Abstract: A stationary bike capable of leaning of tilting side to side during use is described. The stationary bike has a fixed frame portion and moving frame portion which is pivotally mounted on the fixed frame portion, at two spaced apart pivot locations, to allow the moving frame to pivot about a pivot axis defined by the two spaced apart pivot locations. The pivotal action of the bike may be resisted, such as by a damper. The tilt-enabled bike is equipped with a tilt disabling mechanism, e.g., a locking mechanism configured to selectively and operatively engage the moving and the fixed frame to disable the relative movement (i.e. the pivoting) of the moving frame.

Abstract: A personal equipment suspension system with active support to the lumbar region includes a belt to surround the user's waist and a frame supported on the belt with a resilient membrane of synthetic elastomeric crystalline material in tension on the frame to be interposed between the belt and the user. The frame includes spaced ends and the membrane is a lattice in tension between the spaced ends. In one embodiment, the system is a support belt. In another, it is load bearing such as a backpack configuration. In another, it includes stanchions to support a body armor vest.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a hollow buckle body and an insertable buckle latch with elongate latching legs. A separate reciprocable slide element carried by the buckle latch element with cam surfaces, angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the buckle that overlies the free ends of the latching legs. The cam surfaces are associated with angled surfaces on the latching legs forward of the latching edges. Movement of the slide element relative to the latch element causes the cam surfaces to urge the free ends of the latching legs together to unlatch the latching legs from the hollow buckle body locking edges. In one form, a cable is connected to the separate slide element to slide the separate slide element.

Abstract: A buckle assembly (10) includes a frame (12) having a base (66) connected to opposed side walls (68). The frame (12) has a latch chamber (70) between the base (66) and the opposed side walls (68). The buckle assembly (10) also includes a lever (14) pivotally secured with in the latch chamber (70) between the opposed side walls (68), and a latch (16) configured to be secured in the latch chamber (70) by the lever (14). The latch (16) may include a frame-engaging member (30) having an ogived leading end (36). The ogived leading end (36) is configured to self-align the latch (16) within the latch chamber (70) when the latch (16) is mated into the latch chamber (70).

Abstract: A zipper slider assembly includes a main body having first and second lateral walls connected by a perpendicular connecting panel, defining a zipper channel therebetween. The assembly also includes first and second loops, and a pull cord. The first loop extends from the first lateral wall, and defines a first eyelet. The second loop extends from the second lateral wall and defines a second eyelet. The first and second loops are aligned with one another. The pull cord is slidably retained by the first and second eyelets. The pull cord includes a first cap at one end, and a second cap at an opposite end. The pull cord is configured to be pulled through the first and second eyelets to move the main body over the zipper.

Abstract: A vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another. Locking elements within the connection assemblies return to their locking position upon release of the tension.

Abstract: A weapon magazine boot for covering the exposed portion of a weapon magazine provides improved gripping features and reduced detection when observed through night vision or lowlight observation systems.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a hollow buckle body and an insertable buckle latch with elongate latching legs. A separate reciprocable slide element carried by the buckle latch element with cam surfaces, angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the buckle that overlies the free ends of the latching legs. The cam surfaces are associated with angled surfaces on the latching legs forward of the latching edges. Movement of the slide element relative to the latch element causes the cam surfaces to urge the free ends of the latching legs together to unlatch the latching legs from the hollow buckle body locking edges. In one form, a cable is connected to the separate slide element to slide the separate slide element.

Abstract: A buckle assembly (10) includes a frame (12) having a base (66) connected to opposed side walls (68). The frame (12) has a latch chamber (70) between the base (66) and the opposed side walls (68). The buckle assembly (10) also includes a lever (14) pivotally secured with in the latch chamber (70) between the opposed side walls (68), and a latch (16) configured to be secured in the latch chamber (70) by the lever (14). The latch (16) may include a frame-engaging member (30) having an ogived leading end (36). The ogived leading end (36) is configured to self-align the latch (16) within the latch chamber (70) when the latch (16) is mated into the latch chamber (70).

Abstract: A personal equipment suspension system with active support to the lumbar region includes a belt to surround the user's waist and a frame supported on the belt with a resilient membrane of synthetic elastomeric crystalline material in tension on the frame to be interposed between the belt and the user. The frame includes spaced ends and the membrane is a lattice in tension between the spaced ends. In one embodiment, the system is a support belt. In another, it is load bearing such as a backpack configuration. In another, it includes stanchions to support a body armor vest.

Abstract: A vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another. Locking elements within the connection assemblies return to their locking position upon release of the tension.

Abstract: A collapsible article container includes a pair of side walls connected along side edges and a transverse bottom edge defining an interior pouch volume having a sealable entrance opening and an air purge mechanism in communication with the pouch to provide air evacuation from the pouch through a volume reduction port. The air purge mechanism includes truncated, transverse, seals defining a restricted flow path in communication with the pouch volume through one passage and in communication with a volume reduction port through another. The collapsible article container may be reused after removal of a contained article by insertion of an article into the pouch volume, exposing the volume reduction port to atmosphere, and expelling entrained air from the pouch volume through the passages and restricted flow path of the air purge mechanism. In one form the pouch includes a closable strip spaced inwardly from the top edge.

Abstract: A releasable buckle including a latch having locking arms adapted to lockingly engage a female component. A folding bridge structure extends between the locking arms. The bridge structure includes a pivot connection zone adapted to engage an elongate release member. Upon tensioning the elongate release member the locking arms are pulled inwardly to disengage from the female component.

Abstract: A zipper slider assembly includes a main body having first and second lateral walls connected by a perpendicular connecting panel, defining a zipper channel therebetween. The assembly also includes first and second loops, and a pull cord. The first loop extends from the first lateral wall, and defines a first eyelet. The second loop extends from the second lateral wall and defines a second eyelet. The first and second loops are aligned with one another. The pull cord is slidably retained by the first and second eyelets. The pull cord includes a first cap at one end, and a second cap at an opposite end. The pull cord is configured to be pulled through the first and second eyelets to move the main body over the zipper.

Abstract: A pepper spray container assembly includes a first housing, a second housing secured to the first housing, and a pepper spray bottle securely retained by the first and second housings. A portion of the first housing is configured to be pressed into the assembly and moved forward into an activation position, thereby sliding the first housing forward relative to the second housing.

Abstract: A weapon magazine boot for covering the exposed portion of a weapon magazine provides improved gripping features and reduced detection when observed through night vision or lowlight observation systems.

Abstract: A pepper spray container assembly includes a first housing, a second housing secured to the first housing, and a pepper spray bottle securely retained by the first and second housings. A portion of the first housing is configured to be pressed into the assembly and moved forward into an activation position, thereby sliding the first housing forward relative to the second housing.

Abstract: A releasable buckle including a latch having locking arms adapted to lockingly engage a female component. A folding bridge structure extends between the locking arms. The bridge structure includes a pivot connection zone adapted to engage an elongate release member. Upon tensioning the elongate release member the locking arms are pulled inwardly to disengage from the female component.