Abstract: A protective garment system including a bib configured to fit around at least part of an upper portion of a torso of a wearer. The bib includes an outer material and a particulate-blocking material which is configured to be positioned between the outer material and a wearer when the bib is worn. The bib has a perimeter and is configured to be releasably attached to a pair of trousers about the perimeter.

Abstract: A method for assembling a garment portion including accessing a first garment portion, a second garment portion and a fixture, wherein the first garment portion is generally tubular and has two plies. The method further includes positioning the first garment portion on the fixture such that the fixture is positioned in the first garment portion, and wrapping the second garment portion about the first garment portion. The method further includes unrolling or unfolding at least part of the first garment portion over the second garment portion such that the second garment portion is positioned between the two plies of the first garment portion.

Abstract: A garment assembly including a first garment portion having an outer perimeter, a second garment portion, and a first fastener. The first fastener is positioned on the first garment portion and configured to removably attach the first garment portion to the second garment portion. The first fastener has a base portion that extends entirely about the outer perimeter. The first fastener further has an extension portion that overlaps with at least part of the base portion in a radial direction but is axially spaced apart from the base portion.

Abstract: A system and bent-pipe transponder component for determining a location of an individual or object in three dimensional space. The system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and at least one transponder that is configured to responsively emit a second wireless electromagnetic signal having a second frequency that is frequency-shifted from the first frequency. An included receiver detecting the first and second wireless electromagnetic signals is configured to provide an output of location information for the at least one transponder. A bent-pipe transponder component may include a receiving antenna, an emitting antenna, and a frequency shift stage comprising an oscillator and a first mixer, with the frequency stage mixing a received first wireless electromagnetic signal with the output of the oscillator via the first mixer to produce the emitted second wireless electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the detection of streams of water or other extinguishants. A device has a substrate, an array including a plurality of capacitance sensors disposed on the substrate, and a controller operatively connected to each of the plurality of capacitance sensors to measure a capacitance of each respective sensor. The controller is configured to analyze a time-varying component of a series of measured capacitances for each sensor and to output a signal representing how closely that time-varying component matches a stored reference component of a reference signal in which a sensor is proximate to a stream of an extinguishant. A corresponding method obtains a series of measured capacitances from each of a plurality of capacitance sensors disposed upon a substrate, analyzes a time-varying component of the each of the series, and outputs a signal representing a degree of similarity between that series and such a reference signal.

Abstract: A protective garment system including a bib configured to fit around at least part of an upper portion of a torso of a wearer. The bib includes an outer material and a particulate-blocking material which is configured to be positioned between the outer material and a wearer when the bib is worn. The bib has a perimeter and is configured to be releasably attached to a pair of trousers about the perimeter.

Abstract: A system and bent-pipe transponder component for determining a location of an individual or object in three dimensional space. The system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and at least one transponder that is configured to responsively emit a second wireless electromagnetic signal having a second frequency that is frequency-shifted from the first frequency. An included receiver detecting the first and second wireless electromagnetic signals is configured to provide an output of location information for the at least one transponder. A bent-pipe transponder component may include a receiving antenna, an emitting antenna, and a frequency shift stage comprising an oscillator and a first mixer, with the frequency stage mixing a received first wireless electromagnetic signal with the output of the oscillator via the first mixer to produce the emitted second wireless electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A firefighting training system including a display device configured to display an actual or simulated fire and a sensor configured to detect an actual, simulated or virtual extinguishant that is directed at the display device. The system further includes a smoke or steam generation system configured to provide an output and a controller operatively coupled to the display device, the sensor and the generation system. The controller is configured to control the display of the actual or simulated fire and the output based at least in part upon an output of the sensor.

Abstract: A system including an imaging device having a first image capture device configured to detect longwave infrared electromagnetic radiation and a second image capture device configured to detect near infrared electromagnetic radiation. The system further includes a display configured to display a visible representation of the detected infrared longwave electromagnetic radiation and the detected near infrared electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A firefighter hood comprising a hood body configured to fit around a head of a wearer, wherein the hood body includes a face opening configured to be aligned with a face of the wearer when the hood is worn. The hood further includes a flap coupled to the hood body. The flap is movable between an extended position wherein the flap covers only part of the opening in front view, and a retracted position wherein the flap does not cover any of the opening in front view or covers less of the opening in front view compared to when the flap is in the extended position.

Abstract: A protective garment system including a bib configured to fit around at least part of an upper portion of a torso of a wearer. The bib includes an outer material and a particulate-blocking material which is configured to be positioned between the outer material and a wearer when the bib is worn. The bib has a perimeter and is configured to be releasably attached to a pair of trousers about the perimeter.

Abstract: A training system including a floor structure and a utility distribution system generally positioned in or below the floor structure. The utility distribution system includes a plurality of connection locations spaced about the floor structure. The system further includes a utility connection box removably fluidly connectable to the utility distribution system at each of the plurality of connection locations. The utility connection box is removably fluidly connectable to an external line or device to thereby fluidly connect the external line or device to the utility distribution system.

Abstract: A system and bent-pipe transponder component for determining a location of an individual or object in three dimensional space. The system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and at least one transponder that is configured to responsively emit a second wireless electromagnetic signal having a second frequency that is frequency-shifted from the first frequency. An included receiver detecting the first and second wireless electromagnetic signals is configured to provide an output of location information for the at least one transponder. A bent-pipe transponder component may include a receiving antenna, an emitting antenna, and a frequency shift stage comprising an oscillator and a first mixer, with the frequency stage mixing a received first wireless electromagnetic signal with the output of the oscillator via the first mixer to produce the emitted second wireless electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A system for developing firefighting skills including a display device configured to display a simulated fire, wherein the display device has a front surface. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect an actual or simulated extinguishant that is directed at the front surface, wherein the sensor is directly coupled to the front surface of the display device.

Abstract: A mounting and stabilization system including a base portion and a mounting portion pivotally coupled to the base portion. The base portion and the mounting portion have a closed configuration where the base portion and the mounting portion are generally parallel with each other and an open configuration where the base portion and the mounting portion are generally perpendicular with each other. The system further includes a collapsible container positioned between the base portion and the mounting portion, where the collapsible container is adapted to expand and receive ballast therein when the base portion and the mounting portion are in the open configuration. The collapsible container is adapted to collapse between the base portion and the mounting portion when the base portion and the mounting portion are in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A hazard-suppression training simulator for training, for example, first responders, is provided. The simulator includes a housing; at least one source of sensation (for example, a visual or an audio sensation) representing a hazardous condition, for example, a fire; at least one sensor adapted to detect a simulated or an actual hazardous condition suppressant; and a controller adapted to vary the sensation in response to the simulated or the actual suppressant detected by the at least one sensor. The simulator may also include one or more “props” to better simulate an actual hazardous conditions, for example, a trash can or a stove pot that is on fire. The simulated suppressant may be provided by a simulated fire extinguisher, for example, a simulated extinguisher emitting an electromagnetic or sonic signal representing a fire suppressant. A hazard-suppression training method employing this simulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective garment including a heat, flame and abrasion resistant outer shell configured to be worn on at least part of a body of a wearer. The outer shell includes an opening formed therein. The garment further includes a heat and flame resistant air-permeable material, of a different type of material than the outer shell, spanning the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective garment that includes a lower portion having a pair of extremities each having a knee joint area connected to an upper leg portion by an upper radial seam and connected to a lower leg portion by a lower radial seam. The knee joint area of each extremity also has an inseam insert connected between the upper and lower radial seams.

Abstract: A protective garment including an outer shell and a thermal barrier positioned inside the outer shell such that the thermal barrier is configured to be positioned between the outer shell and a wearer when the garment is worn. The thermal barrier includes at least two areas of elastic material, each elastic area having directional stretch qualities such that each elastic area has greater elasticity in an associated particular direction than in other directions, and wherein said particular directions for said at least two elastic areas are not parallel.

Abstract: A protective garment including a heat, flame and abrasion resistant outer shell configured to be worn on at least part of a body of a wearer. The outer shell includes an opening formed therein. The garment further includes a heat and flame resistant air-permeable material, of a different type of material than the outer shell, spanning the opening.