Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for loading a personal watercraft in a bed of a truck. A skid is mounted on the bed of the truck with a mounting apparatus. Low friction bearings, preferably sheets of ultra high molecular weight plastic material, are provided between the skid and the bed of the truck and between the skid and the mounting brackets. The skid itself carries low friction bearings, again preferably in the form of components made of plastic material, so that the watercraft can easily slide up on to the skid. The skid is extended rearward in a telescoping fashion, and then the watercraft is brought toward the skid with the aid of a winch. The winch then pulls the watercraft onto the skid and pulls the skid and the watercraft into the bed of the truck.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for a pilotless gas burner in which the valve has a gas inlet port and a single gas outlet port. Interposed between the gas inlet port and the single gas outlet port is a sleeve that provides predetermined amounts of gas flow to the single gas output port depending upon a plurality of orifices in the sleeve being opened or closed. The valve automatically closes if the main burner flame is extinguished and must be restarted manually. Further, manual control of the valve is provided by a shaft which is rotatably and axially inserted into the valve to provide ignition fuel to the burner and to regulate the amount of fuel flow through the sleeve to the single output port and the burner.

Abstract: A housing for an outdoor gas fired construction heater that incorporates a one-piece shell design that sits on and mounts directly to the base. Openings are used in the sides near the top and the bottom of the shell to provide the burner system with a metered amount of inlet air. Integrally formed, inwardly and downwardly projecting panels protect the burner system from debris, drafts at floor level, and to shield the floor on which the burner sits from infrared energy. In order to increase the strength of the top and shell assembly, the top sits on and is directly mounted to the shell. The shell height and top openings are of a size to allow heat out but to prevent drafts from pulling the flame out of the top of the heater.