Abstract: A trolling plate having first and second plate members joined in hinged fashion with one of the trolling plates moveable to a trailed inclined position in the presence of boat propulsion system backwash associated with speeds in excess of trolling speeds. Spring components reposition the trailing inclined plate member upon resumption of reduced boat speed and reduced backwash forces. Trailing of the plate member during high backwash force avoids trolling plate damage and, in some trolling plate assemblies avoids undesired unlatching of the trolling plate from an operative vertical position.

Abstract: Retract front rudders to be used as a steering system for small water craft such as canoes and kayaks. The system has a pair of angled retractable rudders mounted in a forward/bow portion and attached by shafted cables to a pair of movable control footpegs mounted in the rear or stern of the craft. The system can be mounted through an opening in the front floor of the craft. Alternatively, the system can be attached to the exterior front of the forward section of the craft.

Abstract: A brake apparatus is provided for a water craft that has a rear discharge nozzle and includes a first craft attachment member attached to a portion of the water craft. A hinge assembly is connected to the first craft attachment member. A brake plate assembly is connected to the hinge assembly. A brake plate control assembly is connected to the brake plate assembly. The brake plate control assembly includes a control cable connected to the brake plate assembly. The water craft is a jet ski. When the brake plate member is impinged by water flow from the discharge nozzle of the jet ski, the water flows upward, causing a reactive downward force which pushes the stem of the jet ski into the water, whereby a drag and braking action is created. A rudder member may also be attached to the discharge nozzle to assist in steering the jet ski.

Abstract: A water craft that has an adjustable steering column to fit the physical characteristics of individual riders, a shock absorber system for the seat and a braking and suspension system to improve handling characteristics and safety while a user is riding the craft. In addition, the craft has a multi-hull design which also improves the handling characteristics and safety.

Abstract: A system for steering and braking a jet ski watercraft using flaps that may be independently or uniformly extended from a forward area of the watercraft hull at or below the waterline during operation.

Abstract: A water craft having a motorcycle suspension which makes the craft more maneuverable and, therefore, safer to ride especially over rough and choppy water at high speeds. It also has plural flotation tanks to provide a margin of safety if one of the tanks is punctured. The water craft also has a rear brake spoiler to slow the craft down so the operator will not have to rely on the resistance of the water to bring the craft to a halt.

Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a plurality of brake plates mounted to lower end portions of gear shaft members to permit displacement and rotation of the brake plates from a first position orthogonally oriented relative to a stern plate of a sailboat to a second position in parallel relationship to the stern plate of the sailboat. A housing mounted to an interior surface of the sailboat adjacent an interior surface of the stern plate is arranged to house a control lever therewithin forwardly of a rudder control rod.

Abstract: A water jet propelled saucer shaped water craft having a smoothly curved, convex shaped outer surface comprised of a hull section being slightly radiused from a curved bottom surface up to a circular top, a water jet propulsion system for altering the vertical level and horizontal movement of the craft, an upper body section having a circular bottom edge for mating engagement with said hull section and a joystick control pivotally mounted on said deck for steering and a maneuvering the water craft, said hull section and the upper body section being mated and sealingly joined and secured together with a metal band. The water craft includes a second speed control for controlling the velocity of the water jet stream.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for entraining the thrust from a propeller and directing the thrust aft in a regulated manner so as to provide directional stability and speed for an aquatic vessel. The invention includes an entrainment member 12 which hinges between an operative and inoperative position utilizing retractor assembly 54. Entrainment member 12 includes a regulator assembly 28 which further includes a screw assembly 22 driven by a motor 32. The entrainment member 12 is generally frusto-conical in shape. Located within entrainment member 12 is cone member 128 which is mounted with the point facing forward and the base aft. Cone member 128 includes a nut 30 which cooperatively engages screw assembly 22. Therefore, when screw assembly 22 turns, cone member 128 moves forward and aft within entrainment member 12. Movement of the cone member 128 increases and decreases the flow or water from a propeller through the entrainment member 12 thereby affecting vessel speed.

Abstract: A trolling speed reduction apparatus for slowing the trolling speed of boats having an inboard engine and a steerable rudder mounted under the stern of the boat aft of a propeller driven by the inboard engine. The rudder has first and second opposed major sides and has first and second deflector plates carried on opposite sides of the rudder. The deflector plates are moveable between a first, closed position wherein the first and second deflector plates reside closely adjacent to an substantially along the respective first and second major sides of the rudder and are substantially inoperative and a second, open position wherein the first and second deflector plates extend outwardly away from the opposed sides of the rudder into the wash from the propeller and are operative to create speed reducing drag to slow the forward movement of the boat.

Abstract: A water ski brake apparatus includes a water ski having a tip, a tail, and a top and bottom, and having a vane attached to the bottom of the water ski. The water ski has a ski boot having a toe and heel with the front of the heel being hingedly attached to the top of the water ski. A drag inducing foil is movably attached to the vane in a predetermined position thereon and is shiftable between first and second angular positions. A linkage is attached to the boot heel at one end and to the drag inducing foil at the other end and is shiftable between a first and second position responsible to movement of the boot heel on the boot hinged to shift the drag inducing foil between first and second positions to thereby brake the water ski by increasing the drag when the drag inducing foil is shifted to a second position in the water at the control of the skier by varying his weight distribution in the heel portion of the boot.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of deceleration of a moving body. The apparatus has a cable or net for engaging a moving body and tape connected to the cable or net. The tape is wound onto a reel at the start of a deceleration and is unwindable from the reel during the deceleration so that unwinding the tape from the reel causes a corresponding rotation of the reel. A pump is operatively connected to the reel so that rotation of the reel causes pumping of a hydraulic fluid at a rate which increases as the rate of rotation of the reel increases. A control valve disposed across the discharge of the pump varies pressure drop across the control valve. A brake is provided for applying a braking force to the reel, and an actuator is provided for varying the braking force applied by the braking means in response to the pressure drop.

Abstract: An elemental net for a multiple element aircraft arresting net system. The elemental net has a single upper horizontal strap, several vertical straps having top ends and bottom ends, and at least two lower horizontal straps. The top ends of the vertical straps are directly affixed to the upper horizontal strap at spaced intervals along the upper horizontal strap. The bottom ends of the vertical straps are alternatingly affixed to one of the lower horizontal straps so that the lower horizontal straps are free to move relative to each other to a significant degree and so that lifting of one vertical strap will tend to lift only one of the lower horizontal straps in the vicinity of the vertical strap being lifted. The present invention provides a variable window which is free to expand or contract during aircraft engagement, permitting easier penetration of the net by a greater mix of aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to spring biased trolling flaps used in conjunction with a motorized fishing boat for limiting the speed of the boat while trolling and coupled to the steering mechanism of the boat to aid in steering the boat when the boat is operating at a slow speed.

Abstract: An amphibious two-wheeled cycle having an occupant-receiving hull secured to and receiving a frame and provided with front and rear wheel wells, a steerable front wheel supported by the frame and partially received in the front wheel well, and a motor-driven rear wheel supported from the frame and partially received in the rear wheel well. The front wheel well is defined by a special unit which provides a substantially watertight continuation of the hull but which allows unimpeded turning movement of the front wheel about a steering axis for steering the vehicle on land.

Abstract: This invention relates to braking rudder device consisting of turning rudder blade, horizontal plates and fixed rudder post, which is characterized by dividing the rudder blade in plane of symmetry in two blades, which are turning independently by an angle up to 110.degree. around their common axis where they are connected hingewise and their trailing edge is in the form of a wedge, while each of the blades are stiffened by horizontal plates which in extreme outboard position are bearing upon the rudder post and along the trailing edges are fitted vertical flaps capable of turning by an angle up to 90.degree..

Abstract: This invention relates to stern braking device in a form of a shield, which is characterised by placing the shield behind the propeller and the rudder, which at top part has a concave cross section on both sides of plane of symmetry and a hydraulic stabilizer and is hingewise connected at the top, to a lifting gear capable of sliding up and down, whereas the bottom of the shield is connected hingewise to the ship's hull.

Abstract: A craft for traveling on a surface of a sea, the craft including a pair of parallel, spaced-apart, elongated pontoons or floats mounted to the underside of a cabin, which thus is supported elevated above the water surface, the forward ends of the pontoons being tapered to a narrow edge, a rudder at a rear of each float, and a motor mounted upon the cabin turning an air-driving propeller for moving the craft on the water.

Abstract: The present apparatus controls the position of the brake flap or air brake of an aircraft. The air brake is operated by a power amplifier including a pressure cylinder and a piston. The piston is mechanically coupled to the brake flap or air brake in such a manner that the displacement of the brake flap is about proportional to the brake flap angle. The pressure in the cylinder is controlled in response to or as a function of the brake flap angle so that the flap is positioned at the angle required for the particular braking action, whereby the force caused by the dynamic or impact pressure is maintained in equilibrium with the force exerted by the pressure piston cylinder arrangement.