Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for controlling the distribution of fibers in a fiber felt forming process, which comprises a guide duct through which a gas current with felt fibers entrained is directed. The gas passes through a perforated conveyor, which retains the fibers.The duct is caused to oscillate by a connecting rod affixed to the guide duct and a rotary element by universal joints at either end, connection being effected by cardans, by which the rotary element entrains the connecting rod in its rotary movement. By moving the axis of rotation of the rotary element away from the center of the guide duct/connecting rod joint, an oscillating movement is imparted to the guide duct. The entire apparatus, including a motor for inducing rotary movement may be caused to undergo translational movement by a pair of opposed hydraulic jacks, the operation of which may alter the median direction of the movement of the oscillating guide duct.

Abstract: Method and means for providing assemblages of fully opened and combed fibers for intimate blending with other staple fibers of a diverse type are disclosed, wherein combed tufts detached from preceding and succeeding tufts are moved in an air stream under subatmospheric pressure to a collection chamber. Movement by such an air stream assures that the parallelized fibers of the tuft are not disturbed but remain in a fully opened and combed condition for subsequent intimate blending. This method and means assure that the fibers are not bent, compressed or otherwise changed from their fully opened and combed state.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a baseball glove from a single sheet of paperboard, and the resulting baseball glove.

Abstract: Apparatus for stretching the neck of a garment includes a base shaped to fit within the yoke of a shirt or the like and a pair of upstanding members pivotally attached to the base. A turnbuckle is disposed between the upstanding members for adjusting the spacing between them.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly usable primarily by athletes to protect body parts from injury, especially from traumatic shock as when struck by a high speed hockey puck. The pad assembly includes a relatively rigid outer shell or shield and an inner air entrained cushion releasably attached to the outer shell and closely conformable to the body part being protected. The cushion includes a flexible, shock absorbent pad covered by a flexible air impervious case. The pad is formed of a soft, springy material which expels air upon compression, such as polyurethane foam. Small openings in the case are provided for expulsion of air from the case upon deflection of the pad as under the influence of the force of impact of an external object. The amount and rate at which air is expelled from the case influences the resiliency and shock absorbency characteristics of the cushion.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracing, cutting and assembling a garment part with an upper portion having the outline of an armhole and a given width, along with a lower portion with a given width. The garment part is contained in a rectangle whose width is equal to the given width of the lower portion, with part of the outline of the armhole being eliminated. An auxiliary cut-out portion is provided in the lower part of the partial outline of the armhole, and an auxiliary panel is cut whose upper edge replaces the eliminated portion of the outline of the armhole. The auxiliary cut-out portion is opened and is held open by means of the auxiliary panel which is sewn to the edges of the auxiliary cut-out portion in order to provide a completed armhole with a useful width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a sliver from a web of fibres leaving the upper part of a horizontally extending delivery roller (2) of a cotton type carding machine. The web is delivered downwardly from the upper part of the delivery roller into proximity with a surface of power driven selvedge support means, in one embodiment conveyors (9 and 10). The surface of the selvedge support means moves at a level below the upper part of the delivery roller in a direction that is generally longitudinal to the delivery roller and into a sliver-forming nip (15). The downwardly travelling web passes through the nip and tension is applied to the web by the action of the nip. The sliver is delivered from the nip (15) and may pass directly to calender rolls (27) immediately downstream of the nip. If parts of the web should break, the selvedge support means will guide these back into the nip to regain normal running.

Abstract: A flexible sheet material shaped article comprises a thermoplastic material having a plurality of spaced breathing apertures extending through the thickness thereof, each breathing aperture filled with a porous fibrous material. The flexible sheet material shaped article is formed by utilizing a vertical mold, and hanging a plurality of spaced strands of porous fibrous material from the top of the mold. The mold has a plan or cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the article being provided. The mold is then filled with liquid thermoplastic material, and after cooling a slab of thermoplastic material with strands of fibrous material is produced. The slab is then sliced in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension in which the strands extend, and to the desired thickness to provide the flexible sheet material shaped article.

Abstract: A drafting arrangement including a collector means suitably utilized for fasciated yarn spinning. The collector means in the shape of a hollow shell is disposed between a preceding draft means such as a pair of front rollers and the post draft means such as a pair of a aprons, in such a manner that a front surface of the collector means confronts a rearward surface of the preceding draft means and, on the other hand, a rear surface of the collector means confronts a front surface of the post draft means with a predetermined clearance. By this construction, a concomitant air stream accompanying rotation of the draft means is effectively expelled out of the fiber passage and stable drafting can be accomplished.

Abstract: A snap on shield for a helmet is formed with a transparent surface of a predetermined shape to fit onto a helmet to protect the face of a wearer. The shield is injection molded of a polymer material having a molded female center snap portion for engaging a male snap portion on a helmet and a female polymer snap portion formed on each side of the shield. Each snap portion is an elongated snap portion that allows the male snap portion to be snapped in at any position along the elongated female snap portions. The helmet shield can be fitted to different helmets having male fastener portions in different positions. Each elongated polymer snap fastener portion has an elongated groove formed in the shield and has an elongated lip formed along each elongated edge of each groove and protruding over a portion of the groove.

Abstract: A steam kiln (10) for the setting of pleats in fabrics. The steam kiln (10) has shielding walls (32, 40) disposed at a distance from the lateral inside walls (26) and from the roof (22). These shielding walls form an integrated system of air guiding chambers (34, 42) for the return of steam aspirated by a fan (46) through an opening (44) in the horizontal top shield (40) from the interior of the kiln into the bottom area of the kiln interior. Heating elements (28) are provided in the air guiding chambers (34) for the reheating and superheating of the steam atmosphere. The steam is injected into the bottom part of the steam kiln from an external steam source (54).

Abstract: A dry diving suit has a protective piece which extends completely around each leg, the underlying material of the leg and the protective piece being united longitudinally only at the inseam. A two-layer leg is thus provided with but one longitudinal seam. Each leg is glued at its lower edge to a latex sock. The protective piece is seamed circumferentially to the leg above the glue line of the sock. The inseam extends vertically down only to the circumferential seam of the protective piece.

Abstract: A suction duct for textile machines such as bale-openers which is provided for receiving fibers removed from a bale through a flexible tube. The flexible tube 30 is moved with a carriage 21 over a row of bales when removing fibers therefrom. The fibers passing through the flexible tube 30 are deposited into the suction duct 1 which has a longitudinally extending opening 10 provided in the top thereof. In order to maintain the suction duct closed except for the opening 10' communicating with the flexible tube 30, a flexible cover-strip 4 is moved with the connection-opening 3. The remote end of the cover-strip 4 is fixed.

Abstract: A bulletproof dress shirt is disclosed which incorporates the following features: ease of installation, adjustability and removability through the use of VELCRO fasteners; lightweight design and removable bulletproof pads for ease in laundering; optional vital area protection; and design resembling a dress shirt so as to prevent other persons from discovering the fact that the garment is bulletproof, which design includes snap fasteners to permit attaching the dress shirt front over top of shoulder straps attached by the aforementioned VELCRO fasteners, to prevent detection of the shoulder straps.

Abstract: An easy access underwater diving suit in which the torso portion of the suit is longer than a diver's torso height and that has a diagonal zippered opening in the upper front portion from shoulder to opposite hip to provide a maximum, easy access opening. After the diver is inside the suit, the torso portion of the suit is adjusted to the height of the diver. A fastening arrangement holds the suit in the adjusted condition.

Abstract: A thin flexible lightweight shoulder protection device for attachment to a shooter's garments to absorb rifle or similar firearm recoil loads. The device includes a flexible cover portion within which an energy absorbing pad is retained. The pad includes a flexible sealed envelope which houses an internal solid thermoplastic elastomer matrix which provides the device with its damping or energy absorbing capability. Retention means are provided for removably locating and securing the device at desired garment locations.

Abstract: A helmet suitable for use by combat vehicle crewmen comprises a rigid she formed of a ballistic resistant material, having earcup receiving extensions affixed thereto. Earcups are mounted in the shell extensions and are capable of movement in two directions relative thereto. The helmet also has an internal suspension system which affords two additional size adjustments.