Abstract: A cheek pad for a helmet, the cheek pad comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer; and a sliding interface between the outer layer and the inner layer; wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are configured to slide relative to each other at the sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet, and the inner layer is configured to contact a side of the wearer's face, when the cheek pads are arranged in the helmet and the helmet is worn.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: A knee pad is designed to accommodate either the left or right hand knee of an individual by providing a doughnut shaped insert within the concave hard shell of the knee pad and wherein the insert is displaced toward the outside edge of the right hand or left hand knee side of the pad for the right knee and left knee, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a medical agent, such as an embolic coil into a vessel, or aneurysm, by utilizing a stabilizing catheter to retain or support a medical agent deployment device.

Abstract: A mouth protector assembly comprising a grid mouth protector, defined by a top bar contoured to engage the area above the upper lip and below the nose of a user, a series of spaced bars depending from the upper bar and a pad which underlies the chin of a user, a strap system for supporting the grid over the mouth including straps connected to the grid and encircling the head to support the grid over the mouth of the user.

Abstract: A sweat-absorbing headgear includes a headgear body having a ring portion adapted to extend around the head of a wearer. The ring portion includes a woven elastic band section and is changeable in size due to stretchable and contractible characteristics of the woven elastic band section. The woven elastic band section is stretchable along a longitudinal direction thereof, and includes a plurality of fiber bundles which extend along the longitudinal direction and which are spaced apart transversely. The fiber bundles are stretched when the woven elastic band section is stretched, and form a plurality of sweat-absorbing fiber tufts projecting from an inner surface of the woven elastic band section when the latter returns to a normally contracted state.

Abstract: An elastic (1) belt with a buckle (2) and having an adjustment slide (3) for waist size adjustment and snap race identification number attachment System” to secure the identification number to the elastic (1). Which consists of 2 snap caps 4A and 4B and two snap sockets 8A and 8B that are spaced as to accept a variety of different size race identification numbers. And two mating snap studs 5A and 5B. The number is held in place by peeling off the two center mating snap studs 5A and 5B, placing the identification number in the desired position over the two center snap sockets 8A and 8B, make an imprint of the snap sockets 8A and 8B on the number material with your thumb and by pressing down to replace the two mating snap studs 5A and 5B.

Abstract: Protective chaps for protecting the shins, knees, feet and chest of a wearer. The protective chaps include first and second leg portions adapted to fit over trousers of a user. Each of the leg portions has a knee portion, and a shin portion. Each of the leg portions is integrally coupled to and extends away from a waist portion. Each of a plurality of pockets is securely coupled to one of the first and second leg portions. A first and second of the pockets is securely coupled to one of the knee portions. A third and fourth of the pockets is securely coupled to one of the shin portions. Each of a plurality of padding members is removably positionable in one of the pockets such that each of the pockets has one of the padding members therein. A primary strap member removably secures the waist portion to the body of a user. A back side of the primary strap member is securely attached to and extends along a top edge of the waist portion.

Abstract: A protective pad is affixed to a protective garment having a moisture barrier and having an outer shell covering the moisture barrier, the moisture barrier being impervious to moisture and the outer shell being pervious to moisture. The protective pad has a moisture absorber incorporating a superabsorbent polymer and an outer cover pervious to moisture. The moisture absorber covers a region of the outer shell of the protective garment. The outer cover of the protective pad covers the moisture barrier. The outer cover of the protective pad is affixed to the outer cover of the protective garment, at least partly around the moisture absorber. The outer cover of the protective pad and the outer shell of the protective garment, in the covered region, are adapted to conduct moisture into the moisture absorber, in which the superabsorbent polymer is adapted to absorb much if not all moisture conducted into the moisture absorber.

Abstract: A limb protector comprising a knee element. In a preferred embodiment the knee element is pivotally coupled to an outer shell shin element. Padding is positioned between the leg and the outer shell(s) and may be formed of a shock absorbent foam, a plurality of interconnected fluid filled cushions, or a combination thereof. The padding may be coupled to the outer shell shin element so as to create a gap between itself and the outer shell shin element. Alternatively, the padding may positioned on the lateral and medial sides of the outer shell knee element to cradle the underlying leg. The outer shell shin element comprises a raised groove element protruding outward from the shin to form a shin-knee transition cavity located between the shin-knee transition of the leg and the outer shell shin element. The outer shell knee element comprises a centrally positioned domed element protruding outward from the knee generally overlying the patella and may also overlie the shin-knee transition area.

Abstract: An article for warming an appendage, particularly an athlete during inclement weather when this athlete is taking a break from the playing field is provided. The article comprises a flexible material, such as cloth, having a predetermined size and shape capable of being wrapped about the appendage. This flexible material may be customized according to a particular team's colors and/or logo. The flexible material includes at least one pocket which can have inserted therein an insulating means. Provided on the flexible material is a fastening means, preferably a quick release fastening means such as Velcro.RTM. or snaps, for securing the article about the appendage in a manner that the article can be quickly and easily removed from the appendage. This invention has particularly utility in the field of soccer for warming the thighs of the soccer players and allows for the quick removal thereof when the players are called into the game.

Abstract: A knee chap which is capable of providing protection from the abrasive nature of riding a horse or other such animal. The knee chap provides a pad for that part of the knee which is against the animal such that the abrasive effect of the saddle or the animal's movement is not transferred to the knee. The device is configured for a human knee when riding a horse.

Abstract: A fastener for a belt includes a buckle member adapted to be attached to a first end portion of the belt, wherein the buckle member includes a receiving member having an opening for receiving the belt therethrough, an operating plate provided with a tongue and pivotally mounted to the receiving member, the tongue extending from the operating plate toward a rear portion of the receiving member, and a fixing member pivotally fixed at the rear portion of the receiving member; and a slot member including a plurality of slots and protrusions and adapted to be formed to a second end portion of the belt, wherein the tongue is inserted into one of the slots and abutted against a substantially vertical surface of one of the protrusions by the operation of the operating plate.

Abstract: A fastener for a shin guard mounted on the leg of an athlete including upper and lower bands connected at their ends by diagonal bands, fork bands connecting the outer ends of the upper and lower bands to each other, a band of pile fabric extending outwardly from one of the fork bands, and a band of hook fabric extending outwardly from the other of the fork bands. A combined shin guard and fastener wherein the upper and lower bands are secured to the shin cover. A shin guard fastener consisting of an elongated flexible and resilient band having a central portion with a first attachment member for attaching the central portion to a sock or shin cover, and second and third attachment members on the end portions of the band for attaching the end portions to each other.

Abstract: The invention is a sturdy shield with a generally U-shaped curved piece adapted to fit for several inches along the underside/little finger side/ulna side of the wrist. Near the middle of the U-shaped curved piece is a generally perpendicular ridge, or striking edge, depending vertically between about 1/4" and 3/4", and extending horizontally between about 2" and 6" along the length of the wrist. The U-shaped curved piece is secured to the wrist by any sturdy conventional means, for example, by an adjustable strapping means which passes over the top side/thumb side/radius side of the wrist. A shorter, wristwatch style is envisioned, as well as a longer, forearm length version.

Abstract: A sewing machine for forming a "lock stitch" in a fabric material includes a reciprocally-mounted needle bar, a reciprocally-mounted needle thread take-up lever, and a rotary hook assembly located beneath the needle bar. In one embodiment, the sewing machine includes a needle thread take-up lever mounting and reciprocally moving device for reciprocally moving the take-up lever such that the distal needle thread engagement end thereof moves up and down in an arcuate path at a constant speed in timed relationship with the reciprocal movement of the needle bar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward protective garments having a conformable backpack portion located on a back area of the garment, the conformable backpack portion being adapted to conform to equipment worn on a back of a wearer of the protective garment.

Abstract: An improved goggle system includes a goggle housing surroundably supporting one or two lenses, and further includes a hinged strap attachment member which is pivotally engaged to the goggle housing forward of the rearward most extent of the side lens or lenses. The hinged strap attachment member has a small shield member disposed generally toward the axis of pivot to protect the space between the hinge and the goggle, and also to provide a smooth interfit with the goggle when the hinge is displaced back toward the head of the wearer, as when the goggle is used without a helmet or other structure which would tend to pull outwardly rather than back against the head of the user. The hinges have sufficient flexibility matched with respect to sufficient pin length to enable the hinges to be rapidly and easily removed from the goggle, so that the goggle could be removed from the helmet or other support system when the goggles are needed elsewhere.

Abstract: A facial sun block mask having a lens that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation. The lens is formed to protect most, if not all, of the face of the wearer. The lens is attached to a main body or visor that seat firmly against the upper forehead region of the wearer. The main body may also have vents.

Abstract: A carpet styling yarn comprises a core having at least two falsely twisted continuous yarns, and a single wrapper yarn spirally wrapped about the core. At least two of the core yarns are differently colored or differently colorable. The length of the single wrapper yarn is greater than the length of the core for any given unit length of the carpet styling yarn. A method for fabricating the carpet styling yarn, and to a carpet using the same, are also disclosed.