Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

A portable expandable device with a contracting mechanism which allows for many forms of recreational products and structures to be expanded, reinforced in the expanded shape, and then contracted easily to regain its portable form. The expansion means is exercised by the use of at least one of the following, resiliently extending, unfolding, inflating, as to become an expanding form which can then be easily retracted to the redeployed form. The retraction mechanism reverses the expansion process utilizing a mechanism which sequentially exerts the forces needed in the proper locations in order to ensure proper contraction. Disclosed embodiments utilized supplemental structural reinforcement of the expanded form through the use of joints, releasable interlocks, latching mechanisms, air bladders, to ensure the form is stable and usable. The objective being a stable structure with a rapid and easy deployment and a supplemental retraction means as to be easily transportable.

A portable expandable device with a contracting mechanism which allows for many forms of recreational products and structures to be expanded, reinforced in the expanded shape, and then contracted easily to regain its portable form. The expansion means is exercised by the use of at least one of the following, resiliently extending, unfolding, inflating, as to become an expanding form which can then be easily retracted to the redeployed form. The retraction mechanism reverses the expansion process utilizing a mechanism which sequentially exerts the forces needed in the proper locations in order to ensure proper contraction. Disclosed embodiments utilized supplemental structural reinforcement of the expanded form through the use of joints, releasable interlocks, latching mechanisms, air bladders, to ensure the form is stable and usable. The objective being a stable structure with a rapid and easy deployment and a supplemental retraction means as to be easily transportable.

Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

A self-retracting tie down winch for tying cargo on a vehicle is provided. The self-retracting tie down winch comprise a frame that can be attached temporarily or permanently to the transport vehicle, a binding system to secure the cargo, the binding system comprising a gear and a unidirectional pawl and driver to insert a binding media. The self-retracting tie down winch further comprises a space to spool the tie down media around the winch shaft, a self-retracting mechanism for the tie down media to self-retract, and a self-retracting mechanism. The self-retracting mechanism can be stopped in a locking state at given length to ensure a tension free tie down media to facilitate its placement. It can be re-engaged from the locking state to rewind the tie down media.

A self-retracting tie down winch for tying cargo on a vehicle is provided. The self-retracting tie down winch comprise a frame that can be attached temporarily or permanently to the transport vehicle, a binding system to secure the cargo, the binding system comprising a gear and a unidirectional pawl and driver to insert a binding media. The self-retracting tie down winch further comprises a space to spool the tie down media around the winch shaft, a self-retracting mechanism for the tie down media to self-retract, and a self-retracting mechanism. The self-retracting mechanism can be stopped in a locking state at given length to ensure a tension free tie down media to facilitate its placement. It can be re-engaged from the locking state to rewind the tie down media.

A loading system for a vehicle includes a buggy for transporting cargo and a mounting assembly for loading the buggy onto the vehicle. A buggy frame has an elongated member. The mounting assembly is configured to be connected to the vehicle and has a sliding rail configured to slidingly receive the elongated member of the buggy frame to allow the buggy to slide along the sliding rail. The sliding rail has a first portion and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion such that, when the mounting assembly is connected to the vehicle, the first portion extends generally horizontally and the second portion extends downwardly from the first portion. The second portion is configured to slide the buggy upwards onto the vehicle. The first portion being configured to slide the buggy generally horizontally into a loaded position on the vehicle.

A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a winch includes a bearing housing, a one way bearing having an outer ring attached to the bearing housing, a bearing hub having a cylindrical section attached to an inner ring of the one way bearing, a friction disk having a first surface adjacent a disc of the bearing hub, a crank spool having a first disk adjacent a second surface of the friction disk, a crank housing configured for rotatably retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft extending through the bearing hub, through the friction disk, and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is coupled to the crank spool, and a crank mechanism coupled to a second end of the crank shaft.

A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a winch includes a bearing housing, a one way bearing having an outer ring attached to the bearing housing, a bearing hub having a cylindrical section attached to an inner ring of the one way bearing, a friction disk having a first surface adjacent a disc of the bearing hub, a crank spool having a first disk adjacent a second surface of the friction disk, a crank housing configured for rotatably retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft extending through the bearing hub, through the friction disk, and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is coupled to the crank spool, and a crank mechanism coupled to a second end of the crank shaft.

A winch assembly (50) including: a winch shaft (12) rotatably mounted within a bracket (18) and adapted for rotation about a first axis (68); a substantially right-angled drive transferring mechanism having a drive input coupled to a manual tool engagement device and drive output coupled to the winch shaft (12), the tool engagement device adapted for rotation about a second axis (72) extending substantially radially from the first axis (68), wherein manual rotation of the tool engagement device causes rotation of the winch shaft (12); and an anti-twist bar (64) attached to the bracket (18) to reduce twist during rotation of the winch shaft (12).