Abstract: A cap shaping and drying device having a mesh (16) covered support frame (12) conforming to the shape of the crown of ball caps (42). Also consisting of a conformable interconnected frame projection (14) used to support and shape the bill of ball caps (44). Device adequately and efficiently allows washed or wetted ball caps to regain their original shape and style during the drying phase.

Abstract: To produce an absorption body, a mold having an air-permeable bottom is filled progressively with airborne fibers of absorbent material and subpressure is applied through the air-permeable mold bottom. This subpressure is varied progressively and directly as the thickness of the absorption body progressively increases as the mold is progressively filled with fibers. Thus, the amount of air drawn through the absorption body by the subpressure remains substantially constant despite progressive increase in the thickness of the body. The result is an absorption body having substantially constant density throughout its thickness.

Abstract: An undergarment affording bust support and an unobstructed view of the wearer's back including a panty portion, a bra portion and joining straps. The panty portion has a front panel, a rear panel, and fasteners for joining the front and rear panels together at the crotch. The bra portion has a pair of cups, a connector joining the cups at the front, and, for each cup, a shoulder strap for supporting the cup on a respective shoulder of the wearer. On each side, the joining straps are a first strap joining the rear panel and a respective one of the cups and a second strap joining the front panel and a respective one of the shoulder straps. The first and second joining straps cross and are secured together adjacent a respective one side of the wearer, preferably at about waist level.

Abstract: The threading and yarn-changing device allows yarn guides each to be equipped automatically and selectively with one of a plurality of yarns (14, 15). It possesses a nozzle head (11) and a yarn-proportioning device (12) with guide parts (30.1, 30.2) for each of the yarns (14, 15) and an additional yarn-clamping and cutting-off device (13) and can be arranged in a stationary or movable manner on a knitting machine.

Abstract: A hand padding device comprising a pliable enclosure containing a flowable material. The device is designed to be inserted into a ball glove. Preferably, the padding device includes two convex surfaces.

Abstract: Improved head wear for providing concealment for the wearer and allowing maximum overhead visibility comprising a camouflage colored material crown, and a front brim section consisting of dull, camouflage colored see-through nylon mesh sewed to the crown and means for supporting said mesh in an extended position for concealment.

Abstract: A safety hunter's garment that permits the selective interchangeability of camouflage on the garment to a plurality of bands of Hunter's orange, the blazing fluorescent orange by simply reversing the bands to expose or cover the selected mode. An arrangement of a plurality of fasteners on a band of opposed materials of camouflage and Hunter's orange enables this exchange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and transporting workpieces from a pickup location to a seaming location on a worksurface. Workpieces are rotated through a user-determinable seaming angle so as to re-position the workpiece for sewing a pure straight/angled seam at the seaming location. The device includes a self-compensation system wherein seaming of the workpiece will commence at the leading edge thereof regardless of the initial position of the workpiece at the pickup location.

Abstract: An improved tenter-type stretcher comprises a pair of rails which diverge from one another, a plurality of clips carried in endless chains along the rails and a device for detecting obstructions in the tenter clips, wherein the detecting device is either a mechanical arm positioned to contact and move upon encountering foreign matter in the clips or a light beam which traverses the clips, and is interrupted by foreign matter in the clips.

Abstract: An improved garment is provided for a wearer. The garment includes a plurality of flexible, non-airtight garment modules having pockets. A plurality of flexible, water-resistant inserts are provided that are capable of being placed in and removed from the pockets. Preferably, the pockets of the garment modules and the water-resistant inserts for the pockets cover nearly the entire garment module. Because the pockets and the pocket inserts extend up to the edge regions, the edge regions serve, in effect, as flexible joints between adjacent pockets with their respective inserts.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a football shoulder pad which includes a pair of rigid arches and a less rigid pad member associated with each rigid arch. Each pad has opposite pockets which open toward each other, and terminal edges of the rigid arches are received in the pockets whereby the arches and the pad members can be readily assembled and disassembled. Snap fasteners or the like are utilized to hold the arches and associated pads assembled while facilitating the ease of release thereof.

Abstract: In order to protect a waterproof garment from the ingress of water via water bridges formed in the area of its closure 15, the inner surfaces of an outer flap 29 and an intermediate flap 41 and the two surfaces of connecting inner face laminates 61b, 63b extending between an outer flap seam 31 and one side of the closure 15 or an intermediate flap seam 43 and the other side of the closure 15 are each formed by a monofil knit and furthermore waterproof seam-sealing tapes 79a, 71b, 73a, 73b are applied to the angles between each garment part 11a, 11b and the connecting inner face laminates 61b, 63b on the one hand and between the flap 29 or the intermediate flap 41 and the connecting inner face laminates 61b, 63b.

Abstract: A hip protective hospital garment, adapted for use by individuals of all sizes, which includes a gown having a lower portion, a pair of upper chest flaps, and a pair of shoulder flaps, wherein the upper chest flaps are adjustably and criss-crossingly connected with the pair of shoulder flaps so as to provide a comfortable, quick, and non-restrictive fit on the individual user. Extending across an interior side of the lower portion is a large, sealable pocket disposed in substantially covering relation to the hips and upper thighs of the wearer, the pocket being structured to receive at least one lightweight, flexible, impact protective air bubble material liner therein so as to provide a protective area that will substantially absorb a force of impact to the hip area of the wearer, and thereby reduce the severity of injuries which may occur from accidental falls. The protective air bubble liner is so situated as to serve the added purpose of reducing risk of stasis ulcers or bed sores.

Abstract: A yarn interlacer is provided which, being of modular construction, possess a greater versatility for processing yarns of different types.

Abstract: A ventilated, heat attenuating hat is disclosed including an inner mesh section that has a crown portion for engaging the crown of a wearer's head and a pair of side portions connected to the crown portion for engaging the sides of the wearer's head. There is an outer mesh section interconnected to the inner mesh section for covering at least a portion of the inner mesh section. A channel is formed between the inner and outer mesh sections for allowing air to flow freely therethrough. The outer mesh section includes a metallized fabric for reflecting away from the hat a significant of solar radiation that strikes the outer mesh section.

Abstract: A sock includes a foot portion and a knitted-in storage area including an inner locking cuff layer which extends upwardly further than an outer storage compartment layer. Items may be stored between the inner and outer layers, and then the locking cuff is cuffed over the outer layer so as to lock the items within the storage compartment. A method of making and the improved machine therefor are also described.

Abstract: A cylindrically knitted fabric is produced in a knitting region adjacent to the top of a needle cylinder of a knitting machine. The knitted fabric is guided downward around a conical nozzle and fed downward in a twisting-preventive guide cylinder rotating in synchronism with the needle cylinder. Air is ejected downward from air openings around the conical nozzle so that the knitted fabric is moved downward. Air is ejected downward from the nozzle into the cylindrical knitted fabric, which is thereby pressed against the inner surface of the guide cylinder. Upon being thus delivered from the bottom of the guide cylinder without contamination and twist, the knitted fabric is received on a conical gripper and is then conveyed by a pickup mechanism to a next processing step for producing socks, panty hose or tights.

Abstract: A fabric take-up unit (5) is supported beneath the needle cylinder (4a) to rotate synchronously therewith and knitted fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are supported on the fabric take-up unit (5). The fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are normally driven in response to rotation of the take-up unit (5). In contrast to this normal drive, the knitted fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are driven by a planetary gear system including a sun gear (17) supported for rotation on the machine frame, a planet gear (18) meshing with the sun gear (17) and being supported on the take-up unit (5). The planet gear (18) is drivingly connected to the fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: In sizing and drawing of one or more textile filaments, particularly a warp sheet of multiple filaments, by successively conveying the filaments through a sizing bath, a driven squeezing mechanism, a differentially driven spaced drying roller, and a warp beam or other filament winding mechanism, the filaments are heated to a temperature of approximately 100.degree. C. and maintained in a predetermined moistened condition, e.g., by the application of saturated airborne water vapor, within the draw zone between the squeezing mechanism and the drying roller, in order to achieve a sufficiently elevated temperature for draw stretching of polyester filaments, particular POY and LOY filament, without premature drying and undesirable cracking of the sizing applied to the filaments.

Abstract: A firefighter garment having an outer shell with a waist portion covering a lower back area of a wearer and a front closure, an inner liner having a thermal layer and shaped to fit within the outer shell and a support member, attached to the outer shell, for supporting a lumbar region of the wearer. The support member preferably includes a plurality of elastic bands extending about the waist portion of the garment and having complementary closure members positioned adjacent to the front closure of the outer shell, and a contact member, attached to the elastic straps, positioned to contact the lumbar region of the wearer. In one embodiment, the elastic straps are integral with the garment, preferably a pant, and in another embodiment, the support member comprises a girdle which is attachable to the firefighter pant and includes buttons for attachment to suspenders, thereby forming a component of a pant suspension system.