A boat hull of exceptional performance and stability combines a deep V entry configuration transitioning to a catamaran-like after section to produce the soft water entry that is characteristic of a deep V design together with the lateral stability that is characteristic of a catamaran.

An internal combustion engine spark plug provides an overpressure release mechanism to avert engine component damage as a result of hydrostatic lock caused by liquids (typically water) entering the combustion chamber under operating conditions. This spark plug incorporates predictably and adjustably weakened structural zones such that, upon encountering overpressure situations, the central portion of the plug is ejected, generating sufficient flow area to expel gasses and liquids from the combus...

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks associated with earlier top designs by providing a rigid frame at a sufficient height above the boat to permit persons to move about comfortably beneath it. A flexible cover is suspended from the frame and is held taut by the frame. The flexible cover is attached to the frame with sliding connectors. The cover may be moved between an open position and a closed position by sliding one end along the frame. In the "open" position, the cover is folded ba...

In a system comprising a local processing device, a transmission link to a remote processing device, and a remote processing device, a method for updating a remote document in accordance with mutations made to a portion of the remote document maintained on the local processing device comprising the steps of loading at least a portion of the remote document into the local processing device as a local XML document, creating a logical document object model (DOM) having a plurality of nodes arranged...

A convertible carrying assembly has separable upper and lower sections, and a removable lower outer covering. The upper section consists of a small handbag with external fasteners for holding the lower outer covering and lower section. When disconnected, the upper section may be used as a handbag. The lower section includes a removable drawer-style organizer. Side panels formed from the outer covering may be unzipped to give access to the drawers in the organizer. If desired, the organizer may b...

A germicidal mailbox receives mail in an internal, rotatable cage, and tumbles such mail while irradiating it with ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 254 nanometers to kill or render inert microbes on the mail that could carry diseases to which humans are susceptible. After the mail has been tumbled and irradiated, it is safe for handling by humans without the danger of infection and disease from microbes that may purposefully, through terrorism, or accidentally have become attached to the mai...

A bilge drainage system for a boat having a through-transom drainage passageway has a through-transom pipe connected to an externally-mounted flange and connected internally to a manually or electronically operated stopcock located near the bottom of the bilge such that the stopcock may be opened, and bilge water drained to the sea, when the boat is traveling through the water on a plane.

A network address translation gateway (20) provides normal network translation for IP datagrams traveling from a local area network (10) using local IP addresses to an external network (30), but suspends source service address translation when the port is reserved for a specific protocol, such as the ISAKMP "handshaking" protocol that is part of the IPSec protocol model (FIGS. 2&3). ISAKMP exchanges require both source and target computers to use the same service address. By providing a network ...

A nail cutter has movable two corresponding and opposing levers and a "U" shaped cutting element that is made from a single block piece and having open fore ends that terminate in opposing cutting edges. The cutting element has a through hole in each of its arms, such holes receiving a pin having an oblong opening through the pin. Two shafts extend through small receiving holes at the ends of each corresponding and opposing lever, and each shaft further extends through the oblong opening in the ...

A flexible container for liquids including an outer shell, an inner liner and an intermediate structure in which the intermediate liner is coupled to the outer shell to maintain a cross-sectional profile and the volume of the inner liner is greater than the enclosed volume of the intermediate structure. Liquids are loaded into a flexible container wherein the container is lifted by straps so that the container hangs freely, the container is filled with the liquid, the filling tube is sealed, the...