Abstract: A swept wing for jet transports having a thickness-chord length (t/c) ratio that continuously decreases (i.e., tapers) from the wing root to the wing tip is disclosed. The tapered t/c ratio wing has reduced weight and improved overall efficiency when compared to conventional, constant t/c ratio wings. While the t/c ratio of the wing tapers, the combined structural and skin strength of the wing remains adequate to handle bending loads imposed by lift and engine weight. In this regard, the cross-sectional thickness of the midspan region of the wing is chosen such that the wing skin thickness can be reduced to the minimum allowable for the skin material. Also, the cross-sectional thickness of the outboard region of the wing is decreased, resulting in decreased drag and weight in this region. Further, the camber of the outboard portion of the wing is increased (as compared to the camber of a constant t/c ratio wing) to prevent the unsweeping of spanwise oriented isobars.

Abstract: A boarding step is disclosed for mounting on a towing ring (9) fixedly disposed on the stem (19) of a pleasure craft, for facilitating the stepping into and out of the craft. The boarding step comprises two carrier arms (1) which at their portions (4) which are urged against the craft and have rubber coatings, and which, at their outer ends, are provided with a horizontal tread platform (2). The tread platform has, on its underface, an adjustment rail (5) with a number of alternative pivotal anchorage points (14) for a support strut (6) which, at its end facing the craft, is provided with a pivotal, U-shaped abutment portion (7) urged against the stem (19) of the craft. The support strut has a number of alternative anchorage points (11) for a bolt (10) which also engages with the ring (9) fixed in the stem and which, on tightening, urges the boarding step to a positionally-fixing frictional engagement with the craft. An adjustable stay (15) extends between the carrier arms and the support strut.

Abstract: There is provided a rotation control system for a Z-type propulsion apparatus which can achieve an optimum turning of a vessel under any steering conditions of the vessel by controlling the rotation speed of a hollow rotary housing of the Z-type propulsion apparatus in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, the number of revolution of a propeller provided in the rotary housing, or the combination thereof. A difference between a signal representative of an angle of a steering handle and a signal representative of an angle of the rotary housing is first detected. The detected signal, which is representative of the difference between the angle of the steering handle and the angle of the rotary housing, is then limited in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, speed of the vessel, or the combination thereof, and the rotary housing is driven in accordance with the limited signal.

Abstract: There is described a snorkel mast for a submersible vehicle. The mast terminates at the upper end in an inverted U-shaped snorkel head pipe section closed by a butterfly valve. The butterfly valve is operated by a bell-crank lever having a float at one end and a water impact flap at the other. Operation of the bell-crank lever by water level action against the float or by water impact action on the flap if a wave washes over the top of the snorkel mast acts to close the butterfly valve. The mast carries a fairing which comprises a number of fairing elements of airfoil cross-section, vertically spaced on the mast so as to be freely rotatable thereon in water lubricated bearings. The segmented fairings on the snorkel mast maintains hydrodynamic stability during high speed turns.

Abstract: A marine jet propulsion system for use as an inboard engine for boats is herein described. An engine or motor means is attached in a driving relationship to a pump and thrust output means. Heat generated by and rejected by the engine or motor is passed into the pump base for dissipation into the outputted jet thrust stream. Air and/or exhaust gas from the engine is ejected around the jet output stream to reduce against-the-hull and jet stream or thrust energy losses. Streamlining hull closures for the jet pump intake and output ports are provided to reduce system hull drag when not in use and to limit marine organism growth inside the pump.

Abstract: A system for mooring tankers to an emergent fixed structure, constituted by an articulated connection structure using an equalizer hinged to the tanker deck by hinges able to isolate said articulated structure from the tanker rolling motion.

Abstract: The present invention aims at connecting one end of a surfboard and the ankle of a rider by a cord in a freely attachable/detachable manner at both ends, enabling the rider to detach the surfboard by a simple operation. The ankle strap and the cord tip are directly connected via a swivel mechanism to prevent entanglement of the two and twist of the cord, achieving excellent safety and operability as well as preventing accidents. A pocket to store small articles is provided to the ankle strap to allow the rider carry keys, coins, etc.

Abstract: There is provided a system for controlling the rotation of a rotary housing mounting a propeller unit of a Z-type propulsion apparatus in which the rotary housing does not rotate in the direction opposite to that of rotation of a steering handle even when the steering handle for commanding the rotary housing to rotate is angularly moved by more than .+-.180.degree.. A vector calculation circuit either produces a sinusoidal signal representative of a sine of the difference of angle between the steering angle of the steering handle and the follow-up angle of the rotary housing and a cosine signal representative of a cosine of the difference of angle or produces the sinusoidal and cosine signals and a second sinusoidal signal representative of an angle obtained by adding 45.degree. to the difference of angle.

Abstract: A construction component has a plurality of male and female lock assemblies for engagement with female and male lock assemblies of a similar construction component for locking the two components together. The male lock assemblies are arranged in vertical tandem pairs, as are the female lock assemblies. Each of the male lock assemblies includes a rigid pin which is reciprocable with respect to the component between an advanced position and a retracted position. Each female lock assembly defines a socket opening and includes a transversely reciprocable lock for locking a pin in the socket opening. The male lock assembly includes a similar transversely reciprocable lock adapted to lock the pin in at least one of, and preferably both of, its two positions. The locks of each tandem pair of assemblies are connected for joint movement and are adapted so that, when lowered, the lower lock engages its respective pin before the upper lock engages its pin.

Abstract: Pressure tapping for rigid sails, the tappings (10, 11, 12, 15, 16) being located to either provide a stall warning or to enable tuning of the sailset to the desired operating angles. A particular flow-state sensitive stall warning device is also described.

Abstract: Hoisting arrangement having a boom or a crane with two separately driven hoist wires each with its individual cargo hook. The cargo hooks along with the hoist wires are used for various lifting operations. The hoist wires and a topping wire are operated by their respective winches. The hoist wires are connected via their winches to a common power supply system via a selection valve whereby a constant tension is exerted on the hoist wire. The winches are adapted to pay out hoist wire if the pull in the hoist wire exceeds this constant tension and to draw in hoist wire if the pull falls below the constant tension.

Abstract: A wood kayak or canoe paddle having a rubber-like shock-absorbing abrasion-resistant flexible strong strip of urethane rubber adhered to the tip of each blade, and preferably extending also along the opposite edges of the blade, to strengthen the blade and reduce the likelihood of damage to the blade by rocks sand or other solid abrasive material during paddle use. Each paddle face is reinforced adjacent the rubber-like strip by a thin layer of carbon fibers lying parallel to the strip and each entire paddle face is covered with a thin layer of glass fabric embedded in a water resistant flexible coating. The paddle shaft is laminated of ash and sitka spruce with reinforcement by high tensile strength fibers at the lamination interfaces and added ash laminations adjacent the shaft extension in the paddle blade.

Abstract: An improved electric boat motor of the type including a propelling motor, a support shaft, and a coupling member for rotatably coupling the support shaft to the boat. The improvement includes an electric steering motor for continuously rotating the support shaft, an electrical energy transfer mechanism for allowing electrical energy to be continuously provided to the propelling motor as the support is continuously rotated, and a switch mechanism for controlling the passage of electrical energy to the steering motor, transfer mechanism and propelling motor.

Abstract: This highly engineered recreational catamaran features a unique pivotable mast with a downward extending section that holds an underwater ballast. A hang glider type sail provides lift as well as thrust. Working in combination with the underwater ballast, the sail functions to deliver a high performance sailboat with high stability and ease of control. The ballast also aids in righting a capsized boat. Advanced three tier hydrolift type pontoons raise the boat partially out of the water under full sail thereby minimizing drag and maximizing speed. A convex deck and optional convex cabin facilitate righting an overturned boat. Other advanced features include retractable daggerboards for turning control, telescoping lower mast for shallow water sailing and beaching, underwater battery powered propulsion for movement in a calm wind and power assisted winches for sail lift and turning control.

Abstract: An arrangement for picking up objects (17), or collecting oil whereby it is connected to a boom, from the sea comprises a basket or container (10) which is connected to a ship (12) and which is adapted to be conveyed between a work position partially submerged in the sea and a rest position on board the ship. The basket (10) is rigidly connected to a boom (11, 18) which is rotatable about its axis so that the basket in the work position is movable in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the vessel side (12) of the ship, and which is pivotable between the work position, where it projects outwards substantially horizontally from the side of the vessel (12), and the rest position. On collecting oil there is arranged between end walls (22a, 22b) of the container, a wall (24) regulatable upwards and downwards which is arranged with its upper edge in the oil/water boundary layer for separation of the oil.

Abstract: A boat hull having a two-stage flow chamber. The first stage flow chamber starts about amidships as a V-shape fairing upward at a shallow angle and flattening out about halfway to the stern. The second stage flow chamber starts at the end of the forward flow chamber curving upward at a greater angle than the first stage and curving downward slightly at the stern. The second stage flow chamber has an inverted V-shape portion connected to the bottom by a pair of narrow sidewalls spreading slightly outward. The forward flwo chamber delivers water to the aft flow chamber free from turbulence. The propeller is disposed in the aft flow chamber and splayed slightly to port. Water exits from the aft flow chamber with minimum turbulence and cavitation.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the release by remote control of a weight from a diving bouyancy control device or vest. The device includes a sheet of flexible material secured to the bouyancy control device with the material and the bouyancy control device defining a pocket therebetween the releasable receiving the weight. The pocket has a first open end or bottom such that the weight may freely exit from the pocket through the first open end of the pocket. A fastening device is disposed adjacent to the first open end of the pocket for controlling the passage of the weight through the first open end of the pocket. A remote control device is connected to the fastening device for remotely controlling the fastening device such that in a first position of the control device, the fastening device closes the first open end of the pocket to inhibit the passage of the weight therethrough.

Abstract: In the transportation by helicopter of specialized cargo externally, such stokes litters, personnel carriers, auxilliary fuel tanks, gun mounts, and the like, it is frequently necessary to switch the carrying apparatus from one type of load to another. Normally, in order to provide for such external cargo a helicopter must be permanently altered to avoid the use of unreliable belts and straps. Permanent helicopter modifications are not totally acceptable in emergency situations. A helicopter cargo carrying apparatus is provided herein which is not subject to these objections. A pallet-like frame, upon which the load is secured, or which forms the base of the load carrying apparatus such as a platform or litter is provided.

Abstract: A shopping cart disabling device features the use of pressurized gas from a container for actuating a piston in a cylinder therefor so as to provide a ground contacting probe that serves to disable the cart, the gas container being located in the piston cylinder and the gas being released by a magnetically actuated mechanism that includes a pin for penetrating a seal of the container and a spring loaded hammer mechanism which through a sear is operatively connected to a magnetic triggering assembly.

Abstract: A water ski of conventional form so far as general contour and leading end uptilt is concerned, has two tunnels or grooves formed in its underface and a fin in each tunnel which projects downwardly from the trailing end portion of its tunnel. The tunnels:1. are arcuate in cross-section,2. begin in a point short of the leading edge of said underface and end at the trailing end of said underface, and3. at said point are of zero width and depth and, proceeding to said trailing end, progressively increase in both of these lateral directions.