Abstract: A fuel tank for a personal watercraft of the type in which a main body portion of the fuel tank is disposed in a watercraft body. An oil supply port member of the fuel tank is provided at a deck constituting an upper portion of the watercraft body. The main body portion and the oil supply port member are connected to each other by a filler hose. The oil supply port member is closed with an oil supply cap. The oil supply port member includes a cylindrical passage provided with an oil supply port at one end thereof and with a hose connection portion at the other end thereof. A stopper for receiving the tip end of an oil supply nozzle is provided at an intermediate portion of the passage. The supply nozzle for re-supplying the fuel can be prevented from penetrating into the main body portion to a needlessly large extent. As a result, the main body portion of the fuel tank can be prevented from suffering scratches or the like.

Abstract: A piping joint includes a male member or joint fastened to a female member or socket by locking pawls of a retainer sleeve onto pawl engaging portions. By pressing a flange by the tip ends of the pawls, the male member (joint) can be disengaged from the female member (socket) by reducing the diameter of the retainer sleeve and disengaging the pawls from the pawl engaging portions. A ring member is formed of an elastic material and is inserted between the retainer sleeve and a cylinder portion in a locked condition. A reduction of the diameter of the retainer sleeve is prevented by the presence of the ring member. Therefore, the connecting or detaching of the piping joint can be carried out in a condition where a holding force of the piping joint is maintained.

Abstract: An air intake structure for a small watercraft is provided, in which the air intake efficiency is improved. A watercraft body 11 includes a hull and a deck for covering on top of the hull. An engine 20 is disposed in the watercraft body 11, and a propeller 30 is driven by a drive shaft 22, extending rearwardly from the engine 20. A turbocharger 24 is provided for pumping air to the engine 20. An air cleaner case 40 is provided for introducing fresh air to the turbocharger 24. The turbocharger 24 is located at the rear of the engine 20, the air cleaner case 40 is located at the front of the engine 20, and a plurality of air ducts 71-73are located at the front of the air cleaner case 40.

Abstract: In a personal watercraft 10, an access port structure is provided in which a main service opening 93 and a secondary service opening 98 for maintenance are provided in a deck 20 of the personal watercraft 10, the main service opening 93 and the secondary service opening 98 are provided at positions at which a maintenance operation can be performed with one hand of an operator M let in the main service opening 93 and with the other hand of the operator M let in the secondary service opening 98. For example, the operator can let the left hand thereof into the main opening and let the right hand into the secondary service opening to perform a maintenance operation using both hands. As a result, improvement of the operability of the maintenance operation can be achieved.

Abstract: A personal watercraft includes an inner lid attached in covering relation over a rear portion opening provided in a deck of the personal watercraft, in which a rear edge of the rear portion opening is pressed by a locking member disposed in a locking position thereof to assure the air-tightness of the inner lid, and a rear cover 48 is provided in covering relation over the inner lid. A projection is provided integrally on the locking member which allows attachment of the rear cover when the locking member is in the locked position, but blocks attachment of the rear cover by being sandwiched between the deck and the rear cover, when the locking member is at an unlocked position thereof. A torsion spring (biasing member) which biases the locking member toward the unlocked position is provided between the locking member and the deck. The attaching structure prevents the inner lid from being not attached inadvertently.

Abstract: A personal watercraft wherein air is introduced into a body through a gap formed between the body and a front hood and prohibiting permeation of sea water or other water in the body through the gap. A personal watercraft is basically configured such that a handlebar is disposed on the center line in the width direction of a body, a front hood for covering an upper front portion of the body is disposed in front of the handlebar, and left and right side covers are disposed at left and right lower edges of the front hood, respectively, wherein air is introduced into an in-body space through left and right gaps S between the side covers and the front hood. This personal watercraft includes left and right labyrinth structures for allowing an introduction of air into the in-body space and prohibiting permeation of water in the in-body space are provided in the gaps S between the front hood and the side covers, respectively.

Abstract: A personal watercraft deck structure includes a deck, a rear portion opening provided continuously to the rear of a seat underlying opening in the deck, and a bridge member is removably attached at a boundary between the seat underlying opening and the rear portion opening (or at the rear portion opening). A rear portion of a seat is supported by the bridge member, while the rear portion opening is operatively closed with a rear cover. When maintenance of an engine and other equipment disposed within the deck structure is to be performed, the bridge member may be removed. As a result, the seat underlying opening and the rear portion opening are connected to each other and fully exposed, and therefore, a large opening can be obtained for facilitating maintenance of the engine and other equipment.

Abstract: A two-piece rear grip apparatus 22 for a personal watercraft includes a body member 23 having either a U-shaped or an H-shaped cross-sectional shape. The body member includes a recessed portion 28, which opens upwardly. The apparatus also includes a grip face member 24 for placement covering the sculpted recess. The two component parts of the apparatus may be formed from a plastic resin. The grip face member 24 may be injection molded, and has slipresistant textured irregularities 36 formed thereon to provide purchase for the palm of a user's hand. The two component parts of the apparatus may be formed by compression molding or injection molding. Even if the surface of the grip face member includes fine detail work, injection molding can effectively transfer such detail from a metal mold into the finished part. Accordingly, the grip face member can be made to include fine detail work.

Abstract: To provide an article storage structure for a small boat in which the forward visibility of the small boat can be increased substantially and the center of gravity of the small boat can be lowered. The article storage structure for a small boat includes a steering handle for a hull disposed thereon. A display panel is disposed forwardly of the steering handle. An article storage box is provided forwardly of the display panel. A lid is provided for covering the upper surface opening of the article storage box. A hinge is provided at the front end of the lid. A latch is provided at the rear end for locking the lid. The article storage structure for a small boat includes a downwardly recessed mounting bracket provided forwardly of the display panel and rearwardly of the article storage box. An engaging member is provided on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: To provide an article storage structure for a small boat having a reduced number of components and being able to be assembled without much time and effort. The article storage structure for a small boat is constructed in such a manner that a storing box body is supported so as to be capable of being opened and closed in the vertical direction by swinging a lid by a front hinge. The front hinge includes a bearing bracket mounted on the lid. A round hole is formed on the bearing bracket. A notch is provided continuing into the round hole. A bifacial shaft has an outer diameter corresponding to the round hole and is formed with two faces each having a width corresponding to the width of the slit by notching. A leg portion is provided for fixing the bifacial shaft to the hull. A retaining member is provided for preventing the notch and the bifacial shaft from establishing an angular relation in which they can be attached and detached with each other when the notch is rotated about the bifacial shaft.

Abstract: A steering device for a personal watercraft includes a handle holder fitted to a watercraft body. A steering shaft passes through the handle holder, and a handle is fitted to the upper end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft is provided with a groove, and a holding member is provided in the handle holder and is fitted into the groove. Accordingly, movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction is restricted. A flange or the groove has a shape such that its width can be reduced. When the holding member is fitted by setting the width to a small size, and taking dimensional variations into account, the chattering between the flange or the groove and the holding member can be reduced. In view of this, the steering shaft is provided with the flange or the groove, and the holding member provided in the handle holder is fitted to the flange or the groove, so that movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction can be restrained.

Abstract: A piping joint includes a male member or joint fastened to a female member or socket by locking pawls of a retainer sleeve onto pawl engaging portions. By pressing a flange by the tip ends of the pawls, the male member (joint) can be disengaged from the female member (socket) by reducing the diameter of the retainer sleeve and disengaging the pawls from the pawl engaging portions. A ring member is formed of an elastic material and is inserted between the retainer sleeve and a cylinder portion in a locked condition. A reduction of the diameter of the retainer sleeve is prevented by the presence of the ring member. Therefore, the connecting or detaching of the piping joint can be carried out in a condition where a holding force of the piping joint is maintained.

Abstract: A personal watercraft wherein air is introduced into a body through a gap formed between the body and a front hood and prohibiting permeation of sea water or other water in the body through the gap. A personal watercraft is basically configured such that a handlebar is disposed on the center line in the width direction of a body, a front hood for covering an upper front portion of the body is disposed in front of the handlebar, and left and right side covers are disposed at left and right lower edges of the front hood, respectively, wherein air is introduced into an in-body space through left and right gaps S between the side covers and the front hood. This personal watercraft includes left and right labyrinth structures for allowing an introduction of air into the in-body space and prohibiting permeation of water in the in-body space are provided in the gaps S between the front hood and the side covers, respectively.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a personal watercraft of the type in which a main body portion of the fuel tank is disposed in a watercraft body. An oil supply port member of the fuel tank is provided at a deck constituting an upper portion of the watercraft body. The main body portion and the oil supply port member are connected to each other by a filler hose. The oil supply port member is closed with an oil supply cap. The oil supply port member includes a cylindrical passage provided with an oil supply port at one end thereof and with a hose connection portion at the other end thereof. A stopper for receiving the tip end of an oil supply nozzle is provided at an intermediate portion of the passage. The supply nozzle for re-supplying the fuel can be prevented from penetrating into the main body portion to a needlessly large extent. As a result, the main body portion of the fuel tank can be prevented from suffering scratches or the like.

Abstract: To provide an article storage structure for a small boat having a reduced number of components and being able to be assembled without much time and effort. The article storage structure for a small boat is constructed in such a manner that a storing box body is supported so as to be capable of being opened and closed in the vertical direction by swinging a lid by a front hinge. The front hinge includes a bearing bracket mounted on the lid. A round hole is formed on the bearing bracket. A notch is provided continuing into the round hole. A bifacial shaft has an outer diameter corresponding to the round hole and is formed with two faces each having a width corresponding to the width of the slit by notching. A leg portion is provided for fixing the bifacial shaft to the hull. A retaining member is provided for preventing the notch and the bifacial shaft from establishing an angular relation in which they can be attached and detached with each other when the notch is rotated about the bifacial shaft.

Abstract: To provide an article storage structure for a small boat in which the forward visibility of the small boat can be increased substantially and the center of gravity of the small boat can be lowered. The article storage structure for a small boat includes a steering handle for a hull disposed thereon. A display panel is disposed forwardly of the steering handle. An article storage box is provided forwardly of the display panel. A lid is provided for covering the upper surface opening of the article storage box. A hinge is provided at the front end of the lid. A latch is provided at the rear end for locking the lid. The article storage structure for a small boat includes a downwardly recessed mounting bracket provided forwardly of the display panel and rearwardly of the article storage box. An engaging member is provided on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention permits the positioning and support of a fuel tank in a stable state while preventing unnecessary stresses from being generated in the fuel tank. A tapered, single projecting portion for positioning is formed on either the bottom portion of an inner wall of a hull or the bottom of the fuel tank. A tapered, single depressed portion for positioning is fitted on the projecting portion, and is formed on the opposing bottom portion of the fuel tank or the inner wall of the hull, respectively. A space is formed between a peripheral wall of the fuel tank and the inner wall of the hull that permits contraction and expansion of the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention permits the positioning and support of a fuel tank in a stable state while preventing unnecessary stresses from being generated in the fuel tank. A tapered, single projecting portion for positioning is formed on either the bottom portion of an inner wall of a hull or the bottom of the fuel tank. A tapered, single depressed portion for positioning is fitted on the projecting portion, and is formed on the opposing bottom portion of the fuel tank or the inner wall of the hull, respectively. A space is formed between a peripheral wall of the fuel tank and the inner wall of the hull that permits contraction and expansion of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A snowmobile including side grips attached to the right and the left side surfaces of a body of a snowmobile at a position corresponding to a position at a distance towards the front of the snowmobile from the center of gravity of the body. The side grips project from the right and the left side surfaces to define a maximum width (Wmax) of the body. A rear grip is attached to the rear end of a floor member at a distance toward the rear of the snowmobile from the center of gravity. When the snowmobile is inclined, the side grips first come into contact with packed snow (the ground) and serve as a bumper so that a body cover of the snowmobile is not damaged. When carrying the snowmobile, the snowmobile is supported at the right and the left side grip and the rear grip on a snowmobile carrier. A front portion of the body includes an engine compartment in front of the floor which is covered with a body cover. A maintenance opening which is covered with a lid is formed in the back wall of the body cover.

Abstract: A snowmobile having a crawler belt operatively connected to a drive wheel, slide rails and guide wheels supported by the slide rails, the slide rails including a main slide rail arranged at approximately a midportion of the crawler belt, and a pair of right and left side slide rails arranged along outside side edges of the crawler belt, the guide wheels being arranged between the main slide rail and the side slide rails.