Abstract: The present invention is an improved mechanically expanding climbing aid which includes one or more pair of opposed cam members pivoting with crossed radii on eccentric bearings. The eccentric bearings are mounted on a single high strength shaft. The invention is specifically configured to be placed in cracks having side that are spaced under 1 cm.

Abstract: The instant invention is a skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an open end above the water surface, and an underwater end which terminates in a collapsible chamber. A mouthpiece adjacent and above the chamber provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. A check valve in the opening between the conduit and the chamber allows water to flow from the conduit into the chamber, but not in the reverse direction. The chamber also has a purge valve which allows water in the chamber to flow to ambient. When the hydrostatic pressure within the snorkel is greater than ambient, water will flow sequentially through the check valve, chamber and purge valve to ambient. Consequently, water in the snorkel which extends above the ambient water surface will ultimately drain through the purge valve, decreasing the amount of water remaining within the snorkel to be purged.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an open end above water and an underwater end which has a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path from the conduit to the interior of the diver's mouth. A purge valve, situated in a chamber below the mouthpiece, allows water in the snorkel to flow to ambient when hydrostatic pressure within the snorkel is greater than ambient.The conduit houses a buoyant member. The buoyant member freely runs the length of the conduit. When the snorkel is free of water, the buoyant member rests in the chamber below the mouthpiece, completely out of the respiratory flow path. The buoyant member floats or is carried upward when water is in the snorkel. A seat, adjacent the open end of the snorkel, prevents the buoyant member from exiting the conduit. The seat also forms a substantially fluid-tight closure when the buoyant member rests against it.The flooded snorkel is purged by exhaling normally into the mouthpiece.

Abstract: The regulator second stage for scuba incorporates a pneumatically balanced valve mechanism of high flow capacity which operates without significant influence from friction. The compression spring is suspended between two axially opposed pins to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve mechanism is suspended between a dynamic seal and a lever assembly to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve controlling lever rotates a ball bearing and collar mechanism in which ball bearings cooperate with notches to provide high mechanical advantage with very low friction. The diaphragm and exhaust valve cooperate to provide stable interaction which conserves breathing gas during all orientations of the regulator second stage.

Abstract: The improved snorkel includes a conduit divided approximately mid-length by a first purge valve. The first purge valve is located adjacent and above the water surface when the snorkel is in use by a skin diver swimming face down on the water surface. The first purge valve opens under slight hydrostatic pressure and quickly drains water from the upper portion of the conduit when the skin diver returns to the surface after swimming or diving underwater. The lower portion of the conduit is purged for respiration by exhaling a forceful blast of air into the mouthpiece which pushes the water upward. The effort required to purge the improved snorkel is reduced because the bulk of the ascending water flows out the first purge valve, without the need to overflow the snorkel top. A chamber located below the mouthpiece captures residual water in the snorkel after a purging exhalation and water which overflows the first purge valve after splashing in the open end.

Abstract: The regulator second stage for scuba incorporates a semi-balanced valve mechanism of high flow capacity which operates without significant influence from friction. The compression spring is suspended between two axially opposed pins to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve mechanism is suspended between a dynamic seal and a lever assembly to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve controlling lever rotates a ball bearing and collar mechanism in which ball bearings cooperate with notches to provide high mechanical advantage with very low friction. The diaphragm and exhaust valve cooperate to provide stable interaction which conserves breathing gas during all orientations of the regulator second stage.

Abstract: The improved snorkel includes a conduit whose length is divided by a bell shaped chamber. A chamber purge valve is located above the water surface when the snorkel is in the approximate position of use by a skin diver swimming face down on the water surface. The chamber purge valve drains the chamber and upper conduit of water when the skin diver returns to the surface after swimming or diving underwater. After a purging exhalation, or after splashing into the open end of the upper conduit due to swimming movements or wave action or the like, the forces of molecular cohesion and adhesion cause water to flow down the inside surface of the upper conduit and chamber to the chamber purge valve. The purge valve opens under slight hydrostatic pressure and drains the water to ambient at a rate sufficient to prevent overflow into the lower conduit. In an alternate configuration, drainage is facilitated by another purge valve located at the bottom of a second chamber below the mouthpiece.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an unobstructed, open end above water and an underwater end which terminates in a chamber. The chamber houses a normally closed float valve in series with an outwardly directed purge valve. The purge valve allows water in the snorkel to flow to ambient when hydrostatic pressure within the snorkel is greater than ambient. The chamber also serves to accumulate water which drains down the conduit after a purging exhalation or after splashing in the open end. A mouthpiece adjacent and above the chamber provides a flow path from the conduit to the interior of the diver's mouth.The float valve opens when the chamber is flooded with water. Consequently, water in the snorkel which extends above the ambient water surface will drain through the purge valve, decreasing the amount of water remaining within the snorkel to be purged.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an unobstructed, open end above water and an underwater end which has an upward opening mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path from the conduit to the interior of the diver's mouth. A purge valve, situated adjacent and below the mouthpiece, allows water in the snorkel to flow to ambient when hydrostatic pressure within the snorkel is greater than ambient. A chamber, intersecting the conduit at approximately mid-length, houses a float member. When the snorkel is filled with water the float member is buoyed into the conduit and blocks upward flow therein.The flooded snorkel is purged by exhaling into the mouthpiece. Because the float member blocks upward flow when the conduit is flooded, the upwardly expanding exhaled air is trapped beneath the float member. The trapped air displaces the water in the conduit, forcing the water down and out the purge valve.

Abstract: The regulator second stage for scuba incorporates a semi-balanced valve mechanism of high flow capacity which operates without significant influence from friction. The compression spring is suspended between two axially opposed pins to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve mechanism is suspended between a dynamic seal and a lever assembly to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve controlling lever rotates a ball bearing and collar mechanism in which ball bearings cooperate with notches to provide high mechanical advantage with very low friction. The diaphragm and exhaust valve cooperate to provide stable interaction which conserves breathing gas during all orientations of the regulator second stage.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved climbing aid which includes one or more pair of opposing cam members, two parallel axles on which the opposing cam members pivot separately with crossed radii, axle joining members situated between the opposing cam members, a looped cable member connected to the axle joining members which provides the means for attachment of a climbing rope, spring members which act to simultaneously move the cam members toward their fully expanded positions, and an operating member which is connected to each cam member such that when it is pulled the cam members retract in order to allow insertion or removal of the improved climbing aid into or out of a crack in rock.

Abstract: An inlet valve for use with a breathing regulator second stage which is connectable to a source of breathable gas. The inlet valve containing a flow-closing valve in the passages and being connectable in the gas circuit to the second stage. Extending externally of the valve body the inlet valve includes a control member. A detent member is attached to the valve body. The detent member having an element projecting externally to the valve body. Also, the detent member being urged into an orientation in which the element retains the control member with the valve in an open flow enabling position. The detent member comprises a piston in the valve body having an end within the passage and exposed to the inlet gas pressure therein.

Abstract: A diaphragm and exhaust valve for an underwater breathing apparatus second stage regulator are combined to conserve breathing gas during all orientations of the diver, to provide smooth operation of the diaphragm without interference from exhaust bubbles, and to provide unrestricted exhaust flow. In addition, the diaphragm and exhaust valve are fabricated and installed as a single component.

Abstract: This foot holding device for hanging upside down includes an elongated, wide flexible web which is looped so that the two ends thereof overlap, together with holding means for removable attachment of the device to a structural member and a connector extending through the overlapping ends of the web and engaging the holding means. The first end of a unitary closing and heel strap is attached to one end of the web, and the second end of the unitary strap is removably attachable to the other end of the web.

Abstract: This scuba regulator second stage includes the following improvements:(a) a diaphragm assembly using a pair of generally conical flexible diaphragms facing each other and clamped together about a portion of their periphery, the unclamped peripheral sections flexibly spreading apart to function as an exhaust valve;(b) a "detune button" which prevents inadvertent turn-on of the breathable gas supply valve during unattended use of the regulator, and which is automatically disengaged when the user begins to breathe through the regulator;(c) a case configuration in which the breathable gas inlet tube is situated very close to the regulator mouthpiece so as to minimize the torque loading on the teeth of the user as the user's head is turned;(d) a unitary valve configuration in which the entire breathable gas flow valve assembly is removable from the regulator case as an integral unit, without the use of tools;(e) a valve poppet configuration which prevents tilting of the poppet when the breathable gas flow control

Abstract: This scuba regulator second stage includes the following improvements:(a) a diaphragm assembly using a pair of generally conical flexible diaphragms facing each other and clamped together about a portion of their periphery, the unclamped peripheral sections flexibly spreading apart to function as an exhaust valve;(b) a "detune button" which prevents inadvertent turn-on of the breathable gas supply valve during unattended use of the regulator, and which is automatically disengaged when the user begins to breathe through the regulator;(c) a case configuration in which the breathable gas inlet tube is situated very close to the regulator mouthpiece so as to minimize the torque loading on the teeth of the user as the user's head is turned;(d) a unitary valve configuration in which the entire breathable gas flow valve assembly is removable from the regulator case as an integral unit, without the use of tools;(e) a valve poppet configuration which prevents tilting of the poppet when the breathable gas flow control

Abstract: This scuba regulator second stage includes the following improvements:(a) a diaphragm assembly using a pair of generally conical flexible diaphragms facing each other and clamped together about a portion of their periphery, the unclamped peripheral sections flexibly spreading apart to function as an exhaust valve;(b) a "detune button" which prevents inadvertent turn-on of the breathable gas supply valve during unattended use of the regulator, and which is automatically disengaged when the user begins to breathe through the regulator;(c) a case configuration in which the breathable gas inlet tube is situated very close to the regulator mouthpiece so as to minimize the torque loading on the teeth of the user as the user's head is turned;(d) a unitary valve configuration in which the entire breathable gas flow valve assembly is removable from the regulator case as an integral unit, without the use of tools;(e) a valve poppet configuration which prevents tilting of the poppet when the breathable gas glow control

Abstract: A truck for a skateboard or the like in which one end of a generally S-shaped leaf spring attaches to the skateboard and, through a pivot pin, carries a transverse axle-supporting member at the opposite end. A pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined compression springs, engaged by a pin carried by the leaf spring, resist pivotal movement of the leaf spring relative to the axle-supporting member. The compression of the coil springs can be varied to change the resistance to pivoting. Also, the bushings of the pivot pin for the axle-carrying member can be tightened or loosened to change the pivoting characteristics.