Abstract: A windlass for a boat pulls in an anchor rode. A chainwheel mounted on a shaft has an annular groove to engage the anchor rode. A flexible retainer with a leaf spring is disposed across the chainwheel annular groove to press the rode into the chainwheel annular groove. The retainer has trunnions that pivot and slide transversely in upper and lower arcuate grooves, toward the slack portion of the rode. A housing is attached to a base and covers the rode for safety. The housing has the upper arcuate groove and an arcuate member has the lower arcuate groove. The base, housing, and arcuate member are aligned with three key members that engage one another. The rode slides on a low friction wear plate attached to the base. A funnel with a mouth facing forward is mounted on the base for directing the rode downward through a nozzle into the boat. A motor drive has an electric motor and a worm gear transmission attached to the shaft lower end for rotating the shaft.

Abstract: A plastic heat exchanger has a shell with tanks disposed side-by-side. First and last distribution tanks straddle heat transfer tanks. The shell has a plurality of flow gaps, to allow coolant to flow between adjacent tanks. Spacers hold the flow gaps open. Upper and lower flanges are adhesively attached to the shell. Flange holes align with the tanks. Each flange hole has an annular wall encircling one of the tanks to preclude the shell from expanding. Upper and lower manifolds are adjacent the flanges, and have chambers disposed side-by-side for each heat transfer tank. Baffles are adapted to be removably received between the chambers to selectively block flow. A plurality of tubes extends between upper and lower tube headers, comprising a tube bundle, removably received within each of the heat transfer tanks. A header O-ring is between each header and flange. A seal plate is disposed against each flange. Each seal plate has seal plate holes in alignment with the flange holes, defining a hole pair.

Abstract: A rope cleat secures a rope to a structure. The cleat has a body with opposite first and second portions joined along a longitudinal central plane. The body has a U-shaped cavity inside it tapering between a large entrance leg and a smaller exit leg, which communicate at a confluent portion. A flange is integrally attached to the body first portion. The flange is mounted against the structure through a mounting hole. The flange has an entrance hole and an exit hole spaced apart and extending through the flange. The rope is easily inserted into the large entrance hole, through the U-shaped cavity, and out the smaller exit hole. A knot is then tied to secure the rope in the cleat. The cleat has registration pins on one body portion, and corresponding registration holes on the opposite portion. The pins align the body first and second portions for assembly with a screw.

Abstract: A collapsible potty comprises a one piece, rigid seat with a central hole through it. A pair of opposed tracks on the seat lower surface extend from front to rear. Left and right support panels are pivotally attached, by means of support hinge knuckles, to seat hinge knuckles on the seat left and right ends, respectively. Hinge pins engage hinge holes in the knuckles. The support panels are able to pivot from a folded position adjacent the seat lower surface, to an open position extending downward. A flexible, sealable waste bag hangs beneath the seat to receive waste. A tray has a plurality of hooks, arrayed around a central hole, that engage holes in the waste bag. The tray slides into the seat tracks to position the tray central hole directly beneath the seat central hole. A zip-lock closure seals the waste bag. A resilient locking arm on the seat hinge knuckle expands into a notch in the support hinge knuckle when the support panel is rotated into the open position, to hold the support panel open.

Abstract: An LED conversion system is used in connection with a recessed light housing mounted in a ceiling. The housing has a can with apertures through it and an electrical socket mounted inside. An electrical source of AC current is connected to the socket. A lamp fitting into the can has a shell with a flat or domed top and a plurality of LEDs. Two bolts and nuts attach the shell to the can. The first end of each bolt is hook-shaped to hook into the apertures. The second end has a thread. Each nut has a head and an elongated portion with an internal thread. A power supply is converts AC to DC current to power the LEDs. The power supply has an enclosure and a circuit board. An electrical plug connects the power supply to the socket. A plurality of conductors connects the power supply to the LEDs. An optional ocular plate can be a diffuser, a filter, or a fresnel lens.

Abstract: A sock keeper holds clothing items together in the laundry. A flexible base extends between opposite first and second edges, and between opposite ends. One of the base ends has a first tab projecting outward adjacent the base first edge. The opposite base end has a second tab projecting outward adjacent the base second edge. The tabs are thereby spaced apart, allowing manual grasping of the tabs separately. A flexible tail extends from a proximal end adjacent the base first edge to an opposite distal end. The tail surface is made from the loop portion of hook-and-loop material, to ensure that the tail surface does not catch on any clothing items in the wash. The tail closely encircles the clothing items. A base panel on the base upper surface is made from the hook portion of hook-and-loop material, so as to releasably engage the tail surface, defining a primary fastener. The base panel ends releasably engage one another above the tail distal end, defining a secondary fastener.

Abstract: A cable grommet with ball and socket is used in connection with an elongated member passing through a hole in a panel. The ball has a pair of opposed hemispherical members juxtaposed along a ball central axis and horizontal plane. The ball has a hole through it aligned with the central axis, to receive the elongated member. A socket supports and retains the ball securely, while allowing the ball to pivot in any direction. The socket has a pair of opposed cup members, each with a hemispherical cavity therein centered on a socket central axis and vertical plane. A pilot aligns the socket with the panel hole. The cup members each have two tabs projecting transversely from a semicircular flange. The tabs of the opposed cup members overlap. Each cup member has an upper and lower thickened brow portion on the cavity adjacent the flange ends to strengthen the cavity. An adapter allows mounting the grommet in an oversized panel hole.

Abstract: A boat cover support has a disc member placed against the cover. A vertical strut is received in a socket extending downward from the disc member. The socket has two opposed, semicircular walls to receive a circular strut. The ends of the socket walls are integral with the recesses. The ends of the socket walls are spaced apart to form a transverse notch through the socket to receive a rectangular strut. The disc member has slots arrayed in groups of three around the periphery. Straps extending from the slots outward are attached to the boat structure to stabilize the cover support. The disc member has four recesses with walls extending downward to reinforce the disc member and the socket. Lines extending from the recesses outward are attached to the boat structure to stabilize the cover support. Each recess has an interior cavity to receive a terminal knot in the line so as not to abrade the boat cover. A step is placed against the boat sole, to prevent the strut from slipping transversely.

Abstract: A heat exchanger transfers heat between primary and secondary fluid coolants. A housing has a longitudinal central axis lying within a transverse housing plane. A bottom wall with a concave inner surface faces upward and extends along the central axis. A plurality of arcuately helical lower sector fins are spaced apart along the central axis on the bottom wall inner surface. A cover has a longitudinal central axis lying within a transverse cover plane. A top wall with a concave inner surface faces downward and extends along the central axis. A plurality of arcuately helical upper sector fins are spaced apart along the central axis on the top wall inner surface. A copper tube is assembled into the housing in a direction transverse to the housing axis with the tube closely adjacent the lower sector fins. First and second sealing means seal the tube ends to the housing. The cover is assembled into the housing in a direction transverse to the housing axis with the upper sector fins closely adjacent the tube.

Abstract: A lift gate latch is used with a lift gate and a handrail on a boat having a deck. The handrail has a jamb with a hollow interior having a predetermined width and breadth. The lift gate has a stile and a sliding hinge. The lift gate latch comprises a cup inserted in the deck, to receive the stile. A flange extends outward from the cup upper end, to mount against the boat deck. A tongue extends outward from the flange. A block extends upward from the tongue. The block is slidingly received in the jamb. The block has a breadth less than the jamb interior breadth, to allow adjustment of the clearance between the jamb and the stile. The flange and the tongue each present a low profile on the deck.

Abstract: A bimini top hook is used in connection with a boat and a bimini frame. The bimini top hook comprises an anchor having hook with a column extending upward from a base. The hook has an arch with a throat facing downward. A clevis is provided, and has a pin extending between two furcations. The pin pivotally engages the arch throat. A latch is provided, having a resilient lever arm extending from a body portion. The lever arm has a locking tab extending downward. The latch slidingly engages a column slot. The latch is selectively movable from a first position wherein the clevis pin is able to freely engage and disengage the top hook, to a second position wherein the locking tab is locked into engagement with the base and the clevis pin is locked into engagement with the throat.

Abstract: An adjustable bimini bracket is for use in connection with a boat having a railing tubular member on either side of the boat, and a bimini having strut tubular members. Left and right side plates are generally parallel and spaced apart. A transverse plate extends between the side plates. Ridges are disposed intermediate the transverse plate and the end. The side plates have a pair of collinear holes therethrough adjacent each end. The bimini bracket will slidingly engage the tubular member between the side plates. A bolt and a hand knob engage the first holes. The hand knob will be tightened, clamping the tubular member between the side plates, thereby preventing the bimini bracket from sliding on the tubular member. A second bolt and a nut engage the second holes for pivotal fastening of a strut tubular member to the bimini bracket, and for fastening a tie-down. The side plates taper upward in thickness from one end to the ridges. A plurality of ribs reinforces the side plates.

Abstract: A plastic chimney cap is molded in one-piece from either a thermoset or a thermoplastic resin. The chimney cap has a wall extending continuously around a closed-circuit. The wall interior surface defines an interior space. A plurality of vent holes through the wall communicates with the interior space to vent combustion gases. A roof is attached to the upper edge of the wall. A flange is disposed outside the lower edge of the wall and has a perimeter extending completely around the wall. A shoulder connects the flange with the wall. Thickened reinforced regions with threaded holes and mounting screws are spaced apart around the flange perimeter for fastening the chimney cap to the flue. The interior surfaces can be coated with a metallized coating for heat resistance.

Abstract: A lift gate latch is used in connection with a lift gate and a handrail on a boat. The handrail has a jamb, and the lift gate has at least one stile. The lift gate latch has left and right side walls spaced apart and disposed adjacent the deck of the boat. Reinforcing ribs extend along both side walls, which straddle the jamb and the stile. A transverse member and a base member extend between the side walls. A portion of the right side wall has a height lower than the left side wall height, so that the stile can pass easily over it when opening and closing the gate. Fasteners pass through holes in the side walls and attach to the deck. Bosses are juxtaposed with the holes. The fasteners and bosses strengthen the side wall adjacent each hole.

Abstract: A vented fuel filler is installed in a boat from below the deck. The vented fuel filler comprises a body with an inlet portion. First and second grooves extend in arcs across the outer surface of the inlet portion upper end. Fuel and vent nozzles communicate with the inlet portion and the fuel tank. First and second clamps extend in arcs between opposite ends. The body inlet portion is inserted in a single, circular deck hole from below. The clamp inner edges are inserted into the body first and second grooves, and then the clamps are fastened to the deck. A cap has an annular array of teeth facing inward. A threaded insert has an annular array of teeth projecting outward. The insert teeth are received in the cap teeth, so that the cap can be selectively rotated. An inscription of “gas” will then be readable from the fuel dock by a dock attendant.

Abstract: A fire access port is mounted on a flammable material compartment juxtaposed with an access hole. A fire extinguisher nozzle is inserted through the fire port to suppress a fire from outside the compartment The fire port comprises a diaphragm of flexible, resilient material having a predetermined thickness extending between opposite primary and secondary surfaces. First and second transverse grooves extend across the diaphragm primary surface. The grooves have a maximum depth less than the diaphragm thickness, and a floor at the maximum depth, forming first and second frangible webs between each groove floor and the secondary surface. The frangible webs will rupture as the fire extinguisher nozzle is inserted through the diaphragm. An annular ring-like base member extends around the diaphragm. The base member extends from a proximal edge with a predetermined thickness for strength, outward to a distal edge having less thickness. A cylindrical wall extends annularly around the diaphragm for reinforcement.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger has two shell coolant and two tube coolant passageways communicating with a cavity in a shell. Removably received in the shell cavity is a tube bundle with tube headers. A locating screw extends through the shell to engage a locating recess in one tube header. The screw locates the tube bundle angularly about the central axis and longitudinally along the central axis, and is also used to electrically ground the tube bundle. An end cover, a flow separator, and resilient disc to take up thermal expansion are installed in each end of the shell to direct coolant through the tube bundle in multiple passes. Receivers with rotatable connectors are bonded to each shell coolant and tube coolant passageway. Angled connector nozzles can be connected to external conduits in any orientation.

Abstract: A finger pinch guard is used in connection with railings on a boat. Stanchions of adjacent railing segments are mounted close together on the boat gunwales. Each pair of adjacent railings forms a generally Y shaped profile in an arcuate transition area wherein fingers can jam. A mounting member having an axle is attached to the railing in this area. A curved member, typically including a generally spherical wheel, is attached to the mounting member axle, and is able to rotate on the axle. Thus, a finger introduced into this area with downward force will cause the wheel to rotate, thereby directing the finger to roll outward off the wheel and away from the railing. Another embodiment has a mounting member with a unitary, non-rotating curved member. The finger will slide off the curved member and away from the railing.

Abstract: A hinge cover is for use in connection with a hinge having a pivotal axis and typically two leaves penetrated by fasteners with heads. The hinge cover comprises a plate covering the leaf The plate is attached either to the hinge or to the fastener heads with an adhesive pad having a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface. The plate has a skirt projecting outward from the plate lower surface, so as to cover the leaf edges and the leaf distal end.