Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for use in reducing the impact to the head during sporting activities. The present disclosure provides a helmet cap that covers an underlying hard shell helmet. The helmet cap has a durable, energy absorbing outer shell, which lessens the initial impact to the helmet. The outer shell is formed into segments of padded material that may deform on impact. The outer shell has an inner surface that allows the outer shell to slide over the surface of a helmet thereby reducing forces applied to a wearer. The helmet cap may be securely attached to helmets without modification of the helmets. The helmet cap may include an adjustable fastener that allows the helmet cap to be securely attached to helmets of varying dimensions.

Abstract: A cap includes a flexible body having a dome shape for conveniently conforming to a swimmer's head. The body includes an outer layer and an inner layer spaced from the outer layer such that a cavity is defined therebetween. The inner layer is provided with a plurality of conduits and a strap is integral with the outer layer and travels about a circumference of the cap. The present invention further includes a mechanism for effectively removing the stagnant air such that the inner layer can effectively maintain surface contact with the swimmer's hair and cooperate with the strap for preventing water from entering beneath the cap.

Abstract: A sports headgear apparatus includes a head covering that has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. The head covering comprises a panel that has a substantially semi-spherical shape. The panel has a bottom perimeter edge defining an opening into the head covering. A perimeter tube is attached to and is coextensive with the bottom perimeter edge. The tube is substantially airtight. A canister having compressed air therein is fluidly coupled to the tube. A pressure sensitive valve is fluidly coupled to the to canister and opening the canister when the pressure sensitive valve detects a predetermined water depth.

Abstract: A retaining system for the hood, face seal, and mounting band(s) of facemasks that have a hood and/or a face seal that are sealed and securely mounted to the mask using a band type of clamping method, is provided. The retaining system may include a redundant system that may not allow the mask to be separated from the hood, face seal, and the mounting band(s).

Abstract: A buoyant silicone rubber compound—and process for preparing same—is disclosed wherein hollow micro spheres are incorporated into the formulation in order to decrease the specific gravity of the compound to less than 1.0. The disclosed compound is prepared by admixing from about 85 to 99 weight percent polydimethyl siloxane with from about 1 to 15 weight percent hollow micro spheres. The micro spheres are selected to have a mean particle diameter of from about 10 to 500 microns. Aquatic gear comprised of the afore-mentioned buoyant silicone rubber exhibiting positive buoyancy/flotation such as ear plugs, swim goggles, dive masks, fins and sun glasses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A life jacket has two head air bags, a plurality of shoulder air bags, a zipper disposed between the head air bags, and a plurality of pockets. Each of the pockets receives an inflated bag. A safety pin is disposed on the inflated bag. An air inlet hose is connected to the corresponding shoulder air bag and a pressing ball. Each of the head air bags has a hook-and-loop type fastener.

Abstract: A life jacket has two head air bags, a plurality of shoulder air bags, a zipper disposed between the head air bags, and a plurality of pockets. Each of the pockets receives an inflated bag. A safety pin is disposed on the inflated bag. An air inlet hose is connected to the corresponding shoulder air bag and a pressing ball. Each of the head air bags has a hook-and-loop type fastener.

Abstract: An avalanche life jacket having an airbag inflatable by a gas release system upon actuation is disclosed. The life jacket provides a torso strap and buckles for attaching the life jacket to the user. Prior to inflation, the airbag is folded and enclosed within the harness. The harness encloses the airbag via an enclosure mechanism which opens during inflation of the airbag to allow the airbag to fully expand. The life jacket further comprises a gas release system which may be automatically actuated by an accelerometer and/or manually actuated by the user's pulling of a release handle. Upon actuation, the gas release system releases gas into and inflates the airbag. The airbag inflates to surround at least the back and sides of the user's head to thereby provide physical protection and a thermal buffer between a portion of the user and the external environment, for example, during and after an avalanche and to facilitate search and rescue of the user after the avalanche.

Abstract: A buoyancy aid wearable as a swimming cap in its uninflated condition and usable as a buoyancy aid in an inflated condition including a cap defining means configurable in its to be worn condition preferably to have one part thereof within another part thereof, the cap defining means including at least one inflatable chamber. An inflation unit is preferably carried by the cap defining means and is actuable to inflate the inflatable chamber(s). The outcome upon actuation of the inflation unit will be or is, should the inflated condition be achieved, that the inflatable chamber(s) configures (configure) the cap defining means to a form no longer wearable as a cap and with the one part no longer within the another part. The cap defining means when in its fully inflated form preferably has a configuration that is substantially that of an unshelled peanut therefor, with a waisted region. The inflation unit preferably uses a gas reservoir capable of releasing gas under pressure.

Abstract: A personal floatation device particularly adapted for home use with babies under parental supervision. The personal floatation device has floatation foam pads sewn into a sturdy, non-slip, woven cotton cover. The back section has three floatation foam panels--the head support, the back support and the pant back. The front section has three floatation foam panels--the pant front, and two elongated suspender panels which are sewn into the waist of the pant and placed vertically over the baby's chest to attach to the lower portion of the floatation foam head support through use of Velcro strips sewn on to each side of the head support. The front and back panels of the pant are secured together with Velcro strips. The floatation foam in the head support has a cut-out hole in which the baby rests his head. The baby's face and breathing passages are clear of the water, allowing the baby to float comfortably in the back float survival position giving complete freedom of movement of arms and legs.

Abstract: A manually driven water propulsion device including a propulsion assembly comprising an attachment strap, a gearbox, a flexible shaft, a propeller, securing booties and bootie attachment member, the attachment strap being configured as a loop, in an operative orientation the attachment strap being coupled to the gearbox and fastened around a user's waist, the gearbox having a lower surface, a top, a bottom; and a gear assembly being positioned within the gearbox for affording rotation of the shaft and propeller, the bootie attachment member rotatably coupled to the shaft and adapted to allow releasable coupling with the securing booties.

Abstract: A safety and life-preserving flotation collar intended for use by aircraft and shipboard personnel in an emergency that leaves the personnel in the water. The flotation collar has a fabric shell housing two automatically inflatable, independent, and symmetric flotation cells; two oral inflators and mechanical inflators mounted on the fabric shell; and a face shield stowed in the fabric shell. The flotation collar may be worn with an auxiliary belt or with a survival vest.

Abstract: A floating headrest is formed of a unitary member of expanded plastic such as polyethylene. The headrest includes two raised end sections, between which, the rider's head lays. The headrest includes a cylindrical hole bored from the forward surface to the rear surface to allow the insertion of other tubular flotation devices. The headrest is designed such that the center of buoyancy of the combined headrest, said tubular flotation device, and rider is significantly below the surface of the water, leaving the rider's head out of the water.

Abstract: A communication system for attachment to a standard type of firefighter's face mask. Generally speaking, the communication system is mounted on opposite sides of the glass/plastic lens portion without affecting the integrity of the mask seal or the breathing air conduits. An infra-red signal representative of the wearer's voice is transmitted through the mask lens to speaker-electronics for reproducing the amplified voice of the wearer out side the mask unit.

Abstract: A swimmer's face mask (1) comprising a visor (3, 4 and 5), a holder (6) for the visor (3, 4 and 5) and a strap (7) for attaching the holder (6) to the face of a swimmer. The visor (3, 4 and 5) is of transparent plastic material and has two laterally extending panels (3, 4 and 5) sealed at their edges to form a hollow water-tight compartment (13). This compartment (13) provides sufficient buoyancy to float the entire face mask (1) when it is detached from the head of a swimmer.

Abstract: A survival hood particularly for use with buoyancy garments in water to act as a splash guard comprises a hood-like cover (1) with a lower neck opening and adapted to fit over and envelope a wearer's head and face. The face portion of the hood (1) comprises a window (5) of crumplable transparent waterproof material and presents a spray-free fitting to a wearer's face. A pair of ventilating apertures (6) are provided in the region of a wearer's temples. A lower extension of the hood (1) comprises a rear elasticated neck portion (4) and a forward bodice portion (3) arranged to extend over a wearer's chest and to be releasably secured by straps (11) to a buoyancy garment. A lower flap-like extension (7) of the bodice (3) provided with quick-release fasteners (8,9) is arranged to wrap around the hood (1-5) when folded and rolled to form a bundle-like package.

Abstract: A life preserving device is shown having a body portion with a pair of floating sections which extend in opposite directions from a centrally located fold. Each of the floating sections has an aperture adapted to receive a wearer's head. The floating sections are foldable together along the central fold for use by a single wearer with the single wearer's head passing through both of the apertures. The floating sections are foldable apart for use by two wearers with each of the wearer's heads passing through a selected one of the apertures. A pressure sensing switch is shown for use with the life preserving device. The pressure sensing switch includes a pressure sensing membrane which is affixed to the body and which is responsive to an increase in inflation pressure within the floating section of the body to complete and actuate an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can be used to power a radio transmitter to transmit a distress signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cold-proof water-proof garment, which is to be worn for marine operations on cold water and can save life in such a case as when a man wearing it accidentally drops into water or encounters perils of the sea.

Abstract: An aquatic helmet exercise assembly is provided which can be interchangeably used by men, women and children alike in the water without substantial modification by simply adjusting the chin straps. The aquatic helmet exercise assembly permits a large range of head movements and controlled use of fluid resistive forces for strengthening the neck, back and stomach muscles. The exercise assembly has upright fins and an optional rounded or pyramid-shaped crown.