Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible core element (12) in a conduit (18) and a method of making same. An end fitting (20) is disposed about the conduit (18) by a cylindrical section which includes abutments (24). A vibration dampener (16) includes a cylindrical tube disposed about the end fitting (20) with grooves (28) aligned with the abutments (24) and tabs (30) extending radially outward from the vibration dampener (16). A support (14) includes a cylindrical wall (32) disposed about and coextensive with the vibration dampener (16) with openings (34) aligned with the tabs (30) of the vibration dampener (16). The vibration dampener (16) is in axial mechanical interlocking engagement with the end fitting (20) and support (14) for maintaining the vibration dampener (16) free of radial compressive forces.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering assembly to be secured to a tiller arm of a variety of outboard propulsion units for a boat so as to rotate a propulsion unit about a steering axis. The assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulically actuated rod member extending therefrom and being rotatably secured to the tiller arm of an outboard propulsion unit about an axis of rotation parallel to the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder also includes a pivotal connection for attachment to the boat to define a pivot axis generally parallel to the steering axis and nonrotatable about the steering axis. The force exerted by actuation of the hydraulic cylinder against the pivotal connection rotates the outboard propulsion unit about the steering axis.

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly having a support means (22) for moving through and engaging opposite extremites of an aperture (24). The support means (22) includes a body portion (40) and a pair of legs (26) extending from the body portion (40). The legs (26) include grooves (38) to engage a wall as the legs (26) extend in a cantilevered fashion towards the aperture (24). The legs (26) further include release tabs (36) for moving the legs (26) radially inwardly towards the body portion (40) to disengage the legs (26) from the wall to remove the support means (22) from the aperture (24).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting forces along a curved path by a motion transmitting core element (14) including a conduit (12) supporting the core element (14). The conduit (12) has a female member (20) securely attached thereto. The female member (20) includes a plurality of flexible fingers (24) for disposition about a male member (18) which is secured to a support housing (16). The female member includes a rounded front cam portion (38) for engaging the male member and opening the fingers in response to the male member (18) being inserted into or removed from the female member (20). A locking ring (30) is included to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. When in the locked position, the fingers (24) of the female member (20) can not radially expand and are prevented from being removed from the male member (18).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting forces along a curved path by a motion transmitting core element (30) including a support fitting (24) having first and second ends and an opening (14) extending therethrough defining a first axis for guiding a core element (30) through a substantially U-shaped seat (16) in a support structure (18). A core element (30) is movably supported by the support fitting (24) for transmitting motion between the ends thereof. The assembly is characterized by including a projection finger (38) spaced laterally from the first axis defined by the opening (14) for gripping engagement with the support structure (18) and preventing the end support fitting (24) from moving laterally out of the U-shaped seat (16). Axial deflection of the finger (38) is limited by a stop member (47).

Abstract: A programmable cycle meter assembly (17,117) for monitoring a cycling member by receiving an input signal from a transducer (13,113) proportional to the cycles of the monitored member and for indicating various cycle rates by a speedometer or tachometer (36) in linear proportion to a linear array of corresponding frequencies. The assembly includes a circuit (17, 117) which is characterized by a switchable filter means (12,112) which filters out unwanted frequencies above a predetermined frequency of the input signal from the transducer (13,113). a switchable divider (20,120) is used for adjustably dividing the input signal for changing the proportion of the frequency by variable a predetermined ratio to produce a repetitive rate (24,124). A fixed frequency to voltage converter (28,128) converts the repetitive rate adjusted frequency signal (24,124) into a proportional voltage for indicating cycle rate on a meter (36) for various configurations of the cycling member.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible core element (12) in a conduit (18) and a method of making same. An end fitting (20) is disposed about the conduit (18) by a cylindrical section which includes abutments (24). A vibration dampener (16) includes a cylindrical tube disposed about the end fitting (20) with grooves (28) aligned with the abutments (24) and tabs (30) extending radially outward from the vibration dampener (16). A support (14) includes a cylindrical wall (32) disposed about and coextensive with the vibration dampener (16) with openings (34) aligned with the tabs (30) of the vibration dampener (16). The vibration dampening means (16) is in axial mechanical interlocking engagement with the end fitting (20) and support (14) for maintaining the vibration dampener (16) free of radial compressive forces.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch includes a single support housing (18) for rotation about a base (12). The base (12) is a circuit board which includes an opening (16) through which the housing (18) is secured to the base. A pair of contact pads (14) extend radially away from the opening (16) on the base (12). The housing (18) includes a cavity (34) facing the base (12). A conductive roller (38) is located in the cavity (34) for rolling over the pair of contact pads (14) to establish an electrical connection. The switch is characterized by a fulcrum ridge (40) extending from the housing (18) into the cavity (34) for allowing the roller (38) to rock in case a bump is incurred in the contact pads (14) to ensure an electrical connection.

Abstract: An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord (20, 120) extending between axially spaced first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) cylindrical members. The cord (20) is wrapped in coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) on the interior side walls (18, 19, 118, 119) of each member (12, 14, 112, 114). A control means (34, 134) acts between the members (12, 14, 112, 114) and coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) to coil the cord (20, 120) onto one coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while uncoiling the cord (20, 120) from the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122). A guide means (36, 136) guides the cord (20, 120) onto and off of one of the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while rolling means (38, 138) hold the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) in position to eliminate slack.

Abstract: A parklock assembly (10) for retaining the position of an automotive vehicle gear selector lever (22) in the park position while the vehicle key lock means (18) is in the off position and for allowing the gear selector lever (22) to move out of the park position while the key lock means (18) is in the on position. The assembly (10) includes a conduit (12) and a flexible motion transmitting core element (14) having first and second ends extending out of the conduit. A holding means (16) is slideably disposed about the first end of the core element (14) for engaging a projection (34) of the key lock means (18). The holding means (16) is urged by first biasing means (36) into the projection (34) when the key lock means (18) is in the off position. A terminal means (20) is fixedly disposed about the second end of the core element (14) and engages the gear selector lever (22).

Abstract: A linear measuring device (10) and method for measuring the length of an element along an axis thereof includes a shaft (12). A first end block (14) supports one end of the shaft (12) and a second end block (16) supports the other end of the shaft (12) in spaced relationship to a support surface. A linear scale (18) interconnects the end blocks (14, 16) along the length of the shaft (12). A slideable block (26) is supported by the shaft (12) for moving along the length of the shaft (12) to measure the length of the element with respect to the first end block (14). A detector head (82) and display counter (84) provide a linear displacement of the slideable block (26) measured along the linear scale (24).

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path including a tube member (14) and a rod member (18) movably supported by the tube member (14) and extending therefrom to provide a variable extending length of the rod member (18) between the tube member (14) and one end (68) of the rod member (18), the rod member (18) defining a line of force. An integral terminal member (20) operatively interconnects the extending length of the rod member (18) and a control member (22). The assembly is characterized by the terminal member (22) including an opening (38) therethrough defining an axis perpendicular to the line of force and having a containing portion for containing a body portion (32) of the control member (22) therein and a retaining portion for retaining a ball pin (36) extending from the body portion (32) of the control member (22) therein.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly including a core element movably supported in a conduit. A support member (18) adapted to be connected to a support structure and is attached to the conduit (12) and a slider member (28) slideably disposed in a passageway (24) extending longitudinally through the support member (18). The slider member (28) includes a plurality of locking teeth (62) spaced longitudinally along the slider member (28). The support member (18) also includes a closed cavity (38) extending from one side of the conduit (12) which supports an integral locking member (34) and a spring (36). The locking member (34) is adjacent the slider member (28) and includes a plurality of locking teeth (64) extending for a width coextensive to that of the cavity (38) and spring (36). The spring (36) is between the support member (18) and the locking member (34) to urge the locking member (34) into engagement with the slider member (28) for normally preventing longitudinal movement of the conduit (12).

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (10) of the type for steering a boat including a hydraulic cylinder (18) having port and starboard sides (20, 22) and a piston (24) within the cylinder (18) moveable therebetween. A steering pump (12) has first and second fluid outlets (14, 16). Port and starboard hydraulic lines (26, 28) interconnect the port and starboard sides (20, 22) to the first and second outlets (14, 16) respectively, for fluid communication therebetween. A closed separator tank (30) separates air from hydraulic fluid. The tank (30) includes port and starboard tank line (32, 34) in fluid communication with the port and starboard hydraulic lines (26, 28) respectively. The tank (30) includes a bleeder valve mechanism for selectively allowing fluid flow in one direction from the port tank line (32) into the separator tank (30) and out the starboard tank line (34) and alternatively in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The assembly includes a support member (16) adapted to be connected to a support structure and the conduit (12) includes a slider member (28) slideably through the support member (16). The slider member (28) slideably disposed in a passageway (24) extending longitudinally through the support member (16). The slider member (28) includes a plurality of locking teeth (64) spaced an equal distance apart longitudinally along the slider member (28). The support member (16) includes a guideway (38) which supports a latch member (42) with a single tooth (66) for engagement with the locking teeth (64) of the slider member (28). The assembly is characterized by a cap member (48) which connects the latch member (42) to a spring (56) and pivots about one end (50) for moving the latch member into and out of engagement with the slider member (28).

Abstract: A hydraulic lock valve assembly (10) includes a valve body (16) having an axially extending main bore (18) and first and second axially spaced pump ports (20, 22). A tank passage (23) is in communication with said main bore (18) and first and second valve chambers (24, 26). The assembly (10) includes a spool valve (74) for opening either of the first and second check valve (36, 38) to allow fluid flow from the cylinder ports (28, 30) through the check valve (36, 38) and the inner passage (32, 34) to the pump ports (20, 22) to define a first return flow passage and for opening either of the first and second return ports (84, 86) to allow fluid flow to and from the tank passage (23) to and from the pump port (20, 22) through the return port (84, 86) to define a second return flow passage, whereby the spool valve (74) opens either of the first and second check valves (36, 38) in response to a predetermined delivery pressure in the delivery flow passage in opposite check valve chamber.

Abstract: A medical-surgical catheter comprising an extruded tube of flexible material including a plastic material transparent to X-ray radiation and defining the entire interior and exterior surfaces of the tube to provide smooth surfaces of low coefficient of friction and a integrally extruded radiopaque layer completely embedded within and surrounded by the plastic material and extending along the tube between the ends thereof. The radiopaque layer comprises a blended mixture of radiopaque material and the plastic material with the blended mixture of the layer completely surrounded by a pure composition of the plastic material. The radiopaque layer may comprise an annular tube with an outer annular layer of the plastic material and an inner annular layer of the plastic material or the radiopaque layer may comprise a pair of diametrically opposed strips or the radiopaque layer may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced strips extending in a helical path along the tube.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path including a flexible motion transmitting core element, a conduit for supporting the core element and an end fitting disposed at the end of the conduit. A rod is attached to the end of the core element. The assembly also includes a swivel tube having a bore therethrough for swiveling movement relative to the end fitting and for movably supporting the rod. The swivel tube is connected to the end fitting in a swivel joint. The assembly is characterized by the swivel joint including a male swivel portion of the swivel tube and including a cup-shaped insert engaging the male swivel portion at least beyond the front face thereof. The end fitting encapsulates the end of the conduit and the insert and the remainder of the male swivel portion on the swivel tube. A method of making the motion transmitting remote control assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An axial piston pump assembly includes a housing having first and second interconnected housing portions (12,14). A cylinder barrel (18) has an axis of rotation and is rotatably supported in the housing about the axis of rotation. The cylinder barrel (18) includes a plurality of pistons (22). The pistons (22) are reciprocally supported in the each of the piston cavities (20) for reciprocating movement parallel to the axis of rotation reacting with a cam surface (30) and causing the reciprocating movement of the pistons (22). The pistons (22) include a body portion (44) having a longitudinally extending central bore (46). One end of the bore (46) defines a fluid inlet (48) into the bore (46) and the other end defines a fluid outlet (51). The fluid inlet (48) includes a ball seat (50) and a ball member (52) seated therein and substantially over the fluid inlet (48), the ball member (52) engaging the cam surface (30).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path includes a terminal member (20) for operatively interconnecting an extending length of a core element and a control member (22). The control member (22) has a body portion (32) and a ball pin (36) extending therefrom. The terminal member (20) includes a passageway (38) defining an opening having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of flexible fingers (40) defining a portion of the passageway (38). The flexible fingers (40) have an engaged condition for engaging and retaining the ball pin (36) disposed within the passageway (38) and a disengaged condition for releasing the ball pin (36). The assembly (10) is characterized by including a cap member (42) for radially outwardly spreading the fingers (40) to the disengaged condition during insertion and removal of the ball pin (38).