Abstract: Vane members are movably mounted on the hulls of watercraft to serve steering and stabilization functions. Several embodiments are provided, some of which rotate between extended and shielded positions, others of which fold to vary the angle at which they extend from their associated hull, and still others of which both rotate and fold to facilitate storage alongside planar hull portions. Both shaft and surface bearing vane mounting systems are described. In preferred practice, the vanes are used on hydrofoil-carrying semi-displacement ships, and the provision of stowably mounted hydrofoils, planing surfaces, and wave form generators on such ships is also provided. Such vane members are also provided on vehicles operable in a fluid medium, such as torpedos operable completely submerged in water, and aerial vehicles such as missiles and aircraft of both the rotary wing and fixed wing types, to similarly serve steering and stabilization functions.

Abstract: A somewhat channel shaped elongated connector element interconnecting an upwardly extending backsplash element with a counter top along the rear edge thereof includes a lower flange abutting the lower surface of such counter top, a web section having a lower portion thereof abutting the rear edge of such counter top, and an upper flange positioned in a groove provided in the rear surface of such backsplash element. The connector element upper flange is not as thick as the groove in which it is positioned except at spaced intervals along the length thereof where protrusions are provided thereon; the thickness of such connector element upper flange added to the depth of such protrusions being greater than the width of such backsplash element groove. The "press-fit" of such protrusion carrying connector element upper flange within such groove strongly connects such backsplash element with such connector element.

Abstract: One or more hollow elongated structures are mounted on the underside of a boat to provide wave-forming lift surfaces. Each structure defines a chamber which substantially parallels the length of the boat. Each structure has a pointed, closed forward end, an open rearward end, and an outer surface which tapers, at least in part, to provide a smooth transition between the ends and to define a planing surface that increases in area as it approaches the rearward end. When the boat is at rest, water enters the chamber and helps to stabilize the boat. When the boat gets underway, the chamber empties and the planing action of the outer surface lifts the boat and reduces its wetted surface area. Emptying water from the chamber is facilitated by ducting air or exhaust gases into the chamber. Ducting exhaust gases into the chamber has the advantages of muffling exhaust noise and reducing engine back pressure when the boat is underway, thereby enhancing engine performance.

Abstract: Vane members are movably mounted on the hulls of watercraft to serve steering and stabilization functions. Several embodiments are disclosed, some of which rotate between extended and shielded positions, others of which fold to vary the angle at which they extend from their associated hull, and still others of which both rotate and fold to facilitate storage alongside planar hull portions. Both shaft and surface bearing vane mounting systems are described. In preferred practice, the vanes are used on hydrofoil-carrying semidisplacement ships, and the provision of stowably mounted hydrofoils, planing surfaces, and wave form generators on such ships is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable cover element for a disposable beverage container having a recess centrally formed in the exterior surface thereof adapted to carry readily removably secured therein a foldable drinking straw. Such drinking straw includes two transversely corrugated lengths, the centers of which are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to one-half of the total length of such drinking straw, and which are each bendable into a half-loop configuration. Such drinking straw further includes a straight length extending between the two corrugated lengths thereof, as well as shorter terminal straight lengths.

Abstract: A modifiable utility outlet box cover element formed of thin, metallic sheet material useable without modification in a substantially square form in closing a substantially square utility outlet box including slots through which screws may be passed into engagement with screw receiving means carried by such utility outlet box. The four corner portions of such utility outlet box cover element, two of which include such slots, are readily separable from the remainder thereof along slots cut deeply into one of the surfaces of such utility outlet box cover element; such remainder of such utility outlet box cover element being shaped and proportioned to close octagonally shaped or round utility outlet boxes and including knock-out portions which, when readily separated from the remainder of such utility outlet box cover element, provide openings through which screws may be passed into engagement with screw receiving means carried by such octagonal or round utility outlet boxes.

Abstract: Apparatus useable by a bather for facilitating the scrubbing of the back including a wall mounted, conventionally controlled, electric motor enclosed within a substantially water tight housing; a flexible shaft component having a rotatable flexible shaft element interconnected with the shaft of such motor to be rotatably driven thereby; and a brush arm component having an elongated hand grip section, an elongated body section interconnected therewith, and a head section interconnected with such body section thereof carrying a rotatable shaft element extending therefrom perpendicularly to the longitudinal centerline of such hand grip section thereof.