Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hot air type balloon which includes a balloon envelope having a generally circular top opening and a top cap adjacent the top opening for opening and closing the balloon. The top cap forms both a deflation panel and maneuvering port for the balloon. A closure assembly is provided for use with the envelope and top cap for closing the deflation port and for permitting controlled opening thereof. The assembly has a fixed member secured to the balloon envelope and a releasable member releasably secured to the fixed member. A securement cord is secured to the releasable member and is connected to the top cap and a release line extends from the releasable member to a gondola where the operator is riding. The operator by pulling on the release line can open the closure assembly by separating the releasable member from the fixed member and can cause the deflation panel to separate from the envelope so as to spill air from the balloon and rapidly deflate the balloon.

Abstract: A rowing attachment for a canoe or similar boat having, in combination, a seat-carrying longitudinal support extending a substantial distance along the longitudinal axis of the canoe; foot means disposed near the ends of the support and depending below the same for resting the support at its ends above the bottom of the canoe; outrigger wings extending symmetrically transversely of the support from an intermediate region thereof over the gunnels of the canoe and laterally to the sides thereof, said wings supporting oarlocks near their free ends and being provided in the region where they pass over the gunnels with depending adjustable clamps for securing the wings to the gunnels, thereby securing the attachment within the canoe resting upon said foot means at the ends of the longitudinal support and providing additional structural integrity to the wings.

Abstract: This invention relates to removable systems for supporting interior passenger elements within an aircraft fuselage (1). The invention is directed toward increasing the efficiency of load transfer, providing quick conversion, and maximizing cargo space. A plurality of longitudinal sections (2, 2') are arranged end-to-end along an axis and connected together by extension/retraction joints (14, 28, 28'). A first end of a diagonal strut (8, 50, 50') is nontranslatably connected to a section (2, 2') just forward of each joint (14, 28, 28'). The other end of strut (8, 50, 50') is nontranslatably connected to the fuselage (1) aft of joint (14, 28, 28'). Axial loads on sections (2, 2') cause sections (2, 2') to slip axially relative to each other, and such loads are transferred from sections (2, 2') to struts (8, 50, 50') and are reacted through fuselage (1). Vertical and side loads are reacted by transverse members (4, 4') that are slip-connected to fuselage ( 1) and by vertical trusses (6, 40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedal boat and in particular to one having two inflation members connected by a transverse rod, a seat mounted on the middle of the transverse rod, a transmission gear, a pair of pedals operatively associated with the transmission gear and a propeller connected to the lower end of the transmission gear, whereby the boat can be easily propelled in the water by use of the pedals.

Abstract: Sidewall vent valves for aircraft having one or more above deck compartments (29) designed to be convertible between passenger and cargo configurations is disclosed. The sidewall vent valves (52, 91 or 121) are located in the deck (27) of the aircraft between the skin (25) of the aircraft fuselage and the sidewall panels (37) of the convertible compartment. The sidewall vent valves (51, 92 or 121) are opened and closed by an electrical actuator that is common to several valves. In the open position holes in the deck are uncovered to allow air to flow from the convertible compartment (29) to the below deck cargo compartment (31) of the aircraft. In the closed position such air flow is prevented. The sidewall vent valves may be reciprocal (121) or rotary (51,91) and, preferably, include membranes (107, 127, 133) designed to "blowout" in the event of an explosive decompression in the below deck cargo compartment (31).

Abstract: An improved semi-submersible unit for use in offshore operations which has a significantly reduced susceptability to heave motions in wave periods which are most likely to be encountered during practical operation conditions. The unit consists of a lower hull or hulls supporting vertical buoyant caisson which also support an upper deck or platform which supports and is supported by a centrally disposed, large diameter buoyant caission which contributes a significant portion of the total water plane area of the vessel when it is submerged to its operational draft. The vessel may be configured for offshore drilling operations, diving support, and various other offshore support functions. When configured for the offshore drilling operation, the central column serves as buoyant chamber and as a primary storage chamber for tubular products which are associated with the drilling function.

Abstract: An overhead travelling crane incorporated into a power gas turbine bay, consisting of a first main load-bearing trolley of length equal to the bay width, which is guided at its ends over the entire length of the bay by two runways fixed to the top of said bay, and a second trolley provided with a winch and slidably supported in a third trolley which is also of length equal to the bay length and is slidably supported by the overlying said first main load-bearing trolley. This latter trolley is provided with cantilever hooking means.

Abstract: A water-borne buoyant device to enable users to enjoy leisure time activity in an aquatic environment includes a frame member defining a trampoline support frame, an elevated platform supported by the support frame, a resiliently mounted trampoline mat attached about its periphery to the support frame, and a buoyant member, such as one or more inflatable chamber(s), about the periphery of the support frame.

Abstract: An improved offshore terminal is described, of the type that includes a riser loosely anchored at the sea floor so its upper end can extend from a deep underwater level up to the surface to moor a tanker and transfer hydrocarbons to it. A weight hangs from the lower end of the column to improved dynamic mooring and, where the riser is disconnected to limit the sink depth of the riser. For movement to the deployed position, the riser is lifted by extending a line downwardly from a winch on the vessel, through a central hole in the connector frame down to the top of the riser, the line being pulled to raise the riser until its upper end lies within the central hole of the connector frame. A perforated upper portion of the riser then is in fluid communication with the inner portion of a fluid swivel, so that hydrocarbons can pass out of a conduit within the riser and into the swivel.

Abstract: A marine outdrive attachable to the transom of a boat having an inboard engine. The marine outdrive includes a tubular support casing securable to and extendable rearwardly of the boat's transom and having a ball socket at its rear end. The ball socket receives a ball at the front end of a tubular, propeller shaft carrier having a conical outer surface. A drive shaft connectable to the inboard engine is journalled in the support casing. A propeller shaft is journalled in the propeller shaft carrier and has a propeller mounted thereon at the rear end of the propeller shaft carrier. A universal joint couples the two shafts together, the center of such joint substantially coinciding with the point about which the ball pivots within the socket. Hydraulic steering cylinders are attached to the propeller shaft carrier to pivot the latter about a steering axis extending through the pivot point of the ball.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and technique which enables an aircraft (helicopter or VTOL) to be more easily controlled for maintaining precise position or velocity in a hover condition. The system includes operational logic and decision making circuitry which reduces pilot workload by sensing pilot intent based upon the control stick movement and mode selection of the aircraft. The system will automatically hold a given hover position, automatically hold a given hover velocity (ground speed), or allow the aircraft to be manually maneuvered to a new desired hover position or velocity. The system also enables the aircraft to either hold a new velocity or return to a previous velocity. This is all controlled through the automatic flight control system and by sensing the force or displacement of a pilot's control stick in the aircraft.

Abstract: An anchor comprises an anchor shaft member and an anchor body member in the form of a plate having two blades which are joined to the anchor shaft member by a pivotal connection which allows the blades to lie normally within a range of angles to the plane containing the anchor shaft and the pivot axis. This range of angles is determined by the interconnection between two lugs on the anchor body member projecting away from the pivot axis on the opposite side from the main plate constituting the anchor shaft to enable the anchor to lodge against the submarine obstruction in the usual way: the relative inclination of the anchor body member and the anchor shaft member can be changed by applying a force greater than that required to effect shearing of the shear pin so that the anchor shaft member can swing freely about the pivot with respect to the blade to allow release of the anchor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to system for suspending a skid pan from a winch mounted on a tractor. The skid pan 2 is pivotably suspended from the winch frame 1 by a bolt 3. Stoppers 5 are fastened to the winch frame 1 in order to prevent the skid pan from swinging forward in the normal driving direction of the tractor. The skid pan can be locked in vertical position by a second bolts 4 which can be put into corresponding holes 6 in the skid pan 2 and the which frame 1.

Abstract: A boat leveling systems with a pair of trim tabs pivotal between a horizontal position and a downwardly inclined position. Each trim tab is actuatably between the horizontal and inclined positions by a separate fluid motor which includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a rod connected to the piston. The position of each trim tab is indicated by apparatus which includes a linear potentiometer attached to the rod of the associated fluid motor, the potentiometer having a flexible plastic envelope and a pair of normally spaced-apart conductive strips sealed in the envelope, a ball and spring carried by the cylinder for contacting the envelope and forcing the strips into electrical contact with each other, and a resistance measuring device connected in circuit with the potentiometer and to provide a readout in degrees of the downward angle from horizontal of the trim tab.

Abstract: A wing-mounted pod for preventing an unstable increase in the pitching moment of a swept-wing aircraft due to increasing speed and angle of attack is disclosed. This invention is for use on a swept-wing aircraft of the type having a nonlinear, unstable increase in its pitching moment due to a loss of lift at the outboard wing above a predetermined angle of attack at high Mach numbers. For an aircraft having a single, strut-mounted engine on each wing, the pod is placed along the intersection of the upper surface of the wing and the inboard side of the engine mounting strut. The pod prevents an increase in the pitching moment by inducing the formation of a shock in the air flowing over the upper surface of the inboard wing at the same angle of attack at which the outboard wing loses lift. The shock causes localized flow separation on the inboard wing, thereby preventing the increase in pitching moment otherwise experienced by the aircraft.

Abstract: Living quarters for a space vehicle including a rotary cylindrical module enclosing a living compartment for human occupancy, and means for rotating the module about its longitudinal central axis to create a force of approximately 1 G within the module adjacent the outer wall, and an entrance opening formed within one end wall of the cylindrical module to permit the passage of a human coccupant from the zero-gravity space within a space vehicle into the artificial-gravity environment of the living compartment. An inside ladder is mounted within the living compartment, extending radially from the entrance opening to the outside wall of the cylindrical housing to permit the occupant to move from a zero-gravity environment gradually toward the 1 G environment. A platform, such as an outside ladder, is preferably rotatably mounted outside the module adjacent the entrance opening to permit an occupant standing upon the platform to easily pass through the entrance opening into the living compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device for a boat hull having a transom, which device comprises a steering post having a longitudinal axis and adapted to be connected to the boat transom for rotation about the longitudinal axis, a propulsion assembly including a rotatably mounted propelling element, and linkage connecting the propulsion assembly and the steering post for common pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis and for movement of the propulsion assembly relative to the steering post between a running position and a second position elevated from the running position and against steering movement of the propulsion unit assembly relative to the steering post.

Abstract: A marine propulsion unit having an engine (13) mounted with the output end directed toward the stern of a boat is disclosed in which a required inclination of propeller shaft (15) is provided outside a reversing clutch mechanism (17) by an intermediate shaft (32) and a pair of meshing bevel gears (38, 39) incorporated in the transmission path. The bevel gears (38, 39) are fixedly mounted on either of output shaft (21) or input shaft (20) of the clutch mechanism (17) and the intermediate shaft (32) among which one of the shafts taking a rearer position is inclined relative to the other shaft downwardly and backwardly. These two shafts are disposed relative to each other so that opposed ends thereof take substantially a same level. The propulsion unit permits a low level mounting of engine and may be manufactured with a low cost while permitting to employ a reversing clutch mechanism in boats having different layouts of propulsion unit.

Abstract: A water craft includes a pair of spaced buoyant panels mounted to a substantially H-shaped frame. A pair of fins mounted along a central longitudinal member of the frame between the panels provides propulsion and steering control. Propulsion is maximized by means of a combined cam, linkage and telescoping support structure that varies the length of the aft fin so as to oscillate the fin in a substantially figure eight path. Further, the rigidity and flexibility of the fin may be controlled through a tension cable and hand actuator.

Abstract: A circulating latch transport mechanism is provided which is capable of moving freely in any direction across the under side of a horizontal array of parallel I-beams while remaining attached to this array. The transport mechanism is attached simultaneously to several I-beams, which allows the mechanism to move across a ceiling in a longitudinal direction with respect to the I-beams, a direction perpendicular or transverse to the I-beams, and, by the mechanical independent actions of the longitudinal and perpendicular motions, in an arbitrary direction.