Robert F Wheeler

US Patent:

6957620, Oct 25, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/905370

Inventors:

Robert L. Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL, US

International Classification:

B63B001/34

US Classification:

114 67A

Abstract:

A drag-reducing air chamber is formed under a watercraft when the watercraft is underway. Air enters into the air chamber when the watercraft is moving forward. Supplemental air is introduced into the air chamber by an air scoop mounted to the bow in a first embodiment and in side-mounted air scoops in another embodiment. A one-way valve in an air passageway between the air scoop and the air chamber prevents air from flowing from the air chamber to the air scoop. A pair of elongate rails depends from opposite sides of the hull and defines the sides of the air chamber. Shorter rails may be used in high-speed applications where the bow of the watercraft is lifted from the water.

US Patent:

6981460, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/707590

Inventors:

Robert L Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL, US
Walter Crowley - Oak Harbor WA, US

International Classification:

B63B 1/34

US Classification:

114 67A, 114288

Abstract:

A rigid concavity is formed in the underside of a hull of a water craft. Air enters into the concavity when the water craft is moving forward. Supplemental air is introduced into the concavity by an air scoop mounted to the bow. A one-way valve in an air passageway between the air scoop and the concavity prevents air from flowing from the concavity to the air scoop. A first stern plate mounted at a slight downward angle causes air to flow under the stern in the form of small bubbles and increases the back pressure presented to the flow of water and air through the concavity. A pair of adjustably mounted stern plates may also be provided on opposite sides of the motor to control the amount of back pressure. The airflow through the rigid concavity reduces drag so that the water craft can travel at higher speeds.

US Patent:

50071092, Apr 16, 1991

Filed:

Oct 20, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/425617

Inventors:

Robert L. Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL

International Classification:

A42B 106

US Classification:

2 10

Abstract:

A flexible transparent lens that may be darkened to substantially block passage of bright sunlight is releasably or fixedly secured to the underside of a bill of an article of headwear such as a cap. In a first embodiment, buckles are affixed to the upper opposite corners of the lens and complemental snaps are affixed to the opposite rear corners of the bill. The lens follows the contour of the trailing edge of the bill when the snaps and buckles are engaged to one another. The top edge of the lens is spaced forwardly of its bottom edge when the lens is in its bowed configuration so that the bottom edge is closely spaced to the face of the individual wearing the head gear to thereby minimize the amount of sunlight reflected into the individual's eyes from reflective clothing and other sources of reflected sunlight. In another embodiment, the lens is riveted or stapled into position. In all embodiments, the lens may be clear or darkened.

US Patent:

58429573, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Aug 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/916965

Inventors:

Robert L. Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL

International Classification:

A63B 21008
A63B 21072

US Classification:

482111

Abstract:

An aquatic exercise device for use by an exerciser standing in a natural or man-made body of water. The device includes containers that fill with water when immersed and which have drainage openings formed in them so that they drain when lifted out of the body of water. The exercise device may include a single container that is lifted from the body of water by a pulley and cable mechanism, or it may include a single container connected to a rigid bar, mid-length of the bar, or it may be provided in the form of a barbell or a dumbbell having water containers at opposite ends of a rigid bar. In all embodiments, the flow rate of water draining from the container or containers may be adjusted to a flow rate selected by the exerciser. In the barbell, dumbbell, and central container embodiments, the containers are rotatably and eccentrically mounted with respect to an elongate or short or medium length bar, respectively, so that they invert when initially immersed and return to their repose position when lifted from the body of water, aligning the drain holes of the containers in their respective proper positions so that the containers drain at the same rate when lifted out of the water. The size, number and location of the fill and drainage openings may be varied.

US Patent:

45327319, Aug 6, 1985

Filed:

Mar 25, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/478682

Inventors:

Robert Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL

International Classification:

A01K 9104
A01K 9300

US Classification:

43 4313

Abstract:

A trolling depth adjusting device is disclosed which includes a vane having a forward corner with a first hole and the aftward corner having a second hole. The device further includes a principal line passing from the upward facing surface of the vane, slideably through the forward corner to the underside of the vane and then passing from the underside, slideably through the aftward corner and terminating in a lower end connected to a fishing hook. The device further includes a weight slideably mounting on the principal line and unique adjustable stop mounted on the principal line between the lower end thereof and the second hole in the vane. The weight forces the vane to slide downwardly on the principal line toward the stop when the tension between the trolling line and the hook is relatively low, causing the vane to be disposed at an acute attack angle with respect to the pulling force direction of the trolling line, enabling the vane to apply a downwardly directed reactive force on the trolling line as the vane is pulled through the water. The principal line forces the vane to slide upwardly when the tension between the trolling line and the hook is relatively high, causing the vane to become parallel with the pulling force direction of the trolling line, enabling the vane to apply a lower reactive force on the trolling line as the vane is pulled through the water. In this manner, the fish may be retrieved with less tension on the vane.

US Patent:

44281455, Jan 31, 1984

Filed:

Aug 10, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/291317

Inventors:

Robert Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL

International Classification:

A01K 9704
A01K 6302
B65D 2108

US Classification:

43 55

Abstract:

A shrimp bait container is disclosed which includes a plurality of stacked trays, with each tray storing live shrimp bait in a water medium. Each tray is substantially a frusto-pyramidal shaped housing having four sides and a bottom, composed of a relatively thick, thermally insulating material. The sides extend upwardly and outwardly from the bottom and are inclined so that the outer surfaces thereof for an upper one of the trays will mate with the inner surfaces thereof for an adjacent, lower one of the trays, forming an enclosed volume for storing the water medium containing the shrimp bait. The bottom of each tray has a perforation therethrough. An adjustable water depth controlling pipe is slideably mounted in substantial vertical orientation in the perforation in the bottom of each housing, having a height above the bottom which can be vertically adjusted and through which water within the enclosed volume may overflow, thus defining the depth of the water. The shrimp bait contained in the water medium can thus be preserved alive in the thermally insulated environment. Overcrowding of the live shrimp can be avoided by selectively adjusting the depth of the water in each tray so as to be shallow enough to prevent the shrimp from smothering one another, consistent with their segregated size and species.

US Patent:

48860077, Dec 12, 1989

Filed:

Jul 27, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/224644

Inventors:

Robert L. Wheeler - Indian Rocks Beach FL

International Classification:

B63H 910

US Classification:

114102

Abstract:

Apparatus that maintains a sailboat sail in a position where maximum power is derived from the wind. The apparatus includes a wind vane that responds to directional changes in the wind and sends an electrical signal to a motor that adjusts sail-positioning lines as needed. The new position of the sail is communicated to the wind vane and the motor is shut off.