Abstract: Embodiments herein describe various structural components for a lightweight tent. Structural components include a split tip for a tent pole end, configured to receive and secure one or more cords from a tent canopy. The one or more cords may be configured with stoppers that may fit into corresponding recesses on the split tip to assist in retention. Other components include a coupler for attaching one or more cords from the tent canopy. The coupler may be secured to a tent pole section by a retaining ring, or by cooperation of a groove in the tent pole with a corresponding ridge on the coupler.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe various structural components for a lightweight tent. Structural components include a split tip for a tent pole end, configured to receive and secure one or more cords from a tent canopy. The one or more cords may be configured with stoppers that may fit into corresponding recesses on the split tip to assist in retention. Other components include a coupler for attaching one or more cords from the tent canopy. The coupler may be secured to a tent pole section by a retaining ring, or by cooperation of a groove in the tent pole with a corresponding ridge on the coupler.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide pants with an integrated pants closure system for securing the pants to a waist of a user. The closure system may provide a plurality of points of closure, such as a belt, a fly, and an internal panel closure. The closure system may provide a low-profile for a front portion and/or waistband of the pants. Additionally, the closure system may provide backup points of closure in case of failure. The belt may include a buckle with a finger that extends through a loop in the belt to close the belt. The fly may include a zipper that extends to a top edge of the waistband. The internal panel may include one or more low-profile snaps to secure the internal panel to an inside surface of the pants and/or waistband.

Abstract: A stitchless seam comprises a first portion of material folded upon itself proximate an edge to define an overfolded end portion having overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of material positioned adjacent the overfolded end portion. A first portion of adhesive is interposed between the overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of adhesive is interposed between the second portion of material and the edge portion of the overfolded end portion. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive portions. The seams may be used for items made of waterproof breathable laminate fabric material, such as garments and sports articles.

Abstract: A stitchless seam comprises a first portion of material folded upon itself proximate an edge to define an overfolded end portion having overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of material positioned adjacent the overfolded end portion. A first portion of adhesive is interposed between the overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of adhesive is interposed between the second portion of material and the edge portion of the overfolded end portion. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive portions. The seams may be used for items made of waterproof breathable laminate fabric material, such as garments and sports articles.

Abstract: A method of forming a stitchless, adhesively bonded seam involves placing a first strip of adhesive between the outside surface of first and second sheets of material along an edge of the second sheet. At least a portion of a second strip of adhesive is positioned against a first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet along the edge thereof. The second sheet of material is folded such that a second portion of the inside surface overlies the second strip of adhesive. In some embodiments the first and second strips of adhesive are replaced by a single longitudinally folded strip of adhesive. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive. Seams made according to the disclosed methods may be used for garments, sports articles, and other items made of fabric or other sheet material.

Abstract: A method of forming a stitchless, adhesively bonded seam involves placing a first strip of adhesive (9) between the outside surface of first and second sheets of material (1, 2) along an edge (8) of the second sheet. At least a portion of a second strip of adhesive (13) is positioned against a first portion (17) of the inside surface (7) of the second sheet along the edge thereof. The second sheet of material is folded such that a second portion (18) of the inside surface overlies the second strip of adhesive. In some embodiments the first and second strips of adhesive are replaced by a single longitudinally folded strip of adhesive. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive. Seams made according to the disclosed methods may be used for garments, sports articles, and other items made of fabric or other sheet material.

Abstract: A method of forming a stitchless, adhesively bonded seam for a garment includes positioning an outside surface of a first sheet of fabric adjacent to an outside surface of a second sheet of fabric, and positioning a first strip of adhesive tape between the first and second sheets of fabric. A second strip of adhesive tape is positioned such that a first side is adjacent to a first portion of an inside surface of the second sheet of fabric, and the second sheet of fabric is folded such that a second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of fabric overlaps a second side of the second strip of adhesive tape. The adhesively bonded seam is formed by applying energy to the first and second sheets of fabric and to the first and second strips of adhesive tape.

Abstract: An expandable sleeping bag comprising a modified draft tube design incorporating a draft tube expansion segment and expansion zipper which are used to expand the circumferential measurement of the sleeping bag's inner lining and outer shell.

Abstract: A gaiter having on its outside surface an air vent system which allows a user to vent the gaiter in order to permit air to pass through the side of the gaiter, and having on an opposite outside surface a coated fabric protective surface which has a coated fabric surface top seam which is slanted in a downward direction from the back of the gaiter to the front.

Abstract: A garment for wear by an individual includes an upper garment portion of one-piece construction having a truncated cone-like appearance and including a hip covering segment. The segment has areas free of join seams positionable over the hip bones of an individual's hips when the garment is worn. A lower garment portion is connected to the upper garment portion and is positioned about the wearer's legs. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a liner of wicking material also of one piece construction and having a truncated cone-like appearance is located inside the upper garment portion, the liner being free of join seams in the vicinity of the segment areas of the upper garment portion.

Abstract: Tent structure includes a canopy formed of flexible sheet material. Poles are employed to support the canopy to form a tent interior. A web structure is attached to the canopy and formed of flexible sheet material. The web structure is maintained under tension when the canopy is supported. An article storage and support member formed of flexible sheet material is attached to the web structure within the tent interior and maintained under tension.

Abstract: A sleeping bag includes a non-expansible, sleeve-like upper sleeping bag segment, a non-expansible, pocket-like lower sleeping bag segment and an outwardly expansible, sleeve-like intermediate sleeping bag segment. Together the sleeping bag segments form a sleeping bag inner chamber. Resilient bands of elastic material are located at the intermediate sleeping bag segment to maintain the intermediate sleeping bag segment in a condition which will not constrict or lessen the cross-sectional area of the bag inner chamber when the intermediate sleeping bag segment is in unexpanded condition.