Abstract: Footwear with a reflective strip low on the heel and visible through the outsole. The reflective strip is a strip of reflective material attached horizontally to the back and, optionally, the lateral side of the footbed heel cup, positioned low on the heel cup. Optionally, the reflective strip fits into a depression in the heel cup. The reflective strip is attached to the heel cup either permanently or removably. The outsole heel and lateral side has one or more window cutouts through which the reflective strip is visible. The reflective strip is visible through the heel counter because the heel counter is either transparent, with or without raised sections filling the outsole window cutouts or has a cutout with an optional sheet of transparent protective material outside of the heel counter.

Abstract: A system includes knobs on an item of gear and a latch attached to a carrier. Each knob has a neck and a head with a larger diameter. First and second sliders fit into a latch frame. Hooks on the sliders form expandable apertures. To attach, the knob is pushed against the slider hooks to expand the aperture. After the head passes through the aperture, a spring biases the hooks together, so the aperture width is smaller than the head diameter, capturing the knob. A carrier adapter adapts the latch to a carrier. Adapters are available for duty belts, PALS-equipped carriers, and horizontal slots.

Abstract: A ballistic vest carrier cover having a mantle with a center rear panel, a front panel attached to the right side of the rear panel forming a right arm hole, and a front overlay attached to the left side of the rear panel forming a left arm hole. The cover is donned like a jacket with the rear panel covering the back of the torso, the front panel covering the front of the torso, and the front overlay covering the left half of the front panel. The front overlay is removably attached to the front panel by a vertical zipper that is optionally hidden by a false placket. A fabric outer layer and liner are attached to form a front and rear pockets for body armor panel carriers. The mantel has optional front and rear hard armor pouches inside the front and rear armor pockets, respectively, and optional side pouches.

Abstract: A light that mounts to the back of the hand by a band. A housing has a narrow beam lamp and the wide beam lamp with a corresponding lens system to form a light beam with the desired divergence. A number of power control configurations are contemplated, including separate on/off switches, multi-position switches, luminosity level switches with a master on/off switch, and a single switch for each lamp that cycles through several luminosity levels. Power is supplied by batteries. The band includes a bracket attached to the housing and a strap that permanently or removably attaches to the bracket, the combination of which encircles the hand. The light includes mechanisms for adjusting the housing relative to the band.

Abstract: A completely bleach-cleanable, clamshell bag composed of molded emulsified EVA. A base and lid form a generally rectangular compartment that removably holds a variety of caddies via PALS strips. A lid lip engages with a base lip to form a liquid-resistant seal. The hinges are flexible, coated webbing straps for durability and to facilitate cleaning. The latch includes side release buckles on flexible, coated webbing straps. Handles are composed of flexible, coated webbing straps. A recess in the base floor holds an oxygen cylinder with an attached regulator, retained by an elastic cylinder harness designed for cylinders of different lengths. The bag includes a waist belt, a pair of shoulder straps, and a carry strap, all of which are removable to facilitate cleaning. An optional flashlight arm can rotate and pivot removably attaches a flashlight.

Abstract: A system includes knobs on an item of gear and a latch attached to a carrier. Each knob has a neck and a head with a larger diameter. First and second sliders fit into a latch frame. Hooks on the sliders form expandable apertures. To attach, the knob is pushed against the slider hooks to expand the aperture. After the head passes through the aperture, a spring biases the hooks together so the aperture width is smaller than the head diameter, capturing the knob. A carrier adapter adapts the latch to a carrier. Adapters are available for duty belts, MOLLE-equipped carriers, and horizontal slots.

Abstract: A completely bleach-cleanable, clamshell bag composed of molded emulsified EVA. A base and lid form a generally rectangular compartment that removably holds a variety of caddies via PALS strips. A lid lip engages with a base lip to form a liquid-resistant seal. The hinges are flexible, coated webbing straps for durability and to facilitate cleaning. The latch includes side release buckles on flexible, coated webbing straps. Handles are composed of flexible, coated webbing straps. A recess in the base floor holds an oxygen cylinder with an attached regulator, retained by an elastic cylinder harness designed for cylinders of different lengths. The bag includes a waist belt, a pair of shoulder straps, and a carry strap, all of which are removable to facilitate cleaning. An optional flashlight arm can rotate and pivot removably attaches a flashlight.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. The pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter, a bag that hangs freely in the pocket, or a bag that hangs in the pocket from the shoulders and neck opening of the cover. The front pouch has side and bottom lobes to ease installation of the armor plate. The pouch is accessed via a lateral or vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. In one configuration, the pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs freely in the pocket. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs in the pocket from the shoulders and neck opening of the cover. The pouch is accessed via a lateral opening or a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. The pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter, a bag that hangs freely in the pocket, or a bag that hangs in the pocket from the shoulders and neck opening of the cover. The front pouch has side and bottom lobes to ease installation of the armor plate. The pouch is accessed via a lateral or vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. In one configuration, the pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs freely in the pocket. The pouch is accessed via a lateral opening or a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. The vertical opening can be hidden behind a placket. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. In one configuration, the pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs freely in the pocket. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs in the pocket from the shoulders and neck opening of the cover. The pouch is accessed via a lateral opening or a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. In one configuration, the pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs freely in the pocket. The pouch is accessed via a lateral opening or a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. The vertical opening can be hidden behind a placket. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: A ballistic vest carrier cover has a mantle that goes over the wearer's shoulders from the front waist to the rear waist. It has a fabric outer layer, an optional interlining, and a liner. The cover fits over a shirt so the combination appears as a standard uniform shirt. The liner attaches to the outer layer at the front and rear waist, neck, and along the sides from front armor openings to rear armor openings, producing front and rear pockets for receiving the body armor panel carriers. The panel carriers are attached using supplied straps at the waist through the armor openings and at the shoulders through tunnels between the front and rear pockets. A stretch panel extends from the cover at the rear armor opening, over the waist strap, and fastens to the cover at the front armor opening.

Abstract: A ballistic vest carrier cover has a mantle that goes over the wearer's shoulders from the front waist to the rear waist. It has a fabric outer layer, an optional interlining, and a liner. The cover fits over a shirt so the combination appears as a standard uniform shirt. The liner attaches to the outer layer at the front and rear waist, neck, and along the sides from front armor openings to rear armor openings, producing front and rear pockets for receiving the body armor panel carriers. The panel carriers are attached using supplied straps at the waist through the armor openings and at the shoulders through tunnels between the front and rear pockets. A stretch panel extends from the cover at the rear armor opening, over the waist strap, and fastens to the cover at the front armor opening.

Abstract: A ballistic vest carrier cover has a mantle that goes over the wearer's shoulders from the front waist to rear waist. It has a fabric outer layer, an interlining heat-fused to the back of the outer layer, and a liner. The cover is designed to fit over a pullover shirt so the combination appears as a standard uniform shirt. The liner attaches to the outer layer at the front and rear waist, neck, and along the sides from front armor openings to rear armor openings, thereby producing front and rear pockets for receiving the body armor panel carriers through the armor openings. The front of the mantle attaches to the rear at the waist by zippers. One zipper component is on a stretch panel that extends from the outer layer at the rear armor opening and the other zipper component is on the outer layer at the front armor opening.

Abstract: A ballistic vest carrier cover has a mantle that goes over the wearer's shoulders from the front waist to rear waist. It has a fabric outer layer, an interlining heat-fused to the back of the outer layer, and a liner. The cover is designed to fit over a pullover shirt so the combination appears as a standard uniform shirt. The liner attaches to the outer layer at the front and rear waist, neck, and along the sides from front armor openings to rear armor openings, thereby producing front and rear pockets for receiving the body armor panel carriers through the armor openings. The front of the mantle attaches to the rear at the waist by zippers. One zipper component is on a stretch panel that extends from the outer layer at the rear armor opening and the other zipper component is on the outer layer at the front armor opening.

Abstract: A high-visibility covering is removably attached to a firefighter turnout coat at the shoulders and front closure by easily separable fasteners so that the assemblage can be donned as a single coat and the high-visibility covering can be easily ripped off. In one embodiment, the covering is a single panel that wraps around the coat, extending from the shoulders to the waist or hips. In another embodiment, the covering is composed of three panels, two front panels and a back panel. Front shoulder straps on the covering are removably attached to the front of the turnout coat at the shoulders. Back shoulder straps on the panel overlap and are removably attached to the corresponding front shoulder straps. In the three panel embodiment, the back panel has a pair of lappets that overlap and are removably attached to the corresponding front panel.

Abstract: A high-visibility covering is removably attached to a firefighter turnout coat at the shoulders and front closure by easily separable fasteners so that the assemblage can be donned as a single coat and the high-visibility covering can be easily ripped off. In one embodiment, the covering is a single panel that wraps around the coat, extending from the shoulders to the waist or hips. In another embodiment, the covering is composed of three panels, two front panels and a back panel. Front shoulder straps on the covering are removably attached to the front of the turnout coat at the shoulders. Back shoulder straps on the panel overlap and are removably attached to the corresponding front shoulder straps. In the three panel embodiment, the back panel has a pair of lappets that overlap and are removably attached to the corresponding front panel.

Abstract: A cuff closure comprising a flap having one end attached to the cuff and a free end, a longitudinal slit in the cuff adjacent to the attached end of the flap, a flap fastener component on the flap, a first surface fastener component on the first surface of the cuff that mates with the flap fastener component, and a second surface fastener component on the second surface of said cuff that mates with the flap fastener component. When the first surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the first surface fastener component and, when the second surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the second surface fastener component.