Abstract: A detachable passenger seat is selectively mountable onto a base frame of a snowmobile having a straddle-type rider seat. The passenger seat includes a cushioned seat portion supported by a seat frame. A forward portion of the passenger seat includes a bottom surface contoured to fit over and be supported by at least a portion of a rearward end of the rider seat when the passenger seat is attached to the snowmobile. Upwardly extending flexible grab handles are mounted to the lateral sides of the seat frame. Upper portions of the flexible grab handles extend higher than at least a portion of an upper surface of a cushioned seat portion of the passenger seat. The flexible grab handles are designed to be rigid enough to provide support to a passenger and flexible enough to allow a passenger to easily dismount the snowmobile.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, or boat has a straddle-type seat that includes a flexible sheet of material pulled tightly over a gap formed in a seat frame. In certain embodiments, a tightening mechanism ensures that the flexible sheet of material is pulled tightly over the gap. The flexible sheet of material forms a hammock-like straddle-type seat. The flexible sheet of material is a mesh material that allows water, snow, dust, and other debris to fall through the mesh to avoid debris buildup on the seat. Because water falls through the mesh material and both the top and bottom sides of the mesh material are exposed to the ambient air, the seat dries quickly.

Abstract: A personal watercraft comprising a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, a propulsion unit operatively adapted to be driven by the engine, and a steering unit operatively adapted to position the propulsion unit. A deck is supported above the hull. The deck has a storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a peripheral wall extending downwardly toward the hull, defining a closed bottom. The peripheral wall defines the storage compartment interior. The uppermost portion of the peripheral wall defines an opening into the storage compartment interior. A storage tray is supported by the deck. The storage tray is disposed vertically above the storage compartment.

Abstract: A detachable passenger seat is selectively mountable onto a base frame of a snowmobile having a straddle-type rider seat. The passenger seat includes a cushioned seat portion supported by a seat frame. A forward portion of the passenger seat includes a bottom surface contoured to fit over and be supported by at least a portion of a rearward end of the rider seat when the passenger seat is attached to the snowmobile. Upwardly extending flexible grab handles are mounted to the lateral sides of the seat frame. Upper portions of the flexible grab handles extend higher than at least a portion of an upper surface of a cushioned seat portion of the passenger seat. The flexible grab handles are designed to be rigid enough to provide support to a passenger and flexible enough to allow a passenger to easily dismount the snowmobile.

Abstract: A personal watercraft comprising a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, a propulsion unit operatively adapted to be driven by the engine, and a steering unit operatively adapted to position the propulsion unit. A deck is supported above the hull. The deck has a storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a peripheral wall extending downwardly toward the hull, defining a closed bottom. The peripheral wall defines the storage compartment interior. The uppermost portion of the peripheral wall defines an opening into the storage compartment interior. A storage tray is supported by the deck. The storage tray is disposed vertically above the storage compartment.

Abstract: A process for preparing membranes for electrolysis. One such process comprises impregnating a porous sheet comprising a polyfluoroolefin, asbestos fibers and an inorganic pore-forming agent with a solution comprising (i) a compound selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and methacrylic and (ii) at least one other non-ionic monomer having at least one >C.dbd.CH.sub.2 group, withdrawing said sheet from contact with said solution, polymerizing the monomers which become impregnated in the sheet so that the pores of the sheet contain the resulting acrylic polymer, eliminating the inorganic pore-forming agent to form pores in the sheet, and swelling the acrylic polymer so that the pores of the sheet are closed by the polymer. The membranes produced by these processes are useful in cells for the electrolysis of sodium chloride to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A selective composite diaphragm is provided comprising a ion-exchange membrane having at least one microporous layer joined to it, whereby the microporous layer is of high, homogeneous porosity and is preferably at least as thick as the membrane. Said diaphragm is particularly useful for electrolysis of sodium chloride, enabling pure concentrated alkaline solution to be obtained with a high yield.

Abstract: A novel cloth comprising asbestos fibers, particularly in the form of a micro-porous membrane is provided and a method of obtaining this cloth. It is characterized in that said cloth is obtained by the dry mixing of asbestos fibers and at least one filler or charge substance, then working up by malaxation in the presence of a latex, forming the cloth and, optionally, elimination of the filler substance. The invention is particularly applicable in the production of a micro-porous membrane for use in electrolysis diaphragms.