Abstract: An improved marine engine exhaust device for discharging exhaust below the surface of the water in a submerged turbulent region generated by said device which is fixed to a the undersurface of the vessel hull, wherein the gas is maintained for a period of time, until the low pressure area following the vessel has passed. The device incorporates a water intake for providing cooling water to the marine engine's cooling system and/or accommodates a sensing transducer mounted therein.

Abstract: A spill resistant fuel cap and ventilation system to prevent fuel from spilling during the boat refueling process and when internal fuel system pressure increases, and for maintaining the internal pressure of the fuel system at a predetermined level, wherein the system comprises a fuel fill neck fluidly connected to a tank, the fuel fill neck having two venting apertures defined by it with one venting aperture in fluid communication with the tank and the other aperture in fluid communication with an air intake vent, such that the system provides two vapor and air venting paths for removing vapor and air during refueling and for relieving pressure, respectively, and such that an air intake venting path is formed for inducing air into the system through the fuel fill neck to prevent pulling vacuum in the tank during boat engine operation.

Abstract: An improved marine engine exhaust system for discharging engine exhaust above the water line when at idle or low speeds, and below the surface of the water at high speed in a submerged turbulent region generated by a hydrodynamic fitting fixed to a the undersurface of the vessel hull, wherein the gas is maintained for a period of time, until the low pressure area following the vessel has passed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved aft seating combination including a double bench seat, high/low single person seat and a partial sunpad. The present invention provides for three separate seating configurations. The first configuration provides for a partial, one person sunpad, a single seat on the port side and a double bench seat on the starboard side. The second configuration provides for a full, two person sunpad and a double bench seat on the starboard side. The third configuration provides for a partial, one person sunpad, a double bench seat on the starboard side and a dedicated ingress and egress area having a step.

Abstract: A boat canopy is rapidly attached and detached to a windshield with a continuous flexible member having a flat plate joined to the inside surface of the periphery of the canopy, with a lateral riser and first and second locking segments extending from the riser. The locking segments are pushed into a continuous, upwardly and outwardly facing slot arrangement of a corresponding gripping member fixed to the upper extremity of the boat windshield. The sides of the canopy are rapidly attached and detached to a side frame of the windshield through the use of detent pins extending through lateral holes in the side frame extrusion and the ends of the canopy struts.

Abstract: A flexible member is attached continuously to an inside surface of a boat canopy along its peripheral edge, and has a portion extending lateral to the plane of the canopy with a second portion attached to the first portion and extending lateral to that first portion. A gripping member is fixed to the upper extremity of a boat windshield and has a continuous, outwardly-facing slot extending generally parallel with the upper extremity of the windshield and dimensioned to receive the first portion of the flexible member into an internal recess also portion of the flexible member into an internal recess also dimensioned to receive the second portion. The canopy is attached to the windshield by continuously pushing the second portion of the flexible member through the slot and into the internal recess.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus and method allow inspection of the contents of containers moving rapidly past an inspection station. The system includes an X-ray source pulsed by control logic, an image amplifier for converting an X-ray image of the container contents to a visible image and a solid-state camera for converting the visible image into video signals which are processed by a computer-controlled image processor. Clear images are produced of the contents of rapidly moving containers by pulsing the X-ray source. Control logic and a reject mechanism eject containers having foreign contaminants. Image illuminance stability is enhanced by feedback signals from the vision computer which operate a motorized camera lens.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus and method allow inspection of the contents of containers moving rapidly past an inspection station. The system includes an X-ray source pulsed by power line voltage, an image amplifier for converting an X-ray image of the container contents to a visible image and a solid state camera for converting the visible image into video signals which are processed by a computer controlled image processor. Clear images are produced of the contents of rapidly moving containers by simultaneously pulsing the X-ray source, the image amplifier and the camera. Image quality is enhanced by synchronizing the exposure of the camera with a portion of the interval in which a visible X-ray image is produced. Control logic and a reject mechanism eject containers having foreign contaminants.

Abstract: An outboard motor boat having an aft configuration with a new and improved transom configuration that includes a stand alone, upwardly projecting, cantilever shaped central transom portion. The transom configuration also includes a transom mid portion connected to the base of the central transom portion and a lower transom portion connected to the transom mid portion. The central transom portion is positioned centrally between a port side through transom walkway and a starboard side through transom walkway. The port side through transom walkway and the starboard side through transom walkway project aft from the aft deck along either side of the central transom portion to a position at least adjacent a portion of the side of an outboard motor position at the stern of the outboard motor boat.

Abstract: A stringer cap assembly for mounting a power boat engine includes an inverted L-shaped stringer cap, the top of which is shaped and dimensioned to lie along the top load-bearing surface of a stringer formed integrally in a power boat hull. A vertical stud is carried by and extends upwardly from the stringer cap to attach a motor mount. The cap assembly is through-bolted to the stringer.

Abstract: An engine bed for locating an inboard engine in a powerboat hull and for transferring static and dynamic engine loads to load-bearing stringers formed integrally in the stern portion of the hull. The engine bed includes a transverse beam extending between the stringers under the forward motor mounts of the engine. Longitudinal flanges, formed integrally in the beam ends are rigidly secured to the stringers by through-bolts. The forward motor mounts of the engine are rigidly fixed to the beam at points spaced inwardly from the flanges.

Abstract: A marine propeller shaft/key assembly in which a keyway formed in the shaft is provided with a perpendicular rounded forward end wall. The key, which transmits rotational forces between the propeller and the propeller shaft, is provided with a rounded perpendicular forward end which matingly engages the forward end of the keyway. The rounded perpendicular end of the keyway forms a stop which precludes axial forward movement of the key in the keyway.

Abstract: A marine exhaust system for boats powered by an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An exhaust chamber is located in the stern of the boat and is connected to the engine exhaust manifold. A submerged exhaust port emits exhaust gases below the water level to silence exhaust noise. The exhaust port has a recessed opening so that relative movement of water past the port assists in drawing the exhaust gases from the chamber. Atmospheric vent holes communicate the chamber with atmosphere to exhaust gases when the boat is idling or operating at slow speeds.