Abstract: Pliable draping apparatus or systems for use with a safety helmet for protecting a user's face, neck and/or ears. The pliable draping material includes a helmet engaging portion and a protection portion coupled to the helmet engaging portion. The protection portion protects at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and ears. The protection apparatus also includes a helmet engaging portion with features allowing easy removing coupling to preexisting clips on various types of safety helmets. In one illustrative embodiment, the helmet engaging portion may be formed as a band of elastic material having reinforced slits for connection to attachment clips on different safety helmets. In some embodiments, the pliable draping system may include a removable and adjustable face mask portion for protection of a user's face. The system may include a sleeve allowing the face mask portion to be stored when not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for protecting a user's face, neck and/or ears. The protection apparatus includes a pliable draping material coupleable to a helmet. The pliable draping material includes a helmet engaging portion and a protection portion coupled to the helmet engaging portion. The protection portion protects at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and ears. The protection apparatus also includes a coupling element that couples the helmet engaging portion of the draping material to a band. The band is engageable with at least one clip on an outer surface of the helmet to removeably couple the protection apparatus to the helmet.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for tying a friction hitch knot. The apparatus includes at least one support member having at least one substantially rigid support surface opposing an interior space. The support member and a bight in the chord define an opening when the chord is positioned adjacent the support member. The support member supports at least one loop formed by a first length of chord and a second length of the chord. The interior space receives a first and a second tail portion of the chord after the at least one loop is formed around the support member. Engagement between the at least one loop and the first and second tail portions of chord is facilitated by slideably releasing the support member from the at least one loop after the first and second tail portions are received in the interior space.