CA2082434A1

CA2082434A1 - Outdrive cover

Info

Publication number: CA2082434A1
Application number: CA 2082434
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ian D. Aitchison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-11-06
Filing date: 1992-11-06
Publication date: 1994-05-07

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
My Invention is intended for use on vessels which use the outdrive leg type of propulsion in a saltwater environment.
This device will encompass the leg and by means of a fitted hose flush out the salt water and leave the leg surrounded by freshwater. This will stop the ocean organisms from attaching to the outdrive leg and inhibit the corrosion process caused by saltwater and metals in contact.
This device will also be made of a material which rejects sunlight so marine growth will be impeded even in fresh water applications this being of some benefit to boaters who use their vessels in a freshwater environment.

Description

OUTDRIVE CO'VER
This illvention is designed to encompass an outdrive leg, of any type, and to protect it . from the harsh saltwater environment.
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-; S Up to now antifouling paints or waxes were used to protect the legs from marine growth which tend to be washed of ~ with use. The corrosive action of salt water on the metals which . .
make up the leg were protected somewhat by sacrificial ~incs which tend to corrode first. The 3; present methods are only marginally effective and are not environmentally sound, since the paint ~i chemicals are toxic, as are the zinc oxides that fall from the sacrificial anodes.
~3 10 .1 This Outdrive Cover invention actually protects the outdrive leg by surrounding it in a watertight synthetic bag, which by means of a hose entering the bottom and a seal at the top, ::1 tap water can be used to flush out the sea water. This leaves the outdrive immersed in fresh water so as to stop the marine growth and the saltwater conversion.
ij 15 j In drawings to illustrate the embodiments of this invention, figure 1 is a perspective view of the total device, while not installed. Figure 2 is front view showing the opening at one end of this device. ~igure 3 is a side view demonstrating its form when installed on an Outdrive Leg which is mounted on a boat. Figure 4 is a side view with a sectional cut out, showing the device .~ 20 mounted on an Outdrive Leg.

~I The use of this device entails pulling it over the outdrive unit by means of installation loops 1. Once it is in pos;tion a line 8 in the open end can be drawn tight so as to hold it . securely upon the outdrive unit. Whereupon a garden hose may be attached to the sealing hose fitting 2 and the sealing ring 4 filled with tap water through hose 3 so as to make a seal at the opening of this bag-like device. A valve 10 in this sealing hose is then closed so as to keep a ,1 positive pressure seali and then the garden hose may be removed.
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Now the garden hose will be applied to the ilushing hose fitting 5 and tap water used to flush the inside of the bag part of the device 7 with freshwater by way of flushing hose 6 and the port 9 in the bottom of the device.

The sealing ring 4 will allow the seawater to escape under the pressure of the garden hose, so ~he device will be made of a loose circular collar glued to the opening which will take up the gaps be~ween the device and the outdrive unit. It should be made of a synthetic plastic strong enough to withstand tap pressures yet flexible to take the shapes necessary to seal against the angular surfaces of the outdrive.

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Claims

CLAIMS;
(1) A device for covering an Outdrive Leg and protecting it from the effects of seawater immersion. Its form being that of an oblong bag of sufficient size to enclose an Outdrive Leg.
(2) A device as in claim (1) which by way of a hose entering a port in its bottom can be filled with tap water, flushing out seawater that may be present.
(3) A device as in claims (1) and (2) that by way of an inflatable seal inside of it's opening which will stop the surrounding seawater from reentering.
(4) A device as in claims (1),(2) and (3) that will have one or more handles fastened to it for ease of installation. These handles should be near the end with the opening.
(5) A device as in claims (1),(2),(3), and (4) that will be made of a synthetic material which will be opaque so that sunlight will not encourage growth in the freshwater.
(6) A device as in claims (1), (2),(3),(4) and (5) which has a line around its open end so that it may be tightened, holding the device in place during use.