Abstract: A hatch mechanism for releasably securing a hatch to a deck of a vessel may include a latching mechanism comprising a housing extending generally outwardly from a bottom surface of the hatch. The latching mechanism may also comprise a strong back disposed within a opening in the housing and extending generally parallel to the bottom surface of the hatch. Upon application of a pressurized fluid, an actuator may be configured to bias a wedge against the opening in the housing and the strong back such that the wedge urges the strong back towards the bottom surface of the hatch. A method of releasably securing the hatch to deck may comprise providing a source of a pressurized fluid and applying the pressurized fluid to a latching mechanism to releasably secure the hatch to the deck.

Abstract: A hatch mechanism for releasably securing a hatch to a deck of a vessel may include a latching mechanism comprising a housing extending generally outwardly from a bottom surface of the hatch. The latching mechanism may also comprise a strong back disposed within a opening in the housing and extending generally parallel to the bottom surface of the hatch. Upon application of a pressurized fluid, an actuator may be configured to bias a wedge against the opening in the housing and the strong back such that the wedge urges the strong back towards the bottom surface of the hatch. A method of releasably securing the hatch to deck may comprise providing a source of a pressurized fluid and applying the pressurized fluid to a latching mechanism to releasably secure the hatch to the deck.

Abstract: A vortex connector for threaded plastic bottles is provided in which the connector has a pair of opposed recesses, each connecting with an inner female helically threaded recess, the recesses connecting to one another through an axially elongated constriction venturi. One of the bottles is partially filled with water.The so-coupled bottles are pivoted so that the water containing bottle is on top, the upper bottle is given a circular swirl or two and the water flows in a clearly discernable whirlpool or vortex from the upper bottle to the lower while the displaced air flows from the lower bottle to the upper through the thus-formed vortex in an educational or entertaining display.