Abstract: An outer sole includes an upper sole, a tread layer disposed below the upper sole, and a resilient mid-sol disposed between the upper sole and the tread layer. The mid-sole resists compression under load, and comprises at least one floating hinge extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole. Each floating hinge includes an upper resilient convex leaf spring, a lower resilient convex leaf spring, and a U-spring joining the leaf springs together. Each leaf spring has a root and a head opposite the root. Each U-spring has a pair of integrally-formed legs, each upper leaf spring is integrally formed at the root thereof with the upper sole, and each lower leaf spring is integrally formed at the root thereof with the tread layer. The leaf springs of each floating hinge are integrally joined at their heads to one of the legs of the associated U-spring.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, and a propulsion system coupled to the hull. The propulsion system comprises at least two propulsion discs, at least two drive inputs, and a differential coupled to the drive inputs. Each drive input is coupled to a respective one of the propulsion discs. The differential includes a power control input and is configured to vary a delivery of power from the drive inputs to the propulsion discs in accordance with the power control input.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull which is bouyant in water, and a propulsion system coupled to the hull for for propelling the hull in the water. The propulsion system comprises a propulsion disc and at least one drive input coupled to the propulsion disc. The propulsion disc is rotatable by the drive input about an axis of rotation and comprises a cavitation-reducing ring and a plurality of paddles extending radially outwards from the cavitation-reducing ring, The cavitation-reducing ring is configured to reduce cavitation in the water during rotation of the propulsion disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission system for human powered or motorized mechanisms using a flexible elongate belt having lateral protrusions that are engagable with peripheral recesses in drive wheels, driven wheels, and idler wheels at multiple orientations

Abstract: A water entertainment assembly of shoreline mounted and floating water based modules releasably interconnected with edge joints, bridges, or strung along a flexible cord that is constructed on a beach or anchored to the sea floor in any selected configuration, including individual modules and assemblies for use as: deck platforms; shelters or kiosks; docks; playground equipment; parasols; bars; pool decks; seating areas; a swimming safety barrier, swimming spectator seating; floating dock platforms for various water based activities; containers for artificial grass and planters; floating spectator seating area; floating dock platform; floating platform for mounting various water activity accessories such as: a slide; a diving board; a ladder, bridge for spanning between adjacent platform modules; a lifeguard station; a trampoline; water area illumination; audio speakers; and a contoured seating surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular scaleable floating assembly of interconnected buoyant platform modules anchored in any selected configuration, optionally connected with articulating bridges, to simultaneously serve as: a swimming platform, safety barrier; and floating dock platforms for various water based activities.

Abstract: A kiosk structure of hollow rotary moulded plastic counter modules having a body of circular segmental configuration with top horizontal surface, horizontal bottom surface, vertical front and back walls and opposing ends of the body having a vertical bore through the top surfaces. A number of vertical support posts vertically disposed within the bores are fixed to the module beneath the top surface. A variety of differently shaped arrays can be constructed of counter modules with a lintel spanning between a post of each adjacent counter module of the array, the posts and lintels can support a tubular frame roof with fabric extending across the frame providing shelter. The kiosk structure can be easily assembled and disassembled for temporary events or for storage in off season.

Abstract: A floating dock module has a hollow body, preferably hexagonal prismatic, with hexagonal top and bottom walls with side walls and bolt access wells in the top wall with bolt holes extending laterally between each bolt access well and an adjacent side wall for interconnecting dock modules together into various shapes. The resulting dock assembly is flexible and able to conform with wave action. Mating protrusions and recesses in side walls together with bolts secure the high-density roto-moulded polyethylene plastic modules together. Preferably the side walls have a chamfered top and bottom edge to enhance the flexibility of the connection. The top wall includes drainage grooves, the side walls of which form vertical reinforcing ribs. An upwardly extending peripheral wall enables placement of mats, foam, carpet, wood, gravel or sand in the top surface. The bottom wall includes downwardly open float cavities and the top wall includes accessory support holes for railing posts or parasols.

Abstract: A buoyant recreational device for use in swimming, sunbathing or exercise on a water surface has an annular buoyant frame with an interior opening and a flexible resilient water permeable platform having an outer perimeter edge connected to the interior opening of the frame. The platform is polypropylene fibre fabric with inherent resilient properties and may be connected to the frame with resilient connectors such as springs or bungee cords. The frame is a hollow rotation moulded polyethylene plastic structure, preferably at least seven feet in outer diameter and five feet in inner diameter and capable of supporting the weight of six adult persons resting on the platform while immersed upon a water surface. The frame may include mounting means for attaching accessories such as: an umbrella; a rudder; an anchor; a towline; and a motor, and optionally includes a storage socket or compartment for sun tan oil or beverage containers.

Abstract: A kiosk structure of hollow rotary moulded plastic counter modules having a body of circular segmental configuration with top horizontal surface, horizontal bottom surface, vertical front and back walls and at least two vertical sleeves at opposing ends of the body having a vertical bore through the top and bottom surfaces. A like number of vertical support posts within the bores have a bottom portion anchored within a granular beach sand or soil foundation layer. A variety of differently shaped arrays can be constructed of counter modules with a lintel spanning between a post of each adjacent counter module of the array. the posts and lintels can support a tubular frame roof with fabric extending across the frame providing shelter. The kiosk structure can be easily assembled and disassembled for temporary events or for storage in off season.

Abstract: A pedal powered drive mechanism and an aquatic vehicle having such a mechanism are constructed primarily of lightweight inexpensive moulded plastic. The vehicle has a buoyant hull with a central longitudinal axis and saddle seat. Handle bar steering is mounted to the hull and a pedal powered drive mechanism drives a stem mounted propeller. The mechanism is constructed of moulded plastic components for simple assembly and results in an inexpensive lightweight drive compared to conventional metal components. The drive has a housing with two axially spaced apart shaft bearing cradles. The crank shaft is disposed in the cradles, with opposing crank arms and pedal mounts extending perpendicular to the crank shaft axis and outward of the cradles. A drive pulley is mounted on the shaft between the cradles by sliding a pulley central opening along the shaft over at least one pedal mount. Collars disposed on the shaft between the pulley and each cradle retain the assembly in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a peddle powered aquatic vehicle with a propeller driven by pedal cranks, a flywheel, and water-cooled belt drive transmission, the vehicle hull including T-bar steering handles, a saddle seat and lateral outriggers to enable a passenger to ride the vehicle like a bicycle on water. The aquatic vehicle has a buoyant hull with a central longitudinal body with the saddle seat allowing a passenger to be supported in a startling position. To provide lateral stability two elongate outriggers are disposed laterally from the central hull body with outrigger arms connecting the body to the outriggers. A manual steering mechanism is attached to the hull for steering by the passenger; preferably in the form of a T-bar journaled to the hull connected with cords to a rear mounted rudder. Pedal powered drive means are mounted in the hull for driving a stern mounted propeller. A pair of pedal cranks are journaled for rotation about the transverse axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to dual hull kayak, with a one piece elongate moulded body of a continuous outer membrane enclosing an internal cavity. The kayak body has two lateral side walls and a concave bottom wall joined laterally with a bottom edge of each side wall to define two laterally spaced apart parallel pontoons each with a downwardly pointed keel. The top wall of the kayak body is joined laterally with a top edge of each side wall, to complete the hollow body. The top wall together with the bottom wall define a bridge platform spanning a central longitudinal tunnel between the pontoons. The pontoons support a top portion of the tunnel above the waterline. The top wall has a recessed open cockpit with a self-draining floor, side gunnels, and front and back cockpit walls formed into transverse reinforcing ribs. The simple easily moulded structure is very stable against lateral tipping, whereas conventional kayaks and canoes are very unstable laterally.

Abstract: A pedal boat comprises an integrally molded hollow hull having an upper surface where water passengers can be seated. The hull is provided with drain holes to conduct water away from the pedal boat. A steering assembly and paddle wheel assembly are mounted to the hull. Each paddle of the paddle wheel assembly has a terminal portion which is displaceable between a rest position, wherein the terminal portion extends at an angle to the plane of the paddle to provide a more vertical entrance angle of the paddle in the water, thereby reducing the noise factor, and a loaded position in the water, wherein the terminal portion extends in the plane of the paddle to provide a greater thrust.

Abstract: An exercise boot comprises a foot receiving member and a spring member positioned under the foot receiving member. The foot receiving member is formed of a unitary flexible piece of material which has integrally joined left and right symmetrical portions and which has been brought together. The spring member comprises identical top and bottom arcuate layers connected in an opposed relationship by a resilient strap and each defining a central slot. The symmetrical portions are provided with base portions which form a sole in the foot receiving member for supporting a wearer's foot and provided with hooks for engaging the slot of the top arcuate layer and thus secure the foot receiving member to the spring member while retaining the left and right symmetrical portions together in a boot configuration and in a way that most of the springiness of the top arcuate member is retained where it is connected to the foot receiving member.

Abstract: A ceiling fan for cleaning air in a room wherein each blade of the ceiling fan has a cavity open to the top and bottom surfaces of each fan blade and a filter unit in each of the cavities but within the confines of the fan blade such that, when the ceiling fan is operated, the airflow created by the ceiling fan will be forced through the filter unit from the bottom surface through to the top surface, wherein the filter units can collect airborne particles.

Abstract: Portable and personal-sized warm air humidifiers for delivering a steam air mixture having a uniform moisture at a temperature that does not cause a sensation of pain. A steam ejector is used to mix the steam from an evaporation chamber with the air entering the humidifier. A difference in the water level between a water supply compartment and the evaporation chamber provides a constant pressure in the evaporation chamber which drives generated steam through a steam nozzle communicating with the steam ejector. The dimensions of the steam nozzle are determined in relation with the rate of steam generation in accordance with steam velocity to effectively eliminate or minimize the noise normally associated with the passage of steam through a nozzle. The invention is also well utilizable in a humidifier having a filter medium to filter particulates from the air notwithstanding the drop in pressure of the air across the filter medium from the outside to the interior of the humidifier.

Abstract: A float member has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a rear end. A pair of elongated chambers extend in the float member between the top surface and the bottom surface. Each elongated chamber has respective openings at the top surface and bottom surface and rear end. Flap valves are provided for permitting water to enter through the bottom openings of the elongated chambers and foot pumps are provided for ejecting water through the rear ends of the chambers.

Abstract: A pair of pontoons are connected together in spaced arrangement by a bridge. A hammock, for supporting the user of the sailing arrangement, is disposed between and above the pontoons. A framed sail is attached to the pontoons such that the attitude and direction of the sail can be manipulated by the user. For this purpose, handles are provided on the underside of the sail and the user grasps the handles to manipulate the sail.