Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck is disposed on the hull. A tower is connected to the deck. The tower has a top. The top has at least one storage compartment defined therein. A canopy is connected to the top, the canopy has at least one frame member and a canvas connected to the at least one frame member. The canopy has an extended position and a retracted position. The canvas and the at least one frame member are disposed at least in part in the storage compartment of the top when the canopy is in the retracted position. A boat having a tower with a top and a canopy attached thereto is also disclosed where the tower is movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Each side of an adjustable handlebar assembly has a hand grip assembly receiving portion having one of an elongated hollow member and an elongated member, a hand grip assembly and at least one releasable fastener. The hand grip assembly has the other of the elongated hollow member and the elongated member, and a hand grip disposed on the other of the elongated hollow member and the elongated member. The at least one releasable fastener is disposed on one of the elongated hollow member and the elongated member. The elongated member is received coaxially in the elongated hollow member. The hand grip is axially movable and pivotable relative to the hand grip assembly receiving portion. The at least one releasable fastener is operative to selectively and releasably fix the elongated member relative to the elongated hollow member.

Abstract: A method of operating a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft includes an engine, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, the jet propulsion system includes a reverse gate, and a steering assembly for steering the watercraft. The method comprises: determining if the steering assembly is turned; sensing an operating parameter of the watercraft, the operating parameter being related to a thrust generated by the propulsion system; determining if the operating parameter of the watercraft is within a predetermined range; and moving the reverse gate to a lowered position when the steering assembly is turned and the operating parameter of the watercraft is within the predetermined range. A watercraft capable of performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a watercraft is disclosed which comprises actuating a reverse gate operator, sensing a speed of the watercraft, controlling a thrust generated by a jet propulsion system differently depending on whether the speed of the watercraft is above or below a predetermine watercraft speed when the reverse gate operator is actuated, and moving the reverse gate to a position in which the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the jet propulsion system in response to the actuation of the reverse gate operator. A watercraft implementing the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, each including a tire, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and a cargo box (28, 50) pivotally mounted to the frame rearwardly of the seat. The cargo box includes a cargo box body (52) having a front wall (54), a pair of side walls (56) extending from the front wall, a first floor (58) connected to a lower end of the front and the pair of side walls, and an at least partially opened rear side. A second floor (72) is supported inside the cargo box body above the first floor. At least one tailgate (68) selectively closes the at least partially opened rear side.

Abstract: A pump is disclosed, having a pumping chamber in the rotor. The rotor is rotatable between first, second, third and fourth positions. When the rotor is in the first position, an inlet cam assembly displaces a piston to draw fluid into the pumping chamber via a first housing inlet. When the rotor is in the second position, an outlet cam assembly displaces the piston to expel fluid out of the pumping chamber via a first housing outlet. When the rotor is in the third position, the inlet cam lobe assembly displaces the piston to draw fluid into the pumping chamber via a second housing inlet. When the rotor is in the fourth position, the outlet cam assembly displaces the piston to expel fluid out of the pumping chamber via a second housing outlet. A method of pumping fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle (10) has a power steering assembly. The vehicle can operate in an AWD mode and a 2WD mode. The degree of steering assist provided by the power steering assembly is determined from one of various steering maps (8A-8D; 114A-D). The steering map is selected based on whether the vehicle is operating in the AWD mode or the RWD mode and on a steering mode selected by a steering mode control switch (100) on the vehicle. A method of controlling a power steering assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. An engine is supported by the frame. At least two wheels are connected to the frame, and at least one of the at least two wheels is operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle. A steering assembly is supported by the frame and is operatively connected to at least one of the at least two wheels to steer the vehicle. Intermediate brackets are connected to the rear portion of the frame. A rack has rack brackets. At least one of the rack brackets is removably connected to the intermediate brackets for removably connecting the rack to the rear portion of the frame. The rack is adapted to attach at least one of a cargo box and a bag to the vehicle. A kit for mounting a cargo box to a vehicle is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a motorized cycle comprising a frame, a seat mounted upon the frame, a plurality of suspensions mounted to the frame, a plurality of wheels each coupled to a suspension wherein the operation of the motorized cycle is based on the physical position and movements of the rider. Also provided is a suspension system for a motorized cycle comprising a plurality of suspensions each coupled to the frame of the motorized cycle, and a plurality of wheels each coupled to a suspension such that each wheel is able to move relative to the other wheels and the frame. According to another aspect, there is provided a rider positioning system for a motorized cycle comprising handle bars and a seat wherein the movement of the handle bars affects the movement of the seat.

Abstract: A method of securing a watercraft to a watercraft trailer is disclosed. The method includes driving the watercraft in a watercraft receiving portion of the trailer, moving a lever towards a front of the trailer in response to a hull of the watercraft coming into contact with the lever, and retaining a pin connected to the hull of the watercraft in response to the lever moving towards the front of the trailer. A method of releasing a watercraft from a watercraft trailer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination device having an optical waveguide stage to which is optically coupled a light-projecting stage. The illumination device accepts light from a small isotropic light source such as a light emitting diode or a bulb coupled to the optical waveguide stage. The illumination device spreads the light over a wide area while also collimating it to form a beam. The light-projecting stage and the optical waveguide stage are made of thin slabs of optically transmissive material.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.

Abstract: A straddle seat has a top portion having a rear portion and a front portion. Two side portions extend downwardly from the top portion. The front portion extends upwardly and forwardly from the rear portion. The front portion is hourglass shaped and has a narrowing. The front portion has a pair of lateral wings extending laterally outwardly above at least part of the two side portions for covering at least in part knees and thighs of a driver. A personal watercraft having such a straddle seat is also described. The personal watercraft has a helm assembly and footrests having middle sections disposed rearwardly of the helm assembly. Front sections extend upwardly and forwardly from the middle sections forming a first angle. Rear sections extend upwardly and rearwardly from the middle sections forming a second angle. The first angle is greater than the second angle.

Abstract: A rotor for an electrical generator is disclosed, including a rotor body having a circular portion and a cylindrical portion coaxial with the circular portion. A generally cylindrical recess is defined by the cylindrical portion and the first side of the circular portion for receiving a stator. At least one first wall is at least partially spaced apart from the first side of the circular portion, defining at least one chamber therebetween. The chamber has an inlet. An aperture in the at least one first wall defines an outlet of the at least one chamber. At least one second wall extends outwardly from the first side of the circular portion. The at least one second wall has an end portion adjacent to the inlet of the at least one chamber. An internal combustion engine with an electrical generator and a method of cooling an electrical generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame that pivots relative to a pivotable frame member about a pivot axis. A torque exerted on a steering assembly in a first direction causes the frame to pivot relative to the pivotable frame member in a second, opposite direction at least when the speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold speed, to steer the vehicle in the second direction. An actuator urges the frame toward an upright position when the frame is in a leaning position and a speed of the vehicle is below a second threshold speed. A method is also described, in which a torque is exerted on the frame in the direction opposite the steering torque when the speed above the first threshold speed. The torque exerted by the actuator is opposite the leaning angle when the speed of travel is below the second threshold speed.

Abstract: Segmented waveguide structures provide mode matching in planar lightwave circuits between waveguides and other waveguiding structures, e.g. slab waveguides and optical fibers. The present invention eliminates back reflections from the core segments by etching the leading and trailing faces of the core segments with a plurality of parallel facet sections, which are rearwardly offset in the transmission direction by an odd number of quarter wavelengths.