초록 ▼

A watercraft includes an engine having an output shaft. A coupling structure is provided on one end of the output shaft. A driveshaft has an engine connecting axial end portion. The engine connecting end portion provides a first cooperating interlocking structure. A resiliently deformable cushioning

A watercraft includes an engine having an output shaft. A coupling structure is provided on one end of the output shaft. A driveshaft has an engine connecting axial end portion. The engine connecting end portion provides a first cooperating interlocking structure. A resiliently deformable cushioning structure has a second cooperating interlocking structure and is mounted to the engine connecting end portion with the first and second interlocking structures interlocking with one another to secure the cushioning structure on the engine connecting end portion. The coupling structure couples the output shaft and driveshaft together so that powered rotation of the output shaft is transmitted to the driveshaft. The cushioning structure is positioned between the engine connecting end portion and output shaft such that the cushioning structure prevents the engine connecting end portion from abutting directly against the output shaft during relative movement of the driveshaft and output shaft towards one another.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A watercraft for travelling along a surface of a body of water, said watercraft comprising:a hull for buoyantly supporting said watercraft on the surface of the body of water; an engine carried by said hull, said engine comprising an outer casing, a rotatable output shaft, and a coupling structur

1. A watercraft for travelling along a surface of a body of water, said watercraft comprising:a hull for buoyantly supporting said watercraft on the surface of the body of water; an engine carried by said hull, said engine comprising an outer casing, a rotatable output shaft, and a coupling structure provided on an abuttable end of said output shaft for rotation therewith, said coupling structure having a driveshaft receiving bore; a driveshaft having an engine connecting axial end portion and a propelling structure connecting axial end portion, said engine connecting end portion providing a first cooperating interlocking structure; a resiliently deformable cushioning structure having a second cooperating interlocking structure and being mounted to said engine connecting axial end portion of said driveshaft, said first and second cooperating interlocking structures interlocking with one another in a cooperating relationship to secure said cushioning structure on said engine connecting axial end portion; said engine connecting axial end portion of said driveshaft with said cushioning structure secured thereon being inserted into said driveshaft receiving bore of said coupling structure such that (a) said coupling structure couples said output shaft and said drive shaft together so that powered rotation of said output shaft is transmitted to said driveshaft and (b) said cushioning structure is positioned between said engine connecting axial end portion of said driveshaft and said abuttable end of said output shaft such that said cushioning structure prevents said engine connecting axial end portion from abutting directly against said abuttable end of said output shaft during relative movement of said driveshaft and said output shaft towards one another; and a propelling structure operatively connected to said propelling structure axial end portion of said driveshaft such that powered rotation of said output shaft rotates said propelling structure via said driveshaft, said propelling structure being constructed and arranged to displace water during rotation thereof so as to propel said watercraft along the surface of the body of water.