Abstract: A frame made up of structural pieces (wooden) and hardware pieces interconnecting them, and a flexible hull. The frame includes a main frame and coaming. The main frame is separable transversely at the middle, and each half thus formed is insertable into one end of the hull which is drawn taut over the frame half, after which the coaming is applied to the main frame and the hull secured thereto. The frame is made up of a plurality of relatively short pieces that are separable or foldable to enable them to be put in correspondingly short bundles, for carrying purposes.

Abstract: An underwater viewing platform is described which has a stern mounted electric drive motor whose direction and speed may by varied by forward mounted controls located adjacent the prone-lying operator's hands near a large forward mounted viewing window. A shade cowl arches up over the viewing window and has a U-shaped stern-facing, padded opening for receiving the operator's head. With the operator's head in place, the large viewing window is substantially shaded from overhead sunlight and has a large viewing angle and field of view. The window has a lens for providing the desired degree of magnification or demagnification. Bottom illumination is provided by an underwater light for night time use. Navigation and battery status and drain instruments are conveniently mounted within or on the shade cowl. Various design features reduce operator fatigue and extend useful range and endurance. End useful range and endurance.

Abstract: A split-sphere observatory enclosure wherein the antrum segment is capped with a shutter lid. The rotor which is the active shutter segment sweeps through an elongate curved aperture in the shutter lid to reveal the oculus. The oculus may be completely covered by the shutter lid or completely exposed at any elevation between the horizontal and vertical or zenith positions. The weather resistance of the enclosure is enhanced through the provision of continuous seals between the segments.

Abstract: View port for an underwater vehicle, e.g. for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) usable for underwater inspection, and provides a view port (2) which can form a component of a pressure hull of an underwater vehicle, and which can be sandwiched between hull portions (4) to provide a transparent section girdling the hull. Preferably, the view port can form a component of a substantially spherical pressure hull, the view port being sandwiched between two similar part-spherical hull portions. The invention further provides an underwater vehicle having a view port which forms a component of a pressure hull and which provides a transparent section girdling the hull. A camera (10) may be pivotally mounted in the hull so as to allow rotation of the camera to view through the port. A light source may be provided in the hull and arranged so as to allow light from the light source to be shone out through the view port.

Abstract: The invention provides means to enable the propeller of a power driven watercraft to be viewed and cleared of any fouling material by access from the interior of the craft; suitably the propeller is viewed through and access is gained by means of a pierceable transparent diaphragm (7) set in a tube (2) which is inserted through and sealably attached to an aperture formed in the hull (1) of the craft immediately above the propeller.

Abstract: A boat includes two sail surf-board floats, a frame cooperating with each of the floats, a rigid framing comprising at least four fastening lugs to be associated pairwise with each of the frames and so arranged as to retain the frames and thereby the floats substantially in parallel relationship, a seat supported by the framing and so arranged as to receive at least one passenger, a motor driven propeller supported on the framing and so arranged as to drive the boat, and a rudder associated with the framing and so arranged as to steer same.

Abstract: An underwater viewing device that may be held in the water from a moving boat for viewing below the surface of the water. The device includes a transparent bottom with side walls secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom, the side walls forming a water barrier totally around the bottom. One end of the bottom and corresponding side walls define a bow shape. An outwardly turned flange is located at the top of the side walls to permit one to conveniently hold the device in the water while the boat is moving, or to which a boat mounted support may be secured.

Abstract: An aquatic sport device includes a buoyant board configured for supporting a user in a prone position thereon and sized to enable the user supported thereby to manually paddle while in a prone position in order to move the buoyant board through the water. A sight opening is provided through the buoyant board in an optical system disposed therein enables a visual perception through the buoyant board by the user when the user is in a prone position. The optical system is configured for enabling the user to look through the board and perceive in a forward direction towards the bow of the buoyant board while paddling.

Abstract: A marine observatory craft for viewing of underwater locations includes a plurality of planing type hulls with viewing ports associated with each hull. There is also provided a plurality of transverse bulkheads dividing each hull into a plurality of separate internal compartments which are sealed from each other. In each internal compartment there is provided one or more ballast tanks which function as seat supports wherein each internal compartment includes a viewing area having one or more of the seat supports. A control cabin superstructure is located above the plurality of internal compartments. There is also provided a device for selectively flooding the ballast tanks whereby the craft may move in a traveling mode wherein the viewing ports are located above the waterline and an observing mode in which the viewing ports are located below the water line. The flooding device includes a pump, a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of water through flow conduits, an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: An aquatic camera apparatus consisting of a transparent screen separating an upper dark dry chamber from a lower vacuum wet chamber. The upper dark chamber is provided with a folding camera obscura and a looking mask for the viewer. A drainage valve is provided over the transparent screen for cleaning it and a vacuum valve is provided on top of the wet chamber expelling the air from inside. The device can be used manually or mechanically, outboard or inboard from any watercraft for the purpose of searching the flora and fauna inside any body of clear water. The device can be also used as a direct fishing aid, or for taking underwater photographs.

Abstract: A catamaran boat is provided including a pair of laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending displacement-type hollow hulls. Generally horizontal connecting deck structure extends between the hulls and includes a large plan area transparent generally horizontal viewing panel supported therefrom in an opening provided in the deck structure. The boat has a loaded operational water line which is spaced below the transparent panel and the hulls include buoyancy varying structure operative to selectively flood the hulls to reduce the buoyancy thereof and raise the water line to a level above the panel and to subsequently pump out the hulls to increase the buoyancy thereof and lower the water line to the aforementioned operational water line.

Abstract: A floating, nonsubmersible nautical craft has a hull provided with portholes for observation of the underwater medium. It is buoyed and stabilized, and its draft can be varied. The hull and the apparatus by which it is buoyed and stabilized have a modular structure in transverse sections. The hull is generally tubular in shape, flattened laterally, with a horizontal main axis, with a succession of portholes on each of its longitudinal flanks.

Abstract: An underwater viewing device in the form of a generally rectangular, open topped, one-piece, transparent container having a flexible pad at the open top for the face of the user, ventilation openings formed through the upper front and rear walls of the device, and a pair of handles in the form of squeezable bulbs attached to tubing lengths extended into the forward, bottom area of the container. Periodic squeezing of the handles causes air to be drawn through the front vent, circulated to the rear of the container, and exhausted through the rear vent.

Abstract: A floating unsinkable nautical craft comprises a hull having a keel portion below the water line and an upper portion. A longitudinally extending passenger compartment is provided at least mostly in the keel portion while a pilot's cockpit and passenger entrance are provided in the upper portion. Longitudinally extending dome-shaped observation windows are provided in the sides of the passenger compartment, the windows being of such length and height as to provide several passengers with an underwater view horizontally and downwards. A separate stabilization and bouyancy structure is connected rigidly to the upper portion of the hull and extends laterally to both sides with flotation and water ballast chambers at the ends. A pump is provided for varying the ballast to vary the draught of the craft.

Abstract: An improved peripheral closure joint for sealing spherical shell segments to a supporting structure therefor is provided which comprises a generally frustoconical member having an annular groove on the smaller circumference thereof for receiving the peripheral edge of the shell segment and means on the outer periphery thereof for engaging the supporting structure without slippage, said means including a plurality of annular corrugations on the peripheral edge of said frustoconical member and mating corrugations on a supporting surface of said structure to allow said member limited rolling engagement with said surface as said member flexes under an applied load. The frustoconical member is preferably configured to transmit the applied load substantially perpendicular to said surface, and tangent to the spherical shell.

Abstract: An underwater cruise device is disclosed which is mounted to a vessel by a vertical telescoping boom. The device includes a diving chair mounted to the vertical boom which can be selectively submerged during diving operations or completely withdrawn from the water for long distance, surface cruising. A concave, transparent shell canopy is mounted to the diving chair, forming an enclosed upper cavity which can contain a breathable gas ambient to surround the head of the seated diver. Controls are provided on the diving chair to enable the submerged diver to control the extension of the vertical boom into the water and the propulsion and steering of the vessel itself. Radio and television communication with the surface can be provided so that the diver can monitor surface conditions while cruising in the submerged diving chair.

Abstract: An underwater viewing apparatus is provided in combination with a boat having a hull. The apparatus includes a hollow housing open at each end. The lower end of the housing is secured to the bottom of the hull in registry with an opening cut through the hull so that the housing extends vertically upwardly and so that the upper end of the housing is positioned above the water line for the boat. A transparent sheet is positioned over the hull opening and fluidly sealed to both the hull and the housing so that in the event of breakage of the transparent sheet, water will flow through the hull opening only into the interior of the housing and only up to the water level of the boat.

Abstract: An off-shore underwater observatory comprising a lower, submerged observation gallery fitted with at least one observation window and having a ceiling with an opening through which the observation gallery is accessible, and a body of water on top of the gallery such that the combined weight of the structure and the water exceeds the buoyancy. An annular skirt may depend from the ceiling in extension of said opening to a level which is below the head level of a person standing in the gallery, the upper edge(s) of the window(s) not exceeding the lower edge of said skirt.

Abstract: An observer door unit which can be installed and removed from an aircraft doorway during flight, especially designed for use in aerial search and rescue operations. The unit, in its simplest form, consists of a portable base, which can be loaded on and off the aircraft, on which is mounted a combination door and window unit. Generally the door and window unit is pivotally mounted on the base to facilitate storage and handling on the aircraft. The base is provided with quick release locks to secure it to the floor of the aircraft and the door has locks to secure it to the doorway. A seat is generally slidably mounted on the base for the comfort of the observer.

Abstract: An underwater viewing device for use by a person standing in relatively shallow water and comprising a central transparent viewing window peripherally surrounded by a support structure which maintains the window parallel with and slightly beneath the surface of the water. A light affecting element is disposed within the structure adjacent the window. The support structure houses one or more storage compartments and a flotation ring which buoys and trims the viewing device while floating in the water. Fishnet covers enclose the compartments to prevent spillage of their contents. A light within the support structure permits night use.

Abstract: A vessel for performing diving operations by means of a diving bell capable of being raised and lowered from the vessel, includes a docking chamber for the diving bell which is arranged at such a water depth that it will be always positioned below the water level and is surrounded by a dry compartment which is under atmospheric pressure. The docking chamber is in open communication at its bottom with the water and its top portion is provided with coupling means for tight connection to the diving bell when disposed in a water filled space within the docking chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigating bridge for seagoing vessels with a panorama-deckhouse and a central action station with a concentration of all means necessary for observation and operation within the range of the operator in charge. There are port and starboard workplaces with port and starboard chairs, respectively, and a U-like navigating desk embracing the port and starboard workplaces having a front console and adjoining starboard and port side consoles. The port and starboard chairs are mounted for movement on port and starboard rails, respectively, in the first and second workplaces, respectively. There is a middle console located between the first and second rails adjoining the middle part of the front console. The height of the chairs relative to that of the consoles is high enough so that a person seated in either of the chairs has a clear view over all the consoles. The vehicle steering gear may be controlled at the aft portion of the middle console from a third workplace.

Abstract: A submerging system for marine structure which comprises a floating capsule structure, sumbersibly anchored by a lever pivoted at one end to the bottom of the floating structure and at its opposite end to a mooring block fixed to the sea bottom, a land based winch being provided for submerging the structure and a cable is connected to the bottom of the capsule structure by way of a pulley supported from the sea bottom.