Abstract: The invention described in the specifications is a canoe motor mount having a floatation body and spray rail attached forward of a transom board. The floatation body is 26 inches long by 12 inches wide by 9 inches deep and is constructed of 4 plys of fiberglas lamination (it may also be constructed of injection molded plastic or stamped aluminum). The transom board is 10 inches wide by 11 inches deep and is cut from 3/4 inch exterior plywood. The claim is made that the use of a floatation body and spray rail is a unique improvement to existing art. Existing art is typified by the transom board shown in the drawing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant body with anchoring chains, a turntable on said body with a mooring for a ship. According to the invention the turntable has buoyancy as well and preferably takes part in the water displacement of the buoy. The bearing between turntable and body is preferably above water level between a central sleeve of the body and the turntable, accessible from above and located in the line from mooring point on the turntable to chain stopper on the body.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a self-dumping barge which can be opened and closed by means of hydraulic cylinders (18), comprises hooks (38) and transverse bolts (42) cooperating therewith. The transverse bolts (42) are connected to the hydraulic cylinders (18) in the area of a piston rod (20) for each cylinder. A hook support (26) is connected to an outer end of the piston rod. The device eliminates special arms or the like for receiving the locking mechanism and also the corresponding reinforcing attachments on the hull. Preferably the transverse bolts (42) are located at the outer end of the hydraulic cylinders (18) and the hook supports (26) coincide with the points of attachment for the piston rods.

Abstract: A dry dock having flotation chambers on two opposite sides of the load-carrying platform is submerged by flooding the flotation chambers. A reversible air pump is used to raise the dry dock by first blowing water out of the chambers then sucking water from the platform into the chambers and then again blowing water out of the chambers. The structure of the dry dock allows it to be used also as a submergible barge.

Abstract: A pickup truck derrick assembly includes a base frame, a derrick A-frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, a derrick frame erection subassembly, a frame support and locking subassembly and a cable compensation system. The frame erection subassembly includes an elongated track. A roller or carriage subassembly rides on the track and engages the A-frame. Movement of the carriage along the track raises and lowers the A-frame. The A-frame is held in an erected position by support braces pivotally connected at one end to the base frame. Each brace slidably engages a sleeve mounted on the A-frame. A locking mechanism automatically secures the braces to the sleeves when the A-frame is erected. A pulley and cable arrangement including a compensation pulley on a support arm fixed to the A-frame compensates for hoist cable slackening when the A-frame is pivoted to its storage position.

Abstract: An anti-icing pressurized air distribution duct system for deployable wing slats wherein mutually telescoping transfer ducts interconnecting a longitudinal wing slat spray duct and a longitudinal wing supply duct, with bearing and seal means fixed on the inner transfer duct to bear slidably against the outer duct interior and remaining protected within the outer duct throughout slat extension and retraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the wings of a h speed aircraft, for increasing the flutter velocity. Aerodynamic auxiliary flaps or vortex generators are placed into an effective position in response to filtered sensor signals for causing a reduction in the local lift rise or for shifting the local neutral point toward the wing trailing edge to thereby provide an effective "flutter brake". The auxiliary flaps or vortex generators are activated only once when needed and stay in an activated effective position for a length of time sufficient for increasing the flutter velocity or speed and the activation takes place rapidly in about 200 to 400 milliseconds from the time the sensors pick up or provide a signal for such activation.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit pivotable about a first steering axis to steer a marine vehicle, a trim tab mounted on the propulsion unit and pivotable about a second steering axis for assisting in steering the vehicle, and a hydraulic sensing arrangement for sensing torque on the propulsion unit relative to the first steering axis to pivot the trim tab in response to the torque.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a liquid cooled internal combustion engine with an improved sacrificial anode for protecting the cooling system of the engine from electrochemical corrosion. The sacrificial anode is mounted in such a way that it may be conveniently removed for inspection or servicing without removal of any other component of the engine.

Abstract: A hydrofoil catamaran boat equipped with sail or power propulsion having mechanical type automatic heel, pitch and height control. The hydrofoil configuration has but one main load carrying foil located forward of the center of gravity necessitating two stabilizing hydrofoils at the stern which are differentially operated in angle of attack to provide heel control. Pitch control is attained by cooperative action of the main load carrying hydrofoil's automatic height control and the tracking capability of the stern stabilizing foils. All foils are retractable to facilitate beaching, trailering and storage. The configuration confines the main hydrofoil to the space between hulls thereby reducing normal hydrofoil configuration beam dimensions to more acceptable limits.

Abstract: An automatic material handling crane system services a plurality of stations in an industrial plant. The system includes a crane which is movable on a track, a mast which is carried by the crane, and a material handling mechanism which is carried by the mast. Position encoders provide signals indicative of the position of the crane on the track and the mast with respect to the crane. Both manual and remote controls are provided to operate the crane system. The manual control is carried by the crane and provides manual control signals. The remote control is positioned at a remote location with respect to the crane and stores a schedule of operations of the crane, mast and material handling mechanism. The remote control signals provided by the remote control are based on the schedule and on status information relating to the crane, the mast and material handling mechanism.

Abstract: A heavy duty crane which essentially includes in combination: a first mobile and swivellable base unit, a boom mounted on the first base unit, a second mobile and swivellable base unit, a counterweight mounted on the second base unit, a link frame interconnecting the two base units, and a gantry structure supported on and across the two base units, wherein the link frame includes a front frame having a fore end thereof connected to the first base unit and a rear frame having a rear end thereof detachably connected to the second base unit, the rear end of the front frame being detachably connectible to the fore end of the rear frame and to the second base unit.

Abstract: Bifacial inflatable life raft structure defining a plurality of boarding stations equally useable by evacuees irrespective of facial orientation of the structure upon a body of water. Sea ballast structure with such a life raft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotor having airfoil section shaped blades is set into a fluid stream. Over a connection or transmission means a propeller is connected to the rotor. The fluid stream whereinto the rotor is set gives airflow energy to the rotor and revolves the rotor. The propeller is driven by the rotor over the connection or transmission means. Since the propeller is revolved by the rotor in the fluid stream, the propeller provides a thrust. The thrust may be used to lift a weight or to drive a member. A suitable application of the arrangement is, for example, to transform a multibladed helicopter into a gliding craft which descends under a gliding angle towards the surface of the earth when the helicopter has a complete engine failure. Auto-rotation accidents can thereby be prevented. The device is also applicable to drive a vehicle or to lift a weight. Variable means can be applied to obtain variable thrusts in flying craft to improve their efficiencies or change from one flight system to another flight system.

Abstract: A pneumatic deicer having a deformable sheet formed of a fluid-impervious, resilient material adapted to be secured with respect to the leading edge of an aircraft wing. A rigid template with spaced, parallel apertures is secured to the face of the deformable sheet remote from the aircraft wing. The regions of the deformable sheet corresponding to the apertures form fluid passages adapted to be coupled with a source of fluid such as air so that the deicer may be cyclically expanded and contracted to break up ice accumulations on the deicer. A cover ply is secured to the outer face of the deformable sheet to expand and contract therewith and to add wear resistance to the deicer. The periphery of the inner face of the deformable sheet may be secured to the leading edge of the aircraft wing through an inner or base ply or, in the alternative, it may be secured directly thereto without the inclusion of the inner or base ply.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for repositioning an aircraft ejection seat (10) during an ejection sequence from a semi-reclined position (FIG. 1) to a more upright position (FIG. 2) for safer ejection. The seat (10) is supported in the aircraft by inner catapult cylinders (18, 20) slidably engaged in outer catapult cylinders (14, 16), collapsible truss links (54, 56), connected to the seat at one end and having their other ends connected to slipper blocks (68) slidably engaged on the outer catapults (14, 16). The collapsible truss links hold the seat away from the lower ends of the catapults and firmly in a semi-reclined position during normal operation. There are triangular trusses comprised of seat structure (10), the catapults (14, 16, 18, 20), stops (70) on lower ends of the outer catapult cylinders (14, 16) and the compression links (56). The slipper block (68) are restrained by the down stops (70) and the compression links (56).

Abstract: A helicopter protector designed to protect the exterior of a helicopter from exposure to the elements and at the same time allow servicing of the helicopter. The protector utilizes the main rotor blade of the helicopter as a ridge-pole running forward and aft along an offset center line of the helicopter body; and includes main rotor support holders, main rotor tie-down means, a sheet of protective covering material and a plurality of tension binding straps.

Abstract: An improved outer cowling arrangement for the power head of an outboard motor in which both the tray and top housing are formed from a synthetic resin for improving silencing. To insure a good fit and sealing, a supporting member and retaining member are affixed to each other and the supporting member is carried by one of the portions. Releasable latching means are carried by the other portion to engage the retainer member for holding the cowling portions together. The top housing has an inclined forward face in which a panel is positioned for passing the starting handle and starting rope. A guide defines a path of movement for the starting rope that is perpendicular to this inclined surface so that the motor can easily be started from a higher level, for example, when used as an auxiliary power source for a sailboat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rigid wing flying craft having at least one airfoil and at least one driving unit and a cabin for receiving loads. At least one air channel piercing the airfoil is provided in the surface center of the airfoil and at least two steering fins for steering the flight movements are pivotably supported in the air channel. The driving unit and the steering fins are arranged at least partially within said air channel and pivotably supported within the same around an axis of rotation which extends essentially vertically in relation to the axis of the driving unit.

Abstract: Structures and methods for constructing sea anchors having body portions defined by at least three spaced corners or vertices wherein bail ropes are sewn to and extend diagonally inwardly from each corner toward the center of the body portion so that stresses applied to the stitching are distributed and absorbed by stretching the material along its diagonal lines. In one embodiment of the invention, a sail is disclosed which is reinforced by the method of the present invention and which thereby is capable of serving as a sea anchor during emergencies.