Nonadjustable throttle linkage and internal combustion engine employing same

A throttle linkage for an outboard marine engine comprising:

• (A) a lower throttle lever having an input end configured for connection to an input element for the throttle linkage and having an output end;
• (B) a vertical link having an input end pivotally connected to the upper end of the lower throttle lever and having an output end;
• (C) an upper throttle lever having an input end pivotally connected to the output end of the vertical link and having an output end configured for connection to an output element for the throttle linkage;
• (D) a first stop pin mounted on the upper throttle lever and being configured to engage a first stationary seat when the throttle linkage is in one of an idle position thereof and a full-open position thereof;
• and
• (E) a second stop pin mounted on the lower throttle lever and being configured to engage a second stationary seat when the throttle linkage is in a the other of the idle position thereof and the full-open position thereof, wherein each of the first and second stop pins is mounted on the associated throttle lever so as to be axially nonadjustable relative to the associated throttle lever.

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• (A) an engine;
• (B) at least one throttle body that is mounted on the engine;
• (C) a throttle that controls airflow to the throttle body;
• (D) an input element that is responsive to an operator-imposed throttle command;
• (E) an output element that is operatively coupled to the throttle;
• and
• (F) a throttle linkage that is mounted on the engine and that couples the input element to the output element, the throttle linkage comprising
• (1) a lever assembly having a) an input end connected to the input element and b) an output end connected to the output element, and
• (2) at least one stop pin mounted on the lever assembly and configured to abut a stationary seat on the engine when the lever assembly is in one of a full-open position thereof and an idle position thereof, wherein the stop pin is mounted on the lever assembly so as to be axially non-adjustable relative to the lever assembly.

A method of mounting a throttle linkage on an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• (A) mounting a stop pin on a lever assembly so as to prevent subsequent axial adjustment of the stop pin relative to the lever assembly;
• (B) mounting the lever assembly on the engine such that the stop pin faces and is disposed adjacent to a stationary seat;
• (C) connecting an input end of the lever assembly to an input element that is responsive to an operator-imposed throttle command;
• and
• (D) connecting an output end of the lever assembly to an output element that is operatively coupled to a throttle of the engine.

A throttle linkage for an internal combustion engine comprising:

• (A) a lever assembly having 1) an input end having means for connection to an input element that is responsive to an operator-imposed throttle command and 2) an output end having means for connection to an output element that controls at least a throttle of the engine;
• (B) at least one stop pin mounted on the lever assembly and configured to abut a stationary seat when the lever assembly is in one of a full-open position thereof and an idle position thereof;
• and
• (C) means for locking the stop pin to the lever assembly so as to be axially non-adjustable relative to the lever assembly.