Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A force attenuating helmet construction including a rigid layer generally conforming to the wearer's head. A plurality of force absorbing and reacting portions extend from locations of the rigid layer such that, in response to an impact event experienced by the helmet, the absorptive and reactive forces minimize impact forces transferred to the user's head and spine. The helmet can include inner and outer rigid layers, or shells, and which are spatially supported by a plurality of force attenuating components. A dual compression coil is associated with each of opposite end mounting portions of a face mask with the outer shell for providing for bi-directional force absorbing displacement of the mask portion.

Abstract: A hitch for lifting the hem of a skirted garment, or garment set comprising a skirt and hitch. The hitch comprises a strip of flexible fabric with coacting fastening means affixed near each end of its length, securing the hitch in a loop when fastened. The fastening means may comprise a button and buttonhole, a snap, a hook-and-loop fastening system, or other fastening means. The garment set can include a hitch featuring a button and buttonhole, and a skirt that comprises a waistband and a second button, the second button affixed to the waistband. One method of removably securing in a raised position a portion of a skirt comprises passing a garment hitch under the hemline of the skirt; passing the garment hitch through the band of the garment; and fastening the garment hitch to itself, thereby forming a secured loop whereby the hitch circumscribes the portion of the skirt.

Abstract: An article with a sole structure including a first layer and a second layer are disclosed. The first layer includes a set of apertures arranged in an auxetic configuration that permit the first layer to exhibit a first auxetic behavior. The second layer includes a set of projections arranged in an auxetic configuration that permit the second layer to exhibit a second auxetic behavior. The first layer and the second layer may be joined together in a manner that allows the first auxetic behavior to occur independently of the second auxetic behavior.

Abstract: A trouser garment is disclosed. The trouser garment may be a fishing wader. The garment includes a quick-release dropseat to enhance the ease of personal relief, such as a WC break, without completely removing the garment. The garment may include a trouser portion, a bib portion, and a suspension system. A posterior support strap is threaded through a guide, such as a loop, to aid in the mating two ends of a quick-release dropseat buckle. The posterior support strap is coupled to left and right shoulder straps to form the suspension system. The guide and one end of the dropseat buckle are positioned on a posterior surface of the garment. The garment may include cam buckles to enable the adjustment of the left and right shoulder straps and the height of the bib portion. The garment may be worn as a full bib or as a pant.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a length adjustment mechanism is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a sole portion with one or more anchors connected to the sole portion. The article of footwear can also include a heel cup capable of moving between a fore position and an aft position. This can be accomplished using one or more length adjustment mechanisms that each slidably engage the one or more anchors, such that they have an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the heel cup can move with respect to the one or more anchors; and in the locked state cannot move with respect to the one of more anchors.

Abstract: A hat brim includes: an upper surface; a lower surface; and a face, the face extending from an outer edge of the upper surface to an outer edge of the lower surface, a face height of the face measuring at least about ¼?. A method of manufacturing a hat includes: forming a brim, a rear edge of the brim attached to a lower edge of a crown, the brim including an upper surface; a lower surface; and a face, the face extending from an outer edge of the upper surface to an outer edge of the lower surface, a face height of the face measuring at least ¼?; and incorporating face indicia onto the face of the brim.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The shoe includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate.

Abstract: A fabric-like, elastic, exercise resistance band with first and second ends, permanently affixed to the end of each leg section of an exercise pant garment that extends to at least just below the knee area. The resistance bands comprise a resilient material and offer no resistance when formed to each leg, out of the way for everyday activities. When the resistance bands are unformed and fastened together by way of a locking canister affixed to each resistance band, the muscles of the lower body, primarily the inner thighs and buttocks, may be stimulated as the legs are moved further apart during a resistance exercise program.

Abstract: A medical gown includes tie straps detachably connected to sleeves of the gown. The straps are detachable by tugging on them once the gown is donned. The tie members are extendable, upon being detached, around the left and right sides to a back of the medical gown for tying together to form a closure around a waist of a wearer. The tie members may be sufficiently long to extend back around for tying in the front of the gown. A section of each of the left and right tie straps may be folded over lengthwise, a portion of the folded section of each tie member being detachably connected to the sleeves. Once the wearer detaches the folded tie members, the tie members may be unfolded and elongated as needed for adjustably sizing the closure securing the medical gown on the wearer.

Abstract: A water heater capable of cooling a fan by inflow of air while suppressing backflow of combustion gas is provided. A fan includes: a fan case having a back surface wall; an impeller having a first blade and a second blade and housed in the fan case; a drive source rotating the impeller; and a rotation shaft coupling the impeller and the drive source through a through hole provided in the back surface wall. A gap through which air outside the fan case is suctioned into the fan case is provided between the rotation shaft and the back surface wall. The second blade faces the back surface wall without another member interposed therebetween throughout a range from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the second plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective helmet which is provided with communication equipment, the helmet comprises one or more microphones that are embedded next to cheeks of the wearer in one or more layers of material that are located between a helmet shell and said wearer's cheeks, wherein each of said one or more microphones is connected directly or indirectly to said communication equipment by means of a connection element, each of said connection elements being also embedded respectively within slots that are made within one or more of said layers.

Abstract: First and second upstream fins and first and second downstream fins are arranged in the air passage of air-conditioning air to pivot. The first upstream fin includes an upstream body with a cutout extending upstream from the downstream edge. A transmission shaft, which extends along upstream fin shafts, is arranged in the cutout. The first downstream fin includes a downstream body with a slidable operation knob. The operation knob includes a fork that is rotationally supported with a support shaft. The fork includes a pair of transmission pieces, which extends upstream from the operation knob and sandwiches the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft includes a pair of stoppers, which is located at positions that are spaced from each other in the extending direction of the transmission shaft and that sandwich the transmission pieces. The stoppers are caused to contact the transmission pieces by operation of the operation knob.

Abstract: A solar powered fan kit is provided for installation in a roof and in the ridge of the roof. The solar powered fan kit includes a fan attached to a fan bracket. The fan bracket is configured to be suspended from a roof within a ridge vent of the roof. A solar panel is attached to the roof to supply power to the fan.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a baking device for liquid crystal alignment films, wherein the baking device includes a heating table with openings and lift pins extending and penetrating through the openings, and the lift pins can move between a retracting position and a stretching position to support a glass substrate coated with alignment films, wherein a blocking member is arranged on the lift pin in a surrounding manner to be tightly engaged thereon, so as to block the air stream flowing toward the glass substrate through the openings when the lift pins are situated in the retracting position. With the provision of the blocking members, the air streams flowing toward the glass substrate coated with alignment films can be resisted in the baking process, which prevents the air streams from affecting heat distribution and temperature distribution.

Abstract: A rain-hat system for use on a vehicle that includes a cowling having a fresh air inlet, a rain-hat assembly that includes a body, and a plurality of louvers is disclosed. The body has a back side for attachment to the fresh air inlet. The body also has front side to which the plurality of louvers is attached. The rain-hat assembly also includes a front, a back, a first side, and a second side. At least some of the louvers slope downwardly from the front to the back and at least some of the louvers slope downwardly from the first side to the second side. In addition, at least some of the louvers include a downwardly sloping flange attached at the first side and a downwardly sloping flange attached at the second side. Preferably the uppermost louver has a gutter defined by an upwardly angled lip.

Abstract: A vent cover is configured for attachment to a downwardly-facing surface, such as a soffit panel of a building roof overhang. The vent cover includes a housing coupled to a base portion, the housing defining a fluid discharge outlet and fluid passageway, with the outlet being selectively blocked by at least one movable door. The door is hinged at its upper end portion and is biased to a closed position by gravity. A sufficiently high air pressure will raise the door and permit an outflow of air through the discharge outlet. Where separate inner and outer doors are provided, the outer door may be manually movable to its open position while the inner door remains closed, so that the inner door continues to restrict access to an interior of the housing.

Abstract: A method for providing purified air to an occupant of a seat in a mask lacking corporeal features that is generated by an apparatus. The apparatus includes a contaminant conditioning system that delivers purified air to a first and a second laminar flow generator. Each laminar flow generator produces a respective laminar flow that combines to form and fill a breathing space with purified air that envelopes an inhalation sphere of the occupant and inhibits air other than the purified air from entering the breathing space.

Abstract: A water heating apparatus includes a fluid inlet conduit configured to split into a plurality of supply legs, and a plurality of heat exchangers configured for parallel operation. Each heat exchanger includes an outer housing, an inlet connected to a respective supply leg of the fluid inlet conduit for receiving an inlet flow of liquid into the outer housing, an outlet for allowing an outlet flow of liquid to leave the outer housing, and a heat exchange element positioned within the outer housing and configured to heat a flow of liquid passing through the outer housing from the inlet to the outlet. The water heating apparatus further includes a burner assembly comprising a combustion chamber housing and a burner positioned internally within the combustion chamber housing. The burner assembly is coupled to the plurality of heat exchangers for supplying heat to the flow of liquid.