Abstract: A shock absorbing seat is provided in a personal watercraft or boat. The seat has an elongated configuration and is mounted at the front end thereof to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft for limited pivoting motion relative to the hull or structural member. A shock absorber assembly which includes a fluid filled cylinder, a piston therein, and a coil spring externally mounted to the cylinder piston combination, or an elastic envelope filled with pressurized air, is mounted for limited motion relative to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft, and to the seat so as to support at least a substantial portion of the weight of the seat and occupant thereof, and to absorb forces generated between the hull and the seat while the watercraft is in motion.

Abstract: A shock absorbing seat is provided in a personal watercraft or boat. The seat has an elongated configuration and is mounted at the front end thereof to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft for limited pivoting motion relative to the hull or structural member. A shock absorber assembly which includes a fluid filled cylinder, a piston therein, and a coil spring externally mounted to the cylinder piston combination, is mounted for limited motion relative to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft, and to the seat so as to support at least a substantial portion of the weight of the seat and occupant thereof, and to absorb forces generated between the hull and the seat while the watercraft is in motion.

Abstract: A jet ski hull has a lower section formed with a pronounced and sharp leading keel portion defined by oppositely disposed curvilinear fluted side walls extending downwardly from the peripheral edge. The leading keel portion expands outwardly to define a central longitudinal flat bottom which divides each of the fluted side walls. A fluted longitudinal groove is formed along the outer edge of each of the fluted side walls, starting approximately at a point rearward of where the leading keel begins to flatten out.

Abstract: A system for trimming, steering and braking a watercraft includes a retractable plate or flap disposed on each lateral side of the hull of the watercraft. Each flap is extendible into the water, rearwardly in a continuously adjustable manner, and independently of the extension of the other flap. When the flap is fully extended then its angular position relative to the hull is also continuously adjustable independently of the angular positioning of the other flap. The flaps in their fully declined position act as powerful brakes for the watercraft. Differential extension of the flaps or differential adjustment of their relative angular positions on the two sides of the watercraft results in trimming and steering of the watercraft.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling units of furniture adapted for supporting the human body, and for car seats, steering wheels and arm rests, includes two main components. A closed loop air conditioning subsystem has a first motor which drives a compressor in which a refrigerant fluid is compressed. The compressed fluid is passed into a condenser where the compressed fluid is cooled by dissipating its heat into the environment, and from where the compressed fluid is released through an expansion valve into an evaporator. The evaporator becomes cool due to expansion of the refrigerant fluid into a gas and consequent absorption of heat from the evaporator's body and immediate environment. The refrigerant gas is returned from the evaporator into the compressor.

Abstract: A personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, is equipped with a hull, an engine and propulsion and a ride plate assembly attached to the bottom section of the hull. The ride plate assembly includes a fixed plate and a lower plate or flap hingedly mounted to the fixed plate to occupy continuously adjustable varying angular positions relative to the fixed plate. A manually operated control mechanism, controlled by an operator, adjusts the angular positioning of the flap within a predetermined range. It is an important characteristic of the continuously adjustable flap that within the range in which its angular positioning relative to the fixed plate and to the water can be changed, an initial and moderate change in angular positioning results in more hydrodynamic lift to act on the watercraft, and therefore in increased speed of the watercraft. However, beyond a certain value, further deflection of the flap results in significant braking action.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having a selectively extendable and vertically pivotable steering set up is disclosed. The watercraft hull includes a channel for slidably receiving and engaging a steering arm to which a steering handlebar is mounted proximate one end and opposing protuberances formed proximate the opposite end. When the steering arm is fully extended retention means associated with the channel engage the protuberances so as to provide a pivotal connection. In an alternative embodiment the steering arm is selectively vertically rotatable and telescopically extendable.

Abstract: A jet ski hull includes upper and lower sections joined along a peripheral edge which edge is arranged to extend above the nominal waterline. In accordance with the present intention the lower hull section comprises (1) a central section extending from the bow of the ski to the stern thereof, 2) a concave section disposed on each side of the central section, (3) a pair of side walls joined to the upper hull section of the peripheral edge and extending downwardly and inwardly from the peripheral edge and (4) a transition section joining the lower portion of each side wall to a respective concave section. Each concave section defines a channel extending substantially the length of the hull for channeling water therethrough to prevent the hull from skidding during turns.