Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a water craft including an outboard propulsion assembly having a removable configuration that can be mounted and demounted by hand without tools and a portable size so that it can be carried by an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling (1) for a ship propulsion system to be arranged between a first shaft section (3) and a second shaft section (5) of a propeller shaft, comprising a first radial surface (17) facing a second radial surface (19), said first and second radial surfaces (17, 19) are transversal to the axial extension of the first and second shaft section (3, 5), wherein said first and second radial surfaces (17, 19) are connectable into an axially engaged condition and disconnectable into an axially disengaged condition, wherein said first and second radial surfaces (17, 19) are rotationally secured relative to each other in said axially engaged condition by means of at least one shear-carrying element (27) seated in opposite recesses (23, 25) arranged in the first radial surface (17) and the second radial surface (19), respectively, taking up shear forces directed substantially parallel to said first and second radial surfaces (17, 19), each of said opposite recesses (23, 25) comprises

Abstract: The present invention aims to couple a propeller with a power output shaft to transmit the torsional force of the power output shaft to the propeller. The apparatus includes a first sleeve and a second sleeve that form a coupling surface between them to hold a torsional force transfer means. The torsional force transfer means is coupled with the first sleeve and the second sleeve to transmit only a selected amount of the torsional force. The first sleeve has a first outer surface and the second sleeve has a second inner surface that are engaged respectively with the propeller and the power output shaft in the rotating direction so that the power output shaft can transmit the torsional force to the propeller. In the event that the propeller is overloaded the torsional force transfer means between the first sleeve and the second sleeve slip to form a protection mechanism.

Abstract: A propeller attachment is disclosed including a body, the body including an anodic material, at least one projection projecting from the body, and a fastener coupled to the body. An anode is also disclosed including an annular body constructed from an anodic material, a fastener disposed centrally in the annular body, and at least one extension coupled to the annular body, the at least one extension is configured to allow for gripping of the anode. A fastener for coupling a propeller to a drive shaft of a lower unit is disclosed including a fastening portion configured to threadably engage the drive shaft and retain the propeller. The fastener further includes an anodic portion disposed around the fastening portion. The anodic portion is shaped to form at least one grip, and the anodic portion preferentially corrodes to prevent corrosion of the lower unit.

Abstract: Spear-bladed swim fins provide new means by which divers may propel themselves through the water. Spear-bladed swim fins generally provide a lower surface area to a higher perimeter edge length. By reducing the effective surface area of the swim fin, more propulsive force is delivered by the fin for each kick of the diver. Such dispersion of the diver's energy may be particularly advantageous where stationery swimming is required, as for underwater photography. Additionally, vortices generated during swim kicks may advantageously complement the operation of the swim fin. In the first embodiment, the spear blade is narrow. In a second embodiment, the spear blade is wider but has a larger channel through which water can flow to eliminate dead spots on the lee side of the fin.

Abstract: A swivel bracket comprised of two pieces for a tiltable marine drive unit which enables the drive unit to be easily attached to, or detached from, the hull of a marine vessel. The first piece of the swivel bracket is pivotally secured to a clamp bracket which, in turn, is attached to the hull of a marine vessel. The second piece of the swivel bracket is connected at one end to the first piece of the swivel bracket by bolts and is rotatably secured at the other end to the drive unit for steering movement. The first and second pieces of the swivel bracket can be easily separated from each other.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a pivot housing adapted to be mounted on a boat transom for pivotal movement relative to the boat transom about a generally vertical steering axis, and for pivotal movement relative to the boat transom about a generally horizontal tilt axis, a propulsion unit including a reversible transmission and being removably connected to the pivot housing for pivotal movement with the pivot housing, and a mechanism extending between the pivot housing and the propulsion unit for actuating the transmission from the pivot housing, the mechanism being disengaged incident to disconnection of the propulsion unit from the pivot housing, and being engaged incident to connection of the propulsion unit to the pivot housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive assembly for mounting on a marine vessel, movable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the drive assembly, which may include a propeller, is at least partially withdrawn from the water. In the second configuration, the drive assembly is linked to a power source carried by the vessel whereby the drive assembly may be operated to drive the vessel relative to the water. A steering linkage to a steering mechanism may also be provided whereby, with the drive assembly in the second configuration, the drive assembly is linked to the steering mechanism so that the propeller is oriented by operation of the steering mechanism to at least assist in steering the vessel through the water.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, and a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, a lower drive assembly drivingly connected to the propeller and having a generally vertical axis of rotation, an upper drive assembly adapted to be driven by an engine and having a generally vertical axis of rotation, and a floating drive shaft connecting the upper drive assembly to the lower drive assembly and permitting misalignment of the upper drive assembly axis of rotation relative to the lower drive assembly axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hull and a submerged propeller unit demountably fitted to the hull and continuously rotatable through 360.degree. of azimuth relative to the hull to give full thrust in any required direction. An aperture in the hull is surrounded by a fixing flange to which extend a drive input shaft for the propeller unit and at least one steering drive shaft. At least one steering drive motor is mounted in the vessel and is connected to the steering drive shaft to effect rotation thereof. A gearbox casing of the propeller unit fits in the aperture with a circumferential flange releasably bolted to the fixing flange. A stem depends from said casing and is rotatably supported therein at its upper end to act as a steering tube for a propeller rotatably supported at its lower end. A steering gear wheel in said casing through which the stem passes and to which it is secured effects rotation thereof.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement includes a fastener driver head and a mating tool drive socket. The fastener driver head comprises a substantially circular disc-shaped base portion, a plurality of frustoconical portions integrally formed with the base portion and concentrically located within one surface thereof. A plurality of ribs are integrally formed with the base portion and alternating with the frustoconical portions and extend axially outwardly of both the base portion and the frustoconical portions. Each of the ribs extends from a line parallel with and spaced above a given diameter of the base portion to an outer periphery of said base portion. A mating drive tool has a recessed driving head or socket substantially complementary with the fastener head for closely interfitting engagement therewith.