Abstract: A scupper plug with a one-way valve is provided. The scupper plug permits one-way flow of water through a scupper drain so that water will drain through the scupper drain but not flow back up through the drain and into the passenger area of a water vessel. The scupper plug has a frame that carries a valve structure. A valve member is mounted to the valve structure. The valve member sealingly engages the frame to form a seal therewith.

Abstract: A scupper plug with a one-way valve is provided. The scupper plug permits one-way flow of water through a scupper drain so that water will drain through the scupper drain but not flow back up through the drain and into the passenger area of a water vessel. The scupper plug has a frame that carries a valve structure. A valve member is mounted to the valve structure. The valve member sealingly engages the frame to form a seal therewith.

Abstract: A snorkel including a mouthpiece, a tube and a sealing member is disclosed. The tube extends from the mouthpiece and includes a first end proximate the mouthpiece, a second end and at least one internal passageway having a port proximate the second end. The sealing member is slidably coupled to the tube proximate the second end and is sealed about the tube. The sealing member moves between a closed position in which the member occludes the port and an open position in which the port is open. The sealing member has an interior in communication with the at least one internal passageway when the sealing member is in the closed position. In the exemplary embodiment, the sealing member is sealed to the tube via a flexible membrane. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible membrane preferably includes a bellows.

Abstract: A portable shelter is disclosed. The portable shelter includes a canopy and a frame supporting the canopy. The frame of the portable shelter includes a plurality of support poles and a plurality of cross poles. Each cross pole of the portable shelter is pivotally coupled between adjacent support poles for rotation about an axis parallel to the support poles. Each support pole moves between an extended position in which the support pole extends perpendicular to the cross poles and a collapsed position in which the support pole extends along the cross poles.

Abstract: A foot brace system for use with a watercraft includes an elongated track, configured to be coupled to the watercraft, and a carriage. The track has the first one of a detent and a detent engaging surface. The carriage has a brace, which is slidably coupled to the track, and a retaining member that is carried by and pivotably coupled to the brace. The brace has a foot rest surface, and the retaining member has the second one of the detent and the detent engaging surface. The second one of the detent and the detent engaging surface pivots between a first position, in which the detent and the detent engaging surface are in engagement locking the carriage to the track, and a second position, in which the detent and the detent engaging surface are out of engagement allowing the carriage to be moved relative to the track.

Abstract: A snorkel including a mouthpiece, a tube and a sealing member is disclosed. The tube extends from the mouthpiece and includes a first end proximate the mouthpiece, a second end and at least one internal passageway having a port proximate the second end. The sealing member is slidably coupled to the tube proximate the second end and is sealed about the tube. The sealing member moves between a closed position in which the member occludes the port and an open position in which the port is open. The sealing member has an interior in communication with the at least one internal passageway when the sealing member is in the closed position. In the exemplary embodiment, the sealing member is sealed to the tube via a flexible membrane. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible membrane preferably includes a bellows.

Abstract: A foot brace system for use with a watercraft includes an elongated track, configured to be coupled to the watercraft, and a carriage. The track has the first one of a detent and a detent engaging surface. The carriage has a brace, which is slidably coupled to the track, and a retaining member that is carried by and pivotably coupled to the brace. The brace has a foot rest surface, and the retaining member has the second one of the detent and the detent engaging surface. The second one of the detent and the detent engaging surface pivots between a first position, in which the detent and the detent engaging surface are in engagement locking the carriage to the track, and a second position, in which the detent and the detent engaging surface are out of engagement allowing the carriage to be moved relative to the track.

Abstract: A trolling motor for a boat includes a motor tube, a steering control, a propulsion unit, a support assembly, and a coupling mechanism. The propulsion unit is coupled to a lower end of the motor tube. The support assembly is coupled to the motor tube and is configured to connect the trolling motor to the boat. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the support, the motor tube and the steering control and is configured to provide a non-uniform steering ratio between the steering control and the motor tube in response to angular displacement of the steering control.

Abstract: A tent with a retractable fly and a method for selectively adjusting the fly from inside the tent is disclosed. The tent includes a shell, a frame configured to support the shell, and a sheet adjustably coupled to the tent. The sheet may adjust between a substantially extended position and a substantially retracted position by a person inside of the tent. The method includes providing a cord having a first end attached to the fly and a second end disposed inside the tent, and actuating the position of the fly by adjusting the length of cord disposed inside the tent.

Abstract: The apparel includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first continuous member and a second continuous member. The front portion is configured to extend along a wearer's chest while the rear portion is configured to extend along the wearer's back. The first continuous member and the second continuous member extend between the front portion and the rear portion across the wearer's shoulders when the apparel is worn. The first continuous member and the second continuous member further slidably extend along one or both of the front portion and the rear portion. The first continuous member and the second continuous member each also extend between the front portion and the rear portion along the wearer's side when the apparel is worn. The first continuous member and the second continuous member each have an adjustable length.

Abstract: A canopy structure includes a plurality of support beams and a plurality of flexible connecting panels therebetween. Each of the plurality of support beams is formed by an elongate spine extending along an arc and first and second tension panels extending from the strip non-parallel to one another. The connecting panels extend between and interconnect the first and second tension panels of adjacent support beams, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, each support beam includes a sleeve between the first and second tension panels, wherein the sleeve removably receives the spine. Each spine preferably comprises a strip that has a longitudinal length and a transverse width extending in a plane, wherein the strip is resiliently flexible in a direction non-parallel the plane and inflexible in a direction parallel to the plane and wherein the strip is arcuately deformed along its longitudinal length when inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: The apparel includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first continuous member and a second continuous member. The front portion is configured to extend along a wearer's chest while the rear portion is configured to extend along the wearer's back. The first continuous member and the second continuous member extend between the front portion and the rear portion across the wearer's shoulders when the apparel is worn. The first continuous member and the second continuous member further slidably extend along one or both of the front portion and the rear portion. The first continuous member and the second continuous member each also extend between the front portion and the rear portion along the wearer's side when the apparel is worn. The first continuous member and the second continuous member each have an adjustable length.

Abstract: An inflatable shelter includes a flexible membrane, a first elongate inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane and a second elongated inflatable tube supported by the flexible membrane. The first tube has first and second axial ends and a first intermediate portion between the first and second axial ends. The second tube has third and fourth axial ends and a second intermediate portion between the third and fourth axial ends. The first, second, third and fourth axial ends terminate in a plane. The first and second intermediate portions converge towards one another such that the first and second tubes form four legs supporting the membrane. The flexible membrane preferably includes first and second sleeves defining first and second lumens receiving the first and second inflatable tubes, respectively, and a plurality of wall panels coupled to and extending between the first and second sleeves.

Abstract: A motor for use with an alternating current electrical outlet includes a retaining member, a rotor and a nutational actuator for nutating the rotor. The retaining member has at least one circumferential surface extending about an axis. The rotor is located adjacent to the retaining member and includes a magnet. The rotary actuator includes at least one magnetic member proximate the rotor, an electrically conductive coil about the at least one magnetic member and a plug having first and second prongs electrically connected to first and second ends of the coil. When the prongs are inserted into the electrical outlet, the alternating current flowing through the coil causes the rotor to nutate about the axis defined by the retaining member. In one exemplary embodiment, the rotor has a center of mass such that the rotor gyrates about the center of mass in response to alternating electrical currents flowing through the coil.

Abstract: A receptacle compression system includes a receptacle enclosing an internal volume. The receptacle includes the bottom panel having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides and a top panel opposite the bottom panel. The top panel includes an opening therethrough. The receptacle further includes first and second side panels coupled to the first and second sides of the bottom panel, respectively, and extending towards the top panel. The first and second side panels each have a rigid perimeter extending from the bottom panel. The receptacle compression system further includes first and second compression straps. The first compression strap is connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel and is configured to extend across the opening so as to be connected to the other of the first side panel and the second side panel.

Abstract: A load support system for carrying a load on a user's back includes a load support, first and second user engaging surfaces, and first and second arms extending between the load support and the first and second user-engaging surfaces, respectively. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane when worn. The first and second user-engaging surfaces are configured to engage the user on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel at first and second spaced locations along a first axis on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to a transverse plane of the user. The first arm further includes a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface.

Abstract: A shoulder support assembly is provided for a load carrying system having a load support structure. The shoulder support assembly includes a pair of shoulder support structures. Each shoulder support structure includes a first piece and a second piece pivotally coupled to the first piece. The first piece is adapted to extend around a user's shoulder and has a pivotal connection at a lower end. The second piece is coupled to the lower end of the first piece at the pivotal connection. Each shoulder support structure further includes pads removably connected to the first and second pieces. In addition, the suspension system has a sternum strap disposed between and mounted to the pair of shoulder support structures at the pivotal connections.

Abstract: A pack compression system includes a pack enclosing an internal volume, a closing mechanism, and first and second compression mechanisms. The pack has a top, a bottom, a back panel extending between the top and bottom, an adapter for being positioned proximate the user's back, and a front panel opposite the back panel. The front panel includes an opening longitudinally extending between the top and the bottom to access the internal volume. The closing mechanism selectively closes the opening, the first and second compression mechanisms coupled to the pack on opposite lateral sides of the opening. Each compression mechanism extends from a first location proximate the back panel across the first opening to a second location proximate the back panel to compress the internal volume of the pack.

Abstract: A load support system is provided including a flexible frame unit attached to a shoulder support structure and to a hip belt assembly. The frame is pivotally attached to the hip belt assembly and is held in a slightly bowed configuration, whereby load is transferred from the frame to the hip belt through pivot points and a venting space is created between the frame and a user's back. The shoulder support structure preferably includes a pair of independently positionable shoulder straps that are removably attached to the frame. The hip belt assembly preferably includes a load support belt that may be coupled to the frame, and a hip pad coupled to the load support belt via a hook and loop fastening system. The suspension system may be used to support backpacks, and the like, or may be adapted for other applications including SCUBA tank support.

Abstract: A support garment for diving equipment includes several subassemblies for providing comfortable support of diving equipment, such as a tank of pressurized breathing gas, a buoyancy compensating air cell and a ballast weight pocket assembly. A frame is adjustably secured to a shoulder support assembly that includes adjustment straps for accommodating various body sizes. A belt assembly is pivotally secured to the lower portion of the frame. A bust or chest panel extends between shoulder supports, providing a secure and comfortable fitting structure for divers of various body types, particularly women. Elements of the garment are secured to one another via rivets placed at predetermined locations, thereby facilitating assembly and servicing of the garment.