Abstract: A vehicle is described herein having a rear drive mounted to a sub-frame where the sub-frame is movable relative to the frame, and where a suspension is movable relative to the sub-frame. Thus the vertical travel of the wheels is a combination of the vertical travel of the wheels relative to the sub-frame and the vertical travel of the sub-frame relative to the frame. The sub-frame could in the front or the rear, or both.

Abstract: A vehicle is described herein having a rear drive mounted to a sub-frame where the sub-frame is movable relative to the frame, and where a suspension is movable relative to the sub-frame. Thus the vertical travel of the wheels is a combination of the vertical travel of the wheels relative to the sub-frame and the vertical travel of the sub-frame relative to the frame. The sub-frame could in the front or the rear, or both.

Abstract: A mechanical lubricating oil pump (126) includes a pump body (140) having a cylindrical chamber (142) and a reservoir (150) with an oil supply input (196) supplying oil from an oil tank (114) to the reservoir. A cylindrical rotator (144) is driven by a gear (162) and has a bore (146) receiving a piston (152) axially reciprocal therein and has a radial opening (148) in a cylindrical sidewall thereof communicating with the bore (146). The pump body (140) has an oil and air purge input first passage (168) communicating between the top of the reservoir (150) and the radial opening (148) in the rotator (144) during a first stroke at a first position of the rotator (144) during its revolution. The pump body (140) has an oil and air purge output second passage (180) communicating between a purge outlet (182) and the radial opening (148) in the rotator (144) during a second stroke at a second position of the rotator (144).

Abstract: A marine outboard drive unit (10) includes a two-cycle internal combustion engine (14), an oil storage tank (30) storing lubricating oil for the engine, and an assembly (44) mounted to the tank and extending into the tank for drawing oil from the tank and indicating the amount of oil in the tank. The assembly includes a collar (60) mounted to the tank in a top opening (42) and having first and second tubular portions (62, 64) extending integrally downwardly therefrom. The first tubular portion (62) is connected through a flexible coupling (80) to a lower tubular portion (78) formed on the outer surface of a cup member (74) mounted to the second tubular portion (64). The second tubular portion (64) retains an annular float member (66) and magnet (112) therearound in the annular space (76) between the second tubular portion (64) and the cup member (74).

Abstract: A marine outboard drive unit (10) includes a two-cycle internal combustion engine (14), an oil storage tank (30) storing lubricating oil for the engine, and a fill tube (40) within the engine cowl (24) for filling the oil tank therebelow. The fill tube includes a partitioned (82) upper cup portion (66) vented (76) to the tank and closed by a tactilely hinged cap (68).

Abstract: A marine outboard drive unit (10) includes a powerhead (12) having a two-cycle internal combustion engine (14), a lower depending driveshaft housing (16) extending downwardly from the powerhead and having a lower submerged propeller (18), and an oil tank (30) mounted adjacent the driveshaft housing (16) below the powerhead (12). The oil tank (30) has a U-shape and extends partially around and conforms to the driveshaft housing (16) and is mounted in the space between the driveshaft housing (16) and a trim cover (34) which extends downwardly from the engine cowl (24). Particular mounting structure, rattle-reducing structure, and visual oil level monitoring structure is provided.

Abstract: An outboard marine motor housed by a cowl assembly having an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section includes various features for improving the structural integrity of the cowl assembly and for providing a water-resistant seal at the joint between the cowl sections and at various points of entry of cables and other mechanical devices. A cut-out portion in the side of the lower cowl assembly is adapted to receive various cables and shift levers for different configurations of outboard marine motors, e.g. a manual tiller-operated motor including shift controls, a manual tiller-operated motor having a separate shift lever, and a remote-control motor having throttle and shift cables leading into the engine cavity. A sealing mechanism is provided at the cut-out portion of the lower cowl assembly, to provide a water-resistant seal at the points of entry of the cables or shift lever through the lower cowl section.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system (200) having an outboard two cycle internal combustion engine (212) and an oil-fuel mixing fuel delivery system (2, 5, 7) has a vapor separator (702) connected to prevent excess oil in the mixture as fuel runs out. The vapor separator (702) has a fuel inlet (704) receiving fuel from the fuel tank (5), a fuel outlet (706) delivering fuel to the fuel inlet (4) of the oil-fuel mixer (2), and a vapor outlet (708) delivering vapor or air through a bypass connection (710) to the suction intake side of a fuel pump (11) and bypassing the mixer (2). The fuel pump (11) suctions oil-fuel mixture from the mixer (2).

Abstract: A cowl assembly for an outboard motor, including an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section, is provided with an improved latch assembly. The latch assembly incorporates a pivotable hook connected to one of the cowl sections, which is engageable with a hook-engaging member provided on a catch mechanism connected to the other cowl section. Due to the presence of a compressible seal between the upper and lower cowl sections, relative vertical movement is possible therebetween, and thereby between the hook and the hook-engaging member. The improved latch mechanism incorporates a retainer mechanism for preventing disengagement of the hook from the catch mechanism during such relative vertical movement of the cowl sections, for ensuring that the cowl sections remain secured together during compression of the compressible seal between the cowl sections.

Abstract: An outboard marine motor housed by a cowl assembly having an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section includes various features for improving the structural integrity of the cowl assembly and for providing a water-resistant seal at the joint between the cowl sections and at various points of entry of cables and other mechanical devices. A one-piece lower skirt extends downwardly from the lower cowl section at the upper end of the depending gear case. The one-piece lower skirt is adapted for easy removal and attachment to facilitate servicing of the motor, and may be connected to the bottom of the lower cowl section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the depending gear case.

Abstract: An outboard marine motor housed by a cowl assembly having an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section includes various features for improving the structural integrity of the cowl assembly and for providing a water-resistant seal at the joint between the cowl sections and at various points of entry of cables and other mechanical devices. An improved air intake duct prevents the entry of water into the interior cavity of the cowl assembly. The air intake duct is disposed in an air intake opening provided in the top rear portion of the upper cowl section. The air intake duct includes a bottom wall, a pair of upstanding side walls connected thereto, and an upstanding back wall extending between the side walls. The top wall has an upwardly facing opening which forms an air inlet for allowing air to pass into the interior of the cowl assembly, to provide combustion air for the engine of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system (2) with an outboard engine (4) has an oil-fuel mixing valve (16) within the engine cowl (6). A first crankcase pressure driven fuel pump (20) delivers fuel from a remote fuel tank (14) to the mixing valve, and a second crankcase pressure driven fuel pump (22) delivers mixed oil-fuel from the mixing valve to the engine. The arrangement provides adequate fuel pressure to overcome the added pressure drop across a reduced size mixing valve, all fitting within the engine cowl. The crankcase pressure pulses to the fuel pumps are 180.degree. out of phase such that when the first pump is pushing pressurized fuel to the inlet of the mixing valve, the second pump is pulling suctioned oil-fuel from the outlet of the mixing valve, to increase fuel pressure differential and enhance operation of the mixing valve.

Abstract: An outboard marine motor housing by a cowl assembly having an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section includes various features for improving the structural integrity of the cowl assembly and for providing a water-resistant seal at the joint between the cowl sections and at various points of entry of cables and other mechanical devices. A rotary latch mechanism includes an internal hook connected to a shaft leading to an external rotatable handle. The shaft is supported on either side of the point of engagement of the hook to the shaft. In particular, a bearing is formed integrally with the bottom of the lower cowl section and is adapted to receive an end of the shaft for support thereof. The catch for the latch mechanism is provided with a hook-receiving member having support on both sides of the point of engagement of the hook-receiving member by the hook.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for an outboard motor includes a series of trim and shallow water operation positions which may be preset by the operator and from which the motor may be temporarily tilted up without engaging and being held in a higher tilt position. Correspondingly, elimination of the condition requiring or causing the temporary tilt-up allows direct return of the motor to the original trim position. Alternately, a manually operable trim ratchet assembly allows the operator to temporarily tilt the engine to and have it held at a higher trim position if desired. Disengagement of the trim ratchet assembly also allows direct return of the motor to the original trim position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system (200) having an outboard two cycle internal combustion engine (212) has a modified oil-fuel mixer (2, 602) preventing excess oil in the mixture as fuel runs out. The modified mixer includes an auxiliary chamber (602) having a fuel inlet (604) receiving fuel from the working chamber (22) of the mixer below a given level, a vapor inlet (606) receiving fuel vapor or air from the working chamber above the given level, and a vapor outlet (608) exhausting the vapor. When the fuel tank (5) runs dry, air is drawn through a transfer passage (38) in the mixer to one side of the moveable diaphragm (24), and fuel pump (11) suction is applied to both sides of the diaphragm to halt movement thereof and stop further pumping of oil from the oil tank (7) to the engine. The invention also enchances accuracy of the oil-fuel mixture ration during normal operation.

Abstract: An outboard marine motor housed by a cowl assembly having an upper cowl section and a lower cowl section includes various features for improving the structural integrity of the cowl assembly and for providing water-resistant seal at the joint between the cowl sections and at various points of entry of cables and other mechanical devices. A cut-out portion in the side of the lower cowl assembly is adapted to receive various cables and shift levers for different configurations of outboard marine motors, e.g. a manual tiller-operated motor having a separate shift lever, and a remote-control motor having throttle and shift cables leading into the engine cavity. A sealing mechanism is provided at the cut-out portion of the lower cowl assembly, to provide a water-resistant seal at the points of entry of the cables or shift lever through the lower cowl section.

Abstract: An over-center type latching device used to hold a deck mounted electric outboard in its retracted position on the deck of a boat. The latching device includes an arm member pivotally mounted at one end to a mounting bracket for the electric outboard, and a head member pivotally mounted to the other end of the arm member. The head member receives and fits around the support tube of the electric outboard, and is rotated over-center so that the spring pressure of the tube holds the latching device in a latched position. The head member may also include a lever for ease of operation and a safety lock that prevents it from being rotated until the safety lock is manually deactivated.

Abstract: An outboard motor (10) is supported on a boat by a swivel bracket (12) mounted for tilting movement on a transom bracket (11). A shallow water tilt mechanism is provided by a shallow drive bracket (29) controlled by a lever (30) mounted on the swivel bracket (12). The lever (30) is linked to the shallow drive bracket (29) by a double acting torsion spring (38) which allows the operator to set the lever (30) for the desired position of the shallow drive bracket (29). Subsequent tilting movement of the swivel bracket (12) allows the shallow drive bracket to assume the preselected position.

Abstract: An improved lock retains the pin connecting a crank in the gear shifting mechanism of an outboard motor to the shift shaft. The crank is mounted on a movable shaft having a groove adjacent the crank. A locking member, fastened to the pin, has a slot by which the locking member is removably retained in the groove for securing the connecting pin in the crank and shift shaft.

Abstract: A recoil starter lock and neutral throttle limit is suitable for use in a marine drive having a rotatable shaft operable between neutral and drive positions, a movable throttle control for opening and closing the throttle valve and a recoil starter lock. A cam is mounted on the shaft for movement by rotation of the shaft as the operator shifts gears. A recoil starter lock actuating member coacts with the cam and is pivotally movable by the movement of the cam as the latter moves between the neutral and drive positions. The actuator member is coupled to the recoil starter lock for releasing the lock when the gear shift is in neutral. The actuating member has a stop engaging a stop on the throttle lever when the shaft is in the neutral position that limits the amount by which the throttle control may be moved and the throttle valve of the motor may be opened.