Abstract: In a linear guide unit that has an elongated guide housing which limits a guide hollow space with a longitudinal opening, a wagon arrangement which is displaceably guided in the guide hollow space on guide rails, a connection part for connecting the wagon arrangement to an object to be guided, a cover element arranged between movement tracks of the connection part and covering the longitudinal opening, in accordance with the present invention forwardly of and/or rearwardly of the wagon arrangement, at least one support unit is arranged displaceably in direction of the longitudinal axis for supporting the cover element relative to the guide housing; also additionally or alternatively the support unit can support the cover element relative to the wagon arrangement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are taught for controlling the operation of a power train in a motor vehicle (1), which may include controlling a clutch actuating mechanism (20) so as to open a clutch (3) in a vehicle pull mode. Then, a transmission (4) may be changed from a first gear position to a second gear position via a neutral position by moving a transmission actuator. At or about the same time, the ignition angle of a spark-ignited combustion engine (2) is preferably shifted during the gear change step to cause the combustion engine to generate a negative engine torque. As a result, engine speed is decreased when the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and a desired engine torque can be rapidly realized as soon as the transmission actuator is disposed in the second gear position. Thereafter, the clutch is closed again.

Abstract: A ball screw in a continuously variable speed transmission has an axially immovable pulley half (2) and axially movable pulley half (3) both mounted on a rotary shaft (4). The axially movable pulley half (3) is moved by a ball screw (20) so as to infinitely vary the belt wrapping radius and thus the transmission speed. A nut (22), forming one part of the ball screw (20), is immovably secured in both axial and rotational directions. A screw shaft (21), forming the other part of the ball screw (20), is movable in both axial and rotational directions. The screw shaft 21 is connected to the axially movable pulley half (3). The axially movable pulley half (3) is axially moved by rotating the screw shaft (21).

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for affecting the accelerator (15) of a vehicle by means of a an actuator, typically a handle (3), arranged within the reach of the driver. The main purpose of use of the invention is to modify vehicles equipped with foot pedal control means so that they become better suitable to be used by disabled persons. The invention is suitable to be used by professional drivers to improve driving comfort.

Abstract: A bicycle control device has a lightweight, ergonomic control lever for controlling both a braking device and a shifting device. The lever has an attachment section, an intermediate section and an actuating section. Preferably, at least one of the intermediate and actuating sections has a hollow zone. The lever preferably moves along first and second substantially perpendicular planes to control the braking device and the shifting device, respectively. Preferably, the actuating section has first and second actuation surfaces. The first surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane to move the lever along the first plane. The second actuation surface is inclined relative to the planes and the first surface to move the lever along the second plane. The second surface has a transverse dimension that is preferably at least one-half of the transverse dimension of the first surface.

Abstract: A footrest plate has a footrest side and a rear side. The rear side includes a pair of clips fixedly received in rectangular shaped mounting holes of a workpiece. The clips have a defined spacing therebetween in a longitudinal direction of the footrest plate and a rectangular cross-sectional insertion portion insertable into the mounting holes. The rear side includes a reference protrusion at an intermediate position between the clips having a defined distance to the clips in the longitudinal direction. The reference protrusion is inserted into a workpiece reference hole. The reference protrusion includes a rectangular cross-section defining a pair of lateral sides each extending in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a length in the lateral direction greater than each lateral side of the clips.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, a rocker assembly connected to the frame, the rocker assembly including a top rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, and a bottom rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, top torque apparatus connected to the frame, upper gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a primary tubular (e.g., but not limited to a first pipe), lower gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a secondary member (e.g.

Abstract: A wrench with torque augmenting means consisting of an output socket wrench which utilizes a ratchet arrangement and which includes an input cog that is adapted to receive an external drive tool. The input cog constantly rotates under the influence of the external drive tool and a camming surface formed on the arm of the input cog coacts with a cam follower surface on the drive plate of the output to move the drive plate. A spring within the housing of the apparatus connected to the drive plate will cause the drive plate to return to its initial position where the action of the camming surface of the rotating cog arm from the input cog can then repeat its function. Rotary movement of the output in one direction is accomplished during the oscillation of the drive plate by means of the ratchet positioned within the drive plate.

Abstract: A torque wrench includes a housing having a first opening disposed opposite a second opening. The torque wrench also includes a ratchet wheel disposed in the housing and forming a shaft connecting the first opening and the second opening, a ratchet lever engaging the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel in a given direction, and a hydraulically actuated piston disposed in the housing and connected to the ratchet lever to move the ratchet lever between a first position and a second position to rotate the ratchet wheel. The torque wrench further includes a removable drive shaft extending through the shaft to engage the ratchet wheel and be rotated by the ratchet wheel in the given direction and a first seal disposed at the first opening and a second seal disposed at the second opening to create respective seals between the housing and the drive shaft.

Abstract: Ratchet wrench has its head comprising an opening, a recess on a wall of the opening, a channel having one end open to the recess and the other blind end in the handle, and a trough on the handle proximate the wrench head, a reversing pawl in the recess and including a top groove and a rear cavity, a push button on the trough adapted to move between first and second positions by cooperating with a spring depressible detent for carrying out clockwise driving and counterclockwise ratcheting or vice versa, a reversing lever having one portion disposed on the groove and the other portion received in a slot of the push button, a spring biaser including one end in the cavity and the other end in the blind end of the channel, and a socket fastened in the opening and being meshed with pawl teeth of the reversing pawl.

Abstract: A T-connector holding tool is a tool for immobilizing or applying a torque to a T-connector. The tool has an elongated handle portion and a head portion fixed to the handle portion. The head portion includes a pair of rigid claws, each including an interior surface sized to capture a corresponding one of two aligned nuts of the T-connector. When applying a torque to the third nut of a T-connector, the T-connector is immobilized by capturing the aligned first and second nuts and applying a counteracting torque to the T-connector, the counteracting torque being opposite the torque applied to the third nut.

Abstract: The automatically adjusting gripping device grips a workpiece ever more tightly as greater torque is applied thereto. The device has a base plate having a linear guide slot or series of radial guide slots, with a pair of jaws residing in each slot. A torque application component rotates relative to the base plate, and has a cam track of varying diameter in which the heads of the jaws ride. Rotation of the torque application component and cam track relative to the base plate causes the jaw heads to slide along the track due to the jaws being captured within the base plate slot, thereby changing the span between jaws as the cam track diameter varies at the jaw head locations. The gripping device is useful as an adjustable wrench but may be applied to other environments as well, e.g., as an automatic gripping and releasing device in conveyor systems, etc.

Abstract: A protective sleeve is provided for use with an extension bar. The extension bar includes a detent and a button that can be pressed in order to control the detent. The protective sleeve defines a hole and an aperture communicating with the hole. The hole receives the extension bar when the aperture receives the button.

Abstract: A hydraulic threaded bolt tightening device (1) for tightening and loosening large bolted connections, comprising a cylinder supported on a machine part to be clamped by means of a threaded bolt and a nut (2), at least one piston which is guided thereon in a sealed manner, with a threaded bush screwed on to one end of the threaded bolt and which can be pressurized, a pressure medium supply (4) to the threaded bolt tightening device (1), an adjusting ring (6) arranged in the cylinder and connected to the nut (2) by a form fit, and a rotary drive (7) for the adjusting ring (6) with a drive connection (16) to the adjusting ring (6), a rotation angle sensor (8) on the rotary drive, a control device (9) for driving the pressure medium supply (4) to the threaded bolt tightening device (1) and the rotation of the rotary drive (7), an input device (1), and the rotation of the rotary drive (7), an input device (10) for entering the pitch of the threaded bolt, and a computer device (11) for converting the rotation angl

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an inverted vertical lathe comprising a device for replacing collets automatically, and having a detector for detecting that the collet has been gripped correctly. A chuck 400 mounted on a headstock 40 grips a collet 500 in a replaceable manner via a tapered bore 430 provided to the end thereof. A collet end face eccentricity detector 600 comprises a detecting member (sensor) 610 fixed to the end of an arm 630. The detecting member 610 detects the eccentricity of the end face 510 of the collet 500 in a contactless manner. A variation pattern of the eccentricity occurring when each collet 500 is gripped correctly by the chuck 400 on the main spindle is detected in advance, and this pattern is compared with the variation pattern of the eccentricity detected by the present detection, and thus, whether or not the collet has been gripped correctly is detected.

Abstract: A portable guide for use with portable power tools such as saws and routers to assist in making straight cuts or grooves precisely located in panels or sheets by moving the tool along a planar side surface 64 of a guide bar 10. Clamp assemblies 20R and 20L secure the guide bar 10 to the workpiece and support the workpiece by clamping the workpiece on both sides of the line of cut via a tightening clamp screw 26 and planar clamp plate 28 that forcefully urge the workpiece into contact with an angle portion 66 of the frame 21 of the clamp assemblies 20R and 20L. The clamp assemblies 20R and 20L are designed to avoid interference between the clamp assemblies and the cutter portion of the power tool. A template 40 precisely locates the clamp assemblies relative to the line of cut.

Abstract: A pneumatic servomotor for power-assisted braking for a motor vehicle having a control rod (38) for opening and closing at least one axial inlet valve (52) that is interposed between a front chamber (16) connected to a pressure source having a pressure (Pa) greater than a first pressure (P1) and a back chamber (18) and at least one axial balancing valve (50) for actuating a moving partition (14) located between the front chamber (16) and the back chamber (18). The servomotor being characterized by one-piece floating tubular element (76) having axially offset transverse faces (78,80) that have sealing elements (82,84) for sealing the axial inlet valve (52) and the balancing valve (50) with the control rod (38) being activated by a dish-shaped washer (49) carrying two springs (40,122) of different stiffnesses.

Abstract: In a negative pressure type booster, an atmospheric valve seat is formed on an annular disk of an input member, which disk extends radially outward. The annular disk and an annular diaphragm located frontward of the annular disk and mounted to the input member define an annular atmospheric chamber. The atmospheric chamber communicates with the atmosphere via an air hole formed in the annular disk. The diaphragm is supported from the front by a power piston. The diaphragm is a flexible member. Inner and outer circumferential portions of the flexible member are formed into respective rolling portions for allowing frontward/rearward movement of the input member by means of curviform deformation. An atmospheric control valve portion, which is seated on and separated from the atmospheric valve seat, and a vacuum control valve portion, which is seated on and separated from a vacuum valve seat formed on the power piston, are axially separated.

Abstract: A swash plate-type compressor included a rotatable swash plate and a piston. The piston is connected to the swash plate via at least one shoe and reciprocates in company with each rotation of the swash plate. The swash plate has a layer of a sintered metal impregnated with a resin on at least a swash plate surface sliding against the at least one shoe. A surface of the impregnated layer is ground.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assembling a piston assembly that comprises a piston comprising a head end flange and a crank end flange and a rod having a head end shoulder and a crank end shoulder. The head end shoulder of the rod contacts the head end flange of the piston and the crank end shoulder of the rod contacts the crank end flange of the piston. A nut engages the rod such that the head end flange of the piston is disposed between the nut and the head end shoulder of said rod. A collar engages the piston such that the crank end shoulder of the rod is disposed between the collar and the crank end flange of the piston.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coffee maker. In one embodiment, the coffee maker [comprises] a housing carrying a reservoir for receiving water for brewing, a heater supported by the housing for receiving water from the reservoir and heating the water in order to brew coffee, an infused beverage extractor disposed over a beverage container, a grinding basket positioned above the extractor and having an interior for receiving ground coffee beans, a device for heating the grinding basket, and a grinding device adjacent the grinding basket and in communication with the interior of the grinding basket. The grinding basket has an exterior surface. The coffee maker has a heating element attached to the exterior surface of the grinding basket for heating the grinding basket. The coffee maker also has a heat distributor disposed over the grinding basket and the heating element to effect a uniform distribution of heat.

Abstract: A fire pit grill apparatus includes a housing that has a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the top and bottom walls. A motor is mounted in the housing. A drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the motor and is rotated when the motor is turned on. The drive shaft extends through and is rotatably coupled to a panel. Each of a plurality of legs has an upper end pivotally coupled to the panel. A sleeve is positioned on the drive shaft which is selectively couplable along a length of the drive shaft. A plurality of hooks is attached to the sleeve. A grill includes a perimeter edge having a plurality of tethers attached thereto. Each of the tethers is removably attached to one of the hooks to suspend the grill from the drive shaft. The grill is rotated when the motor is turned on.

Abstract: A grilling system comprises a heat conductive grilling base having a bottom end and an open top end. The base defines a cavity that extends to the open top end. A grill member has an open bottom end, an open top end, and a conduit passing from the bottom end to the top end. The grill member is configured to be coupled to the grilling base so as to extend vertically upward from the top end of the base to permit a fowl to be inserted over the grill member and rest on the base while also permitting smoke or steam rising from the cavity to pass through the grill member to flavor the fowl.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for the manufacture of an Ethiopian staple food referred to as Injera and sometimes Enjera, including an apparatus and a method or process. The system includes a depositing stage, a spreading stage, a flash heating stage, and one or more finishing stages. The one or more finishing stages may including baking, cooling or otherwise applying heat for a desired finishing result.

Abstract: A safety device of a juice extractor is disclosed. The juice extractor comprises an extractor body, a motor, a cup seat having a holding rib at one side of the cup seat and the holding rib containing a triggering member, and the bottom end of the cup seat being screwed to the top holding seat and the bottom end of the cup seat screwed to the cup body, characterized in that the protruded edge of the top holding seat is a slot to connect the cup body to the cup seat, and is then connected to the top holding seat, then the triggering member mounted at the cup seat can slide at the bottom section of the slot so as to depress the connection shaft, thereby by the safety of the juice extractor is improved.

Abstract: A platen design is provided for a C-frame press whereby an un-stiffened platen column connected in series to the tie rod; therefore, the stiffness of the tie rod is reduced. The unique design improves the fatigue strength of the tie rod by moving the reinforcing webs away from the column and directly onto the platen main body portion.

Abstract: The hot stamping cylinder (1) is provided with a heating system which consists of a heating foil (3) which is arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder (1), enabling extraordinarily quick heating and cooling times. In addition to actually heating the surface of the cylinder and the annular or sleeve-type stamping tools (10) placed thereon, the latter are clamped by thermal expansion in said adjusted position.

Abstract: Sublimable pad-printing ink and a method of marking an object with the ink, wherein the ink includes a hardening transparent pad-printing ink base and at least one sublimable colored pigment. The hardening transparent pad-printing ink base resists a sublimation temperature of the at least one sublimable colored pigment. The method includes pad-printing the object with a marking that includes a monochrome or polychrome marking composition having at least one monocolor pigmented component including fine particles of at least one sublimable monocolor colored pigment and heating at least one of the object and the pad-printed marking composition.

Abstract: A card-flipping device for a card printing apparatus is provided. The card-flipping device comprises a card-carrier unit for transporting the card in a vertical direction, a motor drive means for moving the unit in the vertical direction, and an actuator assembly including a rotatable cam arm for flipping the card over. The card-flipping device is particularly suitable for use in thermal dye printers that print images on card substrates such as driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. After one surface of the card has been printed, the card is conveyed to the card-flipping device, where the card is flipped over so that the reverse, unprinted side of the card can be printed thereon.

Abstract: A photogravure printing press includes plurality of cells defined by printing-direction walls and substantially perpendicular walls formed in each of image areas on the circumferential surface of a gravure roll. A plurality of substantially perpendicular cuts are formed in each of the substantially perpendicular walls. In the central portion of the image area, each of the substantially perpendicular cuts is formed so as to have a gap greater than the width of each of the printing-direction walls and the substantially perpendicular walls.

Abstract: A sheet support bridging a pair of parallel longitudinally extending and transversely spaced guides has a stack of substantially identical and transversely extending support elements having transversely opposite ends slidable along the guides and a flexible connecting strand engaging all of the elements such that when stressed longitudinally the elements separate longitudinally from one another at a generally uniform spacing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for registration and loading of ferromagnetic metal-based printing plates to a magnetic drum. The apparatus comprises a magnetic cylinder equipped with registration holes; a loading table, a non-magnetic material spacer tray and at least one pair of registration pegs.

Abstract: Provided is a printing plate comprising a substrate and a hydrophilic porous layer formed on a surface of the substrate. Typically, the substrate is made of aluminum plate, and the porous substrate consists of an anodized layer. Owing to the porous nature of the surface of the printing plate, the imaging resin deposited on the surface of the printing plate seeps into the printing plate and is thereby securely anchored to the printing plate so that an adequate bonding force between the imaging resin and printing plate can be ensured. Also, by suitably controlling the amount of the imaging resin that seeps or penetrates into the porous layer, an adequate thickness of the imaging resin on the surface of the printing plate can be ensured, and this also contributes to the wear resistance of the printing plate.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of an edge of a sheet of media for alignment purposes utilizes a beam of light directed at the media surface to produce a reflected light beam. The reflected light beam intensity varies in response to the reflectivity of the surface on which it impinges and the beam position shifts in accordance with the datum of the surface at which the reflected beam is originated. By monitoring both intensity and positional information of the reflected beam as it is scanned across the media edge, the edge location can be determined using a weighted combination of the intensity and positional information.

Abstract: An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup is at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The assembly can include an electrical conductive member or an electrical switch. The extendable initiator cup can extend to sever the electrical conductive member or disengage the electrical switch, thereby interrupting the conduction of electricity through an electrical system.

Abstract: A perforating ammunition having a penetration body delimiting an internal cavity closed by a base which penetration body includes a front nose with at least one insert integral with the nose, the insert being a material denser than that of the body and arranged in a housing opening to the outside of the body.

Abstract: A close range munition for firing from a bore of a weapon. The munition includes a spherical projectile having a central core and a plurality of uniformly radially extending resilient filaments defining an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the projectile is greater than the diameter of the firing bore so as to compress the filament within the bore.

Abstract: An automated and semi-automated trackside railcar door opener and closer for use with railcar doors located on or near the bottom of the railcar including a tool carriage, a controller and a support substantially parallel to a railroad track. A railcar door opener includes an alignment sensor for aligning the opening tool with a railcar door latch and a railcar door latch opener for releasing the railcar door latch. A railcar door closer includes at least two closer arms configured to close railcar doors on or near the bottom of a railcar. The opening and closing tools are each coupled to the tool carriage, and the tool carriage is moveably attached to the support. A controller controls movement and operation of the tool carriage, opening tool and closing tool.

Abstract: A subframe 50 is connected via a vibration isolator 40 to a floor 11 of a railway car body 10, and the subframe 50 has a center pin 60 protruding downward therefrom and connected to a bogie 30. The subframe 50 is connected to a coupling device 70, and is disposed so as to come into contact with stoppers 13 on side beams 12 of the car body 10. According to this structure, since the coupling device 70 is not directly connected to the car body, there is no need to weld a rigid member to the bottom surface of the floor 11, and the railway car body can be manufactured easily. Moreover, since the subframe 50 is connected to the floor 11 via a vibration isolator, less noise is transmitted to the car body. Power is transmitted from the coupling device 70 or bogie 30 to side beams, so the structure of the car body can be simplified.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for selectively lifting a computer monitor, and particularly a flat screen computer monitor, from below a desktop to a position on the desktop includes a stationary member including a linear slide mechanism, a vertically slideable support member sized and dimensioned to receive a computer display monitor and coupled to the linear slide mechanism, and a latch member. The vertically slideable support member is further coupled to a stored mechanical energy source such as a constant force compression spring, and is retained in a position below the desk by application of the latch member. When the latch member is released, the stored mechanical energy source causes the vertically slideable support member to move upward along the linear slide, through an aperture in a desk, until the computer monitor rests on a plane equivalent with the desktop.

Abstract: A table may include a table top, a frame and one or more legs. The legs are preferably pivotally attached to the frame by brackets and the brackets may be rotatable with respect to the table top. The table may also include a drawer and the legs may be sized and configured to be disposed about the drawer when the legs are in a collapsed position. In addition, one or more links may be used to connect the brackets to the frame, if desired.

Abstract: A waste carbonizing and energy utilizing system comprises a carbonizer, a gasifying fusion furnace, and a power generation plant for utilizing heat energy. The carbonizer 20 carbonizes waste to generate charcoal. The gasifying fusion furnace incinerates the charcoal, and then the heat generated by the incineration of the charcoal is used for operation of the power generation plant. Exhaust heat from the power generation plant is recycled to the carbonizer.

Abstract: A self-contained, transportable air curtain incinerator for combustion of low calorific value waste comprises a transportable frame supporting a firebox, a fuel supply tank, a fuel-burning electric power generator in communication with the fuel supply tank, at least one fuel-burning burner unit in communication with the fuel supply tank for directing a flame into a combustion chamber defined by the firebox, and an air curtain blower powered by the generator for providing a sheet of high velocity air flow generally across an open top of the firebox.

Abstract: A quilting machine (10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) is provided with a printing station (20, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525, 611, 626, 631) and a quilting station (44, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627, 632), either on the same or a different production line. Ticking is preprinted with a plurality of different patterns, organized and coordinated by the computer so that a print head can scan the material and print different patterns of different panels (32). Identifying data (40) for matching the panels of a mattress product can be provided in data files and codes can be printed on the fabric. Panels can be matched and assembled into products based on the codes, and quilting, cutting, slitting and other operations can be controlled by printed codes and other data. The quilting and combining of the panels for assembly of a mattress product can be carried out manually or automatically using the data.

Abstract: An umbrella cover if formed from a unitary piece of material, an octagonal piece of material having eight corners, which may be decorated, such as by printing, without image segmentation. The cover has eight generally triangular slits therein extending one from each corner of the octagon toward, but in spaced relation from, a center point, a point of each triangle at the inner end of the slit. The sides of each slit are sewn together to form a dart. The cover is tacked to an eight-rib frame, with each dart tacked adjacent a flexion point in a rib.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus can include a rudder device driven by an electric motor, a steering wheel for operation by an operator to control the angle of the rudder device, a reaction torque motor for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel, a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a boat or the rudder during steering, and a reaction torque calculator circuit for calculating a target torque for the reaction motor according to an input of the load sensor.

Abstract: A wake control device for a boat, including a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft, a rudder member secured to the mounting member for pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis, and a fin extending laterally relative to the rudder member. Such a wake control device, with or without pivoting about the second axis, may also be secured directly to an outboard drive as well. A control manually operable by a wake boarder while being towed remotely controls the pivotal position controlling drive.

Abstract: A turret mooring system for a vessel which includes a moon pool comprises a turret which is positioned in the moon pool, a buoy and anchor chain assembly for anchoring the turret to the sea floor, a bearing assembly for rotatably connecting the turret to the vessel, and a bearing support assembly which comprises an upper ring member to which the bearing assembly is connected, a lower ring member which is connected to the vessel in the moon pool, and a number of elongated support beams which are connected between the upper and lower ring members. In addition, the lower ring member is connected to the vessel near the vertical center of the vessel in order to minimize the deflections of the bearing assembly due to hogging and sagging of the vessel.

Abstract: A pair of spaced parallel female slots or grooves located on the bottom of a watercraft float enable the pair of spaced parallel male ribs or rails located on top of a float to fit within the slots or grooves on the bottom of another float when the watercraft floats are interconnected or stacked on top of each other.

Abstract: A skirt for a personal watercraft is disclosed, wherein the skirt includes a body having an edge portion configured to be removably attached to the watercraft, and a release extending from an outer portion of the skirt and extending toward and terminating at an inner portion of the skirt. Ventilation systems for a skirt for a watercraft are also disclosed.