Abstract: According to some embodiments, a winch tightening apparatus comprises a mounting plate; a first moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate; and a pawl comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate such that the second end pivots to engage a ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a first direction and pivots to disengage the ratchet gear when the mounting plate is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. Some embodiments include a second moment arm coupled to the mounting plate and configured to provide leverage for rotating the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a counterweight coupled to the mounting plate and positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a floating cold thermal energy storage vessel comprises an ice battery. The ice battery comprises a storage tank configured to store thermal energy in the form of ice and chilled liquid, and a chiller coupled to a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop is coupled to the storage tank and operable to transfer thermal energy between the chiller and storage tank to form ice. The ice battery further comprises a heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop, a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet. The heat exchanger is configured to cool heated liquid received from the liquid inlet and supply cooled liquid to the liquid outlet using the thermal energy stored in the storage tank via the refrigerant loop. According to some embodiments, a regasification and cold thermal energy storage system comprises an ice battery and a liquefied gas regasification system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a flexible regasification system comprises a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage vessel; a LNG vaporizer disposed on a jetty proximate the LNG storage vessel to vaporize the LNG into natural gas; and a thermal fluid source. The LNG storage vessel is coupled to the LNG vaporizer and supplies LNG to the LNG vaporizer. The thermal fluid source is coupled to the LNG vaporizer and sends heated thermal fluid to the LNG vaporizer for converting the LNG to natural gas, which converts the heated thermal fluid to a cooled thermal fluid. The cooled thermal fluid is discharged back to the thermal fluid source, comprising a closed loop. In particular embodiments, the thermal fluid storage comprises a floating vessel disposed near the jetty. In some embodiments, the cooled thermal fluid from the LNG vaporizer is first sent to a power plant or refrigeration plant.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A tip resistant beverage container holder includes a central container support region with a wall defining an inner perimeter for holding a container, a generally horizontal base connecting lower ends of the inner perimeter wall, and a wall defining an outer perimeter; a base region with a larger perimeter than the central container support; and a resilient region connecting the outer perimeter of the central container support region with the base region.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: The two-part vase assembly includes an outer vase having an open upper end with a peripheral lip, the outer vase being large enough to display decorative items therewithin. An inner vase is substantially shorter than the outer vase and is configured to be fittable into the upper end of the outer vase. The inner vase is configured and arranged to receive scent diffuser oil and reeds and includes a lip assembly at the upper end thereof, the lip assembly having an outer portion which is configured to removably mate with the peripheral lip of the outer vase, and an inner portion with an inner edge defining an opening which is adapted to receive a stopper element.

Abstract: A water skier tow bar assembly includes a tow bar handle and control actuators that can be actuated by a user and indicative of a desired skier condition. A housing is connected to the tow bar and includes a wireless radio transmitter operatively connected to the control actuators for generating wireless radio signals of desired skier conditions or generating wireless radio signals indicative of a skier down condition. In one aspect of the invention, a wireless radio transmitter is contained in a housing formed as a float assembly and has an aperture through which a tow rope passes to permit the housing to be carried by a tow rope. When a skier falls, a water actuated switch initiates transmission of a wireless radio signal indicative of a skier down condition.

Abstract: An auxiliary watercraft roll-on, roll-off cradle system removably attachable to an aft platform of a boat consists of a first set of rollers tiltably attached to the platform and a second set of supporting rollers removably attachable to the platform.

Abstract: A water skier tow bar assembly includes a tow bar handle and control actuators that can be actuated by a user and indicative of a desired skier condition. A housing is connected to the tow bar and includes a wireless radio transmitter operatively connected to the control actuators for generating wireless radio signals of desired skier conditions or generating wireless radio signals indicative of a skier down condition. In one aspect of the invention, a wireless radio transmitter is contained in a housing formed as a float assembly and has an aperture through which a tow rope passes to permit the housing to be carried by a tow rope. When a skier falls, a water actuated switch initiates transmission of a wireless radio signal indicative of a skier down condition.

Abstract: A water skier tow bar and float assembly includes a tow bar handle, control buttons on the tow bar handle and a float assembly connected to the tow bar handle. A wireless radio transmitter is mounted within the float assembly for generating wireless signals indicative of desired water skier conditions based on water skier actuation of the control buttons.

Abstract: A water skier tow bar and float assembly includes a tow bar handle, control buttons on the tow bar handle and a float assembly connected to the tow bar handle. A wireless radio transmitter is mounted within the float assembly for generating wireless signals indicative of desired water skier conditions based on water skier actuation of the control buttons.

Abstract: A water skier alert system is used with a boat towing a water skier via a rope and tow bar handle secured thereto. A radio receiver is adapted to be positioned on the boat towing the water skier for receiving wireless radio signals transmitted from the tow bar handle in response to a skier down condition or water skier actuation of a desired water skier condition. A display is operative with the receiver and has indicia on the display that are actuated by the wireless transmitter signals and indicative of the skier down condition and each of desired water skier conditions. The tow bar handle includes at least one battery and a pressure sensor positioned at the grip portion and sensitive to hand and/or finger pressure exerted by a water skier. Control actuators are positioned along the grip portion and indicate a desired water skier condition.

Abstract: A boat lift for attachment to the aft transom of a larger boat for lifting and lowering smaller water craft, utilizes a single double acting hydraulic cylinder to move a truck horizontally within an enclosure. Cables fixed to the truck cause movement of vertically disposed connectors attached to a intermediate vertically moveable members which in turn include cables attached to vertically moveable support posts which carry water craft support arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for the temporary stowage of cables and lines which emanate from a docked vessel for obtaining power, cable TV and telephone reception, which apparatus may be permanently or temporarily mounted to a substrate such as a marina's decking. The apparatus includes a base to which is attached at least one and preferably up to four spaced springs, each of which is also mounted to an upper plate, from which a preferably flexible shaft extends in an upwardly direction. Mounted on the shaft is at least one cable and line receiving means for retaining the cables and lines therein. Cables for TV, telephone, and lines for fresh water and perhaps fuel can be stowed on the apparatus pending and during connections to such utilities.

Abstract: A water skier alert system is used with a boat towing a water skier via a rope and tow bar handle secured thereto. A radio receiver is adapted to be positioned on the boat towing the water skier for receiving wireless radio signals transmitted from the tow bar handle in response to a skier down condition or water skier actuation of a desired water skier condition. A display is operative with the receiver and has indicia on the display that are actuated by the wireless transmitter signals and indicative of the skier down condition and each of desired water skier conditions. The tow bar handle includes at least one battery and a pressure sensor positioned at the grip portion and sensitive to hand and/or finger pressure exerted by a water skier. Control actuators are positioned along the grip portion and indicate a desired water skier condition.