Abstract: A personal watercraft has: a hull; a deck, a straddle-type seat; a motor; a jet propulsion unit; a steering column support; a steering column pivotally connected to the steering column support; a handlebar connected to the steering column; a steering arm connected to the steering column; a push-pull cable connected between the steering arm and a nozzle arm of a steering nozzle of the jet propulsion unit; and a steering damper disposed between the handlebar and the steering column support. The steering damper has: a first portion connected to the steering column and being movable with the steering column; and a second portion connected to the steering column support, the steering column being pivotable relative to the second portion, the first portion being movable relative to the second portion, movement of the first portion relative to the second portion damping pivoting of the steering column about the steering column axis.

Abstract: A backrest pivoting system can have a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest can pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. A backrest pivoting system can include an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: Attenuation of an optical fiber is measured by transmitting an optical signal having a predetermined wavelength to the fiber, and FSK modulating the optical signal with information identifying the wavelength and transmitted power of the optical signal. At a receiver, the optical signal is detected and the information is recovered by demodulation. Wavelength-dependent sensitivity information for the detector is read from a store in dependence upon the wavelength information and used to control the gain of an amplifier for amplifying a subsequently transmitted continuous wave optical signal used for attenuation measurement. The received power level of this optical signal is converted into a digital value and used with the transmitted power information to determine the fiber attenuation at the predetermined wavelength. Reference power levels are determined by connecting a jumper between a port and an external detector.