Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having three or more engines is disclosed. The three or more engines may be operated via one or two control levers from each of one or more control stations. The control system may include a first control lever and a second control lever, each of which has an associated operating range. The control levers operate the engine throttle and transmission controls for three or more engines in a plurality of modes. This may be accomplished under software control using a digital data link between respective engine control units associated with the engines.

Abstract: A pedal assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (11) comprising a pedal arm that moves in a normal operating range between a rest position and an applied position under a normal operating load and includes a rebound mechanism for moving the pedal arm to an extended position in response to an applied load greater than the normal operating load. The rebound mechanism rebounds the pedal arm to the normal operating range when the applied load is reduced to the normal operating load. In one embodiment, the break away and rebound pedal assembly (10) includes a first arm (20) having a first end (22) with a first pivotal connection (24) to the vehicle (11) for actuating an automotive system and extending to a second end (26). The assembly (10) also comprises a second arm (30) having third (32) and fourth (34) ends with a pad (36) supported on the fourth end (34).

Abstract: A pedal arm and switch assembly (40) for use in a vehicle (10) wherein a switch housing (62) is integral with the plastic pedal arm (50) and supports the switch (60). The switch (60) is normally spaced apart from an adjacent surface (66) when the pedal (50) is in a normally biased position (P). The surface (66) may either be a pedal assembly bracket portion (47) or a firewall (14). The switch (60) has a pin (64) that extends from the housing (62) and is actuated when the pin (64) contacts the surface (66). The switch (60) produces an electronic signal upon actuation in response to the pedal arm (50) reaching one of a first (P1) and second (P2) predetermined positions. The electronic signal may control a cruise control system (34), brake lights (42), or a transmission gear shifter (20).

Abstract: A tubular structure (10) including an expanded fluoropolymer material having an outer surface (12), an inner surface (14), and a wall (16) therebetween. The wall (16) defines a channel (18). A hose assembly (100) includes a tubular inner liner (110) formed of the expanded fluorocarbon polymeric material having an outer surface (112), an inner surface (114), and a wall (116) therebetween defining a channel (118). The hose assembly (110) further includes at least one outer liner (121) disposed about the outer surface (112) of the tubular inner liner (110). A method of making a tubular structure (10) formed of the expanded fluoropolymer material includes the steps of extruding a fluoropolymer tubular structure (10) having an outer surface (12), an inner surface (14), and a wall (16) therebetween defining a channel (18) on an extruder having at least one barrel, at least one screw, at least one mandrel, and at least one die.

Abstract: A lightweight hose assembly (10) of the type adapted for conveying fuels and other corrosive fluids is disclosed. The assembly (10) includes a tubular inner liner (12) including a polymeric fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat degradation. A reinforcing layer (14) having gaps extending therethrough is disposed about the inner linear (12). The assembly (10) further includes an outer fluorocarbon coating (16) dispersed throughout the reinforcing layer (14) The hose assembly (10) is characterized by including a metallic reinforcing layer (18) disposed about the reinforcing layer (14) for increasing the strength and bending properties of the hose assembly (10).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly for supporting a conduit (10) extending through an aperture in a support structure such as a firewall (14) in a vehicle comprising a conduit (10) and a flexible core element (11) movably supported by the conduit (10). The conduit (10) extends through a hole (20) in a grommet sector (18). The grommet sector (18) engages and is retained in the aperture in the support structure (14). The grommet sector (18) also has an edge (22) which extends between the extremities of the periphery of the grommet sector (18) and across the aperture for engaging a first grommet sector (18) with a second grommet sector (24). The second grommet sector (24) may have a hole (28) through which a second conduit (12) extends or a solid grommet sector (30) may completely seal the aperture.

Abstract: The pedal assembly includes an upper hub structure and a pedal arm extending downwardly from the hub structure and mounting the pedal pad. The hub structure is slidably mounted on a single hollow guide rod extending rearwardly from a transmission housing which in turn is rigidly secured to a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally mounted to a bracket secured to the firewall of the vehicle. A nut is positioned slidably within the hollow guide rod and a screw shaft extends rearwardly from the transmission housing for threaded engagement with the nut. The upper end of the pedal arm extends upwardly through a slot in the bottom of the hub structure and through a slot in the bottom of the guide rod and the nut is positioned on the upper end of the pedal arm within the hub so that linear movement of the nut within the hollow rod as generated by rotation of the screw shaft results in forward and rearward movement of the pedal assembly along the guide rod.

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion along a curved path by a flexible motion-transmitting core element (12) movably supported in a conduit (14) with a slug (20) secured to a first end of the core element and a terminal for transferring forces between the core element and a control member (24), such as a brake actuator, and a method of fabricating the assembly. The terminal includes a connector (26) for connection to the control member (24), an abrasion-resistant sleeve (48) in sliding engagement with the core element (12) and for abutting engagement with the slug, and a vibration isolating member (30) supporting the sleeve (48) within the connector(26) to transmit forces from the slug (20) to the sleeve (48) and through the vibration member (30) and through the connector (26) to the control member while dampening vibrations between the core element and the control member.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) includes a length adjustment device on its core element (14) which is composed of a slider (20) and a housing (24). A push button lock (34) joins the slider (20) and housing (24) in a length adjusted position. A ball socket receptacle (28) attaches the housing (24) to a control member (30). The slider (20) is biased into the housing (24) by a compression spring (40). A backstop (42) extends rearwardly from the housing (24) to provide a bearing surface for the spring (40). The backstop (42) is slidably connected to the housing (24) by interlocking ears (48) and finger hooks (50). The sliding connection of the backstop (42) to the housing (24) allows the assembly (10) to be quickly converted to a spring-biased type length adjustment device. Alternatively, if a particular application requires omission of the compression spring (40) altogether, the backstop (42) can be omitted as well, and thereby permit operation as an unbiased length adjustment device (10).

Abstract: An intermediate retainer (20) for a motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion along a curved path includes a cylindrical sleeve (24) freely slidably surrounding a conduit (12). A cylindrical socket (26) extends perpendicularly from the sleeve (24) and includes eight elongated and resiliently deformable internal ribs (42, 44) which extend at alternating angles about an inner wall (34) of the socket (26) . The socket (26) is pressed over an extending threaded shaft (22), such as found in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, so that the ribs (42, 44) are deformed over and tenaciously grip about the threads on the shaft (22) to help hold the conduit (12) in a routed path.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly has a conduit, a core element, and an end fitting molded about one end of the conduit. The end fitting is generally cylindrical and has a plurality of annular locking grooves and is fitted with an O-ring seal. A connector is molded separately from the end fitting and has snap-lock tabs for attachment to a support structure. A receptacle extends into the connector from one end thereof and is accessible from above through a transverse passage. The end fitting is insertable axially into the receptacle through its open end to support the connector for rotation about the end fitting. The O-ring provides a fluid-tight seal between the end fitting and connector.

Abstract: A gastrostomy catheter for implantation through a stoma in the abdominal and stomach walls of a patient includes an integral external retention disc designed to be readily engagable by the physician or nursing attendant for manipulation of the feeding tube and inlet ports during use. The inlet ports for feeding nutrients and for fluid passage during balloon inflation are arranged at an inclined angle. This provides easy access to the inlet ports with the required feeding set or inflation syringe without interference with the patient's abdominal wall or the need to manipulate the retention disc in a way which might result in infection of the stoma site.