Knotmeter

Claim 2

The combination comprising: a housing adapted to have an inboard position relative to a water-restraining wall; first means for sealing against water leakage when said housing is in said inboard position; second sealing means for sealing against water leakage when said housing is in said outboard position; means for inserting a water-responsive device into said housing from the dry side of said wall when said housing is in the inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water during said inserting procedure; means for removing a water-responsive device from said housing to the dry side of said wall when said housing is in said inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water during said removal procedure; means for moving said housing to said outboard position for subjecting said device to said water.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 including a longitudinal window in the sidewall of said housing; said window adapted to permit water to enter said housing when said housing is in said outboard position.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein said first and said second sealing means comprise O-rings; one O-ring being positioned to either side of said window.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 including a water responsIve device positioned in said housing; said device being exposed to water when said housing is in said outboard position.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 2 wherein said device is the sending unit of a knotmeter.

Claim 7

The combination comprising; a housing adapted to have an inboard position and an outboard position relative to th hull of a boat; said housing having a longitudinal window through its sidewall, said window being window adapted to permit water to enter said housing when said housing is in said outboard position; a bushing fixedly positioned in said hull, said bushing being adapted to permit said housing to assume said inboard and said outboard positions; first means for sealing the housing/bushing interface against water leakage when said housing is in said inboard position; second means for sealing the housing/bushing interface against water leakage when said housing is in said outboard position; a water responsive device positioned in said housing; said device being exposed to water when said housing is in said outboard position; means for sealing said housing/device interface against water leakage; means for removing said water-responsive device from said housing in the interior of said boat when said housing is in said inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water into said boat during said removal procedure; means for inserting such a water-responsive device into said housing from the interior of said boat when said housing is in said inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water into said boat during said inserting procedure.

Claim 8

The combination comprising; a housing adapted to have an inboard position and an outboard position relative to th hull of a boat; said housing having a longitudinal window through its sidewall, said window being window adapted to permit water to enter said housing when said housing is in said outboard position; a bushing fixedly positioned in said hull, said bushing being adapted to permit said housing to assume said inboard and said outboard positions; first means for sealing the housing/bushing interface against water leakage when said housing is in said inboard position; second means for sealing the housing/bushing interface against water leakage when said housing is in said outboard position; a water responsive device positioned in said housing; said device being exposed to water when said housing is in said outboard position; means for sealing said housing/device interface against water leakage; means for removing said water-responsive device from said housing in the interior of said boat when said housing is in said inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water into said boat during said removal procedure; means for inserting such a water-responsive device into said housing from the interior of said boat when said housing is in said inboard position; said first sealing means preventing ingress of water into said boat during said inserting procedure.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 wherein said water responsive device is the sending unit of a knotmeter.

Claim 10

The combination comprising: a housing adapted to have an inboard position and an outboard position relative to the hull of a boat; said housing having a window adapted to permit water to enter said housing when said housing is in said outboard position; said housing having a tubular sleeve adapted to permit said housing to assume said inboard position and said outboard position; a bushing fixedly position through said boat-hull, said bushing having a tubular sleeve adapted to encircle said tubular sleeve of said housing; said tubular sleeve of said housing being adapted to slide longitudinally in said tubular sleeve of said bushing for permitted said housing to assume said inboard and said outboard positions; means, comprising a stopping pin positioned at the end of said housing, for stopping said housing in said inboard position; means for sealing the housing sleeve/bushing sleeve interface against water leakage when said housing is in said inboard position; means for sealing the housing sleeve/bushing sleeve interface against water leakage when said housing is in said outboard position; a knotmeter sending unit, having an active element, positioned in said housing; said active element being positioned at said window of said housing; said active element of said sending unit being adapted to be exposed to water flow pattern when said housing is in said outboard position; said sending unit being protected from water flow pattern when said housing is in said inboard position; means for sealing said housing/sending unit interface against water leakage.

Claim 11

The combination comprising: a housing adapted to have an inboard position and an outboard position relative to the hull of a boat; said housing having a window adapted to permit water to enter said housing when said housing is in said outboard position; said housing having a tubular sleeve adapted to permit said housing to assume said inboard position and said outboard position; a bushing fixedly position through said boat-hull, said bushing having a tubular sleeve adapted to encircle said tubular sleeve of said housing; said tubular sleeve of said housing being adapted to slide longitudinally in said tubular sleeve of said bushing for permitted said housing to assume said inboard and said outboard positions; means, comprising a stopping pin positioned at the end of said housing, for stopping said housing in said inboard position; means for sealing the housing sleeve/bushing sleeve interface against water leakage when said housing is in said inboard position; means for sealing the housing sleeve/bushing sleeve interface against water leakage when said housing is in said outboard position; a knotmeter sending unit, having an active element, positioned in said housing; said active element being positioned at said window of said housing; said active element of said sending unit being adapted to be exposed to water flow pattern when said housing is in said outboard position; said sending unit being protected from water flow pattern when said housing is in said inboard position; means for sealing said housing/sending unit interface against water leakage.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8 including means, comprising a flange on said housing, for locking said housing against being inadvertently moved from said inboard position to said outboard position.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 8 including means, comprising an arm associated with said sending unit, for preventing said sending unit from being inadvertently withdrawn from said housing when said housing is in said outboard position.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 8 including means, comprising a water fin, for producing a laminar water flow pattern adjacent said window when said housing is in said outboard position.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 8 including means for protecting said housing against external damage when said housing is in said outboard position.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprise O-rings.