Abstract: The protective headgear, such as a catcher's/umpire's headgear, is defined by a forward substantially concave rigid shell and a rear substantially concave rigid shell articulately interconnected together adjacent upper portions thereof. Resilient straps snap-secure opposite lower side portions of the forward shell to opposite lower edge portions of the rear shell. A rigid framework having a relatively large view opening is fastened to a view opening of the forward shell to afford maximum visibility to the user.

Abstract: A hat having a twist folding brim includes a drape depending from the outer periphery of the brim. The outer periphery of the brim also includes a stiff but flexible member therein, enabling the brim to be twisted and folded over for compact storage of the hat with its attached brim and drape. The drape provides good air circulation about the back of the neck of a wearer of the present hat, due to its distance from the wearer from depending from the outer edge of the relatively wide brim of the hat. The drape also serves to shield the wearer from the sun and other environmental effects. The drape may be permanently or removably attached to the brim of the hat, and may be made in virtually any practicable length, width, and/or material as desired. Adjustment for the length and/or width may also be provided with the hat. The drape may be formed of water resistant, waterproof, or water absorbent materials, with water absorbent drapes providing an evaporative cooling effect when moistened.

Abstract: A thematic activity neck flap which may be attached to a cap or about the neck of a backpack wearer. The flap is functional and comfortable for a wearer as well as providing a thematic ambiance. The flap has thematic items attached thereto such as pediatric items comprised of shapes, teethers and hanging toys. The flap may also have different textures consistent with a pediatric theme.

Abstract: The cooling pack is a container having a cooling substance contained within it. The cooling pack is generally constructed such that it can be formed in a bowl shape to cover the scalp portion of the users head. By covering the scalp with a cooling pack the lose of hair is minimized during medical treatments such as chemotherapy. The cooling pack may also be used with head wear such as hats, helmets and the like. In addition a head band may have a cooling pack to be worn over the eyebrows.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an attachment for use with adjusting straps on a cap comprising a sheet of flexible material having a first portion and a second portion contiguous with the first portion. The first portion and second portion each have a width and a length wherein the width of the first portion is greater than the width of the second portion and the length of the second portion is greater than the length of the first portion. The first portion has a widthwise slit having a perimetrical edge and an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheet. The slit is sized for frictional insertion therethrough of the second portion. The second portion has a first end at the point of contiguity of the first and second portions and a second end opposite the first end. The second portion has an integrally formed engagement region in proximity to the point of contiguity of the first and second portions and adapted for engaging the perimetrical edge of the slit.

Abstract: A head protector (10, 10') is shown in certain embodiments, having a plurality of rupturable, closed, pressurized, fluid filled cells (20) each having a rupturable common wall with a low pressure, empty cell (22) between first and second liners (14,16) and with optional cloth inner (18) and outer liners (12). In a second embodiment one or more layers of cushioning material has spaced apart, generally uniformly sized, closed fluid cells (24) intended to withstand selected levels of impacts without rupture. In other embodiments (40, 40', 40", 40'") a cushioning layer of open cell, visco- elastic resin is used with or without a load spreading outer layer of cross-linked, closed cell resin. Fabric covers (46,50) are shown for encapsulating the protector using openable/closable fasteners (48,52).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, has a housing and a suction motor, arranged in the housing. When in operation, the motor draws in air via a suction opening and discharges the air via at least one outlet opening in the housing. A dust chamber in the housing collects dust entrained by the drawn-in-air when the vacuum cleaner is in operation. An odor filter is arranged in the housing downstream of the dust chamber. The odor filter includes a unit which temporarily prolongs the residence time of air drawn through the odor filter, in the odor filter during an odor suppression cycle.

Abstract: A mitt enhances the sense of touch when worn on a hand of a user as an object is touched with the palm side of the fingertips. The apparatus is formed of an enclosure of first and second layer of a pliable and elastic material, a lubricant, and a third layer of sheet material. The first and second layers are sealed together along their perimeter to form the enclosure. The lubricant inside the enclosure is present in a quantity and with sufficient lubricity that the coefficient of kinetic friction between the walls of the enclosure is less than the coefficient of kinetic friction between the fingertips and the enclosure and less than the coefficient of kinetic friction between the object being touched and the enclosure.

Abstract: A convertible headband comprising a strand of tough and ductile wire with a plurality of V-bends formed therealong. The convertible headband may be bent into an arcuate configuration and disposed about a human head to restrain a wearer's hair, the convertible headband may be bent into an annular configuration disposed about a human neck to be worn as a choker necklace; and the convertible headband may be bent into a helical configuration and disposed about a human wrist or ankle to be worn as a bracelet or anklet or disposed surrounding a ponytail to be worn as a ponytail holder. Closed loops may be disposed at first and second ends of the strand of wire, and a removable S-hook may be used for coupling the closed loops together for securing the convertible headband about a human neck, wrist, or ankle. A multiplicity of annular beads may be rotatably threaded onto the strand of wire with beads disposed only on a first leg of each V-bend whereby alternating legs of the V-bends are bare.

Abstract: An athletic equipment attachment strap for holding athletic equipment in place against a user's body includes elastic and non-elastic portions for providing a comfortable and flexible fit. The preferred embodiment provides a loop attached to an elastic portion and hook and loop fasteners for fastening the non-elastic portions to each other around the loop. In an alternate embodiment, two non-elastic portions are positioned at either end of an elastic portion. The two non-elastic portions include hook and loop fasteners for fastening the two non-elastic portions to each other to form a band for holding a piece of athletic equipment.

Abstract: An airfoil-shaped attachment to a visor is described which makes unlikely the unintentional removal of the cap to which the visor is attached by wind. The visor attachment, in accordance with the invention, has a cross-section from its front edge to its rear edge which resembles an inverted airfoil.

Abstract: An ear-protector is provided as a flexible element preferably made of PVC, having a first enlarged section used for covering over an ear, and a second, forwardly-extending, reduced mounting section extending from the first enlarged section. Each section has formed therein a vertical slit, forming together a pair of forwardly-positioned slits through which may be passed the temple part of eyeglasses or sunglasses, by which the ear-protector is mounted over an ear. The temple part of the eyeglasses is inserted through the pair of slits, so that the section of the temple part of the eyeglasses between the pair of slits is located exteriorly of the ear-protector, and whereby the second reduced section of the ear-protector and part of the first enlarged section of the ear-protector adjacent to the first section is bowed inwardly in a concave manner for forcing the ear-protector against the ear, whereby the ear-protector is snuggly positioned against the ear, for protecting the ear against cold and wind.

Abstract: A combined hand glove and aerosol repellent device. A small cylindrical canister of an aerosol repellent is held unobtrusively and securely in a glove and worn by a person for protection against sudden assaults from humans and animals. The repellent canister has a hook material patch which attaches to a loop material patch positioned approximately between the first and third knuckles of the index finger. The glove has a pocket which secures the bottom portion of the canister. The glove can be tipless (open fingered) or a complete glove for cold weather.

Abstract: A headwear piece having a body with an opening to accept the head of a wearer. The body has an exposed external surface. An element defines at least a part of the exposed external surface of the body. Frangible structure connects the element to the body so that the frangible structure can be ruptured to at least partially separate the element from the body.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a helmet including a shell formed from a thermoplastic resin, for example, by blow molding or injection molding, and a shock absorbing liner disposed on the inside of the shell. The shock absorbing liner is formed of polyvinylidene chloride foam. By forming the shock absorbing liner of polyvinylidene chloride foam, it is possible to provide a helmet having less temperature dependent change in compression strength upon molding, excellent shock adsorption and restorability, excellent impact shock adsorbing performance upon a second hit on one identical portion and excellent dimensional accuracy in manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a limb of a user. The apparatus includes two or more anthropometrically shaped panels. Each panel is formed from sheets that are both flexible and stable to maintain the shape of the apparatus during use without need for additional elements to hold the shape of the apparatus. The panels are connected, preferably by sewing. The apparatus is worn by the user to avoid limb injuries.

Abstract: A detachable protector device 10 for the interior surface of the neck 101 of a shirt wherein the device 10 includes a permanent anchor component 11 fixedly secured to the interior surface of the neck 101 of a shirt 100, and a detachable protector component 12 releasably associated with the permanent anchor component 11. In one version of the invention, the opposite sides of the detachable protector component 12 are releasably associated with the permanent anchor component 11.

Abstract: A cap is provided for preventing water from coming in contact with a face of a user. Included is an elastic closed loop band and a dish portion. The dish portion includes a resilient sheet with a bottom edge integrally coupled to the closed loop band and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom with an arcuate vertical cross-section. A peripheral member is integrally coupled to an upper peripheral edge of the sheet of the dish portion. Also included is a water channel having a substantially planar plate with an inboard end coupled to the upper peripheral edge of the sheet of the dish portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A sleep shade is adapted to be worn by a person having a face with eyes, nose and a mouth having both an open state and a closed state. The shade includes an eye section forming a seal with the eyes of the person, the eye section including an eye cover. The nose section is coupled to the eye section and adapted to receive the nose of the person, the nose section including at least one opening in proximity to the nose of the person. A mouth section is coupled to the nose section and includes a mouth cover having a length sufficient to cover the mouth of the person in both the open state and the closed state. A suitable headband is coupled to at least one of the sections to hold the sections against the head of the person.

Abstract: A garment, such as a turnout coat for a firefighter, comprises a body, which has a front portion and a back portion, a left sleeve, a right sleeve, and a collar. Each sleeve is sewn in a raglan pattern to an associated gusset, which is sewn to a lower part of front portion of the body, at the front portion of the body, and is sewn in a dolman pattern to the back portion of the body. The collar is sewn to the left and right sleeves and to the front portion of the body. The garment is openable and closeable at the collar and at the gussets.