Abstract: Protective structures, such as helmets, may have a shell including an outer shell and a tunnel element integral to the outer shell. The tunnel element may have a first opening at an outer surface side of the shell and a second opening at an inner surface side of the shell so that air flow may occur between the openings and wherein the tunnel element is fused to the outer shell. An impact liner may be directly in-molded to shells suitable for use in motorcycle helmets and other helmets that must meet certain standards. The impact liner may include one or more venting channels that are coupled to a tunnel integral to the shell structure.

Abstract: In combination, a hard hat lanyard and a hard hat includes a lower strap having a first end and a second end, a lower strap fastening mechanism fastened to the lower strap second end where the fastening mechanism is adapted to fasten the lower strap second end to an article of clothing, an upper strap having a first end and a second end, an intermediate release mechanism fastened to the lower strap first end and the upper strap second end that is adapted to releasably secure the lower strap to the upper strap, and an upper strap fastening mechanism where the lower strap, the lower strap fastening mechanism, the upper strap, the intermediate release mechanism, and the upper strap fastening mechanism form the hard hat lanyard that attaches to the hard hat where the upper strap is fastened around a non-separating portion of the hard hat without modifying the hard hat.

Abstract: A compression garment upper extremity donning assist device is designed to assist those individuals who find it very difficult to don a compression garment using only one arm. Users are commonly weakened from a medical condition, lack flexibility or suffer from limited mobility. Due to the design, users of the donning device can easily mount it to the edge of any countertop, table, or level flat surface using the integrated suction cup. The user can then pull any type of upper extremity compression garment over the device, and then, by pushing through the garment stretched over the donning device, roll it up the arm for proper location and medical care compliance.

Abstract: A bra-washing device includes a shell and a divider removably insertable into the shell. The divider keeps one cup of the bra in one location of the shell and the other cup of the bra in another location of the shell. A system for washing garments includes a shell and two or more inserts each interchangeably coupleable to the shell. Each insert includes a three-dimensional form that is different from the three-dimensional form(s) of the other inserts. The openings in the shell may be sized to inhibit a bra strap from extending through the shell through the openings. A device may have buoyancy such that substantially all of the garment is maintained below the surface of water in a washing machine when the device and the garment are placed in the washing machine.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to aid in the removal of closely fitting articles on a leg and foot. It includes a helical blade made of a lightweight, rigid, firm substance, having a shoulder area at a proximal end, a bottom area at a distal end which terminates in a bottom edge, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the blade being arcuate along the plane from the leading edge to the trailing edge so that the blade has a face that is convex and a back that is concave. The apparatus includes a means such as a hook to engage the top of the article to be removed located on the convex face at a location on the bottom area at a given distance from the bottom edge and having a curvation that is facing the bottom edge. The device also includes an integral handle member.

Abstract: A glove, particularly useful for automobile mechanic work and other types of working environments or sports which brings the dorsal side of the hand in contact with hard objects or the like which may result in injuries to the knuckles of the fingers, thumb and dorsal side of the hand is provided with padding positioned to circumscribe the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers and the thumb. The pad covers the distal ends of the metacarpals and the proximal ends of the proximal phalanxes of the fingers with padding being absent at the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers.

Abstract: A hockey helmet (20) comprising a front helmet portion (22) and a rear helmet portion (24) disposed to be moveable relative to each other so as to define an internal cavity of varying volume, a securing member (26) being mounted to a location on the front helmet portion (22) adjacent the temple thereof, the securing member (26) being slidable between a first or open position and a second or closed position, the rear helmet portion (24) having a restraint (28) configured and disposed to be complimentary to the securing member (26) such that when the securing member (26) cooperatively engages the restraint (28), the relative displacement of the front helmet portion (22) and the rear helmet portion (24) is inhibited. The restraint (28) comprises a number of positions in which the securing member (26) can be cooperatively engaged such that the volume of the helmet (20) may be modified.

Abstract: A device to assist physically challenged individuals to don outer, lower-body clothing or simultaneously don undergarments and pants or a skirt. The device comprises a cord to which at least one pair of grips is attached at either end. The grips are attached to a garment and the cord pulled to move the garments over the legs, hips, and ultimately to the waist. In one configuration, the cord is passed through a hand piece which allows locking the cord, freeing free one or both hands to fasten buttons of zippers.

Abstract: A body protecting device for wearing by a user comprising an array of energy absorbing cells, wherein each cell comprises a tube, and wherein substantially each tube has a side wall which is near or adjacent to the side wall of at least another tube, and wherein substantially each tube is configured such that the orientation of the tube is substantially maintained when a load is applied parallel to the axis of the tube.

Abstract: An aid for pulling on stockings, especially compression stockings, comprising two parallel first struts, which are spaced mutually apart and each have a free upper end, and two parallel second struts, which are spaced mutually apart and whose upper ends are connected by an arcuate hoop, characterized in that the second struts are mounted such as to be pivotable about a pivot axis together with the hoop connected to them, said pivot axis running transversely to a longitudinal direction of said second strut, said second struts being movable into a first position, in which they are disposed adjacent to said first struts, and a second position, in which they are disposed at a V-shaped angle (?) to said first struts.

Abstract: A safety helmet includes a cap equipped with at least one visor, which is hinged to the sides of the front opening of the cap itself and can be rotated between a position of interception of the front opening and a raised position with respect to the opening. A shielding element is also hinged to the sides of the front opening of the cap and is rotatable both with respect to the cap and with respect to the visor. The relative rotary displacement of the shielding element with respect to the visor, and vice versa, is limited at a predefined angular interval, in both of the directions of rotation.

Abstract: A torso, around which clothes can be wound, includes a curved incision on the backface. Preferably, an elastic member is provided at least on the periphery of the incision. The torso may also include a first opening on the backface, an elastic member formed to cover the first opening, and a curved incision on the elastic member, where the incision is exposed from the first opening. Preferably, the incision is formed along the longitudinal direction of the first opening. Furthermore, the first opening may include at least two projections formed on its periphery, and the elastic member may include at least two holes formed at positions opposing the projections, respectively. A fixing member may be provided for fixing the elastic member, and the fixing member includes a second opening having the same shape and size as those of the first opening and formed at a position opposing the incision.

Abstract: A device that makes donning of stockings, in particular medical compression stockings, easier has a flexible sheet body that has a low friction inner side and a high friction outer side and is closed by snap fasteners. It can be rolled to a tubular shape having a larger diameter at one end. The sheet body is inserted into a stocking with the end of lower diameter first and is then pulled over the foot and leg, with the device reducing the friction forces that have to be exerted.

Abstract: A helmet (20) comprising a mechanism (28) to increase or decrease the internal volume thereof through the displacement of one or more portions (32) of the protective material (24) lining the helmet shell (22). The adjustment mechanism (28) is mounted on or adjacent the shell (22) of the helmet (20), from which project one or more connectors (30) which are operationally connected to the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24). When the adjustment mechanism (28) is activated, for example clockwise or counterclockwise, the connectors (30) are displaced, which causes the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24) to either be displaced away from the shell (22) of the helmet (20) or towards the shell (22) of the helmet (20) and thus allowing for a fine tuning of the fit of the helmet (20) on a player's head.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a health care system comprised of a sock aide, a reacher and a shoe horn. The sock aide is removably coupled to the reacher by the engagement of a T-shaped arm on outer surface of the sock aide with a sleeve disposed on one end of the reacher. The sleeves are provided on opposite sides of the reacher to allow the donning of a sock to either the left or right foot. The shoe horn is slidably mounted on the reacher.

Abstract: A helmet which may be rapidly disassembled and removed from a wearer. A flexible cable may engage cable fastening elements located along a helmet split area, thereby forming the outer shell into an integral, rigid unit. When desired, the cable may be quickly withdrawn from the cable fastening elements so that the outer shell may be rapidly disassembled and removed from the wearer. Following disassembly, the helmet may be rapidly reassembled by reengagement with the cable fastening elements. Each end of the cable may be provided with a handle, to facilitate helmet disassembly whether the wearer of the helmet is lying substantially face-down or substantially face-up. A cable release mechanism may be provided to prevent unauthorized or undesired helmet disassembly during play, for example.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for use when handling animals to protect against cuts and scratches. The sleeve has an outer puncture-resistant surface and a scratch-resistant layer. The sleeve tapers from the elbow toward the hand of the user. A thumb receiving aperture is provided near the lower end of the sleeve to provide stability and to permit free use of the hand. A glove may be attached or integral with the sleeve which is also made of a laminate puncture- and scratch-resistant material.

Abstract: Hooks for controlling movement of heddle cords in a Jacquard weaving loom are each displaced by a knife, between a position of top dead center, wherein each hook may be immobilized by a selection device, and a position of bottom dead center. Each hook includes a body provided with a catch that engages a corresponding knife and a metal blade that is relatively movable with respect to portions of the body adjacent the catch and that interacts with the selection device to selectively retain the hook in the top dead position thereof.

Abstract: In a gripper weaving loom which weaves several different types of weft threads into a fabric, it is desirable to keep weft material waste to a minimum. For this purpose a weft thread (7) already inserted into the loom shed is simultaneously held by a weft presenting clamp (13) and by a holding clamp (18). As soon as the weft is held by both clamps the weft is cut by a cutter (20) effective between the two clamps to form a trailing weft end (7B) of the already inserted weft and a leading weft end (7A) of a weft yet to be inserted. The holding clamp (18) keeps holding the trailing end (7B) until beat-up of the weft by the reed (4) is completed. For this purpose, the holding clamp (18) moves with the reed (4) into the beat-up position. When beat-up is completed the holding clamp (18) releases the trailing weft end (7B) and returns into a weft receiving position (22B). The weft presenting clamp (13) still holds the leading end (12A).