Stephen J Towner

US Patent:

6346017, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621382

Inventors:

David Silorey - Racine WI
Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL

Assignee:

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

B63H 2020

US Classification:

440 75, 440 86, 440112

Abstract:

A gear shift mechanism for a marine propulsion system includes a reversible DC electric motor, a sliding clevis, and a shift rod for actuating a gearset within a gearcase between forward, reverse, and neutral positions. The mechanism is housed in a watertight gear shift cover that is attached to a trunnion that, in turn, attaches to a top surface of the gearcase. Electronic, logic driven controls reverse the polarity of the motor to manipulate the shift rod via the sliding clevis to shift the gearcase into a selected operating position.

US Patent:

6497594, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621510

Inventors:

Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL
H. Norman Petersen - Boulder Junction WI

Assignee:

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America - Grant FL

International Classification:

B63H 5125

US Classification:

440 53

Abstract:

A marine propulsion system includes an outboard powerhead mounted to a horizontal mounting plate within a boat platform recess. A steering arm is attached to a yoke that extends through the transom plate for rotating an attached propeller drive unit. The yoke includes integral fluid paths for hydraulic cylinders coupled to the yoke to pivot the propeller drive unit, and for powerhead cooling water. A removable gearcase plate allows the outboard powerhead, the horizontal mounting plate, the steering arm and the yoke to be pre-assembled and dropped down through the boat platform recess.

US Patent:

6561859, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621036

Inventors:

Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL
H. Norman Petersen - Boulder Junction WI

Assignee:

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America - Grant FL

International Classification:

B63H 2008

US Classification:

440 61, 440 53, 440 88, 440112

Abstract:

A steering arm yoke and trunnion assembly for a marine propulsion system includes a steering arm and a yoke including integral fluid paths for trim actuator fluids and for cooling water for an outboard powerhead mounted to a horizontal mounting plate within a platform extending from a boat hull. The steering arm and yoke include a drum extending through the horizontal mounting plate for rotating an attached propeller drive unit. The fluid paths extend through the drum, which is rotatably mounted to the horizontal mounting plate. The yoke includes pivot arms for attachment to a trunnion that includes actuator brackets for trim actuators fluidly connected to the actuator fluid paths of the drum.

US Patent:

6609939, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620875

Inventors:

Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL
H. Norman Petersen - Boulder Junction WI

Assignee:

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America - Grant FL

International Classification:

B63H 2130

US Classification:

440111

Abstract:

A mounting assembly for a marine propulsion system includes a horizontal mounting plate, a pivot housing, and an adapter plate attached to one another through a plurality of vibration absorbing isolation points. The adapter plate is configured for attachment to an outboard powerhead, and the horizontal mounting plate is configured for horizontal attachment to a boat platform. The pivot housing is configured for attachment to a steering arm that extends through the horizontal mounting plate for rotating and pivoting an attached steering arm yoke and trunnion assembly and propeller drive unit. A contoured opening in the horizontal mounting plate facilitates drop down installation of a marine propulsion system.

US Patent:

20130164587, Jun 27, 2013

Filed:

Dec 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/332651

Inventors:

Aida Smith - Bull Valley IL, US
Stephen J. Towner - Gurnee IL, US
Ryan Garrett - Buffalo Grove IL, US
John Powers - Hoffman Estates IL, US
Brent Peterson - Buffalo Grove IL, US

International Classification:

H01M 2/10

US Classification:

429 97

Abstract:

A portable battery-operated tool having a frame on which there are a working component, a drive, and a battery assembly. The battery assembly consists of a battery with at least a first electrical connector and housing with at least a second electrical connector. The battery is movable guidingly between first and second positions. With the battery in the first position the at least first electrical connector is electrically engaged with the at least second electrical connector. With the battery in the second position the at least first electrical connector is electrically disengaged from the at least second electrical connector so that the battery is not powering the drive to allow the drive to be operated. The battery assembly further has a locking assembly through which the battery is selectively releasably fixed in the second position.

US Patent:

49062140, Mar 6, 1990

Filed:

Oct 7, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/106118

Inventors:

Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL

Assignee:

Outboard Marine Corporation - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

B63H 2132

US Classification:

440 89

Abstract:

A marine propulsion device comprising an engine including an exhaust outlet, a lower unit including a high-speed exhaust outlet and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a generally vertical conduit communicating with the high-speed exhaust outlet, a wall surrounding the conduit and defining a water jacket between the wall and the conduit, the water jacket including a lower portion filled with water, a foward portion, and an exhaust gas inlet located above the level of the water and communicating with the engine exhaust outlet, and an adaptor connecting the engine to the lower unit, the adaptor including a first passage communicating between the engine exhaust outlet and the conduit, a port located forwardly of the passage and communicating with the forward portion of the water jacket at a point above the level of the water in the water jacket, a low-speed exhaust cutlet located rearwardly of the first passage, and a second passage extending interiorly of the adaptor and communicating between the port and the low-speed exhaust outlet.

US Patent:

48299618, May 16, 1989

Filed:

Dec 21, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/136737

Inventors:

Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL
Robert L. Turk - Waukegan IL

Assignee:

Outboard Marine Corporation - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

F02D 502
F02D 3100

US Classification:

123413

Abstract:

This invention provides a control for regulating the throttle and spark timing of a spark ignition internal combustion engine having an operator controlled device, a fuel/air mixing device, and a spa LN.

US Patent:

58991778, May 4, 1999

Filed:

Oct 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/947249

Inventors:

Gregory J. Binversie - Grayslake IL
George L. Broughton - Zion IL
Paul W. Breckenfeld - Kenosha WI
William D. Dunham - Waukegan IL
Stephen J. Towner - Libertyville IL
James A. Nettles - Mountain Home AR

Assignee:

Outboard Marine Corporation - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

F02B 7522

US Classification:

123 544

Abstract:

A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a mounting surface having therein a crankcase cavity and a pair of cylinders respectively extending from the cavity in acute angular relation to each other and each including a cylinder wall. The cylinder walls include outer ends having cylinder head mounting surfaces, mixture transfer ports, mixture supply ports, gas discharge ports and a main exhaust gas discharge passage. A passage communicates between the exhaust gas discharge ports and with the main exhaust gas discharge passage. Mixture supply passages extend between the mounting surface and the cylinder head mounting surfaces and include reed valves. Branch passages communicate between the transfer ports in the cylinder walls and the mixture supply passages at respective locations between the cylinder head mounting surfaces and the reed valves. Auxiliary supply passages extend from the mounting surface and communicate with the mixture supply ports in the cylinder walls.