Abstract: A circular saucer boat which is adapted to be driven by means of a plurality of water jets through prepositioned pipes leading to openings directed radially in four perpendicular directions. The boat comprises a circular framework which is covered by a thin skin which seals the exposed surface of the boat. A circular opening at the top provides space for occupants. An engine and hydraulic pump are provided for generating a flow of sea water which is discharged from the pump through one or more of four pipes leading to the four openings. There are valves in each of the four lines which can be controlled individually or in combination. Speed control can be by the throttle of the engine, or by control of valves which open the pipes to a greater or lesser flow of water.

Abstract: A container ship is provided with an upper structure extending aft of the stern and a cargo deck substantially at the waterline. An internal support framework of longitudinal, transverse and upright structural members, interconnected with each other, provides strength and rigidity to the ship. Vertical structural members cooperate with the support framework to define a plurality of cargo compartments. The upper structure serves as a crane support structure and is integral with the hull and extends longitudinally over the cargo compartments and aft of the stern. Travelling bridge cranes are movable along longitudinal rails forming a part of the crane support structure to enable containers to be moved into, out of and between the cargo compartments.

Abstract: A ship loading ramp designed to allow for substantial changes in tide. The ramp pivots about a pair of lugs at each end. Each lug extends from one corner of the ramp into a fitting having an upward opening slot. One set of slotted fittings is in a tailpiece on the pier, and the second set of slotted fittings is located on the deck of the ship. As the level of the ship deck falls below the level of the pier the ramp will settle on the pier and lift out of the slotted fittings on the ship deck, thereby freeing the ramp from the ship. As the ship later rises with the tide, the slotted fittings on the ship will engage the lugs on the ramp and will proceed to raise and tilt the ramp. During this period of rising tide, the ramp will become further and further inclined until it reaches a maximum positive angle of inclination. At this maximum angle, a pair of cables extending from the ship to the ramp will pull taut and proceed to lift the ramp out of the slotted fittings on the tailpiece and into the air.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for stripping textile materials, fabrics and the like from frames having a plurality of pins arranged about the periphery thereof. Such a machine comprises guides for accommodating dressed frames and positioning the same above an extractor plate upward movable to strip said material from the pin frame, an apparatus being provided for collecting the stripped material and evacuating the stripped frames.

Abstract: A docking device is provided for aiding in the docking or mooring of a boat. The device is particularly advantageous for pleasure boats which may have but one pilot or operator but which normally require more than one person to dock the boat. The docking device includes a dock post or mooring post around which a line is positioned. The portion of the line on the side of the post from which the boat approaches is held extended from the post by supporting arms. The arms are pivotally attached to the post and swing downwardly to lower the line when the operator has maneuvered the boat such that a cleat thereon is adjacent the post and under the line. A remotely-controlled element holds the arms in the extended position and, when operated by a signal from the boat, enables the arms to swing downwardly and place the line around the cleat.

Abstract: A boat steering system has a rudder post actuator, a steering actuator, a pair of operating strands trained therebetween and an adjustable strand directing mechanism positioned between the rudder post actuator and the steering actuator for changing the direction of the operating strands. Such mechanism comprises a base plate defining a mounting plane and having an aperture for the operating strands and a strand directing pulley cooperating with the aperture for changing the direction of the strand passing therethrough. Both pulleys are mounted for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the mounting plate plane and have adjustable mounting means, including a link mounted for arcuate movement for arcuate adjustment of the pulley in the mounting plane while maintaining the rim of the pulley adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: A float-on boat lift for pleasure craft has a substantially rectangular, open-ended support framework adapted to project outwardly of a dock facility or seawall, within which framework is pivotally secured, at one end, a float-on boat cradle. Winch mechanism supported at the inner end of the cradle framework and at approximately dock level includes cables extending along each side of the cradle framework serving to raise and lower the rearward end thereof out of and into the water for dry docking or launching of a boat previously floated thereupon while in its lowered position. The cradle comprises lateral guides and bottom chocks distributed along its length to facilitate the loading and seating thereon of a boat preparatory to its being lifted out of the water.

Abstract: Steering mechanism for a boat motor having a shaft which turns to turn the boat motor. A plurality of first contacts is spaced circumferentially around the shaft. A sweep contact mounted on the shaft sequentially engages the first contacts as the shaft turns. A pivotally mounted pedal swings a contact plate. A plurality of second contacts, each of which is connected to a respective one of the first contacts, is engageable with the contact plate. Upon movement of the pedal power is supplied to the steering motor until the sweep contact engages one of the first contacts which is connected to a second contact that is free of the contact plate. The contact plate can include two contact plate portions, one of which is connected in series with the steering motor when the pedal is moved in one direction and the other of which is connected in series with the steering motor when the pedal is moved in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A combination gaff and boat hook includes a rigid longitudinal handle element and a gaff element affixed thereon. A rigid enclosure conforming generally to the shape of the gaff element is adapted to sheath the gaff element and be affixed to the handle element. The enclosure, when in position sheathing the gaff serves as a boat hook.

Abstract: The foot of a mast is connected to a sailing board on which the user stands while also holding the mast during sailing. The location of the connection is variable longitudinally of the board during sailing, whereby the most favorable point of application of the wind force to the board can be selected by the user.

Abstract: A water ski comprising a water ski body having a forward end, a rear end, a top side and a bottom side, and a fin extending downwardly from the bottom side, wherein the fin has an elastic portion movable laterally of the water ski body under the action of water.

Abstract: A pair of so called water shoes includes two members of mirror-symmetrical shape relative to a central, longitudinal plane. Each member or rather shoe includes a substantially vertically arranged floatation body for buoyancy and a substantially horizontally arranged floatation body for stabilization. The two floatation bodies of a shoe are connected to each other substantially at a right angle. In addition, each shoe is provided with paddles at least one of which operates as a standing foot when the shoes are used on land. The paddles are hinged to the underside, preferably of the horizontally extending floatation body so that they may flap into a retracted position when the particular shoe is pulled through the water in a forward direction and so that the paddles may increase the effective surface of the shoe when the latter is pushed in a rearward direction. The total buoyancy of each shoe may be variable relative to the weight of the person wearing the shoes.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and dismounting a submerged propeller unit to and from the hull of a floating body from the outside thereof comprises a flange in the hull surrounding an opening therein and having passages therein, a flange on the propeller unit having fastening means corresponding to the passages in the hull flange, a drive coupling member on the propeller unit adapted to extend through the hull opening when the propeller unit flange is secured to the hull flange, guides on the propeller unit for guiding the coupling member into the hull opening and for positioning the propeller unit flange with its fastening threaded bores in registry with the passages in the hull flange as the propeller unit is raised to assembled position with its flange against the hull fange, a removable watertight chamber formed in the hull and communicating with the opening therein, cables extending through watertight ways in the hull and adapted to be secured detachably to the propeller unit to raise the same to bring the prop

Abstract: An inflatable buoyancy vest employs an open weave elastic gusset between the front and rear panels of the vest to hold the vest in a compact condition when the vest is deflated.

Abstract: The jib furler comprises an upper swivel system attached to a mast including a halyard sheave and a stay attachment device, a lower swivel system attached to a deck including attachment for a jib tack pendant, stay and halyard; and a halyard, luff rope and stay tensioned between the upper and lower swivels. Rotation of the lower swivel transmits a torqueing force to the upper swivel through the tensioned halyard and luff rope whereby the jib sail may be furled around the stay, luff rope and halyard without appreciable twisting of the stay. The jib is hanked directly upon the stay so that jibs may be changed without disturbing mast security which is sustained by the taut stay during sail changes.

Abstract: A boat stabilizer system comprising a pair of nozzles attached permanently or temporarily to a boat to extend beneath the boat adjacent the front and rear so that a pressurized stream of water can be directed through the nozzles in a desired dirction to stabilize the boat against wind and current to prevent drifting.

Abstract: Apparatus for walking on water includes a pair of buoyant pontoons adapted to support a person afloat in water and balancing means for the person. The pontoons are pivotably interconnected by transverse stabilizers consisting essentially of a pair of elongated slotted members. Bolts or studs are provided on the pontoons dimensioned to permit same to slide within the slots of each member. A transversely extending paddle element is mounted at the bottom of the pontoons and is pivotable substantially 90.degree. from a substantially vertical position to a rearward substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A pusher tug and barge in combination joined rigidly yet separately in tandem to form a single pusher type seagoing unit in which the two vessels are interconnected via hydraulic compression members combined with pressure accumulators.

Abstract: An anti-cavitation semi-cylindrical shroud and rudder combination is described which attaches to the transom of a boat so as to partly enclose a propeller which extends rearwardly of the boat. The axis of the propeller is selected to provide a line of thrust which intersects the approximate center of hull resistance to provide more stable running characteristics. The shroud itself encompasses about 37% of the periphery of the propeller and the lower edges of its side skirt portions lie in a plane which is parallel to the keel of the boat. The configuration of the shroud is such that it conforms to the bottom hull configuration at the front end and shrouds the propeller at the rear end. The shroud itself is configured to provide minimal flow resistance to the water.Yoke-mounted flanking rudders are pivoted ahead of the center of area of the rudder with the center of area of the rudders lying approximately in the fore and aft plane of the propeller. This facilitates turning particularly at low speeds.

Abstract: An outboard folding seat for sailboats consisting of a hinged seat member pivotable between an inboard position wherein an outside face forms a part of the peripheral boat deck top and an outboard position wherein an inside face forms a seat member.