Abstract: A swim fin is disclosed which comprises a foot portion, an essentially horizontal flipper and upper and lower shells coupling the foot portion and the flipper. Upper and lower channels are formed between the shells and the flipper for the flow of water therethrough. The channels initiate at water inlet apertures and terminate at water outlet apertures. The flipper extends outboardly of the channels and water outlet apertures to coact with water flowing from the outlet apertures for increased efficiency of the fin.

Abstract: A platform for a small boat or the like is pivoted to the free end of a pair of arms which are pivoted at their opposite ends to a larger boat such as a yacht. The arms are controlled by an hydraulic jack and a second hydraulic jack is arranged to drive or be driven by the first jack to control the platform so that it is always horizontal for any position of the arms. The arms can position the platform below the water line for launching or receiving the small boat or well above the water line.

Abstract: A deck-hull coupling construction for a small-sized marine craft which has bumpers extending upwardly and downwardly from the coupling. The upwardly extending bumper is constituted by upwardly bent outer extremity of a deck flange which extends horizontally from the peripheral edge of the deck, while the downwardly extending bumper is constituted by a downwardly bent outer extremity of a hull flange which extends horizontally from the peripheral edge of the hull. These bumpers exhibit a superior shock absorbing effect and prevents a protector from coming off therefrom.

Abstract: A rescue device for use with a helicopter comprises a floatation ring large enough to surround several standing persons and a rigid, non-buoyant open decking capable of supporting those persons. A collapsable netting surrounds the deck and connects the floatation ring thereto. The floatation ring has sufficient buoyancy to support the whole device when in the water with the deck suspended below the water level and with several persons standing on the deck and who are partially submerged. Supporting cables for use with a helicopter hoist are fixed both to the ring and to the deck so that when the device is lifted the ring is held a predetermined distance above the deck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a watercraft in which the stabilizer for the longitudinal attitude is formed of one or more hydrodynamic wings arranged by the keel, continuous or discontinuous, running from the bow to the stern, and the stabilizer of the transverse attitude is formed by one or more aerodynamic wings, the hydrodynamic and the aerodynamic wings preferably being retractable. The stabilization wings for the transverse attitude may, in the case of light hulls, be integral with the hull, which presents a biconvex outline which is asymmetrical, with the more elevated portion having a larger curvature.

Abstract: The deck of a container ship is provided with longitudinally running rails carrying cassettes adapted to support standarized cargo units, such as containers, for example. Each cassette includes transverse front and rear guide members each having vertical guide bars on both of its transverse faces. By spacing the cassettes apart longitudinally, two cassettes may, between themselves, support a further stack of containers. In use, each cassette is locked in relation to the deck, longitudinally as well as transversely.

Abstract: An automated sail tension control system has a cunningham, outhaul, and vang that are automatically tensioned and eased, as the boom is sheeted in and out, respectively, on either side of the sailing vessel. The system comprises: a mast; a boom connected at its forward end to the mast; a vertical axis of pivot for the boom at its connection with the mast; a cunningham and outhaul that are led from points on the boom substantially aft of the vertical axis of pivot to points on the mast or deck that are substantially forward of or laterally from a projection of the vertical axis of pivot; and a vang whose lower end is usually mounted somewhat forward of a projection of the vertical axis of pivot or on an arced means that allows it to slide laterally more than fore and aft.

Abstract: A small-sized marine craft having a shell including a deck, an engine mounted in a bow portion of the shell, a propulsion device provided on a stern portion of the shell and a steering handle device provided on a bow portion of the shell. A rear part of the deck is protruded at its breadthwise central portion so as to provide a projecting seat portion and step portions on both sides of the seat portion. Stepped flanges are provided on the outer extremities of the step portions. The stepped flange has an upright wall portion protruding substantially upright from the outer extremity of the step portion and a horizontal wall portion extending laterally outwardly from the upper extremity of the upright wall portion.

Abstract: A sailing system in the form of a sailboard apparatus (20) having a board (22), a mast (24) extending upwardly therefrom for supporting a sail (28). A plurality of elongate, flexible battens (30) extend through pockets (31) formed in the sail (28) to engage with corresponding batten sockets (32) disposed within the sock portion (80) of the sail. Each batten socket (32) includes a forward arcuate portion (110) adapted to swivel about mast (24) and rearwardly extending, arcuate side flanges (112) defining a narrow gap (114) for receiving batten (30) therein. A fabric hinge (118) restrains the forward end portion of the batten (30) against forward movement toward the mast (24) while being substantially free from restraining the forward end portion of the batten (30) against side to side movement between the socket flanges (112) in response to changes in the curvature of batten (30).

Abstract: A set of three shield devices in which a monohulled war vessel is defended against projectiles. The devices being deployed aft of the helicopter hangar, centered on the fore and aft longitudinal axis of the hull. The devices capable of activation for projectile deflection in any configuration or independently. Further, the structure of the shields is composed of suitable plastic materials.

Abstract: A binding for water gliding shoes (canoe skis) is provided with a flexible holding-down element (2) which may be placed across the instep adapting itself to the shape of the foot and stretched with its ends downward so as to press the foot against a support (1). For this purpose, the flexible holding-down element (2) is fixedly mounted on legs, on each side of the foot, of a vertically reciprocable holding-down shackle (3). The holding-down shackle (3) is preferably pivotable around an axis (4) arranged horizontally in front of the foot and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the binding. At open position of the binding, the user need only slip his instep under the flexible holding-down element (2) and pivot the holding-down shackle (3) far enough downward to obtain sufficient support and fix it in this position. The binding opens by simply pivoting the holding-down shackle (3) upward.

Abstract: A mast raising and lowering device for sailboats, and particularly sailboats with outboard rudders, which embodies a telescoping pole topped with a roller assembly, the device being attached to the stern of the sailboat where it is used to movably raise and support the mast in a partially elevated position during mast raising and lowering operations. The telescoping pole is attached to the stern of the sailboat by pintle-like pins, which are vertically adjustable on the pole to fit existing gudgeons provided for rudder support and pivoting. The upper section(s) of the telescoping pole is vertically positionable at various extended locations by a pin member. The roller assembly, on the top of the uppermost telescoping pole section, contains a roller member for ease in moving the mast therealong, and may be provided with a pair of flared ears positioned on either side of the roller to aid in receiving and containing the mast. The roller provides a location for retention of the mast during trailering or moorage.

Abstract: A readily portable kit for assembling a multiple-hulled watercraft, such as a catamaran, from two or more open-hulled boats such as canoes. The kit in one embodiment allows the assembly, using two standard canoes, of a stable catamaran having a large deck surface. The multiple hulled vessel may be rapidly assembled or disassembled using a novel fastening system which allows the deck to be tied down with straps or other suitable hardware. In its disassembled state, the kit and hulls may be readily and compactly carried on the roof of a car or van. In its assembled condition, the deck acts to seal the open hulls, creating a stable, substantially water-tight watercraft of large capacity. The deck is constructed to enable the erection thereon of a tent, or similar collapsible shelter, including a water-tight protective shroud around the circumference of the tent, and in one variation, a protective tarpaulin above the tent.

Abstract: A sail and a method for constructing a sail or any pliable lifting surface where the lift for or the motive power therefor is wind.

Abstract: A hydrofoil flap control rod system for communicating forces between an actuator and a hydrofoil flap. Guide (40), having a rectangular conduit defined by its guide surfaces (66, 72, 74 and 88), accommodates a rectangular-shaped control rod (36) upon which wear pads (42) are mounted. Simple planar machining requirements of the guide and control rod reduce the time and cost of construction of the system. One element (76) of the guide (40) is readily detached to allow lateral removal of the control rod (36) for maintenance and repair, negating the need for substantial axial clearance for rod removal.

Abstract: A flotation vest in the form of a buoyancy compensator for divers or a PFD (personal flotation device) for canoeists and the like including a collar and waistcoat assembly secured to the body of a user by a modified and simplified parachute style harness. The vest and harness configuration assure that a user will float on a water surface in a stable, head up and out of water position. The buoyancy compensation invention is inflatable and includes connectors for securing a scuba backpack directly thereto, thus eliminating the usual waist buckle of the backpack. The buoyancy compensation invention may include an auxiliary equipment strap, a front mounted equipment pocket and a pair of side pockets for trimming weights and/or an extra second stage of a regulator. The PFD invention is filled with a buoyant foam material and includes a lateral fold between the collar and waistcoat to assure proper and comfortable fit of the PFD against the user's body.

Abstract: An oarlock comprising a base, a front leg extending upward therefrom and having a rearwardly extending top portion, and a rear leg extending upward from the base and having a forwardly extending top portion. The top portion of the rear leg is spaced from the top portion of the front leg and projects above and forward of a top end of the front leg. The legs form a ring for holding an oar, and the top portions of the legs form an opening for passing the oar into and out of the interior of the ring.

Abstract: A compact foldable crane for mounting on a truck or the like and of the type including a mast, an inner boom and an outer boom. The mast is made of two sections, a mounting section and an upright section and the two are pivotally interconnected. The upright section is made relatively long in relation to the mounting section and may be lowered on the latter to achieve vertical compactness when the crane is in a stored position. The upright section may also be raised to an upright position to maximize the crane reach when the crane is in an operative position.

Abstract: A shipboard bathroom module comprises a prefabricated base pan in which a floor drain and a shower drain are located adjacent to each other but on opposite sides of a shower stall curb. Both drains communicate with a common receptacle molded into the base. Water from a wash basin at a remote location within the module is conducted to the receptacle through the shower stall curb, which is hollow. A trap, which serves both drains as well as the wash basin, is located in a box which provides a recess in the deck. In one version of the invention the receptacle built into the bathroom base sits on top of the trap, and the trap is accessible through one of the drain openings in the floor of the module. In another version, wastewater is conducted out of the receptacle through a laterally extending conduit to a trap which serves two adjacent bathroom modules. In either case, the box in which the trap is located is prefabricated with various water supply and drain pipes already welded to its floor.

Abstract: A bow facing rowing arrangement for a boat (1) comprises an outrigger support (8) having a first pivotal connection (6) for connection of a respective oar (5) or oar support (51) to the outrigger support at or in proximity to an inboard end (16) of the oar (5). The outrigger support (8) is mounted on a base support (15) so as to be reciprocably displacable longitudinally of a boat with simultaneous pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis (10) spaced substantially from the inboard end of the outrigger support in the direction away from that in which the outrigger extends outboard of the base support (15). A foot engagement (13) connectable to the outrigger support (8) via a drive transmission (11) formed and arranged so that the effective pivotal axis P of the outrigger support (8) is substantially inboard of the actual pivotal connection (10) therebetween.