Abstract: A lightweight monohull sailboat of length less than sixteen feet having a clear uninterrupted, full beam, deck area above the waterline of the hull of at least sixteen square feet. The sailboat is molded fiberglass or plywood construction including integral flotation chambers and having removable mast, sail and tiller that permit the sailboat to be easily loaded on a cartop by one person. The sailboat readily accomodates at least two adults for sleeping when launched.

Abstract: A harness for aligning and protecting the bow of a boat during docking. A starboard, port and fore line are joined at a junction point and connected to three spaced mooring points. Upper and lower starboard and port lines are flexibly interconnected. A spring biasing member is connected to the fore line for biasing the junction point of the port and starboard lines toward the fore line. Flexible tubing sections sheath the upper and lower lines adjacent the junction point. The fore, starboard and port lines are wrapped about their respective mooring points and secured by plastic clamps.

Abstract: An engine assembly comprising an engine having an unducted propeller mounted in a pusher configuration. The engine is supported by a mounting strut located upstream of the propeller. The trailing edge portion of the strut discharges air through a rearwardly facing slot to diminish discontinuity of airflow moving from the region of the strut to the propeller, so that load variations on the propeller are diminished, and also improves flow of the intersection of the strut and the fuselage.

Abstract: An improved two-split carrying barge according to the present invention is aimed at solving the problem of ensuring watertightness at the opening portion of a hold of the barge. The carrying barge of the present invention has left and right parts of a hull that are rotated through hinges to open or close the hold at the bottom of the barge. The left and right parts of the hull are positively coupled by a coupling device which can be released with great ease by remote control when loaded cargo is to be expelled from the hold of the barge. Moreover, the carrying barge of the present invention is equipped with a rubber packing arrangement at the opening portion between the left and right parts of the hull. Since the rubber packing arrangement can flexibly cope with a change in the width of the opening portion due to rolling or pitching, the watertightness of the carrying barge of the present invention is ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for fluidizing solid particles by causing rotary motion of the solid particles in a fluidizing chamber by a plurality of rotating projections extending from a rotatable cylinder end wall interacting with a plurality of fixed projections extending from an opposite fixed end wall and passing the solid particles through a radial feed orifice open to the solids fluidizing chamber on one side and a solid particle utilization device on the other side. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for obtaining intermittent feeding with continual solids supply to the fluidizing chamber. The apparatus and process are suitable for injecting solid particles, such as coal, to an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A device for supporting the drive shaft of a marine propulsion unit wherein a single thrust bearing that supports the drive shaft against its thrust loads is biased by means of an elastic connection between the water pump and the drive shaft for simplifying the construction and eliminating the necessity for separate biasing springs for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel type of boat construction wherein a metal hull, comprised primarily of aluminum metal and there is fitted thereupon a fiberglass interior supported along the exterior outer edge of the hull, with the interior defining a space for occupants of the boat, and spaced apart from the hull itself at points all except the exterior continuous edge of contact between the hull and the interior fiberglass lining.

Abstract: A device for allowing the base of the mast of a multihull sailcraft to be positioned leeward of the top of the mast. It comprises a mast, shroud lines, an arced track whose radius centers at the shroud line attachment to the mast, apparatus for regulating the travel of the base of the mast along the arced track, apparatus for reducing travel friction between the base of the mast and the arced track, and apparatus for allowing the arced track to be rotated around its central vertical axis and locked in position.

Abstract: A waterjet propulsion system for a watercraft including a duct disposed on the bottom of the watercraft with the opening facing backward, a device to produce waterjet in the duct and a steerable nozzle fitted on the duct opening. Inside the nozzle, a flow guide extending forwardly beyond a supporting axis for the nozzle is formed integrally with the nozzle. For the flow guide, a plate or plates fitted vertically respectively including or parallel to the nozzle centerline or a cylinder mounted coaxially with the nozzle can be preferably employed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved foldable marine fender and cushion combination device which is formed by a base formed by an enlarged rectangular pliable sheet having opposed side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge, a plurality of paired cushioning pads mounted on the base in a patterned spaced apart orientation which consists of at least a first pair of cushioning pads mounted along the opposed side edges of the base, a second pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base inwardly from the first pair of cushioning pads a distance equal to the overall width of one of the cushioning pads, a third pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base spaced inwardly from the second pair of cushioning pads and spaced a distance equivalent to the overall width of two of the cushioning pads.

Abstract: An aircraft exit door locking system in which an exit door is automatically locked depending on three dissimilar inputs to a logic system. The inputs are provided from acceleration, pressure, and motion sensors and are utilized in a manner whereby any two can determine whether the lock in the passenger cabin exit door will be energized or deenergized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering handle device for jet-propelled small-sized boats of the type in which: structurally, the stern of the boat is adapted for use as a floor deck on which the rider stands, with an engine mounted on the front portion of the floor deck; a handle post is pivotally connected at its front or lower end to the bow of the boat by a horizontal shaft so that it is swingable; a base board for attaching the handle bar is integrated with the rear or upper end of the handle post overhanging the floor deck, and an attaching plate for the handle bar is pivotally connected to the base board by a vertical shaft; the rider holding the handle bar steers the boat to freely slide over water surface while changing the position at which the foot pressure is applied to the boat; the steering handle device being characterized in that: the handle bar is constructed in a substantially H-shape in a front view consisting of a handle bar body horizontally extending transversely of the boat, and a p

Abstract: A catamaran boat, especially intended for knock-down disassembly and rapid assembly having a generally rectangular frame. The frame has longitudinal members which are releasably connected to transverse members. At least one of the transverse members is arched upwardly. A pair of pontoons having an upper and a lower section, individually inflatable, are disposed below the longitudinal frame members. The pontoons have a pair of sleeves, fore and aft, extending laterally through the pontoon. Pontoon locks are releasably connected to the transverse frame members and extend outwardly from the catamaran boat. One leg of the pontoon lock is disposed over the pontoon and a bight portion is arcuately connected to a second, substantially parallel, leg protion of the pontoon lock. The second leg portion passes through the sleeve in the pontoon and connects to the transverse frame member forming a loop. The catamaran boat is steered by a pair of rudders.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for controlling the steering of an outboard motor (e.g., a trolling motor) on a marine craft. The apparatus includes a frame for attachment to a mounting surface for the motor, a D.C. motor which can be driven in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, a capstan, a flexible cable extending between the ends of the frame and being connected to the capstan and the outboard motor, and switches for actuating the D.C. motor and controlling direction of rotation. The apparatus causes the outboard motor to be pivoted in the desired direction to steer the marine craft. The D.C. motor can be controlled from a remote location on the marine craft.

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: Planing vessels of improved performance capability and methods for improving such performance and foils which may be associated with a planing vessels for providing improved performance capability. A dynamic downward force generated as the vessel (1) moves through water, preferably by a foil (3), is imposed on the vessel, with the locus of the force positioned, in the traverse direction, at the longitudinal vertical centerline plane of the vessel. In the longitudinal direction the locus of the dynamic force is positioned, relative to the other forces acting fore-to-aft on the vessel, to decrease the trim angle of the vessel, desirably to less than two degrees. Vessel wetted surface configurations are provided for stable and efficient operation at low trim angles, including the following. A deep draft, fine entrance (32) which minimizes rise at the bow experienced with conventional planing vessels and assists in maintaining laminarity of flow at the planing surfaces.

Abstract: A method for restoring and maintaining buoyancy for floatplane floats by inserting an inflatable air bag into the leaking compartment in the float and inflating the air bag until the water in the float is expelled from the float and the air bag seals the leak. A puncture resistant air bag also may be permanently installed in a floatplane float at the time of manufacture in order to prevent leaks.

Abstract: A stabilizer for controlling the steering of boats is made of an attachment plate, a friction controller and a spool; the attachment plate is attached to the tiller, rudder or an extension of either. The spool is mounted on the attachment plate and the friction controller is connected to the attachment plate via a spool post and is moved to increase or decrease pressure on the spool. The spool has, on its edge, a modified groove which can have a single knot hole, or can have one or more groove enlargements, discontinuities and/or can be zigzagged. A line is attached to the boat on one side of the stabilizer, wound around the spool for several turns and attached to the boat on the other side. The line is knotted at approximately the midpoint for use with a knot hole. Preferably the two sides of the line are then linked on the opposite side of the spool. This mechanism allows excessive pressure against the rudder to move an unattended tiller in emergencies.

Abstract: A water ski also adapted for walking on land is disclosed. The ski comprises a pontoon of generally streamlined shape, formed of a lightweight rigid material, and a plurality of spaced cups of a flexible material attached to the lower surface of the pontoon, each of the cups being open at the rear end thereof to form a pocket to receive water and provide water resistance against the backward movement of the pontoon, the cups closing against the lower surface of the ponton by the action of the water during the forward motion of the pontoon to reduce drag. According to one embodiment, a plurality of fins are disposed longitudinally along its lower front portion of the pontoon and extending below the cups in the closed position thereof, and an additional fin or runner is disposed longitudinally along the lower rear portion of the pontoon and extending below the cups in the closed position thereof.

Abstract: A boat tunnel system apparatus and method for providing shallow operation of a boat when utilizing standard outboard motors. A convex tunnel having a forward end, a convex center section, and a rearward end that exits the stern of a boat above the water line ensures that water adheres to the convex tunnel as the boat moves forward through the water thereby causing water to exit the stern of the boat above the normal water line. As the boat gains speed, water exits higher and higher above the normal water line and, in conjunction with the convex tunnel, a movable motor with propeller attached can be lifted into the solid water stream exiting the stern of the boat. As the boat reaches a plane position, a solid stream of water is provided so far above the normal water line of the boat that the propeller and water intakes of a motor can be raised above the water line and, in fact, raised above the hull of the boat.