Abstract: A marker buoy for marking a particular spot on the bottom of the sea despite heavy seas. The buoy includes a hollow cylindrical chamber whose outer surface forms a spool. A length of line is attached to the chamber and wound around the spool with an anchor attached to the free end of the line. An elongated hollow tube is attached in axial alignment to one end of the cylindrical chamber. A cored foamed polystyrene ball whose diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical chamber is slidably mounted on the elongated tube. A cap affixed to the free end of the tube prevents the floatable ball from sliding off the tube. The buoy is placed on the surface of the water with the axes of the chamber and tube parallel to the water's surface. Small holes in the chamber gradually fill with water as the line runs out following the descending anchor.

Abstract: A lightweight plastic buoy with an elastic shock cord (31) attached to the nylon line (30) and lead weight (32). Included in the buoy is a plastic spool (21) attached to a metal shaft and crank (20) in a housing (11). A plastic pin (23) is attached to a foam float (24). They are found in a housing (12) near the bottom of the buoy and are moved via the admittance of water into the float chamber (25) through an orifice in the bottom cap (13). The pin (23) forces a lock (22) into notches in the spool (21) which inhibits its motion. A rubber-strap governor (27) is in contact with the top of the spool (21) controlling its velocity to eliminate the tangling of excessive line released from the spool (21).

Abstract: A marker device for fishermen including a body or flotation portion made from a transparent, plastic bottle. A sheet of brightly colored fluorescent or retroreflective paper lines the inside of the bottle, making the marker highly visible. A threaded cap is secured to the core or bottom end of a spool, about which an anchor line is wound. The spool has upper and lower flanges, and the anchor line is secured to the upper flange. An anchor weight is secured to the free end of the anchor line, the anchor weight being a strip of malleable lead that may be formed to bend around the anchor line wound on the spool when not in use. Further, a counterweight is contained within the bottom portion of the spool opposite the bottle, causing the marker to stand upright in the water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a marker float release that includes a houg; an electromagnet mounted to the housing having an electromagnetic core; and a buoyant element having a permanent magnet. The buoyant element is positioned against the housing so that the permanent magnet is magnetically attracted to the electromagnetic core with sufficient force to hold the buoyant element adjacent to the housing when the housing and the buoyant element are submerged in water by inducing a magnetic field in the electromagnetic core. A flexible line having one end attached to the buoyant element and another end attached to the housing links the buoyant element to the housing. Magnetic field reversing means is operably coupled to the electromagnet for selectively reversing the magnetic field of the electromagnetic core, thereby permitting the buoyant element to be released from the housing.

Abstract: A hollow, elongated tubular member, constructed of flexible resilient material, an inlet-outlet for admitting and discharging air, and including a separate, removable sleeve constructed of material as resilient, or less resilient than the buoy bladder, for its upper portion is adapted for deployment as a portable, large, and versatile marker buoy. The height above the waterline is adjustable by controlling the amount of air therein, the sleeve is removable, interchangable, and is to be printed with the insignia to designate its use. The air pressure in the buoy is used to hold the sleeve and any lightweight device inserted between the two members in position without the use of a fastening device. The method of deploying this marker buoy includes the steps of partial inflation, positioning of the sleeve, attaching ballast weight and or anchor weight, and adjusting to the desired height above the waterline by controlling the volume of air therein.

Abstract: A power-driven float device includes a combination and inflatable float tube, a support body for the power supply on which there is mounted a vertical shaft and an electric motor and impeller together with the battery for powering the electric motor and means for releasably attaching the support body to the float tube. The float tube, support body and vertical shaft are easily assembled and disassembled. The float tube is shown to the front or either side of the support body. Band-type and strap-type harness assemblies firmly embrace the float tube to releasably secure the float tube to the support body. A storage body of a size and shape and construction in one embodiment is mounted opposite the support body.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for use in association with a vessel to facilitate raising the vessel and/or cargo carried thereby should it become sunken. The apparatus is readily attachable to or mountable on any equipment and includes a float having an upper portion with the upper portion being of larger cross-sectional area. The bottom portion has a recess therein. A cable drum is located in the recess and journaled for rotation to pay out a light duty line wound thereon. The light duty line has a knob attached thereto and which is also attached to a heavy duty lifting cable attached to secure lift points on the vessel. The float is mounted at an appropriate location on the vessel, or cargo and should the vessel or cargo (as the case may be) sink, it floats to the surface. Information concerning the sunken object size, equipment for retrieval, etc. is on a plate attached to the float.

Abstract: A device includes two enlarged end portions joined by a medial portion. It serves as a light-weight sturdy plastic container for motor oil or as buoyant marker for marking areas in a body of water where fish have been located. After the oil is used, fishing line is wrapped around the medial portion of the container and a weight is attached to the free end of the fishing line. The emptied container is thrown into the body of water, the line unravels and the weight sinks to the bottom. This allows the floating container to maintain its position. Alternatively, a fishing hook can be attached to the end of the line.

Abstract: An eyeglass retainer is provided for holding eyeglasses afloat in the event the eyeglasses accidentally fall into a body of water. The eyeglass retainer is comprised of an elongated, water impervious, resilient hollow flexible tube having open ends which grip the bows of an eyeglass frame and a float in the form of an open celled plastic block having a pair of parallel openings therethrough. The flexible tube is threaded through the openings prior to attachment of the ends of the tube to the eyeglass bows. The block has a buoyancy greater than the weight of the eyeglasses to thereby hold the eyeglasses close to the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: A ski locator device is provided which comprises a tether having one end attached to the ski and the other attached to a compliant dome member in engagement with a portion of the outer surface of a brightly-colored foam ball. The foam ball is compacted and inserted into a pouch which is attached either to the skier's leg or to his boot. Upon detachment of the ski from the skier's foot, the foam ball is pulled through an elasticized opening in the pouch and can thus be readily seen, thereby assisting in locating the ski.

Abstract: An elongated buoy with protruding external ribs extending about the circumference of the buoy. The ribs are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buoy and create turbulence when the buoy is dragged upon the surface of the water. The turbulence results in decreased drag and permits easier and faster retrieval of the buoy by a crew member hauling in by hand a line attached thereto.

Abstract: An emergency position indicating radio beacon is controlled by an annular switch ring which rotates to ON, OFF, SET, and TEST positions. In the SET position, the buoy transmitter automatically turns on in response to removal of the buoy from a mounting bracket. A light and an audible alarm on the buoy are activated during buoy transmission to alert an operator to the transmission in order to avoid false alarms. The mounting bracket automatically releases and ejects the buoy in an emergency situation in response to ambient water pressure, or the buoy may be manually removed from the bracket for deployment.

Abstract: A surface buoy. The buoy includes top and bottom flotation members of hemispherical configuration and a reel member positioned between them. An elongate flexible cord is coiled about the reel member and has a first end secured thereto. A second end of the cord is secured to a weight member. The top flotation member has a nest-like recess formed therein into which the weight member is positioned when the buoy is not in use. When the buoy is tossed into a body of water, the bobbing action of the buoy throws the weight out of its nest and into the water. As the weight sinks, it uncoils the cord from the reel member until it reaches the bottom of the body of water, at which time further uncoiling of the cord stops.

Abstract: A non-inflatable buoyancy aid is described comprising an annular structure of closed cell plastic foam which is held in position about a wearer's arms and legs through positive displacement and material friction. The buoyancy aid maintains the wearer in either a horizontal or vertical position at water level, depending upon the positioning of the aid about the limbs.

Abstract: The emergency location marker system carried by a vessel for marking a location on the water and signaling, especially for locating and rescuing an individual in the water, comprises a flotation and support structure with an advantageously collapsible self-erecting tower, location-indicating devices at least one of which is mounted on the top portion of the tower, a mechanical deploying and actuating assembly for launching and activating the emergency location marker system and an electrical supply and control system. The location-indicating devices may include audio sounders, a strobe light and a self-erecting passive reflector for light and radar mounted at the top portion of the collapsible self-erecting tower below the strobe light, a low frequency transmitter and an electrical and retracting cable connected to the top portion of the collapsible self-erecting antenna tower.

Abstract: A fishing float is shown for use in running a trotline. The fishing float includes a spherical body molded from a light weight plastic material which has a hollow interior and an exterior. A line-engaging downward projection extends from one point on the exterior of the body for receiving a trotline. A combination handle and line wrapping extension are located diametrically opposite the downward projection on the exterior of the body. A visibility enhancing material is incorporated into the plastic material of the body so that the float can be more easily seen at night.

Abstract: An anchor locating buoy system is provided with a self-retracting anchor line. The buoy system automatically collects and stores any excess portion of line between a marker float and an anchor thereby minimizing the distance between the marker float and the anchor.

Abstract: The portable marine marker buoy having a transparent signal support housing which is carried by a float and is stabilized in the water by a depending weight assembly and which is restrained from drifting by an anchor which is deployed by an automatically locking anchor line dispensing reel assembly.

Abstract: A device for indicating the presence in water of an object consisting of material capable of being affected by a magnet, the device containing a magnet. The device enables a reliable and effective indication to be given of metallic objects which are present in water. The magnet exhibits an active surface capable of interacting with the object in question and a floating body connected to the magnet in such a way as to be capable of being released from it, in conjunction with which there is present at least one ejector protrusion projecting beyond the active surface in question, so arranged that the ejector protrusion will endeavour, because of the nature of the interaction between the ejector protrusion and the object in question, to break the bond between the magnet and the floating body when the magnet is affected by the object in question.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buoy which comprises a high density polyethylene foam as a buoyant member, and an outer skin covering the surface of the foam. The buoy has excellent resistance against external force and the loss of the buoyancy by the reduction of the volume is minimized.

Abstract: A marker buoy releasing mechanism for marking the location of a sunken boat includes an air tight housing having a differential pressure switch mounted therein for sensing the pressure within the housing and externally thereof. When the differential pressure sensed by the switch increases to a predetermined value, indicative of sinking of the boat, the switch will close to complete the electric circuit between a battery and an electrically operated device. When electric power is coupled through the differential pressure switch to the electrically operated device, it will be operated to actuate an inflating mechanism which supplies compressed gas to an inflatable marker buoy which floats to the surface of the water on the end of a tethering line.

Abstract: An automatic rescue apparatus for deploying a flotation device. The unit can be mounted vertically on the rail of a vessel or horizontally on the deck. The rescue apparatus has a life ring, a launcher housing containing a radio receiver and a trigger device and incorporating a life ring launching arm, a housing containing a collapsed inflatable marker buoy and a CO.sub.2 inflation assembly, and a portable battery-powered transmitter worn by an individual on a vessel. Ejection and resulting inflation of the marker buoy as well as simultaneous deployment of the life ring are actuated by a radio signal received from the transmitter worn by the overboard person.

Abstract: A life buoy equipped with a radar responder adapted to transmit waves in response to radar waves from a searcher, the life buoy comprising a hull member of a rigid plastic hollow construction, the hull member water-tightly accommodating a receiving antenna, a receiver, a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a battery in a vertical manner such that the center of gravity is located at a distance from and below the center of buoyancy, and the hull member having a downwardly converging shape from under the level of water at least up to the center of buoyancy.

Abstract: A safety device to locate someone in trouble in the water. A three piece apparatus consisting of a U shaped nylon body mount and a modified rectangle polypropylene floater connected by a flexible line between the floater and body mount.

Abstract: A buoyant marking light for fishermen is disclosed comprising a pair of buoyant body members interconnected by an elongated sleeve. A light element extends radially outwardly from the center axis of each body member. A weight element is secured within each body member directly opposite each of the light elements. A line element is secured to the elongated sleeve and is normally wrapped therearound and the free end thereof extends through an eyelet located on the sleeve and radially positioned in-between the radial positions of each of the weights. A sinker element is secured to the free end of the line.

Abstract: A balloon distress marker wherein the balloon has, in a wall thereof, a small compartment interiorly of the balloon and accessible through an aperture in the wall of the balloon for retaining an article therein. The compartment is substantially smaller than the volumne of the balloon and is useable for interconnecting balloons in series or inserting a flashlight therein to illuminate the balloon. A coupling for interconnecting balloons is preferably a small balloon in itself which can be inflated when in the compartment. A two-part balloon wherein the two parts are interconnected by a narrow neck portion rendering the marker useable as a life preserver. A rescue kit consisting of a casing having a removable top that can be illuminated by flashlights in the cap. Located within the container is a cylinder containing lighter-than-air gas for inflating the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-setting, illuminated buoy marker for anglers, made of a translucent material which is elongated in shape and has a bifurcated body of two end members connected to a narrow waist stem member. The marker has a lighting device inside of the buoy marker, which may be illuminated for night fishing and gives off a soft illumination which is only visible for limited distances so as not to spook the fish or to give away the angler's precise position. Attached to the buoy marker is an anchor line and an anchor assembly which unwinds and sets the buoy in a precise location that the angler selects and maintains the buoy in that position. When the buoy is in an operative position it is visible to the angler from any direction in both daylight and darkness, regardless of wind or wave conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a marker buoy useful to indicate the location of an underwater structure. The buoy is made from a material having a density less than water, including first and second elongated side members and a central portion therebetween. The central portion receives an elongated twine having a weight attached to its far end. Each side member has a stud extending away therefrom at opposing ends of the buoy. The buoy automatically rotates to dispense the twine when the buoy is placed on the surface of water, and is adapted to be manually rotated by manipulation of the studs to retract the twine.

Abstract: A signal apparatus for use with an animal trap positionable underwater includes an open ended housing adapted to be secured in a substantially vertical position to a stationary portion of the trap. A movable cover releasably closes the open end of the housing. A connecting member connects the cover to a movable portion of the animal trap to uncover the open end of the housing when the trap is sprung. A buoyant float is disposable within the housing. An elongated attaching member connects the float to the housing enabling it to rise to the surface of the water when the trap has been sprung to provide an indication of the condition of the trap.