Abstract: A baseball cap having one or more pennant panels attached to the cap crown bearing a graphic of a particular theme such as being emblazoned with colors and marked with a sports team identifier to resemble miniature pennants. The pennant panels are detachably affixed to allow ready replacement with pennant panels having other graphic displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dual clamping system for a sewing machine. The dual clamp system comprises a first clamp and a second clamp which may be used to clamp a first workpiece and a second workpiece, respectively, at a sewing station of the sewing machine. The first and second clamps are preferably of different shapes and dimensions so that different shaped workpieces can be clamped at the sewing station. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second clamps are adjustable inner clamps for clamping an inner portion of the first and second workpieces, respectively. The dual clamping system also comprises a peripheral clamp for clamping at least a portion of the periphery of either or both of the first and second workpieces at the sewing station. The dual clamping system permits an operator to either separately or simultaneously clamp and sew a plurality of workpieces having the same or different shapes.

Abstract: A sod harvesting apparatus (10) is disclosed including a cut-off device (14), a cutting unit (16) and a roll-up and core carrying device (18) mounted to a tractor (12). The cut-off device (14) includes an H-shaped slide (20) including a blade (26) pivotably attached thereto, slideably movable in tubes (30) from a cutting position to a raised position against the bias of springs (32) in the tubes (30) by a hydraulic cylinder (36), and latched in the raised position by a mechanism (38). The cutting unit (16) includes a blade assembly (66) pivotably mounted to a frame (52) and vibrated at a high frequency and low amplitude by vibrating devices (84) mounted on the frame (70) of the blade assembly (66). A roller drum (90) extends between first and second lever arms (92) pivotably mounted to the frame (52) and pivoted by electric actuators (96). The roll-up device (18) includes first and second arms (110,112) carrying cone-shaped spindles (120) pivotably mounted to the opposite ends of a bar (114).

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing two fabric panels together along the edges thereof. The apparatus includes a combining fixture for holding the panels such that the edges to be joined hang freely in the combining fixture. A staging mechanism engages the edges of the panels to be joined and disposes the edges in overlapping relationship with one another. A sewing apparatus is insertable into the combining fixture for sewing the edges of the panels together while the panels are held in the combining fixture. Finally, the apparatus includes means for movably mounting the sewing apparatus for reciprocal movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the combining fixture.

Abstract: Rain pants with life saving device is provided which consists of waterproof overalls worn by a fisherman. A structure on the overalls extends about the chest of the fisherman, for buoying the fisherman in water to float in an upright position. A mechanism is for activating the buoying structure, so that the fisherman will float in the upright position in the water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retaining a work sheet on a support plate, the plate having opposite major surfaces, the apparatus including (a) a table, (b) a support plate with one or more air passages, and (c) a suction device. The method for retaining the sheet and stitching the sheet including the steps of (A) placing the sheet on one major surface of the supporting plate, (B) folding and inserting an excess of the sheet which overflows one major surface of the plate, between the other major surface of the plate and the table which is positioned adjacent to the other major surface of the plate, (C) sucking air through the one or more passages of the plate so as to retain an inner portion of the sheet supported by one major surface of the plate, on that major surface, and (D) forming stitches on the sheet.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fiber-metal matrix composite is described, which comprises the steps of providing fiber and metal crossweave strands, interweaving the fiber and crossweave strands by tightly crimping the strands in sets of at least two spaced about one fiber diameter apart around the fibers and spacing the strand sets about 35 to 50 fiber diameters apart, and subsequently consolidating the weave by hot pressing.

Abstract: A cap with display pouch is provided, which consists of a member for covering a head of a person. A structure is for holding a card-like article. A component is for attaching the holding structure to the head covering member.

Abstract: A leg guard for a baseball catcher has a thigh portion of a rigid shell with a pad affixed thereto that is connected by a pair of straps to a knee portion of a rigid shell with a pad affixed thereto. The same pair of straps connect to a shin portion, which also has a rigid shell and a pad affixed thereto. The pad of the shin portion has an extension at an upper end that is attached thereto by a narrow neck and that extends to behind the knee portion. The extension of the shin pad is cup shaped to cup the knee of the wearer and thereby provide a second layer of padding at the knee. The knee portion floats relatively to the thigh and shin portions during bending of the leg, while still keeping all parts of the knee area covered by a rigid shell.

Abstract: An elastic band is fabricated with an integrated drawcord utilizing a crochet-type warp knitting machine by initially knitting a finished elastic band and, then, re-routing the finished band back through the knitting machine to a second knitting location at which fabric piercing needles are utilized to knit additional warp and filling yarns while a drawcord is simultaneously fed between the piercing needles to form a covering web over the drawcord defining a tunnel area between the covering web and the finished band in which the drawcord is captured.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a belt having a buckle, a belt blank secured with the buckle and a retaining member secured with the belt blank adjacent the buckle for retaining a portion of the belt blank issuing from the buckle upon belt buckling and a hanger having a hook portion disposed on the belt retaining member, the hook portion defining locking structure for capturing the belt retaining member in the .hook portion, and a compartment portion depending from the hook portion, the compartment being adapted for containment of an article to be marketed with the belt.

Abstract: An improved device for ironing cloth articles having different thicknesses, comprises a bottom ironing panel thereon there is movably supported a pivot member for supporting a resilient sheet element, and a driving cylinder for causing the pivot member to swing about a horizontal axis and a further driving cylinder for driving the pivot member along a direction substantially perpendicular to the ironing panel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protective garment such as a firefighter's coat or trousers having a lumbar support belt attached to the innermost layer of the garment. As a result, no portion of the garment is disposed between the wearer of the garment and the lumbar support belt such that maximum support is achieved. The belt can be releasably secured to the garment such that it can be worn without the garment or the garment can be worn without the belt.

Abstract: A guard for a knee, elbow or shin including a composite pad of layers of perforated fabric, foam and mesh, all bound together at the periphery by a band of heavy fabric and strapped to the limb with an adjustable elastic band. The knee and elbow guards have one composite pad strapped above the joint and another composite pad strapped below the joint. A rigid shell is strapped to the composite pad. The straps have VELCRO patches which permit adjustment of the shell or complete separation from the pads.

Abstract: A flat can for receiving textile fiber slivers deposited therein while a jigging motion is imparted thereto comprises can sides defining an upper can bead at the top thereof. A can plate is configured to be vertically movable within the can sides between an empty position and a full position. In the empty position the can plate is at a height lower than the upper can bead. The can plate may comprise a rim around the circumference thereof which has a top generally adjacent to the upper can bead when the can plate is at the empty position. The rim may include oppositely facing incline surfaces at the ends thereof. The can sides may also include stops defined on the inner surface thereof. The stops serve to define the upper limit of travel of the can plate within the can.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet inclueds a helmet body having a plurality of vents, including a front vent that is wider than high. Also, a bicycle helmet includes a helmet body having a plurality of vents, including at least one rear exit port opening outward onto a surface that is below the most rearward margin of the helmet body. Preferred helmets include both such a front vent and a pair of such rear exit ports, and preferred helmets include at least one and more preferably two lengthwise interior channels that may conduct air rearwardly within the helmet over the head of the wearer from the front vent or to the rear exit port or ports, or both from the anterior vent and to the rear exit port or ports. Methods for fabricating a helmet according to the invention include forming the helmet body of two separate parts and affixing the two formed parts together.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stretching a tubular knitted article slipped on a support shape, comprising:--a device for picking up a limited portion of the article (4) fabric in correspondence of a side edge of the shape (5), holding said article and finally releasing it by way of an elastic, flat-nose, normally closed gripper (1);--a pneumatic cylinder (2) having a horizontal axis and its rod fixed to the base of said gripper (1) to allow it to be moved from and to the shape (5); --a cam (3) having double straight profile to operate the activation, that is, the opening and respectively the closing of said gripper (1) in cooperation with two pivots each of which is idly fitted into a corresponding jaw of the gripper (1) so as to result sideway projecting therefrom and thus engaging a relevant profile of the cam (3) during the activation of the gripper (1): the cam (3) being interposed between the gripper (1) activating cylinder (2) and the stocking (4) supporting shape (5);--an abutment element (6) interposed

Abstract: A hat has a shell of general hemispherical shape with an open bottom, a peripheral edge around the open bottom and an interior. A visor, having an inside edge and an outside edge, is flexibly attached along a section of the peripheral edge to the shell and extends substantially perpendicularly away from the shell. The visor has a plurality of fold lines extending from its inside edge to its outside edge. The fold lines allow the visor to be folded to a reduced size and tucked into the interior of the hat to form a purse.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protective finger guard having a flexible and puncture resistant construction. The finger guard comprises an elongated tubular member constructed to cover the middle and terminal phalanges of a finger or thumb (from the medial finger joint extending just beyond the fingertip). An indentation is provided in the tubular member at the end adjacent the medial finger joint on the ventral side to allow flexibility and bending the finger at the medial joint. An indentation is provided in the distal end of the tubular member, again on the ventral side, to allow the finger pad to extend therethrough. Hood-like extensions are provided at each end of the tubular member on the dorsal side extending to the end of the finger and to the end of the medial finger joint.

Abstract: A glove having a glove body and a thumb casing whose attachment to the golf body is reinforced with a piece sewn at the thumb casing-to-body attachment area and sewn below such attachment area.