Abstract: A pain relieving vest or jacket is an apparatus made of fabric segments having differing material properties comprising of a plurality of longitudinal waves forming a fabric design arranged to provide the vest or jacket with regions of differential compression that applies pressure or support to the neck, shoulder area, chest, sides of the body and back, area to alleviate or prevent pain. With the jacket the arm region is also included. It helps to reduce, alleviate, and the prevention of pain in the neck, shoulder area, chest, sides of the body and back area. The garment has 2 linear strips with hook and loop fastener attachments in the chest area to control and adjust compression. It can be made with or without string or strap attachments in the chest area for additional support to the shoulder area, chest, sides of the body and string or strap attachments for lower back compression. Also the vest does not cover the abdominal area for comfort and convenience to the individual user while wearing the vest.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus is configured to be worn by an individual and includes left and right shoulder loops which are connected through intermediate strap segments to at least one connector. The wearable apparatus further includes at least one bottom strap connected to the at least one connector and configured with a fastener that may be used to reversibly mount the bottom strap to the beltline of the wearer. The apparatus is configured such that if the wearer slouches forward the apparatus provides a force reminding the individual to maintain proper posture.

Abstract: Shoulder strap retention devices that are used to secure the shoulder straps of an article in position relative to a separate chest panel or protector so that they do not slip off the chest panel or the shoulders of a user carrying the article are disclosed. In one embodiment, the shoulder strap retention devices include a retention strap and anchoring strips that are secured to the retention strap and used to attach the shoulder strap retention device to an article having shoulder straps.

Abstract: A bra fastener assembly that includes at least two fasteners each attached to the shoulder straps at corresponding distances through a positioning element; between the two fasteners there is a detachable connective element; the positioning element includes the shoulder strap opening in the fastener, the shoulder strap opening includes the positioning element to fix in position the fastener on the shoulder strap, the positioning element includes the first pin within the shoulder strap opening. Through the element the two fasteners can be fixed in position on the bra shoulder strap, at the same time the two fasteners can detach or connect, when connected the fasteners secure the shoulder straps so they stay in the set position, keeping the distance between the shoulder straps fixed, thus preventing the shoulder straps from slipping and the fastener is interchangeable. Different positioning elements for the bra fastener assembly are provided.

Abstract: My “Slotted Fastener” for Suspenders is a unique design that keeps the suspenders in place and will not disengage from the wearer's waist belt or pants or trousers as other fasteners do. My “Slotted Fastener” will not disengage and will not damage the wearer's clothing because the wearer's belt slides through both the belt loop on the pants and through the slotted suspender fastener. The slot on the “Slotted Fastener” allows the belt loop to be caught by the belt passing through it.

Abstract: Clip-type fasteners for suspenders, particularly for pants (trousers, slacks, etc.) as well as suspenders with clip-type fasteners. The fasteners have a secure locking mechanism and have all of its components made of non-metallic materials, such as plastic, graphite, or composite materials. Preferably, the fasteners also have slots or rings for attachment to, and adjustment of, suspender straps. The suspender straps preferably have a plurality of tiny loop members along one entire side of the straps. Pieces of hook-type material are positioned on the straps in order to allow the length and fit of the suspender straps to be easily adjusted.

Abstract: Suspenders having a pair of strap members particularly for wearing under outer garments. At least one side of each of the strap member has loop members thereon which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured adjacent one end of each of the strap members. The pair of strap members are connected together to allow fasteners to the wearer's pants with just two fastener members. Adjustment buckles are eliminated.

Abstract: Clip-type fasteners for suspenders, particularly for pants (trousers, slacks, etc.) as well as suspenders with clip-type fasteners. The fasteners have a secure locking mechanism and have all of its components made of non-metallic materials, such as plastic, graphite, or composite materials. Preferably, the fasteners also have slots or rings for attachment to, and adjustment of, suspender straps. The suspender straps preferably have a plurality of tiny loop members along one entire side of the straps. Pieces of hook-type material are positioned on the straps in order to allow the length and fit of the suspender straps to be easily adjusted.

Abstract: Suspenders having a pair of strap members particularly for wearing under outer garments. At least one side of each of the strap member has loop members thereon substantially along the entire length which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured on one or more of the strap members. The pair of strap members are connected together to allow fasteners to the wearer's pants. Adjustment buckles are eliminated. The hook-type members at the ends of the strap members adjacent the fasteners provide adjustability. Additional hook-type members are used to allow adjustability at the backs of the wearers.

Abstract: Suspenders have a generally U-shaped or V-shaped padded connector that has a base portion with first and second legs extending therefrom. The first and second legs of the padded connector are configured to be located on respective shoulders of a wearer, and the base portion configured to lie on a back of a wearer and is shaped and sized to align with the center of the back of the wearer when the suspenders are worn. The suspenders also include a first front strap portion connected to the first leg, a second front strap portion connected to the second leg, and a first and second rear strap portions connected to the base portion of the padded connector. The first and second rear strap portions are spaced apart from and arranged generally parallel to each other when the suspenders are worn.

Abstract: A sectional bra system and accessories includes bra and related jewelry components that can be interconnected in various ways. Jewelry items, such as bra straps, back bands, bridge, and other items, may be formed at least in part from alternating flexible chain segments and rigid connector segments with fasteners configured to attach to standard bra loops. Bra cups for sectional bras include various arrangements of standard bra loops allowing attachment of one or more bra straps, one or more back bands, a bridge, and alternatively other decorative items. Such bra cups may include standard bra loops along all edges. Coordinating jewelry may be made out of the same or similar types of components.

Abstract: Suspenders having a pair of strap members particularly for wearing under outer garments. At least one side of each of the strap member has loop members thereon which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured adjacent one end of each of the strap members. The pair of strap members are connected together to allow fasteners to the wearer's pants with just two fastener members. Adjustment buckles are eliminated.

Abstract: The bra strap holder is used to secure the bra straps in the back of the bra from sliding down the shoulders. It is comprised of a clear TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) strap welded to unique three prong flexible plastic ends which attach to the bra strap.

Abstract: Suspenders particularly for wearing under outer garments. At least one side of the strap members has loop members thereon which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured adjacent the ends of the strap members. Adjustment buckles are eliminated.

Abstract: Brassieres are provided which provide enhanced levels of comfort and support to the wearer. In one aspect, the invention provides a brassiere comprising an elastic material and damping arrangement, wherein the damping arrangement is arranged so as to dampen movements of a strap of cup caused by movement of a breast. In another aspect there is provided a brassiere having a strap and cup arrangement which is configured to distribute the breast load. Also provided is a brassiere for constraining movement of a wearer's breasts during wear, wherein said brassiere is configured such that movement of one breast caused by movement of the wearer is restrained by a remaining breast.

Abstract: A suspenders assembly including a pair of suspenders having a pair of front strap portions configured to be coupled to a front portion of a pair of trousers and a pair of rear strap portions configured to be coupled to a rear portion of the pair of trousers. The assembly further includes an attachment tab, wherein both of the rear strap portions or both of the front strap portions are both directly and permanently coupled to the attachment tab. The attachment tab includes a portion of hook-and-loop fastening material located thereon.

Abstract: Cooling suspenders are disclosed for supporting pants such as firefighter pants. The suspenders include a first and second strap where one or both of the straps includes a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water and retains some of the absorbed water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. and provides a cooling effect to a wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water absorbent material may retain the water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures such as those experienced by a firefighter while fighting a fire. The water absorbent material may be present as a padding layer within a portion of the first and/or second straps.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for securing clothing, in particular, for securing a bra strap to a blouse strap. The device includes a long, thin material, having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. The long, thin material is formed into a plurality of opposing segments. A first of the plurality of opposing segments is continuous with a first end of a second of the plurality of the opposing segments at a first junction, and a first end of the third of the plurality of opposing segments is continuous with a second end of the second of the plurality of the opposing segments at a second junction. A fourth of the plurality of opposing segments is continuous with a second end of the third of the plurality of the opposing segments at a third junction.

Abstract: A suspender set and peace officer's shirt are described wherein the suspenders for the duty belt are located beneath the officer's shirt with only a portion of the suspender set extending outwardly through the front and rear of the shirt for connection to the duty belt worn by the officer.

Abstract: A brassiere support system includes a brassiere including a back strap and a pair of shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are each attached to the back strap and extend upwardly from the back strap. The shoulder straps are spaced from each other. A connector is removably coupled to each of the shoulder straps to pull the shoulder straps toward each other. The connector is slidable toward or away from the back strap to effect a change in lifting properties of the shoulder straps.

Abstract: An anterior trunk support. The anterior trunk support is shaped like a vest and is formed of non-stretch or limited stretch material over a lower portion that extends over the upper belly and lower ribs of a user, and stretch material that extends from the non-stretch material to over the shoulders of the user. In this manner, a wearer may lean slightly forward, with the stretchable shoulder portion flexibly permitting such movement. The lower section may be stretchable in a width dimension only. As such, the lower section provides movement for user's respiration, thus providing additional comfort. By not stretching in the vertical direction, the anterior trunk support does not slide up the wearer's chest when tension is applied to the upper stretchable material. Thus, comfort is maintained, and the lower section does not approach the neck of the user.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders comprises two comparatively long straps of a given width. Each of the comparatively long straps has a front portion terminating at a front end and a back portion terminating at a back end. The back portions cross each other. Moreover, a comparatively short strap having two opposite ends is affixed at each of the opposite ends to the back portion of each of the comparatively long straps so as to define a loop, which has an overall length that is at least several times greater than the given width of the comparatively long straps. One of the straps defining each of the loops passes through the other loop, whereby the loops enable the pair of suspenders, over a range of shoulder-to-shoulder spacings, to conform automatically to the shoulder-to-shoulder spacing of a wearer. The comparatively long straps are substantially inelastic.

Abstract: Suspenders for suspending trousers. The suspenders include straps and hooks generally fixed at ends of the straps. At least one of the hooks has a strap-hold at a first end thereof for engaging at least one of the straps and a hook portion at a second end thereof for engaging at least one loop on the trousers. The strap-hold has a longitudinal axis and the hook portion extends in a direction which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strap-hold. The hook portion is configured to generally facilitate hooking of the hook portion on the at least one loop on the trousers.

Abstract: Utility suspenders for use by individuals in the construction trades. The suspenders include a pair of padded and stretchable straps for suspension from the shoulders of a user. Clips, adapted to firmly grip a tool belt, are secured to the front and rear ends of the straps. A load-distributing pad secures the straps together adjacent their rear ends. A variable length, chest strap is slidably positioned on the straps adjacent their front ends and has a quick release buckle for splitting such in half.

Abstract: Suspenders and methods of using them have general-purpose properties necessitating no special processing as long as normal type trousers with belt loops are concerned, and realize quick, certain and easy fastening and undoing, and also successive application without damaging the trousers. The suspenders comprise hooks fixed at the free ends of straps in the suspenders. The method of using them comprises the step of engaging the hooks with appropriate loops selected from among the loops of trousers respectively.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders is worn to support pants having a belt threaded through a plurality of belt loops. The suspenders contain a pair of straps that are worn over the shoulders. A connector is attached at each end of each strap for hooking the suspenders onto the bottom of the belt. Each connector has a side cross-sectional shape of a hook, a front vertical portion defining a plane extending upward from the bottom of the belt to a point above the top of the belt, and a back vertical portion defining a plane extending upward from the bottom of the belt to a point about the top of the belt.

Abstract: An attachment device and method of operation is described for securing an article of clothing, such as a pair of suspenders, to a pair of pants or a skirt. The attachment device is connected to the suspenders by a loop of flexible material. An embodiment of the attachment device uses a gripping mechanism having a rotatable flap that is adapted to pass through an opening in the flexible loop. The opening in the loop is alternatively used for attachment to a button affixed to the article of clothing.

Abstract: A clip carrier for supporting a suspender clip comprising double ply flexible material having a pocket between the plies and an opening through one of the plies into the pocket. The opening has a first portion that is utilized to insert the suspender clip into the pocket, and a second portion that is utilized to removably secure the suspender clip within the pocket. The other ply of the flexible material conceals the suspender clip.

Abstract: A resilient shirt retainer for retaining the shirttails of a garment in tucked, fully extended or deployed configuration on the body of a wearer. The shirt retainer includes a pair of narrow, elastic cross-straps disposed in an X-configuration and stitched at the center where the straps cross, each of the elastic cross-straps being covered with a pleated cloth sheath. A retainer clip is attached to each end of the cross-straps for removably securing the cross-straps to the front and rear shirttail portions of the garment. The cross-straps are deployed between the infant's legs to maintain the shirttails in a tucked or downwardly-deployed configuration.

Abstract: A protective suit having a crotch, in combination with a longitudinally adjustable support belt removably connectable to the crotch of the protective suit in such a way that when the suit is being worn the belt extends essentially vertically between the protective suit and the wearer and envelops the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders and a belt for use in securing firefighter's pants are manufactured of an inelastic material to prevent the firefighter's pants from sagging. In conventional suspenders, the elastic nature of previous designs tended to lose their strength over the course of time and cause a potentially hazardous and uncomfortable situation in which the firefighter's pants no longer hang at the desired place.

Abstract: A combination vest-suspenders garment includes full front vest portions which meet in the front and button down the center, which taper at their upper ends to form relatively narrow shoulder portions and which flare outwardly in the traditional manner towards the waistline to a relatively wide waist area having side edges. Suspenders straps are connected to the shoulder portions and extend downwardly and rearwardly to approximately the middle of the back where they cross, and then extend further downwardly to ends at waist level where they have suspender snaps thereon for connection to trousers or skirts. A back band is made of a fabric gathered over a single elastic band which extends continuously across the back waist from the side edge of one front portion to the side edge of the other front portion.

Abstract: A fastener includes a buckle in the form of a plate connected to a strap. A lower clamping jaw is mounted on the plate remote from the strap. A spring arm is mounted on the plate and has an upper clamping jaw. An actuating lever is disposed above the clamping jaws and extends beyond the spring arm. The lever is pivotally mounted to the plate so that movement of the free end of the lever toward and away from the spring arm causes the clamping jaws to selectively move toward and away from each other.

Abstract: Adjustable fire fighters' suspenders that are physiologically conformable when used with bunker pants. The suspenders are designed for comfort, proper fit, and flexibility in movement that corresponds with the movement of the wearer during normal fire fighting activities. The suspenders include a back sliding loop and elastic straps which have a predetermined limit of stretch at the four ends of the shoulder straps which connect the suspenders to the bunker pants. The suspenders provide an improved distribution of weight and increased support of heavy bunker pants and reduce the problem of "bunker bounce".

Abstract: A shoulder holster having right and left hand pairs of front and rear shoulder straps, rear neck and back straps joining the rear shoulder straps, upper fasteners joining the upper ends of each pair of straps, a handgun sheath or holder secured to the lower ends of one pair of shoulder straps, and lower fasteners joining the lower ends of the other pair of shoulder straps. The holster is worn with the shoulder straps extending over the wearer's shoulders to support the gun holder beneath one armpit of the wearer and position the lower ends of the other shoulder straps beneath the wearer's other armpit for holding handcuffs, if desired. The upper fasteners joining the upper shoulder strap ends, which preferably are Velcro fasteners, are releasible and adjustable to accommodate a range of wearer shoulder sizes.

Abstract: An improved releasable tension strap is disclosed. A main strap is provided with a connector strap segment attached thereto and extending generally outwardly therefrom. One end of the main strap bears a first connecting means, while one surface of the connector strap segment bears a second connecting means compressively joinable with the first connecting means. Accordingly, the end of the main strap may be drawn through a closed-loop connector to a point where a desired degree of tension is exerted thereon. The main strap end may then be compressively joined with the connector strap segment thereby preventing retraction of the main strap through the closed-loop connector. Thus the main strap end is automatically fastened and never long or loose. Additionally, the connector strap segment may be slidably adjustable on the main strap so as to permit convenient adjustment thereof.

Abstract: Adjustable fire fighters' suspenders that are physiologically conformable when used with bunker pants. The suspenders are designed for comfort, proper fit, and flexibility in movement that corresponds with the movement of the wearer during normal fire fighting activities. The suspenders include a back sliding loop and elastic straps which have a predetermined limit of stretch at the four ends of the shoulder straps which connect the suspenders to the bunker pants. The suspenders provide an improved distribution of weight and increased support of heavy bunker pants and reduce the problem of "bunker bounce".