Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cast-in-place concrete slab load transfer and slab connection apparatus and method of employing same.

Abstract: A concrete slab joint forming system and method for forming a joint between adjacent concrete slabs. In various embodiments, the concrete slab joint forming system includes a concrete slab joint former, an extension connector, a cross intersection connector, a tee intersection connector, an end connector, a field cut connector, and/or any combination of any quantity of these components.

Abstract: A joint edge insert positionable in a gap between two joint edge members of a joint edge assembly attached to two adjacent concrete slabs, and configured to provide structural support for the joint in cooperation with the joint edge members to reduce joint spalling.

Abstract: A stern and swivel bracket assembly for mounting a drive unit to a watercraft has a stern bracket having first and second laterally spaced portions, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a tilt/trim axis, and a hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator operatively connected between the stern and swivel brackets. The swivel bracket includes a hydraulic steering actuator, and defines first and second hydraulic steer ports facing outward in a first lateral direction. The swivel bracket further includes at least one drive unit mounting bracket connected to the hydraulic steering actuator for connecting the drive unit to the swivel bracket. The hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator is located laterally between the first and second portions of the stern bracket, and defines trim-up and trim-down hydraulic ports facing outward in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction.

Abstract: A tiller assembly includes a base and a tiller arm pivotably connected to the base. One of the base and the tiller arm defines a recess. The recess is at least partially defined by a female tapered surface. A shaft extends through the base and the tiller arm and has a first threaded portion. A clamping fitting is connected to the shaft and received in the recess. The clamping fitting is rotationally fixed relative to another one of the base and the tiller arm and has a male tapered surface. One of a handle and the clamping fitting has a second threaded portion engaged with the first threaded portion. Rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion in a pre-determined direction causes the male tapered surface to press against the female tapered surface. A marine outboard engine and a tiller assembly kit are also provided.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine includes an internal combustion engine assembly that includes an internal combustion engine, a fuse assembly, a fuel filter, a spark plug, a gearcase including one of a propeller and an impeller, a swivel bracket, and a cowling. The cowling includes a service panel disposed on a first lateral side of the internal combustion engine assembly, and an affixed panel disposed on a second lateral side of the internal combustion engine assembly. The service and affixed panels define a split line therebetween and are removably attached to each other. The fuse assembly, the fuel filter, and the spark plug are mounted to one of the first lateral side and the affixed panel proximate to the split line and are at least in part accessible from the first lateral side when the service panel is detached and removed from the affixed panel.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for a marine outboard motor has a stern bracket, a swivel bracket pivotably connected to the stern bracket to pivot relative to the stern bracket about a tilt axis, a motor mount pivotably connected to the swivel bracket to pivot relative to the swivel bracket about a steering axis, a steering lock bracket operatively connected to the motor mount and being pivotable with the motor mount relative to the swivel bracket about the steering axis, and a locking member. The locking member is one of: a) movably connected to the swivel bracket to move between a locked and an unlocked positions, and b) removably connected to both the swivel bracket and the steering lock bracket to prevent or limit pivoting of the motor mount about the steering axis.

Abstract: A tiller system has a tiller adapted for steering at least one of a bracket assembly and a motor assembly of a marine outboard motor having a power steering system, a throttle control mounted to the tiller, an electronic torque sensor, and a tiller system control module (TSCM) in electronic communication with the electronic torque sensor. The electronic torque sensor senses torque applied to the tiller and outputs an electronic steering signal as a function of the torque. The TSCM receives the electronic steering signal and controls an operation of the power steering system in response to the electronic steering signal. A method for steering a marine outboard motor, and a marine outboard motor having a tiller system are also described.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine includes an internal combustion engine assembly that includes an internal combustion engine, a fuse assembly, a fuel filter, a spark plug, a gearcase including one of a propeller and an impeller, a swivel bracket, and a cowling. The cowling includes a service panel disposed on a first lateral side of the internal combustion engine assembly, and an affixed panel disposed on a second lateral side of the internal combustion engine assembly. The service and affixed panels define a split line therebetween and are removably attached to each other. The fuse assembly, the fuel filter, and the spark plug are mounted to one of the first lateral side and the affixed panel proximate to the split line and are at least in part accessible from the first lateral side when the service panel is detached and removed from the affixed panel.

Abstract: A tiller assembly includes a base and a tiller arm pivotably connected to the base. One of the base and the tiller arm defines a recess. The recess is at least partially defined by a female tapered surface. A shaft extends through the base and the tiller arm and has a first threaded portion. A clamping fitting is connected to the shaft and received in the recess. The clamping fitting is rotationally fixed relative to another one of the base and the tiller arm and has a male tapered surface. One of a handle and the clamping fitting has a second threaded portion engaged with the first threaded portion. Rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion in a pre-determined direction causes the male tapered surface to press against the female tapered surface. A marine outboard engine and a tiller assembly kit are also provided.

Abstract: A steering system for a watercraft has steering position sensors sensing a steering position of first and second outboard motors, hydraulic steering actuators for steering the outboard motors, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to the steering actuators, at least one valve for reversing a direction of flow of hydraulic fluid into the steering actuators, and a steering controller. The steering controller executes a realignment process including: receiving signals indicative of the steering positions of the outboard motors from the steering position sensors; based at least in part on the signals, determining if the outboard motors are misaligned; and, if the outboard motors are misaligned, actuating the at least one valve to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid into a corresponding steering actuator in a direction opposite to that corresponding to an active steering direction set by the hydraulic helm so as to reduce misalignment of the outboard motors.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for a marine outboard motor has a stern bracket, a swivel bracket pivotably connected to the stern bracket to pivot relative to the stern bracket about a tilt axis, a motor mount pivotably connected to the swivel bracket to pivot relative to the swivel bracket about a steering axis, a steering lock bracket operatively connected to the motor mount and being pivotable with the motor mount relative to the swivel bracket about the steering axis, and a locking member. The locking member is one of: a) movably connected to the swivel bracket to move between a locked and an unlocked positions, and b) removably connected to both the swivel bracket and the steering lock bracket to prevent or limit pivoting of the motor mount about the steering axis.

Abstract: A stern and swivel bracket assembly for mounting a drive unit to a watercraft has a stern bracket having first and second laterally spaced portions, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a tilt/trim axis, and a hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator operatively connected between the stern and swivel brackets. The swivel bracket includes a hydraulic steering actuator, and defines first and second hydraulic steer ports facing outward in a first lateral direction. The swivel bracket further includes at least one drive unit mounting bracket connected to the hydraulic steering actuator for connecting the drive unit to the swivel bracket. The hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator is located laterally between the first and second portions of the stern bracket, and defines trim-up and trim-down hydraulic ports facing outward in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine for a watercraft has a stern bracket for mounting the marine outboard engine to the watercraft, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and a drive unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket about a steering axis. The steering axis is generally perpendicular to the tilt/trim axis. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the stern bracket and the swivel bracket for pivoting the swivel bracket and the drive unit relative to the stern bracket about the tilt/trim axis. A pump is mounted to the swivel bracket. The pump is pivotable about the tilt/trim axis together with the swivel bracket. The pump is fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A marine engine for propelling a watercraft has a drive unit adapted to be pivotally connected about a steering axis to the watercraft, and a steering position sensing system. The steering position sensing system has a magnet housing operatively connected to the drive unit and having an arcuate portion, a magnet disposed in the magnet housing, a sensor housing adapted to be operatively connected to the watercraft and a sensor disposed in the sensor housing. The magnet housing and the magnet are pivotable about the steering axis with the drive unit and relative to the sensor housing. The arcuate portion of the magnet housing is spaced from the sensor housing. The sensor senses a magnetic field of the magnet to determine an angular position of the drive unit relative to the watercraft. A bracket assembly for mounting an outboard engine to a watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine for a watercraft has a stern bracket for mounting the marine outboard engine to the watercraft, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and a drive unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket about a steering axis. The steering axis is generally perpendicular to the tilt/trim axis. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the stern bracket and the swivel bracket for pivoting the swivel bracket and the drive unit relative to the stern bracket about the tilt/trim axis. A pump is mounted to the swivel bracket. The pump is pivotable about the tilt/trim axis together with the swivel bracket. The pump is fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A gear case assembly for an outboard engine has a gear case, a driveshaft having a part disposed within the gear case, a bevel gear connected to the part of the driveshaft, a propeller shaft, and a transmission operatively connected to the bevel gear. The bevel gear selectively drives the propeller shaft via the transmission. The transmission has forward and reverse gears operatively connected to the bevel gear, and a shift assembly adapted for actuation by a shift actuator. The shift assembly has first and second rod portions and at least one resilient member. The at least one resilient member operatively connects the first rod portion to the second rod portion. The first rod portion is movable relative to the second rod portion.

Abstract: A gear case assembly for a marine propulsion system has a gear case, a driveshaft, a propeller shaft, and a transmission chamber. A driveshaft passage fluidly connects to the transmission chamber. A lubricant return passage fluidly connects to the transmission chamber and the driveshaft passage. A pump is driven by the driveshaft. A first lubricant filling port fluidly communicates one of the lubricant return passage and the driveshaft passage with an exterior of the gear case. A second lubricant filling port fluidly communicates one of the lubricant return passage and the transmission chamber with the exterior of the gear case. First and second plugs are selectively disposed in the first and second lubricant filling ports respectively. A check valve is disposed in the lubricant return passage between the first and second lubricant filling ports. The check valve prevents lubricant to flow through the check valve away from the transmission chamber.