Abstract: The firefighter's garment of the invention comprises an inner liner attached to and located within an outer shell of abrasion resistant material. The inner liner consists of a layer of a thermally insulating material attached to a layer of moisture resistant material along a plurality of seams that extend around the periphery of the liner such that the area enclosed by the layers is completely enclosed. A plurality of releasable fasteners are positioned at desired locations in the garment, preferably in the seams, to allow the firefighter to visually inspect the area enclosed by the moisture resistant layer and the thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: The invention consists of a firefighter's garment in which the exhaled air or other gas from the firefighter's SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) is delivered to the air space between adjacent layers of the garment. The relatively cool exhaled air is forced under pressure into the garment's air space to cool garment and lower the heat stress on the firefighter. In the preferred embodiment, the garment includes spacer elements extending the length of the coat located between adjacent layers to create channels into which the exhaled air is forced. The spacer elements maintain spacing between the adjacent layers facilitating the flow of air through the garment. Alternatively, the air or other gas can be delivered to the garment from a canister or directly from the SCBA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective garment, such as for example that worn by a firefighter and the like.The garment of the present invention in its broadest terms comprises (a) an outer layer comprising at least one terminal edge (i.e. such as on the garment hemlines, collar, closure edges and sleeve ends), with a minor portion adjacent the terminal edge(s), and a major portion; and (b) an inner layer, divided into a major portion and a minor portion, with the minor portion of the inner layer permanently affixed beneath the minor portion of the outer layer and along the terminal edge(s) (or portions thereof) of the outer layer; and major portion of the inner layer permanently or removably attached beneath the major portion of the outer layer. In this regard, it is desireable to maintain the major portion inner layer(s) of a firefighting garment unbound to terminal ends of the outer layer so that it may more easily shed water, soil and contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protective garment such as a firefighter's coat or trousers having a lumbar support belt attached to the innermost layer of the garment. As a result, no portion of the garment is disposed between the wearer of the garment and the lumbar support belt such that maximum support is achieved. The belt can be releasably secured to the garment such that it can be worn without the garment or the garment can be worn without the belt.

Abstract: A firefighter's garment as disclosed herein may be a coat or trousers or a vest. The garment has an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. A spacer element or elements are positioned between two of the layers of the garment. The spacer element or elements in the firefighter's garment establish and maintain an air space or air spaces between the layers of the garment, even when localized pressure or weight is applied to portions of the garment. Thus, the firefighter's garment has excellent heat insulation qualities without being heavy and/or bulky. Thus, a firefighter wearing the garment is continually protected and is subject to minimum stress and is able to work more effectively than a firefighter wearing a firefighter's conventional garment.

Abstract: The present invention includes a material member adapted for use in the extremity portion of a protective garment, a flexible extremity portion of a protective garment, a flexible extremity portion of a protective garment containing such a material member, and a protective garment containing such a flexible extremity portion.In broadest terms, the material member of the present invention is one adapted for use in the extremity portion of a protective garment. The material member, considered as having a vertical axis, a horizontal axis and a flex point at the intersection of said axes comprises at least one layer of material, at least one of those layers containing an aperture defining an aperture area. The aperture encompasses the flex point and extends in both directions along the vertical axis; its width above the horizontal axis being less than its width below the horizontal axis. The aperture is covered by at least one cover piece each having a covering portion thereof covering the aperture.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat having a chinstrap which is universally adapting and which automatically properly fits the chin and neck region of a firefighter who wears the firefighter's coat and which is comfortable to the firefighter. The chinstrap has firefighting protective material in one or more layers of material. Each layer of firefighting protective material is capable of change in configuration to accommodate and fit properly the chin and neck region of the firefighter who wears the firefighter's coat. The material of the chinstrap which engages the chin and neck region of the firefighter is relatively soft and comfortable to the firefighter.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat which has a body section and a pair of sleeve sections. Each of the sleeve sections when attached to the body section has an upper portion provided with a given length dimension and a lower portion provided with a length dimension greater than the given length dimension of the upper portion of the sleeve section. Therefore, the arms of the firefighter who wears the firefighter's coat can be freely moved as the sleeve sections are moved without appreciable strain between the sleeve sections and the body section and without significant responsive movement of the body section of the firefighter's coat. Therefore, stress upon the firefighter as a result of arm movement is minimal.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat which has a chin and neck protective member which is adjustably and removably attached to the collar portion of the firefighter's coat. The chin and neck protective member is preferably attached to a plurality of portions of the collar portion by means of hook and pile attachment material or the like.

Abstract: A firefighter's trousers and safety harness combination. At least a portion of the safety harness is positioned and supported within the firefighter's trousers. Preferably, the safety harness has connection parts which are exterior of the firefighter's trousers and which are connectible to a portion of the firefighter's trousers to secure the safety harness and the firefighter's trousers upon the firefighter who wears the trousers.

Abstract: Firefighter's trousers which can be donned by a firefighter wearing boots or the like. The trousers have a pair of leg portions. Each of the leg portions has sections which are separated before the trousers are donned. Then after the trousers are donned the sections are attached together around the boots and legs of the firefighter.

Abstract: A firefighter's garment as dislosed herein may be a coat or trousers or a vest. The garment has an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. A spacer element or elements are positoned between two of the layers of the garment. The spacer element or elements in the firefighter's garment establish and maintain an air space or air spaces between the layers of the garment, even when localized pressure or weight is applied to portions of the garment. Thus, the firefighter's garment has excellent heat insulation qualities without being heavy and/or bulky. Thus, a firefighter wearing the garment is continually protected and is subject to minimum stress and is about to work more effectively than a firefighter wearing a firefighter's conventional garment.

Abstract: Protective shield structure for the sleeve of a firefighter's coat. The protective shield structure is in the form of a curved member which is attached to the end portion of the sleeve of the firefighter's coat. The protective shield structure is positioned above a part of a glove worn by the firefighter adjacent the end of the sleeve of the firefighter's coat. The protective shield structure thus prevents the entry of water and other material into the glove as the firefighter is engaged in firefighting activity.

Abstract: A firefighter's helmet having a rigid shell provided with a forward portion and a rearward portion and side portions. Attached to the rigid shell and extending downwardly therefrom are support members which are positioned at the rearward portion of the shell, and at the side portions of the shell. A flexible securing member is supported by the support members. After the helmet is positioned upon the head of a firefighter the flexible securing member is drawn firmly at the back and sides of the head of the firefighter. Also, portions of the flexible securing members are positioned under the chin of the firefighter and attached together. Thus, the helmet is secured upon the head of the firefighter, and the helmet cannot move with respect to the head of the firefighter who wears the helmet.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat which has sleeve portions which cover the wrists of a firefighter who wears the coat. Each sleeve portion has an edge part adjacent a hand of the firefighter. A strip of flexible material is connected to the edge part of the sleeve portion. The strip of flexible material is adapted to be positioned between two digits of the hand of the firefighter, such as between the thumb and the adjacent finger of the hand of the firefighter. Thus, the sleeve portion is maintained in covering relationship upon the wrist of the firefighter, even while the arms and hands of the firefigher are actively moved in a firefighting operation.

Abstract: A firefighter's hood which covers the upper portion of a firefighter. The hood normally has a shoulder section and a neck section and a head section, to cover those portions of the firefighter. The head section covers the head of the firefighter and has an opening to expose the face of the firefighter. The major part of the head section is made of thermal barrier material having given heat insulation qualities. However, the head section has an upper part which is adapted to be positioned at the upper portion of the head of the firefighter who wears the hood. The upper part of the head section of the hood has significantly less heat insulation qualities, so that heat can escape from the head of the firefighter and thus stress upon the firefighter which results from heat is reduced.

Abstract: A firefighter's coat having a chinstrap which is universally adapting and which automatically properly fits the chin and neck region of a firefighter who wears the firefighter's coat and which is comfortable to the firefighter. The chinstrap has firefighting protective material in one or more layers of material. Each layer of firefighting protective material is capable of change in configuration to accommodate and fit properly the chin and neck region of the firefighter who wears the firefighter's coat. The material of the chinstrap which engages the chin and neck region of the firefighter is relatively soft and comfortable to the firefighter.

Abstract: A firefighter's garment which includes an outer shell and an inner liner. The inner liner has an extension member which extends therefrom and which extends from the outer shell. The extension member may hang downwardly from the outer shell to indicate that the inner liner is present within the outer shell. The extension member is attachable to the outer shell to indicate that the inner liner is present within the outer shell. A firefighter's garment of this invention may be a firefighter's coat or a firefighter's trousers.

Abstract: A firefighter's trousers and a safety harness combination garment. Preferably, the safety harness has connection parts which are connectable to secure the safety harness and the firefighter's trousers as a unit upon the firefighter who wears the garment.

Abstract: A firefighter's garment which includes a layer of protective material in which the layer of protective material is provided with a major portion which has a high degree of thermal protective properties. The layer of protective material also has sections which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties. The protions of the layer of protective material which have a high degree of thermal protective properties are positioned at locations which require maximum thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties are located at positions which require less thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties also have greater flexibility and less bulk and less weight. Thus, the possibility of stress upon the firefighter is not effectively decreased when firefighter body posture during firefighting and the role of the protective equipment is considered.