Abstract: A piece of trim having a hard finish is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the outer shell which is formed of fire retardant material. A thread protector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the trim, and a thread forming a line of stitching extends through the thread protector, trim and shell to hold the trim in place. The thread includes exposed portions, and the thread protector is formed of soft material and extends away from opposite sides of the exposed portions of the thread. The thread protector also is spaced from the outer surface of the trim a greater distance than the tops of the exposed portions of the thread so that if an object approaches the sides of the exposed portions, it will first contact an edge of the thread protector and cause the thread protector to fold over the exposed portions of the thread to prevent abrasion thereof.

Abstract: A label having indicia thereon is attached to the shell of a firefighter's garment by stitching which passes through the label and the shell, with portions of the stitching extending outwardly of the label. A transparent protective layer is adhesively secured to the label and covers the outer surface of the label and the outwardly extending stitching portions. The protective layer is heat and abrasion resistant and is substantially waterproof.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat includes (1) a body portion comprised of a flame-resistant shell and a heat-resistant liner, (2) a collar portion comprised of a flame-resistant outer collar part and a fire-resistant inner collar part, the upper edge of the shell being stitched to the lower edge of the outer collar part to provide an outer neckline of the coat, the upper edge of the liner being stitched to the lower edge of the inner collar part to help provide an inner neckline of the coat, and (3) a waterproof interliner which extends from between the shell and the liner of the body portion upwardly between the outer and inner necklines without connection thereto except possibly at their opposite ends, and then between the outer and inner collar parts of the collar portion so as to provide a moisture barrier which prevents water which has seeped through the stitching along the outer neckline from penetrating through the coat to contact the wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lift-front type hood adapted for use by firefighters which has an improved latching means. The hood comprises a helmet including a bump cap capable of fitting onto the top of the head of a wearer and a rigid liner attached to the bump cap and extending down from the front of the cap so as to be in front of the face of a wearer, the liner having an opening therein so as to allow a wearer to have vision. The hood further includes a shroud of flexible material attached to the exterior of the helmet and extending about the helmet so as to form a generally cylindrical skirt about the head and upper torso of a wearer, the shroud having an opening therein coextensive with the opening in the liner, and a shield plate comprising a sheet of transparent material covering the opening in the liner and shroud and attached to the liner by hinges.