Abstract: A trolling speed reduction apparatus for slowing the trolling speed of boats having an inboard engine and a steerable rudder mounted under the stern of the boat aft of a propeller driven by the inboard engine. The rudder has first and second opposed major sides and has first and second deflector plates carried on opposite sides of the rudder. The deflector plates are moveable between a first, closed position wherein the first and second deflector plates reside closely adjacent to an substantially along the respective first and second major sides of the rudder and are substantially inoperative and a second, open position wherein the first and second deflector plates extend outwardly away from the opposed sides of the rudder into the wash from the propeller and are operative to create speed reducing drag to slow the forward movement of the boat.

Abstract: A submarine hull which has a half wing-like sail which projects vertically upwards, is provided with a keel-wing that also is half wing-like, but projects vertically downwards. By preference the keel-wing has a lower end plate and its main portion is trailed by two slotted flaps which can be pivotally moved in both directions about respective vertical axes in coordination with movement of the rudder of the submarine. If needed for permitting operation in shallow water or with the hull close to the bottom, the wing can be made to retract. The keel-wing not only counters the sail's rolling movement and keeps the hull upright, but also adds a side force to assist in tightening the turn.

Abstract: The present invention, in it several embodiments, provides a harness-type structure for securing equipment, pouches, mountings of safety harnesses to, but not limited to, a personal flotation device in a compact, easily accessible system. The invention is adaptable for use with various types of clothing devices and carrying devices, a preferred such device being a personal flotation device, and where the wearer wishes to expand the capabilities of these devices for carrying or supporting valuables, accessory equipment, or emergency equipment.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having a selectively extendable and vertically pivotable steering set up is disclosed. The watercraft hull includes a channel for slidably receiving and engaging a steering arm to which a steering handlebar is mounted proximate one end and opposing protuberances formed proximate the opposite end. When the steering arm is fully extended retention means associated with the channel engage the protuberances so as to provide a pivotal connection. In an alternative embodiment the steering arm is selectively vertically rotatable and telescopically extendable.

Abstract: A recreational water sled and method for carrying a rider while being towed behind a boat includes a sled member and a downwardly-extending rudder, with a vertical steering pole extending approximately to chest height for a standing rider, and with a three point tow rope system, including a tow rope section attached to the upper extremity of the steering pole.

Abstract: A multi-hulled sailing vessel is provided with a pair of aileron foils that are mounted outboard from each of two sponsons that are rigidly joined to a central main hull. The aileron foils are rotatable about axes that are inclined toward each other when deployed. Each of the sponsons is provided with a mast carrying a sail. The masts are coupled together by a pair of transverse stabilizing struts. The masts are each supported by separate shroud systems. The vessel is equipped with load sensing and foil control means coupled to at least some of the shrouds and to the aileron foils so as to rotate the aileron foils about their axes responsive to loads in the shrouds. A rudder at the rear of the central main hull is provided with a transversely mounted elevator foil which is also rotated about an axis transverse to the rudder responsive to loads in the shrouds. The foils and the rudder are mounted for rotation relative to the sponsons and the central main hull and can be brought entirely out of the water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an emergency tiller mechanism for an outboard motor movable about a steering axis by a tiller steering arm attached thereto. The emergency tiller mechanism comprises a durable, flexible flat pad having backing of non-slip material, which firmly cushions a plate to a side or a top surface of the motor housing, and a compressible rubbery top. The plate and pad are secured to the motor housing by a pair of strong, durable non-slip straps tightened around the motor and plate. A hollow support socket is secured to the outer surface of the plate into which the tiller steering arm is secured. The tiller arm extends horizontally within the cockpit of the boat.

Abstract: An underwater gamma radiation survey probe adapted to be towed by a tow cable along the bottom of a body of water. The probe comprises a tubular shell with a nose cone having a waterproof connector for the tow cable. The nose cone closes one end of the tubular shell in a waterproof manner and an end plug closes the other end of the tubular shell in a waterproof manner. At least one weight of high density material is located in a lower half of the shell with that weight containing a cavity having an opening which faces the tubular shell. The weight maintains the orientation of the probe such that the opening faces downwards and a radiation detector in the cavity can detect radiation from the bottom surface.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system that can be operated or controlled under pressure is provided. To eliminate the erosion or abrasion to which heat exchangers located in a fluidized bed combustion chamber are subjected due to the flue dust contained in the flue gas, no thermal withdrawal or exchange takes place in the combustion chamber of the inventive fluidized bed combustion system, although the reaction conditions remain the same. At least one controllable line for returning to the combustion chamber part of the flue gas, if necessary cooled by heat exchangers variously arranged outside the combustion chamber, branches off from the flue gas line downstream of a dust separator that is disposed in the flue gas line downstream of the combustion chamber. The main area of application is the production of electrical energy and heat for the generation of steam, as process heat, or as heat for a remote site, by means of a fluidized bed combustion system that can be operated or controlled under pressure.

Abstract: A recreational raft apparatus which comprises an inflatable, floatable body portion, and at least one closable pocket in association with the body portion of the raft. The raft may further comprise an inflatable pillow which is attached to the body portion, as well as handles attached to the body portion of the raft for carrying the raft. A towel may be attached to the top side of the raft by clips.

Abstract: In a container crane installation, swinging movements during the lowering of the spreader are suppressed in that the spreader, after the reaching of the ideal position of the hoist cable carrier in each case, is brought into swing-damping contact with the crane carriage. According to a further form of embodiment the position of the spreader in relation to the standing position to be approached is ascertained by a remote recognition system fitted on the spreader.

Abstract: A railway truck assembly having a bolster and side frames with a novel arrangement of solid lateral stops which limit movement of the bolster ends with respect to the side frames of the truck, the novel lateral stops also accommodating an improved column friction damping arrangement for such a railway truck assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a boat having a v-shaped composite foam block bottom structure. Forming a part of the boat bottom structure is a v-shaped bottom hull panel and disposed thereover is a plurality of transversely extending v-shaped foam blocks that are laminated to the bottom panel through a fiberglass bonding network.

Abstract: A process for extinguishing, preventing and controlling fires using a composition containing CHF.sub.3 is disclosed. CHF.sub.3 can be used in volume percentages with air as high as 80% without adversely affecting mammalian habitation, with no effect on the ozone in the stratosphere and with little effect on the global warming process.

Abstract: A swimming frame for competition in swimming, swimming instruction, muscle strengthening, and entertainment in the water comprises a pair of floats (1), a clamping unit (2, 3), and a paddle unit (4, 5, 6). It might be used by everyone regardless of the ability to swim. The paddle unit might by modified giving an additional possibility to practice butterfly-like and crawl-like style of swimming. A swimmer being clamped between rigid (2) and flexible (3) portion of the clamping unit is producing the push-pull movements of the paddle unit. When he pushes the unit, the paddle (4) is rotated up to horizontal position by the water pressure against its front. When he pulls the unit, the paddle is rotated up to vertical position by water pressure against its back. Because of the difference in the paddle hydroresistance between push and pull movements the swimming frame will be propelled by the swimmer.

Abstract: Several embodiments of internal combustion engines as applied to outboard motors incorporating a combined electrical generator and air compressor unit driven by the engine output shaft and having a single input shaft that drives both the electrical generator and the air compressor. The air compressor supplies compressed air for a fuel/air injection system and the combined unit is disposed in a recess formed by the engine so as to provide a compact assembly.

Abstract: An improved version of the Float Connection Assemblies as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,166, for the retraction of a trimaran's stabilizing floats to be alongside the trimaran center hull for trailering or Marina docking. The improvement consists of a variable length Upper Pivoting Guide Frame, that when varied in length will allow a trimaran float being retracted by the Float Connection Assemblies to assume a different, higher and more favorable position, to prevent marine growth on the floats' sides, particularly the topsides above the normal waterline when retracted.This allows a trimaran incorporating this improved Float Connection Assembly to be easily converted from a trailerable configuration, to a more suitable Marina docking configuration, without the problem of underwater growth on the retracted float's side.

Abstract: A wind propelled sailing apparatus having a sailboard hull adapted to support a user; a sail for propulsion of the sailboard hull and adapted to receive wind for motive power; a skeg positioned and oriented in a rear central portion of the sailboard hull, the skeg being adjustable between a first position, whereby the skeg has a surface area sufficient to provide lateral resistance to side forces generated by the sail and to provide directional stability to the sailboard hull when sailing upwind, and a second position, whereby the area of the skeg is reduced for sailing downward; and a housing for the skeg which facilitates vertical upward and downward movement thereof, the housing having an opening configured and positioned about the skeg to minimize air entrainment between the housing opening and skeg to the underside of the sailboard hull due to forward movement thereof.

Abstract: For improving the headway and sternway icebreaking characteristics, the hull of a ship has the greatest width of the icebreaking waterline in the forebody and has trimming and ballasting in the stern area, whose part located above the icebreaking waterline is widened to such an extent that on lowering the afterbody by trimming or ballasting during sternway travel, a channel is broken in the ice cover, which is wider than the wide forebody part passing through said channel during sternway travel.

Abstract: A boat transom and method of constructing same utilizing the outer skin of the hull and transom while still in the hull mold. A bulkhead is disposed in forwardly spaced relation to the outer skin of the transom and the space therebetween is filled with high tensile strength synthetic resin which may be of the polyester type blended with a suitable hardener. The resin includes entrained microspheres evenly dispersed throughout the transom body and ground fiberglass reinforced plastic scrap. The transom body is cast in a series of merging layers containing fiberglass reinforcing which extends in zig zag fashion from edge to edge of the transom body cavity and additional strands which extend in a skewed pattern. The bulkhead may be removed after the casting operation or may be allowed to remain in place. A further aspect of the invention involves the casting of a fiberglass reinforced synthetic resin transom body in a generally horizontal mold, or an upright mold, separate from the hull mold.