Abstract: A method of stitching a piece of fabric by means of a thread made of technical fiber, for the purpose of making a composite fiber-matrix piece. According to the invention: the needle thread is constituted by a flexible thread that is strong in traction; the shuttle thread is constituted by the thread of technical fiber; and the tension of the shuttle thread and the tension of the needle thread are respectively adjusted to a level that is sufficiently low and a level that is sufficiently high to ensure that after the stitch has been made, the shuttle thread projects outside the piece of fabric from the first face side thereof, and the needle thread lies completely outside the piece of fabric, likewise on the first face side thereof.

Abstract: A sound-attenuating impact-absorbing earcup comprises a shell having a plurality of generally circular recesses adjacent to the periphery of the cup which function as stiffening contours. The stiffening contours increase the effective stiffness of the earcup shell, improving its sound attenuating capability, and also concentrate applied stress onto those portions of the stiffening contours nearest the point of applied stress. Sufficient applied force causes the shell to fracture in the areas of the stress concentrators, thereby to absorb impact energy in a controlled manner without transmitting it to the head of the wearer. To further enhance its sound-attenuating and impact-absorbing capabilities, the earcup is formed of a low-tensile-strength, high-elongation, high-loss-factor material such as polyvinyl chloride or similar polymer.

Abstract: A guard for protecting a wearer's nose includes:an upper edge adapted to rest on the wearer's forehead;a lower edge having first and second edge portions adapted to be adjacent to the wearer's cheekbones and a third edge portion adapted to be adjacent to the end of the wearer's nose, the wearer's mouth and jaw being unobstructed;at least one protrusion extending from the upper edge to the lower edge and covering the nose; andarms and straps for securing the guard to the wearer's face,wherein a minimum distance between the nose and a forward portion of the protrusion is greater than a distance between the first and second edge portions and the cheekbones.

Abstract: Headwear, including all forms of caps, hats, hard hats, visor type caps, to include a switchable power module capable of converting an electric motor driven air moving means from battery power to solar power wherein the solar power panel is removable.

Abstract: A zigzag sewing machine capable of forming a plurality of back stitches before or after forming a pattern. When a specific pattern for over-casting is selected and the needle is jogged to a position corresponding to the right end position of the selected pattern, back stitches are formed after the needle has been jogged to the left in response to the operation of a back stitch control member.