Abstract: A dome-shaped shelter, which is readily manually assembled and disassembled, as needed, the shelter comprising a plurality of side-by-side generally triangular shaped arched segments enclosing a generally circular area, a support base with each of the segments comprising a lower end resting on the support base and a pair of spaced apart rigid upwardly arched truss members converging upwardly from the lower end and a weather and UV resistant covering skin, a latch assembly securing each arched side member of a segment to the adjacent arched side member of an adjacent segment, a rigid vertical support mast releasably secured at the center of the encircled area, and manually releasable locking means securing the segments to the mast.

Abstract: A dome-shaped shelter, which is readily manually assembled and disassembled, as needed, the shelter comprising a plurality of side-by-side generally triangular shaped arched segments enclosing a generally circular area, a support base with each of the segments comprising a lower end resting on the support base and a pair of spaced apart rigid upwardly arched side members converging upwardly from the lower end and a weather and UV resistant covering skin, a latch assembly securing each arched side member of a segment to the adjacent arched side member of an adjacent segment, a rigid vertical support mast releasably secured at the center of the encircled area, and manually releasable locking means securing the segments to the mast.

Abstract: A convertible combined road, water, and aircraft vehicle has a road form, a water form, and an aircraft form. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a passenger compartment and wheels supporting the vehicle body on the ground when in the road form. A wing assembly is attached to each side of the vehicle body. Each wing assembly includes a wing and at least one propelling device attached to the wing. The propelling devices may be jet engines, or ducted fans or in-wing propellers. A wing assembly rotating mechanism rotates the wing assembly 360 degrees when the vehicle is in the aircraft form so that thrust is provided in 360 degrees, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing and mid air hovering. A wing assembly positioning mechanism positions the wing assembly between an open-winged flying position and a folded or closed-winged non-flying position.

Abstract: A convertible combined road, water, and aircraft vehicle has a road form, a water form, and an aircraft form. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a passenger compartment and wheels supporting the vehicle body on the ground when in the road form. A wing assembly is attached to each side of the vehicle body. Each wing assembly includes a wing and at least one propelling device attached to the wing. The propelling devices may be jet engines, or ducted fans or in-wing propellers. A wing assembly rotating mechanism rotates the wing assembly 360 degrees when the vehicle is in the aircraft form so that thrust is provided in 360 degrees, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing and mid air hovering. A wing assembly positioning mechanism positions the wing assembly between an open-winged flying position and a folded or closed-winged non-flying position.

Abstract: A radial vane fluid motor or pump has an open ended tubular rotor having a cylindrical outer surface rotatably mounted in a tubular stator having its inner surface contoured to provide successive portions of increased and decreased spacing relative to the rotor body. A plurality of elongated movable vane assemblies are mounted on and project outwardly from the rotor surface to continuously contact the stator surface. Bearings support the rotor within the stator, and seals are provided for sealing the space between the rotor and stator. Pressure inlets and exhaust ports are provided in the stator to permit the flow of pressure fluid into or out of the device. Mounting the vanes on the cylindrical rotor surface enables production cost reduction and simplifies maintenance. A conventional propeller mounted in the cylindrical rotor provides an improved shrouded propellor propulsion system for marine vessels.

Abstract: A paddle wheel propulsion system includes a paddle wheel mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis for propelling a vessel, and for unlimited rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to its horizontal axis for steering the vessel. The paddle wheel is also supported for limited vertical movement relative to the vessel. Reversible power drive is provided for independently controlling movement of the paddle wheel about its vertical and horizontal axes and for elevating and lowering the paddle wheel. Improved paddles are concave on both sides to provide maximum efficiency in both direction of rotation about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A water craft propulsion and steering system is disclosed in which a pair of tubular steering rudders are mounted one on the front end and aft end, respectively, of a propeller shroud tube. Power means is provided for turning both steering rudders in the same direction for increased steering thrust.

Abstract: A paddle wheel for propelling a water craft. The paddle wheel includes a plurality of oppositely disposed paddles which are rotatable with a supporting shaft. Each of the paddles are formed with side and end plates with a rounded portion between the outer edges of the sides. The bottom half portion of the paddles is filled with concrete and the upper half is filled with air or evacuated. Thus, the paddles remain in a vertical position as the paddle wheel rotates.

Abstract: A rail car moving system including a double truck assembly which is operative in a guide track alongside the rail track for applying a pushing force to a rail car. The double truck assembly includes pusher arms which are movable from a recessed position to a raised position in order to apply a force onto the side frame of a rail car. The pusher arms are spring loaded for raising the arms and a hydraulic cylinder-piston is provided to lower the pusher arms. A cable-winch is used for applying the moving force.

Abstract: A connector with a locking mechanism and a connector box therefor. The connector box is made with one side for a connector element and the opposite side includes a holding element. Therefore, connector boxes are secured in a device to be secured together so that the connector boxed are oppositely disposed. A connector element is secured in each connector box and rotated to cooperate with the oppositely disposed holding element to secure the two devices together.

Abstract: A docking mechanism for watercraft such as barges and the like which is readily secured to a mooring pile and is floatable, the mechanism including a driving apparatus which is engageable with and drives the watercraft and apparatus for effecting the driving engagement. A method of controlling the direction of travel of a watercraft such as barges and the like between particular points from preferably an on-shore control station according to which the driving apparatus of the docking mechanism mentioned above is controlled in its driving relationship to the watercraft.