Abstract: A nautical vehicle comprising at least one pedal system, adapted to be operated by at least one user to drive inflatable wheels providing the floatation, propulsion and direction of the vehicle, preferably it further comprises a differential gear for transmitting a rotating movement from the pedal driving system to at least two wheels mounted on either side of the vehicle respectively, and devices for separately braking of the two wheels.

Abstract: A cable and reel handling system for reducing the size of deep towing deck handling equipment is provided. A single drum is used to receive the entire length of a flat tow cable, the drum having a width which is substantially limited to the width of the cable. The drum may be disposed horizontally, vertically or at intermediate angles for either over-the-stern or over-the-side deploying and reeling in. For over-the-stern deploying, the cable is passed through guide rollers and over a traction wheel.

Abstract: A hydro-ski craft in which load alleviation is attained by reducing the effective wetted area of the planing surfaces at high speeds, and in which elongated flaps extending longitudinally of the craft are mounted to swing about longitudinal axes between generally horizontal planing positions and upwardly swung retracted positions. Spray control dams may be carried by the flaps to themselves automatically swing between inactive and active positions in response to upward swinging movement of the flaps.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and dismounting a submerged propeller unit to and from the hull of a floating body from the outside thereof comprises a flange in the hull surrounding an opening therein and having passages therein, a flange on the propeller unit having fasteners at locations corresponding to the locations of the passages in the hull flange, a drive coupling member on the propeller unit, a plurality of guides on the propeller unit for guiding the coupling member into the hull opening and for positioning the propeller unit flange in proper relation to the hull flange as the propeller unit is raised into position, a lifting yoke carrying a plurality of lifting cables extending through watertight ways in the hull and adapted to be secured detachably to the propeller unit whereby the propeller unit flange may be raised to the level of the hull flange with the fasteners in the former in registry with the passages in the latter to facilitate securing the propeller unit flange to the hull flange.

Abstract: This invention is a mechanical coupling for lashing marine vehicles together or to a dock. The coupling includes male and female members secured respectively to different vehicles or to a dock and a vehicle, which members may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected as desired. The female member includes a vertical track of substantial length in which the male member is movably positioned, thereby permitting relative vertical movement of the male member in the female member in order to compensate for the rise and fall of the vehicle in the water.

Abstract: A single point mooring for an offshore body of water, being capable of holding a tanker during a loading or off-loading period. A conduit depending downwardly from the floating mooring to the ocean floor carries fluid from a source thereof. A resilient, shock absorbing member depending from the conduit by a plurality of buoyant connectors, takes up possible strain when the buoy is subjected to excessive lateral displacement due to wind, tide, or other phenomena.

Abstract: A propulsion assembly includes hydraulic trim and tilt cylinders and a reversible pump effective when operating in a first mode, to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to a first port and to provide suction at a second port and effective when operating in a second mode, to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the second port and to provide suction at the first port, a first conduit communicating between one end of the tilt cylinder and the first pump port and including a first valve biased so as to releasably prevent flow from the first end of the tilt cylinder to the first pump port and so as to permit fluid flow from the first pump port to the first end of the tilt cylinder in response to the presence of hydraulic fluid under pressure at the first pump port, a second conduit communicating between the first end of the trim cylinder and the first pump port independently of the first conduit, and a piston communicating with the second pump port for actuating the first valve against the bias thereof and i

Abstract: An outboard motor unit includes a shift lever pivotally mounted on a shaft to one side of powerhead with a central vertical neutral position and pivoted forwardly and rearwardly for forward and reverse drive. The unit includes an electric starter and a start pushbutton control mounted forwardly of the pivot shaft. The shift lever is formed with a forwardly projecting interlock plate having a central notch aligned with the button only in the neutral position. Forward or reverse pivoting causes the plate to move over the start button and prevents starting in other than neutral. The start button may be located such that the vertical lever moves over button in forward and a projecting plate moves over the button in reverse.

Abstract: An inflatable body suit is disclosed having the shape of a union suit. The suit has a first and a second layer extending over the entire area thereof defining an air pocket between them that terminates at a seam opening large enough to allow a wearer to put on or take off the suit. A compressed air reservoir is operatively connected to the air pocket, the reservoir having at least two compartments, each compartment having a compressed air capacity sufficient to inflate the air pocket. A detachable helmet is also secured to the suit and has valves for allowing the wearer of the suit to inhale and exhale air with respect to the outside of the suit. The suit is designed to keep the wearer afloat in water.

Abstract: A small boat or the like comprising a flotation chamber defined at its gunwale by a first member, preferably integral with the sides of the hull extending upwardly and defining an upper end portion which may include a reverted first member lip, a second member or cover secured at its bottom portion to the hull, the major portion of which is spaced laterally from the first member with its upper end portion extending over the first member and including a reverted second member lip, and a connecting device resiliently engaging the upper end portion or first member lip with the second member lip to secure a flotation material in the form of a block of expanded polystyrene or the like within the flotation chamber. The connecting device can be a separate element pressing the lip of the first and second members against each other or can be a resilient portion of one of the members normally biasing the two members into engagement.

Abstract: A small boat or the like comprising a flotation chamber defined at its gunwale by a first member, preferably integral with the sides of the hull extending upwardly and defining a first lip at its terminal end portion, a second member or cover secured at its bottom portion to the hull and extending inwardly of the first member with its upper end portion extending over the first member and including a second lip, and a connecting device resiliently engaging the first and second lips with each other to secure flotation material in the form of a block of expanded polystyrene or the like within the flotation chamber. The connecting device can be a separate element pressing the lips of the first and second members against each other or can be a resilient portion of one of the members normally biasing the lips into engagement. A rub rail is defined at the upper end of the flotation chamber and can be formed either by a separate connecting member or by a portion of one of the other members.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for connecting together two buoyant members, such as pontoons, to make a buoyant structure. The mechanical coupling comprises vertical grooves in the pontoons. A pair of spaced apart plates partially cover the edge of the grooves. A key member in the shape of an I-beam fits with its web between the plates of a pair of pontoons so that its flanges hold the two pontoons together. Wedge shaped members attached to the I-beam and to the plates further act to wedge and lock the pontoons together as a unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flushing device for supplying fluid to a water intake port on a lower unit of an outboard motor. The device comprises a flexible strap having a first end and a second end, along with a buckle connected to the first end. The buckle includes a kinked portion which has a cross member and which is adapted for engagement with the lower unit, which buckle also includes an over-the-center latch pivotally connected to the kinked portion. The buckle also includes a strap link connected to the first end of the strap and connected to the latch at a point radially outwardly spaced from the kinked portion pivotal connection with the latch. A cup-shaped member is connected to the strap and spaced from the buckle, which member is adapted for sealing engagement with the lower unit and for covering the water intake port. The cup-shaped member includes a conduit adapted for communication with the water intake port and with a source of fluid.

Abstract: A device for cleaning materials attached to a vessel and a building structure below water level is provided which comprises a generally cylindrical outer shell and a central chamber arranged concentrically within the outer shell, the chamber having an impeller for discharging the attached materials together with water through a circular space between the outer wall of the chamber and the inner wall of the shell, and a cleaning device for removing the materials on the surface of the vessel and the structure. In operation of the impeller the device is absorbed and adhered onto a cleaning surface of the vessel and the building structure whereby cleaning operation can be effected without the device being pressed onto the cleaning surface.

Abstract: An assembly of components that may be used in combination with a salvage vessel to raise a sunken vessel that has a steel hull from the floor of the ocean or other body of water. The sunken vessel is loosened from the ocean floor by detonating explosive charges embedded in the ocean floor by remotely operated devices while the vessel itself is fastened to hoisting cables using explosive charges to drive rivets or bolts into prepared areas of the sunken hull. The sunken vessel is drawn up towards the water's surface while two elongate propeller driven containers of variable buoyancy with a support net therebetween are provided to aid in raising the sunken vessel to a position adjacent the salvage vessel.

Abstract: Use of a light-hauling-up line in connection with a disengaging chain or wire (pendant wire) which is attached to the head of a large anchor placed on the bottom of the sea. The hauling-up line extends from the disengaging wire which lies on the bottom of the sea, up to the surface where it is fastened to a buoy. The hauling-up is intended to draw up the disengaging wire to a craft which will raise the anchor.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by cutting and breaking up a hull of large ship in the floating situation on the sea so as to shorten the length of the hull, transporting the broken up objects to a product making workshop, and subdividing said objects further thereby breaking up into products. Said product making workshop is constructed so as to supply power etc. required for the breaking up process.A breaking up method according to the present invention does not require harbor facilities such as crane etc. so that it does not have any limitation with respect to the breaking up place and since it allows the product making operation from the broken up objects to be performed on the sea, the breaking-up process can be simplified.

Abstract: When reversing a marine power plant, due consideration must be given to the fact that the inertia of the ship will continue to force the ship through the water during a moment of time after the shut down of the prime mover, with the propeller then acting as a water turbine tending to rotate the propeller shaft in the same direction as before. If the propulsion plant includes a gas turbine and a reversing gear, the reversing gear is designed in such a manner that the part thereof connected to the turbine will represent, in use, a smaller inertia than the part connected to the propeller shaft, with the propeller shaft together with the propeller attached thereto representing a considerable rotating body.

Abstract: A composite barge-tug vessel is provided which comprises a detachable tug and barge which when brought into full engagement form an integrated vessel capable of use on the high seas. The barge includes, at the aft end thereof, a pair of spaced rearwardly extending stern fins the upper surfaces of which form inclined mating or aligning planes. The tug includes laterally extending wings whose undersurfaces form aligning planes that mate with the aligning planes of the barge, the sliding engagement between the pair of aligning planes enabling the wings of the tug to be driven up onto the stern fins of the barge. A prow tongue on the tug engages in a slot formed between the stern fins and projections at the tip ends of the stern fins engage in connection apertures formed at the sides of the tug. Wedging surfaces at the connections between the tug and barge prevent lateral movement while a wedging assembly located at the aligning planes fixes the longitudinal positions of the tug and barge.

Abstract: An automatic coupling for streetcars and like vehicles comprises a connecting rod pivotally connected to the vehicle and a coupling head pivotally connected to the connecting rod. The coupling head is pivotally disposed in the horizontal plane between an operative position in an extension of the connecting rod, in which position the coupling head extends beyond the front profile of the vehicle, and an inoperative position beside the connecting rod, in which position the coupling head is located inside the front profile of the vehicle. The coupling head co-operates with a locking device, by means of which the coupling head may be locked to the connecting rod in the operative and inoperative positions.