Abstract: A harness system includes a waist belt assembly, a first releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly, shoulder straps, a back plate connected to the shoulder straps, and a release system including at least a first release strap connected to and extending from the back plate. The first release strap includes at least a first releasable connector in operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that actuation of the first release strap causes disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that the first releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate and the back plate can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user.

Abstract: A locator system for use in connection with at least one mobile person includes a mobile locator system adapted to be worn by the person, wherein the mobile locator system includes an inertial navigation system. The locator system further includes a reference locator system to provide information about a position of the mobile locator device relative to a coordinate system. In several embodiments, the reference locator system comprises an ultrasonic system. For example, the reference locator system can include at least one ultrasonic transmitter and at least one ultrasonic receiver. One of the at least one ultrasonic receiver and the at least one ultrasonic transmitter can be positioned at a known position on the coordinate system and the other of the at least one ultrasonic receiver and the at least one ultrasonic transmitter can be worn by the person. The reference locator system can also include a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters and a plurality of ultrasonic receivers.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes: a rigid shell including a generally domed-shaped section, a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate and a transducer attached to the substrate, wherein the substrate includes a surface to which the transducer is attached and at least one edge member extending along at least a portion of the outside edge of the surface. The surface can be a generally planar surface. The edge member is stiffer than the surface. In several embodiments, the transducer is adapted to vibrate. The transducer can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric transducer, an electrostrictive transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer. Preferably, the transducer is attached to the surface of the substrate by a metallic bonding agent and, more particularly, by welding.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for identifying monitoring and evaluating hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions. The system may be worn by safety personnel to detect equipment conditions such as low power supply, environmental conditions such as ambient temperature and/or physiological conditions such as heart rate of a wearer. The system may further include a control unit having electronics operable to communicate signals associated with equipment, environmental and physiological conditions.

Abstract: A pressure demand regulator assembly for use with a breathing apparatus having a valve assembly that includes an inlet for connection to a source of breathing gas, an outlet for connection to a facepiece to provide breathing gas to the user and an actuator for controlling the flow of breathing gas between the inlet and the outlet in response to the user's respiration. The regulator assembly further includes a flexible elastomeric diaphragm in operative connection with the actuator. The diaphragm is exposed to ambient pressure on a first side thereof and exposed to a positive pressure within the facepiece on a second side thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory protection mask for a compressed air breathing apparatus comprising a pulmonary machine which is controlled by a control membrane when the wearer of the mask breathes in. According to the invention, the air outlet of the expiratory valve and the control membrane are covered by a common cover, forming a rinsing area on the outside of the control membrane through which homogeneously temperate, clean rinsing air flows from the air outlet to the air discharge openings in the cover, thereby ensuring high functionality and high service life of the membrane-controlled pulmonary machine despite extreme environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the output of an electrochemical sensor including a working electrode and a counter electrode, includes: electronically causing a current flow between the working electrode and the counter electrode via an electrolyte without introducing a test analyte to the electrochemical sensor; measuring a response of the sensor to the current demand resulting from the electronically generated current flow; and using the measured response to adjust the sensor output during sampling of an analyte gas.

Abstract: A body armor to be worn by a person includes a front section including ballistic paneling. The front section further includes at least a first front laterally extending section on a first side of the body armor. The first front laterally extending section includes ballistic paneling. The body armor further includes a rear section comprising ballistic paneling and at least a first rear laterally extending section attached to the rear section on the first side of the body armor and extending from the rear section.

Abstract: An initialization system for a personal navigation system associated with a user, including: a first reference point arrangement configured for communication with the personal navigation system of the user and to facilitate the generation of a first user data set including horizontal position and azimuth angle (x1, y1, ?1); a second reference point arrangement configured for communication with the personal navigation system of the user and to facilitate the generation of a second user data set including horizontal position and azimuth angle (x2, y2, ?2); and at least one control device configured to determine a common coordinate system based at least in part upon the first user data set and the second user data set. An initialization process and arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell having a lower edge, and an edge support extending around the lower edge of the shell. The edge support has a greater structural rigidity than the shell. The helmet can further include a retention strap system, and the edge support can include at least one attachment to attach the retention strap system to the helmet. The attachment can, for example, include a seating, and the helmet can, for example, further include an abutment member removably seatable within the seating. The abutment member can be attachable to a strap of the retention strap system.

Abstract: A ballistic panel assembly for use in body armor includes at least one subassembly including at least one layer including fibers that extend from at least one side thereof and at least one edge guard encompassing at least a portion of the extending fibers. The ballistic panel assembly further includes a waterproof cover encasing the at least one subassembly. The cover includes a front section and a rear section. A waterproof seal is formed between the front section and the rear section around at least a portion of perimeters thereof adjacent to the at least one edge guard after the subassembly is placed between the front section and the rear section. The edge guard can, for example, include an adhesive tape.

Abstract: The present invention provides pads and padding systems for use in protective helmets, and particularly ballistic helmets. Generally, the pad includes a first, outer layer which provides substantial impact resistance and a second, inner layer which provides cushioning and comfort. The pad does not require the use of a moisture-proof, non-perforated, encapsulating layer since both layers provide little resistance to fluid flow. The pad may also include a cover made of moisture-wicking material.