Abstract: An article of adjustably fitted protective apparel includes a vest and an adjustable tensioning system for selective tensioning of the vest into a snug fit on a body of a wearer of the vest. The adjustable tensioning system includes a rotary tension adjuster disposed on the vest and including a housing and a first spool disposed within the housing, and a tensioning line extends from the housing. The tensioning line is attached directly or indirectly to the vest. A portion of the tensioning line is configured to be wound upon the first spool during manipulation of the rotary tension adjuster in a first rotational direction thereof. Winding of the portion of the first tensioning line draws together first portions of the vest for providing a snug fit of the first portions.

Abstract: An article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of a portion of the body of a user includes a protective shell and bi-directional device that receives a first and second line that each extend to the shell. Rotation of a control handle of the bi-directional device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into the device, thereby tightening the protective shell about the user. Optionally, the article is a helmet for having an adjustable chin strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of the control handle of the device. Optionally, the article of protective apparel is capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the control handle into a release position.

Abstract: An article of adjustably fitted protective apparel includes a vest and an adjustable tensioning system for selective tensioning of the vest into a snug fit on a body of a wearer of the vest. The adjustable tensioning system includes a rotary tension adjuster disposed on the vest and including a housing and a first spool disposed within the housing, and a tensioning line extends from the housing. The tensioning line is attached directly or indirectly to the vest. A portion of the tensioning line is configured to be wound upon the first spool during manipulation of the rotary tension adjuster in a first rotational direction thereof. Winding of the portion of the first tensioning line draws together first portions of the vest for providing a snug fit of the first portions.

Abstract: An article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of a portion of the body of a user includes a protective shell and bi-directional device that receives a first and second line that each extend to the shell. Rotation of a control handle of the bi-directional device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into the device, thereby tightening the protective shell about the user. Optionally, the article is a helmet for having an adjustable chin strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of the control handle of the device. Optionally, the article of protective apparel is capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the control handle into a release position.

Abstract: A bi-directional device includes a rotatable control handle, a first line, and a second line, each extending from a housing. When the control handle is rotated in a first rotational direction, at least a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing. When the control handle is rotated in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, at least a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing. Optionally, the control handle is positionable into each of a drive position and a release position. The control handle is generally biased into the drive position by an elastic force such as that of a spring. While the control handle is at the drive position, those portions of the lines drawn into the housing by rotations of the control handle are prevented from being withdrawn. When the release position of the control handle is obtained, drawn portions of the lines can be withdrawn from the housing.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A device for independently tensioning lines includes: (a) a housing; (b) a control handle extending from the housing and configured for manual rotation by a hand of a person; (c) a first line extending from the housing; and (d) a second line extending from the housing. The control handle is manually rotatable by hand about an axis in a first rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction. The handle also is manually rotatable by hand about the axis in a second rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction. The rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: An article of adjustably fitted protective apparel includes a vest and an adjustable tensioning system for selective tensioning of the vest into a snug fit on a body of a wearer of the vest. The adjustable tensioning system includes a rotary tension adjuster disposed on the vest and including a housing and a first spool disposed within the housing, and a tensioning line extends from the housing. The tensioning line is attached directly or indirectly to the vest. A portion of the tensioning line is configured to be wound upon the first spool during manipulation of the rotary tension adjuster in a first rotational direction thereof. Winding of the portion of the first tensioning line draws together first portions of the vest for providing a snug fit of the first portions.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A garment has indentations forming air channels next to the body of the wearer, and includes: a first yarn preferably being a single monofilament of polyester; a second yarn preferably formed from staple or filament yarn, whether manmade or of natural fiber, such as polyester, cotton, rayon, nylon, acrylic; and a third yarn being an elastomeric yarn that provides proper stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the garment next to the body of the wearer. The first yarn preferably is a single monofilament of polyester. The second yarn preferably provides softness for comfort. The third yarn preferably is spandex. For certain applications of the garment, the second yarn is formed from staples of synthetic materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, or Spectra in order to provide fire retardence, cut resistance, and/or impact/ballistic protection. The indentations may be formed only in selected areas of the garment in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric having dome-shaped indentations formed therein to define air channels. The fabric includes: a first yarn preferably being a single monofilament of polyester; a second yarn preferably formed from staple or filament yarn; and a third yarn being an elastomeric yarn that provides proper stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the garment next to the body of the wearer. The first yarn preferably is a single monofilament of polyester. The second yarn preferably provides softness for comfort. The third yarn preferably is spandex. For certain applications of the garment, the second yarn is formed from staples of synthetic materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, or Spectra in order to provide fire retardence, cut resistance, and/or impact/ballistic protection. The indentations may be formed only in selected areas of the garment in accordance therewith.