Vibration isolation system for marine vessels

Abstract

A marine propulsion support system incorporates a vibration isolation structure which comprises a plurality of elastomeric support components, or mounts. The vibration isolation structure is disposed between a marine vessel and a propulsion drive mounting transom to which a marine propulsion component, such as an outboard motor, can be attached. Support of the propulsion drive mounting transom by the marine vessel extends through the vibration isolation structure so that elastomeric portions of the elastomeric support components can damp any vibration emanating from a marine propulsion device, such as an outboard motor, and a deck of a pontoon boat or other marine vessel.

1 . A marine propulsion support system, comprising:
 a marine vessel;   a propulsion drive mounting transom; and   a vibration isolation structure disposed between said marine vessel and said propulsion drive mounting transom, wherein support of said propulsion drive mounting transom by said marine vessel extends through said vibration isolation structure and wherein said vibration isolation structure comprises at least one elastomeric support component.   
   
   
       2 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said marine vessel is a pontoon boat.   
   
   
       3 . The support system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said pontoon boat comprises a deck supported by at least one pontoon.   
   
   
       4 . The support system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a propulsion drive support structure attached to said deck.   
   
   
       5 . The support system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said propulsion drive support structure is suspended below said deck.   
   
   
       6 . The support system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is disposed between said deck and said propulsion drive support structure.   
   
   
       7 . The support system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is disposed between said propulsion drive mounting transom and said propulsion drive support structure.   
   
   
       8 . The support system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a marine propulsion device attached to said propulsion drive mounting transom.   
   
   
       9 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure comprises four elastomeric mounts.   
   
   
       10 . The support system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one elastomeric support component comprises a central metallic member and an outer metallic member with a generally annular member disposed therebetween.   
   
   
       11 . A marine propulsion support system, comprising:
 a pontoon boat comprising a deck supported by at least one buoyant pontoon;   a propulsion drive mounting transom; and   a vibration isolation structure disposed between said pontoon boat and said propulsion drive mounting transom, wherein support of said propulsion drive mounting transom by said marine vessel extends through said vibration isolation structure and wherein said vibration isolation structure comprises at least one elastomeric support component wherein support of said propulsion drive mounting transom by said pontoon boat extends through said vibration isolation structure.   
   
   
       12 . The support system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a propulsion drive support structure attached to said deck.   
   
   
       13 . The support system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said propulsion drive support structure is suspended below said deck.   
   
   
       14 . The support system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is attached between said deck and said propulsion drive support structure.   
   
   
       15 . The support system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is attached between said propulsion drive mounting transom and said propulsion drive support structure.   
   
   
       16 . The support system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a marine propulsion device attached to said propulsion drive mounting transom.   
   
   
       17 . A marine propulsion support system, comprising:
 a pontoon boat;   a propulsion drive mounting transom configured to support a marine propulsion device attached to said propulsion drive mounting transom;   a deck supported by at least one buoyant pontoon of said pontoon boat; and   a vibration isolation structure attached between said pontoon boat and said propulsion drive mounting transom and comprising a plurality of elastomeric support components, wherein support of said propulsion drive mounting transom by said pontoon boat extends through said vibration isolation structure.   
   
   
       18 . The support system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a propulsion drive support structure supported below said deck, each of said plurality of elastomeric support components comprising a central metallic member and an outer metallic member with a generally annular member disposed therebetween.   
   
   
       19 . The support system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is attached between said deck and said propulsion drive support structure.   
   
   
       20 . The support system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said vibration isolation structure is attached between said propulsion drive mounting transom and said propulsion drive support structure.