Abstract: In its preferred form the present invention comprises an aerofoil sail having tensioned battens and an internal web structure to maintain an aerodynamically efficient shape.

Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve arrangement for a fire sprinkler system includes a set of auxiliary pipe fittings interconnected between the water distribution pipes and the sprinkler heads. Each fitting houses a multi-vane paddle wheel rotatably mounted under an eccentric valve opening normally unobstructed by a movable valve member, and the paddle wheel axle is connected by a gear train to an actuator for the valve member. When water flows from the distribution pipe through the fitting and exits therefrom via the sprinkler head to douse a fire, the paddle wheel rotates rapidly and drives the actuator via the gear train so that the valve member is shifted to close the valve opening and interrupt the flow of water therethrough after a prescribed time interval, thereby minimizing the risk of water damage to the protected premises.

Abstract: An improved means for convection cooling the skin surfaces of an atmospheric flight craft such as are subject to air friction-induced overheating when the craft operates at high speed, featuring employment of multiple layered, spaced apart skin members separated and relatively braced by web and post members. Fresh coolant fluid is simultaneously flushed against and contiguously covers a multiplicity of relatively small patches of the inside surface of the outer skin member to be protected, and the spent coolant from each patch is separately removed therefrom and returned to the craft's refrigeration facility. The web and post members also act to direct the pattern of coolant flow so as to provide a much improved heat transfer coefficient than can be attained by other coolant path configurations when an equal pressure drop is applied.

Abstract: A power generation system utilizes an electromagnetic tether having a three conductor, coaxial configuration which allows the circuit to be closed internal to two orbiting objects. An outer cylinder of the tether is a conductor which is used to cut or pass through the earth's magnetic field to produce a voltage output. A cylinder within the outer cylinder is made of a metal such as soft iron and is used to shield a central conductor from the earth's magnetic field. The two outer cylinders are insulated from the center conductor except at one of the tethered objects where they are electrically connected. This causes the end of the center conductor to be at the same electrical potential as the tethered object when there is an infinite load. Useful power is produced at the other object, which may be a space ship, when a switch is closed and the potential is between the outer cylinder and the center conductor.

Abstract: A multi-level boom adapted for use on a sailing device such as a sailboard. The boom comprises a lower portion in a wishbone type shape having a forward end adapted to be secured to a mast and an aft end adapted for securing the clew of a sail to the boom. The boom further includes at least one elongated tubular member pivotally and slidably secured at one end to the wishbone near the midpoint of one side of the boom and having a clamp at the other end for releasably securing the elongated tubular member to a mast.

Abstract: A jib stretching and folding mechanism for a jib crane having a boom, a jib pivotally supported at the base end thereof on jib support pins provided at the distal end of the boom, and jib cylinders each having one end pivotally joined to the jib support pin and the other end fixed to the corresponding base end of the jib. The jib stretching and folding mechanism includes guide cylinders each having one end fixedly connected to the piston rod of the jib cylinder so as to be able to receive entirely the cylinder tube of the same jib cylinder as the jib cylinder is contracted, and guide members fixed to the cylinder tubes of the jib cylinders so as to engage guide grooves formed in the corresponding guide tubes, respectively.

Abstract: Exercise gloves to enhance the results of aerobic, swimming or running exercises. The glove is comprised of a mitt having finger stalls covering the entire hand. Webbing is provided extending from the mitt to the proximal end of the distal phalanges area of the finger stalls. Additionally, insert pockets adapted to receive weights are mounted to the forehand portion of the mitt. Weights in the inserts increase exercise efficiency and produce enhanced exercise results. Similarly, an insert pocket is provided on the palm portion of the mitt adapted to receive an additional weight which also provides the exerciser with a convenient gripping surface. A band mounted to the insert pocket on the forehand portion of the glove is provided for securing the weights to the exerciser's hand through the mitt thereby preventing the weights from shifting during exercise activity.

Abstract: The specification herein shows a swimmer's fin having a foot pocket and a blade portion wherein the blade portion is offset from the foot pocket to compensate for the natural supination during a flutter kick, stroke or beat, regardless of whether or not it is a backstroke, kick, or a crawl stroke kick. The fin can be molded in a symmetrical manner so that it can be interchanged between the feet and provided with an offset ankle strap in order to create a more comfortable relationship during the swimming movement. The fin also includes an improved blade end having inner and outer curves wherein the outer curve from the body is of a larger radius than the inner curve. The offset of the foot pocket from the blade can be such wherein the axis of the blade and the axis of the foot pocket intersect within the foot pocket area to provide for improved performance.

Abstract: Auxiliary landing equipment for aircraft which comprises a plurality of inflatable cushions arranged in a predetermined array relative to each other and structure for securing them to the aircraft so that, in an inflated state, the cushions can contact the ground during landing or on take-off and so that, in a deflated state, the equipment can closely follow the contour of the aircraft part to which it is attached.

Abstract: A bow cover for covering an open portion of the bow in an open-bow boat having a raised interior portion and a flared portion therearound with an inwardly directed opening through each, a cover arrangement being fastenable to the interior portion and extending over the passageway to the bow of the boat.

Abstract: A damage preventing bumper attachable to fixed marine structures to cushion boats and the like against engagement with the structure. The bumpers are air filled to absorb the shocks of a boat engaging the marine dock or post and include a valve for adjustment of the air quantity. The bumpers are fixedly secured to the marine structure by screws which pass through a sleeve formed through the bumper body. The bumpers are formed in a plurality of configurations to cover the critical areas of the structure including corners and posts. A groove formed in the top of the bumper allows the user to lay marine utility lines such as electrical cords and hoses within the bumper and therefore off of the docking facility. The bumpers are made of a marine grade vinyl for durability and to prevent marring of the boat.

Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine application or the like that includes an engine and propulsion unit that contains a transmission. The engine and propulsion unit are connected together by means of a connector plate. A first series of threaded fasteners connect the connector plate to the engine and a second series of threaded fasteners connect the propulsion unit to the connector plate.

Abstract: A vehicle side door mirror glare screen device (34) is disclosed as including a lower mount (36) having a lower tapered end (38) that is inserted between the door window and the door and as also having an upper end that projects upwardly with an inner surface that mounts a glare screen (46) of a sheet-like construction having a sufficient size and shape to screen light glare from an associated exterior door mirror. The lower end (38) of the lower mount (36) preferably has a taper (54) that facilitates its insertion and also preferably has a generally pointed construction (56). Glare screen (46) also preferably has inclined edges (58) that facilitate its positioning and has a horizontally elongated shape that is preferably oblong. A transparent tinted plastic is preferably utilized to fabricate the glare screen (46).

Abstract: An improved steering device for a marine propulsion unit that incorporates a steering bracket that is clamped to the transom of the associated watercraft in proximity to the tilt axis of the outboard drive. A steering rod is reciprocally supported in a bore in the steering bracket and is connected at one end to a push pull cable and at the other end to the steering arm of the outboard drive for effecting its steering.

Abstract: A safety system helps prevent injury from falls from stacks of containers while loading and unloading container ships using an overhead trolley crane. The crane is of the type including a frame movable in fore and aft gantry directions, a trolley track supported by the frame and a trolley movable along the trolley track in on shore and off shore trolley directions. The trolley includes a container bridle which lifts and lowers the containers during loading and unloading operations. Workers walk on the containers to place and retrieve stacking cones at the corners of the containers. The workers ride in a cage on the bridle in getting onto and off of the containers. The operational status of the crane-normal speed, slow speed or stopped-is visually indicated to the worker by colored lights on the cab. Each worker is tethered to the bridle by a short (6'), two piece safety line in case the worker falls off the stack of containers.

Abstract: A collapsible fishing raft comprising pontoons, a means of connecting the said pontoons and a seat, which components are capable of being transported by one person by backpack or pack frame over high mountain foot trails.

Abstract: A planing type self-righting boat having rigid pontoons forming its perimeter structure independent of interior inflation and which, during the vessel's normal operation, protect conventional or modified interior inflatable pontoons which elements together are used in whole or in part as essential mechanical components in the automatic self-righting of the vessel upon capsizing. The self-righting of the vessel after capsizing is effected by the creation of a negative buoyancy and subsequent sinking of that portion of the vessel whereby this submerging action combined with the weight and configuration of the vessel cause it to rotate underwater to a position beyond perpendicular to its capsized position while the vessel is supported by the buoyancy retained in the remainder of its pontoon structure.

Abstract: An underwater diving system including a raft configured to support and carry a compressed air tank in such a manner that the raft is extremely stable and is self-bailing and self-righting because of its configuration, a diving harness communicating with the on-board compressed air source so that the diver is tethered and tows the raft while diving underwater at nominal depths up to 20 feet, for example. The diving system described herein bridges the gap that exists between snorkeling and scuba diving.

Abstract: An improved hull construction for a SWATH vessel of the type having first and second pontoons disposed beneath a superstructure and coupled thereto by vertically disposed struts. The improvement comprises substantially hollow sponson whose bottom surface defines a relatively narrow horizontally extending strake disposed between the superstructure and each pontoon for producing forces to right the vessel including substantially instantaneously increasing the rate of buoyancy as the superstructure contacts the water surface. In the preferred embodiment, each sponson extends fore and art of the vessel for substantially the entire length of the struts, and includes a bottom surface defining a strake located a prescribed distance below the superstructure for increasing the waterplane area by a prescribed amount when the bottom surfaces of the sponsons contact the water's surface.

Abstract: A marine vehicle comprising a hull, a floor supported by the hull, and a convertible sofa-sleeper supported by the floor and including a seat bottom member having a forward end and being supported for movement between a horizontal position wherein the seat bottom member extends substantially horizontally, and a canted position wherein the seat bottom member is inclined upwardly toward the forward end.