Abstract: A light-blocking device similar to a so-called sun visor, which is adapted for use in vehicles having transparent members such as glass windshields or windows. The device includes a shield in the form of a relatively stiff and generally flat sheet having sufficient opacity to at least serve as a light-filtering medium. A preferred material for the shield is a sheet of polarized plastic having a thickness of 0.030 inch or less, and a minimum area of about 70 square centimeters. A first magnet is affixed to one side of the shield in such a way that the shield may lay generally flush against the inside surface of the transparent member. A second magnet is adapted to be placed on the outside of the vehicle's transparent member in a position so that it is juxtaposed with the interior magnet.

Abstract: A dual-configuration airfoil having a thin profile which is adapted to foster high-speed flight, and having a pivotable portion on the upper surface which is movable upwardly for selectively increasing the thickness of the airfoil. In one embodiment, the pivotable portion pivots about an axis which coincides generally with the leading edge of the airfoil. The thickness of the airfoil when the pivotable portion is fully raised is about twice the thickness of the airfoil when the pivotable portion is fully retracted. A rigid connecting section forms part of the airfoil's upper surface immediately behind the pivotable portion. The connecting section is also movable, such that a substantially continuous and rigid surface is presented to the air moving over the airfoil's upper surface during such times as the pivotable portion is being pivoted upward and downward--as well as when the pivotable portion is fixedly held.

Abstract: A relatively small watercraft typically used by one or two persons includes a pair of spaced and usually parallel pontoons, each of which consists of an elongated body of closed-cell foamed plastic such as polystyrene. A load-distribution truss is provided on top of each of the foamed cell bodies, for transferring vertical loads to said bodies. A personnel station extends generally between the two spaced pontoons and above said pontoons. The personnel station includes a chair and a floorboard, and is sufficiently narrow so as to restrict personnel on the station to a central portion of the watercraft. A structural frame of tubular members or the like may be selectively connected to the pontoons, or the frame may be permanently connected to them. In one embodiment wherein the structure frame and the pontoons are only temporarily connected, a plurality of eye bolts and specially positioned slots are utilized so that the eye bolts need never be removed from the watercraft.

Abstract: An external cover assembly for an automobile roof having movable panels (such as a so-called T-roof), including a flexible cover having a size which is adequate to completely overlay the movable panel and to extend slightly beyond the joints between the fixed and the movable portions of the roof. An anchoring means which may be a thin elongated member is connected to the flexible cover; it extends completely across the automobile's windshield and preferably is adapted to be wedged underneath the metal protective strip which constitutes a standard part of the windshield's mounting hardware. Ideally, such a thin elongated member is tapered in its transverse cross-section, and it has sufficient flexibility in a longitudinal direction as to be bent slightly in order to match the curvature of a modern windshield. Additional connecting means such as button snaps are provided for attaching the flexible cover to rigid portions of the roof along the sides and back of the cover.

Abstract: A relatively small watercraft includes a pair of spaced and usually parallel pontoons. A personnel station extends generally between and above the two spaced pontoons. A structural frame of tubular members or bars supports the personnel station; the tubular members may be selectively connected to the pontoons, or the frame may be permanently connected to them. In one embodiment wherein the structural frame and the pontoons are only temporarily connected, a plurality of eye bolts and specially positioned slots are utilized so that the eye bolts need never be removed from the watercraft. (In this embodiment, there are no connecting pieces to ever get lost, even when the three main sub-assemblies of the watercraft are disassembled.) The eye bolts are aligned longitudinally with the slots for disassembly, and turned transversely to the slots to hold the tubular members to the pontoons. Dimples or recesses in the tubular members can be provided to inhibit unwanted rotation of an eye bolt.