Abstract: Tools (3, 4) mounted on the free ends of the arms of a C-frame applicator are aligned by providing the arms of the C-frame (1) in a form which is capable of flexing between a first position in which the axes of the tools (3, 4) are disposed at an angle relative to each other and a second position in which the axes of the tools are coaxial with each other. A workpiece (6) is arranged between the tools and a predetermined clamping load is applied to the workpiece (6) sufficient to flex the C-frame (1) from the first position towards the second position and bring the tools (3, 4) substantially into coaxial alignment. One or more of the tools (3, 4) is then actuated to apply a force to the workpiece (6).

Abstract: Method for cutting preferably metal reinforced hoses, metal pipes or similar, and a device for utilization of the method, the cutting operation being performed in a known way using a cutting tool, such as a motor driven cutting disc or similar. As an initial step, a single unit (1) is located within and surrounded by the tubeshaped member (2) at with a central position in relation to the point where cutting is intended to be performed, the single unit (1) being arranged to take up sealing contact with the internal surface of the tubeshaped member (2) by at least two separated areas (4, 4') at each side of the cutting point. Cutting is thereafter performed through the tubeshaped member (2) as well as through the surrounded single unit (1), and the separated parts of the surrounded single unit (1) are as a final step pulled out from the tubeshaped member (2) in direction towards the end portions formed by the cutting operation.

Abstract: Shingling of paperboard sheets cut from a web with a helical blade cutoff knife utilizes the downward deflection of the trailing edge of the cut sheet and simultaneous lifting of the leading edge of the web to position the sheets for shingling immediately downstream of the knife. A vacuum outfeed conveyor takes advantage of the initial downward deflection of the sheet caused by cutting to pull the trailing edge of the sheet onto the vacuum conveyor which is simultaneously slowed relative to the lead edge of the advancing web. In the preferred embodiment, vacuum is continuously applied and the conveyor is accelerated back to line speed as soon as the leading end of the web is pulled onto the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: The bar of a chain saw is attached to a jig which includes a support block pivotally attached to a pair of spaced support arms extending outwardly therefrom for supporting a log or branch to be cut, and fingers extending angularly forwardly and upwardly from the ends of the support arms for scooping up logs and branches from the ground onto the support arms and into contact with a pair of spaced upright, toothed stop arms on the support arms which prevent kickback or twisting of the log or branch as it is being cut by the chain saw as the support block is pivoted relative to the support arms between non-use and use positions.

Abstract: A miter circular saw includes a base on which a workpiece is placed, a tiltable saw blade assembly mounted on the base, and a work support fence that includes a fixed element with a first support surface and a movable element with a second support surface, both of which are mounted on the base for supporting the workpiece during cutting. The movable element is hinged to the top end of the fixed element to allow the movable element to pivot between a raised position, above the fixed element, and a lowered position. In the raised position, the movable element engages the fixed element so as to fix the movable element and prevent it from inadvertently falling rearward into the lowered position. In the raised position, the movable element places the second support surface flush with the first support surface of the fixed element.

Abstract: A dual purpose rule guard for two-piece rotary cutting dies consists of a pair of confrontable allochiral guards. Each defines on its confronting surface a first portion thereof recessed inwardly therefrom and a second portion thereof projecting outwardly therefrom. The guards of the pair are interdigitable for assuming an interlocked position with respect to each other to insure the correct alignment of the cutting dies and of their rules. Additionally, each guard is so positioned relative to its cutting die that its second outwardly projecting portion projects outwardly of the confrontable edge or join line of the cutting die so that it functions as an overhang to keep the knife at the join line upwardly and away from any storage surface.

Abstract: A saw blade adjusting device of a band sawing machine includes an urging seat, an urging knob, an adjusting knob, a sliding seat, and a wheel frame. The urging seat has projections and depressions at a top end thereof, and the urging knob has urging portions projecting from a bottom side of an inner top end thereof, whereby the rotary adjusting motion of the urging knob is translated into an axial reciprocating urging motion. The relative abutment and separation of the urging knob and the urging seat is utilized to achieve tightening and positioning of a saw blade so that the tension of the saw blade and the distance between upper and lower wheel frames during violent cutting operation can be maintained stably to enhance the quality and efficiency of the cutting operation.

Abstract: A cove molding setup device comprising a platform having a bottom fork adapted to be supported upon a saw table arbor beside a disc blade; a slide bar mounted upon said platform at a plurality of transverse positions with respect to said base fork; a protractor mounted to said slide bar at a plurality of rotatably adjustable angles about a pivot; and a fence guide bar adjustably mounted to said protractor at a plurality of distances from said pivot.

Abstract: The present invention is a shot caddy having a cover and a slide valve. Shot is stored in the cylindrical housing until it is needed. The slide valve is opened by the user thereby allowing shot to flow in a controlled manner into another container. A baffle is contained within the cylindrical housing to meter the flow of shot. The shot caddy may be mounted on a wall with a key mounted on the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism that can selectively transfer molded solid propellant charges or projectiles between a transport conveyor and respective storage magazines is described. The transfer mechanism has multiple transfer forks driven from a common drive shaft for engaging the munition(s) and selector gates driven by a gate crankshaft associated with each respective magazine for blocking or permitting the transfer controller to either transfer a projectile or one or more solid propellant charges. Each transfer fork and selector gate can be independently and selectively coupled to, or decoupled from, its respective shaft by respective coupling mechanisms under the command of a controller for coordinated transfer operation. The fork and gate coupling mechanisms, as well as a mechanism coupling the drive shaft to respective driven transfer crankshafts provide "uncoupled" positions with the respective fork or gate element or drive shaft restrained from rotary motion.

Abstract: A brake system has a brake booster secured to a dash panel which separates an engine compartment from a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A bracket off-sets the booster into the engine compartment from the dash panel. A cylindrical body has a flange on a first end located between the housing of the brake booster and the bracket. The cylindrical body has a partition wall located between the first end and a second end and a radial opening located between the partition wall and the second end. The partition wall has a central opening through which an input rod extends to provide a valve with an input force. An end boot, secured to the second end of the cylindrical body and the input rod, forms a resonant chamber within the cylindrical body. The radial opening provides unrestricted communication air from the engine compartment to the resonant chamber while the central opening forms an orifice to control the air flow from the resonant chamber into the valve body.

Abstract: An automotive hydraulic system having a power steering unit of a vehicle connected in parallel with an externally mounted, hydraulic-cylinder-powered accessory, such as a liftgate, snow plow or dump bed. The vehicle's power steering pump supplies the required hydraulic fluid to the power steering unit and to a cylinder in the accessory, simultaneously in the preferred embodiment and alternately in another. A preferred valve assembly is disclosed which includes a priority flow control valve and a three-position, four-way accessory control valve mounted together in a manifold designed for connection to the vehicle's power steering pump, power steering unit, and hydraulic fluid reservoir, and to a double-acting hydraulic cylinder in the accessory.

Abstract: A roller bush for a fuel injection pump is interposed between a metal roller and a pin. The roller is forced to contact with a cam reciprocating a plunger, and the pin supports the roller rotatably about a rotational axis at either axial side of the bush. Either axial end portions of the bush entirely consist of ceramic, each portions having the axial length from the corresponding axial end surface of L. The ratio of the axial length L to the entire axial length L0 of the bush is set to be equal to or larger than {(11-d)/16}, where d represents the inner diameter of the bush.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor in which the piston is axially movable within a cylindrical cavity formed on an aluminium cylinder; the piston being provided with a sealing element made from composite plastics material, an oil-scraper element made from cast iron, and a guide element made from composite plastics material; the sealing element being disposed in a first seat formed in the side wall of the piston close to an upper surface of the piston, the guide element being disposed in a second seat formed in the side wall of the piston close to a lower edge of the piston, and the oil-scraper element being disposed in a third seat formed in the side wall of the piston between the first and second seats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottled water dispenser capable of instantly producing and delivering a desired amount of coffee produced by mixing liquid coffee concentrate and bottled water. The device includes a pump for delivering coffee concentrate from a storage reservoir received within the dispenser housing to a mixing chamber. The dispenser further includes a hot water system in selective communication with the mixing chamber using a solenoid. The solenoid and pump are activated with a pair of buttons on the housing exterior. A child safety switch is electrically connected to the buttons which, when activated, requires that both buttons be simultaneously depressed to activate the pump and solenoid. When the switch is disabled, only one button must be depressed. Accordingly, a user may instantly dispense a desired amount of coffee produced from bottled water by pressing a button.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring heat between a heat transfer liquid and a plurality of moving containers of food product. The containers are conveyed by a perforated conveyor at least partially submerged in a pool of the heat transfer liquid and are showered at the same time with the heat transfer liquid. The pool of heat transfer liquid continuously drains and recirculates through either a heater or a chiller. A vibrator unit vibrates the pool of heat transfer liquid, the conveyor and the containers during the heat transfer operation.

Abstract: A stock making kettle has a boiling tank opened at an upper part and having a stock outlet port on a bottom surface, a stock material cage made of a net-shaped member and installed movable into or out of the boiling tank, a scum removing plate covering the upper opening of the boiling tank and having a scum discharge port, a combustion chamber provided with burners and installed at lower side of the bottom surface of the boiling tank, and a flue connected to the combustion chamber and having an exhaust port and installed coming into contact with the bottom surface and the side surface of the boiling tank.

Abstract: This invention presents dual functions in a sole appliance. The present griddle has the feature to be heated by gas or electricity. This makes the griddle portable. The griddle comprising of housing (1) and a plurality of supporting legs (7a, b, c, d)(not shown) and attached to said housing (1) a removable top plate fixture (2), and attached to the interior of the housing (1) a separator plate (15) covering the entire interior area of the housing (1)characterized in that the housing (1) contains an electrical heating device (16), and electrical socket (9) and a gas manifold (17) with connector locking valve (3) the housing contains thermal insulation (21).

Abstract: A food roasting apparatus is disclosed, comprising a pot having: a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall contiguous therewith, the base wall and sidewall defining a pot surface, the sidewall surrounding a central pot axis and extending upwardly from the base wall to terminate in a rim encircling an upper pot opening; two gas burners; a cradle for supporting the pot above the burners in selectively removable relation, with the base wall positioned downwardly from the pot opening and the pot axis angled with respect to horizontal, for rotation of the pot about the pot axis; and a motor for effecting the rotation of the pot.

Abstract: A taco frying apparatus (90) is disclosed which permits the tortilla (12) to be trapped between a mesh (30) and a mold (120) to confine the tortilla and create a taco with a uniform u-shape. The mold (120) can pivot between the capture position with a taco captured there between and a loading position to allow a tortilla to be placed on the mesh for cooking or to remove the fried taco. Operating lugs (40) on end plates (34, 36) mounted on the mold can be used to pivot the mold. A portion of a hinge assembly (100) can move within the mold in the capture position.

Abstract: The cooking vessel has a bottom with a region of metallic material with incorporated ceramic parts. The aforementioned region is, for example, produced from metal-impregnated ceramic or ceramic-reinforced metal. According to one variant, the aforementioned region displays infiltrated iron for the production of induction capability. The physical properties of the bottom can be adjusted to desired values by varying the metallic material and the ceramic parts.

Abstract: A cooking grill is provided with a tubular compartment positioned within a fuel container. The tubular compartment has a removable tray upon which food items may be placed. Heat is evenly distributed within the tubular compartment by burning charcoal to provide an even, uniform cooking temperature throughout. Additionally a grill cooking basket is provided which is well suited to positioning over the grill's fuel container. The grill basket includes a transverse member which rides upon a ledge within the fuel container of the grill. When rotated, the transverse member forces the grill basket upwardly away from the burning fuel in order to prevent the grill basket from inadvertently contacting the burning fuel. V-shaped forks hold each grill basket in place on the fuel container at the front and rear.

Abstract: A food temperature maintenance cart transports meals of hot and cold food items prepared at a meal assembly area to a meal serving area where the meals are to be served, while keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold for extended periods of time. The cart includes a cabinet having tray storage compartments for storing meal serving trays containing refrigerated and heated food items. Thermal barriers subdivide each of the tray storage compartments into a refrigerated compartment for maintaining refrigerated foods in a refrigerated state and a heated compartment for maintaining heated foods in a heated state. A refrigerated air delivery compartment separates adjacent refrigerated compartments and produces laminar flows of refrigerated air across refrigerated food items contained on the trays.

Abstract: Roll machine and process for forming a roll machine. The roll machine includes a roll having a roll body and an elastic layer located on a periphery of the roll body, and a mating roll. At least one roll nip is formed between the roll and the mating roll, and the elastic layer has a radial thickness less than approximately 8 mm. The process includes covering the roll body with an elastic layer having a radial thickness less than approximately 8 mm and pressing the roll and the mating roll together to form a press nip.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the manufacture of SC-A paper having a high gloss and high smoothness, wherein the paper arriving from the paper machine is supplied on-line to a supercalender (multinip soft calender), and wherein the paper travels through a plurality of nips for achieving the desired gloss and smoothness properties. The paper web arriving from the paper machine and supplied on-line to a supercalender (multinip soft calender) is moistened with steam immediately prior to the first nip of the supercalender and is guided through the first nip before the increased moisture of the surface resulting from the application of steam has dropped below a predetermined value in the range of 12% to 25%.

Abstract: The bale pusher mechanism of a round baler has a one-way safety breakaway latch between the push bar that engages the ejected bale and the actuator that operates the push bar. During the pushing stroke of the push bar, the latch cannot unlock, but during the return stroke if the push bar hangs up on the bale for any reason, the relief spring of the latch can yield to allow the push bar to disconnect itself from the actuator and remain engaged with the bale. As the baler is driven forwardly a short distance with the tailgate raised, the unlatched push bar rides harmlessly across the top surface of the bale until it completely clears the bale. In most cases the push bar will then easily relatch itself with the actuator by gravity.

Abstract: A press has a transfer direction along which workpieces are transferred through machining stations by gripper rails. Two carriages are provided per gripper rail which can be moved transversely to the transfer direction toward and away from one another. Two parallel control arms are rotatably disposed on one carriage which, on the other end, are rotatably disposed on a support part. On the other carriage, a link is rotatably disposed which, on the other end, is applied at half length to a parallel control arm. The support part can be lifted vertically by the movement of the carriages.

Abstract: A method of fastener identification for traceability of manufacturing information of an individual fastener, is achieved by applying a code to the fastener. The fasteners to be identified typically are formed of hardened materials such as steel. A die cast, forged or pressed roll stamp or forge stamp is thus used to apply the code and is formed with a raised stencil of one or more characters or indicia. Multiple lots of a certain fastener typically are manufactured in a given time period, such as a year, thus requiring a different code to identify each fastener lot. Numbers of lots and sizes of individual lots for a given time period are difficult to predict for a fastener producer, thus risking waste if multiple customized stamps are used to identify the lots. A universal stamp having a single indicia stencil is utilized to identify all lots of a certain fastener in a given time period, by removing selected ones of the stencil characters from the universal stamp for each different lot.

Abstract: The traveling motion imparted to bottles in an intermittent motion decorating machine is provided by a pair of workpiece feed cams rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane, the workpiece feed cams have feed cam tracks extending along the decorator between loading and unloading stations for receiving cam followers of each of plurality of bottle carriers. The feed cam track defining a workpiece dwell period at each decorating station and workpiece advancement periods between each workpiece dwell period. A pair of carrier return cams is rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The carrier return cams have carrier cam tracks extending along the decorator for returning bottle carriers received from the unloading station for delivery to the loading station.

Abstract: A printing screen assembly is provided with an integral shield to protect the ink which is dispensed on the top surface of the screen during the printing process. The mesh material is mounted on a frame member and coated with exposed emulsion with open areas for transferring ink to a glass substrate. A shield is mounted on a second frame member and positioned on the first frame member so that the shield is placed in parallel spaced-apart relationship with the mesh material. The frame members, the mesh material and the shield form an enclosed ink containment area to protect the ink from contamination during the printing process. For water-based ink, water vapor can be added to the containment area to maintain the ink at the desired relative humidity. An ink dispensing strip fits in the containment area between the shield and the mesh fabric of the screen.

Abstract: A press arm (110) including a mounting plate (112) and a clamp support (116) for support of a print screen, and one or more independently mounted intermediate components (134, 136, 180, 184, 214, 216, and 228) that provide for independent adjustment of clamp support (116) in each of six ways: lateral adjustment in the X-, Y- and Z-axis, and angular adjustment in the X-Y plane, the X-Z plane and the Y-Z plane. Various threaded adjustment bolts and releasable clamps are provided for making each of the independent adjustments.

Abstract: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.

Abstract: An ink supply unit of a keyless printing press is capable of preventing leakage of an ink while printing is interrupted. The ink supply unit includes a movable blade provided between the both side plates in integral form, inclined descending toward a tip end side, supported on a base for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of the fountain roller, driving means for driving the movable blade between a position where a tip end of the movable blade contacts to the peripheral surface of the fountain roller and a predetermined position where the tip end of the movable blade is located away from the peripheral surface of the fountain roller, and guide means coupled with the movable blade and guiding the movable blade so that the tip end of the movable blade moves with respect to the peripheral surface of the fountain roller with maintaining a predetermined attitude.

Abstract: A printing press includes a combination printing blanket and blanket cylinder having a fill-in bar adapted to receive both ends of the printing blanket. The printing blanket and the fill-in bar are preattached, and, after wrapping the blanket around the cylinder, a barbed snap fit is achieved to fastened the blanket tightly around the cylinder.

Abstract: Lithographic printing members utilize, as an ink-accepting layer, a hard, inorganic, and generally covalent material that exhibits sufficient flexibility (at the deposition thicknesses envisioned) to accommodate flexing and bending. This layer may overlie a relatively heavy, metal plate substrate or support, resulting in a structure whose permanent layers all share the physical properties of inorganic materials. The printing member may also be provided with a protective layer that serves a variety of beneficial functions, including protection against handling and environmental damage and extension of plate shelf life, but which also is removed during the printing make-ready process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a one-piece sabot for holding a sub-caliber projectile. For use in muzzle loading and other firearms, the sabot includes a plurality of petals which, in one embodiment, encapsulate the projectile. The petals have a high mass portion near the barrel end of the sabot. The portions are subjected to a centrifugal opening force as the sabot exits the firearm barrel upon firing. The centrifugal force causes the petals to clear the flight path of the projectile quickly so that the sabot is less likely to interfere with accurate projectile flight. In one embodiment, the sabot may further include a protective surface for engagement with a ram rod and for protection of the encapsulated projectile, for increased aerodynamic stability.

Abstract: A box car for transporting bulk material comprises a frame supported on undercarriages running on a track, a box supported on the frame for storing the bulk material, a bottom conveyor band arranged in the box, the bottom conveyor band being reversibly drivable in opposite conveying directions, and an inclined transfer conveyor band projecting beyond one end of the box car. A chute is arranged at an end of the box car opposite the one end and spaced from the transfer conveyor, an end of the bottom conveyor band being associated with the chute, a hopper is associated with the chute for discharging bulk material into the hopper, and a charging conveyor band has a discharge end above the hopper, the charging conveyor band being displaceable in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a gate in the frame. A conventional rack and pinion opening and closing drive moves the gate between open and closed positions on the frame. An inertial latch mechanism latches the gate in the fully closed position. Actuation of the opening and closing drive displaces the latch to automatically unlatch the gate. Upon impact, an inertial mass bears directly against the latch and transmits a latching force holding the latch closed and preventing opening of the gate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for planting aquatic plants underwater on the bottom of estuaries whereby an aquatic plant which is ready for transplanting is positioned in a planting nipple having an angular groove in its upper portion. When the planting nipple is brought into contact with the estuary bottom, sea grass plants which are positioned on the angular groove, are planted on the estuary bottom. A plurality of planting nipples are incorporated on the periphery of a planting wheel. A watercraft is used to position the planting wheel with its planting nipples over an area to be planted is provided for. With the process and apparatus of this invention, sea grass plants can be planted on the bottom of an estuary in a semiautomated fashion.

Abstract: A method and device for improving mechanical transplanting of balled seedlings involves detection of balls with deficient seedlings, such as those with no seedlings or undersized seedlings, with a sensor through an aperture in a compartment holding the ball. Deficient balls are allowed to exit from the compartment through a shutter, and replacement balls are provided from a seedling supply. The replacement seedling supply includes a cassette having one row of cells for seedlings and the cassette is advanced, as necessary, by a geared shaft engaging the side of the cassette. Alternatively, replacement seedlings are provided from a cultivating tray.

Abstract: A disk opener and packer wheel system for maintaining a constant disk opener depth and for maintaining a constant packing of the soil by the packer wheel when planting upon uneven surfaces. The inventive device includes a frame having a bracket for attaching to the drill, a pair of support arms pivotally attached to the frame, a compression spring positioned between the support arm and the frame, a first member pivotally attached between the pair of support arms, a second member pivotally attached between the pair of support arms, a disk opener attached to the lower end of the first member, a packer wheel attached to the lower end of the second member, and an adjusting shaft adjustably positioned between the upper ends of the first member and the second member. In use, when the disk opener engages a hard object, such as a rock, the disk opener and the support arm are elevated while the packer wheel is forced downwardly to compensate for the elevated support arm.

Abstract: An attachment (4) for sewing machines (1) for trimming the material to be sewn has a cutting tool comprising a blade (5) and a counter blade (6), which can be driven in dependence on the intermittent feed of the material to be sewn, and whose cutting plane (S) is aligned parallel to the feed. To achieve an inexpensive, space-saving and safe cutting of the material to be sewn, the cutting tool has a rotary blade (5) to be driven around an axis of rotation (D) normal to the cutting plane (S), which forms at least one cutting edge (7) extending only over part of the blade periphery and along its course deviates from a circular arc around the axis of rotation (D), and which rotates with a number of revolutions adapted to the feed of the material to be sewn indirectly proportional to the number of cutting edges.

Abstract: The load which is applied during a period when a presser foot is retracted is reduced, and the time period required before the restart of the sewing operation is shortened.A swing member which is swung in a predetermined range by a cam for driving a presser foot and fixed to the main shaft is coupled also with the presser foot through a link. The presser foot is vertically moved by the link mechanism in synchronization with the rotation of the main shaft. Joint movement direction controlling device is disposed. The device restricts the direction of a reciprocation locus of one joint of the link mechanism, and changes the movement direction of the reciprocation, thereby causing the second swing member to operate so as to vertically move the presser foot in a predetermined range, and the presser foot to be set in a raised state in which the presser foot is raised to a retraction position.

Abstract: A boat has a main hull and a pair of outriggers which extend to distal, capsizing-resistance formations. The capsizing-resistance formations are shaped and arranged such that in contact with the water under forward velocity it provides a generally upward capsizing-resistance force through a given center of action, which force is transmitted by the outrigger to the main hull as an applied capsizing-resistance moment. Given the foregoing, the outriggers position of the capsizing-resistance formations generally outboard and rearward such that said centers of the upward capsizing-resistance force lie spaced substantially outboard or behind a plane containing the stern of the main hull in order to stabilize the fore-to-aft pitching as well as side-to-side rolling of the main boat hull in accordance with boat speed and wave conditions.

Abstract: Electric powered watercraft that lack an open-hull capsizable design utilize a low energy density heavy power supply for stabilization. The power mass is enclosed in one or two torpedo-like structures that are mostly or completely submerged. The structure(s) are combined with at least one enclosed float, preferably of convex shape. A platform is spaced above the float(s) via struts that allow wave energy to pass through the watercraft rather than collide with large vertical surfaces. The design also minimizes wake formation. This configuration of a low-energy density power supply, particularly within tapered hull(s) is useful for electric powered houseboats and personal pleasure craft that can withstand stormy conditions more easily than equivalent sized open vessel designs.

Abstract: A trolling plate assembly is designed for mounting on a cavitation plate on an outboard motor so that a plate member can be suspended behind a motorized propeller to limit velocity of the boat. The trolling plate includes a base, and a plate member suspended from the base via lateral support bars. A release mechanism allows the plate to rotate to a non-trolling position when water pressure against the front face of the plate member exceeds a predetermined threshold. The release mechanism utilizes a ramp and roller structure. The ramp forms an angle relative to the plate member. The angle can be adjusted so that different amounts of force are required to cause rotation of the plate member past a trip-point toward the non-trolling position.

Abstract: The subject system includes a ramp subsystem and a mooring subsystem and is intended for use with single and multi deck ferry boats with ramp service directly to each deck. The ramp subsystem is carried on a float which is connected to the shore by a ramp hinged to the shore and to the float. A second ramp is hinged on the float and is adjustable to serve each deck of a multi deck boat in sequence. In an alternate embodiment, there are as many decks on the float as there are decks on the boats and no adjustment is needed. The mooring subsystem involves mechanism which connects an end of the boat to the float and allows lateral translation of the boat relative to the float, enabling the boat to be moored at one location on the float for unloading and to be moved to a second location for loading. This allows for one boat to be loading while a second is unloading simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a floating dock that is secure, economical and durable. The dock is comprised of modular floating dock sections coupled together with flanges that fit into receiving sockets on the docking sections. The versatile dock sections can be arranged in a plethora of dock configurations, and modular pieces for end posts and other accessories can be added.

Abstract: A floating habitat arranged to be anchored at a permanent location on a body of water such as an ocean. The habitat has a pyramid like upper section that is supported on a lower pyramid like section. Columns extended between the lower and upper sections supports the upper section above the wave line. The lower section is anchored to the ocean floor. A ballast chamber and additional ballast weights are provided for stabilization control. Docks are provided along the sides of the upper section to accommodate water craft.

Abstract: A hatch cover for covering a hatch of a water craft is disclosed. The hatch includes a hatch rim surrounding the periphery of the hatch and the hatch cover comprises a peripheral skirt having a latch interfitting with said hatch rim when the hatch cover is fitted upon the hatch in a closed position. A biasing connector assembly retains and secures the hatch cover on the water craft in the closed position, and when the hatch cover is removed from the closed position. The connector assembly has a first configuration for biasing and retaining the hatch cover in the closed position on the hatch. The connector assembly has a second configuration when the hatch cover is removed in the open position in which the hatch cover remains connected to the water craft. A gasket may be interfitted between the periphery of the hatch rim and the periphery of the hatch cover skirt to seal against the entry of water.