Outboard Motor Mount with Side-Mount Accessory Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dual use of fasteners to secure both outboard motors and marine accessories to a boat's transom compromises the clamp load, leading to potential performance, durability, and safety issues, as loose engine mounting fasteners can cause transom bracket failure and loss of control, necessitating a separate mounting solution for accessories.
Innovation Solution
A motor mount assembly comprising a flat transom mounting plate and a side-mount accessory adapter with countersunk apertures and slots allows for independent mounting of outboard motors and accessories using separate sets of fasteners, ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment without compromising engine bolt integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same fasteners are used to secure both the outboard motor and marine accessories to the transom, then the installation process is simplified and device complexity is reduced, but the clamp load is compromised leading to potential fastener loosening and transom bracket failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting system into separate functional components: a transom mounting plate with first fasteners for securing the outboard motor, and an adapter mounting plate with second fasteners for securing accessories. This segmentation allows each fastener set to independently maintain its clamp load without interference from the other mounting function, resolving the contradiction between simplified installation and fastener integrity.
2Reliability
If separate fasteners are used for mounting the outboard motor and accessories, then the clamp load and safety are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transom mounting function and accessory mounting function into a single integrated assembly. The adapter mounting plate is designed to be attached to the transom mounting plate, creating a unified structure that performs both mounting functions. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having completely separate mounting systems while still maintaining separate fasteners for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transom mounting plate serves multiple functions: it secures the outboard motor to the transom and provides a mounting surface for the adapter plate which in turn secures accessories. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve separate fastener mounting without requiring entirely separate mounting structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wedges or plates are installed between the transom clamp brackets and the transom or jack plate, then accessory mounting flexibility is improved, but the fastener clamp load and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter mounting plate as an intermediary component between the transom mounting structure and the accessory. This intermediary plate provides the necessary flexibility and adaptability for mounting various accessories without requiring wedges or plates that would interfere with the clamp load. The adapter plate maintains proper structural integrity while enabling versatile accessory mounting configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An outboard motor mount and side-mount accessory adapter to mount an outboard motor and an accessory to the transom of a boat wherein the outboard motor mount includes a transom mounting plate to secure the outboard motor mount to the transom and an adapter mounting plate extending outwardly from the transom mounting plate and wherein the side-mount accessory adapter includes a proximal side-mount adapter mounting plate coupled to the adapter mounting plate and a distal accessory mounting plate to support the accessory thereon.