Abstract: Diver's Caddy Vessel, adapted primarily to move beneath a seaway surface, made buoyant by the diver's exhalant into a skirt of the vessel, whereby to offset suspension weight of diver's gear, game and the like, characterized by a collapsible, bladder-like enclosure which is elongate in exterior configuration, open at the bottom, the bottom being defined by a dependent skirt and having a stringer interiorally thereof. The caddy stringer is adapted to the detachable engagement of a restraint line to the diver and/or stringer extensions for gear and game, the vessel further including a connector at one end for towing on a seaway surface.

Abstract: A two-way adjustable cam cleat is provided for use such as on sailboats having a fixed cam jaw rotatably mounted to a base opposite a movable cam jaw which is adapted with the base to vary the nip between the cams. Mounted on the arcuate periphery of each cam is a unique configuration of jaw teeth which enables the cams to engage with a line disposed therebetween to prevent movement in opposing axial directions.

Abstract: A shot blasting apparatus rotatable about a caterpillar tractor has a rotor, fed recirculated shot via two screw conveyors, which hurls shot at the ships bottom at an angle optimal for collection and sorting of the reflected shot debris and dust. Shock absorbingly supported at the top of the blaster is a casing, magnetically held to the ship, which is slidably supported in a box so as to "float" weightlessly. A bag filter and fan, mounted on the tractor, extract dust and debris from the shot blaster.

Abstract: A hull is provided defining longitudinal upstanding opposite sides interconnected by a bottom extending between lower marginal edges of the sides and by a bow structure at their forward ends and a transom structure at their rear ends. A pair of spaced apart midship opposite side compartments are provided immediately inwardly of the sides and define a center longitudinal aisle therebetween. A helm is disposed immediately rearward of one of the compartments and the sides terminate upwardly in generally horizontal gunwales. The compartments project upwardly appreciably above the gunwales and include forward upper portions inclined forwardly and downwardly toward the gunwales. A lower walk deck extends longitudinally of the hull between the compartments and appreciably forwardly of the latter. A raised deck is provided above and below the walk deck and gunwales, respectively, and extends between the sides forward of the compartments and forward from the latter toward the bow structure.

Abstract: A bumper for an object to be protected, such as an automobile, has a closed profile-section support element comprised of a rigid rear support and a front hollow section made of deformable material. The front section has two freely extending shank portions that are separably connected with the rigid support. The front section contains reenforcing ribs extending between the shank portions with their free edges arranged opposite, and at least approximately parallel to the front portion of the rigid support. In order to equalize tensile stresses and prevent tearing of the reenforcing ribs on impact, at least some of these ribs are provided with a semi-circular recess in the mid-zone of their free edges.

Abstract: In a surface effect ship of the type having at least two relatively spaced wall-like stationary structures extending longitudinally beneath the main body of the ship into and below the water line of the ship to partially confine thereunder the ship support air cushion, and a seal device of the inflatable bag type extending laterally between the stationary structures to assist in sealing the air cushion beneath the ship; the seal bag being apertured through its opposite end wall portions to permit egress of air therethrough so as to lubricate movements of the end wall portions relative to the stationary structures.

Abstract: A hollow mast having a longitudinal slot in the aft end thereof contains a stationary tension member supporting a rotatable rod having at least one C-shaped groove longitudinally disposed therein parallel to the tension member. The C-shaped groove is adapted to retain a bead located in the luff of a sail. A swivel surrounding the rod provides a rotatable part for hoisting the sail and a non-rotatable part for attachment of a sail hoisting halyard. A rotator is provided for rotating the rotatable member whereby the sail is furled about the rotatable member protected within the mast.

Abstract: A movable boat propulsion apparatus for use with an inboard drive comprising a drive assembly disposed within a pivotally mounted housing coupled at one end to the drive by a universal joint and coupled at the opposite end to a propeller mounted on a substantially vertical strut by a second universal joint such that the entire boat propulsion apparatus is movable in the vertical plane relative to the boat hull. The apparatus may also include a control coupled to the strut to adjust the height and angular orientation of the propeller in the vertical plane relative to the boat hull.

Abstract: A vessel such as a storage vessel is permanently moored, by means such as a yoke pivoted on the forecastle of the vessel, to a mooring leg, e.g. a riser or anchor chain, which is attached to a base located on the ocean floor. Mounted on the vessel is tension existing means, for example, counterweights, springs, winches, or the like, operably connected with the mooring leg for applying tension thereto such as by lifting the yoke. The top of the mooring leg is connected to the end of the yoke through a mooring swivel and a gimbaled mooring table or a universal joint. A fluid swivel may be located above the mooring table or about a load-carrying shaft connected to the mooring leg.

Abstract: A rudder assembly for small sailboats with a tiller which extends forwardly of a stock member and which is pivotally connected with a vertical rudder also pivotally connected to the stock member. The tiller pivot is spaced rearwardly and above the stock pivot with the rudder in its lowermost and operative position. An upright peg on the stock member respectively enters fore and aft slots in the tiller with the rudder vertical and swung upwardly to the horizontal, the latter position effected by swinging the tiller upwardly to disengage the peg from the fore slot and thereafter pulling the tiller forwardly and downwardly to enter the peg in the aft slot. A tooth on the tiller between the slots is selectively engageable with notches on the top of the peg to secure the rudder in intermediate positions.

Abstract: Boat trim adjusting apparatus generally comprising a bracket of generally U-shaped configuration pivotally mounted on a support frame secured to the rear of the boat. The bracket comprises a lower transversely extending base portion and a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the base portion and terminating at their upper ends in rearwardly extending wing portions. A rod is mounted on and extends transversely across the arms above the base portion and is adapted to be received in recesses in a pivotable mounting bracket for the engine having releasable locking means for engaging the rod. Suitable power means, such as hydraulic piston and cylinder units, are secured to the rear end portion of the wing portions and to support plates secured to the rear of the boat for selectively pivoting the adjusting bracket relative to the boat. In this manner, the engine mounting bracket is also pivoted to enable the trim of the boat to be adjusted while it is stationary or in motion.

Abstract: An ocean-going catamaran has a pair of hulls which are connected by a bridge structure. Each hull has a longitudinal axis, forward hull portion and a rearward hull portion and is asymmetrical relative to its longitudinal axis. The forward and rearward portions of each hull are mirror symmetrical with reference to one another and the forward portion of each hull is straight at one side and curved at the opposite side in the region of the waterline. The straight sides of the respective forward portions include with one another an angle.

Abstract: A support device for an independent tank, wherein a first support member secured to the tank is adapted to be supported on the top surface of a second support member attached to a ship's hold. Particularly in the case of a spherical tank, a horizontal ring projecting from adjacent the equator of the spherical tank is adapted to be supported on a support deck installed around the inner periphery of a ship's hold, with a pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed between the ring and the support deck. In such support device, an anti-floating member is provided on and projects from either the first support member or the second support member through the other member without touching the same. When the tank tends to float up, the free end of the anti-floating member and the mating member engage each other with the pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed therebetween, thereby preventing the floating up of the tank.

Abstract: A removable attachment for small boats having generally flat gunwales for clamping oarlock sockets to the boat, at a convenient height. Threaded tensioning members serve to hold hooked ends of the attachment securely engaged with inner and outer edges of the gunwale.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces. In the apparatus two rotary brushes are supported side-by-side by a frame and provided with drive mechanisms to rotate the brushes in opposite directions; the brushes are each provided with a handle such that in use by a diver the brushes may be independently pivoted relative to the frame in such manner that each brush may be inclined towards or away from each other, to control the cleaning action of the apparatus and the movement of the apparatus relative to the surface to be cleaned.The apparatus may also incorporate mechanisms for the application of paint to a submerged and cleaned surface.

Abstract: An improved reversible rubrail suitable for use on vessels such as ships, boats and the like comprises an elongated flexible resilient strip having an upstanding rear wall and spaced front walls connected to opposite ends, that is, the top and bottom of the rear wall and extending arcuately forward thereof so that their free ends abut or reversibly overlap and so that they define a covered compressible space or cavity with the rear wall. The free ends of the two front walls are flexible and thus provide access to the compressible cavity so as to permit the rubrail to be easily installed while concealing internal connecting bolts, screws, etc. within the cavity.An end wall is connected to either the top or bottom of the rear wall and extends rearwardly thereof. The rear surface of the rear wall and one surface of the end wall are flat. These flat surfaces are connected preferably at a 90.degree. angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flank drive for propelling a boat wherein a plurality of propeller housings are rotatably mounted in a wheel body about and in driving engagement with a normally stationary guide wheel centrally of the wheel body, which wheel body is rotated about its own central axis by means of a propulsion motor to carry the housings about the wheel body axis and rotate the housings about their own axes, so that the propeller housings undergo epicyclic motion.The propeller blade in each propeller housing can be adjusted relative to its housing passively by relative motion between abuttments or positively by means of an automatic hydraulic control to the most effective angle of attack, whereby the blades mainly exert flank force to the surrounding water. The guide wheel may be swivelled to steer the boat.

Abstract: A line cleat for use in a sailboat environment having a base plate and a pair of cam elements pivotally mounted on the base plate about spaced axes normal to the base plate. The cam elements have eccentric confronting faces that coact to define a line-gripping nip therebetween. The cam elements are displaceable about the axes of the cam elements to permit a line to enter the nip and to pass therethrough in one direction only axially of the line and to hold the line against retrogressive movement in the opposite axial direction. Inclined surface cooperate to define a V-shaped gap into the nip. The V-shaped gap is located above the nip.

Abstract: A roll-damping tank for ships to extend athwartships and to contain liquid that moves in the direction from end to end of the tank as the ship rolls, in which the ends of the tank at the sides of the ship are configured by curving or chamfering to destroy the velocity of the wave in the tank.

Abstract: A tanker for the storage and transport of liquified gas at low temperatures which includes a plurality of vessels arranged in an insulated hold in a vertical orientation and in an optimum space utilization pattern. The vessels have a cylindrical or prismatic configuration and a diameter-height ratio of about 1:2 to 1:5 and preferably of from 1:2.5 to 1:3.5. The vessels are arranged in spaced relationship and are interconnected exclusively at their upper and lower ends into one pack extending over the full width of the hold. The pack of vessels has at its center means acting on the bottom of the hold to position the pack horizontally.