Abstract: Each of control boxes has an operation lever and an element moving together with the operation lever and a primary sensor for detecting the position of the moving element are arranged in each of the control boxes. A drive unit includes a motor, a movable rack driven by the motor and a secondary sensor for detecting the position of the moving rack. A control circuit serves to drive the motor to make any positional difference of the moving element and the movable rack zero. In a case where the position of the moving element does not coincide with that of the movable rack even after a predetermined time period goes by from when the rotation of the motor is started, current supply to the motor is temporarily stopped and then again started. When the control boxes are to be changed over from one to the other, this changeover is allowed only in a case where the control boxes which are to be changed over from one to the other and the drive unit are in neutral position.

Abstract: A hand held control for the operational functions of the outboard powerhead of a boat, having reversible motor drives for steering, shifting and throttling, and a circuit for controlling each function.

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: A number of embodiments of marine outboard drives having throttle and transmission controls which are operated either at the outboard drive or remotely from it. At least one of the sets of controls is selectively disconnectable so that the other of the controls can operate the throttle and transmission without movement of the disconnected controls.

Abstract: An underwater viewing platform is described which has a stern mounted electric drive motor whose direction and speed may by varied by forward mounted controls located adjacent the prone-lying operator's hands near a large forward mounted viewing window. A shade cowl arches up over the viewing window and has a U-shaped stern-facing, padded opening for receiving the operator's head. With the operator's head in place, the large viewing window is substantially shaded from overhead sunlight and has a large viewing angle and field of view. The window has a lens for providing the desired degree of magnification or demagnification. Bottom illumination is provided by an underwater light for night time use. Navigation and battery status and drain instruments are conveniently mounted within or on the shade cowl. Various design features reduce operator fatigue and extend useful range and endurance. End useful range and endurance.

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: A marine vessel propulsion system includes port and starboard drive systems, each including an engine, an engine throttle, and a transmission furnishing drive power to a propeller on a drive shaft. Each transmission includes forward and reverse clutches, and each clutch can be fully engaged, fully disengaged and modulated. Two alternately usable separate control stations operate the throttles and clutches to control vessel speed and direction. Each control station comprises port and starboard sets of manually operable control devices, and each set includes a mode selector switch for selecting cruise mode or troll mode for its respective throttle and a manually operable direction/speed control lever. In troll mode the lever selects and modulates the selected respective clutch to control propeller speed. In cruise mode the lever fully engages the selected respective clutch and also regulates the engine throttle to control propeller speed.

Abstract: A remote control device for an outboard motor including a remotely positioned controller device that operates control devices carried by the outboard motor through optical fiber transmitted signals. The optical fibers are detachably connected to the controllers so as to permit removal of the controller. In addition, the controller is detachably supported within the associated watercraft so that it may be conveniently removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plurality of driving units comprises a lever device pivotable to operate each driving unit, and a switch device having a plurality of switches each for changing the position of a driving portion of each driving unit. The switch device is disposed in the lever device such that the lever device and thed plurality of switches are simultaneously manually operated.

Abstract: A control system for a watercraft that presents the existence of more than a predetermined degree of acceleration when the watercraft is being steered through a substantial steering angle.

Abstract: A watercraft embodying an improved control arrangement wherein the speed of the watercraft is reduced in the event of operator inattention is sensed.

Abstract: A shift cable assembly for a marine drive includes a shift plate, a shift lever pivotally mounted on the plate, and a switch actuating arm pivotally mounted on the plate between a first neutral position and a second switch actuating position. A control cable and drive cable interconnect the shift lever and switching actuating arm with a remote control and clutch and gear assembly for the marine drive so that shifting of the remote control by a boat operator moves the cables to pivot the shift lever and switch actuating arm which in turn actuates a shift interrupter switch mounted on the plate to momentarily interrupt ignition of the drive unit to permit easier shifting into forward, neutral and reverse gears. A spring biases the arm into its neutral position and the arm includes an improved mounting for retaining the spring in its proper location on the arm.

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: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the transom of a boat for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, an engine including a throttle lever, and a shiftable transmission drivingly connecting the engine to the propeller and including a shift lever, a hydraulic shift assist system connected to the shift lever for actuation thereof, a hydraulic throttle assist system connected to the throttle lever for actuation thereof, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a pump communicating with the reservoir, a supply conduit communicating between the pump and the shift assist system, a supply conduit communicating between the shift assist system and the throttle assist system, and a return conduit communicating between the throttle assist system and the reservoir.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, an internal combustion engine mounted on the lower unit and drivingly connected to the propeller, the engine including an engine block, a crankshaft and flywheel assembly including a crankshaft rotatably supported by the engine block and having an end extending from the engine block, and a flywheel mounted on the end of the crankshaft for rotation therewith, and a voltage generator including a magnet mounted on one of the assembly and the engine block, and a coil mounted on the other of the assembly and the engine block, the coil being radially spaced from the magnet, and an annular power takeoff pulley mounted on the flywheel and surrounding the voltage generator in adjacent relation thereto axially of the crankshaft.

Abstract: Two embodiments of control device for outboard motors wherein the engine throttle control, transmission control and kill switch are all supported by the steering handle and are operative independently of each other. In one embodiment, the transmission control is pivotal about an axis offset to an axis of rotation of the throttle control. In the other embodiment, the transmission control is reciprocal along a line parallel to the axis of rotation of the throttle control.

Abstract: An outboard motor having an improved shifting and throttle control arrangement wherein the operating handle is moved in a forward direction to engage the forward gear of the transmission and in a rearward direction to engage the reverse gear of the transmission so as to avoid the likelihood of incorrect shifting.

Abstract: A safety stop switch assembly (10) for controlling a device such as an outboard motor includes a toggle switch having a switch arm (12). A clip (16) is held in place around the switch arm (12) by a spring arm (21). The clip (16) can be attached to the operator by a lanyard (17). When the operator is sufficiently removed from the device, the lanyard (17) will pull the clip (16) away from the switch arm (12) and turn the switch off. The switch arm (12) can be used to control the outboard motor with or without the use of the clip (16).

Abstract: A recoil starter lock and neutral throttle limit is suitable for use in a marine drive having a rotatable shaft operable between neutral and drive positions, a movable throttle control for opening and closing the throttle valve and a recoil starter lock. A cam is mounted on the shaft for movement by rotation of the shaft as the operator shifts gears. A recoil starter lock actuating member coacts with the cam and is pivotally movable by the movement of the cam as the latter moves between the neutral and drive positions. The actuator member is coupled to the recoil starter lock for releasing the lock when the gear shift is in neutral. The actuating member has a stop engaging a stop on the throttle lever when the shaft is in the neutral position that limits the amount by which the throttle control may be moved and the throttle valve of the motor may be opened.

Abstract: Drive engaging linkage (2) for a marine drive lower gear case (4) includes linkage (38) for converting translational movement of an operator controlled stalk (32) into axial movement of an inner axial control shaft (20) within a propeller shaft (6) to in turn slide a clutch (18) axially along the outside of the propeller shaft into engagement with drive gear means (8). The stalk (32) and linkage (38) are part of a pre-assembled subassembly (66) inserted downwardly into the gear case. The linkage includes a crank (40) pivoted at a point (42) on the subassembly above the propeller shaft and axially spaced from the drive gears, and including a lever arm (46) loosely engaging a portion (48) of the inner control shaft extending axially beyond the drive gears.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor comprising a steerable and tiltable propulsion unit including an engine, a speed control mechanism movable from an idle speed setting to range of advanced speed settings, a starting mechanism operable to start the engine, a transmission shiftable between a neutral position and a drive position, and a mechanism connected to the transmission for preventing starting of the engine when the transmission is absent from the neutral position, and for preventing shifting of the transmission to the neutral position when the speed control mechanism is at a setting advanced from the idle setting, and for releasably holding the transmission in the neutral position, and for biasing the transmission from the neutral position and toward the drive position upon release of the transmission from the neutral position.

Abstract: Shifting of a marine propulsion device transmission drivingly connecting a drive shaft to an internal combustion engine and including a rotatable member operable to shift the transmission between forward drive, reverse drive and neutral positions in response to rotation of a shift lever is assisted by an arrangement including a pin or element pivotally connected to a push-pull assembly operated by a main control and carried by the shift lever. The shift assistance arrangement includes a spring which retains the element in a normal position relative to the shift lever when shift resistance to movement of the transmission from an "in gear" to the neutral position is less than a predetermined level and permits displacement of the element relative to the shift lever from the normal position when the shift resistance is above that predetermined level. The shift assistance arrangement also includes a switch operable when actuated to selectively interrupt engine ignition.

Abstract: A sensor (43) responds to the operation of a marine transportation system to sense on-plane and off-plane conditions of a boat (21) to operate a trim control (44) to automatically position a trimmable drive (25) for a desired boating operation. The preferred embodiment senses engine speed while an alternative embodiment senses fluid pressure opposing boat movement. The drive (25) is moved to an auto-out position (34) at high speeds and to a trimmed-in position (33) at lower speeds.

Abstract: A remote controlled self-propelled toy vehicle is disclosed which is capable of moving on a solid support surface and also on water. Two motors and a power source are mounted to the hull of the toy vehicle. Each motor drives, through a suitable transmission assembly, a drive wheel and a screw propeller. The drive wheels are disposed to come into contact with the solid support surface for operation as a land going vehicle, and the screw propellers are disposed for submersion in water when the toy vehicle is operated as a boat.Steering of the vehicle is accomplished on the solid surface and also on water by varying the power output of the motors so that uneven power output of the two motors causes the vehicle to turn. A suitable, preferably radio signal emitting remote control system and associated circuitry is provided to allow a player to steer the vehicle from a remote location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device and apparatus and methods for assisting transmission shifting thereof. The marine propulsion device includes an internal combustion engine and a reversing transmission having a pair of bevel gears and a clutch dog movable between a neutral position out of engagement with the bevel gears and forward and reverse drive positions in full engagement with one of the bevel gears. The marine propulsion device also includes a shift assistance arrangement included in a shift mechanism for axially moving the clutch dog between the neutral and drive positions, and which includes a load sensing lost motion shift lever arrangement having a first switch which is actuated when the resistance to axially moving the clutch dog into a drive position exceeds an upper limit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the operation of a ship's propulsion installation with a Diesel motor, whereby a pressure-medium-activated friction clutch with adjustable pressure-medium feed is provided between the Diesel engine and the ship's drive.

Abstract: A carburetor of the membrane type for correct operation of an engine partially or completely submerged in a liquid such as water. The carburetor has a fuel accumulating chamber which is connected through conventional idling and high-speed jets to a Venturi upstream from which there is provided an air intake manifold. Externally of the compensating membrane that is provided a sealed chamber which communicates via a flexible tube with a compensating chamber which is maintained naturally or artificially at atmospheric pressure.