Abstract: A hand washing device and method encouraging hand washing includes a display panel, a message “WASH UP with Soap and Water. Get rid of germs in only 15 seconds.” and may have one of a variety of timing means to time the wash cycle or the user may use an ordinary clock. Germ illustrations indicate consequences. The panel is on personal and public use soap dispensers and return springs are used as the timing device.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing and monitoring student academic achievement levels for purposes of identifying students at risk for not meeting minimum academic standards as measured using standardized tests, and for tracking or monitoring student academic performance levels. The system and method of the present invention comprises producing a pool of curriculum-independent General Outcome Measures (GOMs) of substantially equal difficulty for a particular grade level, and further comprises a system and method of assessing and monitoring students in that grade level using the pool of GOMs for the purpose of identifying those students at risk for not meeting minimum standardized test target scores and for tracking or monitoring student academic performance levels.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a fixed housing attached to a circuit board, a movable housing provided with a connecting hollow in which a counterpart electrical connector is inserted, conductive contacts for coupling the movable housing with the fixed housing and having a portion connected with a circuit terminal on the circuit board, and an engaging mechanism operative to put the movable housing selectively in a first state in which the movable housing is temporarily fixed to the fixed housing and takes a first posture with which an inserting direction of the counterpart electrical connector to the connecting hollow is angled to the circuit board and in a second state in which the movable housing is able to move freely to the fixed housing in a predetermined range and takes a second posture with which the inserting direction of the counterpart electrical connector to the connecting hollow is in substantially parallel with the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.

Abstract: A connector structure includes a connector structured from a cover casing, an insulating body, signal terminals and staggered terminals. The insulating body is disposed within the cover casing, and connecting portions and soldering portions extend from the cover casing. Moreover, a containing space is defined within the insulating body. Ribs having a guide positioning function are disposed within the containing space, and clasp grooves that fixedly hold staggered terminals, second passages and first passages having signal terminals penetrate therethrough are located within the insulating body. Each of the staggered terminals includes a pressure terminal and an earth terminal, which are in an up/down and right/left juxtaposed configuration. Electric conduction portions of the signal terminals enable electrical connection with a circuit board, thereby enabling the connector to achieve the objective of electrical conduction, and increase electrical conduction efficiency and reduce manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An IC socket comprises a plurality of conductive connecting sections each having a holding section for holding one of a plurality of lead terminals of an IC; and a plurality of conductive coil springs, which are protruded from the IC socket and respectively fixed to the conductive connecting sections, the conductive springs being closer to a circuit board than the conductive connecting sections.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure, a circuit board, and an EMI shield. The EMI shield includes a cover plate, and a pair of side plates extending from two opposite sides of the cover plate. Two slide rails are formed in the side plates for receiving corresponding sides of the circuit board to slide therealong. The EMI shield is received in the enclosure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrate lead frame connectors for connecting optical sub-assemblies to printed circuit boards in optical transceiver modules. The lead frame connectors include a stamped and bent conductive lead structure that is encased in a plurality of insert injection molded plastic casings. The plastic casings provide electrical insulation for the conductors in the lead frame as well as mechanical support for the finished component. The lead frame connectors connect to the leads associated with the optical sub-assemblies and are surface mounted onto the printed circuit board to establish connectivity between the optical sub-assembly and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An anisotropically conductive connector, and applications thereof, by which good conductivity is retained over a long period of time even when it is used in electrical inspection of a plurality of integrated circuits formed on a wafer repeatedly over a great number of times, and thus high durability and long service life are achieved. The anisotropically conductive connector includes elastic anisotropically conductive films, in each of which a plurality of conductive parts for connection containing conductive particles and extending in a thickness-wise direction of the film are formed. The conductive particles contained in the conductive parts for connection in the anisotropically conductive connector are obtained by laminating surfaces of core particles exhibiting magnetism with a coating layer formed of a high-conductive metal, and the coating layer is a coating layer having a high hardness.

Abstract: A shielding device for connection strips in telecommunications and data engineering has a number of shielding plates and at least one base rail allocated to the shielding plates. To simplify the process of fitting the shielding device inside a connection strip, the shielding plates (2) and the base rail (3) are integrally formed from a metal sheet (28), and each shielding plate (2) is connected to the base rail (3) via a narrow web (4) and is arranged rotated through approximately 90° with respect to the base rail (3).

Abstract: A light socket structure includes a main body, a plug, a switch control element, and sockets. The plug is movably jointed with the main body. The switch control element is disposed on the main body for controlling the plug to be accommodated within or exposed out from the main body. The sockets are disposed in the main body, and each socket is electrically connected with the plug. In other words, when a user wants to use the light socket structure, he/she can control (by pressing or pulling) the switch control element to expose the plug's conductive terminals out from the main body. When the user does not want to use the light socket structure, he/she can manually push the plug's conductive terminals to return into the main body.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to mount a CPU (53) to a socket (52) includes a base (20), a fixing member (50), a pair of clipping members (30), a pair of operation members (40) and a pair of resilient members (80). The base defines a concave (26) adapted to accommodate the CPU therein. The fixing member is arranged on a top of the base. Each clipping member includes a rotatable portion (313) respectively pivotably mounted to two opposite sides of a lower portion of the fixing member. Each clipping member includes a fixing portion (31) and a clipping portion (32) located at opposite sides of the rotatable portion respectively. A hook (322) extends downwardly from the clipping portion for hooking the CPU. The operation members are mounted to the fixing portions of the fixing member. Each of the resilient members is located between the fixing member and a corresponding operation member.

Abstract: A lever fitting-type connector includes a female connector, male connector and lever. The lever includes: a pair of side plates and arranged in parallel to each other, end parts of the side plates and being separated from each other having a distance therebetween; a connecting part for connecting opposite end parts of the side plates and; and fulcrum projections formed at the respective end parts of the side plates and. The lever further includes a flange part formed from an outer edge of the fulcrum projection in an outer peripheral direction. The flange part prevents the fulcrum projections from coming off from a fulcrum projection receiving part.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission device for transmitting electrical signals between a rotor and a stator, having an annular space formed by the rotor and the stator, wherein the space receives at least one flat strip cable which extends between the rotor and the stator and can be wound and unwound in the space, and wherein at least one elastically resilient annular band is provided to support the flat strip cable in the space. The invention is characterized in that the annular band can be driven by the rotor and/or the stator via engagement sections provided on the side of the annular band.

Abstract: A card connector adapted for receiving a card, comprises an insulating housing defining a card receiving space for the card, a plurality of contacts, an ejector for ejecting the card and at least two switch contacts for detecting whether the card is inserted. The ejector comprises a slider defining an original position and a final position, a spring, a holding equipment and a metal plate retained to the slider and moving together with the slider. One of the switch contacts not electrically connecting with the other switch contacts when the slider is at the original position, and all of the switch electrically connecting with each other by simultaneity contacting with the metal plate when the slider is at the final position.

Abstract: A bus to tap-off device interlock having a first position wherein the tap-off device can be installed or removed from the busway section and a second position in which an installed tap-off device can not be removed from the busway section and an uninstalled tap-off device can not be installed onto a busway section. The interlock is movable between the first and second positions by operation of an operating handle that controls the OFF or OPEN and ON or CLOSED state of an electrical disconnect device located inside the tap-off device.

Abstract: A duplex plug adapter module includes a dielectric housing having a forward end and a rearward wire receiving end. The housing is configured to be mechanically coupled to first and second signal cables. A contact is held within the housing. The contact has a forward mating end and a rearward wire terminating end. The housing includes a passageway that is configured to receive a sensor probe that is shared by the first and second signal cables. The contact is configured to interconnect the sensor probe and a sensor wire.

Abstract: A safety mechanism includes a pair of sliding blocks each movably received inside the light bulb socket and a releasing block operably connected to each of the pair of sliding blocks to activate movement of the sliding blocks for releasing an energy saving light bulb. Each of the sliding blocks is provided with a first spring received in a first receiving compartment, an inclined first abutting face and a positioning recess so that when the insertion head of the energy saving light bulb passes over the wedged head of the sliding block, the sliding block is moved to allow the insertion head of the energy saving light bulb to be moved from the insertion hole to the positioning hole.

Abstract: An electronic connector includes a cover, a connector body and an aligning plate. The cover defines an opening therein. The connector body protrudes through the opening, and defines a first interspace therebetween for the connector body to be partially and movably received in the opening. The aligning plate includes a supporting portion securing with and supporting the connector body, and at least two setting portions arranged at two opposite ends of the supporting portion. The aligning plate slidably mounts the connector body to the cover, the slidable directions are substantially parallel to an imaginary plane defined by the two setting portions.

Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of contacts each including a first piece having a contact portion, a pressure receiving portion, and a projection inwardly extending from the pressure receiving portion; a second piece having a connection portion and a fulcrum portion; and an elastic portion for connecting the first piece and the fulcrum portion. The contact portion, elastic portion, fulcrum portion and connection portion are arranged in the form of a crank. A housing is formed with protection walls for preventing its ceiling portion from being raised. The pivoting member is mounted on the housing so that the axis of rotation is moved with its pivotal movement to achieve their compact rotation. With the construction, the connector achieves a miniaturization or reduced overall height, and a stable electrical connection with simple operation and slight operating force without any failed connection even if being subjected to undue external force.

Abstract: A bridge connector arrangement includes a bridge member moveable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to a pair of adjacent electrical modules, thereby to connect and disconnect rows of female terminals on the modules, The bridge member carries a plurality of male bridging contacts that extend within the female terminals when the bridge member is in the engaged position, whereupon the male bridging contacts are biased by clamping springs into electrical engagement with stationary wall contacts mounted in the female terminals. Release members carried by the bridge member are operable both to release the clamping springs from the male contacts, and to displace the bridge member toward the disengaged position relative to the modules. The bridge member and the modules include a tongue and groove guide arrangement, thereby to fasten both modules together mechanically.

Abstract: A locking device for securing a plug in a jack has a housing with a tang and an adjustable clamp with a lip. The housing fits over the plug with the tang blocking a latch arm of the plug from being moved to release the plug from the jack. The clamp is movable to a locked position with the lip engaging the catch surface to prevent the housing from being removed from the mounting position.

Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (1) comprises an insulative housing (10), a plurality of contacts (20) received in the insulative housing, a plurality of cables (40) comprising a plurality of conductors (43, 44) electrically connecting with corresponding contacts, a pair of covers (50) assembled on the rear portion of the housing and enclosing front portions of the cables together, and a pair of locking members (60). The insulative housing defines a first retention cavity (111); The covers together defines a pair of U-shaped second retention cavities (55) therein, respectively, the first retention cavities aligned with the corresponding second retention cavities in a front-to-back direction; the locking members received in the second retention cavities of the covers and extending into the first retention cavities of the housing, each locking members comprising a spring section (63), the spring section is movable received in the second retention cavities.

Abstract: A holding cap (RC) is mounted on a terminal holding portion (51) of a female housing (5) from the front, and a tubular cover (52) is so formed outward of the terminal holding portion (51) to surround the holding cap (RC). First shake preventing portions (RC3) project radially out from the outer surface of the front end of the holding cap (RC) and second shake preventing portions (52a) project in at the rear end of the inner surface of the cover (52). When male and female connectors (1, 4) are connected with each other, the first and second shake preventing portions (RC3, 52a) both contact a receptacle (21) of a male housing (2) to reduce the shaking between both housings (2, 5) in transverse directions.

Abstract: A cable connector having a receptacle connector, the receptacle connector includes a receptacle body which is made of an insulating material and into which a cable is inserted; a plurality of contacts which are provided in the receptacle body; a spacing member which separates the cable inserted into the receptacle body from the contacts by an elastic force of the spacing member to thereby provide an electrically disconnected state; and a biasing member which biases the cable toward the contacts against an elastic force of the spacing member. A movement restricting portion which restricts the movement of the cable toward the contacts so that the cable is brought into conductive contact with the contacts by the biasing force of the biasing member only when the cable is inserted to the predetermined position in the receptacle body.

Abstract: A jumper including a connecting face, a light-emitting face, and a light pipe extending from the connecting face to the light-emitting face is provided. The light pipe is operable to transmit a light from a provided computer hardware from the connecting face to the light-emitting face responsive to the jumper forming a circuit with the provided computer hardware. A method for fabricating a jumper is also provided. The method includes forming a plurality of receptacles on a connecting face of the jumper and incorporating a light pipe into the jumper such that the light pipe extends from the connecting face of the jumper to a light-emitting face of the jumper. A method for providing jumper installation feedback is further provided. The method includes mounting a jumper on a provided computer hardware and transmitting a light through the jumper responsive to the jumper forming a circuit with the provided computer hardware.

Abstract: The configurable adapter uses a relatively few components which allow it to be configured to have different heights to fit different switchboard cases. It includes a bracket designed to hold a particular type of meter or power monitor, with different brackets available to be assembled as a component of the configurable adapter. A new class of electricity revenue meters called a narrow base socket meter is described, and shown. The narrow base socket meter is adapted from a conventional socket meter which has a sufficiently narrow body by trimming its sides, top, and/or bottom, as necessary, to fit within the switchboard adapter, using a bracket which places the meter within the switchboard adapter so that its face can be flush with (or barely stick out from) the face of the switchboard. The adapter can also be used with standard socket base meters, which will stick out of the front of the switchboard panel, as well as with power monitoring devices by using suitable brackets, as described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a housing including a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a left side, and a right side, and a printed circuit board carried by the housing and carrying electronics for operation of the wireless communication device. The printed circuit board defines a plane, and a socket is disposed in the housing and connected to the circuit board. The socket is configured to allow substantially perpendicular receipt of a removable memory device relative to the plane defined by the printed circuit board, in a manner such that the socket defines a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A micro coaxial cable connector assembly (100) including an insulated housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) received in the insulated housing (1), a number of coaxial wires (4) soldered to the contacts (2), a wire spacer (3) used for positioning the coaxial wires (4) and a metal shell (5) assembled to the insulated housing (1) to reduce EMI. The connecting portions and rear portions of the contacts are placed in the slots (107) of the insulated housing (1) forming a plurality of soldering areas. The coaxial wires (4) are soldered to the contacts (2) with conductors held by the cutouts of the rear portions of the contacts (2) and placed in the soldering areas.

Abstract: A compression connector assembly for securing a cable has a bushing insert and a gripping sleeve. The bushing insert includes a tubular bore, an exterior surface, a conductor receiving end, and a conductor engagement end. The gripping sleeve has an inner recess and an outer surface, and is adjacent to the conductor engagement end. The tubular bore and the inner recess are substantially coaxial, defining a cable securing passageway.

Abstract: A compression connector for the end of a segment of corrugated coaxial cable is provided wherein the compression connector includes a clamp that is both flexible and conductive so as to enable a highly precise and secure, yet low stress engagement of the connector to the segment of corrugated coaxial cable.

Abstract: A seal member for a coaxial cable connector has a generally tubular seal body with a first and second section, the first and second sections being movable about a hinge portion between first and second resting states. The seal member has an internal surface that in one resting state is directed at least in part radially outward. The seal member may also have a first outer surface that touches a second outer surface in one of the resting states.

Abstract: An electrical connector (100) adapted for electrically connecting with corresponding mating connectors (200) includes an insulative housing (1) defining a base portion (10), a couple of upper and lower tongue plates (11, 12) extending forwardly from the base portion (10), as well as a holding plate (13) between the tongue plates (11, 12). First and second sets of conductive terminals (31, 32) are accommodated in the tongue plates (11, 12) and a couple of upper and lower shielding members (21, 22) enclosing the tongue plates for surrounding the conductive terminals. The dimension of the holding plate (13) is greater than the dimension of the adjacent dielectric portions of the mating connectors (200) in a vertical direction. When two mating connectors are inserted to the housing for connecting with the electrical connector, they cannot intervene with each other so as to affect signal transmission.

Abstract: A receptacle electrical connector (30) for receiving an electrical connector (10) having a resilient arm (14), includes a receptacle housing (31) having at least one peripheral wall (34); and at least one first cut-off portion (38) provided in the peripheral wall (34) at a position corresponding to that of the resilient arm (14) to permit an insertion of the resilient arm of the electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle defines a receptacle formation of a mating formation pair to prevent a standard plug from establishing electrical connection while permitting an otherwise standard plug defining a corresponding plug formation to be sufficiently inserted to establish an electrical connection. The mating formation pair may include a projection on the receptacle adapted for receipt by a corresponding recess on a compatible plug. Alternatively, the mating formation pair is defined by an opening of the receptacle and a conductor of the plug, each having a cross-sectional height that is reduced from that of a standard receptacle and plug. The mating formation pair is particularly desirable for installation including a receptacle controlled by a dimmer to prevent electrical connection by a standard plug connected to a non-dimmable electrical load.

Abstract: An adapter enables an automated tester to make electrical contact with a plurality of terminal posts of a terminal strip of an aircraft's electrical power system simultaneously, and includes a housing, a plurality of spring-loaded contactors protruding through a floor of the housing, and a printed circuit board disposed within the housing. Conductive leads respectively couple inner ends of the contactors to conductive traces of the printed circuit board. A wiring harness having a connector at one end is coupled to the circuit board such that each of its wires is coupled to a respective contactor via a circuit trace. Fuses are mounted on the circuit board and electrically coupled between the contactors and the harness wires. The adapter detachably couples to the terminal strip such that an outer end of each of the contactors is held in biased contact with a corresponding one of the terminal posts.

Abstract: A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. The connector can include a magnet for magnetically coupling the connector to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad.

Abstract: A connecting terminal has a rectangular tube-like connecting portion 11 including a bottom plate 13, a first side plate not shown, a top plate 15 and a second side plate 16. At a rear end of the top plate 15, there is formed a locking portion 19 by folding a rear end of the top plate inwardly. A stabilizer portion 17 provided at one side of the second side plate 16 is bent downwardly into a semicircular shape to extend downwardly with respect to the bottom plate.

Abstract: An RJ-45 jack having a groove to accommodate the width of an RJ-11 plug to allow the plug to rise upward and away from the outer contacts of the RJ-45 contacts upon inadvertent insertion of an RJ-11 plug into the RJ-45 jack.

Abstract: A set screw electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a set screw drive plug. The connector includes at least one set screw portal sized to accommodate a set screw therein. The set screw drive plug is formed of electrically insulative material and is configured to engage and drive the set screw into the connector. The connector assembly may include an insulative housing formed about the connector for providing a water tight seal with a cable terminated to the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a transformer stud. The electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having a first and second generally rectangular portions connected in an offset arrangement. The first generally rectangular portion may have a transformer stud receiving passageway for receiving a transformer stud. The first and second generally rectangular portions may have respective first and second openings to define first and second keeper holders. Keepers are removably received in the keeper holders to secure electrical conductors therein.

Abstract: The cable connecting system comprises a contact body (28) having first means on the cable connecting end for producing a releasable electric or mechanical connection to the end of a cable (30) and is more particularly configured as a plug contact for enabling an electrical contact on a contact side. A reliable and reusable electrical and mechanical connection is achieved in said cable connecting system in that the clamping element is configured in the form of a clamping cone (21), the clamping contour (20) has a segment (20a) in which the limiting surface extends approximately parallel to the surface of the cone of the clamping cone (21) and in that the inner width (w) of the clamping sleeve (23) in the area of the clamping contour (20) is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the clamping cone (21).

Abstract: An electrical connector for high current applications has a mating plug and socket assembly. The socket assembly has two sockets arranged coaxially of one another and electrically interconnected. The central socket receives and contacts a pin on the plug assembly; the other socket contacts the external surface of a tubular sleeve surrounding and integrally electrically connected with the pin. The socket assembly also has a third socket electrically insulated from and arranged coaxially outwardly of the other two sockets. The third socket makes electrical contact with the outer surface of a tubular contact extending coaxially of the pin and electrically insulated from it. The sockets each have a hyperboloid configuration of multiple resilient wires to make contact with the pin, sleeve and outer contact.

Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle with retractable wheels and a sit-astride seat having dimensions that impart enhanced capability in both land as well as water modes of operation. The beam, track, dead rise angle and the location of the handlebars cooperate to enhance freeboard and ground clearance without sacrificing manoeuvrability. The length is at least 2400 mm; the beam is at least 1250 mm; the deadrise angle at least 10°; and the handlebars are located only slightly forward of the halfway distance from transom to bow.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle wheel suspension includes upper and lower linkages, a road suspension device and a retraction device for moving the wheel between a protracted position for road use, and a retracted position for marine use. Suspension device can be operatively disconnected from the wheel and/or the linkages to allow for retraction and protraction. Retraction device may also be disconnected for road use. The disconnection mechanisms may comprise a ball and track mechanism, interlocking splines, interlocking teeth, or a pneumatic clutch. Also provided is a combination of splines for a suspension lever arm, and a pneumatic clutch for retraction arm. Suspension device may be connected to upper linkage. Coil, torsion bar, or hydropneumatic springs may be used.

Abstract: An easy to use, inexpensive jack plate stop device for insertion into the guide slot of a jack plate to immobilize an outboard motor in raised position is disclosed. An outboard motor is fully raised using the jack plate by way of a hydraulic cylinder; the jack plate stop device is then inserted into the open portion of the guide slot so as to rest on the guide bolt at the bottom of the guide slot. The motor component of the jack plate is lowered slightly in order to fully engage the stop device in the guide slot, thus preventing the motor from dropping further if hydraulic pressure is released. The device may include a handle for ease of insertion and removal from the guide slot. The device may be made of any rigid material having a load-bearing capacity adequate to support the weight of an outboard motor.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for automatically controlling the trim of a boat drive thrust on a boat by controlling the trim motor which adjusts the trim angle of the boat drive thrust by pivoting the boat drive thrust relative to the boat. The system includes a control unit operatively coupled to the trim motor. The control unit causes the trim motor to adjust the trim of the boat drive thrust towards the horizontal when the control unit is activated. A trim sensor is provided on the boat drive thrust to measure the trim of the boat drive thrust. The trim sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit and is configured to send an activation signal to the control unit to activate the control unit when the sensor senses that the boat drive thrust is at a predetermined angle from the horizontal. The trim sensor consist of a pendulum movable between first and second electronic contacts, the sensor being configured to send the activation signal when the pendulum engages one of the electronic contacts.

Abstract: A support device for a marine propulsion system, such as an outboard motor, provides a swivel bracket that is rotatable about a tilt axis relative to a transom bracket with a hydraulic cylinder formed as an integral part of the swivel bracket. A vertical plane in which a central axis of the hydraulic cylinder is disposed is positioned between and parallel to vertical planes in which the tilt axis and steering axis are disposed, respectively. The steering axis is rotatable about the tilt axis and a horizontal plane in which the central axis is disposed remains above a horizontal plane in which the tilt axis is disposed.

Abstract: In an outboard motor steering control system having a plurality of outboard motors each mounted on a stern of a boat by a shaft to be movable by an outboard motor actuator relative to the boat and each having an internal combustion engine and a propeller powered by the engine to propel the boat, a tie-bar motor (actuator) is operated such that the outboard motors can be finely operated synchronously to make desired steering angles finely, i.e., to achieve the desired steering angles in response to a detected rotation angle of a steering wheel. Also outboard motor actuators are individually operated to regulate the relative angles between the outboard motors, thereby enhancing both straight course-holding performance and turning performance.