Abstract: An exemplary line retrieval apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise: a motor comprising an output shaft; a hand crank; a spool; and a driveshaft. The apparatus may further comprise a selector operable to shift the apparatus between, at least: a manual mode, in which the driveshaft is engaged with the spool and the hand crank such that rotation of the hand crank causes rotation of the spool; and a motor mode, in which the driveshaft is engaged with the spool and the output shaft of the motor such that rotation of the output shaft causes rotation of the spool. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of covering an end of a post involves engaging respective portions of a plurality of guides of a first cover body with respective ones of a plurality of vertex regions adjacent respective ones of a plurality vertices at the end of the post, wherein the plurality of guides surround a central axis of the first cover body, and wherein engaging the respective portion of at least one of the plurality of guides comprises engaging the respective portion of at least one of the plurality of guides with the respective at least one of the plurality of vertex regions along a respective at least one range of positions extending obliquely to the central axis of the first cover body. Apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of covering an end of a post involves engaging respective portions of a plurality of guides of a first cover body with respective ones of a plurality of vertex regions adjacent respective ones of a plurality vertices at the end of the post, wherein the plurality of guides surround a central axis of the first cover body, and wherein engaging the respective portion of at least one of the plurality of guides comprises engaging the respective portion of at least one of the plurality of guides with the respective at least one of the plurality of vertex regions along a respective at least one range of positions extending obliquely to the central axis of the first cover body. Apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for distributing fluid are disclosed. Fluid is received in an opening of a body, and at least some of the fluid is distributed to a first conduit in communication with a first outlet of a first discharge element coupled to said body. At least some of the fluid received in the opening is selectively distributed to a second conduit in communication with a second outlet of a second discharge element couplable to at least one of the body and the first discharge element in response to coupling and decoupling of the second discharge element.

Abstract: An illustrative brake apparatus includes: a brake body; a first retaining means for retaining a brake shoe against the brake body while permitting the brake shoe to be actuated in a brake actuation direction; and a second retaining means for selectively retaining the brake shoe against lateral movement in a direction of movement of an object to be braked. An illustrative brake shoe retainer apparatus includes: first and second brake shoe connectors connectable to respective spaced apart regions of a brake shoe; a force transfer element connectable to the first and second brake shoe connectors; a guide connectable to a brake body and configured to guide the force transfer element relative to the brake body in a brake actuation direction and in a direction opposite the brake actuation direction; and a means for urging the force transfer element in the direction opposite the brake actuation direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for distributing fluid are disclosed. Fluid is received in an opening of a body, and at least some of the fluid is distributed to a first conduit in communication with a first outlet of a first discharge element coupled to said body. At least some of the fluid received in the opening is selectively distributed to a second conduit in communication with a second outlet of a second discharge element couplable to at least one of the body and the first discharge element in response to coupling and decoupling of the second discharge element.

Abstract: A brake actuator includes an actuator body, a piston held in the actuator body, and an actuator rod coupled to the piston and coupleable to a brake to actuate the brake. A method of operating the brake actuator includes maintaining a first fluid pressure of a first fluid against a first side of the piston to urge the piston in a brake-actuating direction, and controlling a second fluid pressure of a second fluid against a second side of the piston opposite the first side of the piston to move the piston controllably in a brake-releasing direction. A brake system including the brake actuator is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a cam actuated brake, an adjustable cam disposable intermediate a pair of following surfaces on first ends of a pair of arms. The arms being rotatable about parallel axes and having a pair of opposing brake surfaces at second ends. The cam comprises a body having a first and second opposite cam surfaces adapted to engage the following surfaces and a bore intermediate the cam surfaces and a piston receivable in the bore. The piston is releasably coupled to the bore. The cam further comprises an adjuster for varying the position of the piston in the bore. The piston may be engaged by an actuator so as to wedge the cam between the following surfaces of the arms so as to rotate the first and second arms about their respective axes thereby frictionally engaging an object between the braking surfaces.

Abstract: In a cam actuated brake, an adjustable cam disposable intermediate a pair of following surfaces on first ends of a pair of arms. The arms being rotatable about parallel axes and having a pair of opposing brake surfaces at second ends. The cam comprises a body having a first and second opposite cam surfaces adapted to engage the following surfaces and a bore intermediate the cam surfaces and a piston receivable in the bore. The piston is releasably coupled to the bore. The cam further comprises an adjuster for varying the position of the piston in the bore. The piston may be engaged by an actuator so as to wedge the cam between the following surfaces of the arms so as to rotate the first and second arms about their respective axes thereby frictionally engaging an object between the braking surfaces.

Abstract: In a braking device having a pair of opposed arms rotatable about parallel axes having first ends coupleable to opposing brake pads to brake a disk therebetween, a cam follower connected to the second ends and retainable against a cam is disclosed. The braking device further including an actuated cam having a pair of opposed flanges disposed intermediate the cam followers. The flanges include a cam surface and back surfaces. The cam follower comprises a cam following surface for slidably engaging the cam surface and retaining portions extending from the cam follower around the flanges to engage the back surfaces to retain the cam following surface against the cam surface.

Abstract: A tool for applying a force to a chain. The tool comprises a lever and an attachment member pivotally connected to the lever with two opposed arms pivotally mounted to the lever on opposite sides of the attachment member. Each arm has an end adapted to releasably engage and hold the chain. There is a linkage between the arms to guide movement of the arms upon reciprocal pivotal movement of the lever with respect to the attachment member. The arms are operable in a cycle in which one of the arms is maintained stationary to engage and hold the chain while the other arm is released from the chain and moved parallel to the chain past the stationary arm to engage and hold a new location on the chain whereupon each arm assumes the role of the other arm to repeat the cycle. The tool provides a simple and reliable manually operated device for applying a force to a chain. Mounting a weight to the attachment member allows the tool to be used to lift the weight along a suspended chain.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve apparatus is for controlling pressurized fluid flow to at least a pair of coupled hydraulic actuators in response to operator signals. The valve apparatus comprises a main body having main ports communicating selectively with a fluid supply and fluid return, body ports to communicate with the actuators, and a scavenge port to communicate with the return. Each actuator communicates with two control valves and one scavenge valve on the valve body to control fluid flow relative to the actuators. Control devices cooperate with the control and scavenge valves of each actuator so as to actuate the respective valves simultaneously. The control devices maintain the two related control valves in the same phase with respect to each other, but in an opposite phase to the respective scavenge valve.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an item comprises an input controller which outputs a signal to a resilient buffer apparatus comprising an input member, an output member and a resilient member. The input member moves in response to the input signal from the input controller, and the output member is at least partially responsive to movement of the input member and cooperates with the item to be controlled. The resilient member cooperates with the input and output members to provide a resilient buffer between initial movement of the input member and corresponding movement of the output member. A feedback apparatus cooperates with the input member and input controller and generates a feedback signal to the input controller to accurately locate the input member. The resilient member is pre-loaded and generates a resilient force against relative movement between the members in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

Abstract: A rudder operating apparatus is for swinging a rudder of a marine vessel through approximately one-half of a revolution about a rudder axis for braking and/or reversing the vessel. The apparatus comprises an initiating actuator, a main linear actuator and a controller responsive to position of the rudder. The initiating actuator cooperates with the rudder to initiate movement of the rudder through a switching angle when the rudder is in a straight position thereof for straight line travel. The main linear actuator cooperates with the rudder and is extensible and retractable. The controller cooperates with the actuators to actuate the initiating actuator and the main actuator in sequence.

Abstract: A marine helm pump assembly comprises a helm pump unit and a helm pump mounting cooperating with the helm pump unit. The helm pump unit is connectable with hydraulic conduits to a steering assembly and cooperates with a rotatable helm to be gripped by an operator. The helm pump mounting is securable to a portion of the marine vessel, which can sometimes be restricted to access by an operator. The helm pump unit is mounted for limited rotation with respect to the helm pump mounting about a tilt axis passing transversely through the unit and the mounting to permit the rotatable helm to be tilted or swivelled about the tilt axis through an arc centred on the tilt axis to change orientation of the helm. This tilting can accommodate orientation preferences of the operator, as well as facilitating access to, or exit from, a restricted area adjacent to the helm. Because the helm pump can rotate with respect to the helm pump mounting, problems associated with prior art articulated steering columns are eliminated.

Abstract: A fluid cylinder steering apparatus is for mounting on a marine outboard motor for swivelling the motor for steering, and provides a simplified connection between the steering cylinder and the tiller. The steering cylinder comprises a tubular body portion, a piston rod and piston reciprocable axially within the body portion, and a pair of end caps enclosing respective open end portions of the body portion. Each end cap has a cap boss with a cap fastener opening to receive a bracket fastener and a piston rod opening to receive the piston rod. Retainers cooperate with the end caps to retain the end caps on the body portion. A mounting bracket includes a bracket body portion and a pair of bracket bosses extending therefrom. The bracket body portion has an array of openings to facilitate securing the bracket to an outboard motor. Several openings of the array of openings which are aligned with a pattern of existing openings of the motor and accept fasteners therein.

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus is connected to a pressurized fluid supply and a conventional helm pump controlled by the helm of a vessel to shift the rudder. The apparatus comprises an actuator cylinder connectable to the rudder, and a servo cylinder and a main valve connected to the helm pump to pass fluid therebetween and between the actuator cylinder. The actuator cylinder and servo cylinder have respective bodies and piston rods, and portions of the servo cylinder and actuator cylinder are connected together for concurrent simultaneous movement along respective longitudinal axes. Valve shifting structure is responsive to a change in fluid signal from the helm pump applied to the servo apparatus. Fluid diverting structure is responsive to a threshold supply pressure so as to actuate the valve to stop flow of supply fluid when supply pressure drops below the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A fluid cylinder, particularly for steering a marine outboard motor, has a tubular body portion, and a piston rod and a piston movable relative to the body portion. First and second end plugs engage open end portions of the body portion and at least one end plug has an opening to receive the piston rod passing therethrough. First and second end caps enclose the first and second end plugs and open end portions of the body portion respectively, and retainers, e.g. bars, cooperate with the end caps to retain the end caps on the body portion. A seal is provided in a seal groove on an outer surface of the said one end plug, and a flat washer is located adjacent the outer face of the plug and has a clearance opening to receive the piston rod passing therethrough. An inner surface of the washer engages the seal and an outer surface of the end plug, and an outer surface of the washer is engaged by the first end cap.