Patents Examined by Diana Biefeld
  • Patent number: 5819316
    Abstract: A firefighter garment having a low friction liner system which includes an outer shell made of an abrasion resistant material, a moisture barrier layer made of a water-resistant material, a thermal barrier layer and a layer of material having flame, heat and high-lubricity properties positioned within the outer shell. In one embodiment, the high-lubricity layer is composed of a fire resistant filament yarn and is attached to the inside face of the thermal liner; that is, the face positioned next to the clothing of a wearer of the garment. In another embodiment, the layer of high-lubricity material is positioned to form a substrate for the moisture barrier and is located between the moisture barrier and outer shell. A garment having two layers of high-lubricity material, one forming an inside face of the thermal liner and the other forming an interface between the moisture barrier and outer shell, is also preferable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Lion Apparel, inc.
    Inventor: Donald Aldridge
  • Patent number: 5819319
    Abstract: An improved hat having a plurality of releasably attachable hair segments, which can be attached, replaced or removed to provide a wide variety of effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Robin Spurs
  • Patent number: 5815884
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an optical dust sensor for detecting a quantity of dust which sensor is provided at a predetermined position of a suction path for sucking air by a suction force of the vacuum cleaner, whereby an output signal is supplied to a display device so that a display corresponding to the quantity of the sucked dust, which signal is output from the optical dust sensor and is varied in a stageless manner corresponding to the quantity of the dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Yashima Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Imamura, Jun Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5809572
    Abstract: A face mask for use in a cold weather hood which may be worn to protect a wearer from the effects of a cold weather environment. The face mask is placed in an opening of the cold weather hood which has predetermined dimensions. The face mask is of multiple-layer construction and, in the preferred embodiment, includes a layer of moldable material sandwiched between two layers of relatively soft material. The layer of moldable material is molded or otherwise formed to substantially conform to the contours of the wearer's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Edward R. Sisolak
  • Patent number: 5809573
    Abstract: An article of headgear has a headband portion and ear covering portions which cover the ears of the wearer and pair of open ended pockets in the ear covering portions which removably receive and carry a packet of exothermic heat dispensing material to warm the ears of the wearer. In a first embodiment, the headband is formed of a pair of curved bands of resilient flexible material curved to fit over the top of the person's head and slidably connected in overlapped relation such that the length of the headband portion may be adjusted to fit various head sizes, and the ear covering portions are ear pads secured on the outer ends of the headband. In a second embodiment, the headband is a continuous circular configuration formed of flexible elastic material which encircle the person's head and the laterally opposed ear covering portions and pockets are integrally formed on the circular headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Susan Bary
  • Patent number: 5806101
    Abstract: An accessory such as a welding helmet is attached to a protective cap by means of a continuous band mounted to the inside of the accessory. The band is in the form of two pieces having overlapping ends which are adjustably connected together to accommodate different size protective caps. A hook structure may be provided on the band for hooking around the lower edge of the protective cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Fibre--Metal Products Co.
    Inventors: Gary J. Thurwanger, Timothy Bishop
  • Patent number: 5806089
    Abstract: A convertible visor has a bill including a first bill covering attached to a second bill covering with a bill stiffener therebetween. The bill stiffener permits the reversing of the bill to display either the first bill covering or the second bill covering as the exterior of the visor. A headband attaches to the bill and includes a first headband covering attached to a second headband covering. The first and second headband coverings define an enclosure therebetween that contains a headband stiffener. Furthermore, the first and second headband coverings are rotatable about the headband stiffener to permit the display of either the first headband covering or the second headband covering as the exterior of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Texace
    Inventor: Irene E. Garza
  • Patent number: 5806097
    Abstract: A protective garment, and preferably a protective garment for firefighters, utilizing two strips of moisture impermeable, wick resistant material adjacent one or more openings of the garment in which the wick resistant materials form a shingle effect to prevent transmission of toxic liquids through seams of the garment for contamination of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: William L. Grilliot, Mary I. Grilliot
  • Patent number: 5802617
    Abstract: A hat or other headgear having a cord, preferably an elongated flexible plastic tube, with a portion extending across the interior of the hat between opposite sides of a lower portion of the crown, at a location to contact the user's forehead and position the hat relative thereto, with the forehead contacting portion of the cord being spaced rearwardly of the lower portion of the crown at the front of the hat to define a front air circulation space through which air can flow upwardly and downwardly between the crown and the cord. At opposite ends of the forehead contacting portion, the cord extends through openings in opposite sides of the hat and then downwardly to form a chin strap. The hat may have an additional air circulation opening, desirably near the rear of the hat, formed by a generally horizontal slit in a generally vertical wall of the hat, with a lower portion of the wall being deformed inwardly beneath the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Robert O. Boden
  • Patent number: 5802664
    Abstract: A motorized power head for a machine for cleaning upholstery, carpeting or hard floors includes a spray nozzle for distributing a clean spray solution on a selected area enclosed by the power head. A cylindrical rotating brush is driven by a two-speed motor housed in the power head to work the solution into the carpet to clean the selected area. A suction nozzle picks up the spent solution together with loosened dirt and grime. The power head may be used as a close-up applicator with a handle adjacent the power head, or as a stand-up applicator with an extension inserted between the handle and the power head. The brush is easily removed for replacement or for converting the apparatus for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse V. Mondigo, Gary Edward Palmer, Jerome E. Rau
  • Patent number: 5802618
    Abstract: An instantaneous reversible scarf consisting of a neckpiece, built out of two similar patterns (1 and 2), and a bib or chestpiece, constructed of 2 similar patterns (13,14), and a hook 15. Patterns 1 and 13, and patterns 2 and 14 are fastenened separately prior to constructing the scarf. The single pieces obtained from fastening the conjugate patterns are then fastened together so as to construct a single double sided piece having a chestpiece and a neckpiece. A fastener 16 and its mate 17 are placed on opposite ends and opposite faces of neckpiece and a hook 15 is attached to the resulting shape for ease of storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Eduardo J. Mustata
  • Patent number: 5802616
    Abstract: A folding hat includes a crown and a brim which extends around the entire periphery of the crown. The brim is relatively stiff and flat so that it extends outwardly from the crown. The brim is provided with a hinge for folding the brim into a compact configuration for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: S. Gene Watson
  • Patent number: 5799326
    Abstract: A sun-visor includes a first plate having a curved inner side from which a second plate extends. A curved slit is defined along an outer side of the first plate so as to form a curved fastening member foldably connected to two ends of the first plate. A belt is connected to two sides of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Kuei-Sen Liao Chang
  • Patent number: 5794263
    Abstract: An insect proof garment capable of being worn to fully or partially protect the head while fully protecting the torso and arms utilizing a zipper system running around the face cover where it joins the hood. The supportive effect of pleating the top of the face cover section and darting the hood top results in maximum protection and minimum visual interference, which is further minimized by use of a darker color fabric in the face cover than the rest of the garment. An integral pouch provides transport and storage of the garment plus a pocket when garment is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Nancy T. Carman
  • Patent number: 5794262
    Abstract: There is described a fire-proof protective outfit for activities involving a risk of burns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Prometeo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Capello
  • Patent number: 5790986
    Abstract: An article of headwear is provided which includes a substantially forwardly projecting peak or visor, an adjustable head engaging band and a length or sheet of material, the head engaging band being attached or attachable to the peak or visor at or near a rear edge thereof, the length or sheet of material being attached or attachable to the peak or visor and extending rearwardly thereof, whereby the peak or visor may be positioned on a wearer's head such that the material covers the wearer's head and hangs therefrom about the shoulders and neck of the wearer, wherein the head engaging band is positioned about a rear of the wearer's head such that the peak or visor is held in position thereon, and the material has a plurality of fasteners to adjust and fasten the material into a plurality of positions to protect a wearer's neck, head, and/or face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Jason Hamilton Hall
  • Patent number: 5787508
    Abstract: A decorative mask assembly having a first and a second flexible material panel, and at least one perimeter securement segment defined generally about a perimeter of the first and second flexible material panels so as to define an interior chamber structured to receive and contain a quantity of a gas therein. The assembly further including a plurality of interior securement segments defined between the first and second flexible material panels and which at least partially defining a plurality of interior compartments in the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Ruben D. Gattamorta
  • Patent number: 5787507
    Abstract: A headgear stabilizing and venting apparatus comprises a flexible material having attachment means provided on a first side thereof and a plurality of resilient flexible spacing means provided in a second side thereof. The length of the flexible material enables the apparatus to be positioned within a crown portion of an article of headgear enabling the spacing means to engage the user's head when the headgear is worn. The spacing means serves to space the headgear with respect to the user's head to permit air to flow therebetween and further to flex against the user's head in order to stabilize the headgear in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Lorraine June Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5781933
    Abstract: The aereodynamic peaked cap is constructed with a crown, as a turned upside down bowl to cover the wearer's head and an outwardly projecting visor. The visor comprises: a) a middle frame with one or more apertures inside. b) a mesh cover below,which air coming from below, can pass through. c) an upper streamlined sloping cloth connected to the crown by buttons.Between the crown and the upper cloth there are some apertures as ducts for air flow coming from below the visor. By buttoning the buttons male on the upper cloth and the buttons female on the crown in a different alternate way the formed folds as air ducts can be moved from the center to the sides of the visor, so that, in case of rain and snow, to avoid vertical penetration of rain into the middle duct, this duct can be closed and the side ones can be enlarged, to allow however a greater air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: General Building s.a.s. di De Giacomi Giancarlo
    Inventor: Giancarlo De Giacomi
  • Patent number: 5781934
    Abstract: The sports cap kit includes a sports cap with a primary symbol representing a favored sports team attached to the cap above a visor thereof. The primary symbol has a normally open mouth including a movable jaw. At least one smaller, removable, secondary symbol representing an opposing team engages within the open mouth and the lower jaw is moved to create a chewing action, the interaction between the two symbols sending a message that the favored team will "chew up" or dominate the opposing team.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Terrance P. Pauley, Jr.