Abstract: A personal cooling device with a network of tubular members, each tubular member having an inner surface defining a flowpath, an outer surface, and at least two channels extending between the flowpath and the outer surface. The network has an inlet. The at least two channels of each tubular member have differently-sized volumes, with the channels having the larger volumes closer to the network inlet than the channels having the smaller volumes. The device also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a length of connection tubing in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the network of tubular members.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a network of tubular members, each tubular member having an inner surface defining a flowpath, an outer surface, and at least one channel extending between the flowpaths and the outer surface, wherein said network has an inlet; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; and a length of connection tubing in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the network of tubing members.

Abstract: A fish hook remover for humanely removing a hook from a fish is particularly useful for catch-and-release fishing. The fish hook remover has a handle for a user to manipulate, a hook engagement member, and two rods which connect the handle and the hook engagement member. These connections are located such that the hook remover acts similar to a four-bar linkage. When the handle, forming one side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated one direction, the hook engagement member, forming the opposing side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated the same direction, thereby allowing the user to remotely control the motion of the hook engagement member. The hook engagement member has a channel running through it. An opening in the hook engagement member allows the user to insert the fishing line which is then used as a guide to properly place the fish hook remover. The hook engagement member is slid downward until the fish hook slides into a notch located in the bottom of the hook engagement member.

Abstract: A fishing rod controlling device has four general sections: a leg pad, a curve section, a rod holder, and a belt. The fishing rod controller may be constructed by post-forming a section of plastic pipe. In the section of the controller that forms the leg pad, the pipe is split and spread apart far enough to allow the user's leg to rest within the curve. Above the leg pad and just below the curve, is a belt attachment. The controller is slit on both sides so belting material may be run through the slits. The belt is fit around the user's waist. Above the belt, the rod controller curves outward (away from the body of the user). The uppermost section of the rod controller is the rod holder. This section is a hollow cylindrical section of the pipe which is left unaltered in the basic version of the rod controller. It is within the cavity in the rod holder section that the rod is placed.

Abstract: A fishing rod controlling device has four general sections: a leg pad, a curve section, a rod holder, and a belt. The fishing rod controller may be constructed by post-forming a section of plastic pipe. In the section of the controller that forms the leg pad, the pipe is split and spread apart far enough to allow the user's leg to rest within the curve. Above the leg pad and just below the curve, is a belt attachment. The controller is slit on both sides so belting material may be run through the slits. The belt is fit around the user's waist. Above the belt, the rod controller curves outward (away from the body of the user). The uppermost section of the rod controller is the rod holder. This section is a hollow cylindrical section of the pipe which is left unaltered in the basic version of the rod controller. It is within the cavity in the rod holder section that the rod is placed.

Abstract: A fish hook remover for humanely removing a hook from a fish is particularly useful for catch-and-release fishing. The fish hook remover has a handle for a user to manipulate, a hook engagement member, and two rods which connect the handle and the hook engagement member. These connections are located such that the hook remover acts similar to a four-bar linkage. When the handle, forming one side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated one direction, the hook engagement member, forming the opposing side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated the same direction, thereby allowing the user to remotely control the motion of the hook engagement member. The hook engagement member has a channel running through it. An opening in the hook engagement member allows the user to insert the fishing line which is then used as a guide to properly place the fish hook remover. The hook engagement member is slid downward until the fish hook slides into a notch located in the bottom of the hook engagement member.

Abstract: A self releasing hook is designed to work with a sliding sleeve that holds the hook in the straight position while fishing. These hooks have a straight. The eye of the hook is located on the outer edge of the hook at approximately the middle of the arcuate section. The hook in combination with the sliding sleeve complete the self releasing rig. After the angler catches the fish, the fish is removed by pulling the custom sleeve forward either by hand, trip rod or tag line. When the sleeve clears the shank of the hook, the hook is rotated by pulling on the main line which rotates the hook at the eye. When the hook has reached approximately 140-160 degrees, it releases itself from the flesh of the fish. By using barbless hooks or hooks with the barb on the back side of the bend, the hooks will release quickly and freely, with the minimum possible amount of damage to the fish. Also disclosed are throat blocking sleeves which extend outward from the arcuate portion of the hook.

Abstract: A shoelace tightening device which is an elongated, flat rigid plastic body with passages or holes in each end running parallel to the flat plane. The first passage is located near one end. The other passage is more elongated and located near the opposite end. The device is used by loosely threading the shoelaces through the passages, tying the ends of the shoelaces in a secure knot, pulling the shoe lacer up and away from the foot, rotating the top end of the shoe lacer up and over until the shoe lacer has been rotated 180 degrees, and centering the shoe lacer over the remaining laces. This effectively tightens the laces by increasing the distance the lace must travel. This allows a user to secure or release his/her foot from the shoe without tying or untying the lace.

Abstract: An inflator device which, when attached to a plastic bag, creates a highly efficient air pump for inflating air-inflatable objects, such as boats, air mattresses and inflatable toys. The inflator has a tubular body with a one-way air valve inside of it. One end of the tubular body has a bag attachment fitting with a threaded cap for attaching the device to a plastic bag. The other end has a tapered inflation fitting for inserting into the inflation valve of an inflatable object. To operate the inflator device, the bag attachment fitting is attached to the closed end of a plastic bag and the inflation fitting is inserted into the inflation valve of the object to be inflated. The user fills the plastic bag with air, then closes the end of the bag to trap the air inside. The user presses on the plastic bag with his hands or his body to force the trapped air into the inflatable object. This two-step operation is repeated until the object is fully inflated.