Tripple Tank Harness

[simonbeans]

I have been contacted by a diver to make a harness for a triple tank configuration. The tanks are held together by two bands and utilize large eye bolts to hold the system together. I know how the upper, shoulder pieces were attached to the eye bolts, but I am not sure on how the waist section was fixed. We have one photo to work from:
[img]http://auction1.inetu.net/member/simonb ... e2__3_.jpg[/img]
I think the waist was one piece and just slipped through the two lower eye bolts with the crouch piece slid on it between the bolts. Sound reasonable? Any help would be appreciated.
Allan

[duckbill]

I think the waist was one piece and just slipped through the two lower eye bolts with the crouch piece slid on it between the bolts. Sound reasonable? Any help would be appreciated.
Allan

Sure looks that way to me, with the crotch strap threaded onto the waist strap between the two eyebolts. Nice set.

[1969ivan1]

Those look like a certain Yank's tanks from down under. He got them in a dive shoppe in Branford FLA. Lucky guy!
Rob

[Bryan]

At the Lake Wazee dive shop the guy has a set of French Triples in his classroom as part of a display.
I offered to trade him a brand new aluminum 80 for them......I don't know why he would want to keep that old junk around anyway ??

He just looked at me funny!

[1969ivan1]

MOst people DO look at u funny Bryan

[simonbeans]

I know this is off the topic (but then I started it, so why can't I), but Rob have you designed the new NAVED shirt so that they can be done and ready for the Sand Dog III? One of the neat things about Sand Dog II was that most everybody was wearing one of your very recognized shirts. It made everyone "visually" associated with vintage divers. Most of us know each other via these forums and by our "internet name." But when we showed up in FL, it was really great to recognize each other by the great shirts!!! [Made of course by my Czech brother]. I have 2 on order when they are ready.
Allan

Allan......I have a surprise for all the SAND DOG III divers....It will make us all really easy to ID..........Bryan

[simonbeans]

Now back to the topic. I am sure Yank DownUnder won't mint me posting a photo he took of his triples with one of my harnesses. Plus the other tank is an original Spirotechnic with a harness that I call a basket harness. It is modified to fit this tank from an orignal one that Dan B had and I copied for a 40 cu ft. Yank's harness was made via emails and measurements. I think it looks and works well. I am making one in yellow right now for him. My harness business is booming thanks to you all and this forum.

Allan

[duckbill]

Hi Allen.
That "basket harness" is exactly what I was trying to describe for travel purposes in another thread. One made adjustable for various cylinder diameters would be the ticket, otherwise standard aluminium 80 would be good.

Also, back to the triples, it appears to me that the left shoulder strap becomes the right waist strap and vice versa as they seem to thread through from one eyebolt to the other.

[1969ivan1]

That basket harness is the dealeo! I want 2 of them NOW> HOw much do you charge my friend?????? I could take that harness to bonaire and the women would be all over me!!

[YankDownUnder]

I bought those triples so long ago, I can't remember what harness it had on it. It did have four galvanised eye bolts on it. I still have them somewhere. They were the cast variety, rather than bent, like most modern ones. I prefer to run the straps through the bands and use a brass slider, like that used to adjust the crotch strap. One slider is needed for each shoulder strap, and a two for the crotch strap. (one to secure the crotch strap and the other for adjustment). My bands are different. The top is just two 'c' pieces. It is an early model, made in March 1954. My new sliders will arrive with the new harnesses. You can see the straps in the picture are just laying under the bands at the moment.

The idea of feeding the waist strap thru the eye bolts seem to be correct, but the strap would have to be made without a tip, or fed through the eye bolt and then either a tip applied or conversely, the D rings riveted or sewn by the customer once fitted.

The original harnesses tended to fray at the cut ends. All cotton will fray unless rolled back and stitched. I just use some neoprene cement to paint the tips. This gives a nice appearance and prevents the fray from getting larger. Neoprene paint is available at inflatable boat and marine supply stores. It works very well, but it is expensive. It can also be used as a strap stiffener, if the diver wants to use snaps. Healthways used it like a tip, to stiffen the shoulder strap, so the release snaps would open easier at the shoulder.

Once nylon was used none of this was really needed, but Allan's harnesses are great. I have original nylon ones too, but prefer Allan's straps. If you guys get the basket variety, you can quickly change from one steel 72 cylinder to another. Order a color that contrasts with your tanks paint and it looks even better.

Steve

[21]

Steve it is always a pleasure to read your very informative posts. I certainly cannot add to your very complete description but I would like to direct the readers to several other visual sources.

Diving with the Aqua Lung, US Divers 1950s to early 1960s

All the editions of this instructional manual have a page devoted to the single, double and tripple harness arrangements.

In addition the document also contains several very fine drawings of the 4 step procedure for the double D ring saftey release. This is manditory to use with the harnesses--DON'T DIVE WITH OUT IT!.

In the mid 1950s I had Charlie Sturgil make a number of small Stainless steel "Over center wire" releases to use in place of the double D ring release. This allowed harness to be adjusted one time for a custom fit and all the bitter ends to be secured via tape for a very clean dive configuration.

These "Over center wire releases" were later incorporated in the Back Packs designed and manufactured by Sam Lecocq for Sportsways. They may be viewed in most of the early Sportsways Catalogs.

I have several sets of the original Sturgil releases which I will probably be e baying soon unless some one on this board is interested and would like to make an offer I can't refuse

US Divers catalogs mid 1950s to mid 1960s

All the catalogs, especially 1957 edition, have very fine pictures of the single, double and the tripple harness arrangements. These catalogs are becoming rare and expensive.

21

[Bryan]

This is a scan from the April 1958 edition of the US Divers manual " Diving with the Aqua-Lung. I also have a February 1956 edition but they both look the same to me...... Hope it helps.

[simonbeans]

Thanks guys that helps a little. I just can't tell how the lower waist is attached to the lower eye rings. I just wonder if it was just a continuation from the shoulder strap from above. I will keep looking for more pics.
Allan

[21]

This page is the same in all the US Divers instruction manuals.

The manual was originally published as the Spaco manual.

When Spaco ceased to exist Rene Bussoz copied the manual and changed the name, pictures and the content to reflex and incorporate the new Aqua Lung products.

After JYC aquired US Divers the manual was further changed and each new edition was slightly different--Except for the page with the harness arrangement.

With out consulting my library I recall there were about 10 different editions.

They were both sold as an instruction manual for $.95 cents and also enclosed in the box with a new regulator as a do it your self instruction manual.
21

[JES]

Thanks guys that helps a little. I just can't tell how the lower waist is attached to the lower eye rings. I just wonder if it was just a continuation from the shoulder strap from above. I will keep looking for more pics.
Allan

It sure looks like it is just a continuation from the shoulder strap.