Abstract: Shoe covers that include a waterproof sock shaped unitary tubular member. The shoe covers are configured to cover footwear having a sole with a bottom. The member includes a first waterproof tubular portion that has an upper opening configured to receive an ankle and a heel of a foot of a person when the footwear and shoe cover are donned. The member further includes a second waterproof tubular portion that has a bottom surface and is configured to correspond to and seal against the bottom of the sole of the footwear when the member is donned on the footwear. The bottom surface of the second waterproof tubular portion defines an opening. When the footwear is cycling footwear that includes a cleat projecting from the bottom, the opening may be configured to receive the cleat of the cycling footwear. Methods of donning and manufacturing the shoe covers also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for protecting the handle of a handbag comprising an approximately rectangular piece of fabric having a top face and a bottom, face and a left side and a right side and a closure for joining the left side to the right side. It also provides a device and method for protecting the handle of a handbag comprising an approximately rectangular piece of fabric having a top face and a bottom face wherein said fabric is adapted to be coiled around the handle of the handbag and ends adapted to be tied around the handle of the handbag.

Abstract: A cycling shoe cover is designed to provide maximum protection from the elements such as rain, snow, and cold. It also provides aerodynamic benefit with minimum weight. The cover is flexible unitary made from an elastomer, such as silicone or latex rubber, and is highly elastic and waterproof. The upper part of the cover fits snugly over the cyclist's ankle to prevent water egress into the shoes from above. The lower part of the cover snugly cover and seals to the bottom edge of the shoe without interfering with the cycling shoe's cleat or attachment to the cycle pedal.

Abstract: Foot Alignment Socks are a uniquely designed adaptation of regular socks used to alleviate minor foot problems. Foot Alignment Socks differ from traditional socks in that there is no covered toe assembly. Instead the socks have four separators which fit in between the toes. They are cylindrical and sturdy yet soft and yielding as they are constructed from the same fabric as the body of the sock. The separators stretch and align toes into proper position in respect to the rest of the foot. This toe alignment counters the harmful effects of daily foot compression and stress caused by tight and ill-fitting shoes as well as relieving foot pain from excess walking, standing, jogging, or strenuous sports and activities. With consistent use Foot Alignment Socks soothe and straighten crooked and deformed toes. They are ideal as an over-night foot maintenance treatment.

Abstract: A disposable one-time use legging for covering, and protecting, a lower leg of a wearer from, and capturing, ticks. The legging includes a sleeve, first bands, and a second band. The uppermost terminal end of the sleeve is formed into an upper circumferential tunnel, and the lowermost terminal end of the sleeve is formed into a lower circumferential tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for hot pressing and finishing the collar and sleeves of a washed shirt by lower irons and an upper ion, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for heating the collar and sleeves before hot pressing stage, loosening the adhesive padding cloth being shrunk by washing, pulling the collar and sleeves in this state in the cloth stretching direction by a stretching mechanism provided between the lower irons and upper iron, and hot pressing after removing shrinkage and crease from the collar and sleeves.

Abstract: A collar former (10) for use in finishing garment collars (24) as a part of laundering of the garments (22). The collar former (10) includes a split-cone section (12), base section (14), and a control mechanism (16). The split-cone section (12) includes two partially conical support members (18, 20) that are pivotally connected together at their smaller axial ends to form an axially-split conical support structure (42). The support members are outwardly biased from each other by a spring (28). Heating pads (38, 40) are mounted on the inside surfaces of the support members (18, 20), respectively, to supply heat to their outer surfaces. The control mechanism (16) includes a foot pedal (68), lever (70), pulley (74), and cable (76). Downward actuation of the foot pedal (68) is transferred via the cable (76) to the first support member (18) to move it toward the other support member (20) against the outward bias provided by spring (28).

Abstract: An enlarged earcup which occupies substantially all of the helmet eardome and provides greater attenuation of ambient noise, especially low frequencies. The speaker and earseal are mounted onto an adjustable assembly. The assembly is slideably mounted onto a flange which extends inwardly from the earcup's rim. The assembly includes a pair of parallel annular plates which sandwich the flange therebetween.

Abstract: A decorative cast covering for a full leg cast, comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical sleeve having an upper end and a lower end; and a first elastomeric band fixed to the cast covering adjacent the lower end. In this way, the lower end can be securely fastened by the elastomeric band to the bottom of the leg cast. The decorative cast covering further comprises a pocket secured along the generally cylindrical sleeve.

Abstract: Half sock, in general, can cover the anterior limb of a foot, leaving the heel bare. The half sock includes a sock housing with a rear opening for insertion of the foot therein. It is made of a suitably cushioning, durable, flexible, thermally-insulating and physically-proportioned material, for one illustration, a neoprene-containing material, for example, an about 3-mm neoprene material having a flexible nylon lining on either side thereof. The half sock can have, in essence, mirror image symmetry through an imaginary plane bisecting its top and bottom portions. It can include inwardly-directed front tapers to accommodate the big and the smaller toes of the foot, and include inwardly-directed rear tapers to accommodate the arch of the foot. It can be made of a one-piece web in a clamshell like pattern, having side edges butted and sewn together so that there is little or no bump.

Abstract: In order to protect the neck of the wearer of a helmet comprising heavy and/or dangerous equipment, the helmet comprises a part that can be jettisoned in the event of an emergency. The jettisonable part is separated from the fixed part of the helmet by the rapid inflation of a cushion between these two parts. The device can be applied especially to helmets worn by the pilots of armed helicopters or aircraft.

Abstract: A head protection system providing several types of head protection comprised of at least three cavities called C1, C2, C3, defining three volumes V1, V2, V3 wherein:C1 is a cavity defined by a mask M for including the mouth and the nose of the wearer.C2 is a cavity defined by the front face of the head component for including at least the eyes of the wearer.C3 is a cavity defined by the rest of the head protection system and for including a large part of the hair of the wearer.Three seals J1, J, J3 insulate the three cavities C1, C2 and C3. These three seals are continuous and close up on themselves.The seal J1 insulates the cavity C1 from the cavity C2, the seal J2 insulates the cavity C2 from the cavity C3, the seal J3 insulates the cavity C3 from the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A sleeve for the keeping dry of arms, legs, hands or feet while washing, bathing and/or showering of upper and lower section, with the lower section being composed of a waterproof material stretchable in both longitudinal and latitudinal planes, and with the upper section being composed of a waterproof material exhibiting a substantial adherence characteristic, and including an elastic band for sealing-off the upper section when in use.

Abstract: A foot receiving article formed from a liquid impermeable elastic necked-stretched laminate is disclosed. The elastic necked-stretched laminate may include an elastic layer captured between two necked-stretched spunbond layers. The disclosed elastic necked-stretched laminate may be incorporated in a variety of products, such as surgical gown sleeves, stockinettes, shoe covers and foot covers.

Abstract: A pedicure sock for keeping a foot warm during a pedicure. The pedicure sock having individual stalls for the toes which are truncated to leave the toe nails exposed. The stalls serving to separate the tops of the toes, where the toe nails are located, such that a pedicure can be easily performed and the fresh polish on the toe nails can dry without interference from adjacent toes and toe nails.

Abstract: A respiratory mask adapted to be fit against the face of a user is provided with a demand regulator connectable to a pressurized respiratory gas source. An extensible harness, having end portions connected to said mask, includes an inflatable element. A manually actuatable valve delivers pressurized respiratory gas from the source to the inflatable element to extend the harness when actuated and reduces the pressure in said inflatable element to retract said harness and to cause the mask to engage the face of the wearer when released. A sensor delivers an information representative of a force with which said mask engages the face to a valve for automatic control of exhaust of pressurized gas to atmosphere and admission of pressurized gas from the source, upon release of the manually actuatable valve to adjust the reduced pressure and to maintain the force at a value which is lower than the force exerted when the inflatable element is at an ambient pressure.

Abstract: An aviator has a protective helmet and an oxygen mask releasably attached to the helmet by a mask release which automatically releases one of the mask connections to the helmet upon water immersion. An inflatable life preserver worn by the aviator has two spaced projections mounted on its upper outer surface directly beneath the mask. These projections contact the lower portion of the mask during life preserver inflation and gradually forcibly push the released mask away from the aviator's face as the life preserver further inflates.

Abstract: A respiratory mask adapted to be fit against the face of a user is provided with a demand regulator connectable to a pressurized respiratory gas source. An extensible harness, having end portions connected to said mask, includes an inflatable element. A manually actuatable valve delivers pressurized respiratory gas from the source to the inflatable element to extend the harness when actuated and reduces the pressure in said inflatable element to retract said harness and to cause the mask to engage the face of the wearer when released. A sensor delivers an information representative of a force with which said mask engages the face to a valve for automatic control of exhaust of pressurized gas to atmosphere and admission of pressurized gas from the source, upon release of the manually actuatable valve to adjust the reduced pressure and to maintain the force at a value which is lower than the force exerted when the inflatable element is at an ambient pressure.

Abstract: The fast donning breathing apparatus for use by a crew member comprises a mask provided with a regulator for connection to a source of pressurized breathable gas and a harness having. The harness has a stretchable strap having ends connected to the mask and including an element which is optionably inflatable by the pressurized breathable gas to extend the strap up to a size which is sufficient to permit fitting of the harness on the head and deflatable to enable the strap to tighten, to bias the mask onto the face and to hold the mask in position. The harness also has a flexible hardly extensible additional strap. A fastener enables to adjust the length of the additional strap and permits direct manual tightening by a user.

Abstract: A protective helmet assembly (10) comprising a hard ballistic outer shell (12) in a clam shell construction of hinged shell portions (14, 16), the front portion (14) being provided with a window opening (20) and a facial seal (34). A transparent visor (22) and sun visor (24) are pivotally mounted on the shell portion (14) and are positionable to cover the window with a seal (23) between the visor (22) and shell portion (14). Impact absorbing pads (31, 32) of open cell flexible polyimide foam material are attached to the inner surface of the hard shell portions (14, 16) by cooperative fastener strips (35, 36) of hook-and-loop material.

Abstract: An integrated pilot protection and restraining system having a circular bearing structure configured to surround the neck of the wearer, and a non-conformal helmet which is detachably coupled to and rotatably supported by the bearing structure. An automatic helmet rotation system is provided for controlling rotation of the helmet in response to movements of the wearer's head in order to maintain the helmet in a predetermined position with respect to the wearer's head. The system further includes a restraining anchor disposed on a rear portion of the bearing structure at its non-rotating base proximate to the base of the wearer's neck. The restraining anchor is coupled to a retractable restraining device.

Abstract: A protective helmet has a fitting and retention system which allows for fing a variety of head sizes and shapes with a single helmet size and also allows for precision reproducible fitting for a repeat user. The protective helmet has an energy-attenuating liner comprising a brow pad, a crown pad and a floating occipital pusher plate. The pusher plate hangs from the rear of the helmet on adjustable straps which are tensioned to urge the wearer's head forward toward the front of the helmet. This ensures that weapon sighting/designation systems are consistently aligned each time the helmet is worn. This feature also allows the helmet to accommodate a variety of head sizes and shapes. Pusher plate movement is preferably controlled using a parallel arrangement of two horizontal straps in which the lower strap is adjusted as part of the chinstrap assembly while the upper strap routed through a slot in the helmet shell and coupled to a device which simultaneously tensions the pusher plate and the ear cups.

Abstract: A sock and method for manufacturing the same utilizes a formable or "puff" ink. The ink is applied by screen printing to the upper heel area of the sock and the ink is heat set. The ink rises upon setting (curing) to form a friction producing surface on the back of the sock above the heel. The printed surface prevents to sock from sliding into the shoe during periods of exercising such as walking, jogging or other physical activities.

Abstract: An article of dress comprising a first piece and a second piece. The first piece comprises a leg covering of decorative light weight material having an upper edge and a lower edge, and capable of being worn as a single unit covering only one leg. The first piece has a length whereby it is capable of extending from above the knee to below the knee of the wearer. The second piece covers a substantial portion of only one leg of the wearer, leaving the other leg exposed, whereby the first piece can be viewed when worn on the other leg of the wearer.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel is provided having cuff-like elements of tubular configuration designed to be worn either on the lower portions of a persons's legs in combination with socks or on a person's arms in association with a sleeved garment such as a sweater to produce a decorative effect. The cuff-like elements are formed from a textile such as knitted or woven fabric exhibiting a resilient characteristic tending to cause them to constrict about the wearer's legs or arms and thereby be retained in position. Each of the cuff-like elements is of a relatively short length and is sized so that one marginal end portion will be capable of being projected a distance into either the end of a sweater sleeve or the upper cuff of a sock, either singly or in multiples disposed in series relationship, thereby creating a multiple cuff appearance.

Abstract: An undergarment according to the invention which covers the body from the waist down has stretch panels in the thigh area which permit the undergarment to fit over the thigh, while permitting the rest of the leg covering portion to be made form heavier material than conventional panty hose. The sock portions of the garment can be knitted continuously with the leg portions. Such an undergarment provides a better fit together with advantages such as light weight, warmth, and comfort.

Abstract: A gaiter for bicycling providing a plurality of panels to ensure a comfortable fit for various leg sizes. The gaiter incorporates a unique internal pocket capable of holding small items such as keys, change, or ID while bicycling. The gaiter uses one or more light reflective panels enabling the bicyclist to be more easily seen. Use of one or more panels of grease resistant material protects the wearer's clothing from being soiled.

Abstract: An article of dress comprising a first piece and a second piece. The first piece comprises a leg covering of decorative light weight material having an upper edge and a lower edge, and capable of being worn as a single unit covering only one leg. The first piece has a length whereby it is capable of extending from above the knee to below the knee of the wearer. The second piece covers a substantial portion of only one leg of the wearer, leaving the other leg exposed, whereby the first piece can be viewed when worn on the other leg of the wearer.

Abstract: A sock with a pocket in which the fabric of the sock itself is used as the primary material used in the construction of the sock compartment. The present invention contemplates a variety of embodiments, including both horizontal and vertical opening members for the pocket(s), as well as teaching a variety of means of closure, including zippers (FIG. 4), "Velcro" (.TM.) (FIG. 5), buttons (FIG. 6), strings or ribbons (FIG. 7), and the like, or no closure (FIG. 8). The method of the present invention may be used with "off-the-shelf" socks and the like, and comprises essentially the folding over of the cuff of the sock, "sealing" the fold by sewing the folded portion to create a compartment, and providing resealable closure means to enter said compartment via the use of the "Velcro" (.TM.), buttons, zippers, snaps or the like, with a slit (which can be reinforced) being made through the material at the closure means to provide access into the compartment.

Abstract: An article of dress comprising a first piece and a second piece. The first piece comprises a leg covering of decorative light weight material having an upper edge and a lower edge, and capable of being worn as a single unit covering only one leg. The first piece has a length whereby it is capable of extending from above the knee to below the knee of the wearer. The second piece covers a substantial portion of only one leg of the wearer, leaving the other leg exposed, whereby the first piece can be viewed when worn on the other leg of the wearer.

Abstract: A shin guard and a method of making it are disclosed. The shin guard has a rigid outer shell of polyurethane and a polyurethane foam backing. A recess is formed in the foam backing by pressing in a hot die having the profile of the recess to be made. The recess is oblong and centered over the shin bone or tibia. A dense, modified polyurethane is then cast in the recess. The combination of polyurethane foam and dense, modified polyurethane provides excellent shock absorption in a light weight shin guard.

Abstract: A gaitor (10) has an upper fabric portion (12) configured to be wrapped around a leg of a wearer. The fabric portion (12) has a zipper (40) for fastening the portion (12) around the leg. The fabric portion (12) has a lower edge (26). A rubber gasket (14) configured to conform closely to a shoe (16) worn by the wearer has an upper rim (24). The gasket (14) is fastened by means of a seam (28) around the lower edge (26) of the fabric portion (12). The lower edge (26) of the fabric portion (12) is folded up to lie against the upper rim (24) of the gasket (14). The seam (28) fastens the folded up lower edge (26) against the upper rim (24) of the gasket (14). A structural tape (60) formed from a nylon sheet die cut into a strip with alternating wide and narrower portions (64 and 66) is fastened along seam (28) at toe (54) of the gaitor to prevent folding of the rubber gasket (14), which is otherwise prone to occur at the toe (54), resulting in tearing of the seam (28) when stressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sock having a flap protruding from its rear or heel area, which flap can be fastened to the outside of the rear or heel area of a shoe to prevent the sock from riding, slipping or otherwise working into the heel cavity of the shoe as the person wearing the sock and shoe moves about.

Abstract: The foot cover is formed of a substantially Y-shaped one-piece blank of stretchable material. The main stem of the Y-shaped blank forms an elongate sole portion including heel and toe ends while the branches or wings of the Y-shaped blank extend outwardly therefrom and define toe, side and heel portions which form the upper portion of the foot cover. The blank is formed into the foot cover by one relatively long seam which extends continuously from one side to the other of the sole portion and connects the lower edges of the side and heel portions thereto and a relatively short seam which connects opposite ends of the side and heel portions and extends upwardly from the relatively long seam to the foot receiving opening.

Abstract: An athletic foot protector comprising a porous elastic sock, the elastic sock being about one size smaller than the foot so that the sock is stretched in all directions in covering the foot to assure that there is no motion between the foot and the elastic sock, thereby providing a protective covering to receive potentially traumatic abrasion.

Abstract: In knitting socks in a string of such socks on a circular knitting machine, a double fabric is knitted in order to close the toe, further courses then being knitted with a heat-shrinking yarn, followed by knitting courses with a washable yarn, after which a start is made with knitting the welt of the next sock to be knitted. Thus by immersion of a string of such socks in a hot bath the washable yarn disappears to separate the socks and the shrinkable yarn shrinks to provide a run-free cast off.