Abstract: A spring loaded pin blocks the closed gate's opening path at the location where the gate's opening end engages the carabiner body. The spring serves to normally position the pin so that a portion of the pin protrudes into the opening path of the gate thereby blocking its movement. An open gate pushes the pin aside as it closes. Alternately, the spring can be replaced with a friction member that holds the pin either locked or unlocked when the gate is closed. The gate is unlocked by using a finger to manually push the pin out of the path of the gate end. Although ideally incorporated on wiregate carabiners, the inventive locking mechanism can also be adapted to block the opening end of both straight and bent rigid gate carabiners.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a snorkel includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, a mouthpiece joined to the conduit second end, an arm adjacent the conduit first end and connected to a seal, wherein the seal is configured to pivot with respect to the conduit from a first position where the seal does not obstruct an opening in the first end of the conduit, to a second position, where the seal covers the opening in the first end of the conduit, and a float configured to control movement of the arm, wherein the float and conduit are configured so that movement of the float is guided along the length of the conduit and submerging the float causes the float to move along the conduit toward the first end of the conduit, which pivots the arm from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A locking carabiner having an eccentric pivot that when rotated causes a reciprocating motion that moves the opening end of the gate into or out of locking engagement with the carabiner body. Rotation of the eccentric is controlled by a short lever that can be easily moved by a fingertip, consequently the gate can be conveniently manipulated and locked with the fingers of one hand. The locking mechanism adds negligible weight and bulk to the carabiner. The locking mechanism can be incorporated on bent gate, straight gate and wire gate carabiners.

Abstract: The instant invention is a locking carabiner having an eccentric pivot that when rotated causes a reciprocating motion that moves the opening end of the gate into or out of locking engagement with the carabiner body. Rotation of the eccentric is controlled by a short lever that can be easily moved by a fingertip, consequently the gate can be conveniently manipulated and locked with the fingers of one hand. The locking mechanism adds negligible weight and bulk to the carabiner. The inventive locking mechanism can be incorporated on bent gate, straight gate and wire gate carabiners.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve for the top end of diving snorkels having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The conduit's above water opening is in-line with the conduit's longitudinal axis. The top valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the top opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel descends below the water surface. As the open end of snorkel moves underwater, the linkage moves the diaphragm against the top opening, thereby preventing water from entering. When the top of the snorkel is above the water surface, the linkage moves the diaphragm to the side of the conduit, out of the respiratory flow path.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is contained within a carabiner's straight or bent gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a pivoting link that can be moved to abut against a transverse pin, thereby immobilizing the gate return spring, which prevents opening movement of the gate. The transverse pin is a material able to resist and distribute forces attempting to open the locked gate. The spring pin is notched to engage the transverse pin thereby simplifying assembly of the carabiner. A low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of opening the gate to switch the mechanism to the unlocked position. Similarly, another low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of closing the gate to switch the mechanism to the locked position. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened, closed and relocked with the fingers of one hand.

Abstract: The instant invention is a climbing device for belaying and rappelling. A tube is split into two parts that are hinged to pivot scissor-like. A loop of rope is inserted into the split tube and attached to the climber or an anchor with a carabiner. The split tube is open when the rope is slack and retains the one-piece tube belay device's characteristic advantages of smooth feed. The two parts pivot when there is tension in the rope, closing around the rope in a scissor-like movement that increases friction by pinching the rope against the carabiner, significantly reducing the brake-hand force needed to arrest and hold the weight of a climber. At least one spring applies the force that opens the spit tube when the device is not supporting a load. Alternate configurations include openings to control two ropes simultaneously; a lever to control the release of the rope when lowering a climber; and a means for attaching a second carabiner for rigging the device to belay a second with auto-braking.

Abstract: The instant invention incorporates an asymmetrical purge valve tilted to fit within the confines of a chamber having a substantially elliptical cross-section. The elliptical cross-section is oriented to minimize the frontal area presented in the direction of swimming movement. The reduced cross-section results in a corresponding reduction of drag when the diver is swimming underwater.

Abstract: The instant invention is a locking mechanism contained within a carabiner's straight or bent gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a pivoting link that can be moved to abut against a transverse pin, thereby immobilizing the gate return spring, which prevents opening movement of the gate. The transverse pin is a material able to resist and distribute forces attempting to open the locked gate. The spring pin is notched to engage the transverse pin thereby simplifying assembly of the carabiner. A low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of opening the gate to switch the mechanism to the unlocked position. Similarly, another low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of closing the gate to switch the mechanism to the locked position. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened, closed and relocked with the fingers of one hand.

Abstract: The instant invention is a climbing device for belaying and rappelling. A tube is split into two pars that are hinged to pivot scissor-like. A loop of rope is inserted into the split tube and attached to the climber or an anchor with a carabiner. The split tube is open when the rope is slack and retains the one-piece tube belay device's characteristic advantages of smooth feed. The two parts pivot when there is tension in the rope, closing around the rope in a scissor-like movement that increases friction by pinching the rope against the carabiner, significantly reducing the brake-hand force needed to arrest and hold the weight of a climber. At least one spring applies the force that opens the spit tube when the device is not supporting a load. Alternate configurations include openings to control two ropes simultaneously; a lever to control the release of the rope when lowering a climber; and a means for attaching a second carabiner for rigging the device to belay a second with auto-braking.

Abstract: The instant invention incorporates an asymmetrical purge valve tilted to fit within the confines of a chamber having a substantially elliptical cross-section. The elliptical cross-section is oriented to minimize the frontal area presented in the direction of swimming movement. The reduced cross-section results in a corresponding reduction of drag when the diver is swimming underwater.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve for the top end of skin diving snorkels having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The conduit's above water opening is in-line with the conduit's longitudinal axis, thereby providing a substantially straight and unrestricted respiratory flow path. The top valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the top opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel starts to descend below the water surface. By the time the open end of snorkel is underwater, the linkage has moved the diaphragm over and against the top opening thereby preventing water from entering the conduit.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve for the top end of skin diving snorkels having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The top valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the top opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel starts to descend below the water surface. By the time the open end of snorkel is underwater, the linkage has moved the diaphragm over and against the top opening thereby preventing water from entering the conduit.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve for the top end of skin diving snorkels having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The conduit's above water opening is in-line with the conduit's longitudinal axis, thereby providing a substantially straight and unrestricted respiratory flow path. The top valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the top opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel starts to descend below the water surface. By the time the open end of snorkel is underwater, the linkage has moved the diaphragm over and against the top opening thereby preventing water from entering the conduit.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve mounted on the above water end of a skin diving snorkel. The valve's opening is in-line with the snorkel's longitudinal axis, thereby providing a substantially straight and unrestricted respiratory flow path. The valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the valve opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel starts to descend below the water surface. By the time the valve end of snorkel is underwater, the linkage has moved the diaphragm over and against the valve opening thereby preventing water from entering the snorkel. Conversely, when the valve end of the snorkel is above the water surface, the linkage moves the diaphragm to the side of the snorkel, completely away from the opening and out of the respiratory flow path.

Abstract: The instant invention is a compact carabiner locking mechanism contained within the carabiner gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a means to disable the gate return spring mechanism and thereby prevent movement of the gate. A low profile external protrusion on one side of the gate is pushed to unlock the gate return spring mechanism, which allows the gate to be opened. Similarly, another low profile external protrusion on the other side of the gate is pushed to lock the gate return mechanism. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the carabiner gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened and relocked with one hand.

Abstract: The instant invention is a valve for the top end of skin diving snorkels having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The conduit's above water opening is in-line with the conduit's longitudinal axis, thereby providing a substantially straight and unrestricted respiratory flow path. The top valve consists of a soft diaphragm mounted on a compound linkage. The linkage is attached to the conduit adjacent the top opening. A float activates the valve linkage whenever the snorkel starts to descend below the water surface. By the time the open end of snorkel is underwater, the linkage has moved the diaphragm over and against the top opening thereby preventing water from entering the conduit.

Abstract: The instant invention is a compact carabiner locking mechanism contained within the carabiner gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a means to block movement of the gate return spring mechanism and subsequent movement of the gate. A low profile external button is pushed to unblock the gate return spring mechanism, which enables the gate to be opened. The button is recessed to prevent inadvertent activation. Furthermore, the button is located so that the carabiner gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened and relocked with one hand.

Abstract: The instant invention is a skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. A buoyant chamber, separate from the conduit, surrounds and is coaxial with the conduit above water end. A lower opening in the chamber is joined to the conduit by a convoluted diaphragm. The convoluted diaphragm provides a flexible and watertight barrier that enables the chamber to be easily buoyed a short distance upward, guided by the snorkel conduit. The conduit's open end protrudes loosely through an upper opening in the chamber. The conduit open end carries a flexible circular diaphragm which, when it makes contact with the upper opening of the buoyed chamber, serves as a check valve allowing exhalation flow from the conduit to ambient, but blocks the flow of water into the snorkel.

Abstract: The instant invention is a skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. The conduit is divided along its length into two or more segments. The end of one segment slips with close clearance into a mating socket of the adjacent end of the next segment. The close fit of mating surfaces provides a substantially watertight joint. A small diameter elastic cord threaded, under tension, inside the conduit joins the conduit segments. One end of the elastic cord is attached to the conduit near the above water opening. The other end of the elastic cord is attached to the conduit near the mouthpiece opening. The elastic cord stretches when the segments are separated, and functions as a hinge that allows the separated segments to be placed side by side even though they remain connected by the elastic cord.