Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprises a marine propulsion unit including an engine and a rotatably mounted propeller, together with a transmission operatively connected with the engine and the propeller for operation between a neutral position and a drive position, and a shift control mechanism which includes a control handle operatively connected with the transmission for transmitting operative forces from the control handle to the transmission to operate the transmission between its neutral position and its drive position. The shift control mechanism further includes an isolation assembly for transmitting the operative forces from the control handle to the transmission while isolating the transmission of vibratory forces from the transmission to the control handle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus for measuring elevation and including an elongated conduit adapted to be filled with liquid and having opposite ends, and a first pressure sensing transducer connected to one end of the conduit for measuring the fluid pressure in that end and including means for producing a first pressure indicative signal. The elevation measuring apparatus further includes a second pressure sensing transducer in fluid communication with the other end of the conduit for measuring the pressure of fluid at that end and including means for producing a second pressure indicative signal, and means for processing the output signals of the pressure sensing transducers, to produce an elevation differential readout.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower including a rotatable cutter blade, a reciprocating internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the cutter blade and a venting arrangement for venting the engine cylinder combustion chamber at engine shut down to decrease the engine coast-down time. The venting arrangement includes a flow passage having an inlet port which opens into the combustion chamber and a discharge port which either opens directly to the atmosphere, is connected in communication with the engine crankcase, or is connected in communication with the engine exhaust system. Venting of the combustion chamber through the flow passage is selectively controlled by a valve which is operably connected to the ignition switch and is opened in response to movement of the ignition switch from an engine operating position to an engine shutoff position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a muffler comprising an elongated tubular housing having an outer wall partially defining a chamber, an inlet pipe extending through the tubular housing for communication with the chamber, and an attenuater can assembly secured to the tubular housing and including an attenuater can having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a perforated cylindrical sidewall extending between the end walls and located within the chamber, which assembly also includes an outlet pipe extending exteriorly of the housing from within the attenuater can through the first end wall for communication with the environment outside the tubular housing.