Abstract: A mooring system for securing a boat to a dock wherein masts are supported on the dock at their lower end by a mounting means so as to extend over the water and carry lines attached to the upper ends of the masts and extending therefrom to the boat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boat hull including a stringer member having an end surface including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface, a bulkhead member extending transversely to the stringer member, fixed thereto, and including an end surface extending in coplanar relation to the end surface of the stringer member and including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface of the bulkhead member, a deck member engaging the end surfaces of the stringer member and the bulkhead member and including cut-outs respectively receiving the projections on the stringer and bulkhead members, and a gusset member extending substantially at a right angle to the stringer and bulkhead members and including a first projection received in the cut-out in the stringer member and a second projection received in the cut-out in the bulkhead member.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a housing adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a first gear rotatably supported by the housing and adapted to be drivingly connected to a propeller, a pump, and a second gear which is driven by the first gear and which is drivingly connected solely to the pump.

Abstract: A manually actuated, hydraulic manhole cover lifter (10) comprises a frame (12) mounted on wheels (58) and adapted to straddle a manhole. An actuator (30) is mounted on the frame. The actuator comprises a cylinder (36) connected to a pump (34). A magnet (50) is connected to the cylinder (36) for engagement with the metallic manhole cover. In a second embodiment, the lifter (70) includes pivotal legs (74) in order to be more compact for storage and transport. A winch (108) can be utilized instead of a pump and cylinder arrangement (34, 36), and the manhole cover can be engaged either mechanically or magnetically.

Abstract: The invention is a removable sub-hull for an inflatable boat. The rear portion of the sub-hull is attached to the boat by straps and the forward portion is attached through the use of a cup shaped portion that receives the bow of the inflatable boat. The sub-hull includes a keel member on its bottom surface and can be used on a variety of different length inflatable boats. The top of the cup portion can either be an extension of the rigid bottom of the sub-hull or, it can be a removable, flexible cover member.

Abstract: A spherical buoy of translucent plastic material has a circular cutout leading to the open interior of the buoy. A cylindrical insert having a closed inner end portion and an open unobstructed interior is inserted into the cutout. The outer end portion of the insert is bonded to the margin of the cutout. A self-contained battery-operated light is actuated and inserted into the insert whereupon the outer end of the insert is closed by a screw cap to retain the actuated light in the insert. The insert is of light transmissive material such that the buoy is illuminated from the interior.

Abstract: A two-level sea-land creeping vehicle formed by three main parts: a frustoconical bow portion which is movable independently but connected to the central part or compartment in the form of a drop of water, which is flat in the lower part and which is fixed with respect to the rear part which comprises the drive and steering assembly, as well as the breathing and safety zone.The vehicle is displaced on land by means of two rollers disposed in the lower region and by the drive of the motor, and it is likewise displaced on the surface of water due to its buoyancy and it is also displaced in a condition of dynamic immersion by the drive of the motor linked to positioning of the bow portion and hydroplanes; the air required is picked up from the surface by means of an appropriate telescopic arrangement and it has the particularity of not being hermetically sealed in the immersed condition. It is totally safe since it rises automatically to the surface when the motor stops.

Abstract: A system for optimal space utilization by using at least one raisable and lowerable berth. The at least one berth can be raised to a storage or day position and lowered to a service or night position by a driving motor operatively connected to the berth. The position of the berth is essentially horizontal in the storage as well as the service position. The berth is provided with guiding bodies for movable engagement along essentially vertical guide rails fastened adjacent to limiting walls of the compartment in question. The guide rails can also be a part of the bearing structure of the compartment. Below the berth there are arranged at least one permanently mounted, pivotable chair capable of being stowed and/or put down in a position to free the necessary space for lowering the berth to the night position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a releasing mechanism for a parachute which is stowed in a container held closed by a safety string against the pulling force of a preloaded spring. This safety string is fixed to a container and can be released by action of an energy storage, e.g. a detonator or a preloaded spring. The energy set free by controlled ignition or triggering can either destroy or release the safety string.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable life belt of light weight, compact construction which is normally worn around the waist or hips of the individual, the size of which does not interfere with the activities of the individual while on board the ship, thereby rendering it feasible to use at all times without discomfort or in any way hindering normal physical activities. The belt encircles the body and is detachably engaged therewith by suitable belt means, the belt comprising two buoyancy sections of similar size which are folded one on top the other for sake of compactness. Each section of the belt includes a closed chamber; at least one of the chambers is automatically inflatable by suitable means such as a compressed gas cartridge mounted on the belt. The other closed chamber may be similarly inflated independently of the first chamber, or, alternatively, may be filled with an inherently buoyant material, such as foam, to render the life belt operative as soon as the individual enters the water.

Abstract: A crane leg connection is disclosed in which a crane has a frame length greater than its width, and has supporting legs including facing leg members connected to the frame and extending from the frame downward and away from each other and away from the frame in a direction transverse to the length of the frame. A support beam is mounted on the frame, and at least one of the leg members is connected to the support beam. A support arm connects the support beam and the frame together and carries the vertical load on the frame and transfers that load through the support beam to the leg. The support arm is connected to the support beam and frame such that the leg and frame are movable relative the each other transversely to the length of the frame. Another arm is affixed to at least one of the leg members and extends toward the frame, and an arm affixed to the frame extends toward the arm affixed to the leg member.

Abstract: A concealed sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler head having a body defining a nozzle, an arm structure extending from the nozzle and a deflector mounted on the arm assembly opposite the nozzle. A mounting or gauge base is secured to the sprinkler head. The base positions the deflector and head with respect to a ceiling. A cover plate is snapped onto the sprinkler head assembly by a pair of metal clips. The clips are fabricated from a material which returns towards an original prebent configuration upon being exposed to a predetermined ambient temperature thereby releasing the cover plate from the assembly.

Abstract: An outboard motor support for supporting and cushioning the lower unit of an outboard motor when the boat carrying the outboard motor is being trailered. The outboard motor support is characterized by an elongated, tubular outside support fitted with a V-shaped foot-engaging member at one end for engaging the foot of the outboard motor and a telescoping support at the opposite end, which telescoping support terminates in a yoke for adjustably engaging the frame of the trailer. The telescoping support is spring-loaded in the outside support and a rubber shock absorber is provided in the outside support near the foot-engaging member, in order to cushion the outboard motor foot against road shock.

Abstract: An adjustable davit arrangement is attachable to a pair of pier pilings for raising or lowering a vessel and comprises a first davit mounted on a first pier piling, a second davit mounted on a second pier piling, a rotatable drive pipe extending between respective distal ends of the first and second davits, pick-up flanges disposed near respective ends of the rotatable drive pipe for raising or lowering the vessel via respective cables as the drive pipe is rotated, and a winch motor mounted in proximity to one of the davits and operating with a gear reducing drive drum mounted on the drive pipe so as to cause the drive pipe to rotate, thereby raising or lowering the vessel. Simplicity in assembly and operation, and economy, are achieved by use of a single winch motor.

Abstract: A brailing system for commercial fishing boats that speeds the process of taking the fish from the pursing net that has been gathered next to the ship and transferring the fish into the storage chambers of the ship. Novel structure for reciprocally, pivotally and rotatably supporting the rear end of the brailing pole reduces the number of men required to dip the brailing pole into the pursing net.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a decorative tree, such as a Christmas tree, of the present invention wherein, disguised, for example, as a Christmas gift or incorporated as an integral part of the stand for the tree itself, there is provided a canister with a dry, substantially inert chemical, such as Halon, or similar fire suppressant substance, is disclosed. The fire suppressant substance is forced, e.g., by the application of pressure, when a heater smoke-sensitive sensor, released by a solenoid valve, is used to project the dispersant through a tubular plenum to a dispersant nozzle contained within, or as an integral part of, an ornament, e.g., a star, atop of the decorative tree. The flow of the fire suppressant fluid is preferably directed outward from a plurality of oval-shaped holes, preferably at least four such oval-shaped holes, which encircle a cylinder-type nozzle so as to provide dispersant to all directions surrounding the tree.

Abstract: A fire suppressor having a motor and a pump affixed to a tank for the fire suppressant mountable on the back of a user and which can be changed from a spray configuration to a fill configuration for fire site vicinity filling. A fuel tank for the motor mounted on the fire suppressant tank is enclosed to prevent sparks from reaching the fuel.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for securing an inflatable dinghy having opposing pontoon portions to a yacht. The bracket comprises a member adatped to fit over one of the pontoon portions, and having at one end thereof an element for removably securing the member to the yacht, and also comprises a mounting assembly for mounting the member to the dinghy such that the member is directly or indirectly held by and between the under parts of the inner sides of the opposing pontoon portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically raising and lowering boat motors includes a mounting configuration that allows the motor to move up out of the water and down into the water. A hydrofoil is connected with the motor. When the boat is propelled by a second motor, the water pushes up on the hydrofoil, forcing the first motor up out of the water. A locking device can be used to maintain the first motor in the up position. The locking device can be disengaged to allow the motor and hydrofoil to fall into the water. Alternatively, the motor and hydrofoil can be maintained in the up positon by the force of water against the hydrofoil. When the second motor is shut down the motor and hydrofoil automatically drop into the water.

Abstract: A boat fender provided with a reel about which the line, or rope, from which the boat fender is normally suspended when in use, is wound for containment and storage when such line, or rope, is not in use. The storage reel provides a means for the quick, facile storage of the line used to suspend the fender, and for release of the line as required.