Tiller arm for outboard motors and steering group of outboard motor having such tiller arm

Abstract

A tiller arm for outboard motors includes a first portion adapted to be coupled to the outboard motor and a second portion adapted to be coupled to a command terminal. The first and the second portions of the tiller arm are telescopically engageable to one another, and a blocking system between the first and second portions is configured to block a mutual sliding at predetermined positions.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tiller arm ( 1 ) for an outboard motor ( 2 ) comprising:
 a first portion ( 3 ) adapted to be joined to the outboard motor ( 2 );   a second portion ( 4 ) adapted to be joined to a control end ( 5 ),   wherein the first ( 3 ) and second ( 4 ) portions of the tiller arm ( 1 ) are telescopically fittable within each other; and   a mutual locking system ( 6 ) for said first ( 3 ) and said second ( 4 ) portions is adapted to lock a sliding of the telescopic connection at predetermined relative positions.   
     
     
         2 . The tiller arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tiller portions ( 3 ,  4 ) are adapted to continuously slide and be locked in any relative position. 
     
     
         3 . The tiller arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tiller portions ( 3 , 4 ) are adapted to telescopically slide with respect to each other and to be locked in predetermined discrete relative positions. 
     
     
         4 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking system ( 6 ) comprises:
 a plurality of first and second holes ( 61 , 62 ) configured as through holes on said first ( 3 ) and said second ( 4 ) portion respectively, and   a locking shaft ( 63 ) engageable with and removable from said first and second holes ( 61 , 62 ).   
     
     
         5 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of first or second holes ( 61 , 62 ) comprises holes passing through said first ( 3 ) and said second ( 4 ) portion respectively, extending horizontally, with reference to an operating condition of the tiller arm ( 1 ). 
     
     
         6 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising extensions of operating connections adapted to interface and couple with the motor ( 2 ) and the control end ( 5 ). 
     
     
         7 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the extensions of the operating connection comprise rigid tie rod extensions provided with coupling means to rigid tie rods of the motor ( 2 ) or of the control end ( 5 ), said rigid tie rod extensions preferably comprising a telescopic rod portion. 
     
     
         8 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the operating connection extensions comprise flexible cable extensions provided with coupling means to flexible cables of the motor ( 2 ) or of the control end ( 5 ). 
     
     
         9 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the operating connection extensions comprise data cable extensions provided with coupling means to data cables of the motor ( 2 ) or of the control end ( 5 ). 
     
     
         10 . The tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said first ( 3 ) and said second ( 4 ) portions define an inner hollow seat housing said data cable extensions. 
     
     
         11 . Steering unit ( 10 ) for an outboard motor ( 2 ) comprising:
 a control end ( 5 ) to control said outboard motor ( 2 ) and a tiller arm ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 .