Abstract: A backpack blower includes a control handle carried by a flexible arm which permits the control handle to be positioned at any location in a three dimensional position range. User comfort and controllability are enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cylinder head comprising a one-piece casting including a cylinder block mounting surface adapted to mate with a mounting surface on a cylinder block and including vertically spaced first and second recesses adapted to respectively form portions of first and second combustion chambers and respectively including first and second exhaust ports, a bottom surface extending transversely to the cylinder block mounting surface and including an exhaust gas outlet, and an internal exhaust gas passage extending between the exhaust ports and the exhaust gas outlet.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block which defines a cylinder, a crankshaft bearing supported at least in part by the cylinder block, a crankshaft which is rotatably supported by the crankshaft bearing, a piston slidably housed in the cylinder, a connecting rod having one end connected to the piston and having an opposite end connected to the crankshaft, a cylinder head mounted on the cylinder block, a camshaft at least partially supported by the cylinder head for rotation relative thereto, an oil pump having an outlet, a first oil conduit communicating between the oil pump outlet and the crankshaft bearing, an oil filter communicating with the first oil conduit for filtering oil only in the first oil conduit, and a second oil conduit communicating between the oil pump outlet and the camshaft, oil in the second oil conduit being unfiltered between the pump outlet and the camshaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a four stroke internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head fabricated of metal and including an intake manifold mounting surface, and an intake passage including a port in the intake manifold mounting surface, an intake manifold fabricated of metal and including a cylinder head mounting surface, and an intake passage including a port in the cylinder head mounting surface, a fastener connecting the intake manifold to the cylinder head with the ports in registration and with the cylinder head mounting surface and the intake manifold mounting surface in metallic surface-to-surface contact, and a seal between the intake manifold mounting surface and the cylinder head mounting surface.

Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a propeller shaft, and an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the propeller shaft and including a V-shaped cylinder block having first and second cylinder banks including respective first and second cylinders having respective first and second exhaust ports, and the cylinder block defining an exhaust chamber communicating with the exhaust ports, a cowling surrounding the engine and including an upper portion and a lower portion, a muffler located between the cylinder banks and including an inner cover portion which has therein an exhaust inlet communicating with the exhaust chamber and which engages the cylinder block, an outer cover portion, and a main cover portion which is located between the inner and outer cover portions and which defines an exhaust outlet and an expansion chamber communicating between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet, and an exhaust conduit extending through the lower cowling portion and communicating between

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising an engine with a throttle operable to control fuel flow to the engine, a lower unit with a rotatably mounted propeller, a transmission for connecting the engine into driving engagement with the propeller, a throttle control lever connected to the engine throttle and adapted for operator movement of the throttle control lever between a minimum throttle position and a full open throttle position, a stop connected to the throttle control lever, a gear shift lever connected to the transmission and adapted for operator movement about a pivot axis between an engaged position and a neutral position, and including a first projection, a throttle blocking lever including first and second arms which rotate about the gear shift lever pivot axis, the first arm having an end positioned adjacent the throttle control lever stop, the second arm normally extending generally parallel to the gear shift lever, and including a second projection adjacent the first projection