553results about "Recreational vessels" patented technology

The disclosure relates to marine craft which are capable of operating in the hydrofoil mode, many with extensible and retractable hydrofoil posts. Specific embodiments of large commercial hydrofoil craft are described, including those with structure which is the water during hydrofoil travel mode and which can be retracted to partly fit within recesses in the hull during other operating modes. Other craft, including those with hybrid electric drive, are disclosed having un-cooled reciprocating internal combustion engines. A number of arrangements for pistons and cylinders of unconventional configuration are described. These included are toroidal combustion or working chambers, some with fluid flow through the core of the toroid, pistons reciprocating between pairs of working chambers, tensile links between piston and crankshaft, energy absorbing piston-crank links, crankshafts supported on gas bearings. In some embodiments pistons mare rotate while reciprocating. High temperature exhaust emissions systems are described, including those containing filamentary material, as are procedures for reducing emissions during cold start by means of valves at reaction volume exit. Compound engines having the new engines as a reciprocating stage are described.

A floating amphibious game table is provided that may be used on both land and water. The game table has a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of upper openings in the upper surface of the base member are adapted to receive beverage containers. A plurality of lower openings in the lower surface of the base member are adapted to receive a plurality of legs. The game table floats to allow for use on water. The game table receives the plurality of legs to allow for use on land.

An attractive wake tower assembly that can be readily pivotally mounted on powerboats of various constructions to enable the wake tower assembly to be pivoted from an upstanding to a lowered position. The wake tower assembly is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator. In one form of wake tower assembly, the windshield component and the wake tower component are of a novel unitary construction.

An attractive wake tower assembly of a unique, generally U-Shaped configuration that can be readily pivotally mounted on powerboats of various constructions to enable the wake tower assembly to be pivoted from an upstanding to a lowered position. The wake tower assembly is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator. Each of the side members of the assembly has an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which is generally oval in cross section. The lower portion of each of the side members have a first width and the upper portion of each of the side members have a first width; and a bight portion interconnecting the upper portions of the sides, the bight portion being generally circular in cross section.

A low drag ship hull generally includes a side air cavity initiated by wetted bow section, bottom air cavity initiated by wetted bottom nosepiece, wetted stem section that closes a lower portion of the side cavity, wetted bottom tailpiece that closes the bottom cavity, stabilizing fin, and propulsor. The bottom of a catamaran hull cross structure includes bow impact alleviator. Optional flaps in the stabilizing fins, together with optional all-movable canard fins are used for control. Different wetted bow sections and retractable means are used for starting side cavities. A low drag hull may utilize multiple air cavities. A new low drag hull includes a new upper bottom air cavity that is initiated by an upper bottom wetted nosepiece, and closed by an upper bottom tailpiece. Alternative designs include a shortened forward hull spaced ahead of a shortened aft hull, and a hydrofoil-supported trimaran with low drag hulls.

A boat with a controllable wake, including a boat hull with a propulsion system. A wake controlling device includes first and second plates with a bottom surface which is convexly curved between their forward and rear ends, and first and second mounts secured to the port and starboard sides, respectively, of the boat transom and securing the forward ends of the plates for pivoting about axes which are behind the boat transom and generally lie parallel to the plane of the aft boat bottom adjacent the first and second mounts. Plate controls extend between the transom and the plates to adjustably pivot the plates relative to the mounts. A plurality of generally triangular fins extend from the plates at substantially right angles to the plate bottom surfaces and extend at substantially right angles from the axes. Side plates are on the lateral edges of the first and second plates.

An improved float tube arrangement for outdoor water-related activities, particularly hunting and fishing. The float can be deployed as a blind for partially concealing and camouflaging a user, who sits in the circular middle of the float upon an adjustable seat supported by suitable straps. When used as a blind a canopy and net are selectively deployed. The stable base is formed by a pair of coaxially stacked inner tubes that are tightly bound by a covering fabric. Mechanical integrity is enhanced by frame loops encircling the inner tubes, and an encircling belt that concentrically tensions the float within a depressed region formed at the juncture of the stacked inner tubes. A canopy mounted to the frame loops and an optional net can be deployed as desired.

A coupler for to which a shaft is attachable is provided. includes a base. The base is formed with an upper side and an lower side. The lower side is substantially a flat planar surface. Means are provided for mounting the base on a curved surface. A preferred means is one or more ball washer assemblies. In addition, the present invention includes a tub that is adjustably connectable to the base. A plug is provided that is repositionably attachable to the tub. In addition, a neck is provided. The neck is insertable into the plug. The neck also is formed to support a shaft. The invention includes a clevis mechanism that is slidably and demountably engageable with both the plug and the neck.

An apparatus for folding a boat tower, including a hinge assembly and a releasable footer. The hinge assembly has two members that pivot about a pivot point. At least one spring loaded bolt, or locking pin, engages a corresponding opening in one member, thereby locking the two members in fixed relation. The releasable footer has a bolt that engages an opening, thereby locking a releasable member to the footer body.

An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and / or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake.

A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve. The sleeve includes an inflatable portion disposed about at least a portion of the circumference.

A ball comprises a body having an outer surface of sufficient extent to define a volume sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of each of four fingers of a person's hand. The ball has at least one indentation in the surface, the indentation having a depth sufficient to receive at least a portion of four fingers. Each indentation is provided with a gripping surface against which the fingers press while other surfaces of the fingers or the hand engage the outer surface of the ball. In one embodiment, the ball may have only a single indentation, whereas other embodiments the ball has a plurality of indentations. In addition to providing the amusement and exercise device, the ball has uses as a floating safety device.

A float tube or watercraft comprised of a generally U-shaped inflatable flotation chamber having two generally parallel and laterally disposed leg portions and a rearward portion. The leg portions are preferably formed integrally with the rearward portion. The invention further includes a seating device bridging the two leg portions of the flotation chamber. A stabilizing frame and system for connecting the stabilizing frame to the U-shaped flotation chamber provides support to the opposing legs of the flotation chamber and prevents them from pinching in on the occupant, and also preferably tensions a seat provided between the legs of the floatation chamber. For additional support and / or this preferred tensioning, a rigid and / or adjustable rod, or tube, extends between the opposing legs of the frame. The system for connecting the stabilizing frame comprises preferably a plurality of channel segments, which are fixedly secured to the leg and rearward portions of the flotation chamber. Alternatively, a continuous channel may be used.

A wireless water ski handle system used with a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a handle component that selectively attaches to a standard water ski handle and contains a manual control module and a wireless transmitter. The control module includes directional control buttons, power ON and OFF buttons, and power Up and Down buttons. Located in the watercraft is a wireless receiver that communicates with the transmitter. Coupled to the receiver is a self-correcting propulsion and steering system that senses undesirable changes to the watercraft's motion caused by the water-skier when pulled by the watercraft. When a difference is detected, a command module located in the watercraft automatically controls the watercraft's propulsion and steering systems so the watercraft follows the desired path and velocity. The system also includes an auto-back tracking feature that automatically reduces power to the last known marked geographic point the skier was upright.

The trampoline with inflated base includes a generally toroidal shaped inflatable tube having an open center area. A mesh rebound member extends over the open center area and is secured around its entire periphery to the tube on the upper surface of the tube member. The tube includes a singular air duct or a plurality of air ducts extending radially which allow communication of air between the space interior to the tube and the space exterior to the tube.

A wake tower for a powerboat for use in wakeboarding or other water sports is described. The wake tower can include base members attached to the powerboat and a U-shaped bar extending generally upwardly from the base members. The side bars can be tapered inward and can also be angled toward the bow of the powerboat. Support members can be positioned along the side bars to provide increased structural support to increase the maximum load of the wake tower and to increase the rigidity of the wake tower resulting in less shaking during use. A tow cross bar having a tow rope connector can be suspended generally between the side bars of the wake tower. The wake tower can be transitioned between an upright position and a lowered position. Shocks can be used to compensate for some of the weight of the wake tower.

A collapsible flotation device is provided that uses a coilable spring coupled to a panel to collapse the device when the spring is coiled, and to expand the device when the spring is uncoiled configuration. The spring can be contained within a sleeve along the outer portion of the panel. A support member that traverses the panel is provided. An inflatable bladder disposed about a part of the outer portion of the panel and coupled to the support member buoyantly supports a body weight of a user. The combination of the inflatable bladder and the support member provide support for a user in a seated position on the panel. Many configurations are disclosed, including a multi-user collapsible flotation device, multiple connected single-user flotation devices, and so forth. A back support member and a headrest, both of which can be inflatable, provide additional support for a user to maintain a seated position on the panel. A foot support member is provided for the comfort of the user.