Abstract: A drag rescue device for rescuing incapacitated firefighters, emergency workers and others provides for easier and more dependable deployment as well as improved serviceability and ease of use. A method of reinforcing openings in garments is provided that can result in improved reinforced openings in garments where stress and strain may otherwise result in undue wear on the opening.

Abstract: A jacket of the type used by firefighters as protective garment. A collar of the jacket comprises a lower edge connected to a shoulder/torso portion of the jacket in a straight seam. An upper exposed edge is spaced apart from the lower edge. A given shape is provided to the upper exposed edge such that a variable height is defined between the lower edge and the upper exposed edge along the upper exposed edge.

Abstract: Chemical and biological protective firefighter turnout gear garments are provided. The protective fabric includes at least one sorptive, reactive, or combined sorptive/reactive material capable of providing protection from at least one chemical or biological agent. The sorptive, reactive or sorptive/reactive material preferably can be recharged, regenerated or removed and replaced to allow for increased garment life. Embodiments of the fabric, garment, and methods for making the fabric and/or garment can provide in a protective garment a unique combination of sorptive/reactive capability, flame resistance, water vapor permeability, liquid impermeability, comfort and durability.

Abstract: Reversible outerwear comprised of a pair of front panels and rear panel joined by a plurality of seams. The front panels are attached by the zipper. The panels are fabricated as a laminate of a pair of opposed textile facings with an interstice stratum therebetween. One of the facings is an abrasion resistant dress weave and the other is a high-visibility knit. The zipper is covered by a pair of overlapping flaps, one on each front panel. The flaps are closed by a temporary fastener.

Abstract: An item of clothing, such as a light jacket, heavy jacket, sports jacket or the like, comprising, at the inside of the back, a fastener for fastening to the upper body of a user which comprises two shoulder straps which are adapted to allow the item of clothing to hang from the upper body when it is not being worn.

Abstract: In a protective garment comprising an outer shell and a lining system, the outer shell has a front closure, which is openable and closeable, and the lining system has a front closure, which is openable and closeable. Each front closure extends along a generally vertical path when said front closure is closed while the protective garment is being worn by a wearer standing vertically. The front closures are staggered so as not to overlie one another when the front closures are. closed while the protective garment is being worn. In one embodiment, the front closure of the outer shell is arranged so as to be approximately centered between two arm-covering portions of the protective garment, when the front closures are closed while the protective garment is being worn.

Abstract: The motorcycle jacket is an article of apparel for providing protection while riding and a lightweight, attractive street jacket for casual wear when not riding. The motorcycle jacket includes a jacket shell having a rear panel and a split front panel, the shell defining arm openings and being adapted for covering the shoulders and torso. A pair of sleeves extend from the arm openings. The split front panel includes a releasable fastener, such as a zipper, for closing the front panel. At least the sleeves have a lining formed of an abrasion resistant fabric. The elbows have pockets inside the sleeves that removably receive protective foam pads, and a protective foam pad for the spine is removably disposed adjacent the rear panel on the inside of the jacket shell. The spine pad is attached to a flexible panel of abrasion resistant fabric, either directly or by being placed in a pocket or pouch formed on the panel, the panel being secured to the shell by releasable fasteners.

Abstract: A top garment for waterfowl hunters and other outdoorsmen that has the attributes of breathable layering garments beneath the sternum (where waders are generally worn) and the attributes of a coat above the sternum (where waders do not extend). The top portion of the top garment, above the sternum, is made of waterproof and noiseless materials, such as micro-fleece, with an insulated inner lining and a tailored action back and underarm gussets for a full range of motion in the arms and shoulders. The bottom portion, beneath the sternum, is made of a breathable layering material, such as fleece. The upper portion includes an option array of magnetic storage pocket(s) (or hand warmers) designed to provide the hunter with easy access to items when needed, yet to maintain the items in a secure position when not in use.

Abstract: A hybrid, ventilated garment is provided. Another aspect of the present invention employs a jacket having a body portion with sleeves and a torso, and a removable shell portion having sleeve and torso segments. A further aspect of the present invention provides wind resistant shoulder and sleeve segments which are permanently attached together, and an air permeable and/or perforated lower torso segment attached to at least the shoulder segment.

Abstract: A machine washable suit jacket or other tailored garment having a machine washable outer material with crease memory. Sections of the outer material may be sewn together with machine washable thread, and seams of such sections may have pucker preventing tapes fused to the back of the seams. The garment may have a machine washable heat fusible interfacing material that may be secured to the inner side of the garment by heat fusing. The garment may have a machine washable lining, sections of which may be joined by machine washable thread. The garment may have a pocket, that has a mouth running transversely to the length of the jacket, where the bag of the pocket is sewn to a seam of the garment sections, where the seam runs lengthwise to the garment.

Abstract: An upper torso garment, such as a jacket, can be folded within itself to transform it into a different shape for use as a pillow. In a further embodiment, the garment bears an integral back pack which can be used while the garment is being worn, and can be transformed into either the pillow shape or into a wearable back pack, with the garment structure fully contained and concealed in both of these configurations. The garment includes a flap element an integral hinge portion and separable fastener halves, e.g. zipper half sections, mounted to permit various parts of the garment to be fastened together in varying relative configurations by fastening one half section to various other mating half sections located on different parts of the garment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jacket for swing training for a sport requiring swinging of a sports implement. The jacket comprises a body, a first arm and a second arm extending on either side of the body, a front, a back, an interior and an exterior. A first body band encircles the interior portion of the jacket by encircling the body and the interior of the first and second arms. A first wing portion extends from the first arm on the exterior of the jacket, the first wing portion being connected at one end to the first arm and at another end to the exterior of the jacket so that the first wing portion limits the movement of the first arm during a swing.

Abstract: A nestable hanger including: a support means for supportably hanging the hanger on a display; a body supported by the support means and having two pinch grips disposed thereon for retaining a garment therein; where the hanger nests in a stack of similar hangers such that the hanger interlocks with the stack of similar hangers. The hanger can be in a plane substantially parallel with a plane of the stack of similar hangers, or alternatively, in substantially a same plane as the stack of similar hangers.

Abstract: A raincoat capable of substantially protecting a body and a head of a user from becoming wet by falling rain, and additionally capable of protecting various personal belongings carried by the user from falling rain. The raincoat has a single sleeve through which one of the arms of the user selectively extends. The other arm and hand of the user, selectively used for carrying various personal belongings, selectively remain within and covered by the raincoat in order to prevent the personal belongings from becoming wet by falling rain, but may be extended as needed through a sealable arm opening positioned at a location on the raincoat opposed to the position from which the sleeve extends. The raincoat has a zippered hood compartment for selectively storing a hood. In use, the raincoat and attached hood substantially cover the user from the head down to the feet of the user, with the exception of the hands of the user.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a camouflage material having a camouflage pattern applied thereto and comprising a granitic aspect made of intermixed colored grains exhibiting the colors: light green having a dominant wavelength of 566.70 nm; a luminance factor of 13.10% and a saturation factor of 44.70%; brown having a dominant wavelength of 583.0 nm; a luminance factor of 9.30%, and a saturation factor of 31.60%; average green having a dominant wavelength of 569.36 nm; a luminance factor of 5.24%, and a saturation factor of 38.50%; and black having a dominant wavelength of 582.34 nm; a luminance factor of 2.68%, and a saturation factor of 4.01%. The granitic aspect is composed of about 21% colored grains exhibiting the color light green; about 6% colored grains exhibiting the color brown; about 48% colored grains exhibiting the color average green, and about 25% colored grains exhibiting the color black.

Abstract: The invention provides an instructional system and method for young children, or adults with limited cognitive ability, to dress themselves. The invention takes advantage of the ability of young children, or adults with limited cognitive abilities, to respond to visual clues and instructions. Thus, the invention provides directional indicia that are integrated into the surface of a garment for guiding the user to wear the garment without assistance.

Abstract: A team jacket with sports logo that is of reversible construction. Different teams sports logos are on both the inner and outer surfaces of the jacket. The jacket may also be equipped with the names of players so that the jacket may be reversed to reveal a different player's name and/or number.

Abstract: A raincoat for fitting over the outside surface of a floating fishing device. The raincoat includes a garment. The garment comprises a torso portion, and two arm portions integrally coupled to the torso portion. The garment has a neck opening therein. The garment has a skirt portion integrally coupled to and extending away from the torso portion. The skirt portion has a circumference at least one and half times the circumference of the torso portion. The garment comprising a substantially water impermeable material. The skirt portion may be placed over the outside surface of a fishing floatation device.

Abstract: A device for carrying a coat about the person, without wearing the coat, comprises an open-ended tube made of thin foldable material, and a link at each end of the tube, to enable the tube containing a coat, to be carried using a belt or strap. The coat is snugly received within the tube arranged such that the coat lies lengthways within the tube, with the collar end of the coat towards one end of the tube, and the lower edge of the coat towards the other end of the tube. A drawstring may also be provided at one or both ends of the tube. The tube may be integral with the back panel of the coat, wherein the material that makes up the tube, which may be the back panel of the coat itself, is initially laid flat, and when it is required to carry the coat, the coat is turned inside-out, rolled into a tube and fastened.

Abstract: A method provided for manufacturing a waterproof and gas permeable jacket includes the following steps: (a) providing a lining, a gas permeable layer including a first side and a second side, a waterproof film, and an outer cover; (b) forming a plurality of vent holes through the gas permeable layer; (c) bonding the waterproof film onto the first side of the gas permeable layer; (d) bonding the outer cover to the water-proof film; (e) bonding the lining to the second side of the gas permeable layer to form a laminated layer including the lining, the gas permeable layer, the waterproof film, and the outer cover; (f) cutting the laminated layer so as to form a plurality of cut edges; (g) bonding the cut edges of the laminated layer together; (h) sewing up the bonded cut edges of the laminated layer to form a semi-finished jacket; and (i) attaching a zipper to the semi-finished jacket to form a finished jacket.

Abstract: A strait jacket including a front panel for positioning against the chest of a wearer and a rear panel for positioning against the back of a wearer. The front panel is disguised to look like the front of a conventional jacket. The rear panel is divided into side-by-side parts and has a releasable fastener joining these parts together. A pair of tubular sleeves for receiving the arms of a wearer is joined to the front and back panels and extends therefrom. The sleeves are sewn to the front panel so that a wearer cannot raise such.

Abstract: Reversible denim jacket and pants are disclosed, comprised of a pant and jacket combination, made from denim, and designed to be reversible and fashionable. Unique stitching and fastening means adds to the functionality and usability of the present invention.

Abstract: A garment with a magnetic vent closure comprises a clothing, a magnetic flipper, a vent window, a ferrous element and a removably attaching element. The magnetic flipper extends from a predetermined portion of the clothing and has a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably attached on the clothing and the second end is fixedly attached on the clothing, and the first end of the magnetic flipper comprises a magnetic element fixedly attached thereon. The vent window forms a part of the clothing and has a plurality of vent holes therethrough and the magnetic flipper is detachably applied over the plurality of vent holes. The ferrous element maintains the vent window in an opened state by magnetically capturing the first end of the magnetic flipper.

Abstract: The invention provides a ventilated garment having at least one vent region with a removable cover element disposed over the vent region. The cover element may include an interior compartment for storage of change, keys and the like. The invention also provides a ventilated garment having vent regions which may open and close in response to the orientation of the vented portions of the garment.

Abstract: A waterproof pull-over jacket for water sports is provided with a waterproof waist closure system having a stretchable longitudinal fabric member attached to the lower edge of the jacket and folded up longitudinally to form a casing at the front and at the back. The fabric member comprises a layer of textured neoprene with a skin of nylon fabric laminated thereto. Nylon web members are received in the casing at the front and back of the jacket, exiting the casing at the sides. A buckle is attached to the ends of the back web member such that when the ends of the front web member are engaged with the buckles, the web members from a continuous strap around the waist. The two web members are each securely attached to the casing at the center of the jacket at the front and at the back to divide the strap into four quadrants. Pulling on the ends of the front web member applies tension substantially equally to each of the four quadrants while cinching the strap about the wearer's waist.

Abstract: A pair of gloves for replaceably attaching to a garment. The pair of gloves include a first glove for covering one hand of a user, a second glove for covering the other hand of the user, and accessories disposed on at least one of the first glove and the second glove. The first glove includes a strip of hook portion of hook and loop fasteners which selectively mates with either a strip of mating loop portions of the hook and loop fasteners positioned on the garment or directly with the garment itself when it is of a loop type material, and a strip of loop portions of hook and loop fasteners. The second glove includes a strip of hook portions of hook and loop fasteners which selectively mates with either the strip of loop portions of hook and loop fasteners of the first glove, another strip a mating loop portions of the hook and loop fasteners for positioning on the garment, or directly with the garment itself when it is of a loop type material.

Abstract: An article of clothing has a section which can be detached, reversed (that is to say, turned inside out), and then re-attached. The section can have imprints on both its inside and its outside. The section is, for instance, an arm section or a waist section, with the detach-, re-attachability being provided by a zipper. Special zippers are provided to make the reversing ability possible.

Abstract: A long-sleeved full-skirt coat that may be manually converted into a shoulder tote bag. A shoulder strap is formed from the long sleeves by attaching their free ends together. The bag is formed by transversely folding the flattened body of the coat with the arms spread-eagled to either side. The body is folded in approximately three sections from top to bottom. The bottom third skirt section has its corners folded inward to form a generally pointed bottom which is folded over the top third and fastened to the front of the coat body. The free ends of the sleeves are then fastened together to form a shoulder strap extending from either end of the folded and fastened together body. The front center of the coat has zippered pockets which are accessible and usable when the coat is converted to a shoulder bag.

Abstract: A garment that has a liner and an outer shell defining an inner space therebetween. An elastic cinch has ends that are anchorable to the shell. At least one of the ends is located within the inner space and has an end that extends to the outside of the shell through an opening in the shell. This end is manipulable from the outside of the shell for anchoring to the shell selectively in first and second positions relative thereto. When both ends are anchored, a closed path about a body part is defined by the cinch and by a tensionable portion of the shell between locations at which the ends are anchored. The stretch of the cinch can be selected by anchoring the end at different positions relative to the shell. Sleeves of the garment include first and second panels that extend from the shoulder to the wrist of the sleeve have convex edges attached to each other by a back seam. The edges have a curvature of a radius that diminishes towards the elbow.

Abstract: A full-length coat extending from a user's neck to ankles. The coat includes buttons and buttonholes along a front thereof to retain the coat in a closed configuration. A vertical slit is formed in a rear of the coat and extends downwardly from slightly below the user's waist. The slit forms a right and left rear flap which may be interconnected with a button and buttonhole on an inner lower corner thereof. The right and left rear flaps are pulled between and wrapped around the user's right and left legs, respectively, in a pants-like manner to provide increased mobility to the user. The inner comers of the right and left rear flaps are connected to the lower-most button and buttonhole of the front of the coat to retain the flaps in the pants-like configuration. A pair of horizontal slots are formed in the front of the coat which allow access to the user's trousers or trouser pockets worn underneath the coat. A small apron is attached slightly above the slot and is moveable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A coat is provided having a neck aperture. A pair of buttons is mounted on a top of the coat on diametrically opposed sides of the neck aperture. An auxiliary garment is stitchedly coupled to a rear peripheral edge of the neck aperture and defines a pair of lateral ends having slits formed therein for releasably coupling with the buttons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic surgical coat. According to the invention, the coat is comprised at least partially of a plastic material having a pattern of projections which extend out from the inside of the coat to facilitate air circulation through a space between an interior surface of the coat and the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A water-resistant combination blanket and coat is disclosed comprising a fabric sheet having a water-resistant outer surface. The fabric sheet may be spread on the ground as a blanket with the water-resistant outer surface down, thereby providing a place for a user to sit, even on wet, dirty, and/or muddy ground. Two points on the top edge of the fabric sheet may be reversibly connected to the right and left edges, thereby forming sleeves. A user may use the fabric sheet as a coat by placing his/her arms through the sleeves and wrapping the fabric sheet around him/herself. Reversibly connecting two points along the top edge of the fabric sheet to each other may further provide a hood while the fabric sheet is used as a coat. Alternatively, a detachable hood may be reversibly connected to the top edge of the fabric sheet while the fabric sheet is used as a coat. The detachable hood may comprise a pocket with two adjacent open sides.

Abstract: In a protective garment, such as one worn by a firefighter, a rescue worker, or a racing car driver, in which fasteners, such as snap fasteners, are used for attaching a liner detachably to a coat, a hood having a cape hanging downwardly is provided with loops. Each loop has two ends and is affixed at each end to the cape. Each loop is adapted to extend around a respective fastener, between the coat and the liner, so as to attach the hood detachably when the liner is attached detachably to the coat. In one contemplated embodiment, the ends of each loop are affixed to each other and to the cape. In another contemplated embodiment, the loops are defined by a continuous ribbon affixed to the cape at spaced intervals defining the ends of the loops.

Abstract: A convertible jacket is provided that can be easily converted between a single breasted configuration and a double breasted configuration. The jacket includes a jacket body having a front median opening defined by opposing vertical edges which are continuous with a horizontal edge at the top of the back of the jacket body. The jacket further includes a jacket dickey model which is attached to the jacket body along the opposing vertical edges and horizontal edge defining the median opening of the jacket body. The jacket dickey model may include a single breasted collar and an edge-to-edge jacket closure to form a single breasted jacket, or may include a double breasted collar and an overlapping jacket closure to form a double breasted jacket. Preferably, the jacket dickey model is attached to the jacket body by a continuous attachment device, such as a zipper.

Abstract: A multi-compartment, modular jacket includes a vest which has a vest front panel, a vest rear panel, a pair of armholes and a fastener for opening the vest. A plurality of pockets covers the outer surface of the vest. The vest has a fastener for releasably attaching a pair of detachable sleeves to the pair of armholes. The inner jacket has a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sleeves and a means for opening the inner jacket. The exterior surface of the rear panel has a pouch. A plurality of pockets covers the pouch and the exterior surface. The inner jacket has a collar which contains a collapsible hood. A first composite jacket is formed by fastening the vest to the inner jacket. The first composite jacket has an outside surface which is the exterior surface and an inside surface which is the outer surface. The outer jacket has a jacket front panel, a jacket rear panel, a first pair of sleeves and a fastener for opening the outer jacket.

Abstract: A form-fitting coat construction having two front panels with an interliner secured to each panel. The interliner is a stiff fabric that when secured to the fabric panel has a grain orientation the same as that of the fabric panels. The interliner may include primary and secondary chest pieces under the interliner to form a composite. The primary chest piece can be comprised of a felt material and the secondary chest piece can be comprised of hair cloth. This interliner structure prevents puckering and cockles in coats.

Abstract: A ventilated garment is provided having at least one substantially non-stretchable outer panel having inner and outer surfaces. The panel has a vent region including one or more openings. A substantially non-stretchable, air permeable material spans the vent region. An air impermeable lining sheet having a central void region is affixed to the inner surface so that the void region is substantially in registration will be vent region and so that the sheet is coupled to the inner surface about those regions. A cover element having a shape substantially corresponding to at least a potion of the vent region is affixed to the air impermeable lining sheet substantially along a first portion of the periphery of the void region. Adjustable closure elements adjustably couple the sides of the cover element to the air impermeable sheet so that the closure element may be selectively positioned to control the effective vent area of the vent region.

Abstract: An integral backpack/upper body garment comprises a garment to which a split backpack is attached or attachable to the back panel of an upper body garment. A front backpack assembly including front assembly with shoulder straps is attached/attachable to the front face of the back panel, and a rear backpack assembly including storage compartments is attached/attachable to the rear face of the back panel. A circumferential garment compartment has two walls, one attached to the front assembly and one attached to the rear assembly. The jacket may be rolled up or folded into the garment compartment and the two walls joined by a closure to protectively enclose the garment therein when it is not worn. The backpack may be worn with or without the integral jacket, and the jacket may be worn with or without the backpack.

Abstract: A firefighter garment which includes an outer shell, a thermal layer and a combination moisture barrier and facecloth. In the preferred embodiment, the combination moisture barrier and facecloth layer includes a semi-permeable component, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, which is attached to a facecloth material of a high lubricity filament yarn. The semi-permeable component functions as a moisture barrier and the filament yarn component provides a low friction interface between the garment and its wearer, thereby reducing heat stress imposed on the wearer of the garment during firefighting activity. The filament component also functions as a substrate for the moisture barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the thermal liner includes a layer of apertured flame and heat resistant unicellular or closed cell foam which is positioned between the outer shell and the combination moisture barrier and facecloth.

Abstract: A fire protection garment may be constructed of a one piece woven fabric integrally formed to create a cloak-like garment to create a fire retardant emergency device. The garment contains a hood portion, a body portion formed with an entrance opening and a manipulating device on the interior of the body portion on each side of the entrance opening. The manipulating device can be hand receiving pockets. The garment is formed of a fabric selected to retain a fire retarding fluid so that the garment protects a person or persons within the garment from high intensity heat or flames. The manipulating device or hand receiving pockets provide a means for controlling the opening of the garment to enable a rescue to occur.

Abstract: The firefighters coat is provided with a seal which is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the coat and which extends along the lower edge portion of the coat. The lower part of the seal is stitched to the lower edge portion of the coat, and the seal extends upwardly from the lower edge portion of the coat. The seal has an elastic upper part which is normally spaced a substantial distance above the lower edge portions of the coat and is adapted to hold the upper part of the seal tight against cooperating firefighter pants even when the coat rises up as occurs when a firefighter lifts his arms or bends over.

Abstract: A winter survival suit includes a main suit body for surrounding the body of the wearer from a collar extending downwardly to a bottom edge of the suit body arranged at knee-height or just above on the wearer. A leg bag can be attached to the bottom edge of the suit body by a surrounding zipper. The leg bag can be folded upwardly inside the suit body to be attached by buckles at the bottom end of the leg bag which attach to buckles sewn into the arm seams of the suit body. Alternatively the leg can be folded outwardly of the suit body and attached to similar buckles on the outside of the suit body at the arm openings. The suit body includes a first inner hood which is insulated and can be pulled into a snorkel type opening for cold weather breathing. A second outer hood is attached around the collar and is of larger size for covering the head and face of the wearer in a survival situation or for receiving the whole of the structure of the suit in a packaged situation for transportation.

Abstract: A waterproof connection device is provided for use with a garment having optionally many detachable liners including a functional layer insert having a water vapor permeable functional layer.

Abstract: A coat sleeve includes a cuff that folds down to cover the palm portion of the hand. The cuff is held in place over the palm by constrictions about the wrist and knuckles. The constrictions include means for snugging and loosening (elastic and/or fasteners such as snaps, buttons, or VELCRO). The fingers extend from the sleeve end and the thumb extends through a thumb hole disposed between the wrist and knuckle constrictions. In one embodiment the thumb hole connects to the sleeve end and the knuckle constriction acts as a closure for the thumb hole and for the cuff.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protective garment such as a firefighter's coat or trousers having a lumbar support belt attached to the innermost layer of the garment. As a result, no portion of the garment is disposed between the wearer of the garment and the lumbar support belt such that maximum support is achieved. The belt can be releasably secured to the garment such that it can be worn without the garment or the garment can be worn without the belt.

Abstract: An inner lining fabric of reduced thickness and having a down-fill composition for use as an inner lining in an article of apparel and a method of making the inner lining fabric is disclosed. A patterned envelope is formed and defines a pouch in which down or a down composition is inserted and distributed substantially evenly within the envelope. The envelope is then compressed in portions thereof and stitch seams are formed to define a quilt pattern of closely spaced stitch lines to reduce the loft of the down-fill composition by at least twice the normal loft thereof. This procedure is repeated over the entire envelope whereby the inner lining fabric has at least half the thickness of the normal loft of the down-fill composition. The inner lining fabric may have portions thereof with quilting defining surface areas of different portions to vary the thermal insulating value of different portions of the inner lining.

Abstract: A liner sleeve is disposed within a shell sleeve, and a wrister is permanently and inseparably secured directly to the open lower end of a liner sleeve by stitching which extends along the liner sleeve to connect the wrister and liner circumferentially so that undesired material cannot enter between the wrister and the liner sleeve. A sleeve well is defined by a first annular member secured to a shell sleeve and a second annular member secured to a liner sleeve. The first and second annular members have annular arrays of interengaging hooks and loops and also interengaging diametrically opposite snap connectors for detachably connecting the annular members to one another. A further annular band of material disposed between the shell sleeve and the first annular member is formed of thermal protective moisture barrier material.

Abstract: An outer garment to be worn by one or more people together, having an outer jacket with a pair of sleeves, and an inner jacket portion with one sleeve. The outer jacket and inner jacket are partially connected at the neck opening and partially connected at the waistband. The garment is convertible from an unexpanded configuration wearable by one person to an expanded configuration wearable by at least two people. In the unexpanded configuration, the one sleeve of the inner jacket portion is inserted by the wearer into one of the sleeves of the outer jacket. To change to the expanded configuration, a securing feature on the back of the outer garment is released allowing additional folded material to be unfolded into an expanded back portion. In addition, in another embodiment, when an inner panel is attached to the back portion of the outer jacket, two people can both be separately enveloped in their own garment. The expandable feature allows for ease of movement by the people wearing the garment.

Abstract: A firefighter's garment which includes a layer of protective material in which the layer of protective material is provided with a major portion which has a high degree of thermal protective properties. The layer of protective material also has sections which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties. The protions of the layer of protective material which have a high degree of thermal protective properties are positioned at locations which require maximum thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties are located at positions which require less thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties also have greater flexibility and less bulk and less weight. Thus, the possibility of stress upon the firefighter is not effectively decreased when firefighter body posture during firefighting and the role of the protective equipment is considered.