Abstract: A multilegged portal crane is disclosed in which a plurality of legs including first, second and third spaced apart legs are affixed to a frame with each leg extending between the frame and a different one of a plurality of rails. Each leg has a pair of wheels at a base end, spaced apart in the direction in the length of the rails and rotatable along the rails. A first leg of the plurality of legs has a higher level of rigidity than the other legs which are more flexible relative to the first leg. Means for sensing skew of the crane is mounted on the first leg and the first leg is positioned between the second and third legs such that, for a predetermined amount of skew of the crane determined by the sensing means on the first leg, the skew movement of the second and third legs relative to the first leg is less than the skew movement of the second and third legs relative to each other. Only one of the legs is rigid and the other two are flexible.

Abstract: An improved performance and high stability marine surface vessel that is supported at least in part by a pressurized gas cushion where the pressurized gas is supplied to the gas cushion normally by mechanical apparatus such as a powered blower. The pressurized gas cushion is restrained, at least partially, by a recess built into the underside of the hull with significant advancements including a forwardly extending bow member that helps lift the bow over rough seas, water impact relief openings in the side hulls, movable and optionally remotely controllable stern seal member sections that allow control of recess gas cushion depth, pressure and other gas cushion characteristics, and a control system for a movable stern seal member. The advancements also include a forward movable seal attached structure that greatly increases movable seal life. The above advancements may be used singularly or in various combinations.

Abstract: A metering drum assembly for the rotation of can-shaped objects over a surface from a first to second location. The drum device employs an inner, hollow, non-rotating, cylindrical member and an outer, hollow, rotating, cylindrical member, each cylindrical member being oriented about the same longitudinal axis. A vacuum is drawn within the inner, hollow, non-rotating, cylindrical member pulling air through the perforated surface of the outer, hollow, rotating, cylindrical member only across a defined segment of orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in propeller installations including means for supplying motor exhaust gases to the vicinity of the propeller (7). The invention is characterized in that a gas outlet (4) is located immediately forwards of the propeller and directs the gas flow towards the sweep of the blade tips of the propeller.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for securing containers on the deck of a containership. Tower assemblies are provided on either side of a container body. A lowermost tier of containers is engaged by castings and dowels mounted on deck or hatch covers. Cantilevered platforms mounted between vertical tower members pivot outwards to lie atop the containers. Dowels carried on the cantilevered platforms are positioned to engage the bottom locating apertures of the second tier of containers. Similar apparatus is provided for subsequent tiers. The uppermost tier rests upon a cantilevered platform, and also is retained in vertical position by a locking dowel engaging the horizontal locating aperture of the container.

Abstract: An airfoil having improved aerodynamic characteristics has a leading edge and a trailing edge longitudinally spaced therefrom. A continuous lower surface of the air foil forms a lower camber extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The upper surface of the air foil has a first fixed upper surface extending rearwardly from the leading edge and terminating in an offset and a second upper surface extends rearwardly therefrom and is movable from a first position defining a first upper camber portion of the airfoil to a second position defining a second upper camber portion thereof.

Abstract: The device of this invention includes a cleat disposed within a cavity formed by an exterior housing in a manner permitting the cleat to be moved between an extended position where the cleat is accessible to receive a boat line and a retracted position where the cleat is retracted into the cavity. The mechanism that allows the movement of the cleat between a retracted and extended position is within the cavity and includes a spring and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a latching member that pivotally moves within the latching mechanism between a latching position that holds the cleat in the retracted position and a release position where the latch memebr releases the cleat to the extended position under the influence of the spring. The latching mechanism allows for the cleat to be alternated between the extended and retracted position by successive depressions of the cleat into the cavity.

Abstract: A remotely controllable tail buoy for use in marine geophysical prospecting operations is disclosed. The tail buoy is attached to the trailing end of one or more seismic streamers towed by the vessel. The tail buoy is provided with rudders that are controlled by a steering mechanism and communication system. The communication system collects and processes radio signals emitted from a radio transmitter located on the towing vessel. The processed signals control the steering mechanism which includes a hydraulic pump for directing fluid into a hydraulic cylinder. The fluid flow rotates the rudders. The tail buoy will travel toward the direction that the rudders are turned and thus avoid hooking or entangling of the tail buoy on other like tail buoys or structures.

Abstract: A robotically operated device uses an ultrasonic transducer for the cleaning of ships' hulls. The device may also be used for spraying paints or other chemicals on the sides of ships' hulls. The device includes a housing having an open face adapted to confront a ship's hull and apparatus disposed in the housing for impinging a flow of fluid through the open face onto the ship's hull. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed in the housing for impinging a flow of ultrasonic energy through the open face onto the ship's hull. Apparatus connected to the outside of the housing retains the housing on the ship's hull and moves the housing on the ship's hull. In an additional embodiment, apparatus for spraying paint or other chemicals on a ship's hull is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A bow facing rowing system comprising the combination of an oar reversing device and a bracket device for supporting the oar reversing device. The oar reversing device includes a housing having opposing ends which terminate in a pair of upper and lower flanges defining fixed spaces therebetween. A train of gears is disposed essentially within the housing with one end gear of the train of gears forming a first terminal gear having an integral extension passing through the adjacent fixed space and terminating in an oar member and the opposite end gear of the train of gears forming a second terminal gear having an integral extension passing through the adjacent fixed space and terminating in a handle member. The gears intermesh in the same plane to thereby transmit motion in reverse from the handle member to the oar member.

Abstract: An outboard propulsion unit supporting system by which an outboard propulsion unit is vertically movably supported to the rear end section of a boat. The supporting system is comprised of a pair of slit brackets installed to the rear end section of the boat. Each slit bracket is formed with a generally vertically extending slit in which a guide roller rotatably secured to the side of the propulsion unit is movably engaged. The boat is provided at its transom with a pair of thrust rollers on which a pair of generally vertically extending guide rails formed on the propulsion unit side are detachably contact, respectively. Additionally, a tilt cylinder is provided between the boat transom and the propulsion unit side thereby to raise the propulsion unit generally vertically.

Abstract: A flotation assembly designed to keep an individual afloat in water comprising a size adjustable harness adapted to fit the torso of an individual, to which are attached bottle closure devices. The closure devices are designed to have empty bottles inserted therein so as to form a substantially water-tight seal. The number of attached closure devices, and the size of the bottles inserted therein are chosen so that the degree of buoyancy desired is obtained, given the size of the individual and the purpose for which the buoyancy is required. Different types of closure devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A deployable flotation device including buoyancy members tightly packed in a container mechanism in which the container is either permanently mounted within a watercraft or removably deployed for periodic recertification and receives inner and outer buoyancy members for providing positive buoyancy in a watercraft over a shelf life of up to five years. In a modification a single outer container may be used. A particular composition for the buoyancy member suitable for the marine environment is disclosed. Deployment may be manual, semi-automatic, or automatic depending on the requirements of particular watercraft.

Abstract: An inflatable emergency flotation device to be worn around the neck of the wearer and strapped to the front of the wearer's body. The device includes a folded, flexible, airtight tube; a strap which is slidably attached to the ends of the tube; an oral inflation tube; and an inflation assembly including a holder for holding a carbon dioxide cylinder and a hand operated or automatic activating mechanism.

Abstract: A cylindrical roll drum housing (12) is mounted to the roof (18) of an aircraft fuselage. Enclosed in the housing (12) is a sensor (22) that pivots about an azimuthal axis (82). The sensor (22) normally looks outwardly through sliding window (20) that moves back and forth in correspondence with sensor pivoting. Pressurized air is blown directly across the window's opening (40), and is also blown directly into the housing (12). The window (20) has an inwardly directed airflow-deflecting edge which, in combination with the air blowing, is used to control boundary layer vortices across the window's opening so that they do not interfere with sensor properties.

Abstract: Fire extinguisher apparatus that is operated by the force of a cartridge such as that used in a nail gun. The cartridge operated fire extinguisher has two detectors that are activated by two separate types of emissions that are characteristic of a fire. Both of these detectors must be simultaneously activated in order for the fire extinguisher apparatus to be operated by the cartridge. The fire extinguisher apparatus also is capable of shutting off electrical equipment such as stoves.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for releasably locking a vehicle to an adjacent structure includes a frame which can be mounted adjacent to the structure, a sector assembly which is mounted within the frame to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis in a first rotational direction to a restraint position in which the vehicle is locked to the adjacent structure and in an opposite second rotational direction to a release position in which the vehicle is released, an actuator which is connected to the frame and sector assembly to rotate the sector assembly in its first rotational direction into the restraint position, and at least one movable impediment biased to move to lock the sector assembly in its restraint position until released.

Abstract: A device for automatically securing in the hoist position the head of a sail of a sailing vessel on the mast of a vessel. The device comprises a body, one end of which is fitted with a device for securing the sail and the other end of which has passing through it a rod on which is fixed the halyard for handling the sail. In the body a hook is articulated, one arm of the hook projecting outwardly. A piston integrally formed with the rod is forced by a spring against the hook. When the piston is resting against the hook, the hook is locked, while in the opposite case the hook may pivot freely.

Abstract: A surf-riding board or sailing board comprises two flexible side portions having a stabilizing effect upon the board in difficult water conditions and during maneuvering.

Abstract: Improvements with the present invention is concerned relate in particular to special bimodal semi-trailers adapted to travel on both rails and roads, wherewith the rail carriage and the highway carriage as well are removable. The invention may be applied if the highway carriage is non-removable. The invention may be applied if the highway carriage is non-removable, or with other types of bimodal semi-trailers.