Abstract: An elongate float to walk on water with another such float is provided with a foot holder. The foot holder is mounted in a transverse direction such that the buoyancy force on the inside edge of the float relative to the other float is greater than the buoyancy force on the outside edge.

Abstract: A steering mechanism is disclosed for a boat equipped with an outboard motor. The steering mechanism has a pair of opposed single acting cylinders maintained in a spaced relationship by a frame member. A pair of brackets enable pivotal connection of the steering mechanism with the mounting bracket of the motor. A piston is received in and extends between the cylinders and carries a lost motion linkage connectable with the tiller arm of the motor to induce steering movement of the motor upon actuation of the piston.

Abstract: A portable fire fighting apparatus has a plurality of tanks containing a variety of fire fighting agents, a piping arrangement for selectively connecting the tanks to respective discharge nozzles, and a central control panel which is provided with a plurality of control valves and elements for selectively controlling the discharge of the fire extinguishing agents through the nozzles. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has three tanks containing water, a chemical fire extinguishing agent, and a foam concentrate, respectively. Water only or a water/foam concentrate mixture is controllably discharged through a first nozzle, while the chemical fire extinguishing agent may be separately or simultaneously discharged through a second nozzle. A piping arrangement for purging the nozzles following discharge is provided and is controllable from the central control panel. The apparatus may be adapted for mounting on a truck, a forklift, or other vehicle.

Abstract: An improved vibration damping structure for an outboard drive having a drive shaft housing with a pair of spaced apart side walls. A resilient coupling is provided between the spaced side walls for damping vibrations.

Abstract: A plurality of modules (66) are connected together to define a multi-story annular building (10) of honeycomb cells (C). The cells (C) of the building are hexagonal in cross section and taper horizontally as they extend radially inwardly. A turntable/elevator (36) is located in a shaft opening at or near the center of the building (10). A tunnel (48) extends through a side of the building (10). The building includes flotation cells at its bottom, some of which are air tight. Water is pumped into and out from the others, for regulating the vertical position of the building (10) in a body of water. An annular ring (66) of flotation material extends about the building (10) immediately below the water line. Each cell (C) is reinforced by a reinforcing ring (R1) extending about the girth of the cell (C). The rings (R1) are connected together vertically and horizontally to form a wall (RW1) of rings constituting a basic skeletal part of the building (10).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an underwater seismic cable which has at least one tensile cable placed upstream in faired cross sectional arrangement. Located downstream of the tensile cable are placed other electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic cables and hoses, with the electrical cables being adjacent the tension cable.

Abstract: A boat includes two sail surf-board floats, a frame cooperating with each of the floats, a rigid framing comprising at least four fastening lugs to be associated pairwise with each of the frames and so arranged as to retain the frames and thereby the floats substantially in parallel relationship, a seat supported by the framing and so arranged as to receive at least one passenger, a motor driven propeller supported on the framing and so arranged as to drive the boat, and a rudder associated with the framing and so arranged as to steer same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a marine power cord stowage device and more particularly to a device 10 comprising a flexible front panel 12 and a flexible back panel 14 which are joined at all but one substantilly straight edge to form opening 18, a cover 32 which is engagable to close opening 18 so that passages remain in opening 18, and a mounting structure 42 operable to removably mount device 10 on a suitable boat structure. The device of this invention allows a boat user to safely stow surplus lengths of marine power cord when in use at dock, yet does not require permanent mounting on a boat.

Abstract: A surface effect vessel of a type comprising a buoyed structure with two side keels (20), a rear seal apparatus (100) and a forward seal apparatus cooperating to delimit a central buoyancy cushion (300). The rear seal contains a horizontal extension enclosure (100). A first piping system (54) connects a pressurized air generator (50) to the enclosure (100), and a second piping system (58) connects the central cushion (300) and the pressurized air generator (50). Fluid communication holes (150) are provided between the enclosure (100) and central cushion (300). The piping system (54, 58) and the fluid communication holes (150) are defined to ensure inflation of enclosure (100) to a pressure higher than the pressure of the central cushion (300).

Abstract: A submersible bell having a diver's compartment in the upper region thereof, a depending conduit from the diver's compartment to provide a passage for the diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment within the bell and a spiral wall between the bell and depending conduit to provide a winding passage for purging air from the diver's compartment to the water and/or for the diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment within the bell.A submersed bell having a conduit connecting a diver's compartment with the bell and a spiral passage between the bell and the conduit, the conduit and spiral passage permitting a diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment and also purging air from the diver's compartment.

Abstract: A life vest or preserver for a person who has encountered an emergency at sea or over some other body of water. The life preserver is provided with an inflatable lifesaving collar. Provided on the life preserver, around the armholes as well about the entire lower edge, are pocket-like containers that can be closed. Arm and leg coverings are removably secured in the pocket-like containers in such a way that those parts of the arm and leg coverings that are removed from the containers can, as a protective covering, be placed about the hands, arms, feet, legs, and abdomen of the wearer, with each of these parts being provided with a zipper. Formed preferably in the foot portions of the leg coverings are slits, each of which is provided over its entire length with a closure that opens automatically under compressive load.

Abstract: A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an interior, the marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, a supply conduit communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, and a fuel impermeable housing conduit sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surrounding the portion of the supply conduit located interiorly of the boat.

Abstract: A boat steering assembly (10) including a pedestal steering actuator (11) in a column (12) mounted on a boat sole (16). A pair of steering cables (18,20) lead from the actuator through a substantially vertical orientation and then through a universal self-adjusting pulley (26) and then in substantially horizontal orientation to a rudder assembly (24). A depending bracket assembly (22) is mounted under the boat sole (16). The universal self-adjusting idler pulley (26) is mounted under the pedestal column (12) below the boat sole (16) by the depending bracket assembly (22). The steering cables (18,20) extend down from the steering actuator (11) and about the pulley assembly (26) with the bracket assembly (22) disposed on the outside of the turn of the cables (18,20) through the pulley (26) to suspend the pulley (26) in tension from the bracket assembly (22). The pulley assembly (26) is adjustable to accommodate various positions of the rudder assembly ( 24) relative to the pedestal column (12).

Abstract: A vehicle for use in transporting heavy equipment having a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, which vehicle has a hydraulic motor arranged to drive a pair of railroad track wheels. The vehicle also has an arrangement such that the hydraulic motor of the vehicle can be releasably interconnected with the hydraulic system of the heavy equipment to drive the former from the latter. A ramp can be reversibly lowered to an inclined position to facilitate loading and unloading of the heavy equipment onto the vehicle. The railroad track wheels are each electrically insulated from their corresponding axles.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a diving buoyancy compensator being capable of regulating a buoyance of a diver and achieving rapid flotation of the diver in case of emergency. The compensator is equipped with a safety valve device adapted to be automatically opened when the compensator has been filled with an excessive quantity of air and, in the case of emergency, adapted to be opened through manual operation by the diver, to exhaust the quantity of air filling the compensator. The safety valve device includes an operating mechanism mounted in an air inlet port provided in the compensator to which an inflation hose capable of expansion and contraction is connected at one end. A pull cord connecting a portion of the operating mechanism to a portion of a power inflator carried on the other end of the hose extends through the hose so that the hose may be expanded to open the safety valve device through the pull cord.

Abstract: A device is disclosed to assist a wearer in firmly gripping the handle(s) of water sports equipment for long periods of time with minimal hand and arm fatigue. The device comprises a grip strap of webbing material, a protuberant rib which extends transversely of the strap, at least one finger-attaching member near the rib at one end of the grip strap, and a wrist strap and fastening means attached to the other end and on the reverse side of the grip strap. The grip is constructed such that when, in use, a wearer's fingers are extended, the palm strap becomes taut between the finger attachment member and the wrist strap such that the wearer's retained fingers are supported in a hooked position. And, when the wearer's hand is curled around a handle, the rib can extend beyond the wearer's fingertips.

Abstract: A resilient support is provided for maintaining a pivotally mounted yacht fitting in an upright position. The support is in the form of a conical section made from a resilient polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a craft comprising a hull capable of floating on water, the aft part of said hull constituting the hollow space of a navigation cabin, and a forward end part which constitutes a removable stem distinct from the hull, capable of being connected to and detached from the forward part of the hull and which, in the configuration in which it is detached from the forward part of the hull, is capable of being positioned above the navigation cabin to constitute a volume, preferably a living room. The craft is provided with natural means of communication from the volume defined by the removable stem with the outside of this stem, so as, in the configuration in which the stem is connected to the forward part of the hull, to allow natural flow of the excess water contained in the stem volume, out of the stem volume. One application of the invention is the production of an inexpensive combined boat/caravan.

Abstract: In a shock absorbing system for an offshore platform one or more shock absorbing cells receive the initial impact of a floating vessel. When such a cell becomes disfunctional or damaged, it is temporarily immobilized by positioning a stabilizer thereon. The latter is provisionally installed on the shock cell to substantially avoid relative movement between coacting parts.

Abstract: A ballast arrangement includes a number of tanks and a pump connected to a sea-chest and having a discharge conduit extending to a level above the top-most tank. A distribution conduit extends to the various tanks and an overflow pipe is connected to the discharge conduit and reaches to a further level, above the first mentioned level, where also an evacuation pipe is connected. The further level will determine the static pressure which may act in any of the associated tanks. The tanks may be connected to the suction side of the pump through by-pass conduits, and a two-way valve is designed so the pump can communicate only with either the sea-chest or with the by-pass conduits.