US 12,084,159 B1
Service doors for cowls on outboard marine propulsion devices
David M. Foulkes, Lake Bluff, IL (US); Steven J. Amerling, Fond du Lac, WI (US); Evan N. Kobman, Brandon, WI (US); and Bradley R. Stafford, Omro, WI (US)
Assigned to Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed by Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/384,442.
Application 17/384,442 is a continuation of application No. 15/893,933, filed on Feb. 12, 2018, granted, now 11,130,555.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B63H 20/32 (2006.01); B63H 5/125 (2006.01); B63H 20/08 (2006.01); B63H 20/36 (2006.01); B60K 15/05 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 20/32 (2013.01) [B63H 5/125 (2013.01); B63H 20/08 (2013.01); B63H 20/36 (2013.01); B60K 2015/0538 (2013.01); Y10T 403/32614 (2015.01); Y10T 403/32827 (2015.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A service door for a cowl for a marine propulsion device, the service door comprising:
a door panel that is positionable in an open position and in a closed position;
a first hinge and a second hinge configured for rotatably coupling the door panel to the cowl;
a coil spring that biases the door panel towards the open position about the first hinge; and
a damper operatively coupled the door panel and the cowl about the second hinge and configured to resist rotation of the door panel towards the open position;
wherein the first hinge comprises a first hinge base and a first hinge axle about which the door panel is rotatable, wherein the first hinge axle extends from the first hinge base to a distal end having a spring slot, wherein the coil spring has a fixed end positioned in the spring slot and a rotating end that is opposite the fixed end, wherein the rotating end is configured to impart a spring force on the door panel.