Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushion has an elongated cushion locking member lockably insertable into the recess. The cushion locking member has a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower portion sized to snuggly fit within the recess. The cushion includes internal voids and walls. The beam includes sidewalls with bores forming bearing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a floating watercraft lift capable of raising and lowering a watercraft, and more particularly to a floating watercraft lift. In one embodiment, the watercraft lift includes a pair of longitudinally extending and approximately parallel floats with an apparatus for supporting and lifting the watercraft positioned between the floats. When the watercraft lift is positioned in a lowered position, the apparatus is submerged and each of the floats is in a first orientation and partially submerged. The apparatus may then be activated to move the watercraft lift to a raised position by moving the floats downwardly and inwardly towards the watercraft, so that the floats become further submerged in the water. The buoyancy of the submerging floats thus lifts the lift apparatus and the watercraft above the water surface.

Abstract: A portable support handle for assisting individuals in exiting and entering motor vehicles. The support handle is designed to removably engage a door striker pin of the vehicle when the door is in an open position. The handle preferably comprises a metal shaft including a pin engagement portion sized to lockably fit into an opening defined by the striker pin in a deployed position; and a grip portion which extends laterally from the striker pin in the deployed position to provide a secure, readily accessible temporary support.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a body with a plurality of contact cavities therein with an open end, and a plurality of insulation penetrating beam contacts received within the cavities. Each contact has a first end portion to engage a wire and a second portion with a protrusion. The connector also includes a plurality of spring arms and stops positioned adjacent to the contact cavities. Each arm has a resiliently movable free end portion positioned to releasably engage the protrusion when the contact is in the contact cavity at which the spring arm is positioned. The end portion of each arm and the stop for each contact cavity are spaced apart to receive the contact protrusion therebetween. The arm is resiliently movable to permit insertion and removal of the contact through the open end.

Abstract: A connector jack having a body with a receptacle to receive a plug, a circuit board, and contact tines extending within the receptacle. Each tine has an end attached to the circuit board and a free end, and is moved in response to contact by a corresponding one of the plug contacts in a first direction as the plug is inserted into the receptacle. The jack includes resilient spring members extending within the receptacle, each positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the tines to be engaged thereby when moved in the direction by the corresponding plug contact as the plug is inserted into the receptacle, and apply a supplemental force to increase contact force and tine resiliency. A tine contact portion has a pair of lateral members that receive a spring engagement portion therebetween and has a recess in which the spring engagement portion is positioned.

Abstract: A device for cleaving optical fibers is provided. The device includes a housing assembly having an opening therein for receiving an optical fiber to be cleaved, and housing bending and cutting members which are reciprocally moveable in a direction transversally and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of an optical fiber inserted into and through the opening into the housing. The housing assembly optionally has a removeably connected receptacle for receiving the cut ends of a plurality of cleaved fibers.

Abstract: A connector jack usable with a plug having a plurality of plug contacts. The jack includes a body having a receptacle sized and configured to receive the plug therein, a circuit board, and a plurality of contact tines extending within the receptacle. Each tine has a first end fixedly attached to the circuit board and a second free end, and is positioned in the receptacle for contact by a corresponding one of the plug contacts and moved in response thereto in a first direction as the plug is inserted into the receptacle. The jack also includes a plurality of resilient spring members extending within the receptacle, each positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the tines to be engaged thereby when moved in the first direction by the corresponding plug contact as the plug is inserted into the receptacle, and apply a supplemental force thereon to increase contact force and tine resiliency.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a body with a plurality of contact cavities therein, and a plurality of insulation penetrating beam contacts received within the cavities. Each contact has a first end portion to engage a wire located at a first cavity end and a second end portion with a protrusion at a second cavity end. The connector also includes a plurality of resilient spring arms positioned adjacent to the contact cavities. Each arm has a hinge portion attached to the body and a resiliently movable free end portion with a receiving aperture receiving therein the contact protrusion when the contact is in the contact cavity at which the spring arm is positioned. The second cavity end is open and the spring arm is resiliently movable to permit insertion and removal of the contact through the open end.

Abstract: An adapter for an optical fiber cleaver for cleaving optical fiber. The optical fiber cleaver includes an opening therein for receiving a connector ferrule of a first category fiber connector containing an unsheathed optical fiber end portion extending therebeyond. The optical fiber cleaver is designed to cleave a portion of the unsheathed optical fiber end portion extending beyond the connector ferrule. The adapter has a tail piece which can hold an unsheathed optical fiber end portion to be cleaved to a selected length prior to insertion into a second category fiber connector. The tail piece has a diameter similar to the ferrule for insertion into the cleaver opening and a length selected to produce a cleaved unsheathed optical fiber end portion of a length needed for the second category fiber connector different than the length cut by the cleaver for the first category fiber connector.