boat 10 by screwing.

[0067] Thus, it is understood that the fixing assembly 54 as just described makes it possible to unhook and hook the protective hoop 34 to the boat 10, by cooperation between the free L-shaped ends 50 of each of the arms 46 of the protective hoop 34 and the hollow housing 60 of each of the fixing members 58 secured to the boat 10.

[0068] According to a non-illustrated example of the invention, a locking member may be installed on the fixing assembly so as to lock in position the L-shaped free ends of the arms of the first hoop in their respective hollow housing. The locking member may be, for example, a pin passing simultaneously through the free end of the arms and the hollow housing in which they are located.

[0069] As particularly visible in Figures 3 and 4, the protective arch 34 of the protective frame 32 extends beyond the propeller 24 of the engine 22 in the longitudinal direction L of the boat 10 when the engine 22 is in its position of use, visible in Figure 2, and in its guarding position, visible in Figure 3.

[0070] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the protective arch 34 extends longitudinally beyond the rear platforms 18 of the boat.

[0071] Thus, advantage is taken of the protective frame 32 according to the invention in that it ensures the protection of the motor 22, and in particular of its propeller 24, independently of the position of said motor 22.

[0072] In other words, the protective arch 34 of the protective frame 32 forms a safety perimeter around the at least one engine 22 of the boat, thus limiting impacts against the latter. More particularly, the protective arch 34 provides protection for the propeller 24 of the engine 22 in the longitudinal direction L by its main portion 44 and in the transverse direction T by its arms 46. The protective arch 34 thus makes it possible to block a movement of another boat, at least in a longitudinal plane L and transverse plane T, towards the propeller 24, by forming physical protection around it.

[0073] The protective frame 32 also includes the support 36 mentioned previously and particularly visible in figure 5.

[0074] The support 36 is carried by the protective hoop 34, and more particularly by the arms 46 of the protective hoop 34. In other words, it is understood that the arms 46 of the support 36 extend from the arms 46 of the protective hoop 34.

[0075] In other words, it is understood that the free ends 50 of the arms 46 of the second hoop 42, forming the support 36, are integral with the arms 46 of the protective hoop 34.

[0076] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the support 36 forming the second hoop 42 comprises at least one fixing device 62 for the accessory 38 separate from the boat, hereinafter referred to as appendix 38 and visible in figures 1 to 4. More precisely, the fixing device 62 is integral with the main portion 44 of the second hoop 42 forming the support 36.

[0077] The accessory 38 may be, for example and without limitation, a boat, a surfboard or even water skis.

[0078] The protective frame 32 is then configured so that the accessory 38 rests vertically, bearing at least on the arms 46 of the protective arch 34 while bearing longitudinally against the support 36.

[0079] Thus, the accessory 38 can be held on the protective frame 32 for example by means of a rope to which it is connected and attached to the support 36 via the fixing device 62.

[0080] It is further understood that the protective frame 32 may have more than one fixing device 62 in order to improve the retention of the accessory 38 on the protective frame 32.

[0081] According to another example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing device 62 comprises at least one pulley 64 and a fixing lug 66. The pulley 64 is then arranged on the main portion 44 of the second hoop 42 while the fixing lug 66 can be arranged, for example, on the boat 10.

[0082] Such a fixing device 62 makes it easier to release the accessory 38 from the protective frame 32, the pulley 64 allowing the rope connected to said accessory 38 to slide. In other words, the pulley 64 makes it possible to accompany the inclination of the accessory 38 in a direction opposite to said boat 10, in order to place it on the surface of the water.

[0083] Also, the pulley 64 makes it easier to reassemble the accessory 38 on the protective frame 32.

[0084] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the protective frame 32 comprises a flat surface 68 visible in FIG. 5 and which extends parallel to the plane in which the protective hoop 34 extends. More precisely, the flat surface 68 is supported at least by the support 36 and extends from the main portion 44 of the latter.

[0085] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the flat surface 68 is also supported by tension cables 70 which extend between said flat surface 68 and the boat 10. The tension cables 70 ensure in particular longitudinal support of the flat surface 68 and thus also of the protective frame 32.

[0086] According to another example of the invention, the flat surface 68 can also be supported by an additional hoop 71, visible in FIG. 4 and structurally identical to the support 36. The additional hoop 71 then extends longitudinally between the boat 10 and the support 36 and from the arms 46 of the protective hoop 34.

[0087] According to another example of the invention, visible in figure 5, the flat surface 68 can also be supported by at least one bracket 73 which extends between one of the arms 46 of the second hoop 42 and the flat surface 68.

[0088] According to the example of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the flat surface 68 corresponds to a flat board framed by a preferably metallic structure. Such a structure of the flat surface 68 allows in particular its maintenance within the protective frame 32 by welding its metallic frame with the support 36. Additionally, the flat surface 68 can be maintained by vertical rods which extend between its metallic frame and the arms 46 of the first hoop 40.

[0089] Such a flat surface 68 is particularly advantageous in that it provides additional mounting space for other accessories separate from the boat. The flat surface may, for example, include various installations such as cup holders 72.

[0090] According to the example of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the protective frame 32 may comprise an additional flat surface 74 which extends at least in part between the arms 46 of the first hoop 40. More precisely, the additional flat surface 74 extends at least in part between the arms 46 and the main portion 44 of the first hoop 40 and over a longitudinal dimension configured to allow the motor 22 to tilt from its use position to its guarding position.

[0091] Such an additional flat surface 74 is then advantageous at least in that it improves the vertical support of the accessory 38 and offers an additional support surface, for example to help a user to hoist himself onto the boat when leaving the water.

[0092] According to an embodiment of the invention visible in figure 6, at least the protective arch 34 is formed by at least two tubes 76 sliding one inside the other in a rectilinear translation direction.

[0093] For example, the translation direction is parallel to the transverse direction T.

[0094] It is understood in particular that the two sliding tubes 76 have a different diameter from each other, such that one slides in the other.

[0095] It is further understood that the sliding tubes 76 are hollow and each have a plurality of bores 78 intended to cooperate with the bores 78 of the other sliding tube 76. More precisely, the bores 78 of each of the sliding tubes 76 are intended to cooperate by extending opposite each other, such that a locking member 80 is capable of passing through the bore 78 of each of the sliding tubes 76 to block their translational movement. According to an example of the invention, the main portion 44 of the first hoop 40 forming the protective hoop 34 is formed by two sliding tubes 76. It is then understood that here, the two sliding tubes 76 each have an L shape so as to form the U shape of the first hoop 40, once assembled.

[0096] According to another example of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the main portion 44 and the arms 46 of the protective arch 34 are each formed by sliding cylinders 76 one inside the other.

[0097] Thus, it is understood that in this example of the invention of Figure 6, the protective hoop 34 is formed of four sliding cylinders 76 so as to form the U shape of the protective hoop 34. Two sliding cylinders 76, each forming a part of the main portion 44 and a part of one of the arms 46, then have an L shape while two other sliding cylinders 76, each forming the other part of one of the arms 46, have a rectilinear shape.

[0098] Advantage is taken of such a configuration of the protective arch 34 in that it allows its longitudinal dimension L and transverse dimension T to be adapted according to the size of the boat 10 and the at least one engine 22 that it protects.

[0099] It is further understood that in this configuration of the protective frame 32, the support 36 has a configuration identical to the protective hoop 34 so that the modularity of the protective frame 32 can be implemented.

[0100] According to another example of the invention illustrated in Figure 7, the protective hoop 34 is formed of the four sliding cylinders 76 as described in Figure 6. Thus, in this embodiment of Figure 7, a dimension of the protective hoop 34 is adjustable longitudinally and transversely.

[0101] The protective frame 32 also comprises an additional arm 82 which extends between the arms 46 of the first hoop 40 in the transverse direction T.

[0102] The additional arm 82 comprises two transversely sliding tubes 76 as described previously. More specifically, the additional arm 82 extends transversely between the portion of the arms of the protective arch 34 formed by the “L”-shaped sliding tubes 76 described previously.

[0103] Between the protective arch 34 and the additional arm 82 extends the additional flat surface 74, here comprising a set of two sliding plates 84, visible in figure 8.

[0104] The two sliding trays 84 are configured such that one of them slides into the other while being vertically offset.

[0105] To do this, one of the sliding plates 84 comprises, for example, angle brackets 90, visible in Figure 8, making it possible to hold the other sliding plate vertically, while allowing its translation in the transverse direction.

[0106] More particularly, the angle brackets 90 formed on the sliding plate 84 extend transversely on the periphery of the sliding plate 84 and in such a way that they are capable of accommodating transverse end edges of the other sliding plate 84.

[0107] Thus, the additional flat surface 74 can extend or retract transversely in a manner identical to the protective arch 34 and the additional arm 82 according to this embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0108] Alternatively, the additional flat surface may be a flat plate, previously cut to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the protective arch 34 when the protective frame is installed on the boat.

[0109] Similarly, the main portion 44 of the support 36 comprises two sliding tubes 76 transversely one inside the other as described previously.

[0110] According to an example of the invention not illustrated, the arms of the support are formed by two tubes sliding one inside the other. It is then understood that, in this example of the invention, the support can have a configuration identical to that described for the protective arch in Figure 6.

[0111] The support 36 further comprises an additional portion 86 formed by two sliding tubes 76 which extend in the transverse direction T. Furthermore, according to this example of the invention, the arms 46 of the second hoop 42 have an inclination relative to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the protective hoop 34 extends of between 40° and 70°. Preferably, the arms 46 of the second hoop 42 have an inclination relative to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the protective hoop 34 extends of 55°.

[0112] In other words, according to this example of the invention, the protective arch 34 and the support 36 extend in planes intersecting each other at an angle of between 40° and 70°, preferably 55°.

[0113] The flat surface 68 then extends between the main portion 44 of the second arch 42 and the additional portion 86, both formed by two sliding tubes 76.

[0114] It is then understood that in this embodiment, the flat surface 68 can comprise, as for the additional flat surface 74 of this embodiment, a set of two sliding plates 84 capable of sliding transversely one inside the other as described above.

[0115] Thus the support 36 and the flat surface 68 can be adjusted transversely according to the size of the boat. In addition, it is understood that the configuration of the support 36 and the flat surface 68 makes it possible to adapt to the transverse dimension of the protective arch 34 and the additional flat surface 74, themselves movable in translation along the transverse direction T, as mentioned previously.

[0116] Alternatively, the flat surface may be a flat plate, previously cut to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the support 36 when the protective frame 32 is installed on the boat.

[0117] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the flat surface 68 can be supported by two support elements 88 formed here by two pairs of sliding tubes 76 which extend from the additional portion 86 of the support 36 and so as to be fixed to the boat.

[0118] The two support elements 88 then each extend along an axis intersecting the vertical direction V and the longitudinal direction L.

[0119] The two support elements 88, each formed by a pair of sliding tubes 76, are thus able to deploy or retract along their extension axis, so as to allow the adjustment of their extension dimension according to the dimensions and structure of the boat.

[0120] It is further understood that each of the sliding tubes 76 of the protective frame 32 can be locked in position by means of the locking members described previously in FIG. 6.

[0121] Thus, advantage is taken of the protective frame 32 of the embodiment of Figure 7 in that its particular configuration allows it to adapt to any type of boat having different sizes and number of engines.

[0122] An alternative embodiment of Figure 7 will now be described in relation to Figure 9. It should then be considered that only the distinct characteristics of the embodiment of Figure 7 will be the subject of a detailed description. For the common characteristics, reference should be made to Figure 7.

[0123] As seen in Figure 9, the free ends 50 of the arms 46 of the second arch 42 have a bent profile.

[0124] In other words, the arms 46 of the second arch 42, each taken in a longitudinal and vertical plane, extend mainly in a direction secant to the longitudinal directions L and vertical V while their free ends 50 extend in the vertical direction V.

[0125] It is then understood that the arms 46 of the second arch 42 do not extend entirely in the same direction, their respective free end 50 being angularly offset by an angle of between 100° and 150°.

[0126] According to the embodiment of figure 9, the additional flat surface 74 is pivotally mounted around a transverse axis T.

[0127] More precisely, each of the arms 46 of the protective arch 34 comprises an articulated elbow 92, the articulated elbows 92 being arranged in such a way that they allow the additional flat surface 74 to pivot around a transverse axis T, at 180°.

[0128] More precisely, the articulated elbows 92 are arranged on each of the arms 46 of the protective arch 34, substantially at the level of the connection between the additional arm 82 with each of said arms 46 of the protective arch 34. For example and in a non-limiting manner, the articulated elbows 92 allow the additional flat surface 74 to pivot 180° around the transverse axis T, substantially coincident with the additional arm 82, and in such a way that the additional flat surface 74 is movable between a raised position in which it extends parallel to and opposite the free bent ends 50 of the arms 46 of the second arch 42 and a lowered position in which it extends vertically opposite the raised position, i.e. offset by 180° from the raised position.

[0129] A neutral position is also defined in which the additional flat surface 74 extends in a longitudinal plane L and transverse plane T and corresponding for example to the position for holding the accessory 38 on the protective frame 32 as described previously.

[0130] The articulated elbows 92 each comprise a position-locking element, not visible, taking for example the form of a screw, and allowing, when they are loosened, the pivoting of the additional flat surface 74 and, when they are tightened, the locking of the additional flat surface 74 in one of its positions.

[0131] According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the additional arm 82 comprises fixing elements 94, for example in the form of a ring, allowing the accessory 38 to be fixed to the protective frame 32.

[0132] Such an arrangement of the additional flat surface 74 is advantageous in that it facilitates the installation of the accessory 38 on the protective frame 32.

[0133] Indeed, when the accessory 38, for example a boat, is in a state of floating on the water, the additional flat surface 74 can be positioned in its lowered position. In the lowered position of the additional flat surface 74, the accessory can then be offset against the latter and be attached to the protective frame 32 via the fixing elements 94.

[0134] A rope attached to the accessory 38 can be connected to the pulley 64 to facilitate its lifting.

[0135] More precisely, once the accessory 38 is secured to the additional flat surface 74 via the fixing elements 94, a user can pull on the rope engaged in the pulley 64 in order to raise the accessory 38 and at the same time the additional flat surface 74 to which it is secured via the fixing elements 94.

[0136] The accessory 38 is then positioned on the additional flat surface 74 in its neutral position.

[0137] Once moved into its neutral position, the additional flat surface 74 is locked in position by tightening the locking elements of the articulated elbows 92.

[0138] Also, the raised position of the additional flat surface 74 is advantageous, for example, when the boat is moored in a port, by making it possible to limit the longitudinal size of the protective frame 32.

[0139] The raised position of the additional flat surface 74 also provides improved protection for the boat's engine(s).

[0140] According to the example of the invention of figure 9, the fixing assembly 54 of the protective frame 32 can take the form of an articulation allowing the vertical displacement of the protective frame 32, so as to adjust the position of the protective frame 32 according to the different models of boats.

[0141] Also, the attachment of the support elements 88 to the boat can be ensured by a joint.

[0142] Also, according to this embodiment of Figure 9, the support 36 has a configuration as described in Figure 6, that is to say with its main portion 44 and its arms 46 made of sliding tubes 76. This makes it possible to adjust the dimension of the protective frame 32 according to the size of the boat and the engine(s).

[0143] According to a characteristic of the invention, the protective frame 32 as it has just been described according to the different exemplary embodiments can be presented in the form of a kit to be mounted and installed on the boat.

[0144] Numerous advantages arise from the invention. A first advantage concerns the safety aspect of a boat passenger. Indeed, on the one hand, certain boat licenses, called coastal licenses, do not require the presence of a lifeboat on board the boat, and on the other hand, the lack of space on a small boat greatly limits the presence of such a lifeboat. Thus, the protective frame according to the invention, and in particular the support that it comprises, is particularly advantageous in that it allows a lifeboat or any other accessory such as a paddle or a buoy, which can be used as a lifeboat, to be easily and without obstruction.It is therefore understood that the above invention is advantageous in that it allows, on the one hand, effective protection of an outboard motor of a pleasure boat without complicating the use of said outboard motor, and on the other hand, to allow the presence of a lifeboat or an accessory which can serve as a lifeboat, without reducing the space available for a passenger on the boat.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Protective frame (32) for a propeller (24) of an outboard motor (22) intended to be fixed to a pleasure boat (10), the protective frame (32) comprising at least one protective hoop (34) for the propeller (24), the protective hoop (34) being independent of the motor (22) and intended to be directly fixed to the boat, the protective frame (32) comprising at least one support (36) capable of holding at least one accessory (38) separate from the boat (10) on the protective frame (32), the support (36) being carried by the protective hoop (34) such that the protective hoop (34) and the support (36) extend in directions intersecting each other.

2. Protective frame (32) according to the preceding claim, in which the protective hoop (34) forms a first hoop (40) and the support (36) forms a second hoop (42), the first hoop (40) and the second hoop (42) each having a U shape.

3. Protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protective hoop (34) and the support (36) delimit a receiving housing (52) of the motor (22) in which said motor (22) can be moved around an axis of rotation (R) between a position of use and a guarding position.

4. Protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fixing assembly (54), the fixing assembly (54) comprising at least one removable coupling member (56) and a fixing member (58) intended to be fixed to the boat, the removable coupling member (56) being intended to secure the protective arch (34) to the boat (10) by fitting into at least one housing (60) of the at least one fixing member (58).

5. Protective frame (32) according to the preceding claim, in which the protective arch (34) comprises at least one main portion (44) extended on either side by two arms (46), the removable coupling member corresponding to a free end (50) of at least one of the arms (46), the free end (50) having an L-shaped curvature intended to fit into the housing (60).

6. Protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one flat surface (68) which extends parallel to the protective arch (34) at least partially covering the receiving housing (52) of the motor (22), the flat surface (68) being supported at least by the support (36) and by an additional arch (71) which extends from the protective arch (34), and such that the flat surface (68) forms at least one other fixing space for the accessory (38) of the boat.

7. Protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least the protective arch (34) is formed by at least two sliding tubes (76) one inside the other in a translation direction and such that the two sliding tubes (76) are configured to be blocked in translation relative to each other by means of a blocking member (80).

8. Protective frame (32) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (36) is formed by at least two tubes (76) sliding one inside the other in the direction of translation.

9. Protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (36) comprises at least one device (62) for fixing the accessory (38) to the protective frame (32).

10. Pleasure boat (10) comprising at least one engine (22) provided with at least one propeller (24) which extends at one end of a body (26) of the engine (22), the boat (10) comprising at least one protective frame (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, the protective arch (34) of the protective frame (32) extending beyond the propeller (24) of the engine (10) in a direction of main elongation (L) of the boat (10). when the engine (22) is in a use position and in a storage position. Pleasure boat (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least two rear platforms (18) which delimit at least one reception space (20) of the at least one engine (22), the protective arch (34) extending at least partly between the rear platforms (18).

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