Abstract: A tiller handle is provided for use with one or more push-pull cables innerconnected to the shift and the throttle mechanisms of an outboard marine engine to control the shift and the throttle operations of the engine. The tiller handle includes a rotatable cam member with one or more cam tracks located on its outer surface. Each push-pull cable is maintained within a distinct cam track such that rotating the rotatable cam member actuates the push-pull cables thereby controlling the operation of the shift and the throttle mechanisms of the engine.

Abstract: A cutting board assembly for cutting and/or trimming paper sheets, the assembly including a cutting board, a rail assembly pivotally mounted on said cutting board for movement between operative and inoperative positions, a carriage assembly mounted on the rail assembly for movement across the cutting board, a circular cutting blade mounted in the carriage assembly which is biased to an inoperative position on the rail assembly, a self-healing pad mounted on the cutting board in the path of travel of the cutting blade whereby the carriage assembly is pushed downward on the rail assembly to move the cutting blade to an operative position with respect to the self-healing pad for trimming or cutting the paper sheets.

Abstract: A rotary cutter including a handle, a cylindrical head formed on one end of the handle and having a planar surface on each side, the handle and head having an internal cavity, a unitary actuating member mounted in the cavity in the handle and head, a circular blade supported by the actuating member for movement between a storage position and an operating position with respect to one of the planar surfaces, the actuating member including a spring for biasing the blade to the storage position, and a resilient latch for locking the actuating member in the operative position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling exhaust in an outboard marine propulsion system provides engine cooling water to the exhaust prior to its discharge into an exhaust cavity formed in the upper portion of a depending gearcase. Excessive heating of the walls surrounding the exhaust cavity is thereby provided. Various embodiments are disclosed for diverting a portion of cooling water from a point adjacent an engine cooling water inlet into the exhaust path prior to discharge into the exhaust cavity.

Abstract: A conventional tilt mechanism for an outboard motor which includes a series of trim position notches and an uppermost trailering position notch includes a tilt position locking mechanism which is manually operable to lock the motor in the trailering position to positively prevent downward movement therefrom, either intentionally or inadvertently as a result of a shock load or jarring of the motor. The tilt locking mechanism is incorporated completely into one of the clamping members of a conventional tilt mechanism such that it does not interfere whatever with conventional operation of the tilt mechanism when in the unlocked position or with movement of the motor to the trailering position when in the locked position. However, downward movement of the motor when the mechanism is in the locked position is absolutely precluded.

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: 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 engine (18) is provide with a multi section injection molded thermoplastic air box (24) directing air to the fuel system's air intake throat (22) and silencing engine noise emitted back through the throat. The air box has a cover section (28) and a base section (26) mounted to each other solely by a seal (30) along a peripheral seam around the entire perimeter thereof, to prevent fuel leaks. The housing sections are preassembled to each other prior to mounting to the air intake throat. A removeable plug (70) in the cover section allows access through the cover section to bolts (56, 58) mounting the base section to the throat. Access is also enabled to a fuel adjustment screw (74) to enable adjustment, with the air box fully assembled and mounted in place on the throat, to enable adjustment under actual operating conditions. Air guide passages (32, 34) and an air plenum chamber (36) are all molded in place.

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 preassembled throttle cable and pulley assembly includes a pair of pulleys contained within pulley housings. A pair of throttle cables are strung around the pulleys in a predetermined manner and the cable ends are contained within the pulley housings. The pulleys are keyed so as to insure their attachment to a tiller and throttle linkage in a proper configuration.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly for a throttle cam includes a mounting area on the throttle cam in which a hole is provided. A cam adjustment is provided which includes a base plate in a cylindrical shoulder extending from the base plate with the throttle cam being mounted on the shoulder. The shoulder is provided with an eccentrically located hole so that rotation of the cam adjustment results in both horizontal and vertical movement of the cam.

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 adjustment is provided for the friction between a throttle hand grip (12) and the steering arm (10) of an outboard motor. An internal cam surface (32) in knob (15) will press against a corresponding external cam surface (31) on the throttle control handle (19) to allow adjustment of the friction between the throttle control handle (19) and the steering arm tube (17) by rotating the knob (15).

Abstract: A control linkage has levers for actuating the throttle lever of a carburetor and a primer pump. A slide actuator has cam grooves engaging ends of the levers to actuate the levers in response to movement of the slide actuator. An adjustable linkage is provided on the end of the lever to allow adjustment of the linkage without the use of tools. The adjustable link has an adjustment arm formed integrally with the lever and ratchet teeth on the arm and lever engage to allow adjustment.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine drive having a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the transom of a watercraft and a tiller. The steering system includes a steering vane rotatably mounted on the propulsion unit for generating hydrodynamic forces to pivot or assist in pivoting the propulsion unit and to counteract propeller torque. A mount interposed between the propulsion unit and the tiller mounts the tiller for movement relative to the propulsion unit. A cable connects the tiller to the steering vane so that movement of the tiller with respect to the propulsion unit rotates the vane. The mount includes mutually engageable elements that can lock the tiller against movement relative to the propulsion unit so that the tiller may be used to directly steer the propulsion unit, if desired. For this purpose, the elements of the mount may be engaged by applying a downward pressure on the tiller.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a central core wire (11) of a flexible cable to a control element (13) has a cable guide (15) attached to the core wire (11). A pivot pin (22) extending through a bore in the cable guide (15) is attached to the control element (13) and has an annular groove (23) in one end. A locking body (24) has a cylindrical section (25) reciprocally mounted on the cable guide (15) and an arm (27) extending forward to engage the groove (23) in the pivot pin (22). A notch (29) at the end of the arm (27) snaps around the pivot pin (22) to hold it in place.