Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed herein for docking a boat. The present invention may be used to dock motor powered or sail boats weighing upwards of several tons that when moving have a large, potentially damaging inertia due to their weight. A guide frame configuration provides a large target to which the boat can be steered, and once therein the guide frame directs the boat centrally inwardly with respect to the guide frame. The guide frame moves axially with the momentum of the boat supported by an elongate support member. One or more compression members are compressed by a stop member upon reaching the desired docking target. The compression members are compressible between push pipes that move with the guide frame on an elongate support member and a stop member that is fixed with respect to the elongate support member.

Abstract: A mast-climbing assembly for enabling a person to climb a mast includes a pair of step-leg units, a plurality of hook brackets each securable to the mast, and a pair of hand hangers. Each of the step-leg units includes a step member and a leg member that engage a foot and leg, respectively, of the climber. The assembly of the present invention allows a person to easily and safely climb a mast of a sailboat or other elongate vertical member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive assembly for mounting on a marine vessel, movable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the drive assembly, which may include a propeller, is at least partially withdrawn from the water. In the second configuration, the drive assembly is linked to a power source carried by the vessel whereby the drive assembly may be operated to drive the vessel relative to the water. A steering linkage to a steering mechanism may also be provided whereby, with the drive assembly in the second configuration, the drive assembly is linked to the steering mechanism so that the propeller is oriented by operation of the steering mechanism to at least assist in steering the vessel through the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing additional traction to the wheels of a vehicle during inclement conditions utilizes an adapter to accommodate its use with a variety of sizes of vehicle wheels and has features to permit its convenient installation and removal from the wheels of the vehicle. A vertical disc has a plurality of traction elements mounted on its periphery to engage the terrain, with the disc being cooperatively connected to the wheel adapter by means of a large coil spring. The spring permits flexure of the disc and traction elements in four dimensions, i.e. rotatively about the wheel axis, horizontally about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle axle to permit the disc to cant inwardly into contact with the top of the wheel or tire of the vehicle, vertically with respect to the terrain, and along the horizontal axis of the wheel axle toward and away from the wheel. The use of the single spring to provide the various modes of flexure facilitates simplicity in the construction of the apparatus.