Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen comestibles including a container having an interior portion holding a refrigerant solution, and a mold insert attached to the container. The mold insert includes a base, molding cavities extending therefrom, and a heat exchanger in communication with the molding cavities. The mold insert is received within the container such that the molding cavities are housed within the interior portion of the container and the heat exchangers are submerged within the refrigerant solution. The molding cavities include exposed openings that receive fluids to be frozen. When the refrigerant solution is at a sufficiently cool temperature, the fluids freeze into a shaped frozen comestible.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for connecting a drive axle to a propeller. A drive member is configured to mount on a drive axle, a tubular member is coupled to the propeller, and a resilient members is configured to be positioned between the drive member and the tubular member. The drive member has an axis and includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs. The tubular member is coupled to the propeller and has an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs. The resilient members has an axis and is configured to be positioned between the outwardly extending ribs and the inwardly extending ribs. Furthermore, the resilient members is mounted coaxially with the drive member and the tubular member.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting in a rotatable propeller shaft of a water craft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure extending along an axis and including an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending keys projecting therefrom. An adaptor translates rotatational movement of the propeller shaft to the hub structure. The adaptor includes an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving a propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending keys extending therefrom. The keys of the hub structure and the keys of the adaptor lie on a generally circular key path such that rotation of the adaptor is directly translated to the hub structure.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a marine vehicle. The propeller assembly includes a central adaptor mounted on the propeller shaft for rotational movement therewith. A tubular propeller housing is slidable over the central adaptor. A bushing assembly translates rotation of the central adaptor to the propeller housing. A breakaway element is provided for interconnecting in a central adaptor and the bushing assembly. The breakaway allows the central adaptor to rotate independent of the propeller housing in response to the predetermined force thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for connecting a drive axle to a propeller. A drive member is configured to mount on a drive axle, a tubular member is coupled to the propeller, and a resilient member is configured to be positioned between the drive member and the tubular member. The drive member has an axis and includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs. The tubular member is coupled to the propeller and has an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending tabs. The resilient member has an axis and is configured to be positioned between the outwardly extending tabs and the inwardly extending tabs. Furthermore, the resilient member is mounted coaxially with the drive member and the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method involves the use of a gauge to measure the pitch and rake of a blade on a propeller. The gauge has a rotational sensor that determines relative rotation of a measurer. The measurer includes a pitch sensor and a rake sensor. The rotational sensor communicates with a display, which provides an output representative of pitch or rake of the blade based on signals received from the rotational sensor.

Abstract: A propeller housing for a marine vehicle is provided which incorporates an improved locking structure for maintaining the propeller assembly on the drive shaft of the marine vehicle. The locking structure includes a spider washer having first and second ends and an aperture therebetween for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough. The spacer element includes a nose portion adjacent the first end thereof. A locking washer has an opening for receiving the nose portion of the spacer element therethrough and an outer periphery which maintains a propeller assembly on the propeller shaft. A locking element is mountable on the threaded end of the propeller shaft for retaining the spider washer thereon.