◆ SpookStack

Mae eee ST ee SHOPWALK New inflatable teys and squipment will @revide fun on the water this summer [Lpritsome Nosy Parker ofa Scientist comes up with proof to the contrary, air is still lighter than water—and a whole industry continues to thrive on this bit of elementary” Physics. It all started with the inner tube, and the end is not yet in sight. Inflatable ob- jects range from water toys that resemble a zooful of colorful animals to station wagon mattresses io small boats for hunters and fishermen. Because they can be deflated when not in use, tay take up: very little Sorage space, whether in an automobile or acloset. They are tightweight, and if Proper- ly cared for will wear betier and tast longer than foam-composition equipment or toys. Most good inflatables now stress safety features such as dual air chambers that are completely independent of each other and which inflate and seal separately. If a stop- per should pop off accidentally of a punc ture occur in one air chamber, the other air chamber will support the float until safety is reached or repairs can be made. Many seams are double laminated. Valves on some of the better equipment are designed so that they allow air to enter freely but keep it from escaping. Caps are generally added to each valve as an extra precaution. The composition of most inflatables, whether boats, mattresses or toyz, is cither vinyl plastic or rubberized fabric. Inexpen- sive vinyl inflatables are sometimes made of reused vinyl which does not hold up well under wear, A good virgin vinyl generally runs from 12 to 14 gauge (weight and thick+ ness). Manufacturers, however, are not re- quired to mark the gauge of vinyl. The best way to tell the difference between vinyls ia to foel and compare the thickness and weight; an inexpensive, reused viny? ia gen- erally much thinner and lighter. Rubberized fabric is durable and more difficutt to puncture than vinyl. It is made of heavy-duty cotton duck or nylon that has been impregnated with liquid rubber. This seals the fabric, making it watertight. Mat- tresses and tubes made of rubberized fabric do not stick together from the inside when deftated as old rubber inner tubes do when | Life is pr us. Protect it. 323: they are stored away for the winter. The | fei Pp ecio .P Ot ct ee . fabric is treated and powdered on the inside Take special pains to that the life chooses will save to prevent sticking, =~ heriite when ik must A Gentes life wil iis designed to turn ee, . #8 Parents and nonswimmers should keep in the Up" in the water even when stunned of uncon .: . . x mind that many inflatables, as well as other ot oS Rerape ~ ‘ floating devices, are not life prewervers, un hess they are specifically labeled as such. Most floating objects are primarily for fan and comfort, . A wide asortiiint of pumps and infle- tors to take the work out of blowing up ia- flatable equipment ie avaitable thie season, There are hand pumps, foot pumes, built pumps, replaceable CO; cartridges and even 4 ~ - wre c ee ’ - .