Abstract: Apparatus shears foreign matter that might entangle propellers and related structures on a moving vessel by action of a blade rotating with the propeller that cooperates with a non-rotating blade held close to the rotating blade. The mechanisms for holding the blades close and parallel include a lubricant packed passage for a supporting cylinder portion of the non-rotating blade, enclosed clamping elastic bias elements for controlled movement of the cylinder, and adjustments for holding the blade parallel.

Abstract: Apparatus shears foreign matter such as lines, wires, nets and weeds that can entangle and befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings and related structure of propeller-driven, water born vessels. The apparatus shears by cooperative action of a rotating blade that rotates in conjunction with the propeller and a non-rotating blade supported on a non-rotating portion of the vessel. The non-rotating blade moves axially within its support. With each revolution, a slot follower connected to the non-rotating blade engages a slot carried by the rotating blade to adjust the axial position of the non-rotating blade to compensate for axial movement of the rotating blade. A wedge and valley mechanism prevents the two blades being forced apart during shearing action. Roller bearings, radially disposed, reduce friction between slot follower and slot to reduce wear on the parts and thereby prevent malfunction with prolonged operation and to provide low cost replacement of the bearings for maintenance.

Abstract: Apparatus shears foreign matter such as lines, wires, nets and weeds that can entangle and befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings and related structures of propeller-driven, water born vessels. The apparatus shears by cooperative action of a rotating blade that rotates in conjunction with the propeller and a non-rotating blade supported on a non-rotating portion of the vessel. The non-rotating blade is supported on a rope guard that encircles the shaft. A system for simplified installation and alignment includes an intermediate box that supports the non-rotating blade. This assembly is temporarily clamped to a rotating blade, with the box passing through an aperture in the rope guard. Then the box is welded to the rope guard at the aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus shears foreign matter such as lines, wires, nets and weeds that can entangle and befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings and related structure of propeller-driven, water born vessels. The apparatus shears by cooperative action of a rotating blade that rotates in conjunction with the propeller and a non-rotating blade supported on a non-rotating portion of the vessel. The non-rotating blade moves axially within its support. With each revolution, a slot follower connected to the non-rotating blade engages a slot carried by the rotating blade to adjust the axial position of the non-rotating blade to compensate for axial movement of the rotating blade. A wedge and valley mechanism prevents the two blades being forced apart during shearing action.

Abstract: Apparatus shears foreign matter such as lines, wires, nets and weeds that can entangle and befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings and the like of propeller-driven water born vessels. The apparatus shears by cooperative shearing action of rotating blades that rotate in conjunction with the propeller and a non-rotating blade mounted on a non-rotating portion of the vessel. The non-rotating blade is pivotally mounted in a rigid blade holder. A wedge and V-shaped valley mechanism operating between holder and non-rotating blade forces the non-rotating blade toward the rotating blade as the blade pivots when foreign matter is being sheared to overcome forces tending to spread the blades apart. The apparatus is intended for operation in situations where there is negligible axial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A device shears foreign matter such as lines, wires, nets, and weeds that can entangle and befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings and the like of propeller-driven sea-going vessels that are sheared by cooperative shearing action of rotating blades that rotate in conjunction with the propeller and at least one non-rotating blade mounted on a non-rotating portion of the vessel. Positioning mechanism maintains the non-rotating blade in proximity to the rotating blades, for effective shearing operation. The position of the propeller will change relative to the hull, advancing axially when under way in forward drive due to the forward thrust of the propeller and retreating in reverse. Heating and cooling of the shaft will also change propeller position. The positioning mechanism senses the propeller location and moves the non-rotating blade to accomodate changes in propeller position to maintain a fixed, very close spacing between the two blades to enable them to shear foreign matter caught between them.

Abstract: A device for increasing the efficiency of operation of an internal combustion engine used in outboard and inboard/outboard motors comprised of a generally cylindrical member having inner and outer peripheral shell members defining a cylindrical annular space therebetween, wherein are located a plurality of turbine vanes spanning the annular volume between said inner and outer shell members. Said inner and outer shell members and said plurality of vanes are drivingly connected to the propeller shaft of an outboard motor and are mounted coaxially with said propeller shaft. The device is located in the forward end of the inner propeller hub and rotatably mounted in association with the lower unit of said outboard or inboard/outboard motor so that exhaust gases flowing through said lower unit pass through said annular volume. Upon rotation of said propeller shaft, said plurality of vanes are caused to rotate at the same angular velocity thereof.

Abstract: A device mounted in encircling relation to a propeller shaft. The device cuts lines, nets and weeds, thus preventing entanglement of the propeller and preventing entanglement damage which may result to the parts of the driven assembly of the outboard, inboard/outboard or trolling motor used to propel vessels through the water. The device includes a non-rotatable, annular cutting ring member having one or more double-edged cutting blades, that is disposed in sandwiched relation to two rotatable annular members. One of the rotatable members carries no cutting blades, and the second rotatable member carries a plurality of double-edged, circumferentially spaced blades that individually cooperate with the non-rotatable blade in a shearing action. The non-rotatable member includes a protruding, forwardly expanding, wedge member, the wedge member being configured to define a forwardly opening wedge-shaped cavity.

Abstract: A device mounted in encircling relation to a propeller shaft. The device cuts lines, nets and weeds, thus preventing entanglement of the propeller and preventing entanglement damage which may result to the parts of the driven assembly of outboard motor and inboard/outboard motor vessels. The device includes a non-rotatable, annular cutting member, having one double-edged cutting blade, that is disposed in sandwiched relation to two rotatable annular members. One of the rotatable members carries no cutting blades, and the second rotatable member carries three double-edged, circumferentially spaced blades that individually cooperate with the non-rotatable blade in a shearing action. The blade-carrying rotatable member includes a concentric mounting ring that is offset toward the propeller shaft housing, and the offset defines a centrally apertured projecting portion which aperture is in the form of a tapered seat that mates with a corresponding taper formed on the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A device that shears lines and nets of the type that can befoul propellers, propeller shafts, bearings, running gear and the like of propeller driven sea-going vessels. Lines or nets that can befoul the running gear of propeller-driven sea-going vessels are sheared by the cooperative action of rotatable blade members that are integrally formed with a collar member that is affixed to and rotates conjointly with the propeller shaft, and non-rotatable blade members that are integrally formed with a ring member which is mounted within a U-shaped channel means that is formed in such rotatable collar member. The non-rotating mounting ring may carry a single blade or a pair of diametrically opposed blades, and is maintained in its operative disposition relative to the rotating blades as a result of its slidable mounting in the channel formed in the rotatable collar.

Abstract: A device that shears lines and nets of the type that can befoul propellors, propellor shafts, bearings, running gear and the like of propellor driven, sea-going vessels. A first pair of non-rotatable, diametrically opposed, radially extending cutting blade members are disposed on opposite sides of a keel, or on opposite sides of a strut that depends from the hull of an inboard motor-type boat or ship. Such blade members are provided with respective forwardly extending wedge-shaped projection portions that wedgingly engage respective rearwardly opening wedge-defining base members that are fixedly secured to opposite sides of the keel or the strut. A second pair of rotatably mounted, diametrically opposed, radially extending cutting blade members are disposed on opposite sides of a collar that is affixed to and that rotates conjointly with a propellor shaft, and such second cutting blade members cooperate with the first cutting blade members to effect a shear of troublsome lines and nets.