Patents by Inventor James A. Nettles

James A. Nettles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5899177
    Abstract: A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a mounting surface having therein a crankcase cavity and a pair of cylinders respectively extending from the cavity in acute angular relation to each other and each including a cylinder wall. The cylinder walls include outer ends having cylinder head mounting surfaces, mixture transfer ports, mixture supply ports, gas discharge ports and a main exhaust gas discharge passage. A passage communicates between the exhaust gas discharge ports and with the main exhaust gas discharge passage. Mixture supply passages extend between the mounting surface and the cylinder head mounting surfaces and include reed valves. Branch passages communicate between the transfer ports in the cylinder walls and the mixture supply passages at respective locations between the cylinder head mounting surfaces and the reed valves. Auxiliary supply passages extend from the mounting surface and communicate with the mixture supply ports in the cylinder walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Binversie, George L. Broughton, Paul W. Breckenfeld, William D. Dunham, Stephen J. Towner, James A. Nettles
  • Patent number: 5738051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a four-stroke internal combustion engine comprising a common crankcase, a crankshaft extending in the crankcase, first and second cylinders respectively extending from the common crankcase in acute angular relation to each other and respectively including first and second cylinder walls respectively including first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, a passage connecting the first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, first and second pistons respectively located in the first and second cylinders and respectively connected to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement toward and away from the crankshaft and between top dead center and bottom dead center positions, first and second cylinder heads respectively connected to the first and second cylinders, respectively partially defining first and second combustion chambers, and respectively including first and second mixture inlet passages respectively communicating with the first and second combustion chambers, first and second exhaust
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Binversie, George L. Broughton, Paul W. Breckenfeld, William D. Dunham, Stephen J. Towner, James A. Nettles
  • Patent number: 5234362
    Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising an upper housing which has a lower surface and which is adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat for pivotal movement relative thereto, a lower housing having an upper surface mating with the lower surface, a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the lower housing, and an arrangement for reducing fretting between the lower surface and the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Breckenfeld, George L. Broughton, David W. Mate, James A. Nettles, Duane E. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5062403
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block, a spark control member movably mounted on the engine block, means for controlling the spark timing of the engine in response to movement of the spark control member, a first actuating member movably mounted on the engine block, and means for adjustably connecting the first actuating member to the spark control member for common movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Breckenfeld, James A. Nettles, Duane E. Rogers, George Broughton
  • Patent number: 5007393
    Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a lower unit, a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the lower unit and adapted to support a propeller, and an internal combustion engine supported by the lower unit and drivingly connected to the propeller shaft, the internal combustion engine including an engine block defining at least one cylinder and having a lifting hook integrally formed on the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Broughton, Paul W. Breckenfeld, David W. Mate, James A. Nettles, Duane E. Rogers