Abstract: A flush mount ski tow hook is mounted in a hole in the transom of a boat hull and has a sealing cup projecting inwardly of the hole from an externally mounted flange. The flange carries an inwardly and upwardly projecting tow hook. The sealing cup not only seals the opening in the transom but also seals the edges of the opening to protect the latter from the elements.

Abstract: An improved outrigger device for a T-Top equipped motorboat that permits the outrigger thereof located above the T-Top to be moved from a stowage position to a trolling position and vis versa by an occupant of the boat standing in the shelter of such T-Top includes a tubular member having an upper end portion and a lower end portion joined integrally to a central portion that extends through such T-Top with its upper end portion positioned above the T-Top and its lower end portion positioned below it. A tubular outrigger having a bottom end portion and an elongated fishing line support portion extending upwardly from the bottom end portion is rotatably journalled in the tubular member. A locking unit is associated with the lower end portion of the tubular member to prevent the bottom end portion of the outrigger from rotating in the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for introducing at least one optical fiber member into a tubular passageway. The apparatus comprises a pressure vessel for receiving the optical fiber member, the vessel either containing compressed air or other gas or being provided with an inlet by means of which compressed gas can be introduced. The vessel is connected to the passageway via a fiber-introducing device, e.g. a venturi or a mechanical device, which creates slack in the optical fiber member.

Abstract: An automatically activated fire extinguishing device for a stove. The device is installable in a hood over the stove and has a compact design which substantially hides portions of the device from normal viewing. The invention also includes an automatic stove shut-off which shuts off the electricity and/or gas to the stove in the event of a fire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recoverable tethered platform system and to a tethered platform for use therewith. One end of a tether line is retained at a surface station while the majority of the line is initially mounted on a mandrel in the platform and is drawn from this mandrel as the platform descends. This permits more rapid descent of a platform since there are substantially no line drag forces to overcome during descent. During recovery, the line can be wrapped on a mandrel which is the same as the mandrel in the platform and this rewound mandrel may then be substituted for the empty mandrel in the platform for redeployment.

Abstract: A rigid airship is disclosed herein having an annular or toroidal airfoil fuselage in front elevation for housing several elongated gas cells containing a buoyant gas such as helium. The fuselage includes at least two longitudinal and a plurality of transverse structural members for supporting the cells. A covering is provided about the fuselage comprising a multiplicity of fitted panels joined by retainer straps and locking nodes. The fuselage defines a central venturi having an annular intake and a contracted exit through which an elongated tapered tail cone extends in coaxial relationship with the fuselage. Boundary layer control is effected via manifolds associated with the fuselage panels and a variable geometry venturi passageway is effected by longitudinal movement of a control compartment and adjoining tapered tail cone.

Abstract: A collapsible cleat assembly positionable selectively into a stored position defined by a cleat member disposed into the interior of a cavity integrally formed in a mounting base wherein the cleat member is substantially flush with an outer exposed surface of the mounting base so as not to provide any significant protrusion above the surface of the deck or dock in which the cleat assembly is mounted. The cleat member is selectively pivotal substantially 90 degrees out of the cavity into an operative, upstanding position above the deck or dock surface for attachment and retention of a mooring line or the like and further wherein the mounting base including the cavity is set into a formed recess within the deck surface or dock surface on which the cleat assembly is mounted so as to transfer, at least in part, stresses or focuses to the entire mounting base rather than the connecting structure for securing the cleat movably to the mounting base.

Abstract: A seaplane having a low wing, a cabin over the wing, a pusher propeller located at the aft end of the cabin and just forward of the trailing edge of the wing and an empennage supported on a tail boom. The central portion of the leading edge of the wing extends forward in the shape of an isosceles triangle with its base against what would be a conventional leading edge and its apex in a vertical plane through the center line of the aircraft. The wing, including the triangular extension, provides flotation. The underside of the central portion incorporates transverse, angularly displaced and longitudinal steps. The lower portion of the propeller arc is separated from the water surface by the thickness of the wing near its trailing edge and the clearance between the arc and the proximate upper surace of the wing, allowing the thrust line and line of action of aerodynamic drag to be relatively close, resulting in a relatively low negative pitching moment.

Abstract: An articulated rail car connector for joining the adjacent ends of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector including in one preferred embodiment a pair of nested center plates which support the adjacent car platforms upon such a truck bolster and which are longitudinally slideable with respect to one another, and a drawbar pivotally connected between the adjacent car platforms to transmit longitudinally directed buff and draft loads therebetween.

Abstract: The challeng craft is a paddle craft constructed of wood, plastic, and cloth with two wood interior support frames which are removable. The hull of the paddle craft is constructed of four pieces of wood attached with cloth so that when the interior support frames are removed the craft is foldable. This makes transportation of the craft easy. The paddle craft also had closed cell foam sponsons along the sides of the craft to provide stability in water.

Abstract: A hand-portable console device for use by underwater divers. A housing having at least a forward, water-vented storage compartment adapted to have an external illumination mounted thereon. The housing can also have an aft compartment. Attachment to the housing is a collapsible game bag. A bladder inflatable from a diver's air tank can be fitted inside the game bag to make a floatation device. Affixed or integral with the housing are ambient water parameter indicators, e.g., depth, temperature. The housing can also have a writing surface to enable divers to communicate with each other by writing messages on said surface.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle having retractable wheels and sliding hull sections. A novel suspension system is disclosed for raising and lowering the wheels on the vehicle. A coil spring/shock absorber is connected to a linkage which moves horizontally by action of a motor and worm gear coupled to the linkage. The lateral movement of the linkage results in vertical movement of the wheel. The amphibious vehicle may be driven directly into the water, and the wheels raised. Sliding hull sections are then positioned over the wheel wells to give the vehicle a streamline outer hull for water-borne travel.

Abstract: A power actuated mechanism for raising and lowering a console mounted windscreen and/or electronics panel on a fishing boat. An electric actuator has its base end pivoted to the console and its rod end extending downwardly to a pivot connection with the lower end of a rigid bracket. The bracket is secured at its upper end to the electronics box so that retraction of the actuator raises the box and windscreen about a hinge axis while extension of the actuator effects lowering of the box-windscreen.

Abstract: An improved fender maintains separation between a vessel, such as a pleasure boat, and a wharf to which the vessel is moored. The fender utilizes an elastic shock absorber element and a thrust rod that is connected at one end to the vessel and at the other end to the elastic shock absorber element. The elastic shock absorber element is held by a two-armed support structure at some distance away from the top of the wharf. The support structure prevents the thrust rod from receiving forces from sources other than the vessel and the elastic shock absorber element.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting in a surfboard or the like for storing articles therein having a housing, a lid and a gasket member mounted upon the lid for providing a watertight seal between the housing and lid. The housing is cylindrical and has a closed end and an open end with at least one retaining rib and an annular shoulder formed interior of the housing adjacent the open end. A cylindrical lid is adapted for mounting upon the housing and has a handle member formed at one end and at least one locking rib formed on the periphery of the lid for engaging a respective retaining rib. A gasket member is mounted upon the periphery of the lid for engaging the housing ridge.

Abstract: A propulsion unit comprises an elongated chamber having a front closed end and a rear open end with a side opening having a decreasing cross section inwardly of the chamber and directing incoming fluid tangentially of curved internal chamber walls for imparting a spin motion to such fluid for immediately redirecting fluid motion into an inwardly spiraling and longitudinally spreading flow outwardly of the open chamber end to propel the chamber forwardly. The unit operates with random wave motion as well as with expanding gases from a combustion chamber.

Abstract: An air conveyor assembly whereby objects are transported on the top deck of an elongated plenum. The plenum is pressurized by a high-performance wheel fan member contained entirely within the plenum driven by a motor contained entirely within a filter housing located on the bottom wall of the elongated plenum.

Abstract: In a sonar buoy suspended from a helicopter, the lower stabilizing ring of a buoy of this type is replaced by a set of fins which get folded against the body of the buoy during its descent into the water and get unfolded when they are raised again to form a stabilizing crown around the bottom of this body, thus enabling a buoy of this type to be stabilized both during descent and when being raised again.

Abstract: A crane comprises a base, a driving body for driving and controlling the crane disposed on the base rotatable in a horizontal plane, an articulated arm attached to the driving body pivotable in a vertical plane, and a clutching means for clutching the construction elements. The arm is folded and extended in a vertical plane. The clutching means is tiltably and detachably connected to a forward end of the arm. The crane further comprises a fixing means tiltably and detachably connected to the forward end of the arm as a substitute for the clutching means. The fixing means is capable of being fixed to the construction, so that the driving body can be moved while the fixing means is fixed to the construction.

Abstract: A plastic boat and method for molding the same wherein a polystyrene core is molded and cured before enclosing it between polyethylene inner and outer skins. The inner and outer skins are molded from matching molds for a perfect fit around the core.