Abstract: Vertically adjustable floating dock units for mooring boats are adapted to be vertically adjustable relative to the water line. The floating dock unit contains a detachable pontoon mounting assembly to which pontoons are secured and the assembly is removably secured to the dock understructure at variable vertical height adjustments.

Abstract: A high speed planing watercraft includes a pitch stabilization system having variable pitch canard airfoils controlled by a control system incorporating a gyroscope for accommodating constantly changing hydrodynamic forces on the hull.

Abstract: A caging system is used in a magnetic platform which is mounted on a pointing system on a spacecraft. The magnetic platform supports a payload, and provides a frictionless support in all conditions. The caging system clamps the payload in a caged condition and provides a frictionless support in an uncaged condition. The caging system includes a plurality of caging actuators. Each caging actuator has an upper support structure which connects to a snubber member, and has a lower support structure which connects to a first ring and to a coaxial second ring for clamping the snubber member. A cylindrical cam member has a plurality of groove surfaces and the first and second rings respectively have a plurality of cam followers. Clockwise rotation of the cam member urges the rings together. Counterclockwise rotation urges the rings apart. A second, auxiliary caging actuator is provided.

Abstract: An aquatic wheelchair having a main flotation body of thermoplastic material of closed cell construction including a seat portion and an integral backrest portion. Flotation paddle wheels are connected to the seat portion and a flotation stabilizer wheel assembly is detachably connected to the backrest portion. The flotation paddle wheels are constructed and arranged to facilitate the grasping thereof by the user for manually propelling the wheelchair not only on soft terrain but also in water.

Abstract: The marine anchor has two symmetrical flukes, each one of them fitted with a pair of symmetrical ledges. Between the flukes, a shank is capable of pivoting around a transverse shaft that joins the two flukes, so as to form, relative to the shaft, a fore arm and a rear arm. The free end of the rear arm carries transverse stop-pins. An oblong aperture is provided in the shank, for the passage of a shaft that joins the flukes. The stop-pins come into abutment against the ledges of the flukes when the shaft is in the rear part of the aperture. The stop-pins are released from the ledges when the shaft is in the fore part of the aperture. The aperture has the general shape of a truncated triangle, the axis of symmetry of which is one and the same with the longitudinal axis of the shank, the long base of the truncated triangle being in the fore. Under normal conditions, elastic or breakable lug pieces limit the movements of the stop-pins when they are released from the ledges.

Abstract: There is described a new and improved self-propelled steerable gantry crane including an elevated load carrying beam, individually adjustable downwardly divergent pairs of legs spaced apart lengthwise of the beam proximal the ends thereof for supporting the beam, a tie rod between the lower ends of the legs to maintain and adjust the angularity between the legs and ground engaging mobile mountings for the gantry.

Abstract: A portable personal floatation device for water sports such as fishing and the like is constructed of a light material such as styrofoam and has a horizontal main panel with an opening for a user to fit through so the floatation device surrounds the user. The device is designed to be easily accessible for the user, with a door provided on a side panel. The central opening in the main panel of the device accommodates the occupant to carry the device and wade into the water, and as the device begins to float, the occupant may sit on the main panel of the device.

Abstract: An inboard/outboard drive arrangement and specifically an improved exhaust joint therefor wherein at least one of the rigid conduits of the exhaust system is provided with a projection to engage and restrain a hose clamp which may be released and inadvertently dropped so as to prevent loss of the hose clamp into an inaccessible area.

Abstract: An emergency paddle kit for sailboards is disclosed. The kit comprises at least one shaft which has a paddle blade attached to one end, which shaft is releasably attached to the boom of a sailboard. When the sail of the sailboard is not used to propel the sailboard through the water, the shaft may be released from the boom and the paddle may be used to propel the sailboard through the water. The emergency kit may further comprise a second shaft which has a second paddle blade attached to one end, which second shaft is also releasably attached to the boom of the sailboard. The first and second shafts may be connected together to form a kayak-type paddle which may then be utilized to propel the sailboard through the water. The emergency kit may further comprise a number of attachments, such as shaft extensions and a paddle handle which may be attached to the shaft and/or to each other.

Abstract: A sea-going craft has a main central body with two wings affixed to the body and extending horizontally away to either side. A catamaran-type hull is attached to each wing end, and provides flotation. The rearward edge of each wing is generally closer to the water than the forward edge when the craft is under power, thus adding lift due to the ground-effect phenomenon. A hydrofoil is affixed to each hull and extends downwardly, and a third hydrofoil is affixed to the central body, extending downwardly. The craft includes propulsion apparatus.

Abstract: A sea anchor and apparatus for deploying the sea anchor into water and for storing it when not in use. An associated method provides for the deployment of the sea anchor into water and storing the sea anchor after use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for both reducing and increasing water-side drag of marine vessels are disclosed, to enhance vessel operation and control. The hull of a marine vessel employing the invention would be sectionally constructed, to form a rigid structure. A short central bow section terminating in a primary lateral hydrodynamic step and a longer adjacent aft central hull section are disposed between narrow outboard hull sponsons having large length-to-width aspect ratios which provide substantial buoyant support for the vessel, enclosing an open-channel conduit under the vessel's aft central hull section. Outer water-side surfaces of the elongate outboard hull sponsons are contoured similarly to common racing shells and finished smooth, to delay or prevent flow separation and pressure drag. A shallow-draft aft central hull section having a shingled multi-step bottom surface abuts the central bow section adjacent the primary lateral step.

Abstract: A combined buoy and anchor device for fishermen comprises a buoy body with a hollow interior and having its upper and closeable by a lid, a reel rotatably mounted in the buoy body and to which is secured the inner end of a cable, and an anchor connected to an outer end of the cable. The anchor includes a shank and a plate detachable from the shank, the plate and the lid having interengaging formations so that the plate can be retained in place on the lid. The buoy preferably includes a generally cylindrical upper portion surrounding the hollow interior, and a reel-containing lower portion separated from the upper portion by a wall. The hollow interior of the buoy can be used for holding bait or tackle.

Abstract: A marine vehicle comprising a first generally vertical wall, a second generally vertical wall extending generally perpendicular to the first wall, a first seat bottom member, a second seat bottom member, a hinge mechanism supporting the first seat bottom member for movement between a first position wherein the first seat bottom member extends generally horizontally from the first wall and a second position wherein the first seat bottom member extends generally vertically against the first wall, and a hinge mechanism supporting the second seat bottom member for movement between an operating position wherein the second seat bottom member extends generally horizontally from the second wall and is generally coplanar with the first seat bottom member when the first seat bottom member is in the first position, and a storage position wherein the second seat bottom member extends generally vertically against the second wall.

Abstract: An individual rescue apparatus for use around the waist of a person comprising a waist encircling support belt (1) with a Fastener (2a,2b) at its extremities, an inflation system (9-14) adapted to be secured to the support belt, a pressurized gas reservoir adapted to be able to be placed in communication with the inflation system, and a release device adapted to assure the inflation of the system from the gas reservoir, the inflation system comprising a atubular portion (9) extending along the support belt and connected to the gas reservoir, and cells (11-14) distributed along the tubular portion and communicating therewith for inflating the cells by the action of the release device, the support belt (1) comprising an upward extension (3) of a height adapted to extend approximately above the center of gravity of the person when the belt is worn around the waist, the extension (3) being provided with an attaching zone (3a) in its upper portion, the inflation system (9-14) being maintained, in the passive posit

Abstract: A conventional tilt mechanism for an outboard motor which includes a series of trim position notches and an uppermost trailering position notch includes a tilt position locking mechanism which is manually operable to lock the motor in the trailering position to positively prevent downward movement therefrom, either intentionally or inadvertently as a result of a shock load or jarring of the motor. The tilt locking mechanism is incorporated completely into one of the clamping members of a conventional tilt mechanism such that it does not interfere whatever with conventional operation of the tilt mechanism when in the unlocked position or with movement of the motor to the trailering position when in the locked position. However, downward movement of the motor when the mechanism is in the locked position is absolutely precluded.

Abstract: An apparatus for underwater surveillance that consists of a floating platform having bow and stern with an aerodynamically true forward cowl formed on the bow end, the forward approximately one-third of the platform. Immediately aft of the cowl there is disposed a viewing assembly placed in a clearance formed centrally through the platform, and the viewing assembly is a tightly sealed transparent member having top panel, bottom panel and side panel and defining a volume that is maintained liquid free thereby to enable maximum viewing efficiency at all times.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally horizontal tilt axis, and about a vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a tiller arm connected to the propulsion unit, a contractable and extendible hydraulic assembly including a cylinder connected to one of the propulsion unit and the transom, a piston slideably received in the cylinder and dividing the cylinder into opposite first and second chambers, and a piston rod having one end fixedly connected to the piston and an opposite end extending outwardly of the cylinder and being connected to the other of the propulsion unit and the transom, a valve for alternatively permitting and preventing fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a lever mounted on the tiller arm for actuating the valve.

Abstract: A sailboard including hull, mast and rigged sail assembly and a foot operated rudder pivotally and rotatably mounted to the stern of the hull, with the rudder being adjustable longitudinally to the different heights of sailboard users while maintaining the same or desired craft displacement of the sailboard regardless of the body and/or leg lengths of any user.

Abstract: A portable folding crane which includes an elongated base member having first and second axial extremities and first and second elongated telescoping legs. Each of the legs has first and second axial extremities and each of the first axial extremities is pivotally connected proximate to respective axial extremities of the base member. A telescoping column member has first and second axial extremities and the first axial extremity of the telescoping column member is pivotally connected to the base member. A boom member has first and second axial extremities and the second axially extremity of the telescoping column member being the first axial extremity of the boom member are pivotally connected. Apparatus for urging the boom member to pivot with respect to the column member is also provided.