Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing a vehicle or water craft includes heating only a quantity of clean wash fluid required to completely wash the exterior of the watercraft to a first predetermined temperature. The heated clean wash fluid is discharged through one or more nozzles on a wash station platform at a predetermined temperature so that the temperature of the wash fluid as it strikes the hull of the water craft is at a second minimum temperature to kill organisms adhered to the vehicle. The clean wash fluid is applied in a number of successive wash cycles each covering a predetermined section of the exterior of the watercraft over a predetermined discharge time period for each section. Rotary spinning, oscillating, fixed and manually moveable nozzles are mounted on the wash station platform to automatically and manually provide wash fluid over the entire exterior surface of the water craft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing a vehicle or water craft includes heating only a quantity of clean wash fluid required to completely wash the exterior of the watercraft to a first predetermined temperature. The heated clean wash fluid is discharged through one or more nozzles on a wash station platform at a predetermined temperature so that the temperature of the wash fluid as it strikes the hull of the water craft is at a second minimum temperature to kill organisms adhered to the vehicle. The clean wash fluid is applied in a number of successive wash cycles each covering a predetermined section of the exterior of the watercraft over a predetermined discharge time period for each section. Rotary spinning, oscillating, fixed and manually moveable nozzles are mounted on the wash station platform to automatically and manually provide wash fluid over the entire exterior surface of the water craft.

Abstract: An X-Y linear slide mechanism includes a first block member having opposing exterior and interior surfaces, a second block member having a planar interior surface, a pair of cylindrical rods secured together along their axial lengths. The interior surfaces of the first and second block members each have elongate grooves formed therein. The elongate grooves have a length longer than the pair of cylindrical rods, a width to receive one of the cylindrical rods and a depth slightly greater than the diameter of one of the cylinder rods. Each of the pair of cylindrical rods are disposed in one of the elongate grooves providing X and Y linear motion of the second block member relative to the first block member.

Abstract: A wash station for a vehicle is provided which includes a wash housing having a base with a platform as an upper surface. The platform has a plurality of spray nozzles laterally mounted across the platform. A tower having at least one spray nozzle therein is positioned on each lateral side of the platform. The towers are pivotable for pivoting into recesses in the base during transport. A drive-up approaching ramp is connected to the platform for directing the vehicle to the wash housing. The base houses a fresh water reservoir communicating with the spray nozzles. A control unit which may be housed in one of the towers activates the water delivery to the spray nozzles. The platform is configured with angled plates to direct waste water to a flush port or drain and into a waste reservoir in the base. The waste water can be either dispersed or filtered for recirculation. The base includes a pair of side sections and a central section. The pair of side sections are hingedly connected to the central section.

Abstract: A marine dock deck surface includes a light transmissive portion allowing sunlight to pass through the deck surface into the water. The light transmissive portion is formed of a sunlight transparent or translucent material. The light transmissive portion may extend over substantially the entire deck surface. Alternately, the light transmissive portion may be part of an overall deck surface which includes opaque portions.

Abstract: A wash station for a vehicle is provided which includes a wash housing having a base with a platform as an upper surface. The platform has a plurality of spray nozzles laterally mounted across the platform. A tower having at least one spray nozzle therein is positioned on each lateral side of the platform. The towers are pivotable for pivoting into recesses in the base during transport. A drive-up approaching ramp is connected to the platform for directing the vehicle to the wash housing. The base houses a fresh water reservoir communicating with the spray nozzles. A control unit which may be housed in one of the towers activates the water delivery to the spray nozzles. The platform is configured with angled plates to direct waste water to a flush port or drain and into a waste reservoir in the base. The waste water can be either dispersed or filtered for recirculation. The base includes a pair of side sections and a central section. The pair of side sections are hingedly connected to the central section.

Abstract: A dimensionally adjustable vehicle component and/or a simulated entire vehicle includes body panels and vehicle components arranged in a simulated vehicle position and movably mounted on internal support structure for dimensional adjustment in fore/aft, up/down and lateral directions to form a variety of different spatial relationships between the vehicle components. A drive mechanism, typically including a motor and a rotatable drive shaft, is coupled to each dimensionally adjustable vehicle component support structure for adjusting the dimensional position of a selected component via control signals from a central controller. An encoder is coupled to each rotatable shaft output and generates actual travel position information for the controller to determine the actual position of the selected, dimensionally adjusted component.

Abstract: A collapsible includes a seat back pivotal relative to a seat bottom. Linkages pivot the seat bottom between lowered and elevated, seating positions. Shape changing members are mounted in at least one of the seat bottom and the seat back for changing the shape and/or the overall height of the seat bottom or seat back while the seat bottom or seat back is moved to the lowered position to exhibit the minimum stack height for the collapsed seat. The seat back and linkages are also coupled to provide pivotal movement of the seat bottom concurrently with pivotal movement of the seat back. Releasible latches are provided for latching the seat back in the elevated and/or lowered position.

Abstract: A simulated vehicle includes body panels arranged in a simulated vehicle position and movably mounted on an internal support structure attached to a platform. The body panels are moved by a control unit in any of up/down, fore/aft, cross car and tilt directions. Certain of the body panels are formed of first and second telescopingly overlapping panel sections which are extendable and retractable with respect to each other by the control unit. The panel sections are configured to present a solid exterior surface in any extended and retracted position.