Abstract: A mounting system rigidly attaches a towing frame to a vessel deck, and includes a base having an arcuate top surface and a bottom surface conforming the deck. A joint member rigidly attached to the towing frame has an arcuate surface mating with the arcuate top surface of the base. The joint member has a cavity and a threaded bore extending through a wall for accessing the cavity. The threaded bore of the joint member is aligned with a bore extending through the base. A threaded shaft extends through a hole in the deck, through the bore in the base, and is threaded into the threaded bore of the joint member. A fastener attached to the shaft is used to bias the joint member against the base, and base against the deck for rigidly securing the joint member and thus the towing frame to the deck.

Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel which is fitted with a skeletal towing frame having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a horizontal bridging portion, to which a tow rope attachment point is fitted.

Abstract: A boat hull includes a dispersion tunnel extending fore and aft forming a channel within a hull bottom surface for receiving a flow of water. A gate is inserted into and out of the channel for affecting pressure on the hull bottom with movement between open and closed positions, wherein the gate is out of the channel and fully extended into the channel. By altering the depth of the gate into the channel, hull performance and wake shape are modified as desired.

Abstract: A process for producing an artificial flower from a natural plant uses a finishing agent consisting of a solvent containing: (a) aC1-C3 lower alcohol and (b) at least one type of polyhydric alcohol and/or a glycol ether at a weight ratio of 1 to 99:99 to 1. A dye, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet ray protective agent, a fragrant material, etc. may be added to the finishing agent. It is preferred to effect simultaneous use of a polyhydric alcohol and a glycol ether as the component (b). Although an artificial flower of high quality can be easily produced only through the process of directly immersing a plant in the finishing agent followed by drying, products of enriched variety can be obtained through the process by impregnating a flower, etc. with a volatile organic solvent so as to effect dehydration and decolorization, by subsequently treating with a polyoxyethylene derivative solution and thereafter by applying the finishing agent having a dye appropriately added thereto.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, an interlocking, modular landscape edging system is provided. Landscape edging member may have male and female ends, and include inner and outer strips. Outer strip may include top and bottom hems to retain inner strip, such that inner strip extends from outer strip to form a flange at male end. Two or more landscape edging members may be joined by inserting flange of male end into top and bottom hems of female end. A finish may be applied to landscape edging to provide color and/or to hinder environmental damage over time. Alternatively, edging member may include outer strip with flange, but no inner strip. Alternatively, edging members may include female end at both ends, and may connect to other edging members via connecting shims. Dual-pointed, U-shaped, colored landscaping pins may straddle landscape edging members and be inserted into the ground for stabilization.

Abstract: The self-locking hinge (24) includes a first plate (28) hingedly connected to a second plate (30). Fasteners (24) are provided on the plates to secure them to a member, such as a easel strut hinge (24) of picture frame back (20). A locking structure is connected to the first plate (28) and the second plate (30) for maintaining the second plate (30) in the substantially open position relative to the first plate (28). The locking hinge (24) includes a protrusion (36) on the first plate (28) that removably engages with a free edge (34) of the second plate (30). The hinge (24) also includes a structure for maintaining the second plate (30) in rotating arrangement with the first plate (28) when the plates (28, 30) are hingedly secured to one another in a rolled pinless fashion. Locking lugs (40) are used to maintained the second plate (30) rolled about the first plate (28).

Abstract: A watercraft has at least two narrow hulls with a shallow draft and has one or more passive flotation devices that are entirely submerged. The hulls enclose the power trains for the watercraft and are accessible from the compartments of the watercraft. The passive flotation devices do not include a power train or any other equipment requiring access from the compartments of the watercraft. The narrow, shallow draft hulls have low friction drag and produce a small bow wave. Thus, the watercraft is able to be propelled rapidly, to be propelled for a greater distance, and to be propelled efficiently by the power provided by smaller motors and lighter energy sources.

Abstract: A picture frame turn button has a base plate with at least one fastener for attaching the base plate securely to a picture frame back. Pivotably mounted to the base plate is a latch plate with an arm and a tongue portion opposite of each other. The latch plate may be pivoted about base plate between an engaged state, where the picture frame back is locked closed, and a disengaged state, where the picture frame back may be removed to replace a picture sandwiched between the picture frame and picture frame back.

Abstract: The improved pinless hinge assembly (24) includes a first hinge plate (28) having a curled edge (28a) defining a center roll having a longitudinal axis (P) with an aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28). A second hinge plate (30) having a free edge (30a) curled about the center roll. A locking lug (40) extends from the free edge (30a) of the second hinge (30) and is routed first through the first aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28) and then through the second aperture (44) in the second hinge plate (30). The locking lug (40) is engaged in a seat (46) in the second hinge plate (30) to maintain the free edge (30a) of the second hinge plate (30) curled about the center roll when the first hinge plate (28) rotates relative to the second hinge plate (30) about the longitudinal axis (P). A pair of locking lugs (40) may be also be used.

Abstract: A water sports performance boat includes a hull having a sharpened angle keel for cutting into the water. Reverse chines are carried on port and starboard sides and extending from a forward portion of the hull to an aft portion for inducing a lifting of the bow at generally low boat speeds and for providing a stabilizing effect. Port and starboard spray pockets are located at the aft portion of the hull for reducing a side spray of water near the transom. Performance strakes are formed within the hull with each extending from an aft position rearwardly to the transom. An elliptical shaped dispersion tunnel formed along the keel within an aft most portion of the hull extends through the transom and provides a desirable wake shape.

Abstract: A water sports performance boat includes a hull having a sharpened angle keel for cutting into the water. Reverse chines are carried on port and starboard sides and extending from a forward portion of the hull to an aft portion for inducing a lifting of the bow at generally low boat speeds and for providing a stabilizing effect. Port and starboard spray pockets are located at the aft portion of the hull for reducing a side spray of water near the transom. Performance strakes are formed within the hull with each extending from an aft position rearwardly to the transom. An elliptical shaped dispersion tunnel formed along the keel within an aft most portion of the hull extends through the transom and provides a desirable wake shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a picture frame joint includes a support plate with a pair of fences mounted thereto. A pair of impact pins are slidably mounted through apertures in the support plate and are interconnected to one another via a cam linkage arrangement to enable the impact pins to be actuated simultaneously using one air cylinder. The pins are mounted on trucks that slide within respective brackets on the bottom surface of the support plate. Two mating picture frame members are loosely assembled with an impact sensitive connector therebetween. The pair of impact pins simultaneously impact the connector on its opposing ends to respectively secure the connector to the picture frame members thereby securing them together to form a completed picture frame corner joint.

Abstract: A spray-up operator may conveniently control the application of a gel-coat material to a mold or preform to achieve a uniform coating by using an application means comprising a manipulatable nozzle and air control assembly including a liquid nozzle for forming the catalyzed gel-coat material into a fan-like film with substantially flat faces and expanding stream-like edges extending from a liquid orifice, and an air nozzle assembly for directing independently controllable flows of compressed air at the substantially flat faces and at the expanding stream-like edges of the fan-like film.

Abstract: In an air-operated plural component dispensing hand gun, including a sliding mixing and dispensing element that forms, with a pair of component inlet blocks, the valves controlling the mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials, the substantial friction imposed by metal seal elements that provide valve seals may be overcome by two serially connected pistons that operate along a common axis within two separate axially arranged cylinder portions to effect valve control of and mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a wakeboard performer being towed by a vessel having a bow, stern, opposing gunnels and an operator station comprises fitting a skeletal towing frame to the vessel with first, second and third spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel and coupling the upper extremities thereof together with a horizontal bridging portion, to which is fitted a tow rope attachment point.

Abstract: A water sports performance boat includes a hull having a sharpened angle keel for cutting into the water. Reverse chines are carried on port and starboard sides and extending from a forward portion of the hull to an aft portion for inducing a lifting of the bow at generally low boat speeds and for providing a stabilizing effect. Port and starboard spray pockets are located at the aft portion of the hull for reducing a side spray of water near the transom. Performance strakes are formed within the hull with each extending from an aft position rearwardly to the transom. An elliptical shaped dispersion tunnel formed along the keel within an aft most portion of the hull extends through the transom and provides a desirable wake shape.

Abstract: A structural joint for connecting picture frames members together includes a base plate slidably residing in a channel of a first picture frame member and includes a ramped surface. A wedge plate slidably resides between the base plate and a top bearing surface of the frame and includes its own ramped surface where the ramped surface of the wedge plate is arranged in an opposite direction to the ramped surface of the base plate. The wedge plate is moved toward the base plate to cause the ramp of the base plate to bear on the ramp of the wedge plate to urge the base plate apart from the wedge plate creating a friction fit within the channel of the picture frame member thus securing the base plate relative to the frame. A second wedge plate is also provided for engagement with a second ramp on the base plate to further secure a second picture frame member to the first picture frame member, such as at a ninety degree angle relative thereto.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for adjustably connecting a picture frame strut to a picture frame back includes a mounting plate having length and a width. A first fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the mounting plate for affixing it to the picture frame back. A hinge member includes a first plate that is slidably connected to the mounting plate. A second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate. A second fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the second plate to affix a picture frame strut thereto.