US 12,479,552 B1
Copilot devices and locking mechanisms for marine drives
Aaron J. Novak, North Fond du Lac, WI (US); and Jeremy J. Kraus, Mt. Calvary, WI (US)
Assigned to Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed by Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/960,623.
Int. Cl. B63H 20/02 (2006.01); B63H 20/12 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 20/02 (2013.01) [B63H 20/12 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for removably supporting a marine drive on a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:
a transom bracket assembly having a swivel cylinder;
a steering bracket assembly having a swivel tube;
a locking mechanism that is movable into a locked position in which the locking mechanism retains the swivel tube in the swivel cylinder to prevent removal of the steering bracket assembly from the transom bracket assembly, and into an unlocked position in which removal of the steering bracket assembly from the transom bracket assembly is permitted; and
a return spring configured to move the swivel tube outwardly relative to the swivel cylinder when the locking mechanism is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.