Boat motor flushing system

Abstract

A flushing system for boat motors that allows for single-handed manipulation to remotely position flushing ears onto the intake vents of an outboard boat motor. A water passage tube provides a source of fresh water when flushing or performing maintenance on the motor of a boat stored on a lift. The flushing ears are positioned on the intake valves and are adjusted to form a seal by a gripping handle. A locking device prevents movement of the ears while flushing the motor and can be released to remove the ears once the flushing is complete.

Claims

1. A boat motor flushing system comprising: a cleaning double tube formed of a distal end and a proximal end with a central extent between the proximal end and the distal end; the central extent having an 8-shaped configuration with a first tube, a second tube and a locking rod, the first tube being hollow for the for passage of water and the second tube being hollow for passage of the locking rod, the locking rod being axially reciprocable for application and release of coupling forces; an interior and an exterior ear, the interior ear having walls and a floor and an open face, the exterior ear having walls and a floor and an open face, the floor of the interior ear secured to the distal end of the first tube of the central extent of the cleaning double tube, the interior ear having a port in fluid connection with the hollow interior of the first tube for passage of water, the floor of the exterior ear secured to the distal end of the locking rod distally of the interior ear; a fitting at the proximal end of the cleaning double tube for coupling to a source of cleaning water for movement through the first tube and the interior ear; a handle, the handle comprising a cover, a trigger, a push plate, a pivot pin and a locking assembly, the push plate having a forward face, a rearward face, an upper portion and a lower portion, the pivot pin joining the trigger and the cover above the locking rod; the handle adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed to move the locking rod proximally using a ratcheting motion, shifting the exterior ear toward the interior ear for securement to a motor to be flushed.

2. The boat motor flushing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the push plate is further defined as having a first aperture located in the upper portion of the push plate, the locking rod passing through the first aperture.

3. The boat motor flushing system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a first resilient member encircles the locking rod adjacent to the rearward face of the push plate urging the push plate forward.

4. The boat motor flushing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking assembly is further defined as comprising a retaining tab, a post below and parallel to the locking rod, a second resilient member, the second resilient member encircling the post, and a notch formed in the cleaning double tube above the retaining tab, the retaining tab having an upper retaining end, a central section and a lower release end, the upper retaining end extending into the notch, the upper retaining end having a second aperture, the locking rod passing through the second aperture, the second aperture adapted to releasably engage the locking rod when in the locked position to prevent forward movement of the locking rod, a hole formed in the central section of the retaining tab, the post passing through the hole, the second resilient member pivoting the lower release end forward forcing the upper retaining end into the locked position with respect to forward motion, the upper retaining end disengaging the locking rod when the lower release end is moved rearward, compressing the resilient member and pivoting the upper retaining end to a vertical and unlocked position.

5. A boat motor flushing system comprising: a cleaning double tube formed of a distal end and a proximal end with a central extent between the proximal end and distal end; the central extent having an 8-shaped configuration with a first tube, a second tube and a locking rod (40), the first tube being hollow for the for passage of water and the second tube being hollow for passage of the locking rod, the locking rod being axially reciprocable for application and release of coupling forces; an interior and an exterior ear, the interior ear having walls and a floor and an open face, the exterior ear having walls and a floor and an open face, the floor of the interior ear secured to the distal end of the first tube of the central extent of the cleaning double tube, the interior ear having a port in fluid connection with the hollow interior of the first tube for passage of water, the floor of the exterior ear secured to the distal end of the locking rod distally of the interior ear; a fitting at the proximal end of the cleaning double tube for coupling to a source of cleaning water for movement through the first tube and the interior ear; a handle having a first component (112) and a second component (114) adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed to move the locking rod proximally, the first component (112) comprising a trigger having forward face (116) and a rearward face (118), the second component formed as a cover having an interior surface (120) and an exterior surface (122); a pivot pin (170), the pivot pin joining the trigger and the cover above the locking rod; a push plate (130), the push plate having a forward face (132), a rearward face (134), an upper portion (136) and a lower portion (138), a first aperture (140) located in the upper portion of the push plate, the locking rod passing through the first aperture, a first resilient member (142) encircling the locking rod adjacent to the rearward face of the push plate and urging the push plate forward; the rearward face of the trigger adapted to slidably press against the lower portion of the forward face of the push plate when squeezed, the trigger urging the lower portion of the push plate rearward causing the push plate to engage the locking rod, pulling the locking rod axially rearward, shifting the exterior ear toward the interior ear for securement to the water intake vents of the boat motor to be flushed when squeezed by the user; and a locking assembly (150), the locking assembly comprising a retaining tab (152), a post (154) below and parallel to the locking rod and projecting from a vertical plate (156) formed on the interior surface of the cover, a second resilient member (158) encircling the post, and a notch (160) formed in the cleaning double tube above the retaining tab, the retaining tab having an upper retaining end (162), a central section and a lower release end (164), the upper retaining end extending into the notch, a second aperture (166) formed in the upper retaining end, the locking rod passing through the second aperture, the second aperture adapted to releasably engage the locking rod when in the locked position to prevent forward movement of the locking rod, a hole formed in the central section of the retaining tab, the post passing through the hole, the second resilient member pivoting the lower release end forward forcing the upper retaining end into the locked position with respect to forward motion, the upper retaining end disengaging the locking rod when the lower release end is moved rearward, compressing the resilient member and pivoting the upper retaining end to a vertical and unlocked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a boat motor cleaning system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged showing of a portion of the system taken at circle 3 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the system taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 6 is an enlarged showing of a portion of the system taken at circle 6 of FIG. 2.

(8) FIG. 7 is a plan view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of a handle for a boat motor cleaning system constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of a present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a handle for a boat motor cleaning system constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

(11) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(12) With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved Boat Motor flushing system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

(13) The present invention, the boat motor flushing system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a water passage tube, a locking rod, flushing ears, gripping handle and locking assembly. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

(14) In the broadest sense the system is comprised of a double tube formed with a distal end and a proximal end and having a central extent. The central extent having an 8-shaped configuration with a first tube used for the passage of water and a second tube configured as a locking rod axially reciprocable for the application and release of coupling forces. A set of interior and exterior ears is attached to the distal end of the tube. Each ear having walls and a floor and an open face. The floor of the interior ear is secured to the distal end of the cleaning double tube. The floor of the exterior ear is secured to the distal end of the locking rod distally of the interior ear. The proximal end has a handle formed with a first component and a second component adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed to move the locking rod proximally and shift the ears toward each other for securement to a motor to be flushed. A fitting is located at the proximal end of the first tube for coupling to a source of cleaning water for movement through the upper tube.

(15) In the preferred embodiment of a boat motor flushing system first provided is a cleaning double tube 24 horizontally oriented and formed of a distal end 26 and a proximal end 28 with a central extent 30 between the proximal end and distal end. The central extent has an 8-shaped configuration with an upper tube 34 and a lower tube 36. The upper tube is hollow for the movement of cleaning water 38 from the proximal end to the distal end. The lower tube is hollow for passage of a locking rod 40 axially reciprocable for the application and release of coupling forces between the cleaning double tube and the vertically placed parallel water intake valves of the boat motor.

(16) A pair of flushing ears is located adjacent to the distal end of the double cleaning tube is comprised of an interior ear 44 and an exterior ear 46. Each ear has four trapezoidal walls 48 and a floor 50 and an open rectangular face. The floor of the interior ear is secured to the distal end of the cleaning double tube. The floor of the exterior ear is secured to the distal end of the locking rod distally of the interior ear. The open rectangular faces of the interior and exterior ears are in facing contact with the water intake vents of the boat motor. The locking rod distally of the lower tube is formed in a generally U-shaped configuration extending around the interior and exterior ears.

(17) A handle 54 is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cleaning tube. The handle has a first component 56 and a second component 58, with a pivot pin 60 joining the first and second components centrally. The first component has an outer end and an inner end pivotally coupled to the cleaning double tube adjacent to the proximal end. The second component has an outer end. The second component has an inner end pivotally coupled to the locking rod. The outer ends of the first and second components are adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed to move the locking rod proximally and shift the ears toward each other for securement to the water intake vents of the boat motor.

(18) A locking assembly 64 having second teeth 66 in an arc is attached to the first component. The locking assembly has first teeth 68 in an arc pivotally attached to the second component whereby movement of the second teeth into contact with the first teeth will lock the ears locked in sealing contact with the water intake vents of the boat motor.

(19) A fitting 72 is provided at the proximal end of the cleaning double tube for coupling to a source of cleaning water for movement through the upper tube and inner ear. The fitting has a valve 74 to initiate and terminate the flow of water through the cleaning double tube. A D-ring 76 is attached to the cleaning double tube adjacent to the proximal end for storage and transportation.

(20) In the preferred embodiment, the ears are fabricated of an elastomeric material such as plastic or rubber, natural or synthetic and blends thereof. The other components are fabricated of rigid materials such as metal, plastic or composite materials.

(21) In a preferred alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the handle 100 is adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed to move the locking rod proximally using a ratcheting motion to shift the ears toward each other for securement to a motor to be flushed. The handle 100 in the broadest sense comprises a cover, a trigger, a push plate and a locking assembly. The handle is comprised of a first component 112 and a second component 114 adapted to be gripped by a user and squeezed. The first component 112 is a trigger having forward face 116 and a rearward face 118. The second component is formed as a cover having an interior surface 120 and an exterior surface 122.

(22) A pivot pin 170 joins the trigger and the cover above the locking rod 40.

(23) A push plate 130 having a forward face 132, a rearward face 134, an upper portion 136 and a lower portion 138. A first aperture 140 is located in the upper portion of the plate. The locking rod passes through the first aperture. A first resilient member 142 encircles the locking rod adjacent to the rearward face of the push plate and urges the plate forward.

(24) When the handle is gripped and the trigger squeezed, the rearward face of the trigger slidably presses against the lower portion of the forward face of the push plate urging the lower portion of the push plate rearward and engaging the locking rod. As the trigger continues to be squeezed, the push plate pulls the locking rod axially rearward, shifting the exterior ear toward the interior ear for securement to the water intake vents of the boat motor to be flushed.

(25) A locking assembly 150 comprises a retaining tab 152, a post 154, a second resilient member 158 and a notch 160. The post is positioned below and parallel to the locking rod and projects from a vertical plate 156 formed on the interior surface of the cover. The second resilient member 158 encircles the post. The notch 160 is formed in the cleaning double tube above the retaining tab. The retaining tab has an upper retaining end 162, a central section and a lower release end 164. The upper retaining end extends into the notch. The locking rod passes through a second aperture 166 formed in the upper retaining end. The second aperture is adapted to releasably engage the locking rod when retaining tab is in the locked position to prevent forward movement of the locking rod. The post passes through a hole 168 formed in the central section of the retaining tab. The second resilient member pivots the lower release end forward forcing the upper retaining end into the locked position with respect to forward motion. When the lower release end is moved rearward, the upper retaining end disengages the locking rod, compressing the resilient member and pivoting the upper retaining end to a vertical and unlocked position.

(26) As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

(27) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(28) Therefore, 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.