Patents Examined by Anthony Wiest
  • Patent number: 8702463
    Abstract: A floating device of an outdoor furniture comprises a frame, at least two floaters removably disposed on the frame, at least two connecting elements respectively disposed on surfaces of the floaters for connecting with each other to bind the floaters together to form a floating system, and at least one inserter fixed on the frame, wherein at least one of the floaters is located by the inserter to block the floaters from removing from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Jack Shao-Chun Chu
  • Patent number: 8689714
    Abstract: An electrochemical engine for buoyancy is provided with the engine having a water-tight and gas-tight chamber containing a volume of seawater. The electrochemical buoyancy engine contributes electrons for reduction of hydrogen protons in the seawater using a sufficient voltage applied to an anode and a cathode disposed in the seawater. The generated hydrogen gas is held in the chamber to provide the desired buoyancy and can be vented to adjust the buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas S. Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 8689717
    Abstract: An emergency repair plug for sealing an opening in a boat hull, comprises a conical body made of a solid foam, spongy cellular material that is compressible by hand and able to return to its original shape. The conical body is compressible by hand to a smaller dimension so that a portion of the conical body larger than an opening to be plugged can be inserted into the opening. The conical body is able to return to its larger size after compression, thereby to be wedged in the opening to slow down water inflow through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Artelier Studio LLC
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Benveniste, Henry Goldman, Joseph Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8690616
    Abstract: A method for operating a ship propulsion system, in particular a sailing ship propulsion system, comprising an internal combustion engine (303), at least one shifting clutch (319), and a drive device (309) for transmitting drive power to at least one propeller (308). The direction of thrust of the propeller (308) is changed via the drive device (309) which is designed as a ship propulsion system which can be pivoted about a substantially vertical control axis (320) by pivoting a thrust unit (321) associated with the drive device (309). For this purpose, the pivotable thrust unit (321) is pivoted approximately 180° in the opposite direction to reverse the direction of thrust of the propeller (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Davide Grassi, Paolo Stasolla, Andrea Pellegrinetti, Adriano Zanfei, Michele Zottele
  • Patent number: 8690618
    Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes an outboard motor, a transom bracket, a steering shaft, a first mount, a second mount, a tilt bracket, a tilt mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The tilt bracket is attached to a transom via the transom bracket and the steering shaft. The outboard motor is joined to the tilt bracket. The tilt bracket includes a first joint portion joined to the outboard motor via a first mount, a second joint portion joined to the outboard motor via a second mount, and a support portion arranged to support the outboard motor at a height different from heights of the first mount and the second mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takase
  • Patent number: 8689721
    Abstract: A vertically installed Spar-type floater for offshore wind turbine and related construction method are provided. The floating system is a gravity stabilized deep-draft floater including a plurality of vertically extending columns, each column containing a ballast material; a ballast tank coupled to the lower end of each of the columns; a top deck having a plurality of through-bores approximate its periphery coupled to the upper end of each of the columns; a wind turbine assembly supported by the top deck at the center; a plurality of mooring lines linking the floating system to the sea floor. The floating system has a temporary vertically towing configuration which allows the entire floating wind turbine system to be assembled at a quayside and towed vertically to an offshore site, and self-installed into operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jin Wang
  • Patent number: 8684778
    Abstract: A paddle device. First and second paddle assemblies each have a paddle blade extending from a paddle end of a paddle arm so that the paddle structures each have a paddle blade end and a paddle arm end. A hand crankable crank shaft arrangement have a center and first and second ends and having handle segments. The paddle arm end of the first paddle structure is coupled to the first end of the crank shaft arrangement and the paddle arm end of the second paddle structure is coupled to the second end of the crank shaft arrangement. First and second handle grips are rotatably coupled to the crank shaft arrangement so as to permit the crank shaft arrangement to rotate with respect to the first and second handle grips when the crankshaft arrangement is cranked. This abstract is not to be considered limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald Wayne Bergman
  • Patent number: 8677922
    Abstract: A boat including at least two wall segments extending generally upwardly from a deck to define an interior space. The wall segments are spaced from one another to define a passage for allowing passengers to enter and exit the interior space. A gate is secured to one of the wall segments for controlling access to the interior space. A latch assembly including base and sliding members is coupled to an end of one of the wall segments. The sliding member is movable between a latched position for trapping a portion of the gate and an unlatched position for releasing the gate. At least one glide plate of a low-friction material is disposed between the base and sliding members. Additionally, when the sliding member is in the unlatched position, the base member presents a strike surface for receiving contact from the gate to protect the wall segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Avalon Pontoons
    Inventor: John R. Cooney
  • Patent number: 8672720
    Abstract: A life vest with a rescue handle located on the back side thereof. The rescue handle has a flange located at the lower end thereof, the flange being attached to the back side of the life vest with the rescue handle extending substantially vertically upwards. The rescue handle is attached to the back side of the life vest in a manner adapted to support the weight of a user. The rescue handle has a non-loop shape that eliminates the potential for entanglement with objects in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Swimways Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Barbis
  • Patent number: 8671868
    Abstract: A vessel for transporting a payload through water having a body which travels below the surface of the water and carries the payload, fins extending laterally from the body below the surface of the water a telescoping tower which extends above the surface of the water from the body, a wing extending laterally above the water from an upper portion of the tower, engines mounted on the wing for propelling the body through the water, and propellers mounted on the under sides of the fins for lifting the vessel and holding the vessel in a raised position with the body at the surface of the water while loading and unloading the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: Awsabe Shifferaw, Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
  • Patent number: 8651907
    Abstract: A water jacketed exhaust component includes an exhaust pipe having a radially inwardly tapered tail end, a water jacket disposed in surrounding relation with the exhaust pipe, and a generally V-shaped spray ring. The spray ring includes a first and second set of apertures that create diverging streams of cooling water. A first set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially inward. These streams are generally directed toward the outer surface of the exhaust pipe structure which extends downstream of the spray ring. A second set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially outward. These streams are generally directed toward the inner surface of the water jacket structure extending downstream of the spray ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Woodrow Woods
  • Patent number: 8607722
    Abstract: An aerodynamic wind propulsion device is provided, particularly for watercraft, in form of an aerodynamic wing connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of tractive lines, at least one pair of two active steering lines being connected to the aerodynamic wing at two points in distance and being coupled to a drive unit at the steering unit, a tractive cable, a first end of the tractive cable being connected at the steering unit to at least two of the tractive lines and a second end of the tractive cable being connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates an uplift force, and two passive steering lines are connected to each other to form a continuous passive steering line section passing through the steering unit in order to passively follow a deformation of the aerodynamic wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Skysails GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Wrage, Bernd Specht, Stefan Wortmann
  • Patent number: 8607724
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rudder assembly formed from a rudder structure having an airfoil shaped rudder structure rotatably secured to a shaft that is rigidly secured an underlying base plate. An upper surface of the base plate includes a support pin positioned a predetermined distance from the shaft. A trailing tab having an underlying drive plate is hingedly coupled to the rudder structure. The drive plate has a centrally located slot constructed and arranged to be slidably secured to the support pin on the base plate. Rotation of the rudder structure results in direct movement of the trailing tab in proportion to the rudder position. Clockwise rotation of the rudder structure causes the clockwise rotation of the trailing tab. Counter-clockwise rotation of the rudder structure causes the counter-clockwise rotation of the trailing tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Gyro-Gale Corporation
    Inventors: Zeyad M. Metwally, Maged Metwally
  • Patent number: 8601971
    Abstract: A boat cover for a suspended cover system that is configured to fit a boat in a manner that prevents relative movement therebetween minimizing wear. The cover has at least one fitting seam that follows part of the top of the boat. An integral cover cinching arrangement enables tightening the bottom of the cover against the hull hugging it. Vents overlying a passenger section minimize wind force by reducing cover pressure differential. The cover can be equipped with a second fitting seam that extends along the gunwale of the boat and can have a downwardly extending fitting seam section that extends below the gunwale toward the bow to help fit the cover to the front portion of the hull of the boat. Stretchable straps used to hang the cover from a track of the boat cover system can be used to minimize force on the cover caused by wave action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Marine Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Randy Kent
  • Patent number: 8590474
    Abstract: A monohull offshore drilling vessel includes a hull with a moonpool and a multiple firing line hoist system mounted on the hull. The multiple firing line hoist system includes a mast having a top side and a base connected to the hull, wherein the mast has a hollow construction with a first side and an opposed second side. A first hoisting device is supported by the mast and has load attachment device displaceable along a first firing line, which extends on the outside of and adjacent to the first side of the mast. A second hoisting device is supported by the mast and has a load attachment device displaceable along a second firing line. The first and second hoisting devices each include one or more cables and one or more associated winches to manipulate the position of each of the load attachment devices relative to the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Itrec B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 8585451
    Abstract: A propulsor and control system for an underwater vehicle having annular fore and aft circumferential shrouds surrounding the hull. The fore and aft circumferential shrouds form respective fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps between the fore and aft circumferential shrouds and the hull. Fore and aft propulsor blades are situated substantially or completely within the fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps; the blades counter-rotate in one preferred embodiment. The fore or aft circumferential ring propulsors can have front control vanes located in front of the respective propulsors blade sets, and back control vanes located behind the respective propulsors to control the direction of the flow of water in order to maneuver the underwater vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Bleicken
  • Patent number: 8561562
    Abstract: In a friction reducing device for a ship body by forming an air bubble curtain on a ship's bottom by generating air bubbles from air ejection holes formed on the bottom, the air ejection holes are arranged in a ship width direction to constitute a plurality of air-ejection hole groups. The air-ejection hole groups include at least a center air-ejection hole group formed at the center of the ship width direction at a bow side and a pair of side air-ejection hole groups formed at a stern side from the center air-ejection hole group at both sides of the center air-ejection hole group in the ship width direction. A length of the center air-ejection hole group in the ship width direction is formed to be longer than a length of each of the side air-ejection hole groups in the ship width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takano, Chiharu Kawakita, Seijiro Higasa, Shuji Mizokami, Shoichi Kameyama, Takashi Mine
  • Patent number: 8562383
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a towing equipment for towing a person by a vehicle. The towing equipment comprises a proximal portion intended to be associated with said person, a distal portion intended to be connected to said vehicle, and a junction region interposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The proximal portion includes a first flexible branch and a second flexible branch, which are connected to the distal portion at the junction region. A proximal end of said first flexible branch comprises a handle; a proximal end of said second flexible branch is configured to be associated with the waist of said person. The present disclosure further relates to an abdominal belt intended to be used in conjunction with a towing equipment. The present disclosure also relates to a method for towing a person by a vehicle or the like. In particular, the person is a water skier and the vehicle is a motor boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Norman Weiss
  • Patent number: 8550862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship propulsion system (S) having a pump jet (P) comprising a pump housing (G) and a drive motor, wherein the drive motor is a solenoid motor (M) integrated into the pump housing (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schottel GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Krautkrämer
  • Patent number: 8545278
    Abstract: A method for operation of a hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel, including at least one electric motor and at least one internal combustion engine as drive units, is disclosed. Depending on the requirement, for example the vessel speed, the drive units individually or jointly drive at least one propulsion unit, for example a propeller, the power outputs of the drive units to the at least one propulsion unit controlled by a control device as a function of a set value, for example a set value for the propeller rotation speed or the vessel speed, and an operating mode such that the sum of these power outputs results in a total power being output to the at least one propulsion unit, with this total power output being split between the power outputs of the individual drive units as a function of the set value and the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rzadki, Hannes Schulze Horn