Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of an object locating apparatus includes a cartridge having a cartridge interior; a float in the cartridge interior; a float attachment line attached to the float and the cartridge; a water-dissolvable float retainer tablet retained in the cartridge interior; a cartridge cap in the cartridge interior; and a spring normally sandwiched and compressed between the cartridge cap and the float retainer tablet and adapted to expand and push the float from the container interior upon dissolving of the float from the retainer tablet.

Abstract: A light emitting inflatable safety beacon is disclosed for identifying a location of the beacon. The beacon comprises an elongated bladder defining an interior chamber extending between an upper end and a lower end. A tether extends between a first end and a second end. A couple links the tether with the elongated bladder for suspending the tether within the interior chamber. A light source is secured to the tether for emitting an electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation internally illuminates the elongated bladder for creating an illuminated beacon. The electromagnetic radiation traverses the elongated bladder for creating a location beacon.

Abstract: A sensor head/brew cup with liquid level sensor probes which rotate down into the server to avoid damage to the probes by the server. The sensor head/brew cup moves as a unit, thereby eliminating any gap between the brew cup and the sensor head through which the brewed liquid must pour, thereby preventing spillage. The moveable sensor head/brew allows beverage brewing devices to use servers of various heights. Raising the sensor head/brew cup causes the level sensor probes to rotate upward out of the server, thereby protecting the probes from impact by the server when it is removed from the brewing device. When the level sensor probes are in the upward position they touch electrical contacts completing a self-test circuit confirming electrical continuity through the level sensor probes.

Abstract: A freeze resistant buoy system includes a tail-tube buoy having a thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline, and a thermo-siphon disposed predominantly below the waterline.

Abstract: A multi-gimbal configured transition protectively interfaces a mooring and communication cable to a communication ocean buoy. The transition interface contains a segmented, flexible sheath formed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected gimbal rings having mutually adjacent interior apertures through which one or more communication link members pass. Successive gimbal rings are orthogonally pivotally interconnected with one another so as to make the flexible sheath flexible in three dimensions. Upper ends of one or more communication link members are connectable with a communication cable connection fixture of the buoy. Lower ends of the communication link members are connectable to communication cable terminal connectors of a terminal end of the mooring cable.

Abstract: An automatic electrical device having a rack superimposed on an ordinary calendars and having seven light emitting diodes (LED's) of a single color affixed thereon to indicate the current day of the week, and similarly thirty-seven LED's of a single different color to indicate the current day of the month. Operation of the device is based on an electrical impulse transmitted daily by a clock through a switching network to sequentially energize the LED's. A monthly programmed electrical impulse counter provides means for coordinating operation of the device with calendar changes in a new month. Means provided to adjust leap year variation which provides means to program continuous operation of the device in unlimited time.

Abstract: A water level and temperature detector alarm device and more particularly to an alarm device which includes a buoy type detector to alternately detect water level or water temperature so as to provide an audio alarm signal through a buzzer when water level or water temperature reaches the predetermined range. The detector is connected to the expansible end of a conduit and includes a sleeve having set therein two reed switches and a thermswitch and having mounted thereon a body which includes therein a circular magnet. An alarm device is connected to the other end of the conduit which is having a movable positioning rack mounted thereon for positioning of the whole assembly. Following the rising of water level, the magnet of the buoy alternatively drives the reed switched to turn on the alarm device to buzz or, when water temperature reaches the predetermined range, the thermoswitch will be turned on to drive the alarm device to buzz.

Abstract: Marine buoy lantern employs a heavily damped two-axis gimbal including an outer gimbal frame supported to the lantern housing by a pair of hinges and an inner gimbal member mounted to the outer gimbal frame by another pair of hinges. The hinges are made of plastic and respond very slowly to a torque applied thereto unlike gimbals employing bearings. The inner gimbal member supports the drum lens, flasher, lampchanger, and counterweights. The hinged gimbal cooperates with the counterweights immersed in a very viscous fluid to maintain the lantern vertically disposed notwithstanding angles of inclination of .+-.9.degree., or a total of 18.degree., of the marine buoy mounting the lantern atop thereof.

Abstract: A safety marker for divers comprising detection means (5) designed to emit electrical signals upon the appearance of an element dangerous to the divers within a specific zone around said marker, means (8) for shaping these signals to control signalling means (6, 7) arranged on one hand at the surface to signal the presence of divers and on the other hand below surface to signal the presence of a danger to the divers.

Abstract: A traffic barricade or marker comprises a base in the form of a conventional pneumatic vehicle tire having a pair of substantially vertical flexible plastic tubular posts upstanding from the tire upper sidewall from aperture means located diametrically across from each other. The tubular posts in their unflexed condition are substatntially straight and upwardly diverging in a symmetrical manner away from the tire principal axis. A substantially rectangular structural member has a pair of longitudinally spaced tubular-like connector formations thereon of a size to be freely telescoped over the upper end portions of said posts. The structural member has a predetermined major dimension between its connector formations so as to continually flex the upper end portions of the posts into substantial parallel relation whereby said connector formations are releasably retained on the posts.

Abstract: Floating apparatus for the remote marking of the position of bodies that have fallen in water, comprises a buoyant body which is ballasted on its underside and which on its upper side carries an inflatable standard having a visible signal at its upper end. The inflatable standard is in the form of inner and outer tubes which define between them a hollow chamber that extends lengthwise of the standard and parallel to the standard. A supply of compressed gas, carried by the apparatus, is selectively releasable to fill the hollow chamber to erect the standard.

Abstract: A multi-sectioned, multi-purpose, illuminated marking device especially suitable as a water buoy in which the components can be readily assembled in end-to-end relationship to provide a buoyant device which can be readily seen for a considerable distance when located in the water or elsewhere. The assembled sections serve to house a lightbulb, batteries, switch system, and a reflector which, when the switch is turned on, causes the light to be magnified and transmitted through the translucent walls of the housing. The device also includes an anchor attached to a line and reel to permit raising and lowering of the anchor, the line being multicolored to enable it to be used as a depth indicator. The exterior of the assembled sections are provided with reflective means such as tape or paint to reflect light and permit location of the device when the electric light system, is inoperative or malfunctioning.

Abstract: In a device for coupling a cardan half-joint with a fixed structure, such as a device for the subsea anchoring of a structure which uses cardan joints, the improvement consisting in that the half joint is of the cross-beam type and the main forks are formed by two half shells and there is an undercut abutment having the shape of a poppet. A better distribution of the pull stresses on the members of the joint is thus obtained, means being also provided to prevent the rotation of the joint.