Abstract: The water recreational vehicle of the present invention consists of a rigid housing mounted on a floatatable tube. The vehicle is powered by two hand operated battery powered motors with propellers. The vehicle is designed to have increased ballast and maneuverability.

Abstract: A strip-like body member in the form of a belt has one or more slits extending through it. A flat air-tight expandable bladder extends along the rear surface of the body member and is enclosed between such body member and a backing strip. A pocket is provided on the body member for removably holding a gas cartridge, and such cartridge is associated with an actuator arranged to release the contents of the cartridge. The cartridge communicates with the bladder and when opened by a pull line connected to the actuator, the bladder expands forwardly through the slits to form a buoyant life preserver. The body member is dimensioned and arranged to be passed through the conventional trouser belt loops so as to serve the dual purpose of holding up trousers and to be available as a life preserver when needed. The pull line is held normally in place by a releasable hold-down connector so as to be out of the way until needed.

Abstract: A lift fixture (10) for holding and centering a workpiece (93) includes a handling ring (16) defined by a yoke (17) and a clamp slide (20) mounted on the yoke, means (48) for closing the clamp slide (20), a support apparatus (12) for positioning the handling ring (16), and a plurality of angularly spaced holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) for gripping the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are movably mounted to the handling ring (16) so as to move relative to the ring along a line generally tangent to the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are biased to a centered position, as by springs (87,88), so that when the workpiece (93) is lifted, it is urged to a centered position within the ring (16).

Abstract: A marine bollard having a base supporting a column neck which carries a head with overlying portions projecting laterally outwardly above the neck, wherein the outer surface of the marine bollard is formed of thermosetting plastics resin, the column neck having walls defining a column cavity therein, said walls being formed of glass reinforcement impregnated with thermosetting plastics resin, the head being filled with a cured combination of thermosetting plastics resin and glass reinforcement, the base being formed by a cured combination of glass reinforcement and thermosetting plastics resin, together with a base filler material of high compressive strength. Metal inserts defining bolt holes are included in the bollard of a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A knock-down pulpit for a boat comprising a first brace connectable to the front deck of a boat, a body support platform, a frame for holding the body support platform which is connected to the first brace, a railing connected to the frame, a second brace connected to the bow of the boat and a support structure having one end connected to the second brace and the opposite end connected to the frame. The pulpit is designed such that the components may be compactly packaged at the factory for easy shipment, and then installed at the location of the boat with minimal effort. Once installed, the pulpit extends from the front deck of the boat past the bow.

Abstract: An improved device for the air dropping of platform-mounted cargo is presed wherein a multi-staged parachute system allows for a rapid descent during the initial phase of the trajectory and then reduces the rate of descent during the terminal stage to allow for a safe landing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boat of the catamaran type comprising two elongated floats interconnected by a beam system carrying a cockpit. The beam system is connected to each float by a transverse articulation oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of these floats. Structure comprising a differential is provided between the beam system and each float to maintain this beam system in a mean position relative to the floats. This differential may be of the hydraulic or mechanical type and under the control of a gyroscope. The cockpit is mounted at the middle of the beam system and is articulated about an axis oriented according to the longitudinal axis of the boat. Structure, such as a jack controlled by a gyroscope, is provided to maintain the cockpit in a horizontal position. A boat of this type, endowed with good stability, is useful particularly as a pleasure craft, passenger craft or as a service craft.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism (10) for a marine propulsion device has a swivel bracket (13) pivotally attached to a transom bracket (11). A trim pin (21) is carried by a trim pin carrier (27) which is pivotally attached to the swivel bracket (13). The trim pin (21) travels in cam tracks (20) on the transom bracket (11) and engages notches (22, 23, 24) in the cam tracks (20) to establish trim and tilt positions for the propulsion device. An axial step (36) in the cam track (20) shifts the trim pin (21) to a return cam surface (25) to allow automatic return from the uppermost to the lowest position.

Abstract: A support arm assembly for boat trailers which is connectable to the drive column of an outboard motor to prevent wear and damage to the boat transom during traveling on the highways or during storage. The support arm assembly comprises a pivotal support arm which is slidably disposed through a bracket member carried by the rear end of the boat trailer whereby the support arm may be retracted under or within the trailer when not in use.