Abstract: An outboard motor comprising an engine, a propeller shaft, a first drive shaft portion defining an axis and having a first end connected to the engine, and a second end opposite the first end, a second drive shaft portion coaxially aligned with the first drive shaft portion, having a first end connected to the propeller shaft, and a second end opposite the first end of the second drive shaft portion and telescopically connected to the second end of the first drive shaft portion, a device for preventing relative rotation between the first and second drive shaft portions about the axis, and a device for securing the first drive shaft portion to the second drive shaft portion.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprises a marine propulsion unit including an engine mounted on the marine propulsion unit and a propeller rotatably mounted on the marine propulsion unit and operatively connected with the engine. The engine has a throttle movable between an idle position for operating the engine at an idle speed and an advanced position for operating the engine at a speed above the idle speed. A steering handle is attached to the marine propulsion unit and a throttle grip is attached to the steering handle for rotation relative thereto. A throttle linkage assembly operatively connects the throttle grip with the throttle and is movable axially of the axis of rotation of the throttle grip for moving the throttle between the idle position and the advanced position in response to rotation of the throttle grip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control for the throttle valve and clutch of an engine, including a timer plate which is oscillated to concurrently adjust the spark and the setting of the throttle valve and a shift lever for shifting the engine clutch. The control includes a shift interlock which is connected to the shift lever for movement in response to movement of the shift lever and a radially outwardly extending projection on the timer plate. The shift interlock includes a portion which is located to extend into the travel path of the timer plate projection and is engageable with the timer plate projection for selectively controlling the setting of the throttle valve in accordance to the position of the shift lever and for selectively controlling the position of the shift lever in accordance with the setting of the throttle valve. A spring member formed as an integral part of the shift interlock releasably engages a detent pin to positively retain the shift lever in any one of its positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an engine including a timer plate which is operable to concurrently adjust the engine spark and the setting of the engine throttle valve, a rotatable starter mechanism, and a starter interlock for preventing engine starting when the timer plate is at a predetermined advanced speed setting. The starter interlock includes a resilient, unitary blocking element having a cam follower portion and a pawl portion which is movable between a normal nonoperating position and an operating position to prevent rotation of the engine starter mechanism and further includes a projection on the timer plate which is located to selectively engage the blocking element cam follower portion and move the pawl portion to the operating position when the timer plate is moved to the predetermined advanced speed setting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine including an ignition port having an outlet opening into a cylinder combustion chamber, a spark plug mounted in the ignition port, and a deflector located on the cylinder head adjacent the ignition port outlet. The deflector surrounds the side of ignition port outlet closest to the fuel intake port and diverts lubricant and/or other heavy residuals collecting on the cylinder head around the ignition port outlet so as to minimize fouling of the spark plug.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unitary bushing and retainer assembly for pivotally connecting a first work piece having a shank portion, such as a connecting rod, with a second work piece having an aperture, such as a lever. The bearing and retainer assembly includes a sleeve portion which fits snugly inside the lever aperture and has a bore for pivotally receiving the shank portion of the connecting rod. After the connection has been completed, withdrawal of the connecting rod from the sleeve portion is prevented by an annular rib which is located on the sleeve portion bore and is received in an annular recess provided in the shank portion of the connecting rod. A pair of opposed arms extending radially from one end of the sleeve portion and having locking elements which snap over the opposite edges of the lever secure the bearing and retainer assembly and the connecting rod on the lever.