Abstract: A motion stabilizing system includes at least one stabilizer coupled to a structure in a water environment. Each stabilizer includes a tension member, an open-ended container having a set of holes, and at least one one-way valve associated with the holes. For each stabilizer, the tension member has a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to a portion of the structure and the second end disposed in the water environment; the container is coupled to the tension member and is suspended in the water environment; and the one or more one-way valves are operable to seal the holes when the portion of the structure moves away from the container and unseal the holes when the portion of the structure moves towards the container.

Abstract: A system and method for a line shock absorbing and/or tensioning device formed from a metal rod having a central coiled portion acting as a torsion spring with two arms extending radially from the coiled portion whereby the ends are terminated with a pigtail to allow a line to be captively held inside without the need to thread the line ends through. The line, when slackened, is manipulated inside the two pigtails and routed through a third formed pocket in the centered coiled portion to form a non-linear path. As the line is stressed, the line wants to straighten, therefore causing the V-shaped arms to flex apart and absorb the resulting shock while providing elasticity and elongation to the line itself.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mooring a watercraft to a stationary attachment point such as a dock. A guard assembly reduces chafing between a mooring line and an edge surface of the watercraft using an elongated tube of flexible material through which a medial portion of the mooring line freely passes. A securement strap of the guard assembly extends from a proximal end of the tube and is configured for attachment to an attachment point of the watercraft, such as a cleat. The securement strap has a length sufficient to maintain a medial portion of the tube in interposed relation between the mooring line and the edge surface of the watercraft. The securement strap may be adjustable in length to accommodate different watercraft configurations.

Abstract: A mooring limb for damping the oscillations of a moored object comprising an axially extensible outer sheath, and an inner radially compressible core, the core being compressible radially by the sheath as the axial length of the limb increases, the limb being axially contractible as a result of a force provided by the core acting radially outward onto the sheath.

Abstract: A swim training and buoyancy assist device for an anchoring device has a resilient element and a resilient tether. The anchoring device is located at a certain location beside a swimming pool. The resilient element has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the resilient element is connected to the anchoring device. The resilient tether has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the resilient tether is connected to the distal end of the resilient element. The distal end of the resilient tether is connected to a swimmer. When the swimmer is connected to the resilient element and the resilient tether, the swimmer can only move a short distance in a certain direction and is buoyed up at a certain depth in the water so that the swimmer, especially a beginner, can practice swimming in a small area without the fear of drowning.

Abstract: A resilient, shock absorption assembly that mounts between available sail rigging lines and a boat hull. In one assembly, a piston is resiliently biased relative to a housing and contained spring to permit reciprocating movement. Couplers at distal ends of the piston and housing attach to suitable rigging lines and/or the boat. In other assemblies, resilient elastomer cores bias movement of a piston or cable. In another assembly fitted within a main sail boom, a cable biases the boom rigging lines. In still another construction, an “A-shape”, mast replacement framework is secured to pivot from a boat's deck. Resiliently biased cables act as a mast and support a sail boom. One or more separate resilient assemblies can be coupled to the sail. The cable mast and rigging lines are thus made resilient to counterbalance the boat against heeling with the presence of rough water and gusty winds.

Abstract: A spring loaded bollard assembly for the selective engagement and/or disengagement of a cable (as hereinbefore defined) includes a base member which is adapted to be mounted on or to a given surface, as for example a boat hull, pier, jetty or the like, and a cable receiving and retaining means releasably attachable to that base member, the cable receiving and retaining means including a housing which is releasably attachable to the base member, that housing including guide roller means for controlling the direction of movement of the cable and means for capturing that cable, the capture means being spring loaded to allow for selective and progressive relaxation and/or tightening of the cable, subject to the vagaries of the elements, including tide and weather.

Abstract: The present invention is a boat mooring system for stabilizing a boat while docked which allows the effective length of the mooring line to vary for substantially greater distances than that of the prior art. The boat mooring system contains a multi pulley arrangement such that a small movement in a spring tensioning device results in a substantial change in the effective length of the mooring line. Thus, a change in tide, or weather conditions results in a substantial compensating effect.

Abstract: A shock absorber device is provided for use in absorbing sea surges in mooring and marine towing applications at sea. The device includes a unitary anchor member disposed in a housing. The anchor member includes a rod having an eyelet at one end thereof for attachment to a shackle and a plurality of laterally extending flange members spaced along the length thereof for securing the member in the housing. A unitary piston member, including a rod including a flange or piston plate at one end thereof and an eyelet at the opposite end, is mounted in the housing so as to enable rotation of the piston member about the axis of the rod of the piston member. A coil spring surrounds a portion of the rod of the piston member. The piston member and coil spring are received in a cavity in the housing such that a first end of the coil spring abuts the flange of the piston member and the opposite end of the coil spring abuts an inwardly facing end wall of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a shock absorbing device for attaching a tow rope to a boat for the purposes of water sports comprising a bias element attached between a boat and the load end of a tow rope such that when a load sufficient to overcome the biassing force of the bias element is placed on the tow rope the separation between the boat and the load end of the tow rope is increased by a limited distance. The bias element can conveniently be located inside a tow rope pylon, with a cable emerging for attachment of the tow rope. In a simple form, the invention can be a spring in line with a tow rope, with a restricted extension. The invention greatly reduces shock to athletes, and is particularly suited to wakeboarding, as the bias element provides a sling-shot effect which allows for higher jumps than would normally be possible.

Abstract: A damper device for mooring watercraft, of the type comprising at least two rigid elements (1, 2), to one end of each of which there can be secured a mooring rope or chain, said elements being able to move coaxially in opposition to each other against the action of an elastic body (3) which comprises at least one member (10) constructed of an elastically deformable material.

Abstract: A towing apparatus includes a generally tubular shaped elongated housing for enclosing an elastic cord secured to points on a towing cord. The towing cord is disposed, at least in part, within the elongated housing and is capable of extending, at least in part, through the opposing open ends. The elastic-type cord is secured at opposite ends thereof to spaced apart terminating points of the towing cord such that the length between the spaced apart points is greater than the length of the elastic cord. The elastic cord in the relaxed condition serves to bunch the towing cord segment between the space apart point within the elongated housing without entanglement. Connectors may be secured to each of the opposite ends of the towing cord for attachment of the towing apparatus to, respectively, a towing vessel and to a watercraft.

Abstract: An improved and simplified anchor line shock absorber to protect an anchor line, the hoisting or lifting device gearing and motor attached thereto, from excessive shock forces. A tubular member, having a compression spring and located vertically, is arranged to fit within (a prior art) an anchor (shell) to absorb the shock forces. A (prior art) lifting line is attached to the terminal end of the spring assembly located within (the) an anchor. (shell.) This arrangement provides for free retrieval of the lifting line through and around guides, fair-leads, spools and drums when retrieved (by mechanical means.) mechanically.

Abstract: A shock absorber is incorporated into a tether line to provide a take up device for adjusting the effect of certain instantaneous stress forces in the tether line. This shock absorber is formed as part of an assembly and is positioned in transverse orientation to the longitudinal axis of the tether, to control a designated payout of the tether itself. The tether remains as one continuous lineal structure. The shock absorber, while operating on lineal stress forces in the tether, does not become a necessary support link of the tether. The tether may be of flexible line and the shock absorber structure is comparatively compact, thereby allowing the flexible tether line to be coiled and easily stored without the removal of the shock absorber mechanism. Upon reuse, care is not needed for orientation of the shock absorber, as stress is applied to the tether line.

Abstract: In a towed array breakout of the type deployed from or retrieved by naval ssels a junction is defined between a fixed portion of an electrically conductive wire and a movable portion of the wire portion. A relatively hard potting material is provided around and defines the fixed portion of the wire. A coiled helically shaped portion of the same wire or a second wire is integrally joined to the first portion and defines the movable portion. This movable second portion is encased in a relatively soft urethane material so as to provide freedom in both a bending and tension mode. A third portion of the wire is connected to the opposite end of the coiled second portion. This structure affords strain relief at the junction between the fixed portion of the flexible conductor and the movable second portion.

Abstract: An anchor shock absorber for use with a marine vessel anchoring system. The anchor shock absorber is purposed to relieve the strain on a rope or a cable which joins an anchoring device to the marine vessel. The anchor shock absorber includes an casing, a spring assembly interposed within the casing, and a buoyant material associated with the casing. The casing may be of a rigidly constructed independent of the buoyant material or may be formed by the buoyant material. The spring assembly includes axially disposed opposing first and second couplings. A spring is arranged between the first and second couplings in such a manner that an axial strain induced upon the anchoring system causes the first and second couplings to move in opposing directions, thus distorting the spring axially. This distortion of the spring absorbs the shock or relieves the strain sustained by the connecting line. An absence of strain allows the spring to relax, or to return a normal state or condition.

Abstract: A swimming harness for holding a swimming at a selected location in a body of water such as a swimming pool and giving the swimmer freedom of swimming movement. The swimming harness comprises an elongated integral braided cord having an inner end which is secured to a fixed object located directly adjacent the swimming pool and an outer end which is connected, such as by a belt, to the swimmer. The elongated integral braided cord includes an enlarged section within which is mounted a stretchable resilient solid cord. The resilient cord functions to stretch to substantially eliminate any jerking movements produced by the swimmer during the swimming motion. The enlarged section of cord that surrounds the resilient solid cord is capable of being expanded a limited amount thereby functioning as a stretch limiter for the resilient solid cord.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use in connection with moored barge fleets, and capable of withstanding very large shock loads so that when positioned between a mooring cable and a stationary shore connection the shock absorber absorbs impact loads that are applied to the mooring cable by virtue of the flow of the current and the passage of other vessels. The shock absorber includes a cylindrical outer shell, the shell including end closure plates at each end. Extending between the end closure plates are six guide rods, each guide rod carrying four aligned groups of two concentric helical compression springs, the respective groups of springs being separated from axially adjacent groups of springs by respective alignment plates that are freely movable relative to the guide rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating tension by the compression of a yieldingly resisting core includes a compressible core, a collapsible modifier arranged in the core and a force transmitting or compressive member which receives a tension that is to be regulated and in response thereto applied a compressive force to the core. The core and modifier combine to initially generate a force in opposition to the compressive force applied to them, and the opposition force as applied to the compressive member causes the apparatus to develop a force in opposition to the applied tension. The modifier also aids the applied tension as the core is flattened.

Abstract: The instant invention is an apparatus for introducing resilient forces into a line when the line is tensioned. The apparatus comprises a housing to form and maintain a section of line into a loop or bight portion lying generally in planes substantially parallel to the line portions exterior of the housing when the line is in a tensioned condition. The apparatus further contains a resilient member to maintain the loop or bight in a relatively large diameter condition when the line is not tensioned. The resilient member resists a lessening in diameter of the loop or bight upon tensioning of the line.

Abstract: A swimming harness for holding a swimmer at a selected location in a swimming pool, yet giving the swimmer freedom of swimming movement. The swimming harness comprises an elongated member, the inner end of which is attached to a fixed exterior object and the outer end of which is connected to a belt which is to be located about the waist of the swimmer. A resilient section is located between the inner and outer ends of the members to provide a limited amount of stretching movement.

Abstract: A safety suspension unit with a tracking carriage connectable to an elevated fixed track, the suspension unit having a spring loaded pulley system with a support cable connected to a harness for aiding a skater, in the learning and practicing of jumps and spins. The tension in the spring which loads the pulley system is increased as the support cable is dispensed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a snubbing device for use with traditional braided cordage. Traditional braided cordage exhibits a certain elasticity when tensioned by having the longitudinal axis of the braided cordage pulled in such a manner that the braid and resulting diameter constricts itself. In a double braided environment, an outer braid would constrict upon an inner braid, which would in turn constrict upon itself. A resilient elastic insert is provided within the inner core thereof, thereby causing the inner braid to constrict thereon.