Abstract: Hospital gowns and methods of making hospital gowns are provided. For example, a hospital gown is provided that includes a front panel comprising an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface and a back panel comprising an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface. The front panel can be releasably securable to the back panel at different locations to create a gown with the interior surface of the front panel facing the interior surface of the back panel to form a releasable right shoulder portion, a releasable left shoulder portion, a releasable right side portion and releasable left side portion of the gown.

Abstract: An Adjustable Pressure Suit Torso, which is a combination of a flexible pressure suit attached to rigid rings, in an assembly of rigid rings and brackets. The rigid rings form openings configured to receive the head, limbs and entry way of a wearer. These rigid rings are attached to one another by brackets, thereby forming an assembly of rigid rings and brackets. The flexible pressure suit is attached to the rigid rings, and otherwise constrained upon pressurization by the rigid ring and bracket assembly. The brackets can be offered in different sizes or made adjustable so as to vary the overall size of the rigid ring and bracket assembly. The flexible pressure suit can be provided in the largest possible wearer size (99th percentile male) and any excess in the flexible suit when donned by a smaller wearer can be folded up while still constrained by the ring and bracket assembly.

Abstract: An article of apparel may include a base layer and a cover layer. The cover layer may be stitchlessly-secured to an exterior surface of the base layer and positioned to extend along a side area and from a pelvic region to a leg region of the base layer. A width of the cover layer may be greater in the pelvic region than the first leg region. In some configurations, a frictional resistance of the exterior surface of the base layer may be greater than a frictional resistance of a surface of the cover layer.

Abstract: The therapeutic pants include at least one cushion that orients the user's leg(s), hip(s), or lower back in a particular alignment. For example, the cushion may be positioned between the user's legs to align the hips or behind the user's leg to elevate the knee or ankle. The therapeutic pants may include one or more retaining pockets configured to retain one or more cushions. In some embodiments, the cushions are removable from the retaining pockets. In some embodiments, at least one retaining pocket and at least one cushion are positioned along the medial (i.e., inner) side of each pant leg. The pant material that extends vertically along one or both lateral sides of each leg can be detachably secured, allowing the therapeutic pants to be readily and repeatedly equipped and removed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, the article or piece of clothing includes a hat having a crown and a bill extending outwardly from the crown. A wrap-around shoulder-length sun shade or sun screen is releasably coupled, by separating zippers, to the crown and bill of the hat. If the separating zippers are closed, the wrap-around shade or wrap around screen is connected to the crown and bill. If the separating zippers are open, the wrap-around sun shade or sun screen can be detached from the crown and/or the bill.

Abstract: A strap for a protective sport garment wearable by a wearer, the garment comprising at least first and second parts separated by a space. The strap has first and second layers made of stretchable material a padding element confined therein for offering impact protection. The strap also has a first end portion affixed to one of the first and second parts and a second end portion detachably affixed at a selected location on the other one of the first and second parts. In use, the strap is movable between first and second lengths for allowing the second end portion of the strap to be affixed at the selected location for allowing adjustability of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A chin strap includes a protective shell including a curved and convex contour extending between lengthwise ends of the shell, the shell further including a first curved edge extending between the lengthwise ends of the shell and a second curved edge extending between the lengthwise ends of the shell. A cross-section along a lengthwise central axis of the chin strap defines a first shell portion including the first curved edge and a second shell portion including the second curved edge. The first shell portion of the cross-section defines a first surface area between the lengthwise central axis and the first curved edge, and the second shell portion of the cross-section defines a second surface area between the lengthwise central axis and the second curved edge, where the first surface area is less than the second surface area.

Abstract: An anti-horse collar tackle safety device, comprising a base having means for attaching the base to a pair of shoulder pads, wherein the base comprises an interior portion facing the shoulder pads and an exterior portion that is accessible from outside a jersey placed over the shoulder pads, and a releasable portion releasably attached to the exterior portion of the base via means for releasable attachment, wherein the releasable portion is configured to release via application of a force equal to or less than about 15 pounds.

Abstract: A multi-way wearable nursing cover, including a cover body having a top end and a bottom end. The cover body may be flexible and is configured to conceal a user's chest when worn while nursing a baby. A strap attaches to the top end of the cover body, wherein at least one of a first end and a second end of the strap is operably attached to the top end. A see-through portion also couples to the cover body, wherein the see-through portion enables a user to see the baby while nursing.

Abstract: A hockey or lacrosse glove comprising a cuff and a hand receiving portion having a palm sheet, a dorsal sheet extending longitudinally from a proximal end located adjacent the distal end of the cuff to a distal end that is, in use, located generally above the proximal articulation of each finger, and four finger gussets, each finger gusset having a distal end for covering the distal end of the finger. The glove also has at least one protector extending to an end located generally above the distal end of the finger gusset and comprising a single pocket and a padding element contained in the single pocket, the padding element defining at least one flexion zone such that, in use, flexing of the player's hand or finger imparts movement of the padding element.

Abstract: A protective swim cap used to protect users' heads from injuries caused by collisions. More specifically, an elastic, protective swim cap that is long enough to cover swimmers' ears and that includes a safety feature made up of alternating solid free space and open cells, wherein the safety feature is located near the center line of the protective swim cap.

Abstract: A shoe heel cup device including a ground contacting base portion and a resilient shoe heel engagement portion forming a unitary member, the resilient shoe heel engagement portion being a cup containing, but not limited to, at least live flexible equispaced projecting ribs within the inner surface together defining a bore for receiving a shoe heel therein, the entry of which is smaller in diameter to the base. The invention has been described in language more or less specific to the device features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Abstract: A batting pad comprising a body made from a cushioning material and having a ring portion adapted to fit over a batter's thumb and an appendage to cushion the palm area between a batter's thumb and index finger. The appendage has a thickness T at its thickest point located between the first end and the distant end, and the thickness T of the appendage is selected to optimize an angle of a bat in the batter's hand relative to a line parallel to the batter's forearm, the angle being determined by the thickness T of the appendage displacing the bat toward the tip of the batter's index finger and causing the bat to contact the palm of the batter's hand near the batter's little finger.

Abstract: A garment for boosting circulation in areas of a user's body corresponding to the user's joints, having at least one fabric member of a size for at least partly covering at least one part of the user's body that includes at least one joint area lying over at least one joint of the user, and at least one muscle area lying over at least one muscle of the user, the fabric member being at least one of dimensioned and structured so as not to compress the part of the user's body covered by the fabric member, the fabric member having a heat insulating property at each joint area to be covered and a heat transmitting property at each muscle area to be covered, so that when the garment is worn, each joint area stays warmer than each muscle area to boost circulation in each joint area.

Abstract: An undergarment includes an outermost layer comprising a first outer portion and a second outer portion, an innermost layer comprising a first inner portion and a second inner portion, and at least one central layer disposed between the outermost layer and the innermost layer. The outermost layer may include a closed configuration where the first and second outer portions are connected to one another and an open configuration where the first and second outer portions are detached from one another. The innermost layer may include a closed configuration where the first and second inner portions are attached to one another with at least one fastener. In the closed configuration of the outermost layer, the first and second outer portions form a bow.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the fit of an article of clothing and to provide other benefits including, but not limited to, reduction and/or elimination of wind drag, reduction of loose clothing that can get caught or cause obstruction, regulation of blood circulation, movement, and swelling of the wearer of the article of clothing, adjustment of ventilation, general enhancement of the clothing for a desired activity, and general comfort and/or desired appearance. The system comprises one or more closures at various locations of the article of clothing to enable the wearer to adjust the fit of the clothing when desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to disperse and attenuate mechanical waves which travel through a human brain upon direct and indirect blunt head trauma. The apparatus comprises a pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell encasing an inner hard shell. The pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell releases a pressurized gas to atmosphere upon an impact to said pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell. The pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell is configured to compartmentalize an impact region, to reduce amplitudes of incident, reflected and transmitted mechanical waves and to dampen resonance of the mechanical waves delivered to both the apparatus and a human head.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting against injury to the human body. The garment may protect against hip, tailbone, and/or spinal cord injury. The garment may have a waist belt with depending hip pads releasably secured to the legs. Also, a torso strap may extend upwardly from the waist belt with additional padding. The torso strap may be Y-shaped.

Abstract: A waist belt fastener system includes a belt and a buckle mechanism attached to the belt. The buckle includes a rectangular frame having upper and lower sides that are curved outwardly, creating a convex shape that curves away from the belt wearer. At the rear side of the buckle frame where the buckle attaches to the belt, a fixed tongue member projects away from the buckle frame. This tongue member is fastened to the belt such as by a rivet, firmly anchoring and securing the buckle to the belt and inhibiting movement of the buckle relative to the belt. At the front side of the buckle frame, a fixed prong projects inwardly towards the buckle opening. The prong rests against the belt once it is threaded through the buckle opening. A hook and loop closure system is used to attach the ends of the belt together once the belt is inserted through the buckle opening.

Abstract: A glove apparatus is disclosed comprising a substantially glove-shaped first layer, a substantially glove-shaped second layer, and an attachment tab comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and an extension portion. The attachment tab is attached to a finger portion of the second layer along the lower portion and along the upper portion. The extension portion extends from the attachment tab at a location distal from a fingertip of the second layer and overlies the upper portion to an attachment region on the first layer proximate a fingertip of the first layer, the fingertips of the first layer and of the second layer thereby lying substantially near or in contact with one another.