Patents by Inventor Donald A. Henrich

Donald A. Henrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4778419
    Abstract: A marine propulsion device including a propeller shaft, a lower unit rotatably supporting the propeller shaft and including a lower unit exhaust passageway, and a propeller adapted to be submerged in water and including an inner hub connected to the propeller shaft. The propeller also includes an outer hub connected to and spaced from the inner hub and defining a propeller exhaust passageway having an inlet in communication with the lower unit exhaust passageway, a plurality of blades extending from the outer hub rearwardly of the inlet, an opening for communicating the lower unit exhaust passageway with water outside of the outer hub, and a member located adjacent and rearward of the opening, and extending forwardly and radially outwardly with respect to the propeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bolle, Donald A. Henrich
  • Patent number: 4447214
    Abstract: The marine propulsion device includes a lower unit having a gear case normally submerged in water and arranged to discharge engine exhaust gas rearwardly from the rear end into the water exteriorly of the propeller hub. A ring member or thrust ring including a hub mounted on the propeller shaft for common therewith, an annular collar and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially extending spokes or ribs interconnecting the annular collar and the hub serves as a fishline and weed cutter. The annular collar includes an annular outer surface which extends closely adjacent an annular inner surface in the interior of the gear case adjacent the trailing edge of the gear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Henrich
  • Patent number: 4304557
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device including a downwardly extending propulsion leg, the lower end of the propulsion leg including a gear case, a drive shaft housed in the propulsion leg, a propeller shaft located in the gear case, and a propeller mounted on the propeller shaft, rotary operation of the marine propulsion device producing a steering torque on the propulsion leg. The propulsion leg also includes a skeg extending downwardly from the gear case, the rearward edge of the skeg comprising a foil for producing a torque on the propulsion leg opposite to the torque produced by rotary operation of the marine propulsion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Henrich
  • Patent number: 4211515
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a gear case including a hollow interior having at the rearward end thereof an inwardly extending inner circular surface defining an opening through which exhaust gases and engine cooling water are discharged from the lower unit, a propeller shaft rotatably journalled in the gear case and including a portion extending rearwardly of the gear case, a propeller including an inner part mounted on the propeller shaft rearward portion for common rotation of the inner part with the propeller shaft, an outer part having an outer circular surface with a diameter materially less than the diameter of the inner circular surface of the gear case, a blade extending radially outwardly from the outer part, and a resilient cushion connecting the inner and outer parts, and a thrust washer carried by the propeller shaft in forward thrust transmitting engagement therewith and in forward thrust receiving engagement with the propeller outer part, and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Henrich, Edgar Rose
  • Patent number: 4180368
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a gear case including a hollow interior having at the rearward end thereof an inwardly extending inner circular surface defining an opening through which exhaust gases and engine cooling water are discharged from the lower unit, a propeller shaft rotatably journalled in the gear case and including a portion extending rearwardly of the gear case, a propeller including an inner part mounted on the propeller shaft rearward portion for common rotation of the inner part with the propeller shaft, an outer part having an outer circular surface with a diameter materially less than the diameter of the inner circular surface of the gear case, a blade extending radially outwardly from the outer part, and a resilient cushion connecting the inner and outer parts, and a thrust washer carried by the propeller shaft in forward thrust transmitting engagement therewith and in forward thrust receiving engagement with the propeller outer part, and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Henrich, Edgar Rose