US3786775A

US3786775A - Shaft lock

Info

Publication number: US3786775A
Application number: US00229448A
Authority: US
Inventors: N Sarns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-02-25
Filing date: 1972-02-25
Publication date: 1974-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-22

Abstract

A shaft lock particularly for auxiliary sailboats and the like has a split flanged-collar clampable to a rotatable shaft provided with a pair of opposed recesses. A pivotally mounted latch member is arranged adjacent the flanged collar for selectively cooperating with the recesses in holding the shaft in one of two opposed positions. A lever member is connected to the latch member by means of a cable for selectively moving the latch member in cooperative engagement with a recess. The lever member is arranged for freely releasing upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement.

Description

United States Patent [191 Sarns Jan. 22, 1974 [22] Filed:

[ 1 SHAFT LOCK [76] Inventor: Norman M. Sarns, Bass Harbor,

[52] US. Cl. 115/05 R, 114/39 R, 416/169 [51] Int. Cl B6311 9/00 [58] Field of Search 115/05 R, 0.5 A; 188/31, 69,

Primary Examiner-George E. A. Halvosa Assistant Examiner-Sherman D. Basinger Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson 1 [5 7] ABSTRACT A shaft lock particularly for auxiliary sailboats and the like has a split flanged-collar clampable to a rotatable shaft provided with a pair of opposed recesses. A pivotally mounted latch member is arranged adjacent the flanged collar for selectively cooperating with the recesses in holding the shaft in one of two opposed positions. A lever member is connected to the latch member by means of a cable for selectively moving the latch member in cooperative engagement with a recess. The lever member is arranged for freely releasing upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEB M 22 SHEET 2 BF 2 SHAFT LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a shaft lock, and in particular to a shaft lock for sailboats provided with auxiliary engines, and the like.

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART A problem commonly encountered with sailboats having an auxiliary engine is that the propeller will spin, or windmill, as the boat passes through the water with the engine shutdown. This windmilling subjects the gear box of the engine to possible damaging forces. Further, the movement of a, for example, two-blade screw propeller from behind the deadwood of the hull of the boat creates drag affecting the hulls passage through the water.

Devices are knwon, such as shown in U. .8. Pat. Nos. 2,072,764, 2,966,244, and 2,984,318, which have a member attachable to the output shaft of a gear box or transmission for being selectively engaged to hold a vehicle against movement. These known shaft locks have the disadvantage that they are designed to lock the shaft in a position corresponding to a nearly continuous position of the wheels of the vehicle. This arrangement is not suitable for auxiliary sailboats since it is desirable to retain the blades of the screw propeller in a position behind the deadwood of the boat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaft lock particularly for holding the propeller shaft of the auxiliary engine of a sailboat and the like in one of two opposed. positions so as to center a two-blade screw propeller behind thedeadwood of the boat.

This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a shaft lock having a member adapted to be mounted on a rotatable propeller shaft which is to be selectively held in a predetermined position or positions. This member has first means for engaging, while second means for engaging are arrangeable adjacent the member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging menas and holding the shaft in, for example, one of two opposed positions. A means may be provided for selectively and remotely moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the member adapted to be mounted on the propeller shaft is a split flanged-collar clampable to the shaft, while the first engaging means is a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flange of the flanged collar. The second engaging means is a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with these recesses. A bracket pivotally mounts the latch member, and is in turn adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft.

A preferred embodiment of the selectively moving means has a lever member, and a cable connected to and extending between the latch member and the lever member. The selective actuation of the lever member pivots the latch member into cooperative engagement with one of said recesses. The lever member is arranged for freely releasing upon a rotation of the propeller shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, schematic top plan view showing an auxiliary sailboat provided with a shaft lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, schematic sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. I. I

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, drawn to a larger scale than FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing a shaft lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and drawn to a larger scale.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a device for remotely actuating the shaft lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, and showing the remote controlling device of FIG. 6 attached to a portion of an auxiliary sailboat.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 99 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a sailboat 10 is shown having an auxiliary engine 12 driving a propeller shaft 14 through a gear box 16. A shaft lock 18 according to the present invention is provided for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller 20 mounted on shaft 14 when sailboat 10 is under sail (not shown) and engine 12 is shut down.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 5 of the drawings, shaft lock 18 has a split flanged-collar 22 clamped to shaft 14 in a known manner. A pair of opposed recesses 24 are provided in a face 25 of flanged collar 22 to form a first means for engaging. A pivotally mounted latch member 26 is provided for selectively engaging with recesses 24 and holding shaft 14 in one of two opposed positions which center propeller 20 behind the deadwood of sailboat 10.

A bracket 28 pivotally mounts latch member 26. This bracket 28 is mounted on gear box 16 as by removing a pair of bolts 30, placing holes (not shown) defined in flange plate 32 of bracket 28 in alignment with the threaded holes (not shown) normally receiving bolts 30, and replacing the two bolts 30. A pair of angled struts 34 and a single central strut 36 are connected at one end to flange plate 32 as by welding, and are coplanar and adjacent at the other end thereof. This other end is provided with a bore (not shown) which mates with holes 38 provided in latch member 26. Thus, latch member 26 is easily mounted on bracket 28 by inserting a pin 40 through holes 38 and the bore in the

struts

34, 36. A spring 42, which may be a conventional coiled spring, is fastened in a known manner to strut 36 and latch member 26 for biasing latch member 26 out of cooperative engagement with recesses 24. The flanged collar 22 has a hub 46 having a plurality of threaded holes 47 defined therein for receiving setscrews 48. Flanged collar 22 may be clamped to shaft 14 by tightening down setscrews 48 in a known manner.

Returning now to FIG. I and 2 of the drawings, a control lever assembly 50 is preferably provided for selectively and remotely moving latch member 26 into cooperation with a recess 24. Assembly 50 is operatively connected to latch member 26 by means of connecting means 52 which will be described below along with assembly 50.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 to 9 of the drawings, assembly 50 has a housing 54 adapted to be mounted on sailboat 10. A lever member 56 'is pivotally mounted in housing 54, and a rope which is preferably a wire rope or cable is operatively connected to lever member 56 and latch member 26. A sheath 60 is preferably arranged about rope 58 in the conventional manner for protecting same. The selective actuation of lever member 56 pivots latch member 26 into cooperative engagement with one of recesses 24 against the bias of spring 42. The bias of spring 42 tends to pivot latch member 26 out of engagement with the recess 24 when the force applied by rope 58 is removed.

Rope, or cable, 58 is attached in a known manner to a cable securer 62. This cable securer 62 is connected to a threaded rod 64, which is in turn connected to the perpendicular leg of a T-member. Screw threads are provided in at least one of the perpendicular leg of T- member 66 and the bore of securer 62 which receives rod 64 so that an adjustment is provided.

Lever member 56 is pivotally mounted in housing 54 as by a pair of rivets 68. As can best be seen in FIG. 7 of the drawings, a pair of links 70, each defining a recess 72 which fits around rivet 68 in the FIG. 6 position of lever member 56, and are pivotally mounted to lever member 56 as by rivets 74. T-member 66 is mounted to links 70 as by openings 75. When lever member 56 is in the position shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, latch member 26 is normally in engagement with a recess 24. However, upon a rotation of shaft 14 sufficient force will be applied to link 70 to pull lever member 56 into the position shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Thus, lever member 56 is arranged for freely moving upon rotation of shaft 14, and an automatic releasing in such a situation is achieved. Of course, a release may be achieved by manually moving lever member 56 to the position shown in FIG. 7, the bias of spring 42 effecting disengagement.

Housing 54 has an end wall 76 provided with an opening 77. A grommet 78 is arranged in opening 77 for anchoring one end of sheath 60 and for guiding rope 58.

FIG. 8 of the drawings shows assembly 50 attached to a portion of sailboat l0. Fasteners 82 may advantageously be used. In the case of a wooden boat, these fasteners 82 may simply be wood screws driven into a boat portion 84 of cockpit 86 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows a fragment of a boat portion 88 to which a bracket 90 is mounted as by fasteners 92. Bracket 90 is provided with a bore 94 through which rope 58 and sheath 60 may be run and guided thereby.

Returning now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a bracket 96 is mounted as by welding on strut 36 of bracket 28.

A grommet 98 provides an anchor for the other end of sheath 60 and serves as a guide for rope 58. Rope 58 may be passed through a bore 100 provided in latch member 26, and is retained therein as by a knot 102. A shaft lock 18 according to the present invention may be easily installed in a sailboat 10. A pair of bolts 30 may be removed from gear box 16 and bracket 26 attached thereto. Split flanged collar 22 may then be arranged on shaft 14 in a known manner, making sure that latch member 26 properly engages recesses 24 be fore setscrews 48 are tightened. The control lever assembly 50 may be mounted in a convenient place in or near cockpit 86, preferably in a sail locker. Sheath 60, which may be vinyl lined copper tubing, is led to bracket 90, with care being taken to avoid sharp bends therein. Rope 58, which may be, for example, 7 (wire) X 9 (strand) stainless steel cable, is led through sheath 60 to cable securer 62. Tension on rope 58 may now be adjusted. This is preferably done when latch member 26 is engaged with a recess 24. Only the pressure of one finger on latch member 26 is necessary to retain propeller 20 from spinning at the highest sailing speeds. Experience has found that once properly installed, a shaft lock 18 according to the present invention will require little or no adjustment throughout an entire sailing season. Further, maintenance is minimal, with only an occasional spray lubrication being required to maintain the equipment. I

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising,

in combination:

a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging; b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind deadwood of the sailboat; and means for selectively moving the engaging means into cooperation with one another, and including means for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means upon a rotation of the shaft when the engaging means are in cooperative engagement, said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means being a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar, and said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses. 2. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

3. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under said and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination:

a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and

having first means for engaging;

b. second means for engaging mounted adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding said shaft in one of two opposed positions which center said propeller behind deadwood of the sailboat; and

c. means for selectively moving the engaging means into cooperation with one another, and including means for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means upon a rotation of the shaft when the engaging means are in cooperative engagement, 'said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means being a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar, and said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, further including a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on the gear box, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

5. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising,

in combination:

a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging, said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to the shaft and said first engaging means a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar;

b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind the deadwood of the sailboat,

said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses; Y

c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between said latch member and said lever member, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said latch member into cooperative engagement with one of said recesses, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the latch member from the recess; and

d. a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

6. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising,

in combination:

a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging;

b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind deadwood of the sailboat; and

' c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between the first and second engaging means, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said second engaging means into cooperative engagement with said first engaging means, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position where the engaging means are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said member is a split flanged-collar clampable to the shaft and said first engaging means is a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of said flanged-collar, and said second engaging means is a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses.

8. A structure as defined in claim 7, further including a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

9. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under sail and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination: 7

a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and having first means for engaging said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar;

b. second means for engaging mounted adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding said shaft in one of two opposed positions which center said propeller behind deadwood of the sailboat, said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses;

0. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between said latch member and said lever member, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said latch member into cooperative engagement with one of said recesses, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the latch member from the recess; and

d. a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on the gear box, and

means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

10. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under sail and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination:

a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and

having first means for engaging;

c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between the first and second engaging means,

the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said second engaging means into cooperative engagement with said first engaging means, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the engaging means are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means.

11. A structure as defined in claim 10, wherein said member is a split flanged-collar clampable to the shaft, and said first engaging means is a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar, and said second engaging means is a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses.

12. A structure as defined in claim 11, further including a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on the gear box, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

Claims

1. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising, in combination: a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging; b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind deadwood of the sailboat; and c. means for selectively moving the engaging means into cooperation with one another, and including means for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means upon a rotation of the shaft when the engaging means are in cooperative engagement, said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means being a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar, and said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

3. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under said and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination: a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and having first means for engaging; b. second means for engaging mounted adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding said shaft in one of two opposed positions which center said propeller behind deadwood of the sailboat; and c. means for selectively moving the engaging means into cooperation with one another, and including means for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means upon a rotation of the shaft when the engaging means are in cooperative engagement, said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means being a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar, and said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses.

5. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising, in combination: a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging, said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to the shaft and said first engaging means a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collAr; b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind the deadwood of the sailboat, said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses; c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between said latch member and said lever member, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said latch member into cooperative engagement with one of said recesses, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the latch member from the recess; and d. a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on a gear box connected to the shaft, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

6. A shaft lock for an auxiliary sailboat, comprising, in combination: a. a member adapted to be mounted on a propeller shaft of an auxiliary sailboat, and having first means for engaging; b. second means for engaging arrangeable adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding the propeller shaft in a position centering a propeller associated with the shaft behind deadwood of the sailboat; and c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between the first and second engaging means, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said second engaging means into cooperative engagement with said first engaging means, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position where the engaging means are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means.

9. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under sail and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination: a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and having first means for engaging said member being a split flanged-collar clampable to said shaft, and said first engaging means a pair of opposed recesses provided in a face of the flanged collar; b. second means for engaging mounted adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding said shaft in one of two opposed positions which center said propeller behind deadwood of the sailboat, said second engaging means being a pivotally mounted latch member selectively engageable with the recesses; c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and Extending between said latch member and said lever member, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said latch member into cooperative engagement with one of said recesses, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the latch member and a recess are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the latch member from the recess; and d. a bracket pivotally mounting said latch member and adapted to be mounted on the gear box, and means connected to the bracket and the latch member for biasing the latch member out of cooperative engagement with the recesses.

10. In combination with a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a propeller shaft through a gear box, a shaft lock for preventing windmilling of a two-blade screw propeller mounted on and turned by said propeller shaft when the sailboat is under sail and the auxiliary engine thereof shut down, said shaft lock comprising, in combination: a. a member detachably mounted on the shaft, and having first means for engaging; b. second means for engaging mounted adjacent said member for selectively cooperating with the first engaging means and holding said shaft in one of two opposed positions which center said propeller behind deadwood of the sailboat; and c. means for selectively moving the second engaging means into cooperation with the first engaging means, the selectively moving means including a lever member and a rope connected to and extending between the first and second engaging means, the selective actuation of the lever member pivoting said second engaging means into cooperative engagement with said first engaging means, and said lever member being arranged for freely moving upon a rotation of the shaft from a position wherein the engaging means are in cooperative engagement for achieving an automatic releasing of the engaging means.