Abstract: A watercraft has a deck connected to a hull, the deck having a wall, and a reboarding platform connected to at least one of the hull and the deck. The watercraft has a convertible seat assembly wherein a first panel is connected to the wall, and a second panel is movably connected to at least one of the wall, the reboarding platform and the first panel. The convertible seat assembly has a first configuration wherein the second panel is disposed on a reboarding platform side of the wall, and a second configuration wherein the first panel forms a generally vertical seat back and the second panel forms a generally horizontal seat bottom. A convertible seat assembly for a watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanofabrication installation comprising: a specimen holder, for holding a specimen; a mask, having a through-opening between the upper and lower faces of the mask, for letting charged particles through onto the specimen holder; a near-field detection device for detecting a relative position between the mask (8) and the specimen holder (3); and a displacement device for generating a relative movement between the mask (8) and the specimen holder (3) independently of the relative position between the source (1) and the mask (8), the mask including at least a first electrode in the through-opening (10).

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission has a reverse gear locking device that includes a rotating shaft having a longitudinal axis, the rotating shaft adapted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, and a lock connected to the rotating shaft and positioned in alignment with a stopper extending from the shift drum of the transmission. The initial position of the lock prevents the shift drum from engaging the reverse gear. A rotational movement of the rotating shaft tilts the lock out of alignment with the stopper and allows the shift drum to engage the reverse gear.

Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The piston body has two pin bores for receiving a piston pin. At least one rib is disposed on the second side and extends outwardly therefrom. The at least one rib is aligned laterally between the two pin bores in a direction along the piston pin axis. The at least one rib has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to both the reciprocation axis of the piston and the piston pin axis. A piston having a boss extending approximately within the piston pin radius of the piston pin axis, and a piston having a boss generally following the contour of the piston pin are also disclosed. An engine having the piston is also disclosed.

Abstract: A family of vehicle cover sections is disclosed, including at least one first cover section comprising a flexible material at least two second cover sections comprising a flexible material. One of the at least two second cover sections is non-permanently connectable to the at least one first cover section to form therewith a first vehicle cover configured to generally fit the contour of at least an upper portion of a first vehicle having a first configuration. Another of the at least two second cover sections is non-permanently connectable to the at least one first cover section to form therewith a second vehicle cover configured to generally fit the contour of at least the upper portion of a second vehicle having a second configuration, the second vehicle cover being removably attachable to the second vehicle. A method of forming a vehicle cover and a cover formed by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine jet propulsion system has a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, and a steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a first axis. The steering nozzle has a central longitudinal axis. The first axis intersects the central longitudinal axis. A first link has a first end rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a second axis. The first link has a second end disposed generally rearwardly from the first end of the first link. A second link has a first end rotationally mounted to the first link about a third axis and a second end rotationally mounted to the steering nozzle about a fourth axis. The third axis intersects the second end of the first link. A steering arm is connected to the first link. The axes are generally parallel to each other. A watercraft having the jet propulsion system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive system has a drive-system frame operatively connectable to a vehicle. The drive-system frame is capable of pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to steer the vehicle. The drive-system frame is incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to the ground when the vehicle is on flat level terrain and steered straight. A rail is pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame. A ground-engaging endless belt is in sliding engagement with the rail. The belt is operatively connectable to an engine to propel the vehicle. The drive system is operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle. A steering angle stopper is disposed on the vehicle such that a steering linkage of the vehicle does not bear a force created when the stopper is engaged. A vehicle is also described.

Abstract: A fitting for joining a corrugated conduit to a structure associated therewith is disclosed. The fitting comprises a hollow body having an inner chamber and at least two body resilient tabs extending from an end. The at least two body resilient tabs define at least two body gaps therebetween. Each of the at least two body resilient tabs defines an outwardly extending detent. The fitting also comprises a retaining ring including a flange and at least two ring resilient tabs extending from the flange and defining ring gaps therebetween. Each of the at least two ring resilient tabs defines an inwardly extending detent adapted to engage a corrugated conduit. Each of the at least two body resilient tabs is selectively inserted in a corresponding one of the at least two ring gaps, and the outwardly extending detents selectively engage an end of the flange of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A boat coverable by a flexible cover has a hull, a deck, and a tower movably connected to the deck. The tower has a central structure. The tower is movable between a first position and a second position. The deck is coverable by the flexible cover when the tower is in the second position such that the flexible cover is associated with at least a portion of the central structure. The portion of the central structure is movable to a third position vertically intermediate positions of the central structure in the first and second positions of the tower to tension the cover. A boat having a flexible cover connected to the central structure of the tower and a method of a method of installing a flexible cover on a boat are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile having a double A-arm front suspension is disclosed. The double A-arm front suspension includes an upper A-arm, a lower A-arm, and a spindle connecting the skis the upper A-arms and lower A-arms, the connection of the upper and lower A-arms to the spindle defines a caster angle, the upper A-arm and the lower A-arm are connected to the front portion of the frame such that the caster angle decreases when the front suspension is compressed. Also disclosed is a snowmobile having a suspension travel of at least 8 inches and a steering assembly having a single pitman arm.

Abstract: A device for retracting gingival tissue away from a tooth or plurality of teeth prepared to receive a dental prosthesis comprising a retraction/impression material associated with a custom impression coping to be packed into a sulcus associated with the prepared tooth, and coincidentally obtaining an impression of said tooth or teeth. The device is preferably compressible, deformably rigid, extensile and non-elastic and will not stick to the gingiva or tooth structure thereby allowing for atraumatic removal. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski has an upturned front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion. A longitudinally extending rib protrudes from a top of the middle portion and is laterally spaced from a longitudinal centerline of the ski. An aperture is disposed in the longitudinally extending rib for permitting attachment of the ski to a snowmobile. A ramp extends from a first point to at least a second point. The first point is disposed longitudinally between the front portion and the aperture, and closer to the top of the middle portion than the aperture. The second point is disposed longitudinally between the first point and the rear portion, and further away from the top of the middle portion than a lower end of the aperture. The longitudinally extending rib is disposed between the longitudinal centerline and the ramp. A snowmobile having a pair of the above-described skis is also described.

Abstract: A snowmobile is disclosed having improved drive train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a drive belt looped around a driving pulley and a driven pulley, and a transversely arranged jackshaft wherein the driven pulley is connected directly onto the outer surface of one end of the jackshaft. The transverse jackshaft is preferably made from a thin-walled hollow tube and the driven pulley is preferably press fitted thereon. A method of assembling a snowmobile drive train is also disclosed.

Abstract: A watercraft trailer has a releasable connector for releasably connecting a watercraft to the trailer. The releasable connector has a lever pivotally connected to a connector support and a hook connected to the lever. Pivoting of the lever towards a front of the trailer moves the releasable connector to a locked position and pivots the hook towards the front of the trailer. A locking mechanism prevents the releasable connector from moving to an unlocked position by applying forces to any one of the lever and the hook that would otherwise pivot the lever and the hook towards a rear of the trailer. Unlocking the locking mechanism moves the releasable connector to the unlocked position and pivots the hook towards the rear of the trailer. A method of securing a watercraft to a watercraft trailer and a method of releasing a watercraft from a watercraft trailer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) has a frame (12), at least two wheels (14, 16), a straddle seat (28), a handlebar (18) having first (20) and second (22) handles, an engine (30), a semi-automatic transmission (32), and a housing (24) disposed adjacent the first handle. A shift lever (108) is pivotally connected to the housing. At least a portion of the shift lever extends away from the handle side of the housing towards an end of the first handle and is disposed at least in part vertically below the first handle. The shift lever has rear (140) and front surfaces (142). The shift lever is movable to an up-shift position by pressing one of the front and rear surfaces, is movable to a down-shift position by pressing a remaining one of the front and rear surfaces, and is biased towards a rest position intermediate the up-shift and down-shift positions. The shift lever is operatively connected to the semi-automatic transmission.

Abstract: A point-to-point protocol (PPP) proxy module enables subscribers to seamlessly establish multiple, simultaneous PPP connections with one or more telecommunications networks through different service providers offering various services. The PPP connections are established over an access network maintained by an access provider. The subscriber performs a service selection process over a PPP connection that serves as dedicated control link between the subscriber's customer premises equipment (CPE) and the PPP proxy module. When a subscriber performs the service selection process, the PPP proxy module references stored information about the selected telecommunications network, and establishes a PPP connection that serves as a transmission link for media or other content between the CPE and a telecommunications network having the selected service.