Abstract: A rotary knife incorporates the use of an electronically controlled, tuned mass active damping system to control vibrations of the knife cylinder. The system preferably uses one or more electromagnetic actuators to provide force on a tuned mass which is mechanically coupled to the knife cylinder. Vibration sensors, preferably accelerometers, are used to monitor vibrations of the respective knife cylinders and tuned masses. A digital signal processor implementing a state space control system controls the electromagnetic actuators to remove vibration energy from the system. An active damping system in accordance with the invention is more effective in removing vibration energy than passive systems, especially in heavy-duty applications.

Abstract: A pipe punch apparatus which generally comprises a punch housing, a punch means situated within the punch housing, and a collar. The punch housing is connected to a bi-directional hydraulic fluid pump means. Depending on which direction the pump is set, the pump releases fluid into the punch housing which causes the punch means to either extend from the punch housing or retract into the punch housing. The collar is connected to the punch housing by a connecting means so that a notch within the collar receives the punch means when the punch means is in the extended position. The parts are also relatively situated so that positioning the punch housing within a pipe will cause the collar to be located exterior to the pipe. Thus, as the punch means moves from its initial retracted position to its extended position, it will also punch a hole through the pipe.

Abstract: A high speed rod trimming shear includes a pair of eccentrically bored sleeves mounted for rotation about parallel first axes. Carrier shafts are supported in the bores of the eccentric sleeves for rotation about second axes parallel to the first axes and located on opposite sides of the rod path. The carrier shafts have blade holders with attached cutting blades. A primary drive rotates the carrier shafts continuously, and an adjustment mechanism rotatably oscillates the eccentric sleeves to adjust the distance between the carrier shafts between a first setting at which the cutting blades rotate out of contact with the rod, and a second setting at which the cutting blades coact during rotation to sever the product.

Abstract: A conveyor moves food product, such as pies or cakes, within a cutting range of a knife positioning assembly. The knife positioning assembly supports an ultrasonic knife assembly which has a blade adapted for cutting the food product. The knife assembly is disposed above the conveyor and is moved to the food product in a cutting position therewith when the conveyor has moved the food product within the cutting range. The knife assembly is movable through at least two axes by the positioning assembly for positioning and cutting with the blade.

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is disposed on the table and has an axis. A support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table. The support housing is axially movable along the shaft and being laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. A locking mechanism is further provided for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism may include a handle disposed on the shaft, the handle being rotatable in two directions with respect to the table, such that, upon rotation of the handle in both directions from a neutral position, the handle urges the support housing into contact with the table. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the table. The locking mechanism may further include a first camming surface disposed on the table and a second camming surface disposed on the shaft and engaging the first camming surface.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A saw carriage or module for manually, semiautomatically or automatically cutting stems typically supplied by a stem handling apparatus, which stem handling apparatus delivers full-sized, substantially tree-length stems to one or more of the saw carriages for cutting into logs, poles or other segments. During automatic operation of the module(s) stems are typically scanned by an optical device and the physical characteristics of the scanned stem are sent to a computer, which selects the cutting pattern and transfers this information to a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller typically orchestrates positioning of one or more linearly-adjustable saw carriages or modules and on-board carriage saw blades to optimize cutting of the stems into the segments. After the modules and saws are so positioned, each stem is sequentially transferred by the handling apparatus to the saw modules, where it is positioned, clamped and cut into multiple segments at the preselected optimum points.

Abstract: A multi-use die system is provided having a die holder with reference marks disposed circumferentially and radially along the longitudinal axis of the holder, and a multi-use die plate for magnetic affixation to the die holder which impresses a pattern onto a material blank. The die plate has straight and angular reference marks disposed thereon which are adapted to align with the radial and longitudinal reference marks on the die holder so as to properly align the die on the die holder at a predetermined position. In a straight rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the straight reference mark on the die is aligned with the respective corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder. In the angular rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the angular mark is aligned with the corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder.

Abstract: A hand-operated punch with adjustable assembly punch units and a slipper to receive punched out discs in which the assembly units are adjustable from the bottom through an opening in the slipper. The punch includes a strengthening flap configuration and the assembly units slide but do not turn during adjustment.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from surf zones comprising an elongated enerally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, the housing encasing a fuse positioned inside of the first end and a compartment containing a gas generating compound positioned inside of the second end, the fuse detonationally attached to the compound and being capable of causing the compound to initiate burn, the compound having a burn time which is capable of producing sufficient amounts of gas capable of rupturing the housing with the burning of the compound. A method for clearing obstruction which provides the device, interring the device within the subsoil proximate to the obstructions, and, detonating the compound wherein a burning of the compound forms sufficient amounts of gas to rupture the housing and sunder subsoil support of the obstructions effective to clear the obstructions also is disclosed.

Abstract: A means and method of controlling the muzzle velocity of a gun launched projectile to ensure that the muzzle velocities of several rounds of the same type tend towards the same value or that of an individual round approaches some nominal value. A sensor means measures a parameter related to the muzzle velocity of a projectile and a control means instructs an electrothermal energy unit to discharge a fixed amount of energy into the gun barrel after a certain time delay, the time delay being derived from the measured parameter and being such to ensure that discharge causes the projectile to achieve a controlled muzzle velocity.

Abstract: For locking against rotation a piston on a piston rod, the piston having a peripheral groove and at least one radial through-hole to be positioned over a notch, a locking clip with a first straight end part and a curved part has a first end part extending through the radial hole in the piston and a part of the curved part of the locking clip rests in the peripheral groove when in a piston-locking position.

Abstract: A composite piston and method for forming such a piston for a reciprocating machine such as an internal combustion engine. A blank is formed from a pair of dissimilar alloys, one of which has substantially greater properties such as strength or abrasion resistance. The blank is forged into a piston in such a way that the two materials are bonded together in the forging process. The higher strength and/or abrasion resistance material forms at least a part of the outer surface of the piston in areas where the better properties are required. The other material backs up the higher strength or hardness material in necessary areas so as to provide an integral structure that has lightweight, low costs and nevertheless the desired properties. Various physical constructions and forming operations are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated home beer brewing machine and method makes beer in a single vessel under automatic control. The machine and method allows making of wort for beer without requiring apparatus to be sanitized, without boiling the wort, without the use of a traditional water-filled fermentation lock, and without using a wort chiller or ice-packing of a brewing pot. The inventive single-vessel automated brewing operation allows the user to load ingredients, conduct a grain-steeping if desired, and then automatically carries out the rest of the brewing process in a single vessel, until summoning the user days later to sugar-prime and bottle the beer. Thus, the user is required to provide much less time and labor than conventional home beer brewing, and the invention also frees the home-hobby brewer of much of the current art traditionally attached to home brewing.

Abstract: A corn popping apparatus comprising a box-like cabinet with a tiltable lid to which is attached a large metal popping kettle. When the lid is lowered the bottom of the kettle projects downwardly into the cabinet interior through a panel covering the top of the cabinet. In this lowered lid position, the kettle is heated to popping temperature by a fuel burner inside the cabinet. The opening in the panel through which the kettle projects is sealed by the bottom wall of the kettle to block undesirable venting of combustion products and heated air through the top of the cabinet. The lid and the subjacent cabinet top panel also coact to provide an air space therebetween which provides a thermal barrier. A popped corn holding vessel is detachably secured to a cabinet exterior wall to receive the kettle contents when the lid is tipped upwardly. A lid counterbalancing device is provided to reduce the time and effort required to raise the lid for kettle dumping.

Abstract: A cheesecake batter is baked in individual cups as it is continuously moved from one end of an oven to the other. Thereafter, it is cooled by being transferred to a cooling table covered with a hood. The cooling table and the hood are arranged in line with the other end of the oven, and contains a downward laminar sterile air flow to envelop the baked cheesecake batter on the cooling table. In addition, the cooling table and the hood are spaced from the other end of the oven a distance in which the flow of heated vapor from the oven react and create a vacuum, thereby maintaining the baked cheesecake batter under constant sterile conditions, as it moves from the oven to the cooling table.

Abstract: Re-configurable modular food processing cells (10) consisting of rapidly re-configurable functional modules (50) are easily transported to any site for appropriate reconfiguration to process harvested crop material. Each cell (10) provides a shipping container-type enclosure (20), and is therefore highly transportable. Within each modular food processing cell are a plurality of functional modules (50), each module adapted for a specific food processing function, such as cleaning, grinding or filling or labeling containers. Transitional fixtures and fittings (80) allow the output of a first functional module to be input into a second functional module. A computer control system (30), carried by each cell (10), controls the operation of each module (50) by means of control circuitry (40) and video display instructions to the module operator personnel (16).

Abstract: An automatic baler for creating a bale of compressible material comprises a mechanism for compressing an amount of the material into a bale and moving the bale along a path past a continuous strand of wire which extends across the path to engage a front end of the bale and wrap around the bale as it moves along said path. Opposing arm elements positioned on opposite sides of the path are movable toward each other to engage the path and are operable for engaging sections of the continuous wire strand. The opposing arm elements form at least two overlapped sections of wire proximate the rear end of the bale, and a twisting mechanism with twister pinions engages the overlapped wire sections to simultaneously tie the overlapped wire sections to both secure the wire wrapped around the bale and to reform a continuous strand of wire to engage the next bale.

Abstract: A method of screen printing on to a hard non-absorbent substrate (1) involves using a screen (10) which has an ink permeable area (B) whose pattern corresponds to whatever is to be printed. The area B is divided into two parts (X and Y). Part X is of normal, maximum, ink carrying capacity and part Y is of reduced ink carrying capacity. The ink carrying capacity of the reduced ink carrying capacity part Yis determined by the extent to which it is coated with ink/impenetrable emulsion (20), the size of the pores (18) in the screen (10) and the type of ink used. The ink carrying capacity of the part Y reduces with distance away from part X. The emulsion coating (20) may be in the form of dots (200), with the dots (200) increasing in diameter with distance away from part X. During printing, the reduced ink carrying capacity part Y is located over the edge region (E) of the substrate (1), and the substrate is printed up to but not on to its edge (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transporting circuit boards in a screen printer. In embodiments of the present invention, a transportation system is provided for a printer that prints material on a substrate. The transportation system has the ability to independently move substrates from one position to another within the printer without moving other substrates contained within the transportation system. In one embodiment, the transportation system includes a conveyor system and a plurality of lifters that lift substrates off of the conveyor system to prevent at least one substrate from moving when other substrates are moved by the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the transportation system includes a conveyor system and a plurality of retractable pins, that are individually controllable to be raised above the conveyor system to contact at least one substrate on the conveyor system and prevent the substrate from moving when other substrates are moved by the conveyor system.

Abstract: In a stencil printing in which a perforated stencil sheet is wound around a circumferential surface of a printing drum to which an ink is supplied, and the ink is transferred from the printing drum to a printing sheet through the perforated stencil sheet by pressing the printing sheet to the printing drum while the drum is rotated, a method for controlling a printing density is provided, which comprises controlling an amount of an ink transferred to a printing sheet by selecting a specific value of D from a range predetermined in accordance with the following equation:D=.sqroot. (F/f)in which F is a possible range of pressing force at which the printing sheet is pressed to the drum, and f is a possible range of rotation speed of the drum.

Abstract: A newspaper printing press for web fed, offset printing of newspapers, comprising a first plate cylinder; a first blanket cylinder associated with the first plate cylinder; a second plate cylinder; a second blanket cylinder associated with the second plate cylinder and in rolling contact with and mechanically coupled to the first blanket cylinder, each of the first and second blanket cylinders having sleeve-shaped blankets located about their peripheries; a first drive motor for individually driving the first plate cylinder; a second drive motor for individually driving the second plate cylinder; and a third drive motor for driving the first and second blanket cylinders mechanically independently of the first and second drive motors.

Abstract: A stamping toy with sound and lighting effect which comprises an ornamental seat, a main body mounted at the bottom of the ornamental seat, a bottom cap mounted at the bottom of the main body, a spring within the ornamental seat, a circuit board mounted at the bottom of the spring, a light emitting body, a plurality of batteries and a conductive spring being provided on the top of the circuit board, an isolation annular rim mounted at the bottom of the circuit board, a voice emitter (buzzer) mounted at the bottom of the isolation annular rim, a stamping seat mounted at he bottom of the voice emitter, and a rubber stamping design provided at the bottom of the stamping seat.

Abstract: The present invention generally describes register control equipment for the cylinder of a printing machine. It specifically pertains to the printing plate of sheet-fed offset printing machine that has fitted register pins. The register pins are electrically insulated with respect to the cylinder and emit a signal when a printing plate is resting in register on one or more of the pins. The signal is communicated to a stationary evaluation unit by an electrical contact adapted to contact the printing plate. The evaluation unit uses the communicated signal to determine whether or not insertion was properly performed.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding control are described for the start-up of production printing in a sheet-processing printing machine, in particular, a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in which ink is supplied via a vibrating roller which is movable back and forth between an ink fountain roller and a ink distribution roller wherein clearance is given for the entry into the machine of a first sheet to be printed as a function of the state of movement of the vibrating roller. When production printing is resumed, the state of movement of the vibrating roller for clearance for the sheet entry is selected from a memory as a function of the state of movement of the vibrating roller during entry of a last sheet into the machine before the commencement of the print interruption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ammunition unit in the form of a shell or the like, with at least two warheads connected via a supporting structure. In order to prevent the impact from the first activated warhead reaching the warheads situated to the rear, and to prevent an interference effect on these warheads, according to the invention a structure-dividing charge is arranged in the supporting structure in order to divide the structure into two separate parts.

Abstract: A carriage and track assembly for transferring paper and paperboard rolls along an inclined track. The assembly is useful for the transfer of paper rolls of slippery grades and is based on using a dual track (5, 6) over the length of the inclined section of the transfer track and having compatible wheel sets (3, 4) on the transfer carriage. The front end of the carriage is provided with a wheel assembly (3, 4) in which the rolling perimeter varies at different trackwidths of the assembly. The wheel assembly can be made to run along the inclined sections of said tracks (5, 6) so that in said wheel assembly the rolling perimeters of its wheel sets (3, 4) running on different tracks are vertically located at different heights from the loading platform (1) of the carriage. Thus, the loading platform remains substantially horizontal while the carriage travels along the inclined track.

Abstract: A table includes first and second sections coupled together for pivotable movement therebetween and a pair of legs pivotably coupled to the respective sections to move between storage and support positions. The table further includes a pair of channels coupled to each section, a pair of struts coupled to each respective channel to slide therein, and a pair of collars having two substantially identical pieces pivotably coupling each strut to a leg. The table also includes a reinforcing assembly including a pair of rails coupled to the respective sections and a support pivotable relative to one rail and slidable relative to the other rail to provide a rigid member supporting the sections.

Abstract: An arm resting stand for permitting a user to rest their arms thereon when reading on a toilet. The arm resting stand includes a bin with an open top and a lid substantially covering the open top of the bin. The lid has a resiliently compressible exterior layer. The sides of the bin each comprise a leg panel downwardly depending from the open top of the bin. The sides of the bin each comprise a side panel extending between the leg panels. Each of the side panels has a spaced apart pair of generally semi-circular leg cutouts.

Abstract: A table that can be pulled out is located on the underside of a pivotable armrest on a center console of a motor vehicle. The table consists of a base panel as well as a pivot panel. The pivot panel can be pivoted by a bearing mechanism which can be raised either toward the driver side (arrow 17) or toward the passenger side (arrow 18).

Abstract: There is described a convertible table system which has a fixed central portion and leaves along at least two adjacent edges. The leaves fold from an operative position where they are substantially co-planar with the table top to a stored position where they are rotated through 180.degree. to be against or adjacent the bottom of the fixed part of the table. The leaves are retained in the operative position by sliding supports. These supports have pendant portions to be sufficiently robust to withstand the usage to which the table might be put. The pendant portions are able to be retracted out of the paths of the leaves when they are folded to the stored position. The angle of mounting of the sliding supports allows this to occur. The leaves are held in the stored position by a catch which can be magnetic or frictional or other.

Abstract: A shelf for the top of a monitor has a base with groups of seriate polygonal sockets formed on the bottom and two support feet each including an upper foot and a lower foot. The upper foot has a top polygonal plug correspondingly fitted into the socket of the base, a series of slots and a channel in communication with each one of the slots. The upper portion of the lower foot is formed to be detachably inserted into the upper foot and has a plurality of axially defined grooves and two T-shaped bosses formed on the opposite sides of the upper end thereof. The bosses are pressed toward each other when the lower foot is inserted into the upper foot. Afterwards, due to the provision of the grooves, the elasticity of the surface of the lower foot enables the bosses to project out from the channel and one of the slots, by which the engagement between the lower foot and the upper foot is secured.

Abstract: A knockdown table/chair assembly including a table face and multiple telescopic table legs. The table face is composed of multiple table board members each having coupling sections on lateral edges for coupling with each other to assemble the table board members into the table face. A bottom side of the table face is disposed with multiple connecting sockets for inserting the table legs therein so as to support the table face. The length of the table legs can be respectively adjusted to adjust the height of the table face and keep the table face horizontal. The knockdown table/chair assembly further includes several folding chairs received in bottom side of the table board members and a suitcase for containing the above components for easy carriage. The suitcase can be stretched open and supported on several table legs to form another table.

Abstract: A refuse recycling system which recycles municipal waste as energy, includes a shredder for shredding the waste and removing rejects via a feed pipe to a circulating fluidized bed reactor, the reactor producing flue gases. The reactor includes a side dense fluidized bed situated on the wall of the reactor which is provided with the feed pipe, the side dense fluidized bed extracting non-fluidizable heavy elements and transporting them to a coarse-particle sorter apparatus via an extraction duct disposed at a base of the side dense fluidized bed. At least a portion of the rejects from the shredder is fed into the coarse-particle sorter apparatus. The coarse-particle sorter apparatus cools the elements and extracts non-fluidizable inert matter from the elements, the remaining matter being fed back into the reactor. A module for recovering energy and for treating the flue gases output by said reactor is connected downstream from the reactor.

Abstract: A hand held motor driven applicator (10) for applying liquids including weedicides selectively to undesired plants. The applicator includes a motor (12), and a rotor assembly (22) including a rotatable wick support (41) having one or more applicator wicks (45) attached thereto. The rotator assembly is supported for rotation, in use, about a vertical axis (43) by support structure (18). A drive assembly (23) is operatively connected to the motor and rotor assembly for transferring rotary drive from the motor to the rotor assembly. A storage assembly (26) is in liquid communication with the applicator wicks for storing a quantity of liquid for supplying the wicks with liquid while the rotor assembly is rotating. An elongate handle (15) is operatively connected to the support structure so that a user can maintain the rotor assembly proximal to the surface of the ground so that the applicator wicks may apply liquid to selective plants upon contact.

Abstract: A combination seed and fertilizer opener having separate placement includes a first angled flat disk with a gauge wheel arrangement providing an initial furrow for a first material such as fertilizer. A second opener disk, smaller than the first and concave rather than flat, includes an edge that projects forwardly along the trailing side of the first disk to a forwardmost edge location adjacent the hub of the first disk. The hub of the concave disk is very closely adjacent the trailing edge of the large disk. A tube and boot assembly terminates within the concavity of the second disk near the rear periphery of the first disk. The concave disk forms a seed furrow to receive seed or second material from the tube and boot assembly. The front of the concave disk runs in undisturbed soil but is sufficiently close to the fertilizer furrow to press and cover the fertilizer. The second disk concavity also prevents excessive soil throw.

Abstract: A sewing machine having an embroidery capability stores embroidery frame outline data and data of a net embroidering area together with design data in a storing medium and displays the embroidery design, the embroidery frame outline, and the net embroidering area on a display screen when editing an embroidery design. The embroidering area enables embroidering without interference between the embroidery frame and a presser foot of the sewing machine. In addition, the configuration of the sewing machine may be such that the net embroidering area is computed from the embroidery frame outline instead of storing the net embroidering area data.

Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine has a liquid crystal display as well as a needle bar rocking mechanism for driving a needle bar to which a needle is attached, a thread take-up lever driving mechanism, a needle thread catcher and so on. One of three kinds of animation information stored in a message memory of the sewing machine is selectively read in, and is presented on the display according to an error message display control or a guide message display control when any error/guide message appears on the display. Therefore, even when an operator sees the display with less attention, the presented animation information attracts the operator to the display when any error/guide message appears on the display, resulting in that the operator will not miss the displayed important error/guide message.

Abstract: In an embroidery data processing apparatus, each time an editing action is executed with respect to an embroidery pattern to be edited, the name of the editing action is stored to an edit history memory. When a certain key is operated to effect retrospective and repetitive editing control, the names of the executed editing actions stored in the edit history memory are displayed on a CRT display and, if a mouse is operated so that one of the editing actions, for example, "ENLARGE", that is three steps before the current state is directly designated by a marker M, and a "RETURN" key is operated, embroidery data in the state before execution of the designated editing action can be obtained instantly. After new processing, such as addition or deletion of editing action, is effected, editing actions, such as "LATERAL MIRROR" and "90% CLOCKWISE ROTATE", that follow the designated editing action are automatically re-executed.

Abstract: A shuttle hook driver for a sewing machine includes a driving pulley mounted on a main shaft, a driven pulley rotatable about a second shaft substantially crossing the shaft center of the main shaft and extending horizontally, a timing belt extending between the driving and driven pulleys and twisted approximately 90 degrees, and a converting mechanism for converting rotation of the driven pulley to reciprocation of the shuttle hook.

Abstract: A scissors-type thread-cutting device for a sewing machine includes an elongated base, which is adapted to be fixed on the machine bed. An elongated first blade member is mounted telescopically on and locked releasably on the base, and is movable lengthwise on the same when released. A sliding member can move lengthwise on the first blade member. A driving unit is adapted to be disposed on the machine bed for activating the sliding member to reciprocate on the first blade member. An elongated second blade member is mounted telescopically on and locked releasably on the sliding member, and presses against the first blade member. The first and second blade members have intersecting cutting edges, which are adapted to cut a thread therebetween during movement of the second blade member relative to the first blade member.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus is described for use in the sport of windsurfing. The apparatus reduces loads exerted by a mast member on a sailboard, and includes a shock absorbing system having a compressible element, a housing connected to the shock absorbing system, and a base on the sailboard. The shock absorbing system is also connected to the mast member.

Abstract: A wind surfing apparatus formed with a hull supporting a mast and sail includes a removable daggerboard having a weighted mass in a lower end portion thereof to lessen the tendency of the hull to be unstable or flip during use. The weighted mass may either be integrally molded into the daggerboard lower portion such as with fiberglass materials, or may be releasably attached to the daggerboard to allow for selection of a desired amount of weight. The wind surfer apparatus 10 further includes a ratchet mechanism for controllably selecting and maintaining a desired orientation of the daggerboard stabilizer relative to the hull during use. A hinge connects the mast to the hull through two separate connecting mechanisms. One of the connecting mechanisms between the hinge and mast permits pivotal movement of the mast/sail unit in the plane of the sail only. The other connecting mechanism between the hinge and hull enables rotation of the mast/sail unit about the mast axis only.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a combination boat lift and dock 10 is described having two spaced pontoons with an intermediate boat support 18. Pivot arm structures 20, 22 pivotally interconnect the boat support 18 with the pontoons. A drive mechanism 24 is connected to the pivot arm structures 20, 22 for pivoting the arm structures downward and inward to move at least one of the pontoons laterally inward toward the other pontoon to raise the boat support to lift a stored boat out of the water. The drive mechanism 24 is also designed to pivot the arm structures upward and outward to move at least one of the pontoons away form the other pontoon to lower the boat support 18 and lowering the boat into the water. The arm structures are pivotally connected to the underside of the pontoons. The dock 10 further includes a pontoon stabilizing mechanism 26 for preventing the pontoons from rocking or tilting.

Abstract: A device for guiding the flow of floating objects. The device is connected to a hull of the floating object and, depending on the flow, feeds hydrodynamic forces into the hull. The device shows a main flow body which is designed in a more flat-topped manner in the area of a leading head than in the area of a trailing end. In the flow direction, a secondary body is placed behind the trailing end, which secondary body shows a rounded cross-sectional contour. The secondary body is equipped with a flow-through recess. Furthermore, the secondary body is, regarding an axis of revolution that runs at an angle to the flow direction, guided in an adjustable manner.

Abstract: An asymmetric wing for decreasing the leeward drift of a vessel has two different surfaces, one of which is cambered in cross-section and the other which has less camber in cross-section or flat. The asymmetric wing has a leading edge pointed toward the bow of the vessel and the trailing edge pointed toward the stern of the vessel. The surfaces of the asymmetric wing can be selectively moved to the port or starboard sides of the vessel. For centerboard and sliding keel vessels, a pair of asymmetric wings are installed in trunks, each asymmetric wing having a first cambered surface and a second less cambered surface. The first cambered surfaces of the two asymmetric wings point in opposite directions. At any one time both asymmetric wings are not moved into the water. The asymmetric wing is applicable to vessels without a centerboard or sliding keel trunk. In such a case, a horizontal shaft extends through a single asymmetric wing and the single cambered surface is rotated to either port or starboard.

Abstract: A device for aiding a person on a boat to dock the boat is disclosed. The device includes an elongated, flexible rod with a vertical section, a curved section extending from the vertical section, and a horizontal section which extends from the curved section. The horizontal section extends over the edge of the dock and has a spherical end. The rod also has a base member which mounts the rod to a dock and from which member the vertical section extends. The horizontal section or the end thereof may be grasped by a person on a boat when the boat is approaching the dock in order to facilitate maneuvering and eventually docking the boat.

Abstract: An adjustable sponson system for a watercraft includes a coupling mechanism that allows the position of the sponsons relative to the hull of the watercraft to be varied by the operator of the watercraft while seated on the watercraft. The adjustable sponson system includes a pair of actuators which move the sponsons relative to the hull. A remotely positioned operator controls the actuator. The operator desirably is positioned on the watercraft so as to be easily operated by the rider when riding.

Abstract: A boat includes a hull and a unique integrated, molded, floor and stringer system for positioning in the hull for providing structural support and stiffening thereto. The floor and stringer system may include first and second stringers and at least two bulkheads extending therebetween. The first and second stringers include a floor surface integrally molded therewith so that once the floor and stringer system is positioned in the interior of the hull, the floor surface remains exposed to serve as part of the boat's floor. Associated methods for manufacturing the boat and integrated floor and stringer system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aerial lift balloon and signaling components attached thereto are stored within a closure member held assembled with a breakaway housing to form a package storing an inflating device for the balloon. Removal of the closure member initiates inflation of the balloon and operation of the signaling components, while removal of an end cover of the package permits separation of the breakaway housing enabling the positioning of the inflating device by a flotation collar portion of the package for aerial launching of the balloon. A stroboscopic light suspended between the floatation collar and the aerial lift balloon provides enhanced visibility of the signal device.