Abstract: A wearable personal audio apparatus includes one or more wearable U-shaped loop members adapted to fit an individual in a plurality of positions on the individual's body, particularly around the head and neck. The plurality of positions can include positions across the forehead, top or back of the head of the individual, and around the front or back of the neck of the individual. The loop member can have an eyewear receiving member which selectively receives an eyewear insert to provide protective or corrective eyewear when the loop member is worn on the front of the head of the wearer. In one embodiment, a plurality of sets of quick-connect interface ports are disposed around the loop member to selectively receive a plurality of external audio transducer modules. The quick-connect interface ports provide a respective communication path between each of the external audio transducer modules and an audio circuit which can be either external to the loop member or contained within the loop member.

Abstract: A personal communications apparatus using a garment-based audio interface includes a garment member worn on the upper torso of a person, wherein the garment member includes a neck opening which allows extension therethrough of the neck of the person. An audio output device capable of producing hi-fidelity spatialized 3-D sound aiming in selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. A receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing an audio signal based thereupon is coupled to the audio output device. An audio input device capable of capturing spatialized 3-D sound from selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. The audio signal from the audio input device is provided to a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal in dependence upon the audio signal. Embodiments of the garment member include a shirt and a necklace.

Abstract: A personal communications apparatus using a garment-based audio interface. A garment member is worn on the upper torso of a person, wherein the garment member includes a neck opening which allows extension therethrough of the neck of the person. An audio output device capable of producing hi-fidelity spatialized 3-D sound aiming in selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. A receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing an audio signal based thereupon is coupled to the audio output device. An audio input device capable of capturing spatialized 3-D sound from selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. The audio signal from the audio input device is provided to a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal in dependence upon the audio signal. Embodiments of the garment member include a shirt and a necklace.

Abstract: A back pack including a bag provided with an internal frame comprising a pair of diagonally crossed blade-like bands secured to each other at a crossover zone, and secured to the bag by a pair of pockets at the upper extremities of the bands and by a pair of anchor pins at the lower extremities. The pack frame is given a slight arcuate curvature by tensioning strips impressing force between upper and lower extremities of the bands, and the tensioning strips are bridged by a mesh panel. Also included are a collapsible internal shelf and straps that can be used either as lashing straps for securing loads to the exterior of the pack or as load hauling straps for lifting and lowering the pack during climbing operations.