Abstract: A jacking apparatus having a quick release mechanism for disengaging the main shaft of the jack from the jacking gear to allow the main shaft to be selectively raised and lowered as desired without operating the jacking gear. The main shaft has a plurality of teeth disposed thereon in facing relationship with the jacking gear, which is preferably a worm gear mechanism. A stop bar is disposed between the shaft and the jack housing to hold the shaft in alignment with the worm gear mechanism when it is desired to operate the jacking gear. A spring-biased pin member extends through a diagonal slot disposed in the jack housing to engage the stop bar. When it is desired to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth, the user exerts upward pressure on the pin member to move the pin member and stop bar diagonally upward along the axis of the slot, thereby retracting the stop bar from the shaft and allowing the shaft to be rotated to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth.

Abstract: A lid support rod for holding open the lid of a storage container is comprised of a first plate member, second and third plate members and a central pin member disposed between the first plate member and the second and third plate members. The second plate member is pivotally mounted on the pin member so as to be rotatable about the axis thereof and cooperates with the stationary first plate member to form a hinge. An elongated support rod is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the second plate member and is free to rotate relative to the second plate member so that the rod has three degrees of freedom of movement to engage the container lid at essentially any desired position thereon.

Abstract: A support device for maintaining the lower drive unit of an outboard engine in a tilted position for travel. The device is comprised of a substantially U-shaped steel bar having a first pin member extending inwardly from one side of the bar and second and third pin members extending inwardly toward the first pin member from an opposite side of the bar. The first pin member is adapted to be inserted through a corresponding opening on one side of a stationary portion of the outboard drive unit and the second and third pin members are adapted to be inserted through respective openings on the opposite side of the stationary portion of the outboard drive unit. The steel bar engages the movable portion of the outboard drive unit to hold it in a tilted position as desired.