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 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.

Abstract: A garment with a flexible fabric shell 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 shell is closed, and an open position, in which the opening in the shell is revealed. A resilient spring member of springy plastic, composite, metal or other material is mounted to the fabric 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 top sheet and a bottom sheet are connected together by wing members, each having a center segment hinged to the top sheet and to the bottom sheet about parallel axes. Wings protrudes from the center segments and are biased to project out of a plane defined between the hinge axes. In a collapsed condition the top and bottom sheets are close together with the wings distorted from their relaxed positions. In the expanded condition the sheets are spaced apart and the wings return to their relaxed positions projecting out from the center segments and conferring stiffness on the structural member and resisting the return of the member to its collapsed configuration. In storage, the sheets are secured along the edges with an underlying rip cord, and may be rolled. The wings may be formed as part of metal or plastic spring members.

Abstract: A garment with a flexible fabric shell 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 shell is closed, and an open position, in which the opening in the shell is revealed. A resilient spring member of springy plastic, composite, metal or other material is mounted to the fabric 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 military or police helmet system 20 has a flexible plastic liner 24 mounted to the wearer's head 26 by a strap assembly 28 . A ballistic shell 30 with a shallow front wall is fastened to the liner 24 and an eye shield assembly 32 is pivotably mounted to the liner for movement between a deployed position and a retracted position between the shell and the liner. The liner has a rear segment connected to a cap segment, with cut-out slots which allow the liner to apply pressure to the wearer's neck. A chin strap is slidable on two stiff side straps which have curved segments allowing the chin strap to move with the user's jaw. A protective face guard assembly 34 engages with the liner and has openings covered by resilient sheets which permit a marksman feel a rifle stock through the face guard.

Abstract: A garment with a flexible fabric shell 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 shell is closed, and an open position, in which the opening in the shell is revealed. A resilient spring member of springy plastic, composite, metal or other material is mounted to the fabric 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 hazard protection suit has a pants section which extends to waist level. A torso section extends upwardly to an upper margin below the wearer's arm pits, and a stowage flap extends outwardly therefrom, to hang down over the torso section and to enclose, by a resilient cord, the upper section of the suit including the sleeves, a hood, and a face mask. The upper body section is retained in a folded compact condition against the wearer's torso in ordinary wear. When needed, the retention member is released and the wearer's hands are extended through looped sleeve cuffs, and zippers are operated to secure the upper body section around the wearer, making a sealed interior space. The wearer's utility belt and gear pouches may remain in place as they are undisturbed by the donning of the upper body section. The face mask is secured along a face encircling zipper.

Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are connected together by wing members, each having a center segment hinged to the top sheet and to the bottom sheet about parallel axes. Wings protrudes from the center segments and are biased to project out of a plane defined between the hinge axes. In a collapsed condition the top and bottom sheets are close together with the wings distorted from their relaxed positions. In the expanded condition the sheets are spaced apart and the wings return to their relaxed positions projecting out from the center segments and conferring stiffness on the structural member and resisting the return of the member to its collapsed configuration. In storage, the sheets are secured along the edges with an underlying rip cord, and may be rolled. The wings may be formed as part of metal or plastic spring members.

Abstract: A garment with a flexible fabric shell 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 shell is closed, and an open position, in which the opening in the shell is revealed. A resilient spring member of springy plastic, composite, metal or other material is mounted to the fabric 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 hazard protection suit has a pants section which extends to waist level. A torso section extends upwardly to an upper margin below the wearer's arm pits, and a stowage flap extends outwardly therefrom, to hang down over the torso section and to enclose, by a resilient cord, the upper section of the suit including the sleeves, a hood, and a face mask. The upper body section is retained in a folded compact condition against the wearer's torso in ordinary wear. When needed, the retention member is released and the wearer's hands are extended through looped sleeve cuffs, and zippers are operated to secure the upper body section around the wearer, making a sealed interior space. The wearer's utility belt and gear pouches may remain in place as they are undisturbed by the donning of the upper body section. The face mask is secured along a face encircling zipper.

Abstract: A military or police helmet system 20 has a flexible plastic liner 24 mounted to the wearer's head 26 by a strap assembly 28. A ballistic shell 30 with a shallow front wall is fastened to the liner 24 and an eye shield assembly 32 is pivotably mounted to the liner for movement between a deployed position and a retracted position between the shell and the liner. The liner has a rear segment connected to a cap segment, with cut-out slots which allow the liner to apply pressure to the wearer's neck. A chin strap is slidable on two stiff side straps which have curved segments allowing the chin strap to move with the user's jaw. A protective face guard assembly 34 engages with the liner and has openings covered by resilient sheets which permit a marksman feel a rifle stock through the face guard.