Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a vessel has a liquid-plane greater than one meter2/(metric ton)2/3 and includes a hull having a total length and a plurality of hull portions each having a length that is less than the total length. Each hull portion buoys the vessel. Each hull portion also protrudes above the liquid-line and includes a wetted area that does not contact the wetted areas of other hull portions when the boat accelerates through Froude numbers between 0.4 and 0.6. In addition, each hull portion includes a cross-sectional area having a perimeter defined by the edge of the wetted area and having an area defined by a plane that intersects the hull portion at the perimeter. The vessel's liquid-plane is the sum of each hull portion's cross-sectional area divided by the cube root of the square of the weight of the boat is at least one.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a vessel has a liquid-plane greater than one meter2/(metric ton)2/3 and includes a hull having a total length and a plurality of hull portions each having a length that is less than the total length. Each hull portion buoys the vessel. Each hull portion also protrudes above the liquid-line and includes a wetted area that does not contact the wetted areas of other hull portions when the boat accelerates through Froude numbers between 0.4 and 0.6. In addition, each hull portion includes a cross-sectional area having a perimeter defined by the edge of the wetted area and having an area defined by a plane that intersects the hull portion at the perimeter. The vessel's liquid-plane is the sum of each hull portion's cross-sectional area divided by the cube root of the square of the weight of the boat is at least one.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a bowling ball, where the thumb hole and finger holes in the bowling ball are angled to accurately match the anatomical requirements of the bowler's hand. The system includes a measuring jig assembly for obtaining data on where to drill finger holes in a bowling ball. The measuring jig assembly has holes for the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger. The position of the thumb hole can be moved in a unique manner so that the thumb hole need not be located below the middle finger hole and the ring finger hole. Furthermore, the angle at which each of the holes enters the measuring jig assembly is adjustable across a range of motion that mimics that achievable by the tips of the thumb, middle finger and ring finger of a bowler. Accordingly, the holes can be adjusted to unique angles required by a particular bowler's hand anatomy. The data retrieved from the measuring jig assembly is then used to produce a bowling ball customized to a bowler's hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for latching an object, such as a payload for a space vehicle, includes an expandible latch which is shifted between a relaxed open condition and a flexed closed condition by actuation of a pair of temperature-responsive members, such as shaped memory alloy (SMA) coil springs. One of the two temperature-responsive members biases an actuator into a first position that allows the expandible latch to open. The other SMA member biases the actuator in the opposite position to close the expandible latch. Heating the appropriate SMA member causes the actuator to move from one position to the other position. In the preferred embodiment, no power is required to maintain the actuator in either position once the position has been established. For example, the actuator may have a rest position that allows the expandible latch to remain open when the two SMA members are cooled and allowed to reach an equilibrium condition with respect to applied force to the actuator.

Abstract: An article of furniture comprising a plurality of rigid tubes arranged vertically in side-by-side relation, and fastened together. A load-bearing member, such as a flat board, rests upon the upper ends of at least some of the tubes. The board may carry inserts which frictionally fit into the upper ends of the tubes to help hold the tubes together in a unitary assembly. The article may include relatively short tubes for supporting the board, and relatively long tubes defining a chair back and chair arms.