A flush valve for use in a flush tank for control by the operator of the amount used in flushing, the valve including an elongate body having a solid generally hemispherical protuberance extending outwardly on one side and a hollow frusto-conical cup member extending outwardly from the other side. A tab and opening therethrough on the forward portion of the body for connection to the valve operating system allows the valve to be alternatively turned with the cup member facing upward and being no...

A rope assembly comprises a central rope, which may be composed of nylon, a plurality of flotation elements of closed cell form and buffer elements of open cell form which are disposed between and flush with the flotation elements. A protective layer, which may be formed of polyurethane, surrounds the rope and the flotation and buffer elements. The closed cell form elements may be polyethylene. The open cell form elements may be polyurethane.

A buoyancy means and apparatus for reducing friction in rotational devices, particularly electric generators and or turbines. This feature is critical in hydroelectric power plants and ocean energy projects where the rotating weights are significant. Flotation devices are affixed to rotational devices and submerged into a heavy fluid encased within a chamber that does not interfere with the normal operation of the said rotational device. Vibration is also reduced, allowing for more precise opera...

Buoyant jewelry for retaining and protecting personal articles. Each jewelry/retainer comprises a brightly colored, buoyant body coupled to one or more fasteners for securing various articles such as sunglasses, keys, or personal care products which the swimmer or water sportsman desires to conveniently retain. The jewelry items comprise eyeglass retainers, bracelets, anklets, name badges, and necklaces. The body comprises a resilient core of low-density foam covered by a flexible, tubular sheat...

A hose having a cover and carcass reinforced tube between which are disposed successive plies of spiralled multiple-end tubing and preferably a cellular foam matrix, the successive tubing plies generally nesting with each other.

A floating platform comprising in combination a semisubmersible vessel (40) having two or more pontoons, buoyant columns upstanding from those pontoons and a deck supported on the columns (the semisubmersible vessel being a kind known per se); and a raft (41) comprising a hull portion and two or more buoyant caissons arranged so that the raft is capable of floating in a stable configuration with the hull portion of the raft submerged to such a depth that the semi submersible vessel (40) can floa...

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...

A buoyant body with a spherical hull having a well extending along a vertical axis. The well is open at both ends to permit flow of water therein and is such dimension as to make the period of its vertical oscillation greater than the period of vertical oscillation of any waves of significant height reasonably expected to be encountered by the body. The body is otherwise weighted so as to be tuned against roll oscillation.

A buoyant cable, particular for magnetic minesweeping applications, comprising a bundle of electrically conductive tubes (1) with an overall electrically-insulating sheath (4), the tubes providing buoyancy, strength and electrical conductivity for the cable. The sheath may have an internal reinforcing braid.

A buoyant craft, such as a boat or raft, propelled by a water jet thrust of high efficiency. Such thrust is provided by a wedge shaped chamber, such as one including a substantially flat plate pivotally mounted forwardly and on the underside of the craft and having two vertical sides. Pedals are provided on an extension of the flat plate. A modification involves the use of two separate wedge shaped jet thrust chambers with a common central wall to permit better steering. Still another modificati...