Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a propeller shaft and a power head drivingly connected to the propeller shaft, and a cowling surrounding the power head, the cowling comprising a first cover member including an outer surface having therein a recess, a second cover member mating with the first member, and a selectively engageable latch mechanism for securing the second member to the first member, the latch mechanism including a latch handle which is supported by the first member, which is movable in a first direction between a flush position wherein the latch handle is in the recess and is flush with the remainder of the outer surface and a non-flush position wherein the latch handle extends from the recess, and which is movable in a second direction to engage and disengage the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An air compressor of compact design which has the capability of providing a relatively high pressure, relatively low volume output, and which is capable of operating over an extended range of speeds. A drive pulley is connected to a crankshaft structure and the crankshaft structure is connected to a reciprocating piston via a connecting rod. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder bore that has side inlets for admitting air and the piston compresses the air which is forced through a reed valve mechanism into an output chamber that communicates with an air pressure regulator for providing a constant desired output pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a privacy enclosure and entryway for a boat having a hull and a substantially planar deck mounted on the hull. The privacy enclosure and entryway comprises a first railing extending along at least a portion of the periphery of a first side of the deck with the first railing having an end, a second railing extending along at least a portion of the periphery of a second side of the deck, the second railing being substantially perpendicular to the first railing at the end, a door in the second railing adjacent the end, and a pivotable ledge mounted on the first railing adjacent the end and adapted to allow ingress to and egress from the deck through the door when pivoted in a vertical upright orientation and block ingress to and egress from the deck when pivoted in a horizontal lowered orientation.

Abstract: The vacuum valve apparatus is used in die casting equipment of the type which utilize a source of vacuum pressure in an internal die cavity for making a casting. The apparatus includes a valve body that has components that are separable along a split line that is positioned to facilitate removal of casting material from internal ports that may result in the event of a malfunction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, a fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, a conduit communicating between the fuel vapor separator and the fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel, and a cooling jacket for cooling the fuel vapor separator.

Abstract: A seat cover for covering and protecting a seat when the seat is not being used. The seat cover has a collapsible jacket being securing to one end of the seat and having a free end that is releasably securable to the opposing end of the seat. The jacket is dimensioned to substantially overlay the portions of the seat which are generally exposed to the elements when not in use. A pouch is also provided for storing and protecting the jacket when the jacket is not in use. The pouch may be permanently or releasably affixed to the seat.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit including a propeller shaft, a housing including an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, a catalytic element supported in the housing for reorientation from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation, and structure for reorienting the element from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising an internal combustion engine including an engine block having therein a water jacket and having a lower face which includes therein a recess, a drive shaft housing connected to the lower face of the engine block, a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the drive shaft housing and adapted to support a propeller, a drive shaft extending through the drive shaft housing and including an upper end driven by the engine and a lower end drivingly connected to the propeller shaft, an exhaust housing located at least partially within the drive shaft housing and including an upper face mating with the lower face of the engine block and including therein a recess located in opposed relation to the recess in the lower face, a water passage defined by the recess in the lower face of the engine block and by the recess in the upper face of the exhaust housing, which water passage has an inlet end and an outlet end spaced horizontally from the inlet end and communica

Abstract: A marine propulsion device having a powerhead drivingly connected to a propeller shaft, a lower unit rigidly connected to the powerhead and supporting the propeller shaft, a swivel bracket spaced from the lower unit and the powerhead and adapted to allow pivotal movement of the powerhead and the lower unit around a generally vertical steering axis, a connecting link between the swivel bracket and one of the powerhead and the lower unit, a portion of the link being spaced from the powerhead, and a pad for deadening noise generated by the powerhead, the pad being adjacent the link and at least partially filling the space between the link and the powerhead.

Abstract: A method for determining the size of the open area of a vacuum valve for use in a die casting operation is disclosed. The invention determines the size primarily as a function of the total length of the exterior parting lines of the die. Apparatus for producing die castings is disclosed which has a vacuum valve with a specified open flow area.

Abstract: A lost foam pattern assembly comprising a crankcase section including first and second mounting surfaces, a right cylinder section which is fixed to the first mounting surface and which includes a primary locator, a left cylinder section which is fixed to the second mounting surface and which includes a primary locator, a transfer passage having an upper end located in the right cylinder section, and a transfer passage having an upper end located in the left cylinder section.

Abstract: A molding apparatus including at least two mold parts movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the mold parts defining, when in the closed position, a mold cavity having the shape of an object to be molded, and an expandable and contractible core member for molding the object with a zero-draft opening.

Abstract: A recreational boat comprising first and second sheets of aluminum having respective first and second longitudinal edges, the first sheet having a first bend extending along a majority of the length of the first sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the first sheet, the second sheet having a second bend extending along a majority of the length of the second sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet affixed along the respective first longitudinal edges to form a centerline of the boat, a plurality of transverse ribs affixed to the first and the second sheets, first and second inboard vertical walls, and first and second narrow side decks each having an outer edge portion and an inner edge portion, the first narrow deck outer edge portion affixed to the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet and the first narrow deck inner edge portion affixed to the top of the first vertical wall, the second narrow deck outer edge por