Abstract: A duty gear support trousers having a waist portion with a plurality of ergonomically shaped pads positioned within a hem around an interior surface of the waist portion and a plurality of vertically opening loops spaced around an exterior surface for removable placement of duty gear belt keepers. A duty gear belt having a plurality of accessories is positioned through the keepers so that the load of the duty gear accessories is spread over a wide area of the wearers waist.

Abstract: A seat pad for a cyclist garment, including a first side, an opposing second side, perforations formed through the seat pad so as to traverse from the first side to the second side and allowing passage of fluid therethrough, and at least one channel defined in the first side connecting together at least two of the perforations and being configured to direct fluid flow when the garment is worn.

Abstract: A seat pad for a cyclist garment, a method of manufacture thereof, and a cyclist garment including the same, are provided. The multi-layer seat pad includes an inner layer for contacting the cyclist, an outer layer for affixing to the garment, and a compressible, resilient middle layer disposed between the outer and inner layers, wherein the outer layer covers less than all of the inner layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to garments which have particular use during gardening activities. The garments each broadly comprise a protective panel to be worn in the front of the user, at least one pad connected to the protective panel for protecting a user's knees when kneeling, and devices for holding implements that may be needed by the user attached to the protective panel. The holding devices may comprise straps secured to the protective panel, pockets attached to the protective panel, and/or VELCRO tabs attached to the protective panel.

Abstract: A thermal liner in a diving suit has a layer of incompressible phase change materials for storing latent heat energy and for later releasing the std energy while changing phase. This thermal liner provides thermal protection for divers' wetsuits, drysuits, and hot-water suits using stored energy from phase change materials, for extreme cold water diving. The thermal liner can function as an emergency backup heat source upon power failure when electrically-heated drysuits are used, or as an emergency backup heat source in case of interruption of warm water supply when hot-water diving suits are used. It can also be used as a supplemental source of heat for divers wearing passively-insulated wetsuits or drysuits to prolong acceptable durations in cold water missions. The thermal liner gives divers an emergency "come home" capability in case of power failure within drysuits supplied with an electrically-heated undergarment, or of an interruption of the warm water supply to a hot-water suit.

Abstract: A dry suit has an outer garment of waterproof material. The fit of the garment is adjusted by pleating the garment and securing the pleat with "Velcro" fasteners spaced apart on the garment. A seal is provided at the neck, wrists and ankles by a cuff overlapping the garment on a support ring and secured with a resilient band.

Abstract: A balancing jacket for scuba divers is in the form of a sleeve-less waist-length jacket made from strong, heavy materials worn over a diving suit made from neoprene. Pads made from a soft plastics material are placed in the armholes and in the neck area of the jacket. The jacket further includes a soft back covered with an elastomeric material with a high coefficient of friction on neoprene.

Abstract: A diving jacket for retaining warmth of a diver's torso is provided with an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the diving jacket is formed from first and second front torso portions fastened to a back portion. A releasable fastener for releasably attaching the first front torso portion to the second front torso portion is also preferably secured to the diving jacket. At least one loop is attached to the outer surface of the diving jacket to define an aperture that is dimensioned to accommodate a corresponding strap of a buoyancy compensator for allowing the buoyancy compensator to be secured to the outer surface of the diving jacket.

Abstract: A watertight suit is capable of properly discharging air within the suit and safely maintaining a diver's position in the water. The suit includes an air outlet valve provided in an end section of a leg part, the air outlet valve functioning to discharge air from the inside of the leg part. Another air outlet valve can also be provided in an upper body part of the suit. An air inlet introduces air into the watertight suit as necessary to equalize external pressure. Where an automatic air outlet valve is provided, air in excess of external pressure is vented through the outlet valves automatically as warranted by the diving conditions, keeping an even balance of pressure even when air is excessively supplied form the air source through the inlet valve.

Abstract: An underwater drysuit has a zipper along the front of the drysuit. The zipper extends from one shoulder to the other and to the back side of the drysuit. The zipper has a middle section at chest level. The middle section is curved downward to form an upwardly facing extended U-shape. The ends of the zipper form reverse bends beneath the front of the shoulders. The reverse bends continue on a downward turn to the sides of each arm. The ends of the zipper terminate about midway between the shoulder and the elbow on the side of the arms.

Abstract: A support garment for diving equipment includes several subassemblies for providing comfortable support of diving equipment, such as a tank of pressurized breathing gas, a buoyancy compensating air cell and a ballast weight pocket assembly. A frame is adjustably secured to a shoulder support assembly that includes adjustment straps for accommodating various body sizes. A belt assembly is pivotally secured to the lower portion of the frame. A bust or chest panel extends between shoulder supports, providing a secure and comfortable fitting structure for divers of various body types, particularly women. Elements of the garment are secured to one another via rivets placed at predetermined locations, thereby facilitating assembly and servicing of the garment.

Abstract: A neck-entry wetsuit (10) with a closure loop panel (54), a collar panel (60), zipper panels (36, 38) and a back panel (26). Collar panel (60) forms an outer neck opening (80) with a cut out region that allows the outer neck opening to expand. Back panel (26) is form to ride against a person's back and itself forms part of an inner neck opening that expands to allow entry into and out of the wetsuit.

Abstract: A wetsuit (10) having an upper trunk portion (14), a lower trunk portion (12), and a neck region (16) including a neck opening (30). A closure panel (34) seals a V-shaped cut out region (38) that forms part of neck opening (30). Hooks (54) and loops (57) secure closure panel (34) in its closed position. In its open position, closure panel (34) substantially enlarges neck opening (30) to permit entry into and exit from the wetsuit through the neck opening. V-shaped cut out region (38) is limited to the upper trunk portion (14) and a double lined neoprene panel (45) is secured below the apex (43) of the V-neck opening. The double lined neoprene panel (45) acts as a stress disperser, in order to minimize wear and tear at the apex (43).

Abstract: A method and article for facilitating the application of a wet suit to a human body having a torso portion with a first arm member and a second arm member extend outwardly from opposite sides of the torso portion. The first and second leg members extend downwardly from the torso portion. The torso portion, the leg members and the arm members are formed of a spun high density polyethylene fiber material. First and second mittens are also formed of the same material and are removably affixed adjacent to the first and second arm members, respectively. First and second boots are also formed of the same material and are removably affixed adjacent to the first and second leg members, respectively. The torso portion has a V-shaped open area formed on a back surface of the torso portion.

Abstract: A diving suit has an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion. The upper and lower torso portions are connected and one is layered and folded upon itself in the waistband area. A stretchable waistband is connected to the upper and lower torso portions about the circumference of the diving suit on the inside of the diving suit over the layered area and allows the upper torso portion to move relative to the lower torso portion while the user is entering the diving suit and during operation thereafter. A recess in the waistband area accommodates the bottom of the zipper which extends diagonally across the forward torso portion.

Abstract: A water-tight diving suit has the edges of the open extremities of the sleeves and the trousers of the suit and the neck provided with a hem which is folded inwards and secured, for example by stitching, to the inside edge of the suit, so as to form a tubular pocket. A tape-like stiffening element made of elastomeric material is housed inside this pocket. The suit can be made as a one-piece or two-piece suit. In the case of one-piece suits, which combine both jacket and trouser parts, these have, in the region of the access opening which can be closed by a zipper, an edge with a hem folded inwards and secured, for example by stitching, to the inside edge of the suit, so as to form a tubular pocket, inside which a tape-like element made of elastomeric material is housed. The suit may be further provided with a separate hood.

Abstract: A thermoinsulative protective garment comprising a first, outer, waterproof but vapor permeable, garment part for covering at least a part of the body of a wearer (preferably the whole body) and a second, inner, thermoinsulative garment part constituting a lining for the first garment part and sealingly bonded to the first garment part at least at the aperture(s) of the garment, so as to provide a layer of air between the garment parts, the second garment part including a thermoinsulative fabric sheet comprising a substantially impermeable closed-cell elastomeric (e.g.

Abstract: A zipperless wetsuit constructed of a plurality of panels of material, some of which are stretchier than others. A majority of an upper body region of the wetsuit is constructed of panels of highly stretchable wetsuit material which utilizes a central layer of foam rubber and one or two surrounding laminates of nylon having a higher denier value than previous wetsuits. Strategic panels of the wetsuit are constructed of single nylon laminate foam rubber material which has maximum pliability and stretchability. A double-collar upper entryway allows a wearer to enter the suit without the use of a zipper. An inner collar includes an aperture which may be stretched apart to allow entry of the wearer. An outer collar extends over the head of the wearer in a continuous circle to seal the inner collar against the wearer's neck.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to tight-fitting garments. It can be applied especially to diving suits as well as to riding boots and dish washing gloves. More generally, the disclosure can be applied to all types of garments whose tight-fit makes it difficult to put on or take off in water environment. The disclosure therefore relates to a tight-fitting garment of the sportswear type such as a diving suit, comprising an external layer made of a material having characteristics of adherence. This garment cooperates with at least one strip of film of non-porous material entirely fixed internally in contact with at least one surface portion of said tight-fitting garment.

Abstract: A back-reinforced two-piece upper torso assembly for an articulated diving uit. The upper torso assembly includes a lower hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's upper trunk, an upper hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's head and being seated upon the lower hollow rigid body, and a clamping and sealing mechanism releasably coupling the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body about adjacent seated portions thereof so as to form a watertight joint therebetween wherein the upper hollow rigid body can rotate relative to the lower hollow rigid body. The upper torso assembly also includes a reinforcement structure connecting the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body along adjacent rear portions thereof so as to permit a lifting load applied to the assembly during water entry and exit to transfer to the lower hollow rigid body in such manner as to avoid stressing the watertight joint therebetween.

Abstract: A wader for use in fishing, and other activities in which a person wades through water, is provided with gussets on opposed sides in an upper portion of the wader. The gussets are foldable and a VELCRO strip, or a belt or the like, is utilized to maintain the gussets in a foldable condition thereby providing for a wader for use by wearers of different girth sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for body cooling is disclosed for use with a cryogenic mixed gas storage and delivery apparatus, the storage apparatus including a compact and lightweight dewar for containing cryogenic temperature mixed gas at supercritical pressure. The system includes a garment having a fluid circulation network thereat and a plurality of heat exchangers receiving cold mixed gas expelled from the dewar for heat exchange to cool fluid in the fluid circulation network. Different ones of the heat exchangers also provide for heat input to the dewar to maintain gas therein in a single phase and provide continued expulsion energy and for warming of the gas for end use. No electrical input for fluid circulation is required.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved air feed valve to be attached to an underwater suit, responsive to a water pressure P measured at a selected point A of the underwater suit for permitting air to flow to the inside of the underwater suit at a predetermined flow rate from an associated compressed air cylinder via its primary pressure-reduction valve and tube, thereby keeping the inner air pressure of the underwater suit at a given value. The air feed valve is set for operation so as to feed air at such a flow rate that the inner air pressure of the underwater suit may be kept at a pressure lower than the pressure P-.sub..DELTA. P measured at a position A-X which is closer by a given distance X to the water surface than the selected point A of the underwater suit.

Abstract: An encircling sealable closure such as a neck band or collar made of a band of compressible material interposed between a three layer inflatable band at the neck of the user provides a neck seal by inflation of the inflatable band positioned between the compressible material and a substantially non-extendable outer wall. Inflation of the inflatable band deforms the compressible material to conform with and surround the neck of the wearer preventing the ingress of water past the neck seal so formed.

Abstract: A zipperless wetsuit constructed of a plurality of panels of material, some of which are stretchier than others. A majority of an upper body region of the wetsuit is constructed of panels of highly stretchable wetsuit material which utilizes a central layer of foam rubber and one or two surrounding laminates of nylon having a higher denier value than previous wetsuits. Strategic panels of the wetsuit are constructed of single nylon laminate foam rubber material which has maximum pliability and stretchability. A double-collar upper entryway allows a wearer to enter the suit without the use of a zipper. An inner collar includes an aperture which may be stretched apart to allow entry of the wearer. An outer collar extends over the head of the wearer in a continuous circle to seal the inner collar against the wearer's neck.

Abstract: A layered fabric for constructing action sportswear. The fabric generally comprises the following two layers: (1) a shell fabric comprised of a blend of polypropylene filaments and DORLASTAN.RTM. brand spandex fibers, and (2) a waterproof membrane laminated to the back of the shell fabric. Optionally, a third layer, a crepe or mesh lining, can be attached to the back of the membrane. The fabric has the qualities of being waterproof, breathable, and elastic and possess a number of other qualities which are highly desirable in action sportswear.

Abstract: A shark repellant patch is provided which includes a highly flexible, impermeable membrane sealing a shark repelling substance to a highly flexible base. The membrane is provided with imperfections that cause the membrane to shear when it is subjected to a predetermined level of force. In one embodiment of the invention, a tab is provided proximate the imperfections to facilitate rupturing the membrane. An adhesive is applied to a portion of the base. An exemplary method of fabrication is also provided.

Abstract: Close-fitting garments, particularly diving suits and related footwear and gloves, are described. More generally, all kinds of garments that are so tight-fitting as to make dressing and undressing awkward are described. Therefore, a tight-fitting garment such as an item of sportswear, in particular a diving suit, including an outer layer (1) of a material having adhesive properties, is provided. The tight-fitting garment interacts with a film (2) of slippery non-porous material which is applied onto at least part of the internal surface thereof and has local openings or holes (23).

Abstract: A shark repellant patch is provided which includes a highly flexible, impermeable membrane sealing a shark repelling substance to a highly flexible base. The membrane is provided with imperfections that cause the membrane to shear when it is subjected to a predetermined level of force. In one embodiment of the invention, a tab is provided proximate the imperfections to facilitate rupturing the membrane. An adhesive is applied to a portion of the base. An exemplary method of fabrication is also provided.

Abstract: An impasto pattern representing a desired character or mark is formed on a stretchable support, typically sportswear fabric by extruding a high viscosity liquid silicone rubber composition to the support through a nozzle of a robotic applicator having a picture drawing function to form a predetermined pattern of impasto extrudate on the support, and curing the extrudate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adapting a lower body garment for use during early term pregnancy. The method includes the steps of co-linearly securing to each side of the vertical zipper area, strips of a velcro-like fabric. Thereafter, there is provided an adaptor in the nature of an inverted triangle, formed of flexible fabric. Velcro-like strips are placed along both diagonal sides of the inverted triangle. There is further provided several buttons along the horizontal base of the adaptor at a first vertex thereof. There is also provided a buttonhole at the opposite horizontal vertex from the several buttons. The velcro-like strips co-linear with the zipper are press-fitted against the velcro-like elements upon the diagonals of the inverted triangle of the adaptor means. Thereafter a selected one of the several buttons is fastened to the original buttonhole of the lower body garment. The selected button of the several buttons will depend upon the point within the early term of pregnancy of the wearer.

Abstract: An incontinent's bed wrap is generally a trapezoidal sheet of substantially absorbent and water impervious flannelette material which serves as a wrap-around skirt. Snap fasteners are carried at corners bounding the narrowest edge of the sheet for fastening around the waist. A flap is folded over to a back side of the sheet along each edge of the sheet to define a frame for receiving a disposable absorbent pad.