Abstract: A helicopter programmable collective control system includes a motorized collective control stick 2 used in conjunction with a multi-axis control stick 30, with the multi-axis control stick 30 as the default collective controller. A collective control signal processor reads collective input the pilot is giving through one of the two control sticks 2, 30 and provides a motor drive signal 44 (which is dampened to prevent over control) to position the collective control stick 3. The collective control stick position is used to drive the rotor collective pitch actuators 16.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mast for sailboats, apt to support two distinct sailcloths forming a wing sail. According to the invention, the mast comprises a tubular body which has a cross section divided in two parts by an axis transversal to the longitudinal axis of the boat, a first part facing the bow and a second part facing the stern. The first part facing the bow has a markedly convex or substantially semielliptic curved profile, while the second part facing the stern has a rounded tip profile or a substantially semicircular profile. Said tubular body comprises anchor means for the two sailcloths forming the wing sail, positioned along two generatrices crossing two points which are symmetrical in respect of the center or coinciding with the center of said first part facing the bow.

Abstract: A construction transportation assembly comprising a buoyant general construction component having eight corner portions defining a rectangular parallelpiped locus with a length and a width generally corresponding to those of an ISO standard freight container, and two specialty components mounted on top of the general component laterally adjacent each other and lying within the length and width of the locus.

Abstract: A boat is equipped with a motor assembly mounted on a housing in the bow of the boat. The housing has a compartment with a bottom opening accommodating a motor and propeller assembly. A mechanism is used to selectively move the motor and propeller assembly out of the compartment below the boat and retract the motor and propeller assembly back into the compartment. A pair of doors hinged to the bow and connected to the motor and propeller assembly are moved to closed positions when the motor and propeller assembly is located in the compartment and located in open positions when the motor and propeller assembly is moved to its down position below the boat.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved vehicle retaining means comprising a plurality of retaining members, each of said retaining members being rotatably journalled in a bearing, each of said bearings being located proximate a side of a vehicle chassis, each of said bearings being tilted outwardly with respect to a perpendicular line to the plane of the chassis.