Abstract: A watercraft includes at least one float, a first frame supported by the at least one float, and a main panel affixed across the first frame. The watercraft further includes a second frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a first edge and a second panel affixed across the second frame. In an embodiment, the first edge includes a shared frame member belonging to both said the frame and the second frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a third frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a second edge distinct from the first edge and a third panel affixed across the third frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a shade rotatably affixed to a shade support edge member of the second frame and a shade panel affixed across the shade frame. The shade frame includes a pair of shade frame edge members rotatably affixed to the shade support edge member of the second frame.

Abstract: The inventive technology includes a support plate that may be secured to an attachment surface and be coupled with a display, such as a balloon support. A vertical pole coupled with a rotational head may be positioned with a rotational head chamber of the support plate such that it is able to rotate. This self-adjusting feature allows a support plate to be secured to an angled or uneven attachment surface such as the side of a hill or other incline, while allowing a vertical pole to be rotationally self-adjusted to an approximately vertical position.

Abstract: The inventive technology includes a support plate that may be secured to an attachment surface and be coupled with a display, such as a balloon support. A vertical pole coupled with a rotational head may be positioned with a rotational head chamber of the support plate such that it is able to rotate. This self-adjusting feature allows a support plate to be secured to an angled or uneven attachment surface such as the side of a hill or other incline, while allowing a vertical pole to be rotationally self-adjusted to an approximately vertical position.

Abstract: An upper rudder carrier bearing for a ship which has a bearing housing formed of a housing base body and a housing cover. An axial and a radial bearing are disposed in the bearing housing, which are both configured as plain bearings. The axial and/or the radial bearing is configured as a self-lubricating bearing.

Abstract: The rudder post (40) for rudders for water vehicles has end sections (41, 42) made of a metallic material, in particular of wrought iron, and a mid post section (45) made of a nonmetallic material connected with the end sections so that the rudder post has a relatively low weight even for a very big length by maintaining a high flexural strength and torsion stiffness.

Abstract: A structural reinforcing layer made from wire, a structural reinforcing composite layer made from wire, and the resulting load bearing structures made from or retrofitted with wire reinforced plastics and cements. Said layers and structures made from monofilament metallic or pre-cured composite materials twisted into multi-strand wire geometry optimized to mechanically shear load into rigid thermoplastic, thermoset, metallic or cementious resin systems. Wire geometry, count, size and strength/stiffness can be varied in combination with resin type, sheet structure, permeability and orientation to create layers intended for use in composite and cement based structures as originally molded reinforcement or retrofitted structural upgrades.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rudder for sea vessels, consisting of a main rudder and a fin which is coupled thereto by means of a vertical piston (15), restrictively guided by the main rudder and provided with a horizontal piston (11) The vertical piston (15) and the horizontal piston (11) are connected to each other via a hinge bolt to form a sliding pivoting piston coupling (100) and a bearing housing (16) of the vertical piston (15) is fixed to the hull of the vessel. In order to reduce the forces acting upon the sliding bearing of the vertical coupling bolt and horizontal pivoting bolt in addition to the hinge bolts connecting said bolts, the vertical piston (15) is supported by an additional counter bearing (27) on the hull of the vessel.

Abstract: Steering compartment equipment for boats fitted with tilt and height adjustable steering wheel, includes a mobile tilt wheel shaft, a fixed control shaft, a universal joint permitting relative offset rotation between the mobile tilt wheel shaft and the fixed control shaft, a base plate secured to a boat dashboard, a gasket arrangement sealing the base plate and fixed control shaft relative to the dashboard, external coverings which protect the equipment against splashes, waves and bad weather, the external coverings including a fixed annular covering protecting parts secured to the dashboard, a mobile annular covering, and an intermediate toroid band shaped seal between the other two coverings and including a lower circular internal recess mounted on a peripheral upper zone of the fixed annular covering, and an inward bendable upper shaping which rests on an outside of a lower zone of the mobile annular covering.

Abstract: A steering structure of a personal watercraft comprising, a mount member 3 provided on a mount base 2 on an upper portion of a deck 1, a hold member 8 provided inside of the deck separated downward from the mount members 3 by a predetermined distance, a handle support shaft 4 supported by the hold member 8 and the mount member 3, and a support collar 11 provided at the handle support shaft 4, for rotatably supporting the handle support shaft 4, and for absorbing a deviation of support positions of the handle support shaft 4.

Abstract: A ball and socket bearing assembly adapted to receive the vertical post of a rudder installed in the stern of a boat. The assembly consists of a molded journal box having a spheroidal cavity therein defining a socket in which is nested a ball-like bearing formed of UHMW polyethylene or of a material having similar non-stick properties, the post passing through an axial bore in the bearing. The assembly is produced by placing the preformed bearing in a mold to create an annular space between the bearing and the inner wall of the mold. This space is then flooded with a curable liquid resin monomer whereby when the monomer is polymerized and rigidified, it does not bond to the non-stick bearing. The bearing is therefore free to rotate in the cavity and align itself with the rudder post regardless of the degree to which the post deviates from the vertical as a result of hydrodynamic or other forces imposed on the rudder.

Abstract: A ball and socket assembly adapted to engage the post of a rudder installed in the stern of a boat and to maintain it at a proper upright position regardless of the degree to which the post deviates from the vertical and is subjected to hydrodynamic forces which seek to displace the post. The assembly consists of a journal box fixedly mounted on a support and having a spheroidal cavity, and a bearing through which the rudder post extends. The bearing is constituted by a spheroidal section that nests within the cavity of the box and a cylindrical section projecting from the box and pinned to the post whereby the bearing is in alignment with the post and its spheroidal section is caused to rotate within the cavity in accordance with the rotation of the post as the boat is steered.

Abstract: The flexible bearing is formed of a sleeve-shaped smooth bearing 6 fixed in a flexible block 4 nested in a housing 3 of the boat so as to absorb the bending deformations of the mainpiece without transmitting them to the structure. The housing 3 is streamlined so as to block the flexible block.

Abstract: The invention concerns a directional fin of variable incidence at which are associated: two springs for returning the fin to central position and a symmetrical supple tooth fittings break the oscillations toward the exterior and facilitate the return movement of the fin toward the center. The apparatus facilitates the maneuvers of the board and reduces the efforts of the wind surfer.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a rudder shaft of a vessel or boat wherein the shaft has a thin cylindrical rubber sleeve that encompasses it. The outer peripheral surface of the rubber sleeve is bonded to a fiberglass ring which is bonded to an elongated annular rubber member which is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of a teflon ring which is turn is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of a fiberglass sleeve. The latter sleeve in turn is bonded to the inner periphery of the upper end of a housing that is attached to the hull of a vessel. The lower portion of the rudder shaft has secured to it an annular rubber bearing that is in frictional sliding contact with a teflon ring that is secured to the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a rudder shaft of a vessel or boat wherein the shaft has a thin cylindrical rubber sleeve that encompasses it. The outer peripheral surface of the rubber sleeve is bonded to a fiberglass ring which is bonded to an elongated annular rubber member which is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of a teflon ring which in turn is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of a fiberglass sleeve. The latter sleeve in turn is bonded to the inner periphery of the upper end of a housing that is attached to the hull of a vessel. The lower portion of the rudder shaft has secured to it an annular rubber bearing that is in frictional sliding contact with a teflon ring that is secured to the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A boat, especially a catamaran, having a rectangular collapsible frame with a one-man mast stepping structure. The tubular frame is comprised of fore, aft and central sub-frame assemblies which can be collapsed so as to be easily car topable and serve as a rack for containing other components of the catamaran. Inflatable hulls are secured in bracket arches on the undersides of the sub-frame assemblies. A rudder frame or cage is pivotally mounted on an aft sub-frame assembly and is adapted to receive a rudder, which is identical to and interchangeable with daggerboards. A system of adjustable rope stays is provided for adjusting the mast.

Abstract: A rudder system is provided on a vessel with an open propeller or no propeller, comprising at least three rudders coupled to turn in unison and operating as a cascade. The rudders are mounted on stocks journalled in bearings carried by a box above the rudder which box is fitted into a recess in the hull. A master tiller is provided on the center stock, and the three stocks are coupled to one another within the box.