US Patent 7201623 Inertial lock for an outboard cowl

A locking system is provided for the cowl structure of an outboard motor. An impulse sensitive locking mechanism is configured to rotate into a locking position in response to an impact, or impulse force, exerted against the outboard motor. This rotation of the impulse sensitive locking mechanism prevents a retention component of the latch structure from moving toward an unlatched position in response to the impact exerted on the outboard motor. This, in turn, prevents the first and second latch members from disengaging with each other and allowing a portion of the cowl to disengage from the outboard motor.