Abstract: A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.

Abstract: A slide fastener sealing system and related methods. In one example, the slide fastener sealing system includes a separating slide fastener in which a first end overlaps and is secured to a second end such that a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the slide fastener. The sealing system also includes in this example a sealing member that can be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion with a portion of the sealing member located in the sealing zone to seal against fluid penetration through the sealing zone.

Abstract: A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.

Abstract: An outdoor activity suit includes a body having a front portion, a back portion, opposed sides where the front portion connects to the back portion, a neck receiving portion, an arms receiving portion and a legs receiving portion. The front portion, the neck receiving portion and the legs receiving portion of the body form a first component of the body. The back portion and the arms receiving portion form a second component of the body. An endless loop zipper connects the first component and the second component such that the second component is selectively removable from the first component.

Abstract: A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.

Abstract: A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.

Abstract: A friction-sealed water immersion suit is described having a suit body with a neck opening, arm openings, leg openings and an entry opening. The entry opening defines an upper section and a lower section. A friction-sealed coupling is provided at the entry opening for coupling the upper section and the lower section of the suit body. The friction-sealed coupling includes a flap on one of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material and an inner flap and an outer flap on the other of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material. The friction-sealed coupling being engaged by interleaving the flap with the inner flap and the outer flap.

Abstract: A method of sealing a zipper closure has a first waterproof element in the form of a sealing zone base and a second waterproof element in the form of a waterproof interlocking zipper fastener. The first waterproof element and the second waterproof element are placed in overlapping engagement to define a sealing zone. One or more sealing elements are placed in the sealing zone to prevent leakage.

Abstract: A front flying line kite depower system includes a line sheath that extends through a transverse opening in the control bar. A front flying line parting fitting is non-rotatably fixed to an upper end of the line sheath above the control bar. When a manual rotation force is imparted to the line sheath, the relative positioning of a first front flying line and a second front flying line is altered by the front flying line parting fitting to untangle any twisting above the line sheath. Within the line sheath, the second front flying line is off-set from a primary axis and orbits the first front flying line which is positioned on the primary axis to avoid any tangling during manual adjustment.

Abstract: A waterproof seal includes a flexible annular tube formed by an inner layer and an outer layer of a garment and surrounding a passage through which a human appendage is intended to protrude. A first cord is positioned in a cavity defined by the annular tube. The first cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. A second cord is positioned in the cavity defined by the annular tube. The second cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. The first cord and the second cord cumulatively cover more than 360 degrees around the passage to provide an effective water seal.

Abstract: A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.

Abstract: A kite control bar having a tensioning bar end float which is capable of expanding and contracting. When an adjusting force is exerted upon the trim line, the trim line to backline leader connection pushes the bar end float from an expanded state to a contracted state. When the adjusting force is released, the bar end float tends to return to its expanded state. This ensures that constant tension is maintained on the trim line to prevent excess line from tangling inside the kite bar and bar end float while depowering.

Abstract: A method for monitoring air pressure in a kite when kite boarding is described. The method involves a first step of connecting an air pressure sensor to one or more bladders of the kite. The method involves a second step of positioning a visual display for the air pressure sensor where it will be visible to a user conducting a visual inspection of the kite to display a pressure reading as sensed by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A waterproof seal includes a flexible annular tube formed by an inner layer and an outer layer of a garment and surrounding a passage through which a human appendage is intended to protrude. A first cord is positioned in a cavity defined by the annular tube. The first cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. A second cord is positioned in the cavity defined by the annular tube. The second cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. The first cord and the second cord cumulatively cover more than 360 degrees around the passage to provide an effective water seal.

Abstract: An outdoor activity suit includes a body having a front portion, a back portion, opposed sides where the front portion connects to the back portion, a neck receiving portion, an arms receiving portion and a legs receiving portion. The front portion, the neck receiving portion and the legs receiving portion of the body form a first component of the body. The back portion and the arms receiving portion form a second component of the body. An endless loop zipper connects the first component and the second component such that the second component is selectively removable from the first component.

Abstract: A front flying line kite depower system includes a line sheath that extends through a transverse opening in the control bar. A front flying line parting fitting is non-rotatably fixed to an upper end of the line sheath above the control bar. When a manual rotation force is imparted to the line sheath, the relative positioning of a first front flying line and a second front flying line is altered by the front flying line parting fitting to untangle any twisting above the line sheath. Within the line sheath, the second front flying line is off-set from a primary axis and orbits the first front flying line which is positioned on the primary axis to avoid any tangling during manual adjustment.

Abstract: An adjustable circumference seal includes an envelope having an outer layer and an inner layer, with the inner layer defining a sealing surface. A circumferential closure is provided for constricting the inner layer of the envelope and thereby adjusting a circumference of the inner layer of the envelope. The closure includes a band having a first end and a second end, with a first cord guide at the first end and a second cord guide at the second end. A cord is threaded from the outer layer through a cord channel in the envelope, through the first cord guide of the band, through the second cord guide of the band and back through the cord channel. By pulling the cord, the circumference of the inner layer of the envelope is reduced until the sealing surface is brought into a sealing engagement. A cord lock for maintains the cord in a selected position.

Abstract: A friction-sealed water immersion suit is described having a suit body with a neck opening, arm openings, leg openings and an entry opening. The entry opening defines an upper section and a lower section. A friction-sealed coupling is provided at the entry opening for coupling the upper section and the lower section of the suit body. The friction-sealed coupling includes a flap on one of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material and an inner flap and an outer flap on the other of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material. The friction-sealed coupling being engaged by interleaving the flap with the inner flap and the outer flap.

Abstract: A method for monitoring air pressure in a kite when kite boarding is described. The method involves a first step of connecting an air pressure sensor to one or more bladders of the kite. The method involves a second step of positioning a visual display for the air pressure sensor where it will be visible to a user conducting a visual inspection of the kite to display a pressure reading as sensed by the pressure sensor.