Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for assisting transmission shifting in a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine including an ignition system, the transmission being shiftable between a neutral condition and a drive condition, which apparatus comprises a shift lever mounted remotely from the engine and operably connected with the transmission for shifting the transmission between the drive position and the neutral position, a normally closed switch mounted on said shifting lever and connected with the ignition system for interrupting operation of the ignition system in response to movement of the shift lever from the drive position to the neutral position, and an actuator moveably mounted on the shifting lever for actuating the normally closed switch in response to movement of the shift lever from the drive position to the neutral position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder defining a combustion chamber, a primer fuel conduit communicating with the combustion chamber for supplying a primer fuel to the combustion chamber, and a valved supply conduit for introducing an engine maintenance fluid into the primer fuel conduit.

Abstract: A visual and audible warning device has a piezoelectric element operable to cause vibrations which are transmitted through a light transmitting member, and a light emitting element which upon actuation causes a visual warning to be transmitted through the light transmitting member. The visual and audible warnings transmitted by the light transmitting member are intended to attract the attention of the operator of a vehicle, such as a boat, above the sound of the engine or other noise. The device has circuit means coupled with the piezoelectric element and the light emitting element for causing a predetermined electrical signal to be applied to the piezoelectric element and causing energization of the light emitting element upon actuation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a transmission supported on the marine propulsion device and including a clutch member movable between a neutral position and a drive position, a shift lever supported on the marine propulsion device by a pivotal mounting and connected to the clutch member to effect movement of the clutch member in response to movement of the shift lever, and cam and follower structure adapted to be connected to a remotely actuated link and connected to the shift lever for displacing the shift lever to effect movement of the clutch member, and for permitting over-travel of the link without displacing the shift lever after shift lever movement effecting movement of the clutch member to the drive position, and for temporarily disabling engine ignition at the time of clutch member movement from the drive position.

Abstract: A control for adjusting the trim of a motor boat having a drive unit mounted on the boat for adjustment of the thrust angle relative to the boat. A trim motor adjusts the drive unit relative to the boat. A boat speed responsive pick up and control provides an output signal indicative of boat speed. A microprocessor controls the trim motor and is connected to receive the speed signals. The microprocessor reads boat speed at intervals and compares the latest speed reading with the prior reading to determine whether boat speed is increasing. The microprocessor commands the trim motor to move the drive unit in increments in one direction so long as each adjustment results in increasing speed and then to move the trim motor to adjust the drive unit in increments in the opposite direction so long as the adjustment results in increasing speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for pivotally mounting a structure on a boat hull for pivotal movement between a position wherein the structure extends downwardly into the water and a retracted position. The apparatus includes a first hinge member adapted to be fixed to the boat hull, and having a pair of spaced apart flanges including apertures.

Abstract: A key switch cap mounting arrangement for use on a keyboard is disclosed in which the key cap and a column on which it is supported are formed with a cylindrical post and mating socket aligned with axes angularly offset from an axis perpendicular to the upper surface of the key cap and the longitudinal axis of the column. The cap and column can be assembled either so that the surface of the key cap is perpendicular to the axis of the column to provide for a sloped keyboard, or so that the surface of the cap is tilted from its perpendicular position to provide for a stepped keyboard.

Abstract: A control for adjusting the trim of a motor boat having a drive unit mounted on the boat for adjustment of the thrust angle relative to the boat. A trim motor adjusts the drive unit relative to the boat. A boat speed responsive pick up and control provides an output signal indicative of boat speed. A microprocessor controls the trim motor and is connected to receive the speed signals. The microprocessor reads boat speed at intervals and compares the latest speed reading with the prior reading to determine whether boat speed is increasing. The microprocessor commands the trim motor to move the drive unit in increments in one direction so long as each adjustment results in increasing speed and then to move the trim motor to adjust the drive unit in increments in the opposite direction so long as the adjustment results in increasing speed.