Abstract: Embodiments seek to protect privacy of potentially sensitive client resources in web transactions using crowd-disambiguation. Crowd-disambiguation machines can aggregate information about resources from multiple clients as resource fingerprints, and can use the fingerprints to provide crowd-sourced services in a privacy-protected manner. For example, embodiments can communicate a resource fingerprint as a fully ambiguated resource instance (FARI) and a partially disambiguated resource instance (PDRI). When one (or few) clients communicates the resource fingerprint, the identity of the resource remains obfuscated from the crowd-disambiguation machine. As more clients communicate fingerprints for the same resource (e.g., identified by the matching FARIs), respective, differently generated PDRIs of those fingerprints enable the crowd-disambiguation machine to resolve further portions of the resource, ultimately permitting the resource to be revealed and considered non-private (e.g.

Abstract: A device for heat exchange for use with underwater diving equipment including a pressurized gas source is disclosed. The heat exchange device includes a manifold and a heat sink. The manifold distributes gas supplied from the pressurized gas source to breathing equipment. The heat sink is for warming up the gas before the gas is distributed to the breathing equipment using heat exchange with ambient water surrounding the heat sink. The manifold and the heat sink are connected such that the gas warmed up by the heat sink returns to the manifold before being distributed to the breathing equipment. The returning warm gas may warm up the manifold and the cold gas entering the manifold.

Abstract: A device for heat exchange for use with underwater diving equipment including a pressurized gas source is disclosed. The heat exchange device includes a manifold and a heat sink. The manifold distributes gas supplied from the pressurized gas source to breathing equipment. The heat sink is for warming up the gas before the gas is distributed to the breathing equipment using heat exchange with ambient water surrounding the heat sink. The manifold and the heat sink are connected such that the gas warmed up by the heat sink returns to the manifold before being distributed to the breathing equipment. The returning warm gas may warm up the manifold and the cold gas entering the manifold.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensating device is disclosed. The buoyancy compensating device includes an air chamber for containing gas for controlling buoyancy, a vent valve for releasing the gas from the air chamber, a tube secured to a shoulder strap of the buoyancy compensating device, and a pull knob for operating the vent valve. The pull knob includes a head piece and an elongated tail piece extending from the head piece. The tail piece is extended into the tube and connected to the vent valve. The tail piece is configured to reside in the tube while the pull knob is pulled by the diver for opening the vent valve. The tail piece may be connected to a pull cord which is then connected to the vent valve. Alternatively, the tail piece may be directly connected to the vent valve.

Abstract: A weight system for divers employs both an interior and an exterior weight pocket. The interior weight pocket is secured at the interior distal end of the exterior weight pocket. The attachment point is a post at the interior end of the weight pocket. The weight pouch hangs from this post and is secured in the exterior weight pocket. The release force is more precisely controlled with a coil spring. More control of the opening force translates to reliability of operation and safety of the weight releasing mechanism. The weight pouch is also more precisely guided into and out of the exterior weight pocket and the lock mechanism is self-centering, allowing easy assembly or disassembly of the weight pouch into and out of the exterior weight pocket.

Abstract: A weight system for divers employs both an interior and an exterior weight pocket. The interior weight pocket is secured at the interior distal end of the exterior weight pocket. The attachment point is a post at the interior end of the weight pocket. The weight pouch hangs from this post and is secured in the exterior weight pocket. The release force is more precisely controlled with a coil spring. More control of the opening force translates to reliability of operation and safety of the weight releasing mechanism. The weight pouch is also more precisely guided into and out of the exterior weight pocket and the lock mechanism is self-centering, allowing easy assembly or disassembly of the weight pouch into and out of the exterior weight pocket.

Abstract: In an air cell of a buoyancy compensator an outer protective bag has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic material are each juxtaposed adjacent a panel of non-elastomeric material. The elastic panels are spaced at a distance of each other such that during expansion when the elastic panels are at their limit, there is still an adjacent layer of non-elastomeric protective material. If a sharp object penetrates the elastic panel, it will not puncture the inner air cell unless it can also pierce the protective bag non-elastic layer.

Abstract: In an air cell of a buoyancy compensator an outer protective bag has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic material are each juxtaposed adjacent a panel of non-elastomeric material. The elastic panels are spaced at a distance of each other such that during expansion when the elastic panels are at their limit, there is still an adjacent layer of non-elastomeric protective material. If a sharp object penetrates the elastic panel, it will not puncture the inner air cell unless it can also pierce the protective bag non-elastic layer.

Abstract: A buckle assembly especially for use in securing gas cylinders such as scuba air tanks to a diver's backpack. A ratcheting feature of the buckle eliminates the need to reposition the buckle position to lengthen or shorten the band. The band in a preferred embodiment, is separated into two separate portions, but could be also one continuous element eliminating two separate attachments to the backpack. One belt portion is attached to the buckle at one end and is fixed to the backpack at the other end. The other belt portion contains the teeth at one end for receiving the buckle and the other end is fixed to the backpack. To secure the tank into the backpack, the tank is placed into the desired position, then the toothed end of the belt is placed into the receiving end of the buckle. The buckle is open to its longest position. The band end containing the teeth is slid into the ratchet portion of the buckle until it is tight.

Abstract: The weights in a buoyancy compensating device are placed in a pouch or pocket immediately beneath the air cell. The pocket is essentially a non-air holding extension of the buoyancy bag. In this manner, the center of gravity is now moved back, more directly in line with the center of the buoyancy bag. The buoyant forces act to directly counter the forces of the ballast weights. The improved device is more balanced in the water, very comfortable and requires less energy to maintain a diver's selected orientation in the water. The weight holding pockets can be constructed with varying degrees of stiffness relative to the air cell. The weights react to gravity and shift forward or back a few degrees depending upon whether the diver is on his back or on his stomach. The center of gravity shifts to be more in harmony with the diver's desired attitude.

Abstract: A dive mask having a pair of replaceable lenses comprises a soft, flexible skirt for bearing against the diver's face, an inner lens frame having a pair of openings for receiving the lenses and a peripheral member integrally molded into the skirt for permanent retention therein and a removable outer lens frame having a pair of lens openings and a peripheral member shaped to bear against the lenses adjacent the skirt. A sealing gasket is preferable molded into the inner lens frame along the lens openings to prevent water leakage into the face side of the lenses.

Abstract: Inflator regulator having a threaded sleeve and a plurality of different size adapters for connection to a plurality of different size BC hoses. Connecting the inflator regulator to a selected BC hose is accommodated by selecting the corresponding size adapter. The selected adapter is inserted concentrically through the threaded sleeve and then mechanically affixed, such as by a plastic cable tie, to the end of the BC hose. The sleeve is then threaded onto the inflator regulator. In the event that it is desired to connect to a different size BC hose, the above process is simply reversed and repeated using an appropriately selected different adapter.

Abstract: Inflator regulator having a threaded sleeve and a plurality of different size adapters for connection to a plurality of different size BC hoses. Connecting the inflator regulator to a selected BC hose is accommodated by selecting the corresponding size adapter. The selected adapter is inserted concentrically through the threaded sleeve and then mechanically affixed, such as by a plastic cable tie, to the end of the BC hose. The sleeve is then threaded onto the inflator regulator. In the event that it is desired to connect to a different size BC hose, the above process is simply reversed and repeated using an appropriately selected different adapter.

Abstract: A one-hand operated strap buckle capable of withstanding high forces and yet simple to operate and easily connected to a post and disconnected from a post. In a preferred embodiment, the buckle comprises upper and lower cases, the latter forming a slot for receiving a post with a flat head. When connected to a post, the buckle is secured to the post by a pair of swing arms terminating at locking hooks. The position of the swing arms is normally closed, but may be readily altered to an open position by a pair of opposed spring-loaded release tabs which when compressed toward one another, open the swing arms and separate the locking hooks. The buckle of the invention also comprises a strap release which is spring-loaded and normally engages the teeth of a strap by employing a spring-loaded catch which can be rotated away from the strap with tilting of the strap release around a fulcrum bearing.

Abstract: A second stage scuba pressure regulator having a valve seat and a floating piston that is free to travel axially within adjustable limits in relationship to the valve seat. Upon pressurization, the piston is pneumatically actuated to make contact with a valve seat set to a pre-adjusted contact interference. Upon depressurization, the piston is free to retract away from the valve seat to a position of no or minimal contact which will prevent long term deformation of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: An improved second stage regulator employs a pneumatically-activated anti-set poppet and inhalation resistance adjustment control knob accessible externally of the regulator. The anti-set poppet utilizes a pressure-activated compression spring to seal the air inlet during exhalation. When the regulator is stored, the relaxed spring permits the seal to withdraw from the sharp edge orifice of the air inlet thereby avoiding seal wear which would otherwise diminish the performance of the regulator. The adjustment control knob permits the diver to modify the required cracking effort by changing the amount of spring compression when the regulator is pressurized.

Abstract: A diver's buoyancy compensator that allows greater design freedom in the placement of the air-containing buoyancy chambers to better suit the needs of the diver. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four distinct surfaces, two of which make up the two halves of a floatation chamber that provides primarily back mounted floatation and the other two of which provide the chamber for more forward front mounted floatation under the arms and over the shoulder. After the two halves of each such chamber are joined to one another, the chambers are joined to each other with interchamber passageways providing free passage of air into both bladder chambers, whereby inflation and deflation in both chambers occur substantially simultaneously through a single valve or hose which may be connected to either such chamber.

Abstract: A low air warning system for scuba divers in which a pressure switch and an electromagnetic transmitter are positioned at or near the high pressure air supply tank of the scuba diver and a corresponding electromagnetic receiver is positioned on the diver's mask. A plenum extending from the receiver, provides a pair of LED light indicators of two different colors which also oscillate at different frequencies, depending upon the condition of the pressure switch in response to the supply of air in the diver's air supply tank. A unique electromagnetic transmission and receiving system is disclosed which relies upon magnetic induction between a high Q transmitting antenna and a high Q receiving antenna in the form of LC tank circuits. One of the novelties of the present invention is the use of frequency modulation and the use of distinct modulating tone frequencies which produce one or the other of two signals to activate one or the other of two LEDs of different colors and at different activation frequencies.

Abstract: An integral floatation or buoyancy compensating device and weight assemblies for divers. The buoyancy compensating device provides an integral back pack which is used to support the air tank of a conventional scuba diving type. At least one and preferably two quick release weights are mechanically attached to the buoyancy compensating device usually at an integral waistband and worn around the waist similar to conventional hip style weights, but are individually releasable by a quick release mechanism from the waistband rather than normally jettisoning an entire band. The band to which the weights are attached are an integral lower extension of the buoyancy compensator or buoyancy compensating device. Weight release is simple and one handed with no band to entangle or become entrapped beneath the tank or other piece of equipment normally worn by the diver. Weight location is set about the waist near the hands when in a relaxed position. Weight release is effected by a simple grasping and squeezing action.