Abstract: A combination of protective clothing, as for a firefighter, utilizes a pair of pants having a waist portion and a pair of suspenders having straps, which are attachable detachably to the waist portion. The waist portion has a plurality of horizontally extending slots, one said slot for each said strap, which slots in one contemplated embodiment are defined by strips of fabric, webbing, or other material sewn at opposite ends to the waist portion and which slots in another contemplated embodiment penetrate the waist portion and may have bound edges. Each strap when attached to the waist portion extends through an associated one of the slots, whereupon such strap is folded upwardly and is fastened releasably to itself by a fastener, such as a snap fastener, which is separated from a wearer by a portion of said strap, or such as a hook-and-loop fastener.

Abstract: A protective garment includes a torso portion for covering a person's torso; a lower portion for covering a person's legs and including left and right leg portions, each having an inner edge and an outer edge; a first fastening arrangement at the inner edge of each leg portion for securing the inner edges together to form an apron-like arrangement of the lower portion; a second fastening arrangement at the inner and outer edges of the left leg portion for securing the same around a left leg of the person; a third fastening arrangement at the inner and outer edges of the right leg portion for securing the same around a right leg of the person; and a fourth fastening arrangement at a waist area for connecting and disconnecting the torso portion and the lower portion relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation system for clothing, in particular preferably watertight sports clothing, consisting of preferably watertight fabric, in which ventilation openings are provided which are covered by shingle-like overlaps of the fabric. In accordance with the invention, the air openings are closed by a flexible, three-dimensionally cross-linked spacer material.

Abstract: A multidimensional camouflage outer wear garment system including garments made of various combinations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional camouflage material. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional camouflage materials are positioned within garments so as to distort the smooth line silhouette of the wearer, thereby enhancing the total effectiveness of the camouflage. Zones of three-dimensional material are disposed across limited selected regions of the garments to maintain continuity of silhouette distortion while two-dimensional material is disposed over predefined extended regions adjacent the zones of three-dimensional material.

Abstract: The system includes an interior garment, such as a short mesh pant, which fits inside the firefighter pant and over his station wear. The safety harness is removably fixed to the short pant through the harness belt and the short pant harness combination is removably attached to the firefighter pant.

Abstract: In combination, an outer garment and a three dimensional camouflage covering for all or a part of the outer garment, the three dimensional camouflage covering comprising an open mesh net base and a plurality of leaf or foliage appendages, in leaf or foliage simulating colour and shape secured thereto, means secured to peripheral portions of the three dimensional covering and to portions of the outer garment releasably to secure the three dimensional covering onto the outer garment in operable fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various types of garments to be worn by outdoors people such as hunters and fishermen. The garments include stretch fabric portions in strategic locations to provide mobility as well as comfort and thereby allow the wearer to engage in a wide range of activities. The garments having such stretch fabric portions include pants-type garments, bib overall type garments, and coat-type garments and coverall-type garments.

Abstract: A protective garment is provided from a pattern which reduces waste and provides sleeves which are attached to an upper body, portion of the garment at an angle of 45-70 degrees.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means by which clothing may be made more effective in its role in assisting temperature regulation, by: 1) providing increased heat exchange by means of reduced insulation (herein defined as “lower insulatory capacity”) of temperature sensitive sites (11, 16, 14)—reducing insulation of temperature sensitive areas not protected by “fat pads”; and/or 2) providing for increased vapor exchange by means of specific ventilation of temperature sensitive areas (herein defined as “increased ventilatory capacity”)—allowing flexibility for rapid increases in heat generation owing to facility for improved vapor exchange e.g. the loss of excess heated air or humidity, by, for example, convection and evaporation of sweat from the surface of the skin.

Abstract: A clothing assembly consisting of trousers, the trousers having a waist, the waist having a waistband, the waistband having a right side, a left side, a front side, and a back side; a plurality of upper belt loops, each belt loop among said plurality being fixedly attached to the waistband; a plurality of lower belt loops, each belt loop among said plurality being fixedly attached to the waistband; and a flexible belt positioned to form a figure eight, the figure eight comprising an upper loop, a lower loop, and a crossover, the upper loop of the figure eight extending through the upper belt loops, the lower loop of the figure eight extending through the lower belt loops, the crossover overlying the right side of the waistband.

Abstract: Novel gels and gel composites for direct contact with the body and capable of substantially preventing the generation moisture from said body in extreme cold weather use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable padded protective garment including a sheet material and at least one pad coupled to the sheet material. The disposable padded protective garment may further include a pocket coupled to the sheet material which, in turn, couples the pad to the sheet material.

Abstract: A breathable composite barrier fabric for protective garments including a low-strength nonwoven web; a high-strength nonwoven web containing multicomponent fibers that have a first polyolefin component and a second polyamide component, the high-strength web having a grab tensile strength of at least 1.5 times the low strength web; and a water impermeable barrier layer positioned between the low-strength web and high-strength web, the webs and barrier layer being joined by thermal bonding. Protective garments may be constructed from the breathable composite barrier fabrics. The low-strength nonwoven web is on the bodyside of the garment and the high-strength nonwoven web is on the exterior of the garment.

Abstract: Garments and apparel that animate subsurface muscles, joints and tendons. The garments can include athletic wear such as leggings that conform to both the thigh and calf of a user and arm coverings that conform over the arm, and even over the torso of the body. Other applications can include dancewear, theatrical costuming, medical and therapeutic products. The garment can include seams about slits, each slit being parallel to one another running down the exterior sides of the leggings and arm coverings. Sewn to the edges of the slits, beneath the slits can be a sublayer elastic material having a different color and/or texture than the surface color and/or texture of the garment. Alternatively, instead of seams, the material can be formed from a chemically or another technically produced fabric that has designated stretch and non-stretch areas engineered at selected locations.

Abstract: A garment is provided which restricts unassisted disrobing. The garment preferably facilitates assisted disrobing in a key-less manner and has decorative features which resemble traditional clothing. The garment comprises front and rear panels of clothing material, an opening preferably in the rear panel, an operable closure device, and a cover for an actuator of the operable closure device. The front panel of clothing material is adapted to cover at least a front portion of the wearer's body. The rear panel is adapted to cover at least a rear portion of the wearer's body. The opening facilitates donning of the garment. The operable closure device is located at the opening and is operable to at least partially close the opening to thereby prevent removal of the garment. The operable closure device extends into an inaccessibility zone of the rear panel.

Abstract: A pair of pants having a crotch covering flap assembly for permitting a female to expose the crotch area to permit unobstructed urination without removing the pants includes pants having an overlapping pair of material portions for covering the crotch of a user and a fastening assembly for selectively coupling the material portions to each other for covering the crotch of the user.

Abstract: A revision to the standard fireproof garments currently worn by race car drivers and pit crew people that allows the wearer to remove the bottom section of the pants to cool off when not in the car or in an area where protection from possible fire is not required. The top and bottom sections of the pants secure through use of hook and loop fasteners designed to withstand extremely high temperatures. The top section features a stretchy material at the lower end that hugs the leg to prevent any extreme heat from going up the leg opening. The bottom section slides up over the stretchy portion and secures to the top section via the hook and loop fasteners. The bottom section features a cuff or fold that folds over the secured two sections to hide the seam. Also, cooperating snap button elements are located on the top and bottom sections to allow for quick alignment by the user.

Abstract: A combination clothing/safety harness for fall arresting and rescue from confined spaces provides the advantages of ease of use, distribution of forces over a wide surface area, protection of the harness portion, and ease of enforcing regulations that the harness be worn. The safety harness may be attached to various articles of clothing, such as a jacket, vest, overalls, or coveralls, so that donning the article of clothing automatically positions the harness for use. The harness may be used by employees working at dangerous heights or in confined spaces, or by hunters using tree stands. Combination clothing/safety harness systems can be made to meet OSHA requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing or minimizing the particulates and other contaminants which may be brought into a restricted or clean room area. The apparatus and methods include a gown having positioning elements for keeping portions of the gown in place to permit inflation of the gown, for example during an airwash, and the apparatus and methods may also include gown inflation apparatus to remove the particulates and contaminants. Apparatus and methods of the present inventions also inflate the gown not only to eject particulates and contaminants that may be entrained or caught in the gown fabric, but also can be used to inflate the gown while the operator is in an air shower. Methods and apparatus of the present inventions also provide for an improved glove to gown seal, in addition to a reduced possibility of contamination from particulates or moisture from the operator's hands and an enhanced comfort level in the use of latex or rubber gloves with the gown.

Abstract: A protective garment to be worn over English-style, riding breeches has a front pocket specially sized to hold mane braiding or other horse grooming tools therein. The pocket is located high on the garment, such as right below the waistband thereof, and the opening is correspondingly located so that it can be readily accessed by the wearer of the garment even when he or she is mounted on horseback. The garment can also be readily put on over English-riding boots because it has a suitably long slit extending from the leg bottoms toward the waist of the garment. The resulting garment protects the riders underlying breeches from being dirtied by the organic materials typically found at equestrian facilities.

Abstract: A convertible garment comprises a jacket and optional pants. The pants which are attached at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the jacket include a pair of flexible leg panels each having adapted to be reversibly displaced between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closed position, each leg panel forms a hollow pant leg capable of surrounding a user's leg, whereas, when the leg panels are in the open position, the leg panels can be bundled up adjacent the lower end of the jacket in a storage position of the pants such that the garment only acts as a jacket. A pocket is formed on the inside of the lower end of the jacket to accommodate the pants in their storage position.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing drag on the movement of the human body through air or other fluid mediums and improving heat transfer including a placement of trip mechanisms at predisposed locations on the human body with the mechanisms constituting elongated protrusions adapted to intercept the laminar flow of fluid across the body and prematurely trip the laminar flow into turbulence whereby the downstream pressure on the body is increased allowing the body to move more freely through the fluid medium.

Abstract: A waterproof outer garment comprises one piece of material wrappable around the wearer between the knees and the back, with edges overlapping and securable to one another by quick locking and quick release fasteners. The edges are securable in varying amounts of overlap to adjust the garment to the size of the wearer, and suspenders prevent the garment slipping down on the wearer. In one embodiment, the entire garment is made from a material impervious to the ingress of water. In another embodiment, portions of the garment which are not subject to contact under pressure with snow and water are made of a lighter weight material which need not be waterproof. Garments according to the present invention which are made partly from non-waterproof material can be made lighter, more comfortable and perhaps more stylish than garments made entirely from waterproof material.

Abstract: A smock to be worn by a clean room operator includes an upper material part for covering the upper body of the operator, a lower material part for covering the lower body of the operator, wherein the upper material part and the lower material part are integrally formed. An air passage within the smock connects the upper material part and the lower material part, and a discharge part is in flow communication with the air passage for venting the air within the smock.

Abstract: A static electricity dissipation garment where the body of the garment is constructed of fabric within which is woven strands of carbon. The body will be constructed as a smock or as a pant suit. The pant suit garment includes a pair of side seams located between the torso section of the garment and down each leg section of the garment. The smock includes a similar pair of side seams in the torso section. A first embodiment of the garment includes sleeve seams that extend along the entire length of each sleeve of the garment and then along the connection of the sleeve to the upper part of the torso section and then along the collar of the garment. Within each of these seams, along the entire length of the seam, is included an electrically conductive ribbon. The ribbon of the side seam is designed to overlap a substantial length of the sleeve seam. The ribbons of the two sleeve seams and side seams overlap each other in the area of the collar.

Abstract: In one aspect, a pair of suspenders for being detachably secured to a pair of pants, the pants having first and second panels and at least one fastener that detachably secures the first and second panels together. The pair of suspenders includes at least one strap and at least one anchor, attached to the at least one strap, that is adapted to detachably mate with the at least one fastener. In another aspect, the pair of pants has a front panel and a back panel that are detachably secured so that the back panel can be dropped independently of the front panel. The pair of suspenders includes means for attaching the at least one strap to the pair of pants so that the pair of suspenders directly supports the back panel while enabling the back panel to be dropped without removing the suspenders from the shoulders of the wearer. In another aspect, the suspenders are attached to the pair of pants at only two anchors. The suspenders can be employed with a pair of snowpants.

Abstract: A monitored static electricity dissipation garment which is to be connected to a voltmeter which is to display to the wearer of the garment the amount of static electricity that is on the body of a human and garment at any given instant. The monitor can be located separate from the garment or can be worn on the garment. When using the garment of the present invention, it is preferred that the human user wear electrically conductive boots that have electrically conductive soles which function to dissipate static electricity to an electrically conductive floor. Such boots and floor are deemed to be conventional.

Abstract: A cold weather garment which, through power produced by solar panels embedded in the exterior of the garment, which, in turn, operate heating elements, the heat from which are directed toward the interior of the garment, actively augments the wearer's natural heat production. Because the garment's heating facilities are powered by solar cells, all hazards from flammable fuels are eliminated, there are no expensive batteries to repeatedly replace, and, so long as sun light is available, the wearer will be warmed indefinitely.

Abstract: A outfit/costume that two or more people will wear at the same time. The outfit/costume has what appears from the outside to be three or more legs and the center leg will hold a leg of each person. It also has two arm sleeves, one for each person, inner sleeves that will hold the other two inner arms of the persons and at least two neck apertures for the persons wearing the outfit/costume.

Abstract: A protective suit 1 comprises a trouser portion 2 which is formed from a fluid-impermeable barrier material, and an upper body portion 3 of which part 8 at least is formed from a breathable barrier material. The fluid-impermeable barrier material may be a closed plastic film or a laminate thereof, and the breathable barrier material may be a microporous film or a non-woven laminate material.

Abstract: Energy conservation or expenditure garments are designed for use by cyclists. The garment includes in one embodiment an air cooling system through use of various air passageways in the energy conservation garment. In another embodiment the energy expenditure garment includes pockets to offer drag or resistance to the user. An indicator may be provided at the back of the hand portion of the garment to indicate some parameter of exercise.

Abstract: In a sportwear, especially ski wear of the type that pants are suspended with suspenders, length of the leg portions of the pants are formed extendably and contractably. Front ends of the suspenders are fixed to the front face of the waist portion W of the pants, while rear ends of the suspenders are fixed in a narrow width to a back support piece attached to the back face of the waist portion and having a length from the waist portion up to the neck portion. Thus the suspenders are prevented from slipping off from the shoulders.

Abstract: An article of clothing such as a bib, T-shirt, pants, dress, pajamas, etc. for a baby, toddler, or child having one or more inverted items, for example characters, numbers, diagrams, pictures, letters, designs, figures, or combinations thereof, on the front of the article so that, they appear right-side-up to the infant or toddler wearing the article and up-side-down to the adult or care giver. Such an article can be used to teach a child numbers, letters, pictures, the alphabet, numerical system, and the like while a child is wearing the article. It is believed that by putting the items in the proper orientation for right-side-up viewing by the child, the child may learn more quickly and not be confused when these items are shown right-side-up on the television and in reading materials.

Abstract: A combination pair of jeans and a metallic ornamentation. A substantially rectangular metallic ornament is affixed to a rear portion of a waistband of a pair of conventional jeans in place of the conventional leather label. The metallic ornament may be rivetted to the waist band or it may be adhered to a leather strip which is in turn sewn onto the waistband. A plurality of metallic belt loops may also be provided and attached to the waistband in a similar fashion. The metallic ornament is made of a lustrous material providing an enhanced appearance. The metallic ornament may be engraved with a specific pattern, logo or other text. The metallic ornament may also be formed of a metal anodized to a specific color.

Abstract: The firefighter's turnout pants according to the invention are designed so that each pant leg comprises a front panel and a back panel above the knee region, the panels being joined by an outseam and an inseam, and cylindrical panels below the knee region, the cylindrical panels being each joined by only an outseam and connected via a circumferential seam at the knee to the two-panels above the knee. The absence of an inseam below the knee of the firefighter's pants eliminates a chronic problem of abrasion of the threads used in that portion of the inseam and subsequent failure of the inseam. The absence below the knee of an inseam with the potential for failure reduces the maintenance and repair of the firefighter pants, reduces the risk of burn injury resulting from a breach in the protective envelope of the firefighter's pants, and reduces the incidence of reflective trim becoming coincidentally detached from the pants.

Abstract: Weighted suit to be used in athletic training, physical therapy, muscle toning and weight reduction. The suit has a bottom and top that can be adjusted to accommodate the physical characteristics of the wearer, as well as the activity to be performed by the wearer while the suit is worn. The suit also has weighted gloves which may be attached to the sleeve portion of the top of the suit. The suit is constructed from spandex material that accommodates stretch in one direction and resists it in another direction approximately perpendicular to the first. Weight compartments are located about the suit into which weight units may be installed. Variable weight packets may be used to selectively apply different resistance experienced during the user's activity. The weights are located away from the user's joints, and protective components may be integrally included into the suit to cover vulnerable knee and elbow joints.

Abstract: A body suit for nighttime wearing by persons suffering from chronic skin ailments is comprised of a body garment. A first pair of sleeves is attached to the body garment, the first pair of sleeves each having a channel with an opening and a drawstring within the channel. A hand covering such as a glove or mitten having padding thereon is attached to each of the first pair of sleeves. A second pair of sleeves, each having an optional channel with an opening and a drawstring, is attached to the body garment. A footie may be attached to each of the second pair of sleeves and each of the second pair of sleeves may be impregnated with an anti-itch agent.

Abstract: A pant or short garment has a female body crotch opening in the crotch region of the garment. The crotch opening is covered by a removable saddle flap which is firmly affixed to the seat of the garment and is attachable at the inner left and right leg region and a frontal crotch region of the garment by a closure such as a Velcro.TM. closure. Thus, in place of the traditional frontal, fly-type opening for a pant garment, the illustrative garment provides easy access for the female anatomy.

Abstract: A body suit liner is removably attachable to an outer body suit. Glove liners are removably attachable to outer gloves. Foot cover liners are removably attachable to outer foot covers. A hood liner is removably attachable to an outer hood. The outer gloves are removably attachable to distal ends of outer body suit sleeves. The outer glove can be attached to the outer body suit sleeve whether or not the glove liner has been attached to the outer glove. The outer foot covers are removably attachable to distal ends of outer body suit legs. The outer foot cover can be attached to the outer body suit leg whether or not the foot cover liner has been attached to the outer foot cover. The outer hood is removably attachable to the outer body suit. The outer hood can be attached to the outer body suit whether or not the hood liner has been attached to the outer hood. The body suit liner, glove liner, foot cover liner and hood liner are constructed of material which is insulative and absorbent.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically joining flashspun bonded polyolefin sheets and a seam generated by the method is provided. The method includes the steps of overlapping at least two polyolefin sheet edges, and connecting the overlapped edges by feeding the overlapped portions between an ultrasonic horn and a patterned backup roll. The connected first and second sheet edge portions have a tensile strength across the overlapped and welded portion that is at least 75% of the tensile strength of the sheet material joined. The seam is generated with just one pass between the ultrasonic horn and the patterned backup roll.

Abstract: A sled suit for sliding comprises a torso portion having a head opening, a pair of sleeves coupled to the torso portion, a leg portion coupled to the torso portion. The torso portion, the pair of sleeves and the leg portion are made of durable waterproof material with a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: Protective clothing for use in care of elderly and infirm patients. In one embodiment, clothing is provided without any front entry, and with a rear entry slit that has one or more protective flaps which cover and protect a fastener from manipulation by the patient. Preferably, the garment has an elongated zipper running vertically along the center of the rear. The zipper closure is toward the top, ending adjacent the collar of the garment. One or more, and preferably at least three flaps are provided, anchored on one side of the rear of the garment and disposed to fold substantially horizontally across the zipper, and having hooks provided on the flap to releasably fasten to matched loops located in the other side of the rear of the garment. These protective flaps hinder elderly and infirm patients from engaging the zipper slide so as to loosen and ultimately remove the garment. In another embodiment, the substantially vertical rear entry opening is secured with a button/button-hole fastening system.

Abstract: A garment which eliminates the need for additional inseam material by using a panel of stretch material such as spandex, rubber or rubber compounds, or synthetic rubber, such as neoprene or neoprene sponge in the knee area where bending takes place to allow the knee to bend freely. The panel of stretch material used at knee portion of the garment fills an opening formed in the rigid woven fabric material making up the rest of the garment. The panel of stretch material is sewn in place covered with a waterproof tape which overlaps the edges of the stretch material panel and the woven fabric material. Stitching secures the stretch material in place, which overlaps the woven fabric material. The stretch material panel includes waterproof properties as does the remainder of the woven fabric material garment.

Abstract: A unitary garment with a modified and improved drop-seat which is not overtly detectable by the casual observer. The rear portion of the garment is constructed with two plies of fabric. The inner ply contains a teardrop-shaped aperture (12) bounded by elastic around the perimeter. The outer ply incorporates a trapezoidal-shaped lappet (20) with elasticized sides. The combination of these two innovations enables a heretofore unachievable style line which closely conforms to body contours. Due to the elastic tension around the perimeter the aperture is relatively static in relation to the buttocks and upper thigh thereby allowing the wearer freedom of movement during toilet and personal hygiene activities without fear of inadvertently wetting or soiling the garment. Multiple styling embodiments are possible (e.g., jumpsuit, culottes, shorts, formal-, casual-, sports-wear, et al).

Abstract: An outerwear garment such as pants or coveralls has a waterproof seamless seat insert. The insert made of waterproof fabric and is attached to the garment to cover at least the seat portion and the adjacent rear leg portions of the garment. The waterproof insert is attached to the garment inside of the outer layer, and if the garment has an inner liner, preferably between the outer layer and the inner liner. The seamless seat waterproof insert is attached to the garment along its periphery so that the seamless seat is substantially free of the seat portion of the outer layer. The waterproof seamless seat insert eliminates the need to waterproof a back rise seam in the insert. The insert preferably continues under the crotch and towards the waist to provide a seamless crotch as well. The insert is preferably made of a relatively lightweight, stretch material so that the insert does not compromise the fit of the garment that is defined by the other textile layers of the garment.

Abstract: A skydiving garment provides a wearer with enhanced control, maneuverability, and lateral speed during free-fall. The garment includes a torso portion having sleeves and leg portions depending therefrom which have a tubular configuration and are sized to receive the arms and legs of the wearer, respectively. At least one pocket is mounted on the exterior surface of each sleeve and leg portion. Each pocket has an opening which extends in the direction of the limb and which is configured to selectively balloon open when exposed by the wearer to an airstream during free-fall.

Abstract: A clothing assembly comprising of trousers, the trousers having a waist, a waistband, a right leg, and a left leg; and the trousers having a belt retaining loop, the belt retaining loop being fixedly attached to the right side of the trousers and positioned thereon so that the upper end of the belt loop lies below the waistband; and comprising a flexible belt, the flexible belt being positioned to form an upper loop and a lower loop, the upper loop extending upwardly and leftwardly from the belt retaining loop, the lower loop extending downwardly and leftwardly from the belt retaining loop, the upper loop encircling the waist of the trousers, and the lower loop encircling the right leg of the trousers.

Abstract: An energy expenditure garment incorporates various techniques for providing resistance to the bending movements of the wearer. Such techniques include having unbalanced resistance elements and having non-elastic resistance elements such as friction pads to create a friction brake. Relatively non-elastic resistance elements could be joined together by elastic connectors.

Abstract: An energy expenditure/training garment includes a suit having integral resistance panels and a base fabric covering other portions of the suit. The suit includes a body portion, arm portions and leg portions. In one practice of the invention the resistance panels and the base fabric are made of contrasting colors to provide indicating structure of the type of garment. In other practices of the invention various connecting structure is used to connect the resistance panels of the leg directly to footwear such as sneakers, roller blades or boots so that the footwear functions as anchor structure for the panels.

Abstract: An energy expenditure garment is in the form of a one piece suit having a neck opening at its top and leg openings at the bottom of its torso section. Size adjusting structure is provided at the neck opening to permit the neck opening to be enlarged from its first wearing size to an enlarged passage size sufficiently large so that the garment may be placed on the user by the user inserting the user's legs, hips and body through the enlarged neck opening.