Abstract: A device is provided for locking a front end of a spear shaft in a spear gun. The device comprises a bridge extending crosswise over a distal end of the gun with a substantially U-shaped nosepiece joined to the distal end and revolving relatively freely about a crosswise axis thereof. The nosepiece includes at least two arms connected to respective ends of a relatively elastic cable that may be tensioned against a rear end of the shaft, when the shaft is placed on a support surface along the body of the gun. The bridge is attached to and integrally with the ends of the elastic cable and is located a selected distance from the support surface such that the shaft is retained against the surface when the spear is in a stowed or loaded position.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting noxious odors of a user's foot. The composition comprises an active ingredient of elemental sulfur, preferably in a micronized state, applied to an article to be deodorized, such as socks, stockings or other textile or footwear article intended to come into direct or indirect contact with the user's foot. The active ingredient may be combined with other substances in an effort to achieve stable adherence to the article and, thereby, provide lasting release of the active ingredient over time, even after subsequent cleaning of the article.

Abstract: A device is provided for releasing a spear shaft of a spear gun for scuba diving or the like. The shaft has a latch element formed on a first lever pivotally connected at its front end to a screw attached to and integrally with a frame of the gun, the lever being maintained elastically in a resting position. The gun has a trigger with an abutment portion forced elastically against the front end of the first lever extending forward of a convex upper surface. The convex upper surface intersects a concave surface at an edge that traces a first circular trajectory when the trigger is rotated. A second lever is rotatably connected to the frame, the front end of the second lever being movable along a second circular trajectory intersecting the first circular trajectory.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating an endothelium reflection microscope. The apparatus includes an optical head, which comprises: (i) an illuminating system, (ii) a frontal eye observation optical system along a central channel in which an alignment-use light spot is received and imaged by a camera having a digital optical sensor, and (iii) an enlarged-imaging optical system for enlarged observation or photographing of the subject part by the digital camera. The apparatus further comprises a motor for operating the optical head, and a CPU controller for automatically controlling the motor, the illuminating system and the frontal eye observation optical system.

Abstract: A scuba diving mask with corrective lenses comprising a frame with a plurality of rings joined to one another by a bridge, each of the rings having an internal flange on which the lip of a flexible skirt, a corresponding lens and a lens-retaining collar rest. The collar is attached by snap action to the corresponding ring. A seat is formed in a bridge substantially in the lying plane of, or coplanar with, the lenses and extending laterally to an upper internal portion of the rings. The seat includes a locking plate slidable between opposing end stroke positions - a locking end position and a release end positions respectively. When the locking plate is in the locking position, the lateral sides of the plate extend inside the rings and are engaged with corresponding notches in an upper internal rim of the lens-retaining collars.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgery device for the insertion and recovery of a haemostatic plug at the surgical site. The device comprises a tubular body suitable for slidingly housing the plug, and a plunger slidingly engageable within the tubular body so as to push the plug outside the body, and to position it at the surgical site. The plug is connected to a locator that is radio-opaque, has a suitable color, and has a specific weight that allows it to float relative to the internal organs, blood or other fluids present at the surgical site. A loop is provided at a distal end of the plunger and at a proximal end of the plunger, a first handle is provided for actuating the plunger so as to grip the ball and recover the plug after use by retracting the plunger inside the tubular body.

Abstract: An adjustable holster securement device which comprises a loop attachment for securing a holster to the belt of a user, a connection plate to which the holster is attached, and an articulated joint for connecting the loop attachment to the connection plate in an articulated manner. The articulated joint preferably comprises two substantially U-shaped members pivotably engaged with respective seatings on opposite sides thereof. The seatings are generally coaxial with, parallel to and integral with, respectively, the loop attachment and connection plate. At least one tie-rod is also provided, acting generally parallel to the seatings, for connecting the substantially U-shaped members to one another as well as a device for locking the articulated joint arranged between the substantially U-shaped members and the seating, the device being operable by the tie-rods to control locking and release of the articulated joint.

Abstract: A linear multiple feeder for use with an apparatus for automatically positioning surface-mounted devices (SMDs) collected from a tape wound on a reel. The tape has a protective film coating removably attached thereto, for enabling the device to be picked-up. The feeder comprises a support structure, a plurality of reels of tape carrying the device or component rotatably mounted to the structure, motor-driven wheels for retrieving the protective film being detached from the tape to expose those devices or components that are ready for collection, and a plurality of relatively parallel lanes on the support structure. Also provided is a device for forward linear delivery of the tape along the lanes. The lanes are provided with respective elements for separating the film coating entrained axially by the film-retrieving wheels in a direction opposite to that of delivery of the corresponding tape, thereby detaching the film coating from the tape as the latter moves forward.

Abstract: An optical cavity is combined with non-linear optical crystals and a laser source to generate light radiation at a frequency about 1.5 times the frequency of the initial laser source while having a wavelength 2/3 that of the initial laser source. The optical cavity comprises mirrors of relatively high reflectivity for optical radiation at a frequency of F/2, superior transmission for radiation at a frequency of 3/2*F to extract the final radiation and mirrors with relatively immediate or high reflectivity, or generally high transmission for radiation at a frequency F. The effective optical length of the cavity is precisely tunable by operating at least one of the mirrors that form the cavity.

Abstract: A closure device of a second-stage regulator for scuba divers, the regulator comprising a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at relatively constant pressure, an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of the users, and an opening closed by a deformable diaphragm. The device comprises a locking frame connected in an articulated manner or jointedly to the regulator body to lock the diaphragm in the opening, and a member for fastening the frame to the regulator body.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a pedestal, a seat supported by the pedestal, and at least two handle members mounted to opposing sides of the pedestal, to be gripped generally at their top end by a user oriented relative to the seat. The pedestal has a curved base for permitting rocking movement of the pedestal about a substantially intermediate axis, generally orthogonal to opposing sides on which the handle members are placed. The handle members preferably include bar-shaped structures hinged to the pedestal via respective ball joints.

Abstract: A device for releasably connecting a weight pouch to a pocket of a scuba diving jacket. The device comprises a relatively flat sheath connected to and integrally with the diving jacket. A latch member is attached to the weight pouch, the latch member having arms that are elastically deformable in a plane of the sheath and sides tapered relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the sheath to provide snap closure when the latch member is inserted in the sheath. An inward ly-projecting abutment inside the sheath engages ends of the arms when the device is in a closed position, thereby preventing the latch member from sliding out of the sheath. A member is provided for bending the arms of the latch member so as to release them from a position such that they meet the abutment and enable the device to be opened. The bending member includes a cap slidingly mounted on the latch member and contains tapered projections for engaging the tapered sides of the arms.

Abstract: A swimming fin comprising a blade extending from a shoe open at its rear side, and a rear heel strap connected to the sides of the shoe by at least one buckle, the buckle having a base plate integral with the shoe. A buckle arm is joined with connected to the strap so as to allow adjustment of the strap's tension, an intermediate lever being connected pivotally to the base plate and the arm. A reversible attachment member is also provided for connecting the intermediate lever to the base plate to achieve closure of the buckle. Between the intermediate lever and the base plate, a disengageable articulation member is provided for reciprocal engagement between them, a pivotal connection, and, at the same time, for allowing their separation in a direction opposite that of tensioning the strap. In this manner, the intermediate lever may be separated from the base plate following release of the attachment member, and disconnection of the disengageable articulation member.