Abstract: The invention is directed to a waterproof glove that includes an outer shell having several finger shells. At least one finger shell includes first, second, and third tongues, the first tongue forming the palm portion of the finger shell, and the second and third tongues forming the back and side portions of the finger shell. The tongues are joined together at their adjacent edges. The glove further includes waterproof strips overlapping the adjacent edges and fastened to the edges.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche, for example. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

Abstract: A bag or pack, such as a backpack, having a pack portion that includes a back side made of flexible material, a carrying system directly or indirectly connected to the pack portion and including at least one carrying element, a frame connected to the pack portion, the frame including at least a rigid or semi-rigid sheet frame which is affixed to the back side of the pack portion by adhesive bonding.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

Abstract: An adjustable positioning mechanism, such as for positioning ends of straps or handles of bag or packs, such as for backpacks, but also, more generally, for removably connecting an item to an article to be carried to provide a range of attachment locations for the item relative to the article, to achieve an optimum ergonomic position of the item at one of the attachment locations. One element of the adjustment mechanism can be either adhesively bonded to the article or made in one piece with a frame of the article, the item to be attached bearing a second element of the mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glove that includes an outer shell having several finger shells. At least one finger shell includes first, second, and third tongues, the first tongue forming the palm portion of the finger shell, and the second and third tongues forming the back and side portions of the finger shell. The tongues are joined together at their adjacent edges. The glove can further include waterproof strips overlapping the adjacent edges and fastened to the edges. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing the glove.

Abstract: A thermal insulating structure, and products made therefrom. The insulation structure includes an insulation-containing substructure that includes an inner and intermediate layers forming a plurality of successive compartments, the compartments containing insulation material, such as down or loose synthetic material. The intermediate layer is a batting of insulation, such as fiberfill or fleece. An outer layer, such as a waterproof material, extends over the substructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment that includes a torso portion and a pair of sleeves, with the junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves including a closable opening. Each of the closable openings includes a first portion positioned on a respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion extending on a respective one of the sleeves, with each of the sleeves including a proximal portion adjacent the torso portion, a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion, and an arrangement carried by the proximal portion to maintain the distal portion in a lifted-up state.

Abstract: A securing ring, such as a belay loop, including a plurality of layers of ring-shaped surface sections, an outermost ring-shaped surface section being fixed to at least one of the layers below. The ring-shaped surface sections are formed from surface sections of a flat tubular element folded or rolled upon one another. A corresponding process for the manufacture of the securing ring involves the folding or rolling up of a flat tubular element.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

Abstract: A garment and a collar for such garment, the collar having a lower zone and an upper zone, the lower zone having a greater rigidity than the upper zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment that includes a torso portion and a pair of sleeves, with the junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves including a closable opening. Each of the closable openings includes a first portion positioned on a respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion extending on a respective one of the sleeves, with each of the sleeves including a proximal portion adjacent the torso portion, a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion, and an arrangement carried by the proximal portion to maintain the distal portion in a lifted-up state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glove that includes an outer shell having several finger shells. At least one finger shell includes first, second, and third tongues, the first tongue forming the palm portion of the finger shell, and the second and third tongues forming the back and side portions of the finger shell. The tongues are joined together at their adjacent edges. The glove can further include waterproof strips overlapping the adjacent edges and fastened to the edges. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing the glove.

Abstract: A load bearing system including a load-bearing textile strap, including an article, such as a backpack or a climbing harness, that includes such load bearing system. The strap includes at least one woven portion and at least one non-woven portion. The woven portion has warp yarns extending along a longitudinal direction of the strap interlaced with at least one weft yarn, the woven portion having a first width. In the non-woven portion the warp yarns are spread transversely so that the non-woven portion has a second width greater than the first width of the woven portion.

Abstract: A fastening system for attaching an article to a support. A web fastener may be attached to an article at one end and have a free distal end, distanced from the article. A distal portion of the web fastener is stiffened and a proximal portion is more flexible than the stiffened portion. The article and support each have juxtaposable webbing strips forming webbing channels. The web fastener is insertable through and between the juxtaposed support webbing channels and article webbing channels to thereby secure the mated article and support against relative movement. In additional embodiments connectors are provided at the proximal and distal ends of the web fastener to secure the relative positions thereof, and multiple support webbing channels, article webbing channels and web fasteners are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a waterproof glove that includes an outer shell having several finger shells. At least one finger shell includes first, second, and third tongues, the first tongue forming the palm portion of the finger shell, and the second and third tongues forming the back and side portions of the finger shell. The tongues are joined together at their adjacent edges. The glove further includes waterproof strips overlapping the adjacent edges and fastened to the edges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment that includes a torso portion and a pair of sleeves, with the junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves including a closable opening. Each of the closable openings includes a first portion positioned on a respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion extending on a respective one of the sleeves, with each of the sleeves including a proximal portion adjacent the torso portion, a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion, and an arrangement carried by the proximal portion to maintain the distal portion in a lifted-up state.

Abstract: A pack that includes a bottom, a front side, a back side, and a top opening for allowing insertion of articles to, and removable from, inside the pack. The front and back sides of the pack are adjacently affixed to each other at their left and right edges. The pack further includes a closure arrangement to close the top opening, such closure arrangement including an upper front flap, adjacently connected to the front side and an upper back flap adjacently connected to the back side. The pack is closed when the upper front flap and the upper back flap are pressed against each other and then rolled down together along the pack until a rolled state of the upper front flap and the upper back flap is reached.

Abstract: A securing ring, such as a belay loop, including a plurality of layers of ring-shaped surface sections, an outermost ring-shaped surface section being fixed to at least one of the layers below. The ring-shaped surface sections are formed from surface sections of a flat tubular element folded or rolled upon one another. A corresponding process for the manufacture of the securing ring involves the folding or rolling up of a flat tubular element.

Abstract: An adjustable positioning mechanism, such as for positioning ends of straps or handles of bag or packs, such as for backpacks, but also, more generally, for removably connecting an item to an article to be carried to provide a range of attachment locations for the item relative to the article, to achieve an optimum ergonomic position of the item at one of the attachment locations. One element of the adjustment mechanism can be either adhesively bonded to the article or made in one piece with a frame of the article, the item to be attached bearing a second element of the mechanism.