Abstract: A method of providing protection to a substrate or an object near a substrate includes placing a material between the substrate or object and a source of sound waves, the material being a viscoelastic matrix reinforced with rods or fibrous materials. The method is particularly useful when the substrate is an underwater craft or when the object to be protected is a sonar antenna.

Abstract: A dynamically positioned loading buoy for transferring liquid from an offshore structure to a tanker. The loading buoy is a floating hull. The hull is provided with thrusters that are used to position the loading buoy and tanker in a safe position relative to the offshore structure. The use of thrusters on the loading buoy eliminates the need for anchors and mooring lines for the loading buoy. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the offshore structure and the loading buoy may be stored on the loading buoy or the offshore structure. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the loading buoy and the tanker is stored on a reel on the loading buoy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with hull having a hull serving as a roof when mounted on a car detachably fixed on the upper part of a car body, and by detachably mounting and fixing the hull with the ship's bottom directed upward on the upper part of the car body of the vehicle from which the roof is removed, particular carriage is not needed when transporting the hull, and the Overall length is not extended when transporting the hull, and moreover the hull can be used as the roof when mounted on the car, and when dismounted,it can be used as the hull itself.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for containers of human waste. The apparatus has a floating receiving station with receiving apertures projecting from the receiving station to receive containers of human waste which have been stored on a boat. As the boat approaches the receiving station, the waste may be placed within the receiving aperture and thereby prevent the pollution of water.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting arrangement for an engine powering a water propulsion device of a watercraft having a hull. The engine is connected to the hull with three engine mounts. A first pair of mounts are positioned on opposite sides of the engine, and the third mount connects one end of the engine to the hull. The side mounts are positioned equidistantly from a line passing through a center of gravity of the engine and parallel to a line extending along the crankshaft of the engine. The third mount is positioned along the line passing through the center of gravity. Each mount comprises a pad engaging a bracket extending from the engine. Each pad is positioned on a threaded shaft which engages a threaded mounting of connected to the hull, whereby the height of each pad, and thus the engine, may be changed with respect to the hull without changing the position of the engine relative to the pads.

Abstract: An anchor retrieval system comprising a buoy (20) from which there depends an anchor retrieval device (40) comprising an aperture through which an anchor chain or rope or the like can pass, which anchor chain or rope or the like has one end attached to a vessel (11) and the other end attached to an anchor (14).

Abstract: A marine propulsion unit has two contra-rotating propellers (15, 16) driven by a single shaft (25) through gearing which includes a set of static planetary gears (40), an external gear (30), and an internal gear (44). The gearing is mounted in an oil-filled gear box having three, co-axial cylindrical sections (12, 13, 14). The outer two sections (12, 14) rotate in opposite directions and provide respective propeller hubs. The intermediate section (13) is stationary and serves as a carrier for the planetary gears (40) and a mount for flow-straightening vanes (18) which support a cylindrical shroud (17). An angular passage (28) may be provided in the intermediate section (13) to exhaust combustion gases through openings in the outside of the shroud (17) when the unit forms part of an outboard motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing exhaust fumes from entering the deck area of a motor boat having an engine of the type which has an exhaust port that expels fumes at the rear end of the boat is disclosed. The present invention includes an air manifold located at the rear end of the boat above the exhaust port and adapted to direct air to the rear of the boat. Air ducts having inlets located forwardly of the rear end of the boat are connected to the air manifold. The air manifold assembly is configured to form an air barrier between exhaust fumes and the rear deck area of the boat to prevent exhaust fumes from flowing into the rear deck or the cabin area.

Abstract: A stern mounted vertically adjustable propeller and rudder marine drive. The aft end of a propeller shaft, the propeller, the rudder and printle and a skeg are vertically moveable to adjust a boat's draft for use in the water and when trailering. A stern underwater slot in the boat hull and shaped to enhance water flow accommodates the propeller shaft which is driven by an inboard engine. As the propeller shaft passes through the hull slot it engages a flexible water seal mechanism which self adjusts or maintains itself in various up and downward positions; its pivotal point is common with the conterline pivotal point of a universal joint, which is attached to a drive shaft connected to the transmission of an inboard engine.

Abstract: A self-stowing canoe transporting apparatus which enables manual transport of a canoe over rough terrain in an upright position. The transporting apparatus includes a dual-wheeled dolly with a cradle having contoured constrained abutment portions which support the aft bottom or keel of a canoe. The transporting apparatus is attachable to the canoe without drilling, welding, use of adhesives, or any form of modification of the canoe. The dolly is pivotally attached at the stern of the canoe enabling rotational motion of the dolly to an aft deck stowage position during use of the canoe on the water. In portaging, the cradle rotates under the canoe, and secure engagement of the cradle with the canoe aft bottom or keel is accomplished with tensioning straps.

Abstract: A device designed to enable a sailor to move easily about a watercraft. The device includes a bench unit that may extend substantially from port to starboard. One or more bench units are movingly coupled to a rail system extending fore and aft on the watercraft. The bench unit is designed and coupled to the rail system such that the sailor can remain on the bench unit and move it fore and aft by pushing his or her feet on the underlying substrate above which the sailor sits. The bench unit is preferably designed to permit the sailor to straddle it. The bench unit may be a unitary piece extending substantially the entire width of the watercraft. Alternatively, it may be formed of two sections that can be moved independent of one another. A handrail affixed to the bench enhances stability for the sailor. An optional braking system that can be engaged or disengaged by the sailor prevents undesired movement of the bench unit along the rails.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle seating system which in a preferred embodiment includes a rigid surface fixed with respect to the vehicle, the rigid surface having an aperture; a seating surface positioned generally adjacent the rigid surface, the seating surface having a frame, the frame having a portion generally formed as a loop extending into the aperture of the rigid surface; and a molded single-piece plastic retainer having two opposed walls, one of the walls having a lock ramp to aid in an interference fit within the aperture of the fixed surface and the retainer having on one of the opposing walls a collar and a lock ramp on another opposing wall to allow the opposing walls to be locked together and the retainer having a compliant locking finger interlocking into the loop of the seat frame to hold the seat in position within the vehicle.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable container is provided for the stern of a boat in order to add weight to the stern and enhance the wake of the boat. The container is formed from an outer bag resistant to abrasion and puncture and an inner, liquid impermeable bladder positioned within the bag and protected from puncture and abrasion by the bag. The bladder is filled with water through one or more nozzles accessed through openings in the bag.

Abstract: A stabilizer system is used to stabilize a marine vessel hull. The system includes at least one stabilizer assembly attached to the hull and the stabilizer assembly is capable of moving with respect to the hull in response to ambient sea surface conditions detected by the system. Each stabilizer assembly includes an outrigger arm and a float arm which has a float attached to one end. The float arm can expand and contract in order to keep the float in contact with the sea surface or lift it from contact. Additionally, the float can have the ability to change its cross-sectional shape and volume with respect to the waves. The entire stabilizer assembly, and various components thereof, have the ability to position themselves in response to commands generated by the system. The system predicts impending adverse motions, such as oncoming waves, in order to position the stabilizer assemblies and the vessel in optimum positions so as to negate the effect of the oncoming wave on the vessel.

Abstract: A small water plane area twin hull (SWATH) ship (10) has two demi-hulls (11), a strut (12) mounted to each hull which extends to a cross structure (14) spanning the struts. A buoyant foil (18) extends between the two hulls.

Abstract: A boat windshield is assembled using a quick connect joint that combines the ease of assembly of conventional push together joints with the strength and aesthetics of conventional slip joints, and may be assembled without accessory fasteners. First and second substantially rigid frame members mount first and second transparent windshield panels, the first frame member having a first, female, side including a recess, and the second frame member having a first, male, side including a hollow projection which is shaped and dimensioned to mate with the recess, and has a first slot defined in it. The recess has a quick connect locking clip extending outwardly from it toward the projection, the locking clip including a channel which cooperates with the first slot to hold the first and second frame members together. Typically at least two first slots and clips are provided in the cooperating frame members, vertically spaced from each other, and the first sides are vertical and mounted to a boat deck.

Abstract: A boat anchor assembly which allows the boat anchor to be retrieved easily, even when fouled in rocks or debris on a lake bottom, for example. The anchor includes a V-shaped anchor, structure for attaching an anchor line to the end of the anchor shank, an anchoring line, and a breakable tie. The end of the anchor line is attached to the anchor crown and removably attached by a tie to the structure for attaching an anchor line to the end of the anchor's shank. The tie will break when sufficient force is applied to the anchor line, thus to transfer the pulling force exerted by the anchor line from the end of the shank to the crown so that the anchor may be easily pulled from any entanglements. The entire V-shaped anchor is coated in a plastic or other suitable material to prevent rust, and the arm and shank of the V-shaped anchor are tapered towards their ends so as easily to penetrate a brush pile or rock bed.

Abstract: A self contained underwater ball ("SCUBall") is a self-powered, aquatic sporting device. The SCUBAll is neutrally buoyant when submerged in water, and has a center of gravity located at the SCUBall's center of buoyancy, and aligned with the axis of hydrodynamic forces. The SCUBall includes a switch, accessible from outside the SCUBall, which upon activation causes said propulsion unit to be energized for a time interval after activation of said switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper for a vehicle body having two side members (11, 12), said bumper consisting of a bumper bracket (13) extending over the width of the body, with two deformation members (14, 15) projecting at right angles from the back at a distance from one another, said members being integral with bumper bracket (13) and being connectable by bolt connections (20) with side members (11, 12). The deformation members (14, 15) are more resistant to deformation than bumper bracket (13), so that they deform to absorb additional energy only when the ability of bumper bracket (13) to deform is exhausted.

Abstract: The subject invention is a buoyancy jacket constructed of a pair of separate buoyancy compartments overlying each other. There is an inner buoyancy compartment and an outer buoyancy compartment with the inner buoyancy compartment to be located directly adjacent the skin of the wearer of the jacket. Each of the buoyancy compartments are to be inflated by a separate inflation valve. The body of the jacket includes a plurality of baffles with each baffle including a small loop of sheet material. Each loop is to be fixedly connected between the outer layer of the jacket and the intermediate layer, and also between the inner layer of the jacket and the intermediate layer. It is the function of the loops to limit the expansion of the buoyancy compartments when inflated.