Mystery bands- anyone reconize these?

[Herman]

A friend at a LDS called me and gave me a set on bands which appear to be scuba bands but so far I have not been able to identify them, I suppose they may be some sort of respirator bands, something like a Scott airpack. They are the correct size for 72’s. Whatever they are they are, they are all stainless and very well made. There is a logo and part number on both of them. Anyone got any ideas??

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[21]

They are At Pac bands.

Yes they were very well made!

SDM

[Bryan]

I agree they are At-Pac bands but the nuts to tighten the bands on the cylinders are someones unique addition. The large stainless thumb nuts that held on the shot box and bladder were changed to a nylon with stainless insert around 1980. There was a slotted tool specifically made to take them on and off.

[Herman]

When I was talking with the guys I said, bet Dr Miller knows what they are...guess I was right. Do you by any chance know where there may be some info on the At Pacs?

Thanks.

[Bryan]

Google search for pictures of the atpac and you can see quite a few.

First ones used straps and a huge fiberglass...later changed to a type of plastic housing that surrounded everything. Had a shot box with quick dump that held lead shot and marbles for spaces. That version would have had the bands you have.
Later versions ditched the housing then moved to a close fitting jacket attached to the box that closed with a cumberbun...Later the bladder was streamlined by putting it into a spandex/nylon outer bag that made it a lot smaller. Inflators changed a few times, early ones had the LP attachment near the elbow on a brass fitting...Then a hose ran inside a larger hose to the inflator. This design was notorious for having the inner hose leak a little and constantly fill the bladder very very slowly. Later changed to a standard style inflator.

[1969ivan1]

Gary Reece has 2 working examples that he dives. He would be a good guy to brain pick.

[Herman]

If anyone needs a good set of At-PAC bands for a restoration, I have them.

[couv]

Cut and pasted from a post I made a while back at that other site:

At Packs: A shop I where I worked sold them and once while I was in the pool demonstrating to my class how the weight system worked, I released the trap door mechanism and....nothing happened. The weight balls just stayed stuck in the back back. I had to rap on the back pack several times to get the weights to drop.-very embarrassing moment that now brings a smile to my face.

With that aside, I enjoyed diving the At Pack too. Once adjusted it is very comfortable in the water and like the popular backpack and wing set up of today has no bulk in front of you. The l/p inflator hose was in two sections. One length attached to the regulator and ran to a plastic elbow where the corrugated hose was attached. Then the second part ran inside the hose to the inflator mechanism. I actually liked this set up, but the parts are just too uncommon.

BTW I may still have a few parts of the inflator system if any of you want to take a chance on rebuilding them, they are yours for the asking.

[Herman]

thanks for the info. I am not going to try to build one...last thing I need is another BC I just hate to see the old stuff hit the trash, maybe I will find someone who need them one of these days...then if I can find them again....