Abstract: A hanger having a first hook portion extending above a central body portion has at least one arm extending laterally outward from the central body portion to a first distal end. At least one locking bar has a first end and is secured along the first arm extending adjacent the first arm to a second end. Additionally, at least one support bar can be provided having a third end and secured along the first arm extending beneath the first locking bar to a fourth end. Either or both of the second and fourth ends may extend beyond a midpoint of the hanger. A second support bar and/or a second locking bar may be provided. The locking bar deflects under the weight of the hung article to engage an article between the locking bar and a support.

Abstract: This invention relates to active protective garments which are inconspicuously worn by an individual and which activate upon certain conditions being met. Activation causes inflation of regions of the active protective garment to provide padding and impact cushioning for the wearer. The invention is an active protective garment such as pair of shorts or pants, a jacket, a vest, underwear, and the like. The garments comprise multiple layers of material that constrain pockets or regions that are inflatable by a source of compressed gas or foam. The garments also comprise sensors to detect ballistic parameters such as acceleration, distance, relative acceleration, and rotation. The sensor information is used to determine whether activation is required. Detection and activation are accomplished in a very short time period in order to offer maximal protection for the individual wearing the garment.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a system for protecting a device formed from polystyrene is provided. The system includes a body formed from polystyrene. The system also includes a protective layer formed from thermoplastic elastomer. The protective layer is coupled to the body during a molding process used to form the body.

Abstract: A face shield support includes an adjustable frame which fits over the head of a user during use and provides support for the face shield frame. In one embodiment, the frame includes a first, or frontal strap that extends from approximately above the ears of the user and across the forehead of the user, and a second or rear adjustable strap extending from approximately above the ears of the user and around the base of the user's head adjacent the occipital lobe. Connecting the rear and frontal straps are a pair of mounting members which secure the face shield frame to the support and which also pivotally connect the frontal and rear adjustable straps. An upper bridge may also be provided which extends over the top portion of a user's head and further secures the frontal and rear straps together. The frontal strap may optionally included an expanded frontal area for additional comfort.

Abstract: A helmet is particularly well suited for cold-weather use. The helmet includes a jaw shield that is detachable from a head portion. A breathing mask connects to the jaw shield via a mask adjustment mechanism that selectively axially moves the breathing mask toward and away from an inner surface of the jaw shield to precisely and accurately position the breathing mask against the nose and mouth of the helmet's wearer. A spring-loaded quick-release tinted shield is controlled by a lever that selectively raises and lowers the tinted shield. An eye shield pivotally connects to the helmet and is disposed in front of the tinted shield. An eye shield heating system on the eye shield electrically connects to the head portion of the helmet to provide electric power to the heating system.

Abstract: A crash helmet assembly is provided including a lightweight shell or lattice of sufficiently rigid material and geometric design to surround but not contact the user's head. The helmet is affixed to a rigid vest-like garment by interconnecting rigid straps and braces such that the resulting combination deflects compression impact forces away from the head and neck and onto the user's shoulders and upper torso.

Abstract: A safety helmet having a shell constructed of a rigid material, the shell having a body portion and a brim portion extending outwardly from the body portion, the body portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the interior surface of the body portion, and a bottom opening in open communication with the interior cavity, the interior cavity of the body portion sized to receive a portion of a head of a person. An adjustable webbing assembly is connected to the interior surface of the body portion for supporting the interior surface of the body portion of the shell a distance from the person's head. The safety helmet further includes a plenum extending along a portion of the exterior surface of the body portion of the shell, the plenum having an air inlet, at least one air outlet and an air flow passageway extending there between, the at least one air outlet of the plenum being in open communication with the interior cavity of the body portion of the shell.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to stabilization straps, and is more specifically concerned with a helmet stabilization strap apparatus. The stabilization strap apparatus provides connectors so configured and sized as to be mountable on the helmet, and each include a first pivotal interconnecting element and a first interlocking element. The stabilization strap apparatus further includes a strap member having ends connectable to a respective connector. Each of the ends includes a second pivotal interconnecting element and a second interlocking element, such that the second pivotal interconnecting element is mountable in a pivotal connection to the first pivotal interconnecting element and the second interlocking element matingly corresponds to the first interlocking element. Each ends of the strap member is pivotable around the pivotal connection and lockable at various strap positions with respect to the connectors when the second interlocking element engages the first interlocking element.

Abstract: A headmount apparatus for mounting vision enhancement equipment thereon which is comprised of a mounting shell having at least one pad and having at least one mounting surface to which the vision enhancing equipment is mounted, where at least one pad is configured to contact the user's head. The headmount apparatus is also comprised of at least one elastic strap which is attached to the mounting shell for securing the mounting shell to the user's head. The headmount apparatus for mounting vision enhancement equipment thereon could alternatively be comprised of at least one mounting frame for attaching vision enhancement equipment, at least one hardware mounting surface for accepting the mounting frame, and a hood configured to fit over a user's head where the hood is made at least in part from an elastic material and which contains the hardware mounting surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective hat suitable for every day wear by infants, children, senior citizens or physically disabled individuals. Such hat protects at least the sides, top or rear of the wearer's head from injuries due to falls or bumps against hard objects while conducting routine, daily activities. Generally, the head protector of the present invention may comprise: (1) a cap member: and (2) one or more flexible, resilient shock absorbent pads. The cap member may be constructed so as to fully enclose and/or encapsulate the one or more pads.

Abstract: A headband for use in a headgear support includes a first end section having a plurality of connectors extending latitudinally from a lateral surface of the first end section. The headband also includes a second end section having a fastener attached adjacent the end thereof. The fastener includes a flexible lever arm and a cooperating connector biased in an engagement position with at least one of the plurality of connectors of the first end section to hold the headband in a selected loop configuration. The flexible lever arm is movable to a release position upon application of force thereto to cause the cooperating connector to disengage from the at least one the plurality of connectors of the first end section to enable increasing the size of the loop of the headband. The plurality of connectors of the first end section can, for example, be ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A motorcycle windshield control system is disclosed. The system includes a receiver and filter circuit coupled to a motorcycle helmet having a windshield for receiving and filtering electromagnetic signals generated by an electrical device of a motorcycle. Alternatively, the receiver and filter circuit can receive signals emitted by an emitter installed on the motorcycle. The system also includes a control circuit coupled to the receiver and filter circuit, for performing a Boolean operation to activate a raiser motor for adjusting a position of the windshield when the Boolean operation generates a high logic level. The system can also include a manual override switch.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a system for securing a helmet to the head of a user is provided. The system includes a helmet body, and a roll cage disposed substantially within the helmet body. The system also includes at least a portion of a helmet retention system coupled to the roll cage so that a force applied to the strap is transferred to the roll cage before being transferred to the helmet body.

Abstract: An adjustable or custom-sized improved headband of uniform vertical height and thickness along its entire length that reduces the force of impact on the player's head and provides the player with better control in redirecting the ball.

Abstract: A protective head gear includes a protective portion for covering at least part of the back of a user's head. A headband strap is included for extending from the protective portion at the back of the user's head to the user's forehead to hold the protective portion in place at the back of the user's head.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading a row of tuft retention sites (TRS) in a gripper loom with a row of tufts (T) arranged in a predetermined pattern sequence, the apparatus including a group of yarn sources movable along said row tuft retention sites (TRS), drive means for sequentially moving said group of yarn sources along the guide means (33) and temporarily locating a desired yarn source in registry with a predetermined tuft site (TRS), and selectively operable tuft forming means which, on selection, transfer a tuft (T) from said desired yarn sources to said predetermined tuft site (TR).

Abstract: The present invention features a removable liner for headgear. The inventive liner is specifically configured for placement within a cap member, hat, or any sort of headwear for enhanced thermal comfort. The liner is comprised of two shell layers that are made from choice performance materials. The two constituent shells are formed together to provide localized climate control for the head of the wearer. A first inner shell, adapted for contact with the wearer, is an ultrathin, thermally reflective, synthetic, microfibrous fabric. This inner shell removes moisture and allows airflow (for heat and perspiration removal. The second, outer shell is a multi-membrane fabric, forms an insulative, breathable, windproof, waterproof layer that lies between the headgear and the first inner shell.

Abstract: A device (1) for forming a leno selvedge, said device having two lifting healds (10, 20) and one half heald (30), the lifting healds (10, 20) having a securing element (13, 23; 14, 24) provided respectively at the upper and lower end thereof, said lifting healds (10,20) having, in the region of the lower end, at least one magnet for the foot (31a, 32a) of the half heald (30), each lifting heald (10, 20) having at least one magnet (18, 28) in the region of its upper end, the magnets (18, 28) of the two lifting healds (10, 20) of a leno selvedge device being polarized such that the healds attract each other.

Abstract: A quilting apparatus for enabling a user to freely move a stack of fabric layers across a planar bed relative to an actuatable stitch head. The apparatus includes a motion detector which detects the movement of the stack and controls the actuation of the stitch head. Consequently, the apparatus functions to synchronize the delivery of stitch strokes by the head with the manually controlled movement of the quilt material stack. This frees the user to move the stack over a wide range of speeds, to start or stop movement at will, and to guide the stack in any direction across the planar bed.

Abstract: Garments and apparel that animate subsurface muscles, joints and tendons. The garments can include athletic wear such as leggings that conform to both the thigh and calf of a user and arm coverings that conform over the arm, and even over the torso of the body. Other applications can include dancewear, theatrical costuming, medical and therapeutic products. The garment can include seams about slits, each slit being parallel to one another running down the exterior sides of the leggings and arm coverings. Sewn to the edges of the slits, beneath the slits can be a sublayer elastic material having a different color and/or texture than the surface color and/or texture of the garment. Alternatively, instead of seams, the material can be formed from a chemically or another technically produced fabric that has designated stretch and non-stretch areas engineered at selected locations.