Abstract: A suspenders assembly including a pair of suspenders having a pair of front strap portions configured to be coupled to a front portion of a pair of trousers and a pair of rear strap portions configured to be coupled to a rear portion of the pair of trousers. The assembly further includes an attachment tab, wherein both of the rear strap portions or both of the front strap portions are both directly and permanently coupled to the attachment tab. The attachment tab includes a portion of hook-and-loop fastening material located thereon.

Abstract: A garment has a pants leg with a front layer stitched along an outer peripheral seam to the pants leg to form a pocket with an interior cavity. The front layer has a central opening spaced from the outer peripheral seam and defined by an inner periphery. A protective insert, which may be formed of foam, and which is larger than the central opening is removably positionable within the pocket. A stiff cap formed of a material such as SANTOPRENE® thermoplastic elastomer, is stitched to the insert. The cap has a flange which projects outwardly from a central region around a line of attachment. The central region is no larger than the pocket central opening. The insert is removably receivable within the pocket such that the inner periphery of the front layer is engaged between the stiff cap flange and the insert.

Abstract: An article with a flexible substrate has a pocket or vent opening with a resealable closure such as a zipper, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners, which is operable between a closed position, in which the opening in the substrate is closed, and an open position, in which the opening in the substrate is revealed. A resilient spring member of springy plastic, composite, metal or other material is mounted to the substrate around the opening, and has two arms which have portions which are displaced vertically from one another when the closure is open, but which are resiliently compressed into a common plane when the closure is sealed. Each time the closure is opened, the spring member urges portions of the shell on either side of the flap apart, to thereby enlarge the area of the opening and permit access or air flow therethrough.

Abstract: A wearable load supporting system has a rigid back plate which is supported over the shoulders of a user, and which may be a part of a backpack or carrier system, or may be incorporated within a ballistic vest. The back plate has an upper segment which extends downwardly over padding, and which terminates in a downwardly and rearwardly extending lower segment. A waist belt is secured around the user's waist, and mounts a rearwardly facing rigid waist plate. When the user is upright, a high friction surface on the lower segment of the back plate engages a high friction surface on the waist plate, to thereby transfer vertical loads from the back plate to the waist plate. However, if the user bends forwardly, the connection between the high friction surfaces is broken. Although the loads are no longer transferred to the user's waist, neither is the user's mobility restricted.

Abstract: A chemical/biological hazard protection suit has two pants legs which extend to a midsection below waist level. An opening in the midsection defines an outlet from the suit interior. A waste collector has an upper segment which is fixed to the midsection and which adjoins an intermediate segment which is in turn connected to a waste receptacle. A first seal is between the upper segment and the intermediate segment, and a second seal is between the intermediate segment and the waste receptacle. A region of weakened material encircles the intermediate segment between the seals. A wearer discharges waste through the outlet and past the two open seals into the receptacle, whereupon both seals are closed, and the receptacle is detached from the upper segment, leaving both the receptacle and the suit sealed. Prior to use, the waste receptacle may be retained within a pocket on one of the pants legs.

Abstract: Personal body armor has hard armor plates on the front and back of the wearer which extend between a left vest section and a right vest section formed of soft armor. Foam pads are affixed to the interior of the vest sections which space the soft armor and the hard armor plates from the wearer's body and define multiple vertically extending air channels between the wearer and the hard armor plates and the interior of the soft armor. The air channels promote ventilation of the armor and cooling of the wearer. For additional comfort, the soft armor is formed of multiple conventional layers of ballistic material and a {fraction (1/16)} inch molded plastic layer. The hard armor plates are configured to avoid interference with the usual range of motion of the wearer.