Other

University of Minnesota

James W Ramsey

Benjamin Y Liu

The improvements of the present invention provide multipurpose and multi-functional improvements that enhance the functional utility of water vehicles. The combination includes connecting means which allow adaptation of a platforms, storage, and seating. An improved motor mount permits a motor to be protectively stowed until a hinge is actuated to rotate the motor 180 degrees for operation. The improvements also provide motor controls, an anchor and motor controls attached to a seat platform. A shelter hood assembly attaches in a selectable, collapsible manner giving an operator use and appearance configuration options, allowing the assembled hood to act as a barrier against weather elements in addition to supplying functional color components including wildlife decoys, camouflage, safety markings, diving insignia, or other aesthetic designs or coloring. These improvements target utility of the water vehicle, particularly for boating, fishing, hunting, scuba or skin-diving, wildlife viewing or photographing, and general outdoor recreation.

Water vehicle improvements with connecting means

A flotation system for supporting a person on a body of water for a variety of activities comprises an endless inflatable tube for supporting a person on a body of water, the tube having a circumference that defines an interior space extending from a stern end of the tube to a bow end of the tube. At least a portion of the interior space is open at the stern end. A seat platform is secured to the tube within the interior space at a location whereby a person sitting on the seat platform may face the stern end and extend his feet and legs through the open portion of the interior space into the body of water. The flotation system comprises a storage pack adapted to fit between the seat platform and the bow end. The storage pack is designed to hold the water vehicle in its uninflated condition for stowage and may be designed to be carried (much like a suitcase) or worn (much like a backpack) or both. Auxiliary items may be incorporated into the flotation system, such as a motor mount, a scuba mount, or a camouflage covering.

Multi-sport flotation system

A water vehicle comprising in combination an ovoid, inflatable tube with an open bottom, rigid seat platform suspended above the water line, a dry duffel compartment, a removable, dry, duffel day-pack and detachable wet and dry stowage compartments which allow the user easy access to stowage areas during operation and ease of portage of the entire water vehicle as a lightweight tote when stowed in a removable, dry, duffel day-pack or a backpack.

Tote 'N flote water vehicle

An artificial fishing lure such as a surface plug of streamline form has a lure body with a front and rear end and mounts at least one hook for movement longitudinally by its shank in an elongated slot between a forward position relative to the front of the body and a rearward position thereof. A fishing line is attached directly to the at least one hook and a coil spring or rubber band biases the hook in the retracted position. When the fish strikes the lure body, the hook automatically moves forwardly against the biasing means to hook the fish while the fish has the lure body grasped in its mouth. A wire support member mounted within the slot and fixed to the body slidably supports a wire hook carrier for movement longitudinally parallel to the wire support member. The wire support member may comprise a cylinder in line with the longitudinal axis of the lure body with a compression coil spring carried within the cylinder. A piston fixed to the hook carrier engages one end of the coil spring while the cylinder engages the other end of the coil spring. During striking of the fish and grasping of the lure body, the piston moves to compress the coil spring while the hook carrier shifts the at least one hook forwardly in the direction of the front of the lure body resulting in hooking of the fish.

Fishing lure with self-activated hook

A flow visualization system usable for clean rooms to determine the flow conditions that exist during manufacture, includes a frame mounting a source of steam and a liquid cryogen container. Steam is passed over an interface with the cryogenic material providing a highly visible fog that is neutrally buoyant and non-contaminating. The liquid cryogen level in the container is controlled by a float valve system which controls flow from a liquid cryogen tank.

Non-contaminating flow visualization system

A flow visualization system usable for clean rooms to determine the flow conditions that exist during manufacture, includes a non-contaminating source of a visible stream of a fog comprising water droplets which evaporaate and leave no residue. Steam is generated in a boiler and it passed over an interface with a cryogenic material to form a high density fog generator providing a highly visible fog that is neutrally bouyant and non-contaminating.

Growing community of inventors

Missoula, MT, United States of America

James W Ramsey